AT PLAY

For the home enhancers, the foodies, the wanderers

Fabulous Finds – Chateaus…Apartements…Maisons…Villas…,

New Year Resolutions…love ’em! Mine always involve another opportunity to explore some part of the world as budget allows. Do you have travel in your sights too?

As we blogged our 2011 travels around France and Italy (archives May-June) so many of you commented on the quality of our fabulous accommodation and those of you planning a similar journey have since been asking for details.

Thanks to our trip coordinator extraordinaire and travelling companion…the beautiful Jenny (Fifi), our journey became so much more than just sightseeing…and eating…and drinking. Carefully researched, selected and booked in advance, Jenny ensured we placed weary heads on feathered pillows in digs that were beautifully appointed, close to the action, just a little bit special, often quite unique yet still within mid range budget. I’m still telling her she should make a career out of this!

With your queries in mind and drawing from our archived details, January’s blogging will be devoted to sharing best of the best.

Looking forward to hearing your comments (click on comments below post), please share your own faves too, if you agree with mine feel free to FB Like/Share.

Searching for a shake…

Sunday morning, nursing dusty hangover and wallowing in self pity when the darling Bellsies, bright eyed and bushy tailed after their early morning cycle, drop in and drag me kicking and screaming to a new coffee hole they’ve just discovered.

My personal hangover cure happens to be a pie and milkshake combo, but this argument falls on deaf ears…and I’m rather glad it did because this is one special little spot! ‘Shucked’ doesn’t deal in oysters as one would imagine with such a name but it does deal in kitch…a great big healthy bowl of it.

Quite literally a hole in the wall with another punched through to an open space that feels like your at one of those ‘garage confined’ parties…you know the ones? Crates ‘n stuff to sit on while pondering the status of the universe? Decor mirroring a melamine clad 60’s household, a mish mash of furnishings and funky wallpaper to match and my hangover head is spinning…in a really rather cool way actually.

Sipping a skinny latte that quite simply tantalises the taste buds over the front, middle and back palette…not dissimilar to the complexities of a fine red wine and something to do with the bean and host specific tailored roasting and we concur…bespoke coffee really is worth trawling for. But what about my ‘cure’?

An overview of Ipad presented menu reveals milkshakes! Ah! Bless!  Two ‘Turkish Delight’ shakes greedily slurped from real, deliciously cool old fashioned tin shakers later and I’m feeling  a tad better.

Toasted turkish pide topped with avocado, feta, semi dried tomatoes and snow pea sprouts substitute the ‘pie’, ticks the ‘virtuous’ box and goes down a treat while my mates hoover eggs nestled in bacon jackets, brekky burritos and more coffee and still more shakes. Just a few of the many delectable items on that menu.

Rubbing tum with satisfaction, I kiss my beloved Bellsies in gratitude and vow to return to ‘Shucked’ real soon…no excuses…and there really isn’t any…for ‘Shucked’ is just a block away!

Try it! Creswell St, Newstead

A humble Risotto…

Risotto, a simple tasty dish with unlimited themes, perfect for surprise guests…but what’s YOUR preferred methodology for creating the dish?

Personally I find great pleasure in sipping a little vino, inhaling the delicate flavors and dreaming of Italian travels as I gently massage ladles of stock, one by one, into freshly sautéed leeks and glistening wine infused pearly Arborio rice grains until they’ve absorbed to a slight al dente.

Then there’s the thrill of selecting and adding complementary ingredients, handfuls of Parmesan, seasoning and fresh herbs, then delighting in the rich aroma as flavors infuse. A Nigellaesque moment. A selfish indulgence, or a shared intimacy with guests who wishing to join in.

If your preference is to mingle while the dish takes care of itself, Elmo’s version…throw the lot in a pot post rice sauté, lid on, spot of random stirring ’till al dente…delivers equally satisfying outcomes.

Looking for a yummy version with a creamy finish? Try one of Elmo’s recipes, simple methodology, great on flavor…

Smoked Cod & Pea Risotto:

Need:
4 fillets smoked cod
2 finely chopped onions
2 cups frozen peas
2 cups Arborio rice
1.5 litres Fish stock
250 ml thickened cream
Italian parsley to garnish

Create:
– Remove skin from cod fillets and dice into 2cm cubes
– Pop stock in a saucepan and bring to simmer
– Heat a little oil in large pan and fry onions till soft
– Add rice and stir together until grains become translucent
– Add stock one ladle at a time until absorbed and rice has a creamy consistency and is al dente (slightly firm)
– Add smoked cod, peas and cream and stir until cod is cooked through
– Season with cracked pepper to taste
– Serve in deep bowls garnished with parsley sprigs
– Enjoy!

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