August | 2012 | girl in a food frenzy

Seasons of Change!

Red, Rubies of Strawberry & Rhubarb, flaky shredded coconut and golden toasted oats. Does this sound like the kind of breakfast which appeals to you? yes please…

There are those who enjoy the mornings, as they warm up slowly with the beckoning signs of Spring… Then there are others, who enjoy that slight chill in their mornings which signal the beginning of Autumn or Fall.

Either way, it signals the Season of Change… know what else signals change…moving house!

Yes folks, giaff and her guy are on the move! Long story short, our lovely home (aka rental) is being sold so it’s time for a change.

Spring cleaning, why not and let’s do the whole flat whilst we’re at it!

To fortify us for the home-hunt ahead we’ll need some serious fuel and the comfort of warm baked fruit, a crisp topping of toasted nuts & coconut, to assist our tummies.

Having revisited an old favourite recipe, (one of which I’ve enjoyed indulging in the past,) I can reassure you that this Stewed fruit & Toasted muesli (aka) Quick breakky crumble, is the more virtuous of the two, with no butter, little sugar and a big side of wholesome in the form of yoghurt, hold the cream…perfect for some ahem internal Spring Cleaning too!

And so, I apologise in advance for my soon to be absence between the mayhem and the packing and then the unpacking! Looking forward to seeing what tasty delights you have made, whilst I’m gone, happy cooking everyone!

Like this, you might want to see:
Blackberry Cobbler
Apple & Cinnamon muffins
Pancake Formulae

29 comments

August 29, 2012

ABC…Mollecular Gastronomy @ N2 Extreme Gelato

So today folks was a special discovery indeed. In fact, I write so often from home, blogging about the dishes I’m cooking at school, the food I’m making at home and general rambles and la-la’s that I sometimes forget to write about the things I eat (outside of the house & blog)

But today friends, is not that day. Tonight your Giaff and her guy have found something so wild, so wacky and seriously fun that I really must share it with you all and especially my fellow Sydney Folk. It would be a crime to keep this all to ourselves and here it is N2 Extreme Gelato

You guessed it right! Located somewhere in the heart of Chinatown on Dixon Street is a wonderful lab where fun, science and dessert marry together. I’m talking liquid nitrogen N2 and a whole lot of creativity and merriment. I’m not going to spoil the surprise that awaits you there but if you’re anything like me and love a culinary adventure… then fellow Sydney folk, get thee to Chinatown soon.

This chance discovery happened after another (wonderful culinary adventure aka dinner beforehand) and even after possibly eating some of the best chicken in Sydney, we knew we had to try one!

As my poor ole’ Molecular Gastronomy Kit, sits virtually unused (a birthday present from my beloved) I have since vowed to get handy & wacky it up, in the kitchen soon.

But of course there is movement afoot…, a bit more of which I’ll tell you in my next post. So for now, you’ll hopefully be content with visions of liquid ice and creamy confections and I look forward to hearing of all your culinary adventures soon!

15 comments

August 27, 2012

How to channel your inner Italian!

There’s so much to be thankful for on these frenzy free weekends. It might be sleep-ins, time spent with friends or catch up reading (which often equates with cook book & food blog stalks) and can often lead to hungry moments of course!

Inevitably my thoughts will turn to dinner, either simple meals, or the one’s you plan in advance and consider a careful shop for all those wacky ingredients you’ve been meaning to try (pink cauliflower anyone?)

For me, when there’s time, I like to perfect some tried & true favourite’s. Sometimes it’s recipes that I’ve written and would like to revise or little suggestions from others to tweak a familiar dish to get better results next time.

None more so than pizza making, which is a slow art!

When getting down to the nitty gritty of pizza making, for me the secret to a nice chewy crust begins with a slow rise of the dough the night before hand. It’s about preparing that dough lovingly, & tucking it into a bowl (to bed…)

…and the next morning, I like to give the starter a little massage before I wake up those dough balls into submission!

(for some real pizza’s actually from Naples, head on over to Carla’s blog here

Whilst there’s usually some fairly common ingredients like mushrooms, tin tomatoes & mozzarella in the giaff household, sometimes I like to freshen things up with some fresh lemon zest, cured zucchini or even Radichio!

Sometimes I mightn’t even bother with anything at all. Perhaps just parsley, salt and olive oil, did I mention this recipe works just as well for a crisp flatbread too!

So are you ready to channel your inner Italian? Then it’s time to get ready for some Pizzette!

Like this, you might want to see:
Play Dough!
Ricotta Fritters, two ways
Spaghetti Bolognese

33 comments

August 25, 2012

Spring has Sprung

Wake Up! say the bees to my garden! Eat me, say those delicious alpine strawberries, (you know the ones, they’re the size of your fingernails but pack as much strawberry punch as you’d get in the larger berries.)

My chillies beg me to be stir fried and meanwhile, there are teeny-tiny, Tom Thumb tomatoes slowly making an appearance, alongside the onion sprouts & flowers coming into bloom.

Yes, as I write this it’s 21C outside (around 68F) and with it signals the end of winter, begone the cold!

I can already hear the folks exclaiming in the Northern Hemisphere, but truly with Autumn/Fall comes the beautiful medley of autumnal colours that Mother Nature loves to show off to us all.

Warmer days also signal lighter foods. Time to celebrate and indulge in these fresh vibrant greens in the shops & plethora of jewelled fishes from the fishmongers.

Sadly not all these lovelies are home grown, but I can guarantee they still have a special place in my heart and my tummy. Time for some Spring Feasting, salads & Seafood.

Like this, you might want to see:
Fish en Papillot
Tuna Steaks & Prickly Pear Salsa
Red Sauce with Pasta & Scampi

16 comments

August 22, 2012

Pretty things and lovely moments…

Ever have those days when you visit the postbox only to discover a surprise parcel!!! I was very excited, even better because I had an inkling it was a belated present from my little sister after her travels abroad to Europe, Rome, Turkey, London, anyone…?

I love a good souvenir. Confession, I have a passion for vintage-esque tea towels like this one and as you can see I’m now the proud recipient of many others too, happy dance!

Of the other pretty things decorating the Giaff home at this time, is a gorgeous Paris Metro clock, (in a ring-top pull can no less) and this current favourite read by Skye Gyngell former mastermind & chef of Petersham Nurseries