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Food - July 2007

Lovely Lavender

July 31st 2007 06:56
I’m sure most of you are familiar with lavender as a garden flower or for its beautiful aroma when in dried pot puri or distilled as an essential oil. However, lavender can also be used to bring a gorgeous aromatic flavour to the kitchen as well!

The early Greeks and Romans were known to eat lavender, and it remained a popular herb in Europe until the late nineteenth century. Indeed, Queen Elizabeth I drank lavender tea daily, believing to beneficial for migraines. Today, many similar medicinal attributes are associated with the lavender plant.
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The flowers and leaves can be prepared fresh, while the stem and buds can also be prepared dried. The potency is increased when dried, so only a third should be used when substituted for fresh lavender.
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How’s this for an odd combination? I once made cookies using lavender and mars bars! Another idea is to add a bit of lavender to your favourite tea, it works especially well with citrus flavours or green tea.

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And here is a fabulous suggestion from the Gourmet Sleuth website, lavender sugar! Sounds very delicate and magical indeed.

“Bruise dried lavender flowers and add them to superfine or confectioners sugar. Store in an airtight jar until used. Use a sieve to remove flowers before use. Add the scented sugar to cakes, meringues or other sweets for a delicate flavour.”

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Grilled Capsicum Salsa

July 27th 2007 02:46
On a recent trip to the local shopping centre, I was reminded (or maybe tempted) by the look of the food court nachos. While many of you 'foodies' might scoff at the very mention of the words 'food court', this particular dish brings back fond memories. While today's version is incomparable to the version of my childhood, I recall gigantic plates of corn chips shared by my mum and myself (neither of us being able to finish our portion) piled with generous amounts of cheese and meat and the most crisp, fresh lettuce and salad. This was accompanied by large dollops of salsa, sour cream and guacamole. Are you salivating yet?
Inspired by this food memory I decided we were having nachos for dinner that night, an homage to Miranda Food court's past!

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Over a year photographer Patrick Boland documented his daily digestion by photographing each meal he consumed. The result is a fascinating ‘food diary’ which includes 365 dinners, 362 lunches, 359 breakfasts and 219 substantial snacks. This is a total of 1305 pictures!

His meals are not the gourmet couture that we are used to see in sparkling images, instead they are the fare of the everyman, burgers, pizzas and cookies. And another very cute addition, Boland’s hopeful dog can be spotted in the background of almost every picture


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Tum’s Takeaway Thai

July 20th 2007 06:56


Tum’s Takeaway Thai
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Easy by Michelle Cranston

July 18th 2007 07:26
Everything from the simple title ‘Easy’ to the recipes of this book indicate that it is a quick churn out by the magazine for whatever Mother’s Day or Christmas rush was next. This is one of those typical magazine produced cook books which is probably a compilation of other things they’ve published over the months and the name of the magazine in much more prominent print than the author.

The author Michelle Cranston, though mostly absent in narrative character, does earn a paragraph on the inside of the dust jacket. Her career in food spans 20 years and ranges from writing, cooking to managing a caf


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The Gluten Free Expo brings sweets, treats and heavenly delights to the Sydney Showground, Fri 17-Sat 18 August.


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Fat Tax

July 17th 2007 07:23
Suggestions have been made by researchers at Oxford University for what has been deemed a ‘fat tax’.

This has fallen upon criticism for two reasons. Firstly that the government isn’t responsible for acting as ‘nanny’ for its citizens in all matters, as free choice reigns. The second and more important problem is that this tax will probably hit low income earning families the hardest, as they tend to be the biggest consumers of unhealthy food in the first place. If they continue their eating habits the already considerably high cost of food will rise, and if they switch to healthier alternatives their costs will probably rise too. I was absolutely horrified at the cost of fruit and vegetables this week, having spent $7 for four apples and with bananas back up at $7.80 a kilo.And also, not surprisingly, has been strongly objected to by private enterprise


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Bankstown Bites Food Festival

July 16th 2007 07:15
Bankstown Bites is coming! This is not a literal reference to the locals I hope.

Bankstown Bites
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Raging Rhubarbs

July 15th 2007 12:25
Rhubarb is a leafy vegetable which bears thick red stalks. These are delicious when boiled with sugar and have been a popular vegetable for centuries

Rhubarb Info is a good resource on the net for those interested in finding out more about rhubarb. There is even a (fairly old) list of rhubarb festivals around the world, including the avocado and rhubarb festival in Tamborine Mountain, the Gold Coast


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Grind in the City Cafe, Melbourne

July 13th 2007 01:47
Melbourne is famous for its hidden yet bustling laneway cafes. I’d been on the lookout for one such place to lunch when I was astonished to find a gorgeous lane absolutely jam packed with dozens of vibrant eateries.


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Fragrant Carrot and Ginger Soup

July 11th 2007 07:20
Ingredients:
2 Packets Vermicelli or Rice Noodle Soup
4 Small Carrot


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The Rocks Aroma Coffee Festival

July 9th 2007 07:24


Its that time of year again, the Rocks Aroma Coffee Festival


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Wholesome Oat Cakes

July 7th 2007 06:51
Makes a dozen.
½ Cup Brown Sugar
½ Cup Self Raising Flour


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I read an interesting article in the Sydney Morning Herald relating to the diet of Japanese Astronauts. I’m sure as a kid everyone has tried ‘space food’. I remember being extremely disappointed with a ‘space bar’, a kind of snack that looks like a kit kat, smells like chocolate but tastes and feels like rubber in your mouth.

However, in space astronauts are not usually so fortunately and have to mostly subsist on military style rations. However, these Japanese astronauts are periodically given ‘bonus packs’ as a special treat to boost morale during long periods of time in space. This is simlar to the half way parties held by American naval submarines when the journey reaches its half way point


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Muffin Bible, Penguin Books

July 5th 2007 06:40
The bold, glossy pictures throughout the Muffin Bible will have you drooling in no time.
Some of the savoury muffins look spectacular and the choc chip muffin featured on the front cover is absolutely mouth watering...

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Suede Bar Smith Street Melbourne

July 4th 2007 04:26
The air is infused with the welcoming smell of breakfast after 12, a must on a Saturday as far as I’m concerned. Suede is laced with brocade wall paper and lush soft couches perfect for sinking into with a cup of coffee. The coffee itslef smells great and looks fantastic.

Suede
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Ingredients:½ Pack Pasta


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