*Cook Up (No 21) with Donna Hay and ~Irina~

Above is a pic of the parsley fresh from the garden that I used in my Cook Up

from donna hay magazine Issue 67 Feb/March 2013

Potato Crisp, Fennel and Prawn Salad with Mustard and Cayenne Dressing

the wine

I have to admit this is the first time I have actually bought a fennel bulb and cooked with it

and what a surprise it was......Mr Armchair and JoJo agreed we'll have to have it more often

And tah-dah all finished

A lovely light dish which is easy to make and put together plus a perfect one for warm evenings

I think we'll have to have this one again come Summertime!

I look forward to your next Cook Up Irina and seeing what you choose!!!
Anyone else who wants to join us just drop me an email
All you have to do is cook one dish from donna's magazine and blog it

And to all the Mums out there

* HA P P Y   M O T H E R' S    DAY   F O R  S U N D A Y *

 I hope your family spoils you and that you have a lovely relaxing day 

and of course something nice to eat!!!

Bon Appetit......Dzintra xo

~It's All About JoJo...La Scala Restaurant or The Phantom Mask~

We had an unexpected trip up to Canberra a few weeks ago...

JoJo had been looking at this Restaurant sign for months...

Everytime we went there...it was full...or the kitchen had just shut so this time I made an effort to get there at mid day...

What attracted her was the masked signage...

She calls it The Phantom Mask and she was so excited this time that we were on time!!!

La Scala Ristorante

Signage before entering...

Even though it wasn't Christmas it didn't stop JoJo wearing this tshirt...

Looking from the back of the restaurant to the front...

Our table was the end one at the back...

All around the room were these masks...which added to it all...

JoJo loves masks!!!

The menu...

Some of the wines on offer...

JoJo had King Prawns wrapped in Bacon...finished with Garlic, Wine, Cream and a pinch of Chilli...

Served with a Thimbal of Saffron Rice...

She looooves Prawns...

I chose Scallopina La Scala...

Veal Scallops with Bacon, Garlic, Chilli and Cream...

Very very tasty!!!

Chocolate Ice Cream for JoJo..

Casino Citrus...

Grand Marnier flavoured Ice Cream topped with Pistachio Nuts...

served with an Orange and Grand Marnier Sauce...

All so delicious!!!

We had a wander around and found there were many rooms to this Ristorante...

If I'm correct it was named after the famous Opera House of Milan......(above)...

Gorgeous dark setting...

A great idea JoJo......I think we'll have to do this again...

perhaps for somebody's birthday!!!

And check this out...

My Sister gave us a Frangipani cutting 2 years ago......(after we had bought an expensive one which didn't make it) and it has flowered...

just beautiful with a lovely 'beachy' smell...

And stay tuned...we have just had the most amazing week...

A Wedding in Sydney......Congratulations Damien and Thanh

A Roger Waters Concert......Thank you so much James and Danelle

The Harry Potter Exhibition in Sydney

A very special weekend (just the 2 of us) at Rick Stein's at Bannisters with James and Danelle giving us a bit of respite so very much needed...

how wonderful to just be able to laze about.......and enjoy being a couple...walking at our own pace......doing things when we are ready

And generally enjoying some 'freedom'......Something so very rare for us 

We rarely get away just the 2 of us...

I would be happy with a weekend away once a year!!!

Thank you so very very much James and Danelle...

We absolutely loved it...

This was a gift from James and Danelle for Mr Armchairs 'big' birthday last year which was glossed over as I broke my arm right in the middle of it...

I'll be back with pics of it all...