Moving on.

Once I had given my notice at work I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, I was so nervous about doing it as I didn’t want to let anyone down. My boss and everyone else in the organisation have been really supportive and I’ve had lots of “fair play” “you’re dead right” “you’re sooo lucky”  ”have a ball”  which has all been lovely, but is in some strange way making me very sad about leaving.

Of course I have replaced one worry with another and I now lie awake at night worrying about money, new jobs, being so far away from home, making new friends .. I am ridiculous.
One of my main worries was that I wouldn’t find like-minded people, or foodies like myself that I could chat with but today I found this blog. The author commented on one of my photos on Instragram, so social networking is working for me. Apart from being a gorgeous food blog its written by an Irish girl who lives in Perth and does yoga! Yay! There are people like me out there too. Finding this has brightened my day and I am slowing working my way through her “Aussie Blog Roll”. Its like my food blog obsession of 2009 all over again .. with fresh meat!!

The packing has started, we bought one of these each (not quite as cute but infinitely more practical than those pictured above) and I also have my sister’s backpack from her travelling days so hopefully I will be able to bring everything! From my last time in Australia I know the clothes, especially the work type attire, is allot more sedate than here (not enough colour for me) so I want to bring allot with me. It will also save on spending my $$$ before I start earning.

So far I have just taken all my holiday clothes and put them in the bag, so lots of bikinis, kaftans and summer dresses. Next I need to go through everything in my wardrobe and see what fits the bill – I am looking for light but not skimpy, its about 38 degrees in Perth right now! In one of the papers today there was a spread this season’s lovely prints so I am going to check those out in Forever21 and Penneys in the next couple of weeks as advised therein. I also follow a great stylist on facebook and twitter (@Sanfhaisean) called San Fhaisean who posts photos of outfits put together from what’s available in the high street shops at any one time. I hope to God there is someone similar in Australia .. or I won’t have a clue what’s in the shops (possibly a good thing!).

I have a gorgeous red polka dot tea towel and a brightly coloured apron that were Christmas presents and will help me make any place my own. I have a lovely new pink cover on my passport and a travel pillow waiting to be broken in. Leaving all my cookbooks on my childhood bedroom shelves is kind of breaking my heart … but bringing them would surely break the bank in luggage weight charges and I plan on using my iPad to its fullest as my virtual cookbook shelf.

33 days before I depart Ireland … 37 days before I arrive in Australia … the countdown is on!!

Heading to Chapter One en  famille this week .. a girl has gotta enjoy her remaining days at home ya know ..

 

SJ xx

What’s that Skippy??? ……

You think I should give up my job and move to Western Australia for a better life of sunshine, plentiful jobs and no talk of recession?

Well if you say so … hang on I’ll get my bag!!

So there you have it, the tickets are booked the bag is … em, well I bought a bag and the plans are in motion!

Am currently working out my month’s notice, waking in the night wondering if we are doing the right thing but ultimately getting very excited about the adventures ahead.

I hope Australians like food and more importantly like talking about it .. otherwise I’m going to be talking to myself a considerable amount.

Here are a few photos of Perth that the boyf emailed me last night, he has gone on ahead to check the place out, lay down red carpet that sort of thing …

Notice the crane and construction workers ..its like the good old days.

 

A lovely park … and if you look closely romance seems to be alive and well.. good to know!

Whether this works out or not, whether we make our fortune or not we are going to be staying in a very beautiful place for the next while … we are so lucky that we can take this opportunity and very aware that there are many who are not so lucky!

 

Anyone have any tips of packing/Australia/Perth/Anything???

 

SJ x

 

Hellloooooooooooooo 2012!!

As I am only just coming out of my Christmas and New Year over indulgence fuzz I’m a little late to the

HAPPY NEW YEAR 

game, but better late than never and all that!!

Christmas was really lovely this year it consisted of lots of family time, eating, drinking, relaxing and most importantly no snow to ruin the fun. I am always sad when its over … mostly because its time to face up to the incredible damage all of the aforementioned loveliness has done to my ability to fit into my clothes. My mam is an incredible cook and host so I was never without either a glass of wine or some food in my hand, or indeed both! Getting in shape is more urgent than usual this year .. more on that to come

Lately I have been doing a few things that I didn’t want to and next week I have to do something that terrifies me .. but all in the name of progress and for positive reasons.

So I am wondering ….

Hit me with your comments …. xx

What to buy for Christmas?? Buy Irish of Course!!

As it’s the first of December it’s ok with me now to talk about Christmas ..

When we were young I don’t remember the run up being so long, there always seemed to be months between Hallowe’en and Christmas. However I do remember standing on the table in our kitchen being helped into my pyjamas (All dressing was done on that table, until now I have never realised it might be odd!) and being so scared that Santa would look in the window, realise I was not good-as-gold and bring me a bag of coal!

Oh, the incredible excitement of Christmas morning, being barely able to get down the stairs with anticipation! While the presents were amazing, for me,  it was seeing had Santa eaten the mince pies and more so had Rudolph had the carrot! The half eaten mince pie and teeth marks in the carrot would bring squeals of delight from us. The year we found reindeer hair/fluff left on our fireplace was without doubt a highlight of my childhood. Imagining how magic Santa must be to not only get himself and all the presents down the chimney but also a Reindeer!! Santa truly is amazing but my parents must have loved Christmas Eve and morning a lot too, good thing there was the odd red cow among all the black & white ones eh?

I have listed below some Irish companies that I love and have purchased gifts from throughout the year as-well as for Christmas. I won’t be too specific with what I have bought for fear of ruining some surprises. It’s nice to have that Christmas morning anticipation even when we are all growed-up!

Slated.ie
Firstly, if you want a daily giggle follow Tara and her company on twitter or like them on Facebook. Trust me, you will laugh!
Beautiful slate products from coasters (which can also be used to serve butter!) to table runners, memo/chalk boards to plant markers. All functional,  pretty and reasonably priced they come beautifully packaged too.

Garrendenny Lane – I have loved this site and blog for a long time but only recently made a purchase. I sent this lovely map of Ireland to a friend living in Canada who won’t be home for Xmas. It was delivered straight from the site and arrived within a week! An ideal present for someone who won’t make it home this year.

Green Saffron – I adore these spice mixes! Sirak Masala (available online or from farmers market) and Murgh Tandoori are my favourites but the Balti, Rogan Josh and Tikka Masala have all gone down really well! Each pack comes with easy to follow instructions and tips.  I am looking forward to trying the Christmas Turkey Delight around December 26th.

Donegal Rapeseed Oil – Healthier than alternatives and tastes really good! There are other Irish rapeseed oils around now too which I have not tasted, we have no need to buy all foreign oils any more!

Sleek.ie – this might seem like a treat for yourself but once Lorna sorts you (or me anyway) out with some fantastic control underwear the sight of you in your party dress will be a treat for everyone’s eyes!! Great customer service and fantastic products.

Danucci Chocolates – Salted Caramels. Have to be tried to be believed

8Degrees Brewing Beer – Brewed in Cork by a Kiwi and an Aussie, a lovely present for a beer lover and a good addition to your christmas puddings, cakes, mincemeat or accompaniment to your cheese board (any excuse!).

Funky Christmas Jumpers – Lots of fun to wear one of these on the big day and also really popular for the annual 12 Pubs of Christmas fun!

Hairy Baby – T-shirts, aprons, bags and baby clothes with hilarious graphics and slogans! My Mam’s name is Mary so have been thinking of getting this one for Dad .. hee hee!

Cookbooks are always appreciated by cooks and food enthusiasts alike. Here are my favourites from this year.
Edward Hayden: Food to Love

If you are not familiar with Edward you are in for a treat! He is a lovely personable and really funny guy who I first met when I did a cookery course in Dunbrody House with my sister, Mam and Aunties,  everyone fell in love with him. I have since attended lots of his classes and met him at various shows. His book has lots of great recipes & ideas and I have used it many times since getting it for my birthday in September.

Niamh Shields: Comfort and Spice

A Waterford girl living in London cooking up a storm and making my mouth water on regular occasions with her blog. Slow cooked pork is her signature dish her book is not only beautiful but packed full of great recipes you will want to try immediately.

Lilly Higgins: Make, Bake, Love

This is one book I am hoping will be bought for me rather than me buying for someone else. Lilly’s blog is so aesthetically pleasing that I cannot wait to drool over the pages of her book, which she styled herself! WANT.

Only 24 more sleeps …

SJ x

Tags: childhood, chocolate, christmas, gifts, Irish, rapeseed oil, spices

For now its just chaos ….

The dream …

After five beautiful weddings in as many months (and a couple of hen parties too) the last thing I should want to think about is wedding gifts but I thought this was lovely ….. For those of an arty disposition this would be easy to replicate.

The Summer’s Over … and Green Tomato Chutney

As the weather gets colder and the days shorter my mind always turns to comforting foods, especially those from my childhood which my Mam would cook for what seemed like all day long in huge saucepans on the Rayburn stove in our kitchen.

Beef or lamb stews served with potatoes and tomato ketchup (not a daily condiment by any means but a firm favourite), pearl barley would have swelled in the sauce and given it a lovely nutty texture .. I would literally lick my plate as every last morsel was so tasty.
Chicken curry with rice, sliced banana on top “to take the heat out” in reality there was no heat at all compared to what I eat now but I still love banana with curry.
Roast chicken slices with buttery carrotts and luscious gravy made from meat juices.
Beautifully pink roast lamb with mint sauce from a jar served with carrot and parsnip mash.
Homemade chips, chunky and crunchy served for the ultimate treat in the sitting room while watching Gladiators. We’d make chip sandwiches (buttys were unknown in 80′s Wicklow) with “shop” bread and again my childhood favourite tomato ketchup!

My aim for this winter is to recreate some of those fabulous tastes of my childhood, more on that to come.

This week though my project has been one of waste avoidance, I abhor waste especially where food is concerned so when the time came to throw out my beloved tomato plants I couldn’t bare to discard the tomatoes that hadn’t ripened so after much reading of recipes I decided to try Green Tomato Chutney.
The original inspiration came from a GIY mailshot, so I used some elements of this recipe along with others from Nigel Slater’s recipe and then did my usual thing and tweeked it a bit more (more due to not having some ingredients rather than any expertise!)

Weighing the tomatoes … have a look at the really unusual shaped ones!

Some of the last chillies from my plant .. I’ll miss having them growing out on the balcony and being so handy.

Saucepan was pretty full when all the ingredients went in … luckily it started to boil down quickly!

Jars ready for sterilising ..

Pouring chutney into sterilised jars … my Nigella moment in my dressing gown!!

I will now leave the chutney to mature for at least a month before tasting … I’m hoping to secure some of my Mam’s homemade cheese for the taste test.

SJ x

How does your (balcony) garden grow ??

I see RED!

Green Chilli Peppers

and Red Chilli Peppers on the same plant .. is that weird?

 

Aubergines which apparently don't grow in Ireland. Am I a miracle gardener ??

Stuffed Courgettes …

I found this great recipe on FoodGawker (yes, I am obsessed) .. I loved the little pumpkin-like courgettes/zucchinis but had never seen any like that in Ireland. So I tweeted about it. Coz that’s what I do. Ya know!!
Lo and behold someone replied to me .. and it was the owner of one of my favourite lunch places TheRunnerBean on Nassau Street (if you have’t had a sambo here .. you should). He grows lots of his own veggies, sent me photo of some little fat courgettes in his polytunnel and kindly sold me 6 of the most suitable ones. Some of them are even stripey .. how cute??!!

Little fat courgettes and an onion from our garden that jumped into the photo.

I didn’t follow the recipe to the letter (surprise surprise) I added in some smoked paprika and lots of other veggies chopped finely ..

Courgettes and a pepper all hollowed out with their lids on!

Stuffed and ready for some oven action.

Not so pretty but the taste was really good.

This is a really tasty dish was gorgeous served with some brown rice and sprinkling of grated cheddar.
Personally I think it looks like a Hallowe’en dish .. which is good as Hallowe’en is my favourite festival! So I have a plan to try and recreate this in a more autumn appropriate way in October. Watch this space-ish!

Lettuce Soup … Surprisingly Yummy.

Its summertime and the veggies are growing in the garden… leading to a glut of epic proportions!

I am almost Shrek-like eating kale and lettuce and still I can’t get through it quick enough .. last week I read some lovely recipes for lettuce soups .. then in typical SJ fashion I started making it without any recipe or real plan. The recipes I had read all included either a potato or sweet potato – I had neither but I did have a great tip I once picked up in WW class, broccolli stalks added to soup make it really creamy, it works!

About ten minutes in the soup was such an awful colour I wanted to dump it .. I was gently persuaded (read: ORDERED) to continue ..

The result was really really good, very full of flavour and filling, I was genuinely surprised!

What I did … 

>>> In a heavy bottomed saucepan I fried onion (from the garden), two cloves of garlic & a lump of ginger  in some oil .. threw in a pinch of salt after a few min to stop the onions burning (a tip I got from EnglishMum) . 

>>> With my hands I ripped up one huge head of lettuce, two handfuls of kale, two handfuls of spinach leaves and threw it into the saucepan along with the stalks of some broccoli and a few slices of red chilli  (basically everything green in my fridge) 

>>> Add one litre of boiling water with a tablespoon of marigold vegetable bouillion (or a stock cube) and boil for about 20 min 

>>> I added a large handful each of fresh mint and basil leaves for the last 5 min

>>> Allow to cool, and then whizz/liquidise .. Enjoy x 

I took some photos but its a not a really attractive colour and I am not a very good photographer .. but rest assured this soup is worth trying!

SJ x

Tags: Lettuce, Soup