July 2008

Time For A Coffee…

by Peter G July 28, 2008 Personal
Thumbnail image for Time For A Coffee…

This is going to be a “mish mash” of a post.  I have a few people to thank and answer a meme (sort of!).  So, sit back, relax and have a “cuppa” with me.  Speaking of, I find I’m drinking way too much coffee these days.  I really can’t help it.  I never start my day without a few of these.  There’s something magical about the aroma as I wait [...]

Continue… 17 comments

Coconut and Sesame Crusted Prawns with a Lime and Coriander Dipping Sauce

by Peter G July 27, 2008 Recipes
Thumbnail image for Coconut and Sesame Crusted Prawns with a Lime and Coriander Dipping Sauce

It’s time for the Royal Foodie Joust again!  For all of you who don’t know about it click on the link and get on over there.  It’s a monthly cooking competition based on using three ingredients.  The winner of each month gets to choose next months and so on.  The winner of last month’s competition was Peter from Kalofagas.  Not only did he get to model his apron without anything [...]

Continue… 27 comments

Portobello Road Markets

by Peter G July 25, 2008 Places
Thumbnail image for Portobello Road Markets

Recently, I had the pleasure of making my way to London for a quick weekend with work.  I’ve been to the “Old Dart” on numerous occasions but had never had the opportunity to venture into these famous weekend markets.  Located in the Notting Hill district, they run from south to north covering most of this area.  It was very busy with many tourists out and about.  The weather was kind [...]

Continue… 16 comments

Roast Tomato and Capsicum Soup

by Peter G July 23, 2008 Recipes
Thumbnail image for Roast Tomato and Capsicum Soup

Enough of the greens for the mean time!  Let’s add a splash of red into the mix!  We’re right in the middle of winter here in Sydney, Australia.  Very cool nights and “crisp” mornings.  As I type this, the wind is howling and its raining.  I don’t really mind winter.  You  just have to adjust and “go with the flow”.  So to cheer myself up and dream of warmer climes, [...]

Continue… 23 comments

Brussels Sprouts

by Peter G July 19, 2008 Recipes
Thumbnail image for Brussels Sprouts

Let’s continue on with our current “series” of “glorious greens”.  I want to give you a quick, easy and delicious recipe for that very controversial vegetable brussels sprouts.   Their “controversy” probably stems (well for me it does) from the awful childhood memories I had of them being overcooked.  This was then exacerbated by going to school camps where they were served even more overcooked!  (If there is such a thing!) [...]

Continue… 17 comments

Beautiful Broccolini

by Peter G July 14, 2008 Recipes
Thumbnail image for Beautiful Broccolini

Along with the witlof the other day I also prepared some broccolini.  Broccolini as Wkipedia explains is “a green vegetable resembling broccoli”.  Huh?  I always thought it was just another version of broccoli.  Well it is.  It’s a cross between a young broccoli and kai-lan (chinese broccoli).  Whatever the case, its healthy and if cooked right can taste delicious.  It’s great as a side to a big roast, perfect in [...]

Continue… 23 comments

Glorious Greens

by Peter G July 12, 2008 Recipes
Thumbnail image for Glorious Greens

I picked up this wnderful witlof recently at the markets in an effort to try and incorporate more greens into my winter diet. There is so much information on the web about this vegie, that I was really overwhelmed by it all! It’s otherwise known as endive and is related to the chicory family. (or is endive something else???…too many conflicting articles). Whatever the case, its shaped like a big fat Cuban

Continue… 16 comments

Cinnamon Tea

by Peter G July 10, 2008 Recipes
Thumbnail image for Cinnamon Tea

“Baby its cold ouside”…”raindrops keep falling on my head”…you get the idea!  Its freezing outside and those of us that are folically challenged can really feel the cold. In order to keep warm and toasty I’ve been making my new favourite beverage.  Cinnamon tea.  A lot of people share a love/hate relationship with cinnamon.  How could you possibly not like it?  It’s spicy, warm and the aroma is to die [...]

Continue… 20 comments

Pastitsio

by Peter G July 8, 2008 Greek Food
Thumbnail image for Pastitsio

This ladies and gentlemen is one of my favourite comfort foods! Baked pasta, Greek style aka as “pastitso”. A bit of a pain to assemble often resulting in a chaotic kitchen but absolutely delicious. I used to crave this all the time as a kid, requesting it be cooked at least once a week. At greek buffets (relatives’ houses…LOL) it was the first thing on my plate. I sort of see it as a grown up version of pasta bolognaise. The bechamel topping gives it that extra lift and transforms it into something else!

Continue… 24 comments

Lamb Pot Pies with Peas and Mint

by Peter G July 3, 2008 Recipes
Thumbnail image for Lamb Pot Pies with Peas and Mint

During my recent recovery (insert violin music in here) I tried to cleanse my body by eating a lot more greens. I picked up this beautiful batch of peas and sugar snap peas and cooked them by gently poaching them in some water. Whilst it was nourishing, all I could think of was “man these peas need some mint and meat and the assistance of some puff pastry”. As the weather has cooled down completely here in Sydney the thought of pies enters my head. I love making pies. I know its a bit of a cheat but I tend to buy ready made pastry. I swear one day I’ll get around to fiddling

Continue… 27 comments

I’m still here!

by Peter G July 2, 2008 Personal

Hello!  Is there anyone there?  You’re probably asking the same thing of me!  Its been an interesting few weeks.  Where do I begin? Ok.  I was ill for about a week after having a “questionable” satay in a South East Asian country.  I swear I had no idea the tiles on my bathroom floor were that clean.  During my recovery I decided to take a few days off from writing [...]

Continue… 16 comments