for the road - pea, feta & mint muffins

Aaah what a lovely week!! We've just returned from several lazy days spent on the Tweed Coast, swimming, reading and eating..

Even better, this beautiful part of the world is practically on our doorstep (an hour and a half drive away). Still, like my Mother and my Nanna used to, I baked some road trip munchies to take along just in case...

Peas with fresh mint is one of my favourite things, add a little crumbled feta and you have a very yummy combination indeed!  I used Stephanie Alexander's failsafe muffin mix recipe as a base, all too easy..

• 2/3 cup of peas (I normally use frozen but fresh would be lovely if you have them)
• 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup of finely chopped mint
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup of milk
• 3/4 cup of grape seed or light olive oil
• 220g of self raising flour (I like to use half wholemeal for this recipe, for added texture)
• generous pinch of salt

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees and grease a 12 muffin tin.
2. Mix all wet ingredients together in a bowl.
3. In another larger bowl sift the flour and salt.
4. Add wet mixture to flour and mix until combined.
5. Spoon batter into muffin tray until 2/3s full and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown on top.
6. Remove from oven and allow to stand in tray for 5 minutes before turning out onto wire rack to cool.

Perfect for a little snack on the road, washed down with a lemon iced tea...

Have a lovely weekend and to those who hail from the Emerald Isle, Happy St Patricks Day!

El xx

ps. Here's a sunny little tune for my Dad, who no doubt will be enjoying a couple of favourite Van albums today..

friday, on my radio...

I've been humming along to this infectious tune for a while, but only just discovered the band behind it today! It's called Apartment, by Californian Young The Giant. I especially love the laid back, almost croony vocals... Have a listen here.

lovely cover art too, don't you think..?

The band is coming out for Splendour In The Grass, so if you're lucky enough to be going (I'm not), I would definitely recommend seeking them out. In the meantime, turn it up and enjoy!!






Have a lovely weekend!! xx

time to break out the good china...

In case you've been living under a rock this past week, today's the big day! Wills & Kate are getting hitched...

To get in the mood, I'll be upgrading my usual arvo mug of tea for something a bit more refined. Me thinks Lady Grey in bone china would be appropriate.

I received this 1950's Noritake set for my birthday years ago and I admit it's rarely seen the light of day... Like a lot people with their wedding/heirloom china or crystal, I've always treated this set with kid gloves, packed away (gathering dust) for special occasions.

I'm determined to change my way of thinking here though and get regular enjoyment from such things...

pretty heirlooms in the hall cupboard at Cloudlake

If you're still too concerned about breakages there's the emerging trend of hiring... Quite a number of businesses have popped up catering to lady like high teas, offering gorgeous vintage china to rent.

High Tea with all the trimmings from locals Hummingbird Vintage Hire

And savvy high street tea merchants T2 have added a carefully edited collection of vintage tea sets along side their fab and very affordable range of 'vintage inspired' cups & saucers. Perfect to mix and match...

Anyway all this is making me thirsty.., so I'm off to boil the kettle and cut the crusts off my cucumber sandwich, before of course raising my pinky to the happy couple...

Tally Ho and have a great weekend! xx

ps. Here's this weeks fave Friday's tune. It's called 'China' (pure coincidence honest) by  Sydney born band Sparkadia

local finds & friday night tunes...

Came home with some little beauties today...

couldn't resist this cutie from The Collective Store

vintage fun from Aid for The Blind Store...

the original WW Birthday Cake Book, Red Cross Wynnum

While doing the rounds of local op shops in the rain this afternoon, I came across this little jewel... The Collective Store in Bay Terrace. This sweet store is like a boutique craft market.., chock full of gorgeous pieces, all handmade by Australian artisans. 

Certainly not what I was expecting to find in super low key Wynnum...

Lastly, it wouldn't be friday without a little music... I've had this catchy number in my head all week, it's called Cameo Lover by Kimbra. 

Enjoy and have a great weekend! xx

music to make chutney to... (persimmon update)

A week's gone by and I'm finally getting around to doing something with the persimmons...




After googling all things persimmon and consulting a couple of my favourite cookbooks for inspiration - Stephanie Alexander's 'Cook's Companion' (or 'the Bible' as my mum refers to it) and 'Jamie at Home',  I've decided on a (make it up as you go along) spicy persimmon, apple & fig chutney type thing...
My dad will appreciate this approach, he's not big on following recipes either.

And to get me in a 'chutney making mood',  I'm listening to this sweet little tune by up and coming Melbourne band, Husky. Perfect feel good Friday music...

Back to the chutney...

I pretty much used whatever I had on hand, ingredients wise, so it made quite a small quantity. 

4 persimmons, peeled & roughly chopped (I didn't peel mine, but would next time)

2 granny smith apples,  roughly chopped

2 brown onions, roughly chopped

1/2 dozen dried figs (definitely optional but added a nice stickiness)

1 cup of white wine vinegar (cider vinegar could also be used)

1 cup of brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon of ground clove

1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (a cinnamon stick would be preferable)

2 teaspoons  of ground ginger

1 teaspoon of chilli flakes

1/2 teaspoon of Curry Powder

Salt & Pepper

• Add all the ingredients to a large, heavy based saucepan and bring to boil, while stirring occasionally.
• Reduce the heat and simmer covered for about 45 minutes.

one pot cooking

                                 

• Check every now and again and stir to avoid the mixture catching on the bottom (mine did and my         saucepan is still soaking).
• Spoon into pre-sterilized jars to store or allow to cool for immediate consumption.

  

the divine miss m...

Today's cleaning day... Actually yesterday was supposed to be, but umm somehow I didn't get around to it... 

Anyway, thought I'd share my new fave (cleaning the house) track, Tightrope by Janelle Monae. It's so funky and guaranteed to get you moving! Check out Miss Monae's style too, she's one sharp dresser!  

Anyway had better crack on...  Have a great weekend!!

endless summer

We're well into March and days are still hot, hot, hot up here...  So a couple of weekends ago, we made the most of it of  and headed to the beach. On the way, this song came on the radio... "Naked Kids" by Group Love (an indie band from LA) So perfect!

On the deck,  Noosa Surf Club

Sun downers

Noosa, old school...

Anyway, the weather was stunning, the drinks ice cold and we savoured every moment of what we thought was the last weekend of Summer...