Breakfast of Champions

Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day. It holds a special place in my heart because Teach and I went for coffee or brunch when we first started courting each other and it has become an honoured meal in our little family. If we decide to break the budget and head out for a meal together, it's always for breakfast!

So it comes as little surpirse that I started salivating over this divine image of Croque-madame while flipping through an old copy of Gourmet Traveller waiting for my coffee yesterday.

The image had me at Yummmm and I very nearly ripped the page from the magazine and ran from the cafe. But I like my local and wish to return, so common sense got the better of me. Now all I can say is thank god for the Inernet because this fabulous recipe is all mine!

I'm so excited to try it out over the weekend and really hope Teach and E like it too. Besides, what more could two boys ask for on a Sunday morning? Eggs, freshed toasted white bread smothered in butter, mustard, loads of cheese and lashings of bechamel sauce. (*Drool. Lick lips. Repeat*)

I'll let you know how it goes. Enjoy. x

You'll Need:

8 slices	crusty white bread, cut 1cm thick
95 gm	(1/3 cup) Dijon mustard, plus extra to serve
4	thick slices leg ham
300 gm	Gruyère, coarsely grated
100 gm	butter, coarsely chopped
4	eggs
Béchamel
60 gm	butter, coarsely chopped
60 gm	plain flour, sieved
250 ml	(1 cup) milk
30 gm	finely grated parmesan
Pinch	finely grated nutmeg

 Now do this:

1	For béchamel, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stir in flour, cook until light golden (1-2 minutes), remove from heat. Meanwhile, heat milk in a separate saucepan over medium-high heat until simmering, then, whisking continuously, gradually add milk to butter mixture. Return to heat, stir until mixture just returns to the boil (3-4 minutes), stir in parmesan and nutmeg, season to taste, cover closely with plastic wrap and set aside until thick and cooled to room temperature.
2	Place four slices of bread on a work surface, spread with mustard, top with ham and Gruyère, sandwich with remaining bread.
3	Preheat grill to high. Melt half the butter in a large frying pan over medium heat until foaming, add sandwiches to pan and cook, turning once, until golden (2-3 minutes each side). Remove from pan, spread tops thickly with béchamel and transfer to a baking tray, then grill until golden (3-4 minutes).
4	Meanwhile, heat remaining butter in a large frying pan and fry eggs to your liking (3-4 minutes for soft yolks). Place an egg on each sandwich and serve hot with extra mustard on the side.

This recipe is from the April 2011 issue of Australian Gourmet Traveller.

How To Be A Domestic God-Awful-Mess

What do Nigella Lawson, a White Chocolate, Coconut & Raspberry slice and I have in common? Other than we were all in my kitchen at the one time (one of Nigella's books that is, not the fabulous woman herself), absolutely nothing!

This mind-blowing discovery dawned on me last week when I was elbow deep in melted butter, white chocolate and descicated coconut, holding E in one hand while trying to pour the mixture into a slice pan with the other. As I attempted to spread it evenly across the pan, backwards and almost upside down, the mixture dripped down my arm and across the stylish pages of Nigella's classic cookbook How to be a Domestic Goddess.

'Sorry love.' I kept saying to her as more and more mixture fell on the book instead of the pan. 'It's all I can manage I'm afraid.'

I was working hard to create the tasty treat for our weekly Mother's Group get together, but I should have known when moths flew out of the open (and very old) Self-Raising Flour bag that my attempt to emulate Ms Lawson and wow all the other Yummy Mummy's with my home made decadent slice would not be a success.

It started a few hours earlier when I'd finally decided I'd attempt to make something. The slice seemed like the easiest option because I had most of the ingredients in the cupboard, sans white chocolate, but I knew I could duck into Coles quickly on the way home from taking Teach to school and have it ready for the 11.30am catch up. Easy.


After waking E from his comfy car slumber to race in and buy said chocolate, then wrestling him back in the car seat - all while singing 'Doin' It' by the lovely Justine Clarke so he'd grin along with me and forget I was pulling him from pillar to post - we arrived home with just enough time to get the ingredients mixed, in the pan, baked, then out the door again. Ok...Go!

I don't know what came over me or why I was so determined to make something. Anything. I wanted it to be interesting, a little different, yet completely delicious and satisfying. If the ladies uttered the words 'Bloody Marvellous' I wouldn't have been disappointed. But baking only makes me crumble under the pressure.

My last two attempts at baking desserts were miserable. I left the kitchen leaving a trail of nutt-meggy baking powder fluff in my wake. One cake sunk so much in the middle it could have passed as my Year Nine Geography Volcano Experiment.

This time though, I read the recipe several times before I started. I had everything pre-measured, weighed and ready on the kitchen counter, E was happily playing with his new truck in the living room and Nigella by my side.

'You can do this.' I said to myself. Hang on. What page number was it on again? D'oh!

After what felt like an eternity looking for the recipe (which was starting to induce a skin-of-the-teeth panic in me), my preparation went out the window when E decided he must sit between my legs, play with my toes and whinge if I moved my feet. The butter had melted so much in the microwave it was now boiling and the white chocolate had formed into a hard sludge in the pan. Bugger. Poo. Wee. 

Why can't I ever bake anything? 

I picked E up off the floor and was determined to start again. 11.30am start time be damned. I was NOT going to let a five step recipe beat me.

COME ON!

I managed to scrape all the ingredients together again, get it in the pan and bake it before we had to haul ourselves across town. The thought of showering and dressing up for the occassion had me spinning too, but we got there in the end.

E and I arrived dazzling, fresh faced, smiling and slice in hand. Eventually.

'Hi Sian. Hi E. Wow, did you bake that?' Our host asked. 'It looks lovely.'

'Thank you, yes.' I replied and looked down to see the gladwrap had started to melt over the still-warm slice. 

Not thinking, I had just picked up the original baking pan, wrapped it up and ran to the car. I didn't even put the slice on a serving plate. SHIT!

I asked our host for a dish to serve up the slice and walked away from the kitchen thinking, 'That'll do Donkey. That'll do.'

Brisbane's Hot Coffee Spots

A fix from Jamie's Espresso Bar

In anticipation of my brother's arrival from Melbourne last week, I decided to update my knowledge of Brisbane's coffee scene. Let's just say in the 15 years he's lived in Australia's coffee capital he never misses an opportunity to declare he's yet to find a half-decent Long Macchiato in "your town" to stir his little sis.

This time I was prepared to prove to him once and for all that Brisbane knows coffee. Plus, any excuse I have to get back on my old stomping ground of inner-city cafes and I'm there with more than bells on.

I started off slowly and took him to the usual, trustworthy coffee spots (intelligent) locals have come to know and love.  We buzzed from Campos Coffee (Fortitude Valley), to Flamingo Cafe (Fortitude Valley), then down the laneway to Brew (Brisbane City).

The down-to-earth aesthetic of each venue had him feeling at home, but it was the obvious respect the staff had for their jobs, the coffee and the brewing process that won him over. Now can you see what I was working with?

Unfortunately we didn't get a chance to try out the new PUK Espresso (Kangaroo Point), but we did make time to drop by The Rabbit Hole Ideation Cafe (West End) before he jumped on his flight home.

Love, love, love it! It's cosy, quaint, groovy and down right funk-tastic! If I still worked in the area Rabbit Hole would definitley be my daily go-to place for my early morning, mid-morning and afternoon caffeine fix.

Got family and friends visiting for Christmas or just sick of your local cafe serving sewage water as coffee? Here are a few more must-visit hot coffee spots I highly recommend:

Jamie's Espresso Bar (Robertson Street, Fortitude Valley): One of Brisbane's original hole-in-the-wall coffee spots. Pick up a great cuppa to enjoy as you walk around the James Street fashion precinct.

The Birds Nest Coffee and Collectables (Montague Street, South Brisbane): Stop here either before or after your day at the Gallery of Modern Art. Talking and walking? If you hit The Joynt you've gone to far.

D&D: Delectable

Dandelion & Driftwood (Gerler Road, Hendra): An adorable cafe for both tea and coffee lovers. It's one to keep up your sleeve for afternoon tea with your ladies.

Clarence Corner Bookshop & Cafe (Stanely Street, Woolloongabba): This is another personal fave. Who could possibly go past coffee and books? Plus you can text them your order, your ETA and it'll be ready for your arrival. If only it was my corner shop.

I recommend you bunker down with a brew here

Bunker (Railway Terrace, Milton): Named after the World War II bunker it now calls home, this cafe is home to the best brew on the West Side.

Do you agree? Please let me know if I've missed the one you love.

My Summer Essentials

The balmy weather I enjoyed in Townsville last week has me counting down to summer in Brisbane; the long hot days, time at the beach with my beautiful boys, jugs of cold Sangria and picnics in the park. Pure bliss!

In an attempt to hurry my favourite season along, here is a quick wrap up of the things I'm looking forward to this summer. It never hurts to daydream...

A new summer outfit

A treat for my feet!

No matter how I'm feeling, jewelled sandals are a great pick me up and perfect for all occassions. These are from Witchery. I think they'll look gorgeous with this Beach Dress. So adorable! Golf clap for Country Road's new summer collection.

Drinks with a view

Brisbane Powerhouse - one of my favourite spots in Brissie.

With my new outfit on, I'll head down to Brisbane Powerhouse for a few vinos with friends. I go for the views of the river and Teach goes for the free live music on Sunday afternoons. We always have a great time because everyone is happy and relaxed, it's a cool atmosphere and the tunes are groovy baby!


Good coffee and fresh food

I heart the big Fig Trees providing shade at the markets.

Nothing beats a saturday morning at the West End Markets located at Davies Park on Montague Street (it's official title is 'Davies Park Market' but locals refer to it as the West End Markets). We take E down there nice and early, enjoy a great coffee, pick up fresh groceries for the week then have a play before its time to head home and put the little man down for his nap.  If you're after a few quirky Chrissie presents too, I highly recommend these markets for vintage finds and one-off pieces. These markets are on all year round, but who wants to leave the house when it's cold out? Not me!!

Picnic in a park

The Jacarandas are in full bloom at New Farm Park - here comes summer!!

The other summer essential I lust-after during winter is a picnic in the park. E is now getting to the age where he can enjoy time outdoors too, so I'm sure we'll be spending lots of time at New Farm Park or Kangaroo Point. Both have spots to grab a coffee and shady trees to allow you to while away the day in peace and quiet. Mmmmm heaven!


What are some of your favourite things to do during summer?

Two Lives

I am a walking contradiction. I came to the realisation on Saturday afternoon as Teach and I sat in front of the television, chowed down on McDonalds and played with E. I heard myself say, 'Now E this is rubbish food, you don't want any of this.' His little eyes watched us closely as we demolished lunch in desperation, not hunger, but desperation to get rid of the evidence that we proactively bought and consumed fast food. It tasted so good, I was disgusted with myself!

A Must-Have Spicy Carrot Soup Recipe

Does anyone else feel like Winter arrived with a thud this year? Summer seemed to have been around for a while, but then in an instant it was cold, really cold. I wasn't prepared at all and got caught out on my afternoon walks a few times. So I decided to spend my weekend getting myself and the boys ready for (apparently) one of the coldest Winter's on record...

I dusted off my super cute pink Peter Alexander uggies, washed everyone's winter woolies and prepared a disgustingly large serve of my all time favourite Spicy Carrot Soup*. When all you want is a hearty meal to slurp at the end of the day, this tasty vixen won't let you down. Inside word: if you use enough chilli it'll keep you warm for a few days!!


*based on an original recipe found in Delicious Magazine, July 2003

1 tbs light olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 small red chilli, seeds removed (or 1/2 tbs chilli paste for extra kick)
1 tsp ginger
500g carrots, peeled, chopped
1 medium sweet potato, peeled, chopped
2 kaffir lime leaves
4 cups (1L) chicken or vege stock
Juice of 1/2 lime
2 tbs fish sauce
200ml coconut cream
150ml thick cream

Heat oil in saucepan over medium heat, add onion and cook for 2 minutes or until translucent/soft. Add garlic, chilli, ginger, carrot, sweet potato, lime leaves and stock. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for approx 20 mins. Allow to cool slightly then puree in a blender (or a hand held mixer works well). Season with salt and pepper, add lime juice, fish sauce and coconut cream. Mix together and gently reheat. Pour soup into bowls and top with a dollop of thick cream and another touch of pepper or nutmeg to serve.

Don't forget the crusty bread to get every last bit from your bowl. Enjoy!!