Pumpkin & Pine Nuts

Last week I successfully completed my vegetarian challenge! And I enjoyed it so much that I've decided to continue with it. Not only did I feel completely healthy all week, but I fell in love with cooking even more! Of all the dishes I made, one stood out as a clear winner. So much so I even ate it cold! It's only fair that I share the recipe.

Spinach & Ricotta Agnolotti with Roast Pumpkin 

I borrowed the original recipe from Taste.com, but modified it just a little to suit my likings.

A Good Friday

Just a little mid-long-weekend post!

via

This morning I woke up after a very short four hour sleep and drove to my Grandma's for her traditional Good Friday Hot Cross Bun treat. When my boyfriend and I arrived, her and my grandfather were out walking their dog. But this didn't mean the buns were still in dough form. Oh no! When we walked inside the smell was overwhelming... and there sitting on the side of the sink were three trays of freshly baked Hot Cross Buns Nan Style. We waited for a pot of tea to boil and then eagerly devoured our special breaky. I know they were delish, because I even ate all of my sultanas! And I hate sultanas! 

After a good morning chat, I headed back home and started feeding my farm. Everyone has fresh water and a full belly, and some even received a special treat! I have a little bit of work to do for an assessment, but I'm not letting that ruin my Easter break. Thankfully,  I have finished all shifts on the bar for the week and have planned some great nights out for a change. Visiting friends and celebrating a 21st are on the agenda, and hopefully a lot of wine and a great time!

Here is a song I heard driving home from work at 3am this morning... It's called Blackout by Anna Calvi and it has definitely brightened my day (ironically)!

I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday!

How Does Your Garden Grow?

As I mentioned yesterday, I have decided to challenge myself to eat a vegetarian diet for the next week or so... and I have been cooking some lovely meals as a result. Last night I made some Pumpkin, Spinach & Ricotta Pasta... and when the recipe prompted me to stir in 1/2 a cup of Parsley I was overjoyed that I got to run out to my herb garden and pick some fresh leaves off! It reminded me of some research I had done a while back on the importance of organic farming and home growing. So I'll share some of that knowledge now.

*This is a fairly lengthy post... only read on if you are interested. There is an information sheet on Growing Urban Veggies that I made at the end!*

What Is Organic Farming?

Organic Farming is the form of agriculture where produce is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers, plant growth regulators, livestock antibiotics, food additives or genetically modified organisms.  Instead the method relies heavily upon crop rotation, green manure, compost, manual cultivation, biological pest control and organically approved pesticides application to maintain soil productivity and control pests.

“Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved…” – International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements.

If You Don't Eat Your Veggies...

As part of my 101 challenge, I have set the goal to eat a vegetarian diet for a week. This is a challenge that isn't going to be particularly hard, since I am not a really large meat eater on an everyday basis. Time aside though, what I hope to gain from this week is an insight into a healthy vegetarian diet, the planning, the cooking and of course the eating! 

The challenge began yesterday morning, and although I skipped breakfast I started the diet with some avocado and cucumber sushi. For dinner I made Baked Eggplant & Ricotta Rolls served with a side of Polenta. To my surprise, I didn't ruin the dish and it tasted amazing.

I am looking forward to trying my hand at the other meals I have planned.

Whats your favourite Veg dish?

Mixing Up Our Muesli

Early last week I stumbled upon this wonderful website where you can custom make your own Muesli (pretty sure I was trolling the Frankie blog). Anyway, it's called MuesliMixer and it's absolutely wonderful. It offers over 55 ingredients including base mixes, dried fruits, nuts, seeds and cereal bits and pieces. As you add your ingredients, you get a running total of the nutritional information alongside your selection. Since I often refuse to eat Sultana Bran and other breakfast Muesli's because of their sultanas (gross), MuesliMixer allowed me to pull together a creation that would satisfy my taste buds. I was super excited to place my order straight away, but first I required the help of my Muesli connoisseur boyfriend. Together we decided that our Muesli should include toasted oats, linseed, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, buckwheat, gojiberries (apparently some sort of superfruit?), paw paw, pineapple, flaked almonds, pepitas & bran flakes. Oh and did I mention you get to name your creation!!

It took a few days to arrive, but our breakfast tastes as great as it looks (I guess plain yogurt would have been more aesthetically appeasing for the photo, but I only had blueberry at the time). Either way, now I am leaving the house all smiles, without those annoying stomach grumbles around lunch time.

List Twenty Nine - Favourite Foods

If the world was coming to its end, and there was only one food available to eat for the rest of our existence, I would want that food to be mushrooms! I am absolutely in love with all things mushroom. I started this little love affair about two years ago now, and still haven't found anything remotely comparable. Aside from mushrooms though, I am a huge fan of...

- Scones! Especially with jam and cream! 

- Sundried Tomatos. 

- Watermelon. 

- Potato Bake. 

- Bananas. 

- Tacos... or sometimes Burritos. 

- Home made Pizza. 

- Zucchini. 

- BBQ Eggplant. 

- Apple & Cinnamon anything! 

- Spring Veggie Dip with Carrots. 

- Tom Yum Soup. 

- Bruchetta. 

- The Leek Pasta from work.

Photos from here!

Afternoon Delight

I love the joy that a simple batch of vanilla cupcakes can bring to an otherwise dull afternoon.

Cupcake Day for the RSPCA!

Starting next Monday the 16th, the RSPCA are hosting their annual cupcake party. Each year, thousands of cupcake cooks from around the nation have joined forces and baked delightful delectables to raise funds for the RSPCA in support of their vital services. You can get involved by hosting your own cupcake party with work and friends, or even by donating online for who you think is the most creative cupcake cook. Either way, Monday is set to be one of the sweetest events of the year.

RSPCA Cupcake Day Registration 

RSPCA Most Creative Cupcake Cook Entries