tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48908159948443066042024-03-13T14:30:29.469+13:00EssenceAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-6547317652747790022014-11-30T22:06:00.000+13:002014-12-21T03:41:57.870+13:00Sugar Thursday and Message CookiesI'm going to tell you a secret. Well it is, not really. It's one of those secrets that you can tell a few people but no one will really dob you in. Ok, here it is: we eat cake in English class.<br>
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<a href="http://peppermintessence.blogspot.com/2014/11/sugar-thursday-and-message-cookies.html#more">More ➸</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-75195676387238018622014-07-17T15:45:00.000+12:002014-07-20T17:40:16.662+12:00Mascarpone Brownies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I haven't baked in so. long.<br>
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SO long.<br>
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And now I have.<br>
And it was glorious.<br>
<a href="http://peppermintessence.blogspot.com/2014/07/mascarpone-brownies.html#more">More ➸</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-85346493399114453822014-06-07T22:14:00.000+12:002014-06-08T07:50:34.781+12:00MelbourneSo a few weeks ago, - no wait it must've been about five weeks - my friend and I spent about a week in Melbourne. We were busy most days marching around town having the best time, and taking heaps of pictures, of course! Here's a little of what we got up to… Prior Warning: The following contain a LOT of food shots, just saying :)<br>
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First night: a wander through graffitied backstreets…</div>
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then an underground Japanese dinner. Off to a great start, I'd say…</div>
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<a href="http://peppermintessence.blogspot.com/2014/06/melbourne.html#more">More ➸</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-20304748834419199672014-02-14T22:12:00.000+13:002014-12-21T03:43:29.848+13:00White Chocolate Hazelnut CookiesI'm going to tell you about these cookies.<br>
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I don't really need to, to be honest. But yeah, you want to know - how truly soft and delicious they are, with the most satisfying and dreamy flavor combination possible.</div>
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The trick with these little pockets of joy is to eat them warm, straight from the oven… actually, that goes for all cookies. Go on, just try <b>one</b>. You need to check that it's cooked, right? You can't go serving undercooked cookies now, can you? Mmm, that's good… Ooh and what about this one? Is it ok? And this one? Is the next batch just as good?…<br>
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Yeah. You get the picture.</div>
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I had seven.</div>
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That's how good they were.<br>
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<i>-ARE. </i>I am sooo making these again.<br>
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</div><a href="http://peppermintessence.blogspot.com/2014/02/white-chocolate-hazelnut-cookies.html#more">More ➸</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-26140064012987207562014-01-24T10:01:00.000+13:002014-02-16T10:02:21.350+13:00Thailand/Singapore Part 1I just read <a href="http://enchantedfig.blogspot.co.nz/2010/01/couple-of-days-ago-there-was-that-bad.html">this</a> beautiful blog post on Enchanted Fig. She is so true in her writing, it inspired me to try and open up to you all. To try and hush my inner editor, or english teacher or whatever, inside me - <i>it <b>has</b> inspired me, you mean</i>. Let it just flow. Show my creativity. Show myself.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candles and insense at a temple</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Na Muang waterfall</td></tr>
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I just got back a few days ago from overseas. We went to Thailand and Singapore, my family and I did. Everyday there was something new. In Thailand, it was colorful and elaborate temples the first day, waterfalls the next, and always, always seafood that had just been swimming when you ordered it.<br />
Koh Samui, where we stayed, was frightening at first; I found it hard to trust the place, as if anyone would try and take advantage of me if I so much as looked at them. But after a few days, I relaxed. I learnt how to barter, to ignore the people outside restaurants and shops who were trying to beckon you inside, or to politely accept and scan their wares, without letting their eagerness bother you. When I smiled shyly at the shopkeepers, they warmly smiled back. Vegetable sellers would explain the cooking techniques of their produce, and I tried to keep up. The people were kind and lovely and helpful, and everything was different. But that is why we travel, isn't it? I left wishing that we could have stayed longer, to have more time to lie on the beach, to see more of the island, to learn more about the culture that is unlike anything I have ever experienced before. Powerlines are more like birds nests, and once I even found a string of fairy lights around a low hanging section. How did they even put those up with being electrocuted? It has a certain kind of feeling, not quite like beach life - although everyone has that kind of relaxed approach to things - but far from the electric air of a big city. It is perhaps a mix of the two - but then something else as well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Big Buddha and Surrounding temples </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A baby elephant we met</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Na Muang waterfall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A local variety of eggplant</td></tr>
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The most amazing 'pancakes' you will ever eat - more like a crispy crepe, but filled with any combination of sweet or savory centre. Ours was filled with banana and coconut before being slathered in Nutella and a drizzle of condensed milk to finish...</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-15587701063649758052014-01-06T20:08:00.000+13:002014-01-07T10:33:35.367+13:00Lettuce Redeem Ourselves<br>
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I'll admit it. I had a very bad day today, food-wise. I started out innocently enough, but boredom and procrastination led me time and again to the kitchen, seeking out chocolate, lollies, meaty pasta and pad thai. It got to the point where I was making single portions of chocolate chip cookie in a mug. That was the bottom. After that I felt a little bit sick. So I got up, and did those jobs I was meant to do. It actually felt quite good doing something, because before then I had been feeling lethargic, disappointed and angry at myself. And dinner was another attempt at redeeming myself too.<br>
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<a href="http://peppermintessence.blogspot.com/2014/01/chicken-salad-cups.html#more">More ➸</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-13668189488087150282013-12-20T17:47:00.000+13:002013-12-20T17:47:30.704+13:00Baked Eggs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You know what I love? Breakfast. Which is partly why I'm partial to these baked eggs. They have everything you need: perfect for when you feel like eggs, but can't really be bothered dealing with all the dirty dishes and the longer processes (measuring, mixing…) of what might be eggs benedict, or even scrambled eggs; but you want something a little more exciting - and healthy - than runny eggs and soldiers.<br />
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Packed with about one serving of your daily veg, there is no measuring, no stresses about curdling, just chop, layer, done. Out of the oven comes this unassuming little package, it's top gooey from feta, crumbled there less than ten minutes before. The veggies retain some bite after being cooked, but are still hot and soft enough to meddle seamlessly with the burst egg yolk. This breakfast really is the prefect balance between being seemingly indulgent and perfectly healthy. And who doesn't love that?<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dzAHS94nZlw/UrOZ9qRqMwI/AAAAAAAAApQ/UEAOIfHSnX8/s1600/DSC03487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dzAHS94nZlw/UrOZ9qRqMwI/AAAAAAAAApQ/UEAOIfHSnX8/s640/DSC03487.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Notes:</b> I said above that there is no measuring involved in this recipe, yet below I have included measurements such as "one tablespoon". These are all approximate measures, because this recipe won't end in disaster if you put a little more or less of each ingredient into the mix. Also, feel free to change it up a bit to suit your tastes or what you have in the fridge. I have included some variation suggestions below the recipe.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5ysCtFuvJU/UrOab9pEcKI/AAAAAAAAApg/2HN6oNmtLOI/s1600/DSC03490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5ysCtFuvJU/UrOab9pEcKI/AAAAAAAAApg/2HN6oNmtLOI/s200/DSC03490.jpg" width="132" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_MfTItMNcnU/UrOaVgR_9aI/AAAAAAAAApY/GVHOkJ0KuTs/s1600/DSC03486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_MfTItMNcnU/UrOaVgR_9aI/AAAAAAAAApY/GVHOkJ0KuTs/s200/DSC03486.JPG" width="132" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gGVOWwGbzxs/UrOae-hbqaI/AAAAAAAAApo/SJoZEoAC_cA/s1600/DSC03491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gGVOWwGbzxs/UrOae-hbqaI/AAAAAAAAApo/SJoZEoAC_cA/s200/DSC03491.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
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<h2>
Baked Eggs</h2>
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Serves 1</div>
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<div>
8cm piece (1 Tbsp) spring onion, finely sliced</div>
<div>
small handful (¼ cup, firmly packed) baby spinach leaves</div>
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4 - 6 (1 Tbsp, firmly packed) basil leaves, roughly chopped</div>
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3 - 4 cherry tomatoes, halved</div>
<div>
1 egg</div>
<div>
1 Tbsp feta, crumbled</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease one small ramekin.</div>
<div>
Spread the spring onion around the bottom of the ramekin, and place on top the spinach, basil and tomatoes. Keep each ingredient as a separate layer, and do not mix the vegetables together.</div>
<div>
Crack the egg on top of the tomatoes, and sprinkle the egg with feta.</div>
<div>
Place in oven for 10 minutes or until egg white is cooked and the yolk is just set.</div>
<div>
Serve immediately on small plate.</div>
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Variations: Replace feta with slices of mozzarella. Add roughly chopped ham or prosciutto, or shredded cooked chicken on top of the bail before adding the tomatoes.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xe73FmO9yHU/UrOa8p87IzI/AAAAAAAAApw/v6kWM5nEaPk/s1600/DSC03497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xe73FmO9yHU/UrOa8p87IzI/AAAAAAAAApw/v6kWM5nEaPk/s640/DSC03497.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-23192598192763964282013-12-18T10:53:00.000+13:002013-12-18T10:55:09.108+13:00Chocolate Framboise (Chocolate & Raspberry Cake)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V5MiVysPoGo/Uq6Oqp0r8jI/AAAAAAAAAnk/U8zIHpINBjs/s1600/DSC03556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V5MiVysPoGo/Uq6Oqp0r8jI/AAAAAAAAAnk/U8zIHpINBjs/s640/DSC03556.JPG" title="" width="640"></a></div>
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It started with cake. Back in July, I had seen all these impressive, beautiful stacked cakes on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/adelaidelouisa/the-birthday-cake/">Pinterest</a> and I so wanted to make one of my own. But I knew that it would be a waste to just suddenly decide to make one which could serve more than ten people, and offer it to our household of three. So I needed an excuse - and what better than a party?<br>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2u3mB7ttY5s/Uq6N1zN-lhI/AAAAAAAAAm8/nMrT9mupr2I/s1600/DSC03552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2u3mB7ttY5s/Uq6N1zN-lhI/AAAAAAAAAm8/nMrT9mupr2I/s640/DSC03552.jpg" title="" width="425"></a></div>
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It's not my birthday and it wasn't a christmas party (though the party favors were somewhat festive). Instead it was simply a summer party. This gathering was reminiscent of birthday celebrations of my childhood, or at least of children's storybooks. I made a treasure hunt; we had egg-and-spoon and three-legged races from between one pair of hay bales to another; and the spread - well, how about I show you…<br>
<a href="http://peppermintessence.blogspot.com/2013/12/chocolate-framboise-chocolate-raspberry.html#more">More ➸</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-78768689039874457312013-11-29T19:57:00.000+13:002013-12-04T08:52:04.972+13:00Summer Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It was a Saturday afternoon. We were all kind of bored, sitting in front of the TV watching <a href="http://www.channel4.com/programmes/river-cottage/episode-guide/series-14/">River Cottage Everyday</a> when Hugh walks into a pub, dessert in hand, and enters it into the establishment's pudding competition. The fluffy-haired program host was just telling of how all the regulars to the bar had formed a pudding club, which took the form of this such competition, when my sister piped up,"<i>We</i> should have pudding club!". The three of us - my sister, C; Helen, our nanny at the time; and I - looked around at each other for a hopeful hint of shared enthusiasm, eyes wide at all the possibilities. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wF-_awHyQ_w/UpfVc8jxnSI/AAAAAAAAAlI/o0TsxqS5Dck/s1600/cookedsummercake2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wF-_awHyQ_w/UpfVc8jxnSI/AAAAAAAAAlI/o0TsxqS5Dck/s640/cookedsummercake2.jpg" width="640"></a><br>
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It was a spur of the moment thing. Cookbooks were flipped open, recipes googled, and by dusk each of us had found a dessert to make, and had all agreed that, with Mum and Dad out for the night - we would have our <b>puddings</b> for dinner. And so the Pudding Club was born.</div>
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<a href="http://peppermintessence.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-summer-cake.html#more">More ➸</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-55286679187773743482013-11-25T21:23:00.002+13:002013-11-25T21:27:51.123+13:00Flavor of the Month: November<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
How lovely it is to be back blogging, after (nearly) having finished all my exams - just one to go! I can't wait to get stuck into a summer full of baking, cooking, sunbathing and travel! There's a lot to look forward to.</div>
While I wasn't studying this past month, I was daydreaming about these things:<br />
<h2>
Rhubarb</h2>
My rhubarb plant is overflowing, and in desperate need of a harvest. So I've done what any dedicated rhubarb lover would do: I researched. And what <a href="http://blog.jelanieshop.com/gourmand/summer-rhubarb-desserts-by-line-klein/" target="_blank">amazing inspiration</a> I found! I'm thinking, as a change from the citrus combination that characterizes the winter months, berries are the way to go. With all the complementary red and purple colors, it's almost as if they're made for each other, right?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn1.cdnme.se/3028165/7-3/rabarber_51d93d85ddf2b3709b288632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://cdn1.cdnme.se/3028165/7-3/rabarber_51d93d85ddf2b3709b288632.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://madebymaryblogg.blogg.se/2013/july/rabarber-vaniljcheesecake-med-jordgubbsgele-2.html#comment" target="_blank">Rhubarb and Vanilla Cheesecake with Strawberry Jelly</a></td></tr>
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<h2>
Spain</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn2.latartinegourmande.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/D0C9786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn2.latartinegourmande.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/D0C9786.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source below</td></tr>
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I came across this wonderful blog post from <a href="http://www.latartinegourmande.com/2013/09/23/every-day-rice-pudding-recipe/" target="_blank">La Tartine Gormande</a> the other day, and it makes me want to travel to europe now more than ever. I can't get over the bright contrasts in color, the sunshine, the blissful atmosphere coming through in her photos… not to mention the glorious food that comes out of the country, and the ancient traditions that accompany them.<br />
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<h2>
Artichoke</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cloud.lomography.com/576/360/75/ba39090697f65bdf8c3194ae66c4111c528d2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://cloud.lomography.com/576/360/75/ba39090697f65bdf8c3194ae66c4111c528d2a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lomography.com/search/artichoke/1/16981830" target="_blank">Artichoke</a></td></tr>
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Also in need of a harvest, before it goes to flower, are our artichoke plants. Dad planted these years ago, but they have never been harvested. Apart from him, the rest of us weren't that interested anyway, and Dad for some reason just never got round to harvesting and cooking them either. Year after year, they would flower, seed and grow a little bigger, but <i>this </i>year I'm determined not to let them go to waste. Does anyone have great artichoke recipes that they care to share?<br />
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<h2>
The Kimono</h2>
I recently discovered internet shopping. Those of you who are converted are probably wondering why I didn't start sooner. And you who aren't in on the whole idea might be wondering what all the fuss is about (like I was). But now I get it. You can find exactly what your looking for in hours, not days, the range of clothes out there is so vast, and the best bargains are just a click away, if you know where to look. The most recent trend I've noticed - and bought in to? The kimono. Instead of the <a href="http://www.mylisbonlifestyle.com/2013/02/wanted-kimono.html" target="_blank">flowy, laid back style</a>, I went for <a href="http://www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-Boxy-Kimono-Top-in-Floral-Jacquard/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=3498625&SearchQuery=kimono%20top&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=36&sort=-1&clr=Multi" target="_blank">this</a> structured 'boxy' kimono style top to wear with a pastel blue skirt while out on the town this summer.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/9b/7a/20/9b7a20415b2d420ff16ba2fc4a94f9e6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/9b/7a/20/9b7a20415b2d420ff16ba2fc4a94f9e6.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/9b/7a/20/9b7a20415b2d420ff16ba2fc4a94f9e6.jpg" target="_blank">Boho kimono</a>; Original source unknown</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h2>
DIY Advent Calendar</h2>
It's that time of year again! This time last year I was shipping off my version of <a href="http://www.lepetitpot.com/2009/11/how-to-paper-bags-advent-calendar.html" target="_blank">this</a> advent calendar to a friend as a christmas present. I painted some paper in water colors, cut them out, made them into little envelopes and filled them with treats. Every day my friend found in a little pouch a note counting another way she is awesome (up to 24 - one for everyday), and maybe a recipe she liked of mine, or a chocolate bar, or little gift. I threaded them on to string - they looked like bunting with all the colorful patterns on them - and delivered them just in time. She loved it!<br />
This year, with my exams finishing so late, I may not have quite enough time to make another, but that doesn't mean I still can't dream… or even plan for next year! I was thinking it also might make a great gift for someone's birthday if they were born at the end of the month, or to celebrate another special day… new years? anniversary? end of exams? Meanwhile, here are a few ideas that have got me inspired:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qUM4J0pA4XA/ULP_EheJCtI/AAAAAAAAAYc/OUdhZY_DaO0/s1600/DIY-Advent-in-A-Jar-by-Penelope-and-Pip-1-PT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qUM4J0pA4XA/ULP_EheJCtI/AAAAAAAAAYc/OUdhZY_DaO0/s640/DIY-Advent-in-A-Jar-by-Penelope-and-Pip-1-PT.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.poppytalk.com/2012/11/diy-advent-in-jar.html" target="_blank">DIY Advent in a Jar</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mrprintables.com/images/christmas-advent-calendar-street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.mrprintables.com/images/christmas-advent-calendar-street.jpg" width="536" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mrprintables.com/christmas-advent-calendar-street.html" target="_blank">Christmas Street</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.morningcreativity.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/hangingtrees5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="502" src="http://www.morningcreativity.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/hangingtrees5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.morningcreativity.com/advent-calendar/" target="_blank">Hanging Tree Activity Calendar</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youaremyfave.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/advent-1-600x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://www.youaremyfave.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/advent-1-600x400.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youaremyfave.com/2012/11/12/a-colorful-advent-is-my-fave/" target="_blank">A Colorful Advent</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.morningcreativity.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/roll-cal4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.morningcreativity.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/roll-cal4.jpg" width="484" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.morningcreativity.com/diy-toilet-paper-roll-calendar/" target="_blank">Toilet-Paper Roll Advent House</a></td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com0Auckland, New Zealand-36.8484597 174.76333150000005-37.2549887 174.11788450000006 -36.4419307 175.40877850000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-73596821098012010102013-10-19T21:23:00.001+13:002013-11-14T17:25:38.014+13:00The Best Prawn and Parsley Frittata<script type="text/javascript" data-pin-hover="true" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LwiA9McRmm4/UmI5aaP0okI/AAAAAAAAAj4/E8pZCSB4-vs/s1600/DSC03000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LwiA9McRmm4/UmI5aaP0okI/AAAAAAAAAj4/E8pZCSB4-vs/s400/DSC03000.jpg" width="285"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lqpgEu_zijA/UmI5ZCtgDII/AAAAAAAAAj0/8OCaHfKPXn0/s1600/DSC03002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lqpgEu_zijA/UmI5ZCtgDII/AAAAAAAAAj0/8OCaHfKPXn0/s400/DSC03002.jpg" width="266"></a></div>Yesterday, at my school prize-giving, our Head Girl (renowned for her speech-making) delivered a speech about success, about its definition. Success, at least to me, does not necessarily mean driving a fancy car, nor even gaining a prize at prize-giving. As my head girl put it, success is 'setting out to do something, and then doing it'. Achieving your goals. But then going beyond them, doing what you never thought you could do. Surprising yourself.<br>
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<a href="http://peppermintessence.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-best-prawn-and-parsley-frittata.html#more">More ➸</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-73865920127612397502013-09-30T07:02:00.000+13:002013-11-15T09:01:04.723+13:00September-October Flavor of the Month, Melbourne and a Short BreakHappy Spring, lovelies!<br>
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<h2>
September-October Loves</h2>
<h3>
Bright Heels</h3>
Let's be honest: being wrapped up in monochrome knits head to toe can be a bit… daggy, after a while. Eventually, we've got to reveal our daisy-white legs to the world underneath a <i>skirt </i>(gasp!). And what better things to dress your lower 3 inches in for their spring debut than a pair of bright, eye-catching pumps…<br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X71w65msnbc/UlzmaO6k75I/AAAAAAAAAg8/IMStNA8gHuw/s1600/ba97d7d98380a111a8e46aa5b0fd3411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X71w65msnbc/UlzmaO6k75I/AAAAAAAAAg8/IMStNA8gHuw/s400/ba97d7d98380a111a8e46aa5b0fd3411.jpg" width="296"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://theberry.com/2012/04/04/all-heels-report-to-my-closet-immediately-38-photos/high-heels-2-11/" target="_blank">Heels</a></td></tr>
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<h3>
Moon Cake</h3>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DUIn7UKlnoY/UlzsfSeilaI/AAAAAAAAAjI/KnVCmy1IwCI/s1600/DSC03271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DUIn7UKlnoY/UlzsfSeilaI/AAAAAAAAAjI/KnVCmy1IwCI/s640/DSC03271.JPG" width="640"></a><br>
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In other news, the Chinese Moon cake Festival happens around this time, and while I am not Chinese in any way, any celebration where a certain food is at its core is right up my alley. Whilst in Melbourne recently (more on this later), my Mum and I took a trip to Chinatown, where I made it my mission to find one of these unusual baked goods. Some of my friends are Chinese and stirred my curiosity when I asked them about moon cake prior to my Melbourne visit. They told me that moon cake is hard to describe and as I bit into my lotus-paste-with-2-yolk version, I could see what they meant. The outer layer is thin and virtually tasteless, quite short yet soft, almost like a pastry crust. When you open the packet a scent of pure sweetness emerges, conjuring up images of sugar syrup, yet… also with a hint of 'earthliness'- I can't really describe it any other way. The first bite reveals a quite dense center, almost the consistency of firm play dough, and there are clear marks where your teeth made indentations in the cake.<br>
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You could say, overall, that this foodstuff is 'sweet', but not necessarily in the way that, perhaps a cake slice you buy in Acland Rd, St Kilda's is: layers of sponge drenched in liqueur, sandwiched between generous amounts of frosting it is not. Instead, the lotus seed flavor comes through first and foremost - which in itself is difficult to imagine, let alone having tasted it before. The most I can say about it is that it tastes 'earthy'- perhaps it is in part due to the pale forest green color of the inner. As you continue to take in the curious flavors and mouthfeel, eventually you will expose the yolk, sitting in a secret burrow, patiently expecting your arrival. It has a salty exterior which is in stark contrast to the (now noticeable) sweetness of the cake, and is very hard, almost crumbly, like a very hard boiled egg. This is what it's all about. The yolk, traditionally that of a duck's egg, is a symbol of the full moon.<br>
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<h3>
Strawberries</h3>
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On the drive home from school the other day, a hand-painted sign which Mum and I saw on the side of the road which read 'strawberries 3km' ignited an excitement and almost unbearable anticipation in me for a long-ago taste of these delicious jewels. "Can we go, please?!" I gasped. And off we went in the search of strawberries, with me sitting alert on the edge of the seat. </div>
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Upon taking my first bite, I couldn't help but smile. It has been so long, and to me, summer doesn't really begin until you eat your first strawberry. But now, it seems summer is well and truly here.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vDvhK2xZZtw/Ulzma_BKvOI/AAAAAAAAAhE/7zRRUJWIaAk/s1600/7070762265_14faa035cb_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vDvhK2xZZtw/Ulzma_BKvOI/AAAAAAAAAhE/7zRRUJWIaAk/s640/7070762265_14faa035cb_o.jpg" width="426"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From <a href="http://www.tarteletteblog.com/2012/04/recipe-gluten-free-rhubarb-strawberry_12.html" target="_blank">Tartelette blog</a></td></tr>
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<h3>
Melbourne</h3>
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About a month ago Mum and I went on a short trip to Melbourne (mostly) in the name of finding out about a potential University to study architecture at in two years' time. The thing that struck me most about Melbourne was the eclectic mix of new and old. It's everywhere - heritage buildings neighbor glass-fonted apartment blocks, trams a fitted with state-of-the-art ticketing services or encase you in a 1950's relic of leather-apholstered seats and windows with wooden frames.<br>
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<h4>
The Architecture</h4>
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St Kilda's</h4>
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Chinatown</h4>
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<h4>
Victoria Park Markets</h4>
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<h2>
A short 'so long'…</h2>
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It's that time of year again: exams. The final, stressful push before months of sunny, lazy freedom. And because I really do want to go to that Melbourne university I visited last month, I really must keep my head down, tail up till early November (the 27th, to be exact!) you shall not be seeing me around these parts for a while. So long, friends, I'll be back with loads more stories to tell before you know it!<br>
</div><a href="http://peppermintessence.blogspot.com/2013/09/september-october-flavor-of-month.html#more">More ➸</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-69162180019797086382013-09-15T16:30:00.000+12:002013-09-23T21:01:28.934+12:00Finding Satisfaction in Simplicity (A double recipe post)Friday night. My mission is simple: I need two batches of baked goods. But Im in a perfectionist, impatient sort of mood. Earlier in the day, I plan to make savory muffins, tasty and brimming full of veggies, but when I get home to realize I have hardly any of the main ingredients, my plan goes south. Now what? I turn to the cookbook cupboard, the overflow stored in a bookshelf in the lounge, the internet. But again and again I close a cookbook disappointed, yearning for that perfect taste that is just out of reach: "I use this book <i>way</i> too much. Don't have the ingredients. Too complicated. Boring. Not crowd-friendly. Won't transport." For a seldom occasion, I felt dejected. Baking didn't seem fun anymore. A chore. But I pressed on, determined not to let my pursuit, my craving for that one particular kind of recipe trump me.<br />
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The first recipe was an easy decision, more or less. A banana, bourbon and chocolate chip loaf from <a href="http://joythebaker.com/" target="_blank">Joy the Baker's</a> <a href="http://joythebaker.com/cookbook/" target="_blank">book</a> would be made into muffins. Easy and delicious, but is taking alcohol-spiked food into an event a a school the most PC? I reasoned that all the alcohol would be evaporated during cooking anyway, and if I called them 'banana chocolate chip', what they didn't know wouldn't hurt them. I still had the smallest doubts when they came out of the oven, and then I tried one. It was <b>perfect. </b>All soft and fluffy on the inside and choc-full of chips, with a crisp sugary top. Yes, I was rather happy with that.<br />
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Finding the second recipe was a little tougher. I was nearly at the end of my patience when I pulled down Bill Granger's <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1051250.Bills_Open_Kitchen" target="_blank">'Bill's Open Kitchen'</a> and with little hope flipped through its 'Afternoon Tea' section. My family used to love Bills recipes for their simplicity and fresh flavors, but for one reason or another moved away from his books in recent years. I now regard Bill with a renewed enthusiasm as I am reminded of this easy-going fresh-is-best food philosophy, which is so effortlessly reflected in this recipe: apricot slice. It is so simple to make, but the finished product offers a satisfying contrast between sweet spongy cake and the zingy apricot. Mine wasn't the prettiest, but it certainly tasted fantastic!<br />
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<h2>
Chocolate Bourbon-spiked Banana Bread</h2>
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Makes one 8x4 inch or 9x5 inch loaf <i>or about 18 muffins</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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2 cups plain flour</div>
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3 tsp baking powder</div>
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½ tsp salt</div>
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½ cup <i>(115g)</i> unsalted butter, softened</div>
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1 cup granulated sugar</div>
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2 large eggs</div>
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1½ cups ripe mashed bananas (about 3)</div>
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1 tsp lemon juice</div>
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3 Tbsp bourbon</div>
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1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts (optional)</div>
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1 cup semisweet chocolate chips</div>
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Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease and flour a 8x4 inch or a 9x5 inch loaf pan<i>, or line two muffin trays with patty cases. </i>Set aside.<br />
In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder and salt.<br />
In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, three to five minutes.<br />
Add eggs one at a time, beating for one minute between each addition. Stop the mixer, scrape down the sides of the bowl and add bananas, lemon juice and bourbon. Beat until well incorporated.<br />
Turn the mixer on to low and add the flour mixture all at once. Beat until almost incorporated. Stop the mixer and remove the bowl from the mixer. Add the walnuts (if using) and the chocolate chips and incorporate the rest of the ingredients with a spatula.<br />
Spoon mixture into loaf pan. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until a skewer inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. <i>If making into muffins, divide mixture between patty cases and bake for 12 to 15 minutes.</i><br />
Remove from the oven and allow loaf<i> </i>to cool in the pan for 20 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely. <i>Muffins in patty cases can be removed from trays when cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes, before cooling on a wire rack. </i>Serve with milky coffee and enjoy.<br />
Banana bread will keep for up to five days, well wrapped, at room temperature.<br />
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<h2>
Apricot Slice</h2>
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Makes 14 slices. <i>I cut my slice into smaller pieces, which results in 30 slices.</i></div>
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185g (1½ cups) plain (all-purpose) flour</div>
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75g (¾ cup) caster (superfine) sugar</div>
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1 tsp baking powder </div>
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pinch of salt</div>
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3 eggs</div>
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60 ml (¼ cup) milk</div>
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2 tsp natural vanilla extract</div>
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180g (6½ ounces) butter, softened</div>
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14 apricots, pitted and halved (this may vary depending on the size of the apricots)</div>
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2 Tbsp caster (superfine) sugar, extra</div>
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Preheat the oven to 160°C (315°F/Gas 2-3) Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into a large bowl and make a well in the centre. Place the eggs, milk and vanilla in another bowl and mix to combine. pour the egg mixture and butter into the well in the dry ingredients and beat for two minutes until smooth.Spread the mixture evenly into a greased or non-stick 20x30 cm (8x12 inch) lamington tin.</div>
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Push the apricot halves, cut side up, evenly into the cake mixture in four rows of seven. Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, sprinkle over extra sugar and cook for another 20 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.</div>
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Cut into fingers with two apricot halves per slice.</div>
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NOTE: If fresh apricots are out of season, you can use bottled or canned ones. <i>Drain preserved fruit well of juice or syrup.</i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-27485216828863453332013-09-09T05:20:00.000+12:002013-11-29T19:59:31.251+13:0060's Design and TacosThis past week has been full-on, and I've only spent four of these days at school, thanks to a mid-term break on Monday. Sunday was a city day: Made a classic banana cake in the morning before heading to the art gallery with Mum to see <a href="http://www.aucklandartgallery.com/california-design" target="_blank">California Design</a> - an exhibition about how California influenced architecture, product design, fashion and a way of life from 1930 to 1965. It was inspiring to be surrounded by so may objects that carried with them curiosity, discovery, and opinion. The exhibition also encouraged my personal interest with architecture and furniture design, particularly when I learnt about Charles and Ray Eames' meticulous ergonomic research and testing for their project simply named <i>Chair</i>.<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 'Z' chair / A cool lamp</td></tr>
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Early afternoon we met Dad at the City Works Depot, which is home to several new and exciting places to dine and treat yourself. We had lunch at the <a href="http://www.foodtruckgarage.co.nz/" target="_blank">Food Truck Garage</a>, a recently new installment serving up fresh and re-vamped twists on classic takeaways such as burgers with a beef & beetroot patty, lettuce, tomato, gherkins and a mysterious "awesome sauce" (which earns its name). There are also hot dogs, tacos, home-made drinks and a weekly-changing specials, not to mention an effortlessly-cool, laid-back vibe.<br>
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I've been back to the grindstone stone since Tuesday, and working hard at that. The prospect of being House and/or School Prefects next year is weighing on my mind a lot lately and on those of my friends. It's odd and uncomfortable when you realize your competition is those people who you talk to everyday; being torn between wanting the best for yourself and the best for others. But as they say: que sera, sera. As the end of my school year is fast approaching - I effectively don't have a 'tern four' - study for external exams has continued off the back of mock exams just a few weeks ago. Oh, so intense!<br>
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Thank you thank you thank you, therefore, for long weekends, when you can spend the whole afternoon in the kitchen and not feel (too) guilty, taking time to make a dinner as completely from scratch as possible. Since <a href="http://peppermintessence.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/flavor-of-month-august.html" target="_blank">my craving for home-cooked mexican</a>, I hadn't found anything satisfying but simple enough to fulfill my hankering until now. Early in the afternoon I made the tortillas, stacked them, wrapped them up in tinfoil and left them on the bench. I put the chicken on to marinate in the fridge. Before dinner time, I barbecued the chicken, put the tortillas in the oven to warm up, made the salad, sliced the chicken, sliced up half an avocado and plated up. BUT I kept each component separate, so we could each make our tacos just the way we liked them.<br>
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<a href="http://peppermintessence.blogspot.com/2013/09/60s-design-and-tacos.html#more">More ➸</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-90831103613908765552013-08-15T18:28:00.000+12:002013-08-28T11:41:47.513+12:00Flavor of the Month: AugustHello again! This month I'm loving…<br />
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Chocolate with fun things in them</h2>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Make your own fun-filled goodies with <a href="http://elkevandenberg.nl/portfolio/chocolade.html" target="_blank">this</a> chocolate mould</td></tr>
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Part of my current obsession is the thrill and suspense of never knowing exactly what you are going to find encased in each little brown square. My sister recently sent me some of Cadbury's Milk Rocky Road chocolate as 'study snacks', and if the amount of these I'm having is directly proportional to my success in the upcoming exams, I'm going to ace this year! My favorite ever Cadbury chocolate is Black Forest, precisely for this reason. I love the little jellies in it so much that if I find one I save it and eat them right at the end. That's dedication for you.<br />
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The Future</h2>
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It's a scary thought. The other night I went to a seminar hosted by a university that I could possibly be attending in two and a half years. Two and a half years! That's not a very long time at all. What makes it even more daunting is the fact that I will be leaving home, no matter what university I go to. Life after high school is as hard to imagine as living on the moon… You have a general picture in your head of unidentifiable people floating around in massive white suits, moving very slowly or bounding around moon craters like kangaroos. It's the same for uni, I guess. You see photos, hear stories, read booklets. But you can't yet fully define what being a uni student, what being a Young Adult, is about. You just know that it will be an Experience, unlike anything you've ever done before. And that's pretty exciting.<br />
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Sunny Days</h2>
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We have had really good spell of weather this past week. Sitting outside in the beaming sunshine is certainly a novelty lately, but one I can soon get used to it with spring just around the corner. It is feeling more and more like the New Season with newborn lambs popping up in the paddocks, clear blue skies and brighter mornings.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vestidoslindosatelier.tumblr.com/post/53734852197" target="_blank">photo</a></td></tr>
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Mexico</h2>
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On one side of our stove sits a tray holding three bottles. A cork-stoppered glass vessel of canola oil. Olive oil encased in a curvaceous bottle with a fancy top. The label of a square-based flask reads 'Matakana Marc One' while on the other side of the glass - soy sauce. This pretty much defines my family's go-to cuisines. European and Asian. But lately I've been craving something of a different continent. The box-sets we know and love - tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas - are simple and satisfying, yet nothing beats the real thing. I'm on the hunt for a tasty, not too high-maintenance mexican lunch or dinner to make this weekend, and satisfy my craving. Any suggestions?</div>
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Love,<br />
Adelaide</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-57551691764442055342013-08-10T17:33:00.004+12:002013-08-10T17:33:55.002+12:00Vanilla Snap Cookies with Chocolate Ganache and Peppermint Filling<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gf4G4eUwr28/UgW21juzAxI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/0wr0Y9RzaWg/s1600/DSC02434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gf4G4eUwr28/UgW21juzAxI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/0wr0Y9RzaWg/s640/DSC02434.JPG" width="640"></a>Home-made baking is amazing, and it's even better when its gifted to you from a friend. I love baking for friends, whether it's to celebrate birthdays, accomplishments or just because. Seeing their faces when they open the box, knowing that it was <i>you</i> that lovingly made those sweet treats, that's something special, and far better than going doing to the nearest dairy of supermarket to buy a mass-produced equivalent. Baking something yourself shows you care.<br>
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I made these cookies for a friend's 17th birthday. I shaped the cookies using a cookie cutter that she gave me for my last birthday, and when she told me some of her favorite flavors were chocolate and peppermint, I knew exactly what to fill the cookies with.<br>
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<a href="http://peppermintessence.blogspot.com/2013/08/vanilla-snap-cookies-with-chocolate.html#more">More ➸</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-240623621636578172013-07-23T19:58:00.000+12:002013-09-22T12:53:07.296+12:00Flavor of the Month: July<h3>
Queenstown</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the ranges on the way to Cardrona</td></tr>
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Last Sunday morning I flew with my Dad down to Queenstown, a surprisingly small skiing village in the South Island. What ensued on the following four days was mainly eating and skiing, with the odd bit of sightseeing thrown in. The village is great for eating out - my favourites include <a href="http://www.fergburger.com/fullscreen.html" target="_blank">Fergburger</a>, <a href="http://www.winnies.co.nz/" target="_blank">Winnie's Pizza</a>, <a href="http://www.amisfield.co.nz/" target="_blank">Amisfield Winery</a> & <a href="http://www.patagoniachocolates.co.nz/" target="_blank">Patagonia chocolates</a>. But one cannot ignore it's true purpose. Thanks to a light sprinkling of snow on Wednesday, <a href="http://www.nzski.com/mountain.jsp?site=theremarkables" target="_blank">The Remarkables</a>, <a href="http://www.cardrona.com/" target="_blank">Cardrona</a> and <a href="http://www.nzski.com/mountain.jsp?site=coronetpeak" target="_blank">Coronet Peak</a> ski fields offered fresh powdery skiing for the week. I could say more, but I think the pictures below speak for themselves…</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beetroot, apple, celeriac soup from Amisfield</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Remarkable Sweet Shop in Arrowtown</td></tr>
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<a href="http://peppermintessence.blogspot.com/2013/07/flavour-of-month-july.html#more">More ➸</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-28954420742393549362013-06-21T20:03:00.001+12:002013-11-29T20:01:20.129+13:00Poached RhubarbIt's madness. One moment I'm all engrossed in my computer screen in a warm and glowing living room, next I look out the window and the sky is a purple haze, trees are receiving a battering and the rain is making a racket on the windows. It's as if the weather is saying "Helloo!! Can you hear me!?!?" like a restless child trying to coax some dramatic reaction out of their parents. Not now, rain, I'm poaching rhubarb. Winter is well and truly happening.<br>
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<a href="http://peppermintessence.blogspot.com/2013/06/poached-rhubarb.html#more">More ➸</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-25526857964416776112013-06-12T20:50:00.000+12:002013-06-12T20:55:30.579+12:00Raspberry Quinoa Porridge and a new regular!Firstly, I apologize for by brief disappearance from cyberspace. Since my <a href="http://peppermintessence.blogspot.co.nz/2013/05/smores-brownies.html" target="_blank">last post</a> I've had heaps of fun at my senior ball, held a bake sale at two local markets to raise money for Sir Edmund Hillary's <a href="http://www.himalayantrust.co.nz/" target="_blank">Himalayan Trust</a>, and on top of all that sat mid-year exams! So it's been pretty busy lately. Yet amongst it I managed to make myself a hot breakfast or two and come up with a new regular post! Was it procrastination maybe…?<br>
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I therefore introduce Flavor of the Month, where I share my favorite things of the moment, every month! It'll be a good way to keep me blogging regularly, yet won't be too demanding. Fingers crossed I can stick with it!<br>
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Apples</h4>
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<a href="http://www.cannellevanille.com/uncategorized/the-washington-apples-a-bread-pudding-and-other-thanksgiving-recipes/" target="_blank">Image</a></div>
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With the colder month upon us, the refreshing crunch of an apple is now just what I need to bring a bit of vitality and freshness back. Also, it is oh so sweet and comforting in a <a href="http://www.donnahay.com.au/recipes/desserts-and-baking/apple-and-caramel-dumplings" target="_blank">pudding</a>, <a href="http://applesundermybed.com/2010/08/17/apples-under-my-bed/" target="_blank">cake</a> or a classic pie. Delish.<br>
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Long-sleeved Dresses</h4>
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I do try to embrace winter, really I do, but there's always a part of me that is stuck in a summery mindset of light dresses and cool treats. To try and curb my craving for the warmer months, I have been on the hunt for an elegant yet playful long-sleeved dress. Any suggestions?<br>
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<a href="http://shop.boardertown.co.nz/user/images/7026.jpg?t=20130404142342" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://shop.boardertown.co.nz/user/images/7026.jpg?t=20130404142342" title="" width="411"></a></div>
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<a href="http://shop.boardertown.co.nz/estore/style/mo%20wt8015.aspx?c=3" target="_blank">Dress</a></div>
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Movie Night</h4>
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I recently went to a close friend's birthday party. It was nothing fancy. No theme, no party favors, no gimmicks. Just a tight bunch of her closest friends, enjoying good food, a surprisingly decent movie (Step Up 4) and each other's company. It was unbelievably good fun.</div>
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Ice-cream</h4>
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<a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8646259697_21f800108a_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8646259697_21f800108a_o.jpg" width="420"></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">It's funny. As soon as the days grow shorter and blustery, I find myself tiptoeing my way to the freezer in the laundry, ready to eat ice cream straight from the tub. My favorite is usually chocolate ice-cream drizzled with berry jam (don't knock it 'till you've tried it), but lately I've found that I can settle for vanilla when the craving possesses me. If I had a less hectic schedule, I would dedicate one saturday to </span><a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2012/07/ice-cream-basics-5-recipes-.html" style="font-weight: normal;" target="_blank">making my own</a><span style="font-weight: normal;">, but for now I'll fantasize over gourmet </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">flavors like <a href="http://vanessahernandezphotography.blogspot.mx/2013/03/blog-post.html" target="_blank">blackberry and lavender</a> and <a href="http://asubtlerevelry.com/25-Creative-Ice-Cream-Ideas" target="_blank">all these</a>.</span><br>
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Recipe for left image <a href="http://www.raspberricupcakes.com/2013/04/brown-butter-waffles-with-no-churn.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Have I mentioned my latest infatuation with breakfast? It's hard to justify, but it started somewhere around my boredom with usual old "cereal or toast" option on weekday mornings. I mean, there must be <i>something </i>more, right? So, when the weekends rolled around, I got <a href="http://pinterest.com/adelaidelouisa/breakfasts-of-champions/" target="_blank">inspired</a>. Smoothies - green or otherwise - packed with fruit and nice and thick. Pancakes stacked with honey and banana sandwiched between the layers. Omelets. Bagels, topped with fresh veggies, pesto and cheese and grilled. And a super-healthy quinoa porridge. </div>
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If you have been tuned in to the food universe lately, you'd know that this ancient super grain is So Hot Right Now. Packed with protein, vitamins and a unique nutty flavor, it's not hard to figure out why.<br>
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</div></div></div><a href="http://peppermintessence.blogspot.com/2013/06/raspberry-quinoa-porridge-and-new.html#more">More ➸</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-73957095965407230862013-05-04T19:28:00.001+12:002013-06-04T18:47:12.150+12:00S'mores Brownies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Say s'mores, think campfires. Think bonfires on a beach, in a field, encircled by friends, talking and laughing and licking fingers and sticks free of gooey sugary delight, which not too long ago was a light-as-air pillow of sweetness.Think summer.<br>
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But now, as the rain and the storms arrive at our front door with their suitcases, asking (demanding) if they could stay on our couch for a night.. or two.. I find myself longing for that summery sweetness once again. Oh well. At least now I have the perfect excuse to spend my days in a kitchen with an indoor sun, baking the cake version of this summer reminiscence.<br>
<a href="http://peppermintessence.blogspot.com/2013/05/smores-brownies.html#more">More ➸</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-89007780848368968032013-05-04T17:36:00.003+12:002013-05-04T17:38:26.498+12:00Pumpkin CannelloniOk, so there aren't many photos for this recipe, frankly because it's hard to make this dish <i>look </i>as good as its flavor and aroma.<br>
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But here's the thing: you know when a meal doesn't look that great, and then you taste it and you think "oh my god, this is sooo good, I can't believe I just judged it for its appearance"? Well, this is one of those dishes. An ultimate comfort food.<br>
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<a href="http://peppermintessence.blogspot.com/2013/05/pumpkin-cannelloni.html#more">More ➸</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-39056796259142782692013-05-03T22:51:00.000+12:002013-05-04T16:26:09.929+12:00The autumn air embraces you as the distant fields are painted gold by the sun's first strokes.<br>
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Cocooning the robust china in your palms, you hasten to eat it's contents before the dawn's last breath renders your breakfast unsatisfying.<br>
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Spoon delves in, past the sticky golden apple towards the creamy underbelly.<br>
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A quarrel between the red tape of the sliced apple and your spoon is rapidly dissipated, and the supple fruit, riddled with flakes of oat in a vanilla-speckeld cloud slip over your tongue.<br>
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<a href="http://peppermintessence.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-autumn-air-embraces-you-as-distant.html#more">More ➸</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-33346774703489079102013-04-30T21:10:00.002+12:002013-05-04T16:25:32.541+12:00Lunch for One: Roasted Vegetable and Quinoa SaladDad insightfully commented the other day that my cooking is either incredibly decadent, or very healthy - switching from one extreme to the next. He was right. Not only do I love rich desserts and adore eating baked goods fresh from the oven; my love affair with food has gone on long enough for me to realize that 'good', healthy food can be just as tasty and satisfying.<br>
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So today - spurred partly by guilt for being a little indulgent this past week - I made myself a hearty, filling bowl of slow-roasted veggies tossed together with that so-hot-right-now superfood otherwise known as quinoa (pronounced keen-wa). Not only that, I partly invented the recipe. Not bad, if I do say so myself.<br>
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<a href="http://peppermintessence.blogspot.com/2013/04/lunch-for-one-roasted-vegetable-and.html#more">More ➸</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-6144737545099820762013-04-23T18:18:00.000+12:002013-07-23T19:59:37.802+12:00Psychogeography and Peanut Chicken San Choy Bau<br>
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In the last issue of the lovely <a href="http://www.frankie.com.au/past-issues/issue-51" target="_blank">Frankie Magazine</a>, Eleanor Robertson pondered the art of wandering through your own urban habitat. She writes, 'Psychogeography is best described as bushwalking in cities. Bushwalking is satisfying because nature is beautiful, and with attention and some luck you can experience cool things happening… The same is true for cities, with buildings and architecture creating the landscape, and people creating the interest and drama'.In a time where no one has enough of it, she recognizes the importance of taking the leisure of appreciating urban space by <i>just</i> <i>being there, </i>as opposed to just passing through.<br>
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So yesterday, as the First Official Monday of the School Holidays, Mum, Dad and I did just that. We took a trip into the Auckland CBD and experienced it with fresh eyes, made new discoveries. First stop was breakfast, at a bagel-ry named <a href="http://www.bestugly.co.nz/" target="_blank">Best Ugly</a>. The topping combinations were nothing new, but just a little outrageous - cold smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers, red onion and a little sprig of dill on mine and Mum's poppy seed bagels, a sesame-crusted one topped with hot mustard, pastrami, melted swiss cheese and gherkin for Dad. This was good food, done superbly.<br>
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<a href="http://peppermintessence.blogspot.com/2013/04/psychogeography-and-peanut-chicken-san.html#more">More ➸</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4890815994844306604.post-74898805460290079752013-04-07T09:30:00.000+12:002013-05-04T16:22:33.600+12:00… Fall Back<br>
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I woke this morning to what felt like a miracle… the sound of heavy, cleansing rain. Due to a drier-than-normal November and a practically rainless December, by February pretty much the whole of New Zealand was covered in dead, brown grass, and by mid-March, everyone, especially farmers,were getting pretty desperate. An official drought was declared in some of the worst-affected parts of the country, and compensation given to the farmers concerned, who needed it most. Even our humble little ten acre block was feeling the strain. We had water issues: a mysterious leak in one of our paddock tanks meant that 20 000 liters was almost gone within a few days. Dad had to buy truck-fulls of water to sustain our livestock over the course of a fortnight before he found a crack in one of the water pipes. Our veggie patch stopped growing. Weeds and low-nutrient grasses were sprouting. We had to feed our animals hard feed, things like silage and barley, because there wasn't any good grass. By the end of March though, we had had a few showers, here and there. They weren't very long, or very heavy - but that was ok. It brought me hope. It allowed the ground to soften a bit, before real, good rain comes.<br>
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This morning another of those hopeful showers came. It was quite heavy for about half an hour, giving the earth the drink that it so desperately needs, before it dispersed into that crisp autumn sunshine, when the day takes a little longer to warm up than it did just a month or two ago. Autumn is one of my most favorite times of the year. Kind of the underdog The Seasons, it heralds crisper, alert mornings and beautiful sunrises, warm, rich and comforting food, bed socks, tea and anticipation for the coming ski season.<br>
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</div><a href="http://peppermintessence.blogspot.com/2013/04/fall-back.html#more">More ➸</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00528012693155272649noreply@blogger.com0