Food, Finds & Forays
Hey there....
Hey there… Have you had a good week? Mine's been lovely catching up on some gardening jobs I’d been putting off in the prolonged cold weather. With a lovely sunny warm weekend I was happily drawn outside, though it’s definitely hay fever season. This week kicked off with a beautiful shoot for a ceramics collective, more of which I’ll be able to share in a few weeks except to say gosh artisans are clever and creative.
With constant talk around here about the up coming travels of both our kids my thoughts have occasionally turned to dinners for two, one of which I’ve shared for you to try as a meal or a lovely side for more than two.
Thankfully hubby doesn’t read this so I can share with you what he’s getting for his upcoming birthday and a gorgeous project bake for his birthday cake. It’s a big one so wish me luck.
Finally we’re in full bathroom renovation mode this weekend so I’ll be busy in the kitchen keeping the troops fed with a few tasty recipes you might be interested in.
Hope you enjoy the rest of your week,
S xx
Food
Grilled Asparagus Salad with Chunky Tomato Vinaigrette
There’s been a lot of talk about cars around here lately. CV joints, brakes, suspension both leaf and spring, radiators fans etc etc etc ad infinitum. All terms I never anticipated knowing or indeed understanding but such is the life of a boy mum who’s boys love adventuring, buy, maintain and own their cars on their own ticket. I bet, not a subject, you ever expected to read about on a food blog either, but here we are.
You see, cars are super important to young people and in my experience young men. Cars are their independence especially when they still live at home, they’re often their conduit to study and employment choices without the shackles of public transport access and in my sons' cases a symbol of economic achievement. They both saved for, bought and maintain their own cars all by the age of 18. They worked hard for that achievement and continue to work hard to sustain it. As they do to support their dreams and the one both boys are about to embark on.
As the boys grew, up we always holidayed in the wild. Packing our four wheel drive and camper trailer to the rafters so to speak, we’d set off to the trees or the ocean seeking adventure and freedom in the wide open. Sometimes ‘dragging’ your kids off on such holidays year in year out is enough to turn them off such adventures for life. In the case of our kids, however, this has been far from the case, indeed it’s driven them to go further and wilder. Soon, both boys will be heading off on their own adventures, in different directions from each other both with open ended return dates. One will head west, following the wild southern ocean to the west coast then heading north to the red ochre of the Kimberley and the tropical north of his childhood on the sores of the Arafura Sea. The other lad will head off through the open planed NSW outback to the green ocean side tropics of northern Queensland, both wonderful holiday spots if their wanderings prevail and we need to fly north to visit and fill our arms and family cup with their companionship. I’m all parts excited for them and with all my mother’s emotions inwardly sad at the void their absence will leave. Maggie McKellar has touched on this in her beautiful weekly newsletter The Sit Spot on occasion and will also write about motherhood in her new book to be released next year which can’t come soon enough. Their expeditions will take them on routes I’ve not travailed myself and open their eyes and wings in ways remaining at home never could. The prospect of this growth is beyond exciting for me to witness (though from afar) as their mother. To stand at the top of the driveway and wave them off as they drive away, with a smile and dry eyes not so exciting, rather a wrench and challenge.
Whilst melancholic at the thought of their departure, a part of me is also a little excited at what may come for me and us. Even though they’re adults running a home for a family of four still takes time and the ‘mother lobe’ of the brain to be constantly activated, or maybe that’s just me. The family diary in your head still ticks away, and the detritus of family life still surrounds you. Whilst I don’t begrudge that part of myself I’ve bestowed on them, indeed I’m grateful to have been able to do that, I do look forward to another chapter opening in my life.
In helping our kids prepare for their trips one of the things they’ve sought advice on is meals they’ve enjoyed both at home and on the road, as I mentioned here. On reflection one of the great benefits of creating this blog is for them to be able refer to it while they travel (when they have mobile/cell service) for the tastes of home. It also gives me an opportunity to explore other ideas for meals, particularly ones my husband and I can enjoy for lighter meals for two and easy quick ideas. Whilst the boys enjoy a wide variety of foods they are strapping, busy growing lads whose appetites and needs are perhaps greater than ours. More and more I’m thinking about dishes we might enjoy together of a lighter style. I created this recently for a quick lunch, mopping up all that was left on the plate. It’s a delicious combination of flavours that will be flexible to be a side dish with something yummy off the barbie or as is with an egg as a quick dinner, maybe at the end of a weekend day adventuring ourselves.
Ingredients:
1-2 bunches of fresh asparagus spears, around 6-8 spears each.
1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
1 ½ tsp salted capers, washed and chopped
1 tsp of Dijon mustard
2 tsp of sherry or red wine vinegar
2 tbs Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
2 eggs
2 tsp pine nuts
Mixed salad leaves
Method:
Using a medium pot, half fill with water, a generous sprinkle of salt and a good glug of white vinegar and pop over a high heat to bring to the boil.
Trim asparagus by breaking the end off at the base. To do this hold the base in one hand and the spear half way up in the other hand and bend. Do this gently and it will naturally break at the point where the sweet tender flesh meets the woody end. Place in a suitably sized bowl or plate, drizzle over a small amount of olive oil and gently and briefly massage all over to coat the spears, set aside. In a medium bowl whisk together the capers, mustard, vinegar and oil, taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste. It’s important to taste first as the capers, though washed, will add salt to the dish. Gently fold through the tomatoes and set aside. Set a griddle pan on a medium-high heat until smoking. Tip Asparagus into pan perpendicular to the griddle lines and cook a few minutes each side until just starting to soften. Remove from heat and keep war.
In the boiling pot, swirl water until a whirlpool forms and crack eggs into the centre of the whirlpool and simmer for 3-4 minutes or until they're as firm as you prefer. You can gently lift an egg in a slotted spoon to the surface and gently touch it to check how done it is.
To assemble, place a handful of the salad leaves on a plate, lay the asparagus on top and spoon over the tomato mixture. With a light touch rest the poached egg on top, sprinkle pine nuts around the plate and serve.
I enjoy this dish with an extra flourish of persian feta or pan fried haloumi. Hubby likes it next to some extra protein. Keep some crusty bread handy to mop all the tasty juices left over.
Served without egg this is an excellent side with all meats. It's also lovely without an egg as a salad as part of shared table of a few sides. Plated as a larger dish in such a manner this will serve four as a side or six as part of a several offerings.
Finds & Forays
Our adventures and forays, over the years have not waned. In fact if anything my husband’s love of the outdoors has only grown over time. He grew up in the bush exploring in the hills surrounding his home with mates and remains most at home when he’s in the outdoors. Next week is his birthday and because of his love of traveling, exploring and camping he’s usually pretty easy to buy for. We bought this for our eldest for his 21st a couple years ago and hubby’s been envious ever since, so I think it will be a perfect gift this year. Whilst it's a bit of an investment they last a lifetime and he'll love it!
He loves lemon flavoured desserts and meringue but I’m more a cake girl so this one should make the perfect birthday cake. I’ve wanted to try it ever since buying the book though haven’t been brave enough but will give it a go this year. If you see it on Instagram next week you’ll know it was a success.
After years of talking about it, we’re finally renovating our main bathroom. It’s a very tired old one desperately in need of updating so will be a very welcome addition when it’s complete. Thankfully my ‘chippy’ son will be managing the job and directing the troops, but it does mean winning their favour and keeping everyone going. For inspiration I’m leaning on some blog favourites for inspo. The Shady Baker, who feeds shearers on her sheep station in the outback will be a good start with this one and this other outback cook's old school cake will be another winner. And of course you can’t go past this one of mine to fill hungry tummies.
