Gourmet Rabbit 26/02/2010
 
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Bumped into a lovely young lady yesterday at Harris Farm, who happens to be a distant cousin (she is partly French Canadian...) and she loves talking about food!
She is launching a new magazine called Gourmet Rabbit on Monday night at a still secret location...
And she is online and on Twitter too. Check her site at http://www.gourmetrabbit.com
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The French Film Festival starts in Sydney on March 1st and then on to all major capital cities.
Check the program and the times here.
See my selection above.
I can't believe somebody managed to find a twin to Gainsbourg, as likeable and as strange looking!
And I wish I could take three weeks off to see all the films...
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Valentine's Day 15/02/2010
 
Well, as we had spent quite a bit of money on our anniversary, we decided to stay home for Valentine, but in style, obviously...
To get to the root of the story, let's say that we went to Canberra during our summer break to visit the Post-Impressionists exhibition at the National Gallery. That, in itself would be worth a post that I might regal you with at a later date. We liked it very much, so much so that we missed out on lunch and settled for a High Tea at the Hyatt instead - life is hard some times...
We spent an inordinate amount of time at the Museum shop (we always do as we find unusual gifts, objects and books in these places) and bought two books, one relevant to this story:
It is called " The Heart of Bordeaux - The greatest wines from Graves Chateaux" and it is all about the history of 16 Chateaux, all in Pessac-Leognan appelation. Beautiful photographs, great history lesson on the up and downs of these beautiful vineyards, their buildings and their successive owners, the quality of the wines following the intensity (or lack) of their passion and dedication.
Each Chateau is then the excuse to match one of their best vintages with a recipe from a famous local chef to match.
I had spotted a bottle of Chateau Carbonieux 2005 at the Ultimo Wine Centre a few weeks ago, and, as it was featured in the book and one of my favourites, I had decided to prepare the recipe for a special occasion, and, yes you have guessed right, Valentine would be the perfect moment!

The recipe is not for the faint hearted (you first have to find what the Colombo Spice is...)
I managed to produce a close enough version of it - see photo at the top - and you can find my simplified recipe here. You will need about two hours to prepare the entire meal, but it is definitely worth the effort and you will be rewarded with the appreciated comment of your Valentine , and in my case, it was my 25th celebration, so it certainly needed that extra zest of creativity...
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Camperdown, Crows Nest and now Rozelle!

This is very good news for all the Foodies in the Inner West.
It always surprises me when Sydneysiders tell me they rarely cross the Harbour Bridge and maybe I am becoming like that after 13 years here: I have never been to the Essential in Crows Nest, and I could not wait to see the new store in Rozelle !

So were a number of other people last Saturday, as the shop didn't open until 10.00am.

But today, I had no excuses , so I went...
The Essential was putting on a show with Lyndey Milan cooking for us chocolate brownies, a rhubard Tatin tart and a microwaved Porcini risotto which blew me away!

The shop looks gorgeous, with a great assortment of cookware, crockery, conserves and a nice coffee corner.
A specially fitted commercial kitchen is the perfect location for all the cooking demonstrations and classes.

So, rush there wherever side of the Bridge you are, like this couple today who made the trip from Blackheath in the Blue Mountains!
Chapeau...et merci Lyndey for a great show!
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Aumonieres of figs with Willowbrae Fresh Goat Curd.

Well, since we had just visited the Pyrmomt Growers Market and bought some cheese from Karen and David, we had to use it!
Also bought figs at Harris Farm and we always have puff pastry in the freezer, so click  here to go on our recipes page
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Figs, Prosciutto, bocconcini, roquette and trevise salad


A perfect lunch for a warm summer day. More Italian than French, but lovely all the same!
Click here for the details
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Every first Saturday of the month, Sydney treats itself to a mini food festival near the Harbour in Pyrmont.
This former industrial/marine area has been progressively gentrified with blue chip companies headquarters and luxury waterfront apartments and is attracting new fancy restaurants.
This market has been going since 1999 and has grown up to about 80 stalls of produce growers that come mainly from around Sydney, but some come from as far as the Riverina like The Little General Olive Oil.

But today, let me introduce you to Willowbrae Cheese. Karen Borg is the cheesemaker and husband David look after the goats. Karen produces a range of goat cheeses that are among the best I have tasted and are up there with the best French products. Whether you try the fresh curd (called "brousse in French) or the Mt Bowen which can compete with the best Ste Maure, you are in for a treat! You can check the whole range and find out where and when to taste all of them here.

I have known David for over 12 years, as he was an architect client of mine, before moving back to the land to help Karen for at least 7 years now. I have never seen himwithout a smile since...
I heard rumors of a new website being under construction...I will let you know as soon as it is released!
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You will find there inside information on our recently visited destinations.
Hopefully, you will find useful tips and insights into our own adventures in these fabulous places
Provence, and Paris are just the appetisers!
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