Friday, 13 December 2013

Potato salad

I have been craving potato salad the last few days...and I finally remembered to get some potatoes from the supermarket today. I had it for dinner tonight...was as good as I hoped it would be. Yum!

Now I'm not talking about the acidic, squishy store bought variety. I'm talking about rustic, garlicky potatoes that...shock..taste like potatoes! Super simple, and I love this variation. I hope you like it too.

Now I quite like egg in my potato salad, but since I am related to an non-believer, I reflexively do not put it in...but I served it with a soft boiled egg...and some spinach, just to make it a bit more balanced for dinner.

Bon appetit!

Ingredients

1kg baby cream potatoes, washed but KEEP the skin ON!
2 tablespoons finely chopped basil
2 tablespoons capers
2 tablespoons sliced kalamata olives
Corn kernels (I used a 72g tin coz that's what I had, but go for gold cooking your own)
1 heaped tablespoon garlic aioli
2 - 3 tablespoons plain yoghurt (I used goats yoghurt, but if you're not a fan, use your favourite plain or Greek yoghurt)
1/4 Spanish onion, finely chopped

Chop the potatoes into mouth sized pieces. Mine were quite little so they were quartered. Now, I'm not a 'boil my vegetables' fan, however there are two reasons I will boil my veggies. Potato salad and mashed potato. The texture is worth the loss of nutrients (and remember, you can be a bit virtuous, you've left the skin nutrients in tact :-) ). Boil until cooked but not too squishy. I must admit I am not entirely sure how long that took...I was watching tv (blush).

Carefully drain the water off the potatoes and let them cool a bit. Then, add all the other ingredients and gently mix to combine.

That's it. Easy. Generally I would serve it as a side salad, but is great by itself for a light dinner or lunch. I like it slightly warm...but enjoy it as you see fit.

Xxx


Thursday, 12 December 2013

Brighton beach

Who would have thought, that just a few kilometers south of Melbourne city, there would be a whole other world. Yes, I'm talking about Brighton Beach. I've known about Brighton beach and its colourful beach huts for ages. I finally had the opportunity to take a visit this last weekend. It didn't disappoint.

It really was a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. I braved Melbourne public transport and hopped the Sandringham line to Brighton Beach train station. Always on the search for a picture I headed straight for the beach and a short walk north later stumbled across the most beautiful view of the city. The sun had finally decided to make an appearance, and the gorgeous blue sky provided a bright and cheery backdrop for the Melbourne skyline, and for the vibrant quirky beach houses. I couldn't have asked for a better day.

Our picnic lunch tasted amazing on the verandah of a vivid blue, yellow and red beach hut. The sea gulls were hilarious...zooming in like SAS bombers from afar at the very hint of a crumb. I realised quickly not to mess with the gulls....those creatures are vicious when it comes to fighting for food. Their ardent favor quickly waned once the food was gone.

Some burnt limbs later, we wandered back to the road. Amazingly, while down on the beach, you couldn't hear the traffic, but once back up, reality hit again. Weary, we headed back to the city on the City Circle line. Such a wonderful day trip...and such a different world!

Definitely put Brighton Beach and its colourful beach huts on your 'to do' list next time you head to Melbourne. It is definitely worth it!

xxx












Melbourne in B+W

I love the look of black and white photography but seem to have difficulty editing my photos into black and white. I shoot what catches my eye, and it is often the colours which grab my attention. So I thought I'd do somethng a little different and try my hand at B+W street photography from my time in Melbourne last weekend. They break all the rules of good photography, but I love them. I hope you do too.

This weekend, how about challenging yourself to shoot something just a little bit different. Who knows, you might find yourself a whole new genre you just love to dabble in!

xxx

























Melbourne Christmas Cheer

This time last year I was excitedly putting the last remaining traveling necessities in my suitcase and dreaming of a white Christmas. I didn't get a white Christmas, but I had just the most amazing time soaking up a northern hemisphere Christmas wandering the streets of Manhattan. That city really knows how to put on Christmas! I loved the cold, being bundled up in scarves, beanies and gloves, taking photos of so much Christmas cheer.

So when I decided to meet a friend in Melbourne last weekend for a girly shopping weekend, I had no idea that I would be transported back to NYC, right in our own backyard. I've only been to Melbourne one other time. It was in winter, and I ran a half marathon. It was grey, cold and beautiful. The weather wasn't actually all that different this time around! Gotta love Melbourne!

It was the energy, the bustling, busy excitement that was seen in both adults and kids, that reminded me so much of NY. Wandering around at night time, when the city comes alive. Shops adorned with twinkling lights and promises of Christmas bargains. Street vendors selling their wares. Carolers caroling. The only thing missing were chestnuts roasting and about 10kg in clothing layers.

I had such a wonderful time soaking it all in.
If you ever get a chance, spend a long weekend in Melbourne at Christmas time.

Merry Christmas. I hope you have a happy and holy day.
Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season.

xxx