~A Welcome Home Dinner....and a Book Win~

Phew, here we are into February and just starting to get back into Blogland....

When I came back from Paris and Latvija Hubby and JoJo offered to take me out for dinner to celebrate.......Well that was back in October and the dinner happened in January lol

I didn't take any photos of the dinner but I did afterwards

We went to a local place Starfish Deli and really enjoyed the views

Starfish deli is situated on the pristine waters of the Clyde River

Last weekend we had some Foie gras de canard entier that I brought home from Paris

I couldn't resist purchasing this on the banks of the Seine River at a Friday market

I had never had any before and probably never will again

Oh so delicious together with some Brillat Savarin Affine Fromage......a triple cream cheese from France .......oh so very very creamy

Imported by Calendar Cheese Company, Port Melbourne.

Also just before I went away I was lucky enough to win The Chocolate Promise and The Tea Chest by Josephine Moon.  The Chocolate Promise is set in Paris and Provence......2 places I was lucky enough to go to......

Thank You Josephine

I've realised this is my 500th post so I think a little giveaway is in order
I'll be back soon with that

One more day till the weekend woo hoo
Enjoy.......I think I'll be going down to the beach as it's been so hot!!!

Have a good one......Dzintra xo

~Cooking with donna hay......and Irina~

A few weeks ago saw me doing another cook-up from donna hay magazine Issue 72 Dec/Jan 2014

above is one pic of the Watermelon, Raspberry and Coconut Liqueur Granita

The Menu was

~Watermelon, Raspberry and Coconut Liqueur Granita~

~Hummus with Spiced Crispy Chickpeas~

~Char-Grilled Lamb Cutlets with Corn and Zucchini Salad~

~Caramel Floating Island Cake with Caramelized Peaches~

Delicious fruit ready for blending

Granita after some hours in the freezer

Donna's version

This is my version along with the one in the top pic

Just different glasses

Very delicious Hummus

The Zucchini Salad

had Char-Grilled Corn tossed through it

Donna's version

And a few of my versions

A bit of dressing on these Cutlets

Peaches Caramelizing

And this extremely delicious Caramel Floating Island Cake

together with half a peach

Needless to say we all had seconds......to go with the Peaches of course!!!

Irina has joined me in these cook-ups and we are having fun doing them and eagerly awaiting to see what the other does!!!  To see what Irina has been cooking go over here

If anyone would like to join us drop me a line

All easy-peasy

just cook up something from the latest issue and blog it!!1

Bon Appetit,

Dzintra

Cook Up With Vicki No 12...

Another Cook Up With Vicki has happened...

 from donna hay magazine Issue 58 Aug/Sept 2011...

Vicki and I decided to each cook something from each issue and then blog it...

anyone is welcome to join us...just cook something up from the issue and blog it!!!

Menu is...

Quince-glazed Pork with Haloumi and Sweet Potato Gratin...

Salted Caramel and Vanilla Baked Cheesecake

Sweet Potato, Caramelized Onion and Haloumi ready to bake...

All done...

This would have to be one of the most delicious meals...I have since made it again...

I used Quince Paste and Smoky Caramelized Onion from Cranky Pants...

absolutely delicious...

I think I will try and make some Caramelized Onion one day...can't be too hard I figure!!!

Instead of using regular brown sugar I used Rapadura Organic Sugar purchased from Rustic Pantry...

This sugar is still brown but not gone through all the processes...

Ordinarily we don't usually have a lot of caramel here from regular brown sugar as it can react with JoJo...

this time she was absolutely fine...

will have to make this sauce again to confirm it but looking good!!!

Organic Rapadura is an unrefined sugar, popular for its unique caramel flavour, fine grain and gorgeous golden colour. It is produced by simply evaporating the water from the organic sugar cane juice. It has high nutritional value as it retains most of the natural vitamins and minerals, because, unlike other sugar it is not separated from the nutrient dense molasses part of the sugar cane during the pressing and drying process.  For more info on this sugar go over here...

This cheesecake was awesome...especially the salted caramel sauce...

I used Arnotts Rice Cookie for the base as it is gluten free...

Going into the oven...

Topping is basically Ricotta and Cream Cheese...

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!

The recipe can be found over here...

And the perfect drink...

Rekordelig Apple Cider...

Bon Appetit...Dzintra

Happy Anniversary To Us!!!

Here's a Chocolate Cake I made on the morning of our Anniversary last week intending it to be for later on that evening...

Mr Armchair took us (that is me and JoJo) out for a celebration dinner so this little heartcake is patiently sitting in the freezer all ready to be decorated with strawberries and cream another day!!!

We went into town to our favourite Restaurant 'On The Pier'...

here is the view awaiting us...

Rusty old anchor out the front...

'Boatsheds' on the deck...

The view up river...

Looking across the famous Clyde River Bridge...

Looking towards the Oyster Sheds...

The Clyde is well known for its Sydney Rock Oysters which are used locally...in Sydney and around New South Wales...

Starting off with a cocktail...

A delicious red from the Geelong Wine Region (Victoria)

JoJo started off with Rosemary and Parmesan Grissini, marinated olives and Persian Fetta...

We had Oysters Kilpatrick!!!

Char Grilled grass fed Beef Fillet, Garlic Potatoes, Crisp Crab Ravioli with Soy and Green Chilli reduction for Mr Armchair...

Tempura Prawns, Spiced plum Sauce and Lemon for JoJo...

and my choice...twice cooked Pork Belly with warm Salad of Grilled Scallops, Chilli Pineapple and soft Herbs...

A hot chocolate for JoJo...

Delicious dessert...Pavlova Mess...Strawberries in a light rice biscuit (can't think of the name...it's very popular and I have never seen it gluten free before...normally wound round a wooden spoon straight after cooking..it'll come to me and I'll slip it in) and sorbet!!!

Thanks to Amy who has spurred me on and suggested Tuile...I'm pretty sure it was a Brandy Basket!!!

Here we are!!!

JoJo took herself out on the deck after dinner...

A couple of moored boats...

Part of the interior...

And I couldn't resist a snap of the sugar in a glass!!!

We had a wonderful evening...

wouldn't mind dining like this a bit more often...

beautiful views...delicious food...

and a great venue!!!

Happy Anniversary Hubby!!!