Himself makes Paella

You guessed it! I convinced Himself to write to you all again about something very near and dear to his heart. So without further ado, take it away!

Everybody within earshot knows how much fun I have making paella. If you’re from Valencia, you probably don’t want to read any further, because I took your wonderful idea and did non-traditional things with it; technically, this is arroz en paella.

They’re always based around one main ingredient — well, they are the way I make them, anyway — and recently, I based one on duck. It worked, so we’re sharing the joy and showing you how to make one yourself.

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Many of the quantities here are approximate, based entirely on what was available and what looked right at the time. Would you like to know more?

Today’s Table – Duck!

You can probably imagine what a relief it is, when you have no idea what to do for dinner, just nipping in to Bilder & de Clrq and there is a selection of meals all laid out for you, all pre-packaged in portions for two. On this particular day, I fell for the Duck. As I am want to do.

Roasted Duck with Broccoli

4 tablespoons of olive oil
1 tablespoon on Worcestershire sauce
Salt & Pepper
1 duck breast
1 bag spelt
1 broccoli
1 clove garlic
1 red chilli

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Would you like to know more?

Penne with Italian Sausage Bolognese

We’ve been back to Bilder & de Clerq. With a store like this, how could we not?!? Himself decided one night that we needed to try their take on bolognese; so homeward bound he tromped, with fresh ingredients in hand!

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Would you like to know more?

Of Dinner Parties

First there must be the perfect Vinegar.

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Then the perfect Olive Oil.

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Combine with an Almond Dukkah.

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And fresh baked Turkish bread! This is to begin.

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In a jug combine red wine, lemonade, sugar, cointreau, an orange, a lemon, an apple, and an unpictured ruby grapefruit. Voila! Sangria! (Should that be Olé?)

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All of this,

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Some of these,

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and chopping …

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and then get so involved in conversation with your guests that you don’t manage to get photos of either the finished paella, nor the chocolate coated strawberries that were for desert!

Blogging fail = Dinner Party WIN!

I’ll do better next time!

One week ‘til Santa!

Can you believe it? Where did that come from? And who’d have thought it would happen so quickly!

As I do most years, I have been baking some gifts for people. Both family and work colleagues. The first gift was shared over the weekend. A cute little recipe I picked up in the free xmas cooking magazine from Coles. Vodka Cherries.

750g cherries
1 cup caster sugar
1 cup water
1 vanilla bean
1 cinnamon quill
1 cup of vodka

I began by washing and pitting the cherries,

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and sterilising the jars. (You’ll need a 1 litre capacity)

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The usual critics made the usual comments.

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Combining the sugar and water in a small saucepan you stir it over a low heat without boiling until the sugar has dissolved, then bring to the boil.

Add the cherries vanilla bean, and cinnamon quill (I used pure vanilla essence and ground cinnamon – they were in the pantry) and simmer for 5 minutes, then add the vodka.

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You then spoon the cherries into jars and cover with liquid. Seal tightly, and label with the date. They store in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.

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As per the recipe, these cherries are delicious served with ice cream, and a little of the syrup can be added to champagne for a cocktail.

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We may have used more than a little. But I can attest that it is also delicious in mineral water! They were a complete success at our luncheon table over the weekend! 😀

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I have also for the first time attempted truffles. Balls I can do.

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My dipping technique needs work!

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I think I’ll try these again next year, and just make some more fudge in the mean time!

To my readers, both the recent and those who have been with me from the start, I’d like to thank you all from the bottom of the cockles of my heart, and if I don’t speak to you in the mean time, have a safe, happy, and wonderful giftmas. May your stockings be full, your relatives be kind, and may Santa be generous!