Winter Warmer

Yes it is strange talking about it being winter at the end of May,but that is what you get when you live on the other side of the world. In Auckland there was actually a weather warning because of all the expected rain! Well I guess it can't be nice here all the time. The point is though when the weather gets colder I always feel for food that is going to warm me up. One of my favourites is a big bowl of soup...on the menu last night:

Pumpkin Soup

Most of the recipes I found doing my usual trawl through cookbooks and on line had similar recipe, mine was heavily influenced by Annabelle White and her presentation on the breakfast show which you can view here

I melted a lob of butter with some olive oil and added a large onion and 3 cloves of garlic both chopped obviously. Then I added a tsp of ginger and some coriander. Fresh is probably best but I was working with what I got which was ginger in a jar and dried coriander which ain't that bad to be honest. Then I added the pumpkin. Then I think my favourite bit which really adds a kick to this recipe is a tbsp of curry powder...heat and flavour galore! Once it softened I added a few cups of chicken stock, all depending really on how much soup you are aiming for. And no I did not make my own chicken stock but go for it if you are so inclined and it will probably make a huge difference. Then you let it simmer till the pumpkin is nice and soft. I am a fan of smooth soups but I do not own a hand held blender so out came the potato masher...hence the lumps in the picture ( hubby thought it was lentils....hmmm possibly an interesting addition?). At the end I lobbed in some parsley and serve.

Tada...a winter warmer that goes down a treat!

Green Spaces, Auckland, New Zealand

Auckland is a city which usually gets harsh reviews from those who visit for short periods and I guess you can't blame them if you consider the experience of NZ as a whole. Auckland in comparison does not have as much to offer. What I have quickly come to realise though is that the experience of staying here for an extended visit and a holiday are very different.

I usually have a lot of free time on my hands during the week. This free time has given me the opportunity to explore this city of Auckland and the more I experience the merrier I am. What I have quickly come to realise is that you are always pretty close to a park and I love it. It is because there are usually kept pretty clean? Is it because you are not usually intimidated by local alcoholics or drug users? Or is it simply because even though summer is slipping away you still get so many beautiful days that draw you outside to experience them? It is great to know you don't have to go very far to sit outside for lunch in the sunshine...I am full of vitamin D!

Western Park, Ponsonby

Maungawhau, Mount Eden

Myers Park

Alberts Park

Western Springs

Auckland Domain

A small selection of my favourites...one of my favourite things...Auckland's green spaces!

Delectably divine!

My tour of the fish market in Auckland continued on to me buying some prawns! I had to take my time scooping them into the bag because I was very tempted to go overboard with the amount I was getting. I had spotted a recipe by Annabel Langbein which I was very keen to try.

Lemon Chilli Grilled Prawns

Recipe

500g raw prawn tails

1tbsp sweet chilli sauce

2 cloves garlic

1/2 tsp chopped red chilli

Freshly grated rind of 1/2 lemon

Method

Mix prawns with chilli sauce, garlic, chilli and lemon rind. Chill until ready to cook (they can be kept up to 12 hours in the fridge). Lightly oil a barbecue hot plate and cook prawns about 2 minutes each side until they turn pink (of course I was kind of missing the barbecue hot plate so I stuck mine under the grill and the time does not really change that much and the smell that was emanating was driving me crazy) Eat as they are or serve on Avocado and Snow Pea Salad.

Of course I very much liked that suggestion.........

Avocado and Snow Pea Salad

Recipe

200g snow peas

200g sugar snaps

1/2 telegraph cucumber, cut into 4cm long batons

1 large spring onion, finely sliced

2 just-ripe avocados, cut into chunks

Dressing

2 tbsp lemon juice

1/4 cup sweet chilli sauce

2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander or mint

Method

Pour boiling water over snow peas. Drain at once and chill briefly in cold water. Just before serving combine all the dressing ingredients and toss with snow peas and other ingredients. Divide between serving plates and top with prawns.

I think the the sweet chilli sauce really makes this menu and is a relatively new ingredient to me...I had a hard time choosing which one I wanted to get at the supermarket....so I think I will have to start experimenting and trying different ones to decide my favourite now. I chose 'Golden Sun' this time round and made enough dressing for a week of salads :) Trust me we were sopping it up with the bread and licking our fingers.

It was a delectably divine experience.

It's better fresh

Hubby and I love fish! So how happy were we when we were in Glasgow to find a small fish monger close to home. I personally don't think that Scottish supermarkets really serve the best quality and it certainly never justifies how much you spend so this made it extra special. If you are ever in Glasgow and have a reason to go you seriously have to check it out, the Fish Plaice! A small family business they are all really friendly and you watch the fish come in fresh everyday.

So it wasn't long while we were in Auckland before we had to go and check out the infamous Fish Market in Westhaven. Possibly a bit more upmarket, offering it's own cooking classes and sporting a selection of cafe's and restaurants, the fresh fish still remains the star of the show!

My advice if you are going to buy fish, it's better fresh, from the fishmonger!

Reinstating Pizza night

It was not oh so long ago when I lived in Glasgow that we used to try and have a pizza night once a week. The aim being really not to have to cook too much and have a few beers while chillaxing in front of the TV. Wednesday nights in Auckland now suddenly have a lot to offer. It starts with Masterchef NZ, then Lie to Me and finishes with Law and Order SUV. So I have decided to reinstate pizza night. Of course the question remains if I am every allowed to cheat and get take away pizza or if it always has to be homemade.

My home made pizza has certainly developed over the years. My first was in Glasgow when we had just moved in and I was cooking as many different things as I could think of. I never thought of using a rolling pin until hubby came home to rescue me, thank goodness! Then of course I made the mistake of making one pizza for the two of us thinking that would be enough. Being married to a man who was raised in Italy changes they way one cooks a lot. Anyway I have finally got a recipe that pretty much works for me everytime... 

Pizza for 2:

Ingredients

Pizza Dough:

375g Plain flour

Salt

Yeast (1 satchet or just under 1tbsp depending on its form)

1 cup warm water

2 tbsp olive oil (optional)

Toppings:

I personally think passata and mozzarella and onions are a must but anything after that depends either on what is available or what we are feeling for. Personal favourites include tuna, aubergine (baked first in the oven), peppers and pepperoni! 

Method

Mix all the dry ingredients, make a hole and add the water. I mix with a spoon until it starts clumping together and then get my hands in there to help it form into a ball. Then I knead until my hands start getting tired. Please note that you can probably find official advice on the best way to  knead if you really want :) Then leave it to do it's business (rise) for at least an 1hr but 2 hours is definitely the best. If it is in a warm place it does it's business even better (rise!). I usually turn on the oven to preheat for while before putting the pizzas in.

Well you have waited the 2 hours or longer if you had to. Roll out the dough and yes do not be ashamed of using a rolling pin, and size is up to you or how well the dough has risen. Spread on the passata and add the cheese and then your toppings of choice, onions usually go on last. If you are lucky you have the fancy pizza trays otherwise place them on baking paper. Put them relatively low in the oven but not the lowest rung as it might burn and they usually take about 15 to 20 minutes.

Ecco Fatto!