Daisy Chains and Picnics

  I bought this frozen pork roast before Christmas, it was on offer and I knew I would use it for something, we plan to spit roast it. I also got Jodie's favourite, lamb chops, we are going to cook them on the barbecue along with a beer can chicken. We also had salad and mash. And pavlova for dessert.

Ahh, who doesn't enjoy barbie season, I certainly do, it's the one time Scott cooks and I can watch 😉. I bought a couple of porterhouse steaks from the butcher and as it was a lovely evening we decided to cook them on the barbie. We fancied something a bit spicy but not too overwhelming as to take the flavour away from the steaks. Allow steaks to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving. Ingredients 1 tsp chilli powder 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp steak seasoning 1 tsp ground sumac 1 tsp blended peppercorns 2 cloves garlic, crushed 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp sea salt flakes 2 porterhouse or sirloin steaks Method 1.  Place chilli powder, paprika, sumac and blended peppercorns in a mortar and pestle, blend together until peppercorns are crushed and mixture is powder like. 2.  Put spice mixture in a non metallic dish large enough for both steaks. Add garlic and oil, stir until combined and paste like. Add steaks, rub paste all over ...

  'Chestnuts roasting on an open fire', altogether now...'Jack Frost nipping at your nose 🎅🎄. I love roast chestnuts and I haven' had them for years so when I spotted chestnuts in the grocer I just had to buy a few to roast. I remember when Union Street in Aberdeen closed to traffic for the weekend running up to Christmas and their were stall holders selling handmade gifts etc and another selling fresh roasted chestnuts, your purchase came in a little paper cone, they were perfect for warming your hands up while munching into them. As we only had a small amount, Scott lit the portable barbecue with just enough coals for what we had. When roasting over an open fire it's best to score an X into the each shell with a sharp knife, this will prevent the chestnut exploding during cooking on a high direct heat, it just needs to be a shallow cut, enough to expose the inside of the nut casing. Roasting the chestnuts.. 1.  Lay enough charcoal for a cast iron pan to sit on t...

My family know I have never been one for fuss on "special" days, (with the exception of Christmas, where the whole family gets a little spoiled, even Hamish!). I don't like them spending their hard earned cash on me. Myself or Scott usually buys something for me from the kids and this year was no different. I made a delicious breakfast. I love the idea of recycling and I love charity shops, like the saying goes one man's trash is another man's treasure and I managed to scoop myself some goodies last month that I kept for Mother's Day gifts. All these goodies are brand new, I got an unopened bottle of Mariah Carey Forever perfume for $8, a seriously cute Robert Gordon heart shaped teacup and saucer for $4 and two divine smelling Peppermint Grove candles for $4 each, the lot for $20 what a find!! Such a pretty bottle and a gorgeous scent. Scott bought me two bottles of sparkling wine that were on offer for $6 each. I will be enjoying a glass (or two) this evenin...

We usually have a barbecue on a Sunday evening for tea. We try to do something different but always end up with a chicken as everyone here eats chicken!!. Scott was saying the other day that he hadn't cooked on the kettle barbecue for such a long time so we decided to cook something on that.  I got a Marion Bay free range chicken on offer from Hill Street grocer so that was what was going to be cooked on the kettle barbecue. Ingredients 1 whole chicken, 1.5kg - 1.8kg 1/2 small orange, quartered 1/2 small onion, quartered 1/4 cup cranberry jelly 2 tbsp orange juice Method 1.  Light the charcoal, we use a charcoal chimney positioned over a naked flame. Leave for approx 30 - 40 minutes until the white ash has formed on the charcoal. They are ready to cook on when they turn almost orange/white in colour. 2.  Prepare kettle bbq for cooking the chicken, we used two wire racks to separate the coals to the side of the bbq so the drip tray could sit in the centre. Add 1 1/2 - 2 c...