Lunch with a view…
by girlinafoodfrenzy
It’s an impromptu celebration for my friend’s birthday and I’ve offered my culinary services in the lead up to the big day. She has a dream home and she especially has a dream kitchen. In fact, my lovely friends husband is a former CEO/Engineer for Bosch and pretty much designed her kitchen from paper to pan which is saying something!
Here’s an aperitif to get you started, I tried this for the first time and it was a great way to kick start those tastebuds:
Aperol & Soda with Lemon.
It’s simply 1 part Aperol with gorgeous grapefruit and citrus flavours, topped with soda, a delicious squeeze of lemon & sunshine!
Al Fresco dining, got to love that we’re a week from Winter here in Sydney and it’s a sunny 24C outside!
My friend made this ultra delicious Tomato soup in her Thermomix (I want one!) Even better, she served it with fresh basil, lemon zest and a shot of Gin, only for grown-ups!!!
Someone’s been gardening! Blanched veggies with Gribiche sauce, edible olive & chestnut meal soil aka Heston Blumenthal at Home again!
Do you remember? Snap, Crackle & Pop aka Pork Belly, I get the feeling this might become my most requested dish at gatherings in the future.
My very generous friends suggested we accompany the dessert with a kick start of after luncheon liqueurs, Drambuie, Frangelico, Baileys & Grand Marnier Followed by a Nespresso too…
Happy Birthday! Polenta & Lemon cake with Saffron & Lemon Syrup. Orchids hand picked from her garden & I’ve only just realised, one of those candles is the odd one out…
As always, you can find the link to previous recipes for Pork Belly, Polenta Cake with citrus syrup and more right here
Here’s a few more snapshots of their beautiful home! The collectibles and artefacts are momentos from the years spent abroad living in South Africa too…divine…
Great photos and drinks!!
Thanks! Or the drinks I’ll give credit to my friends but happy snaps are mine per usual
gorgeous pics!
Hi Christina, thank you I just can’t help myself when it comes to happy snaps of food & even better when shared with friends
Oh My Goodness! That kitchen…and that home!
Seems like such a fun birthday party with gorgeous food.
Thank you! It was fun to potter about and cook in their home and I love my friends (style) the glassware is divine! Doesn’t hurt they have an amazing balcony either
I laughed at that veggie display. How very darling! Dirt…who knew? I just love luncheons like that. Need to add gin to my tomato soup….
Go for it chef! I’m glad you enjoyed the soil & garden! Gin & Tomato is just another wacky combo I now love!
What fun! This looks like it was a perfectly delicious birthday celebration.
Thanks Robin, officially she’s celebrating next week but it was great to cook for her and show off some new skills!
I’m sure it was!
Ok, loved loved loved everything! The Heston Blumenthal dirt was reminiscent of creations from Noma as well, and I want to know (but I am sure it was) was the lemon saffron jam a hit? Yum….my kind of lunch, and I can’t even tell you house jealous I am of that kitchen! Well done! I am going to look out for pork belly here!
Aww, I’m chuffed you’d think my dishes could ever look anything like that, truly! As for the saffron syrup the lemon rind candied beautifully on top of the cake, the flavour was really gorgeous and there was a lot of happy silence when that Pork Belly came out…
I love that…you know everyone loves your food when the chatting stops and your in reverent silence! Congrats!!!
Fabulous Post! I want a plate of everything. Especially that cake!
Lol, sadly I did leave the cake behind for my pals but no doubt with your culinary skills you’d magic it up in no time!
What a gorgeous delicious meal
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thank you Uru, I’m still enjoying cooking and showing off for my friends, lol! I have another birthday coming up for the man in my life and then my bday after that, it’s madness here!!!
Beautiful pics and the tomato soup looks yummy!
Thanks Tori, she makes a great soup! Simply blitzed tomatoes with shallots & garlic, the secret is the Gin and her Thermomix…
What a fabulous meal! May I please have seconds, that range, and all the Le Creuset beneath?
Hi Marian, my thoughts exactly
The Le Crueset ware was such a bright and sunny colour in that gorgeous kitchen it was so lovely! The lunch went down a treat too.
I saw on your blog you spent some time in New jersey with the family, any chance youve stopped by Momofuku Milk Bar yet???
Going back in August!