A few (very random) snippets from the past couple of weeks…
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I made my first attempt at cleaning and cooking baby octopus, following a recipe from the Australian Fish and Seafood Cookbook that my friend Amanda recommended (I bought a Kindle copy)…
Gutting and dismembering cephalopods isn’t for the squeamish, as they look quite alive before you start (plus it was 5am and I thought I could hear a mouse under the bench, so I was a bit jumpy). But it’s worth learning to do, because the Australian varieties are regarded as a sustainable form of protein.
The octopuses had a long 40 minute braise until tender, then rested in a vinegary wine stock for a couple of days before serving. They were a big hit…
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My friend and neighbour Maude crocheted me another cotton poncho. I loved the purple one she gave me last year so much that I wore it until it was matted and threadbare…
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Last weekend, we had our Autumn dinner with friends Kevin, Carol, Gil and Therese. We get together at the start of each season for a night of (mostly) vegetarian food and wine. At this dinner, we served Sawsan’s hummus, a garden broccoli raab dip, spiced mixed nuts, mascarpone reale and French Ossau Iraty sheeps’ cheese.
Remember my $4 wheels of organic brie from Costco? I defrosted one of these and brushed it with Ian and Diana’s backyard honey, added chopped pecans and garnished the top with garden thyme and rosemary flowers. It was oozy and perfect, and no one could believe that the cheese had been frozen (or cost $3.97!)…
I opened a bottle of Graham’s 1970 Vintage Portuguese port and was very chuffed when the 47 year old cork came out in one piece…
Our plan this time was simple…fill the table with nibblies to go with freshly baked sourdough, followed by vegetarian pizzas…
…then serve three desserts! Tiramisu, little chocolate cakes, and a plate of dark chocolate coins and fruit cake with port. It was a glorious night…
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On Sunday, my niece Hwa and her boyfriend Ian came to visit. They brought me sunflowers!
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I had planned to study clouds this year, but instead I’m reading the teachings of the ancient Roman Stoics. A good friend suggested that it might be helpful in my efforts to manage my anxiety. This was the book he recommended I begin with, but I’ve now moved onto the actual texts (well, translations thereof – I can’t read ancient Greek). It’s been a wonderful, enlightening process that I’m enjoying immensely. I’m learning to think in a different way…
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And while we’re on the topic, you’ll be pleased to know that the Headspace meditation continues. I’ve now clocked up more than two months of daily 15 minute sessions and it’s been joyous. I can’t recommend it highly enough!
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The rainy weather has been playing havoc with my walking schedule, but there’s been more time for baking as a result. Of the eight loaves below, five went to the neighbours…
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I cooked abalone recently and kept the shells as tea light holders…
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Finally, a delicious new tipple, taken from Nigella’s Christmas Cookbook. It’s two parts cognac, one part Grand Marnier and one part Amaretto (I substituted Frangelico). If the measures are sized carefully, this can be consumed without falling over…
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Hope you’re all having a wonderful month! ♥
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 