Cook Books

I just love reading cook books.  I don't have near as many as I would actually like.  I do however make up for it with a few hundred food magazines.  Just thought I would share a few pictures with you of my favourite ones.

From top to bottom.  The Golden Book of Patisserie, I got this one last year for my birthday from Kathy and Neville ;-)

Jamie Oliver - Jamie's kitchen

Jamie Oliver - Happy Days with the Naked Chef

Jamie Oliver - The Return of the Naked Chef

Jamie Oliver - Jamie's Italy

Bill Granger - Bills Holiday

Bill Granger - Everyday

Bill Granger - Simply Bill

Bill Granger - Bills Sydney Food

Bill Granger - Bills Open Kitchen

Planet Cake

Marie Claire - Kitchen

Geez anyone would think I like Bill Granger!!

 

Mmm Ricotta Hot cakes.  I have had these at Bills in Surrey Hills Sydney and they were delicious.  I have also make them quite a few times and they come out fantastic every time.

Bills scrambled eggs are the best eggs I have ever tasted.  Mr S cooks a mean scrambled eggs but not as good as Bill...Sorry Mr S.

 

Cake Love

Now you all know my love of cake.  Here are some cakes that I have found in my travels on the net.  Mmmm feel like making a cake today.

Hope you have a great week full of cake!!

Green with Envy

Green has been catching my eye lately.  I am thinking about some new sheets etc for our bed and have been on the search for maybe something green.  Not to sure yet.  Here are a few pictures that caught my eye while I was looking on the net.  Green just kept jumping out at me.

I can't figure out if this is a bed or a seat of some sort.  Any kid would love having this in their bedroom.

Bit bright for me.  I tend to like my bedroom dark and moody so I think I am now talking myself out of any type of green.

When I was in high school I had a pair of green converse boots like the ones below.  Our school uniform was a bottle green skirt and a gold shirt.  Very Australian!!

Loving this bag.

Not sure about this cake though.  It doesn't really look that appetising to me.  I am guessing that it could be either green tea flavour which I don't like or pistachio.

Green hair, not a very good look, but hey she looks pretty happy.

Dior......nothing more to be said.

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!!

Lunch at Tuckeria Fresh Mexican

Last week Matilda got home from Italy so we decided to catch up for lunch so we could talk about her trip and look at some photo's.  We went to a place called Tuckeria Fresh Mexican in The Valley.  Very different to the Mexican I am used to having only really been to Montezuma's.  I had the chicken nachos (pictured below).  What I loved about these is that they were not your regular store bought corn chips.  I have a total weakness for corn chips.  My absolute favourite.  I can devour a packet in minutes.  The chicken had a beautiful char grilled flavour and I chose to have the black beans with the hot salsa.  The hot salsa was not that hot.  It could have been a lot spicier.  But overall a great experience.  If you live in Brisbane I highly recommend you give it a go.

Chicken nachos from Tuckerial Fresh Mexican

My favourite store bought corn chips.  Only new to Coles.  They don't even have to have dip.  I do just fine eating them by themselves.

Speaking of lunch, I went out again today to a place called Depot in Fortitude Valley.  I forgot to take my camera so unfortunately no photo's to show you.  The reason behind the lunch was to celebrate my friend K's last day at work.  I used to work for this company up until about 18 months ago.  I am so happy for K moving on to bigger and better things and just have to say "it's about time!!!!"  Joining us for lunch was A and A.  One of the A's is having a baby girl due 10/10/10.  What a cool birth date.  The other A, well I won't say what she is up to, but I can't wait!!! I think it's great.

Anyway at lunch today I had a spiced beef Burger with chips.  The burger was really nice and had a great flavour.  The chips however were way to salty.  I prefer to put my own salt on things and get slightly annoyed when food already comes out salted.  I have been to depot quite a few times for breakfast and one other time for lunch.  I love their breakfast, it's massive.  I wasn't all that impressed with the lunch time menu.  The last time I was there for lunch the menu was different and had much more to choose from.  Overall the experience was good.

What did you do this weekend

What exciting things have you been up to this weekend? Well I have been out to breakfast, went to a Tupperware party, been for a blood test, took the dog for a walk, went to bunnings and still managed to fit in a little tv and some time with Mr S.

We had a bit of homemade (sort of) Peking duck for dinner last night. Coles has a new line of products from luv a duck. Which happens to be from Nhill in Victoria which is where Mr S was born. Never heard of it?? Neither had I until I met him. I think if you blink when driving through you will miss it.

Anyway here are a few pictures from our dinner last night. While I LOVE duck, Mrs S would not normally order this from a menu anywhere. There would be 10 other things that he would choose before choosing duck.

Pack from Coles from memory it was $18.50

 

In the pack you get 2 Peking roast duck legs, hoisin sauce and the pancakes

All that is needed to add to the dish is cucumber and spring onions

Our platter all ready to go

close up of the duck.  It was pretty good for something you just heat up in the microwave

Finished product.  You get 10 pancakes in the pack and the duck meat lasted to do all 10.  I did enjoy it but Mr S said he would prefer to actually go out and have it. 

They had some other products at Coles.  You could buy a tub of duck fat.  How good are roast potatoes roasted in duck fat, divine.  They also had raw duck breast that you could cook yourself.  It's about time supermarkets started carrying these types of products.  I am sure that Masterchef has had a lot to do with this.

Real Living

I look forward to all my magazine subscriptions turning up each month.  I have subscriptions to Real Living, Home Beautiful, Australian Good Food, Australian House and Garden and Delicious.  My real living magazine turned up in the mailbox today and the cover instantly caught my eye.  I just love the colours they have used this month, and love the material on the couch. 

 What I really like about this magazine is that they actually include items that anyone can afford.  I sometimes get annoyed when reading other magazines to find out that the cushion that I loved and thought I had to get cost $195.00.  I'm sorry, but I am

never going to pay $195.00 for 1 cushion no matter how nice it is.

Well I have now read this cover to cover while laying on the couch and sort of watching State of Origin at the same time.  Well not so much watching of TV, maybe only lifting my head to look at the TV when there was a try scored and a bit of biffo (I'm partial to a bit of the old biffo) It's just not state of origin without it.  Well done Queensland!!

Aint LOVE grand

I am a complete sucker when it comes to LOVE.

I love seeing two people in LOVE.

I love going to weddings and seeing people declare their LOVE for each other.

I think I have cried at just about every wedding I have been to except my own.  I must have got all the tears out at the rehersal ( I cried like a baby).

I LOVE love prints like the one below.

Mmm french fry LOVE.

I LOVE seeing old people walking down the street hand in hand.  I hope Mr S and I are still holding hands when we are 80 (and that we are still alive for that matter :-)

 Aint LOVE grand.

My Brisbane Adventure Part 2

Part 2 of my Brisbane adventure saw me sitting at Brisbane square waiting for Matilda to turn up so we could take a walk over to Southbank.  Just pulled my camera out and started taking some pictures.

I think the building is the Brisbane city council library.  I could be totally wrong though.  This isn't a particularly nice looking building when you see the whole thing.

Brisbane's lovely casino

Piece of art in Brisbane square (big ball)

The below picture was taken once we had walked over to Southbank.  The city was looking beautiful and look and that blue sky.

I am told the below building has been there since Expo 1988.  Do you know, I have walked past this spot a million times and have never noticed it.  I thought it was new.  I did take some close up pictures of it but they are actually quite rude.  If you are ever there get up close and have a look and you will know what I am talking about.

Brisbane's version on the London eye.  I haven't been on this but am told you get a good view.

Mmmm beer.  This is what the day was all about.  Catching up for lunch and drinks with a good friend, who at the moment happens to be in Italy having the best holiday.

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend whatever you may be doing.