Please note - my blog used to be found here :http://jeybird8.blogspot.com/ unfortunately I can no longer access that account.

Thursday 9 February 2012

Australia Day - Lunch

Australia Day 2012
As is traditional, we gathered for lunch on Australia Day (26th January) at my parent's place (see  last year's post!)

Australia Day 2012
Once again, the meat eaters enjoyed pies - this one was chicken (see the little pastry chicken on top! - cute!)

Australia Day 2012
And this one was mince!

Australia Day 2012
There was mashed potato

Australia Day 2012
and some delicious sweet, buttery peas

Australia Day 2012
My contribution was this Passionfruit and Mango Pavlova Ice-cream!  Very simple to make - (if I was more organised I would have made my own ice-cream, but using bought ice-cream makes this super easy and quick!!)

Simply soften 2L of vanilla ice-cream, and split into 3.  To one third add the pulp of about 5 passion fruit. To another third, ad the pureed flesh of 2 mangoes. Keep the other third plain.

Line a fluted ring tin (or container of your preference!) with glad wrap.  Into the base spread the pulp of 2-3 passionfruit and some diced mango.  Then, add your passionfruit ice-cream, followed by half of your vanilla ice-cream.  Then add a layer of mini meringues (I bought mine from Woolworths), and cover the meringues with the remaining vanilla ice-cream.  To complete, the final layer is the mango ice-cream.  Put the whole container into the freezer to set. When ready to serve, simply remove from tin, peel off the plastic and cut into slices!

Australia Day 2012

Australia Day 2012
We finished with these delicious lamingtons - surprisingly, the light fluffy cake under the icing - was chocolate! Brilliant alteration!


Wednesday 8 February 2012

Out for Dinner - Bean To Cafe Regents Park

This is our local cafe http://www.beantocafe.com.au/ - we recently were invited to their "Bubbles & Bites" event, where we were treated to samples from their new menu. So we were keen to get back for dinner! (we had been previously, but not with their new chef!) (they are only open for Dinner on Friday & Saturday nights)

bean to cafe
We started with the garlic bread, because we like it! Delicious toasty bread with garlicy butter!

bean to cafe
Janet had the Chicken Schnitzel with Creamy Mash & Lemon sauce.  She actually had this last time we went for dinner, but this time, it was much better - the mash was not runny, and it came with vegies! (or salad)

bean to cafe
I had the lentil patties with roasted capsicum vinaigrette and salad. I loved this! It is nice to get a vegetarian meal with some protein in it! And the Capsicum sauce was delicious! Thumbs up for this one!

We love the friendliness of this cafe, and we also love the fact we can walk here from home! Next time, we will be going in the morning to try out the Breakfasts!