Apologies

To my dear readers,

It has been six months since my last post. Slightly before my most recent recipe update, I had a slight nervous breakdown and was diagnosed with depression and an anxiety disorder. Medication, and some time off work got me back into the kitchen, but then something else happened.

My father was hospitalised with a brain tumour in December, which was directly related to the lung cancer he was treated for in 2005. After surgery to remove the tumour, he received radiation therapy and all was well. Unfortunately, he then spent the next six months in and out of hospital due to various complications.

Sadly, he lost his battle with cancer and passed away in the early hours of Sunday, June 12.

While he loved this blog and I know he would encourage me to continue, at this point in time I don't feel I am up to maintaining it. My inspiration and desire to be in the kitchen has waned and I don't know if or when that will change.

Thank you for reading my recipes thus far; I hope you all continue to be inspired by other sources and keep cooking.

xx Amy

I'm not dead!...

...I've just been having a few problems lately. Tonight, however, I've got my inspiration back and got back into the kitchen.

Pear and Celery Heart Salad

Serves 2 as a side

Lamb, Beautiful Lamb!

Lamb with Cous Cous Tabbouleh

Serves 4

To Market, To Market!

This is becoming a habit, isn't it? Benjamin and I will go to the Queen Vic Market on the weekend and I'll cook something delicious to post here. We make a day of it: spend a lazy morning at home, then venture out to the market, also stopping for a coffee at Seven Seeds (or, today, at De Clieu: Seven Seeds' Gertrude St venue).

I lost track of how much we spent today, and while some of them were impulse purchases (a lamb backstrap, fresh Australian garlic and Murray River Pink Salt), what we've tried so far has definitely been worth it. I can't wait until stone fruits are truly in season, so I can buy a box of peaches to make chutney!

Gluten Free Beef Ravioli with Leek and Fennel Braise

Serves 4

Midnight Snack

The other day, Benjamin and I went to Chadstone shopping centre to get cat food (among other things). On ou way home we stopped by The Oriental Tea House, where we had a lovely iced tea each and I had dumplings. Benjamin, not being able to eat the dumpling wrappers, had Hot and Spicy Turkey, which was served in a bed of green soy beans. I had never seen them before (though I do enjoy soy products), and had never been interested enough to try Edamame at my favourite Japanese restaurant (I'm usually too busy rifling through their extensive menu).

Of course, I stole (with permission!) a few from Benjamin's plate. I really quite enjoyed them. They were a beautiful colour, an interesting texture and paired with the sauce quite nicely (though it was neither hot nor spicy).

On my way home from work today I decided to have a quick look in the Asian grocery store nearby but sadly did not find any fresh beans. I did, however, find a 500g packet of frozen beans for something like $1.65. I also picked up a daikon radish, something else I was keen to try.

 

This isn't quite a recipe post. My edamame beans are tasty, but I didn't get everything quite right. I cooked the beans in salted boiling water until they were tender, then drained and plated them, arranging julienned daikon and cucumber on the top. I couldn't resist adding some finely shredded pickled ginger (I always have a jar of it in the fridge these days - I'll just grab a little bit each night to nibble on - as it's currently one of my favourite things in the world) and added some bought chuka salad sauce: you know, the amazing tangy dressing on seaweed (chuka) salad from sushi places? I've never been able to replicate it, so I hunted it down in a couple of Asian grocery stores (I managed to find it in Laguna Oriental Supermarket in the QV complex on Lonsdale/Swanston/Russell Sts).

All in all it's not a bad snack, but I think the ginger is what makes it work; I think the daikon and cucumber are a little watery, so I've got some sitting in a bowl in the fridge, covered with vinegar and a little bit of sugar and salt: a quick pickle. I'll try again in a couple of days and see if it improves the dish.

Fresh Gnocchi

The first gnocchi I made was just last night. I had some leftover mashed pumpkin and tried to make pumpkin gnocchi. It was ok, but they turned out a bit heavy and chewy due to the amount of flour I had to use. It's something I'm looking at working on, but tonight I decided to go traditional and make simple potato gnocchi. Potatoes are starchy, which helps create a good gnocchi dough.

 

Quick Fresh Gnocchi with Cream Sauce and Crispy Salami

Serves 2

Spring Pork and Peas

Wow, has it really been a week since my last post? Unfortunately this week I've been living on a budget, which means I've made pumpkin soup and fritters and have been eating leftovers. Then it was my birthday, so I wasn't allowed to cook, and last night I had dinner at Benjamin's place. Today, however, I have been cooking and have just finished an early dinner (I couldn't wait to try it!). May I present:

 

Spring Pork and Peas

Quantity adaptable