One a penny, two a penny

Despite feasting at Yum Cha in the leafy suburbs that morning, I dropped by into Babkas on the weekend to have a taste of their infamous Hot Cross Buns.

A queue of woolly folks packed the small bakery that afternoon. It was one of those gorgeous Melbourne autumn days perfect for strolling, one part warm sunshine and two parts crisp cool air.

Lucky for my sib and dinnermates, I battled my way through the throng to acquire these beauties - in acknowledgement of Easter time of course.

Best enjoyed ripped in half with a dash of salty butter....mmm.

Even Gromit wants one.

Universal Cure

According to a recently forwarded email, relationship problems can be fixed with one all-encompassing, all-smoothing-over solution: C.h.o.c.o.l.a.t.e. This is, hypothetically speaking, assuming that in most cases that the fault is directed towards the male direction (sorry guys, gotta stick with the sisterhood here).

It made me think of my very lovely surprise of a box of Koko Black chocolates. Although I have often purchased these as gifts, it was only last week that I first savoured these delectable morsels. Why have an argument as an excuse to share chocolates, just start at the end point.

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Not that I want to lay claim to any Augustus Gloop type fantasies of drowning in the stuff but when visiting Adelaide last year, the immediate priority was to visit the Haighs chocolate factory. As a testament to chocolate's healing powers, everyone working there was Smiling and Happy, like Homer Simpson in Chocolate Land, dancing with the chocolate rabbits and eating chocolate dogs. It was great!

So to celebrate chocolate – placating, guilty pleasure or otherwise, I present to you the Belgian Hot Chocolate from Koko Black. See if it doesn’t make you wanna head over there right now and spoil yourself.
Well, what are you waiting for?

They're Just Fish

With the Comm Games craziness, Melbourne has been in a flux of construction during the last six months. Some creations are confounding -superstops- and others quite beautiful. Here is one building I was particularly taken with...

In the meantime, although there was a smorgasbord of Comm Games sport-o-rama to choose from, I remained steadfastly disinterested! However, we did enjoy the accompanying cultural festivities immensely, especially as they were all FREE!

:: Garden Stage, Alexandra Gardens ::

:: Beach at Arts Centre Forecourt ::

:: The Yarra, Swan St view ::

:: The Fish ::

Anatomy of a bag

So I saw this picture in some magazine where Uma Thurman was at the Oscars or somesuch. I didn’t notice her dress or makeup or whatever it is you’re supposed to notice on the red carpet – but I did spy her mauve silk bag. Why do some things stick in the grey matter over the important stuff - you’d think I’d stop leaving my purse anywhere and everywhere, or remember birthdays, or remember my lunch rather than a miscellaneous accessory in a glossy magazine. I don’t even read those magazines regularly (really!).
Anyway, I was quite taken with the simplicity of the design and the clean way the bag closes up. So I attempted to copy it using some gorgeous raw silk my good mate Kal found in Vietnam a couple of years ago. I had given Kal a blue Clegs sequin by which to find fabric by and finally found some summertime to begin putting it together.

Another season later, some midnight handstitching and it’s done! Feel mostly well chuffed with the finished product; even if it’s a little rough around the edges. Hopefully it will be strong enough to hold a mobes, a purse and a bit of lip gloss.

And yeah that’s the corner of another Wilco album; their latest live album renders their previous works redundant, absolutely wonderful. The recent excursion to The Posies made me long for some power pop, so I must also recommend Brendan Benson (thanks to Pete for this Jason Falkner produced find). And finally, still enjoying Cold Roses on my morning jaunts to work; will endeavour to investigate the prolific Ryan Adams’ second and third albums of 2005 at some point…

Beachside Burgers

A desire for some icecream relief on a hot late summer's day led to an impulsive trip to Albert Park for the following gastronomic delights.
Andrew's Burgers is apparently famous for being the best burgers in Melbourne. I'm happy to test such theories and although the waiting time is less than ideal - we had to wait 50 minutes, that's F.I.F.T.Y. minutes, the burger lived up to its reputation and tasted bloody fantastic! Crispy bread roll, juicy beef pattie, lovely fresh tomato - YUM!
Or perhaps I had selfdigested during such a long wait and a shoe would have tasted juicy and delicious!




To top off the night, we headed over to Jock's ice cream and gelato shop - featured on the left is Lemon Yoghurt and Blood Orange. Perfecto!

Bare Feet Bowls

A charity event led us to Richmond for a round of barefoot lawn bowls. Bar one team member’s former life as a state bowls ‘champ’ (this was under dispute), we were mostly amateur and ready to give it a red hot go as the Four Hounds From Hell.
So how chuffed were we to get through Round 1 against teams of more professional, more practiced teams – undefeated! Cheers to Kev who took it upon himself to mentor Rink 2 and gave all of us plenty of tips in his own gruff, tough love kinda way (rules are rules ok!)
Did I mention the excellent Rotary run BBQ and excellent 1972 bar prices?

Lawn Bowls Green
Bloody Fantastic Burgers
Turf and bare feet
Rink 2 Rulez!

Seattle's Finest

The Posies @ HiFi Bar and Ballroom 040306

Hailing from Seattle, The Posies were at the forefront of the power pop movement in the mid90s and how magnificent to see this influential band live. This time round, main songwriters Ken Stringfellow and Jon Auer toured with a full band, and entertained the crowd with a fantastic 2 hour set, including friendly banter, many a rock move and synchronised jumps. It wasn’t all fuzzy guitars and harmonies, some parts of the set saw Stringfellow take to the keyboards for some quieter songs. It’s great to see they still enjoy playing together, even after all these years – well worth it! [Apologies for fuzzy photos!]

:: The Suits :::: The Pictures ::

:: The Posies in flight ::

Fire Flowers

We were faced with this gorgeous spectacle as we stepped out of a somewhat timely Australia Day screening of Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket. Having also recently seen Kubrick's Paths of Glory and Clooney's Good Night, and Good Luck, it's unsettling how current these films are, given that they speak about old battles.

Dvorak and Dallas

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra @ Sidney Myer Music Bowl 080206

When I used to study music, we went to the Botanical Gardens to listen to the Melbourne Symphony with the added bonus of entry=nix. My violin-playing sib had leanings towards orchestra groupy, I have fuzzy memories of photos and autographs of star cellists!
Recently I was reminded how lovely it is to spend a balmy summer evening at the Music Bowl with the MSO. Good food, good company and great music.

Dallas Crane @ Prince of Wales 090206

It has also been a while since I've seen Dallas Crane and they never disappoint. All the favourites were aired played with gusto by a tight rhythm section and roaring guitars.

Excellent supports in 67 Special and one charismatic Mr Timmy Rogers. When is that new You Am I album arriving - very much looking forward to that event too!

:: 67 Special ::

:: Tim Rogers ::

:: Dallas Crane ::

Kung Hey Fat Choi!

We are lucky in Australia to have migrant communities that still maintain old traditions. The past few weeks have seen celebrations of the Lunar New Year - family feasting mandatory! We also visit temples to thank our ancestors for the year that has just passed and pray for a prosperous and happy year to follow.

And what is Lunar New Year without a dragon dance? The 'dai loong' is an esteemed sign in the Chinese zodiac and not only brings good luck, but chases away evil spirits to clear the slate for the new year. Think of the firecrackers that end dragon dances as a statement akin to: 'And Stay Out!' to any lurking evil spirits.
And the kids love it too.

So here's to the Year of the Dog, Kung Hey Fat Choi!

Noodle Gorillaz

current stencil art favourite: noodle from gorillaz

Night Market Delights

I'm a bit behind with my posts..so here's another one

Over the summer, the Night Market takes over a shed or two at the Queen Vic. Imagine: stuff to buy on one side, stuff to eat on the other, and a beer garden to enjoy the balmy twilight hours. There are several stalls which sell beautifully designed home made crafty things - it's nice to know that the dosh you hand over goes straight to the person who poured themselves into making something. That kinda passion is priceless.

I love walking past the food stalls with all their delicious, tempting wafts. An old habit of mine is to gravitate towards the corn cobs or the poffertjes. However, last night I was introduced to the cupcake stall.

Now I'm not really a girly girl. Not in the Alannah-Hill-type sense and not in the damsel-in-distress sense either. The cupcake stall is very PINK and FLORAL, so I may have been walking past and missing out on these delicious cupcakes for weeks, nay years! Luckily, my non-PINK discriminating pals saw past the PINK and went straight to that which pleases the stomach.

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Of course having denounced being a girly girl, I chose the purdiest cupcake of them all - the raspberry and white chocolate creation, complete with PINK sugar flower and PINK decorations!

The Archduke January 31st 2006

:: Cut Copy ::

:: Franz Ferdinand ::

:: Happy crowd ::

except for the man who was punched in the face

outta mind outta sight

My favourite passion is music, it’s been an absolute constant in all its forms and senses.
For the longest time, I have been a fan of the alt-country, no-depression band Wilco. I remember seeing an old videoclip where the band jump out of a small plane….playing their instruments….whilst in freefall! My immediate thought was how much I liked these funny jumpsuit-clad guys singing a song about being Outta Mind, Outta Sight as they hurtle to earth.
I love their bittersweet lyrics wrapped in summery melodies and Jeff Tweedy’s sad voice. And they're not afraid of evolving - their recent albums represent a sonic and lyrical expansion. Bit too much noodling for mine, but kudos to the band for not remaining static. Lately, the ears have had a big bash of ‘Summerteeth’ and ‘Kicking Television: Live in Chicago’ - if only they would tour in the southern hemisphere soon!

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My lovely sibs presented me with a set of jewellery pliers for Christmas and I have been spending an inordinate amount of time at the bead shop. Although this fanaticism does not quite match the thrills of the Button Bar in Adelaide, I do enjoy looking at all those jars of beads, pretty glass and gorgeous resin-type beads. Who would these suit – too fancy? not fancy enough? And how would I put it together anyway?!
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So I have been listening to Wilco and creating little projects over the summer. All that practice at the microscope performing dissections has really helped with fiddly wire work!

Not A Food Blog

Dead set!

Soon I will get my act together and start uploading some non-food related projects I have been working on.

In the meantime, this recipe was enjoyed over the summer in the Mallee and featured our good friend's gargantuan zucchini.

Good picnic food for a lazy summer's afternoon too methinks.

Zucchini Slice
1 tbsp butter
1 onion, diced
2 rashers bacon, diced
3 large zucchini, grated (400g)
60g pecorino cheese, grated
60g parmesan cheese, grated
1 C SR flour
4 eggs, lightly beaten
salt and pepper

Preheat oven 180ºC
Melt butter in pan, cook onion until soft and translucent
Add bacon and cook for 2 more minutes
Remove and cool

Combine bacon, zucchini, cheese and flour
Add eggs and seasoning

Spoon mixture into greased shallow dish
Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown and spongy to touch

Too good not to share…

Chocolate Nut Brownies

150g butter
180g chocolate
2 eggs
1C brown sugar – caster sugar ok
75g self raising flour
75g plain flour
150g chopped nuts eg walnuts, pecans, roasted in oven ~8 minutes
1 tsp coffee optional
1 tbsp cocoa optional

Preheat oven to 180ºC.
Lightly grease a 20x30cm tray and line with baking paper.

Sift flours, coffee/cocoa and combine with roasted chopped nuts in a bowl.

Gently melt butter and chocolate, stirring until combined. Leave to cool.
Whisk eggs and sugar together.
Add chocolate/butter mixture to eggs/sugar mixture.

Add wet mixture to dry ingredients, gently fold.
Pour into greased tray.
Bake at 180ºC for 20 minutes, or until brownies begin to come away from the side of the tray. Brownies should be slightly soft and gooey when fresh from the oven.
Gently remove from tray and cool on wire rack

Brownies are best cut (and eaten) when warm.
Dust with icing sugar or cocoa to serve.

Stored in an air tight container, brownies will be good for a week - if they last that long.