~Cook Up with donna hay and Irina~

Cook Up with donna hay and Irina from donna hay magazine Issue 78 Dec/Jan 2015

Menu tonight was Sticky Chilli Ribs with Coconut and Cabbage Slaw

Sticky Date Meringue Cake

Free Range Pork in mixture of Ginger, Garlic, Chilli, Honey and Lime Juice

Out of the oven and looking crackling good too!!!!!!

Recipe for Sticky Chilli Ribs with Coconut and Cabbage Slaw here

Sticky Date Meringue Cake

and sliced.

It was such a hot night here that this meal was just perfect!!!!

Irina also participates in the cook up from time-to-time

To see what she has been making go over here

Bon Appetit......Dzintra xo

~Our Christmas Food......and a New Year's Eve Wish~

The lighting was all set

Bon bons in place (that we forgot to use at mealtime)

Men folk at the bbq

We had our Christmas just the weekend before

And in the kitchen from Australian Good Food Magazine I was making a couple of salads

Fruit and Nut Pumpkin Quinoa with Yogurt Sauce

Roasted Beetroot, Carrot and Walnut Salad

And then from donna hay magazine

Orange and Mustard Glazed Ham

one of the wines sampled

I managed to make a quick bunting a few days before......blog post over here

Our Christmas tree

and the sweetest sight

whilst everybody was out the back the 2 little grandies found their little chairs and popped themselves in front of the tree

and finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JoJo made something at her day programme and then stuck labels all over the gift with family members names all over it

And check this out...JoJo's gift to me, this cool sewing basket with the Eiffel Tower all over it......

On Christmas morning, from the same Good Food magazine I made a gluten free (yes gluten free) Spiced Stollen (a traditional German cake)

The mixture was a bit 'wet'

I did shape it but it spread

Next time I will try more of a loaf pan

There will definitely be a next time

Absolutely delicious.......I haven't had a traditional European bread like this for years

We took a walk down to the beach on Christmas afternoon

It was an overcast, breezy type of day

Seeing it's New Years Eve tomorrow (who can believe that......this year has flown by) I'd like to raise a glass to all my Bloggy Pals and Readers and wish you all a Happy and Safe New Year with all good things for 2013......2013 holds for me a huge birthday and a huge wedding anniversary...
Gosh where does the time go???????

This pic of Sydney Harbour Bridge New Years's Eve Fireworks 2010 taken off the television

New Years Eve post from then over here

HAPPY NEW YEAR......Dzintra xo

Rick Stein at Bannister's...A Break For Us!!!

February seems so long ago now...

We had a very very special weekend thanks to our our Son James and his Partner Danelle...

Last year for Mr Armchair's very significant birthday they wanted to give us a weekend away INCLUDING having JoJo whilst that was happening...

And blow me down we started to plan it all and I broke my arm...

this put me out of action for weeks...

Mr Armchair was run off his feet caring for me and JoJo...

and 12 months later we were finally able to have our weekend away...

And what a time it was...

but I must admit it took getting used to just being a couple a while...

JoJo is with us full time and we are her Carers...

for us to be able to enjoy a few hours together of just chatting and going out requires planning for Respite Care...knowing when we are going out...when we are coming back...

nothing is spontaneous for us...

sometimes is is just easier to stay home and not stress about it all...

The place we all agreed on was Rick Stein's at Bannisters...

James had to approve our choice as he wanted somewhere really nice and special for us...

After we arrived we headed off down to the pool area for a drink and a bit of lunch...

pic above is at the pool area...

Driving into Bannister's...

Ocean view from our room...

On the balcony...

Caesar Salad...

Chips and Aioli...

Some swimming in the edge pool...

It started raining in the late afternoon but it was still nice and warm...

Inside a corner of the Restaurant where we had dinner...

The wine...

I had informed the Restaurant a couple of days before that I was on a gluten-free diet...

The menus are quite large and they are printed every day on thick paper with a copy of the fish below on the other side...

I wasn't made to feel any different from the other guests which can often happen in various places...

the Restaurant had printed up a gluten free version...

I thought that this was the most thoughtful gesture...

Every attention to detail was attended to...

We were chatting with the Hostess at Front of House and told her why we there and when we sat down we were presented with complimentary champagne...

The most unusual butter...a fishy one but oh so delicious...

together with gluten free bread...they just did it!!!

 Braised Fillet of Cone Bay Barramundi with Truffle, Slivers of Potato, Mushrooms and Truffle Oil...

Chips and Melange of Vegetables...

During the evening...

Both desserts had Happy Birthday on them as the dinner was a celebratory birthday one for us both...signed by Rick's Head Chef.. Julian Lloyd

We were so full but still managed to fit in breakfast...eggs for Mr Armchair

and bruschetta for me (on gluten free toast)...and they remembered!!!

A light shade made of small bottles...

Entrance into the Restaurant...

Took a walk down to the beach and came upon a dedication...

Cocktails...mocktails...we certainly ate and drank!!!

And then it was dinner time again...

Fig, Prosciutto and Rocket Salad...

A salad of Lobster, Avocado, Green Beans and Foie-Gras...

Bannisters Fish Pie...Salmon, Snapper, Blue Eye Trevalla, Scallops, Mushrooms and Prawns in a creamy Fish Veloute Sauce with Truffle, gratinated with Breadcrumbs and Parmesan...

Indonesian Seafood Curry with Ling, Skate, Kingfish, Squid and King Prawns...Served with Green Bean and fresh Coconut Salad and Steamed Rice... .

And of course we had to have dessert!!!

Many Awards on the walls...

We even bought some fabulous books...Rick is coming back next month and I think I will take them up there to be signed by him!!!

A little collage I made...prior to the evening meal olives are served!!!

We love olives and regularly do this here at home too now!!!

Thank You, Thank You so much James and Danelle...we had a ball!!!!!

We have little Ryan coming here for a few days in the holidays...

tonight I will cook Pork Belly...

So here's to a wonderful weekend of family and celebrations!!!

I am so Blessed!!!

Bon Appetit...Dzintra xo