Steak and kidney is an English dish with a filling of diced beef steak and kidneys in a thick sauce. Usually found in a one-crust pie, steak and kidney is easy, filling and delicious when made in a casserole. You get all the flavour and eating experience of a steak and … [Read more...] about Steak and Kidney Casserole
Know your Onions – Spring Onions or Scallions
Scallions are what I call Spring Onions and you can use the white and the green parts in recipes or just eat them raw. Spring Onions have a sweeter, milder flavor than mature onions and are a bit stronger than chives. The white part has more flavour than the green … [Read more...] about Know your Onions – Spring Onions or Scallions
Put that in your Pipe
Lapsang Souchong is smoked, as are lots of cheeses, salmon, hams and plums. And that's just for a start. But I didn't expect to see eggs joining the list. So here's a surprise at the Queen Vic Market. How could I resist the lure of a smoked goog? I … [Read more...] about Put that in your Pipe
How to sterilise jars
Heat oven to 280F / 160C fan/gas 1. Wash the jars in hot, soapy water, then rinse well. Place the jars on a baking sheet and put them in the oven to dry completely. If using Kilner jars, boil the rubber seals, as dry heat damages them. You can also sterilise … [Read more...] about How to sterilise jars
What to do about Xmas
The Australian Retailers Associations warns that a miserable Xmas is on the way. For them, yes. People aren't spending and why is this a surprise? It shouldn't be a surprise at all for the ARA who helped persuade the government to get rid of weekend penalty rates. … [Read more...] about What to do about Xmas
Down the Street
My Collingwood is rapidly changing. I don't want to see a return to the old days when the area was populated by the very desperate, but I don't like to see my tiny suburb transformed into a playground of the very rich. Surely there's a compromise somewhere? Perhaps … [Read more...] about Down the Street
Slow Cook Cannellini Beans
First soak your beans I've used dried cannellini beans here but the recipe is the same for dried kidney beans. Soak beans in enough cold water to cover them by 5-6 centimetres for 6 hours. It's so much easier to soak them overnight. Put them in a bowl, cover with … [Read more...] about Slow Cook Cannellini Beans
Slow Cooker Safety
How to Cook Safely in your Slow Cooker (CrockPot) Slow cookers are enjoying a return of popularity .. for very good reasons. A long cooking time lets you start the evening meal before leaving for work in the morning. Reduce the washing up to save time and water … [Read more...] about Slow Cooker Safety
Starting with a Slow Cooker
Where do I start with my slow cooker? So you've got a yourself a Slow Cooker? Congratulations! But now, where do you start? Your new slow cooker will often come with a recipe booklet. That's a good guide to begin with as every make of slow cooker is a little different. … [Read more...] about Starting with a Slow Cooker
Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks
Not your mother's lamb shanks Lamb Shanks have changed remarkably since my mother cooked them. The lamb shanks themselves are still the same, it's the ingredients and method of cooking that my mother wouldn't recognise. Shanks were once classed in the frugality … [Read more...] about Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks
Beef Bourguignon
Beef Bourguignon is a really classy meal to brighten up a chilly evening. Impress your guests, cheer up the family and enjoy a cracking good meal at the same time. Use gravy beef or any beef suitable for Slow Cooking Brown the beef in small batches first, it … [Read more...] about Beef Bourguignon
Best Beef for the Slow Cooker
Fortunately the best cuts of beef for the Slow Cooker are cheaper! Shin Very tasty cut which needs a long, slow cook. The shin has highly worked muscle supported by high levels of connective tissue. This connective tissue is broken down through slow cooking over a low … [Read more...] about Best Beef for the Slow Cooker
Wooden Jesus
Both Jesus and Mary love wood. I'm pretty convinced that Joseph did too, as a carpenter he must have been on friendly terms at least. Here's a selection and if you're still not convinced that the heavenly pair are making cameo appearances, then there's no hope for … [Read more...] about Wooden Jesus
The Allied Plot to Dye Mt Fuji black
In the waning months of World War II, as the likelihood of a land invasion of the Japanese home islands loomed, the United States’ Joint Intelligence Center, Pacific Ocean Areas (JICPOA) instituted a new psychological warfare unit under the command of Colonel Dana … [Read more...] about The Allied Plot to Dye Mt Fuji black
Mushroom Duxelles
Mushroon Duxelles is a finely chopped (minced) mixture of mushrooms, shallots and herbs sauteed in butter and reduced to a paste. Mushrooms are 90% water; the long, slow cooking of duxelles will evaporate the water and concentrate the mushroom flavor. Keep Mushroom … [Read more...] about Mushroom Duxelles
Beef Wellington for Class
Easy Cook, Classy Look Beef Wellington is simple enough to put together - this recipe is a pushover for the Beginner Cook. It looks amazing on the table, like a restaurant dish Really classy, elegant in its individual serve, with some fresh herbs to garnish and … [Read more...] about Beef Wellington for Class
Apparition of Pontmain
In which the BVM saves a little hamlet from the advances of a raging, ravaging, enemy army. A Marian apparition is a reported supernatural appearance by the Holy Mary. This particular apparition is recorded as being proven although I can't imagine how it could be. … [Read more...] about Apparition of Pontmain
Holy Toes of Jesus
The Church of Our Lady of Velankanni, in Mumbai, has a statue of Jesus with water - it must be holy water - trickling down from the toes. This blessed water is collected and the church is a site of pilgrimage. Take a look. However the miracle was caused by … [Read more...] about Holy Toes of Jesus
Wallander, which one is your favourite?
Henning Mankell, novelist extraordinaire I first found Henning Mankell through his crime fiction featuring the melancholy Swedish sleuth Kurt Wallander. That's understandable, those novels have been translated into more than 40 languages and have sold more than 30 … [Read more...] about Wallander, which one is your favourite?
I demand a DNA test
Has anyone run a DNA test on Prince Harry? Is it a coincidence that he looks so much like James Hewitt? Hewitt, if you remember, if you want to remember, is the man Diana had a highly reported five-year affair with. Following Diana's death, he tried to sell her love … [Read more...] about I demand a DNA test