Dinner with Friends

Had friends for dinner last night. With the weather being cold and rainy, a hearty meal was needed. I decided to slow cook a Moraccan Lamb shank recipe, served with roasted garlic potatoes, steamed green beans with a mustard/red vinegar dressing. Dessert was in keeping with the cold weather, a lovely berry clafoutis served with double cream "of course ". No wonder I need the cycling and spin classes.. Nevertheless it was a lovely night with a couple of glasses of red to accompany the meal. Thought I would share the delicious dessert.

Berry Clafoutis.

500g Mixed frozen berries.
250g soft goats cheese.
140g caster sugar.
4 eggs.
180g almond meal.
2tsp vanilla extract.
1tsp almond extract.
Icing sugar to dust.
Cream to serve.

Preheat the oven to 170deg in a fan forced oven. Grease 1 large 30cm gratin dish. Place the mixed berries in the base of the gratin dish.

Place goats cheese, caster sugar, eggs, almond meal, vanilla extract and almond extract in a food processor and process to form a smooth mixture.

Pour the goats cheese mixture over the cherries. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the batter is golden ad risen .

Dust with icing sugar, and serve warm with cream.

Enjoy.

Mini Van Cycling experience

I have a question for you? Does anyone look good in lycra and a helmet?? Unless you are Lance Armstrong, the answer is 'unlikely'. And there is something to be said for the padded bike pants also...I feel rather sporty to say the least.

Driving around in a mini van with our bikes attached to the outside is something I'll have to get used to. I will admit it was my first experience in a mini van. Nevertheless, I really enjoy my new found fitness and I can't believe I will be cycling the 590km from Yarrawonga to Marysville in November. Let's hope there is a cheers squad at the finish line for us.

Cycling in the Barossa Valley South Australia

Last weekend I spent cycling in the Barossa Valley South Australia on a training weekend for the Great Vic Bike Ride.

The weather was shocking, needless to say not much riding occurred. But we managed to very much enjoy ourselves sampling the wines of the area. I must say, a favourite winery was the Sorby Adams Wine bar in Angaston. It had only opened the previous day, and food was to die for and wine not to bad either.

We also visited Maggie Beers farm. What a great place. We all left with laden bags. Some of my favourites are the 'fig and fennel paste' and the 'vino cotto'. The paste can be used on all sorts of things such as on a cheese plate, stuffings, with salads or even when baking scones. The vino cotto is basically used when ever you like to use balsamic vinegar. I tried it on a lamb roast the other night and it was really delicious.

Weekend in Melbourne

A couple of weeks ago, I spent five fantastic days at the Gift Fair in Melbourne.

The Gift Fair events are increasing in size each year, so expect lots of new and exciting products on the website soon.

My feet are only just recovering...next time time I'll wear my Hush Puppies!

It has been such a busy week. New stock has arrived for me to collate and photograph. Lots of online orders that had to be delivered locally.

I also managed to unpack some more of the mountain of boxes, our new home is starting to look like me, but I also managed to wallow away time in boxes of family photo's.....

Just not sure where the time went, but I guess there is always next week.