tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21374302127985087692024-02-19T21:22:49.471+13:00What I'm having for dinnerMariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.comBlogger147125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-64727189790901931362010-06-08T19:04:00.002+12:002012-03-24T16:19:02.709+13:00A time to end...After 6 months of blogging my dinners I'm going to stop posting on this blog. It was a useful tool for me for a time, to motivate me to make good dinners for my family, and I got a few new ideas along the way. But I think a blog should be way to make your real world life better, not worse. So when this blog stopped being a fun and useful tool and became a burden, "I need to post! Ahhh!" type thing, I knew it was time to stop.<div><br />
</div><div>Thank you for all my readers, followers and subscribers, especially those three who have been clicking through every day for the last 2 and half weeks even though there haven't been any fresh posts for that long.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I am working on how to archive my 6 months of dinners, for now you can access them here still. I will occasionally post exceptional dinners on my other blog, thethingsthatilove.blogspot.com.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Thank you, and good night!</div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-17928379490593077402010-05-21T19:47:00.002+12:002010-05-21T19:51:44.108+12:00Curry to go<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHAhee1Ct2b_FIOj39QRH1bdo0L_p48CQ7vG4A49O4_VyjqSkR1p-xke-_w-sVuKZuPQuVAFyO2DCKQapOFzqaFFTZRdTP-lEkUf1S7MjPZsR3yN2k0mOvGtbh8Fi7AdMUPC1lQ8Rygd7/s1600/DSCN7749.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHAhee1Ct2b_FIOj39QRH1bdo0L_p48CQ7vG4A49O4_VyjqSkR1p-xke-_w-sVuKZuPQuVAFyO2DCKQapOFzqaFFTZRdTP-lEkUf1S7MjPZsR3yN2k0mOvGtbh8Fi7AdMUPC1lQ8Rygd7/s400/DSCN7749.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473627295162193938" /></a><br /><br /><div>Friday night take out.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nat got Chicken Masala (bottom). It was alright. I got a lamb in spinach gravy (bottom - forgot the name of it). It was alright. I realised I like my curry sweet, because this one was not!</div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-57759639621292608092010-05-20T20:12:00.003+12:002010-05-20T20:20:47.993+12:00Vegetable Marzetti<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8G-7sddmQZS1o7YpiBJXaX5UqvZas9Lq6tVsjoLIThfyUQlZKu0UNgvENV9ebmJnb0NtYRNtzaEpqhS_KYOO4a6tq5m4BjbjVoqnsRq1RUdVHKCwuomqaVjG0Eqxm2lsrDdnP9VlHTI24/s1600/DSCN7742.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8G-7sddmQZS1o7YpiBJXaX5UqvZas9Lq6tVsjoLIThfyUQlZKu0UNgvENV9ebmJnb0NtYRNtzaEpqhS_KYOO4a6tq5m4BjbjVoqnsRq1RUdVHKCwuomqaVjG0Eqxm2lsrDdnP9VlHTI24/s400/DSCN7742.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473263814901922546" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8G-7sddmQZS1o7YpiBJXaX5UqvZas9Lq6tVsjoLIThfyUQlZKu0UNgvENV9ebmJnb0NtYRNtzaEpqhS_KYOO4a6tq5m4BjbjVoqnsRq1RUdVHKCwuomqaVjG0Eqxm2lsrDdnP9VlHTI24/s1600/DSCN7742.JPG"></a><br />I set out to make something I thought the kids would eat, since we're all just getting our appetites back and have tender tummies. When I started eating it I realised it was pretty much <a href="http://dinnerinspiration.blogspot.com/2010/02/marsetti.html#comments">Marzetti</a> but with veges instead of meat.<div><br /></div><div>I cooked the pasta and then stirred the sauce through. To make the sauce I literally just put all these ingredients in a pan: can of tomatoes, diced onion, crushed garlic, salt, pepper, peas, grated carrot, chicken stock cube <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">(so technically not vegetarian)</span>, tomato paste, water. I let that reduce down for a bit then added cheese.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was great. But would probably be nicer if you took the time to saute onions and garlic and be thoughtful about your other ingredients as well. But as it was, chucking it all in worked pretty well too.</div></div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-72822061599701339292010-05-19T21:24:00.003+12:002010-05-19T21:29:52.622+12:00Midnight Spaghetti 7 (with a twist...)<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIkM2L-LEP28N7xcnSXw0tvUQCml6xZDsD2FL8k5PbLL-Y5g3iJUDYoaLdDKlc5VArzDuICJs9gMrGaJXChC90_QIF3f-kHNpAxsbBKx6MJ0kFgUeH9Vh-pIlZmSfHJDQSMAz3B9rSgCl/s1600/DSCN7739.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIkM2L-LEP28N7xcnSXw0tvUQCml6xZDsD2FL8k5PbLL-Y5g3iJUDYoaLdDKlc5VArzDuICJs9gMrGaJXChC90_QIF3f-kHNpAxsbBKx6MJ0kFgUeH9Vh-pIlZmSfHJDQSMAz3B9rSgCl/s400/DSCN7739.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472910743881516050" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I added sliced and diced ham, white wine vinegar and "Cream for Cooking" (a new product, thank you James at The Food Show for the free samples!) to the sauce, and omitted the chili. It was nice, but I was FAR too heavy handed with the cream!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTJAyOKuD7DcYmi0syIk_w2EAYjJozLjiMZjf2p5y8NaYBvo9FT__NsqLXoUH4aTYOjj7mUCn-N4xdlGDgmsEVnJOOydv0Y5mTXdE6JXF9Az5i0lR5OcI4y6obye3x3UREm1sfRiblqHE/s1600/DSCN7740.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTJAyOKuD7DcYmi0syIk_w2EAYjJozLjiMZjf2p5y8NaYBvo9FT__NsqLXoUH4aTYOjj7mUCn-N4xdlGDgmsEVnJOOydv0Y5mTXdE6JXF9Az5i0lR5OcI4y6obye3x3UREm1sfRiblqHE/s400/DSCN7740.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472910747891980274" style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-90093578450642195652010-05-18T22:09:00.005+12:002010-05-18T22:25:54.004+12:00Fresh Terakihi fillets with homemade chips and salad<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEHzu0hvqffv1kG8VPpLA6UvlE2FN0uwjeIQP3CcJ-5phE90VpISo0y4gaBzucL_K4kcD-6ImlOFR970Ql1O3ADW8wqeBJxT1CoS06UfRmNme9Ue41_PLnR6-U3nnL-Z_OrXYtk15It4y/s1600/DSCN7736.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEHzu0hvqffv1kG8VPpLA6UvlE2FN0uwjeIQP3CcJ-5phE90VpISo0y4gaBzucL_K4kcD-6ImlOFR970Ql1O3ADW8wqeBJxT1CoS06UfRmNme9Ue41_PLnR6-U3nnL-Z_OrXYtk15It4y/s400/DSCN7736.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472554238595998482" /></a><br /><br /><div>... a la Nat. He's great at this meal.</div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-63677530377888307242010-05-10T10:05:00.001+12:002010-05-10T10:07:08.105+12:00LasagnaSorry, no photo, I knew I said I wouldn't do this anymore, but just in case any of you really care to know, I won't be posting for the next week because we're going away. But we're taking a lasagna that will last us around 3 days, so there's something for you. Back to posting (semi) regularly again in a week!Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-42827445064638597112010-05-05T20:04:00.004+12:002010-05-05T21:10:20.704+12:00Pizza 3<img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIR9XjE_6Gsm1k0PIVaRkdHUSLP0Ew-E-SRnzDehEKTY3hatRB0GzdIwzLLf_2tcmTcGSljzqIb__nnQxcP8ZtqcFn4i_Y2KcLhkaQwyXGzja8H8O8oXwIrbath36phpt1i3TXu-IxCUo/s400/DSCN7522.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467710329728180018" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3iharBaRGGT0zWwlDi8-DIyZg89AUwiTFlKyEicGq_G0xsiMGsroLxUmStuQxse7bHjo_V-Txl0S9uOnCL5ID0buzAQQ_sNAxvG5_I_38UeJ5UiXtgq29xhD9JFNqP_Dh0vsJoN5hDU-/s1600/DSCN7524.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3iharBaRGGT0zWwlDi8-DIyZg89AUwiTFlKyEicGq_G0xsiMGsroLxUmStuQxse7bHjo_V-Txl0S9uOnCL5ID0buzAQQ_sNAxvG5_I_38UeJ5UiXtgq29xhD9JFNqP_Dh0vsJoN5hDU-/s400/DSCN7524.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467710342188269682" /></a><br /><br />This is fast becoming a fave. I make it as often as I feel I can justify.Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-71490166104841054812010-05-04T19:33:00.003+12:002010-05-05T20:51:18.389+12:00Nachos 3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Wk8JS21bzscV1qG9u-7usSdNvB8O2ucBKGfntC6tXg1NqgeS7fv1LWdMDaEd4X5SPrHHC7QFgAH8PywDRq7yDwVfwJwIXi2A5COt-iKd57afBp6yYKYJIpSGouBoKveFSPNXCNKkBMOW/s1600/DSCN7437.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Wk8JS21bzscV1qG9u-7usSdNvB8O2ucBKGfntC6tXg1NqgeS7fv1LWdMDaEd4X5SPrHHC7QFgAH8PywDRq7yDwVfwJwIXi2A5COt-iKd57afBp6yYKYJIpSGouBoKveFSPNXCNKkBMOW/s400/DSCN7437.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467333937936116562" /></a><br /><br /><div>Quick, easy, delicious. Don't forget the sour cream.</div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-2146249664636843302010-05-01T19:16:00.002+12:002010-05-01T19:19:00.549+12:00Zinger Burger, Zinger, Zinger Burger<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kVNABH_98YE634s9AogVVx5OWHtBj0xCFQBEM0fVJcWf9ibtnfFnJXzug0jf1kB9C1OOK4K4d3TBkzwk0CjAtyvXpdQQhoM4IJTwVvPygCjrKqNzTZonh3DOTMhd91IK3Pb_-mI0thj3/s1600/KFC.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kVNABH_98YE634s9AogVVx5OWHtBj0xCFQBEM0fVJcWf9ibtnfFnJXzug0jf1kB9C1OOK4K4d3TBkzwk0CjAtyvXpdQQhoM4IJTwVvPygCjrKqNzTZonh3DOTMhd91IK3Pb_-mI0thj3/s400/KFC.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466197412717523362" /></a><br /><br />*Blush* Honesty's the best policy, right? I felt like I deserved it.Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-80140482363864487052010-04-30T20:44:00.004+12:002010-04-30T21:08:51.703+12:00Bean Salad 2Too many cookies during the day again today made me feel like something light. I ended up having poor mans bean salad - a can of four bean mix with dressing of equal parts vegetable oil, white vinegar and sugar. M<i>issing </i>chickpeas, corn kernels, chopped, blanched, fresh green beans, diced capsicum.<div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1cJr5R4zXnclgQig9HXpxp1pFVGppj62lzmU4d3ehAILtpOYz4-GZlGU6rsqVBK5QVnYXPCFxCATKtWJXmQfbO5V46Llho49WX5PWn6iSK0lwXMA5IaWR6nRYXVVcn-cXqmPbkvpRVsc/s400/DSCN7428.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465853898237254578" /></div><div><br /></div><div>So if you want <a href="http://myloveandhatelists.blogspot.com/2009/07/bean-salad.html">the REAL, family recipe</a> bean salad, then put it all in. It's a winner!</div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-28671267371376673972010-04-29T18:47:00.005+12:002010-04-29T20:45:03.845+12:00Cookies and Vegetable Curry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PeCLb-EGG1KUxrQsu42x2KZgecLDQ-Csh1dRNx5JMXFzYj6XU90ldNdVw91WHggeyb4FukyWZCUmrfyf43FlhbVawu11j5fdtxnJwCura58A9KbgluqFw7zZBXaVWRI_b8L3KbxPPZVa/s1600/DSCN7427.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0PeCLb-EGG1KUxrQsu42x2KZgecLDQ-Csh1dRNx5JMXFzYj6XU90ldNdVw91WHggeyb4FukyWZCUmrfyf43FlhbVawu11j5fdtxnJwCura58A9KbgluqFw7zZBXaVWRI_b8L3KbxPPZVa/s200/DSCN7427.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465477161055427554" /></a><br /><br />Seriously. I ate so much dough and so many straight out of the oven (you know, "testing") I decided to eat a full dozen (or so) and make it a meal.<div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiLSXmyUJrtqhnfZFrITfP5sewmY46AGMc30_Z4LD8BiHUNXRaDE3GEIcu-oh48svVA56MgvmivO1Ctz1i_K521Oz4vENotp0XRl8AM_Na-5_S9sD1BMDkmZwTEqllm9hSArjQ87DduCk/s400/DSCN7426.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465476829866547794" /></div><div><br /></div><div>But I fed the kids something decent. This DELICIOUS vegetable curry. When I ate it earlier today for lunch I kept hoping that the next chunk would be chicken, even though I knew it wasn't. But it was good. My base sauce: a can of tomatoes, coconut cream, cashew milk (made by blending cashews in water. I don't know if other people do it, but I know that's how you make almond milk so I gave it a shot), regular milk. Then a ton of spices that I'll never be able to replicate, but it was good. Yummo! So glad there's leftovers!</div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-45840715845013708292010-04-28T23:00:00.001+12:002010-04-28T23:33:38.526+12:00Tomato and Basil Spaghetti 6<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYB0qymBRfhnk7fryfm9uacUSH3CSSyLH3amSclBuZo7ymxRfOfoUYDwsZMznY8XY3RLZVjfB3B2c6QRVWAl9UuPi7e0hdIrUWXqHmwhsvgl74QEbX7shQEyWWq3Nin-TWn2Ph_-cl1cVI/s1600/DSCN7402.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYB0qymBRfhnk7fryfm9uacUSH3CSSyLH3amSclBuZo7ymxRfOfoUYDwsZMznY8XY3RLZVjfB3B2c6QRVWAl9UuPi7e0hdIrUWXqHmwhsvgl74QEbX7shQEyWWq3Nin-TWn2Ph_-cl1cVI/s400/DSCN7402.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465150007367640082" /></a><br /><br /><div>Still good on the third day :).</div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-78672742275722558392010-04-22T22:18:00.003+12:002010-04-22T22:26:48.806+12:00Pizza 2My sister and her kids came for dinner tonight. Pizza night!<div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZneDPUoINoOvIp5v1rQbtwqaoPzALWDpLTUnGWzSyyfT0PrYI5lAgNh7Hdicr7S2jHNfClUxRp1XKJ5-z3ZP2yX3yOl6YqoplDyoQZNAJlsQV4chVgshLu_K7PFMEFuVhVRooFSonfoi/s400/DSCN7283.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462904540714851138" /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Pizza Base</span></b> - for 2 pizza's (I think this is from my mum's <i>JOY of Cooking</i> cookbook, with some of my own modifications)</div><div><br /></div><div>3 1/2 cups of flour</div><div>1/2 cup semolina (or just use 4 cups flour, I do all the time)</div><div>1 Tbsp of yeast in</div><div>1 1/3 cup of warm water</div><div>2 Tbsp oil</div><div>1 tsp salt</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Add yeast and oil to water and stir briefly. Leave for 10 mins or until foamy.</div><div>2. Mix all ingredients.</div><div>3. Knead.</div><div>4. Optional: Rising time. The dough can stretch to make two, cookie tray sized pizzas even if it doesn't have time to rise.</div><div>5. Roll out on a greased tray, turn up edges and add toppings.</div><div>6. Bake at 200 degrees Celcius for 15 (no rising time) -25 (risen to twice the size) minutes or until done.</div><div><br /></div><div>---------------</div><div><br /></div><div>Pretty simple and easy! Can anyone tell me how to insert a degrees symbol on here?</div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-57242050071009725472010-04-21T21:46:00.004+12:002010-04-21T22:04:07.738+12:00Savoury mince and vegesI thought about just calling this "dinner" but I've learned from experience if I can't give something a definite name then it's not going to be good.<div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPpbylvYTIIyHbeS8PwWvl6RkyUUl7DSx7eGDUhhUSYoj-xhAFMdgBzgWHnIKL2W_RuBLwzsEeeHSZe1otXsLFcP1U70hX4KBKMCNCNgMlhkHJjX6U0PVDmK6sWfEn8qcCfIeGX8fmvRh/s400/DSCN7263.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462525279241789666" /></div><div><br /></div><div>And this was good. Even though it's a bit-of-a-mess looking. I was focussing my energy <a href="http://myloveandhatelists.blogspot.com/2010/04/pretty-food.html">somewhere else</a> today.</div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-89037659027967225292010-04-15T19:48:00.001+12:002010-04-15T20:04:32.944+12:00Chicken Drumsticks<div>a la Jamie Oliver. Cooked with potatoes, tomatoes (meant to be cherry tomatoes), garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper and chili flakes/chopped chili. And there are meant to be basil leaves, I used dried basil. Really you shouldn't make that substitution unless you absolutely have to. So simple and so delicious! </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrkb5dcbZh-kc250IyiVzhLmX-HEiDXeVEHF05WktEoqT4FtmhHTGYL51F9ZrAi9uL6B9e7R0RVX2NwSTaABJfu6YQr5lUBM_cV9R0KeowItXIoxBVYbauht83s01X9iLfSELIurwzJ1M/s1600/DSCN7199.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrkb5dcbZh-kc250IyiVzhLmX-HEiDXeVEHF05WktEoqT4FtmhHTGYL51F9ZrAi9uL6B9e7R0RVX2NwSTaABJfu6YQr5lUBM_cV9R0KeowItXIoxBVYbauht83s01X9iLfSELIurwzJ1M/s400/DSCN7199.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460271387510893506" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrkb5dcbZh-kc250IyiVzhLmX-HEiDXeVEHF05WktEoqT4FtmhHTGYL51F9ZrAi9uL6B9e7R0RVX2NwSTaABJfu6YQr5lUBM_cV9R0KeowItXIoxBVYbauht83s01X9iLfSELIurwzJ1M/s1600/DSCN7199.jpg"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerIyFu52_WJtUwYMLqP0wyMp3oTIZjuMNFgkzai_SEipxYaBife2TnUGVjbEMIy_a8kVJX_PA71ur3z1-hRoQikZsfQA9S88SfGp-SJJEevah6BY3M2xCsmtoXSaDCE2rFGe_jtaWMNok/s1600/DSCN7204.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerIyFu52_WJtUwYMLqP0wyMp3oTIZjuMNFgkzai_SEipxYaBife2TnUGVjbEMIy_a8kVJX_PA71ur3z1-hRoQikZsfQA9S88SfGp-SJJEevah6BY3M2xCsmtoXSaDCE2rFGe_jtaWMNok/s400/DSCN7204.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460271379391171874" /></a><br /><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">We had some other veges as well but they were freezer veges and didn't look good on the plate, so didn't make it into the photo shoot.</span></div></div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-14911310970859399622010-04-14T21:19:00.003+12:002010-04-14T22:00:18.469+12:00Stir fried vegetables<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwnCzl5RVmwVIWh0bJaK0cElovZ22Ez7Ss_lRjQG7q-LBtQ3jBsEdbbYDIP_-daSB_2yPhnq-W8SwizZ2pV6dFg0M-NVUFnJAub6UaxFcgIaaEGsYHj18BkmDfcOhqyfo6KaJii-bhTZw/s1600/DSCN7195.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwnCzl5RVmwVIWh0bJaK0cElovZ22Ez7Ss_lRjQG7q-LBtQ3jBsEdbbYDIP_-daSB_2yPhnq-W8SwizZ2pV6dFg0M-NVUFnJAub6UaxFcgIaaEGsYHj18BkmDfcOhqyfo6KaJii-bhTZw/s400/DSCN7195.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459930186464387410" /></a><br /><br /><div>I'm really not making anything that flash lately, am I?<div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-86275921342359564432010-04-13T20:30:00.004+12:002010-04-14T21:56:05.053+12:00Spaghetti PieThis is a good one. A friend made it for Erika post-partum baby #2 a year and a half ago, and I happened to be in the right place at the right time. It's been included in my family meal arsenal ever since. Don't give it a miss just because it's a bad photo.<div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc_EMKS-EIm4zfsp5vHx_WOOgLzlubszx4javH5jcsq2OU7I3fm1lkzrL3JB1y-rvvY3hDCWuxnpqNyMz0BCS3H8CTvxA-Dq9RftPIMxJms8b9ojMNBb4B_DJG_LH3n2AFZpny84Nybyhc/s400/DSCN7192.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459539978882357298" /><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Spaghetti Pie</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>500-600g Vermicelli</div><div>50-75g butter</div><div>2 small/1 large egg</div><div>1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese</div><div>250g cottage cheese</div><div>Prepared tomato sauce</div><div>Grated cheese</div><div><br /></div><div>Cook your vermicelli in salted water (I used regular spaghetti in the photo above. But vermicelli is just so much nicer for this). Cook your tomato sauce how you like it (mine: oil, onion, garlic, mince, mushrooms, Worcestershire sauce, beef stock, salt, pepper, dried mixed herbs, canned tomatoes, tomato paste). When vermicelli is cooked, drain and immediately put in the butter, egg and parmesan cheese and stir to mix. Press the vermicelli into a dish, cover with the cottage cheese, then the tomato sauce, then the grated cheese on top. Bake in oven till heated through.</div></div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-85414107941656332422010-04-07T19:12:00.002+12:002010-04-07T19:22:06.815+12:00Tortilla Pizza 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhRehl0yBSjBMAKdIc89xgdoLpk_QaWOeUxWeUeQQ-NMUj4HKmoGfmZybIbx4NJqvSN0oBNAb_KxLOh09MlIDT24ouetLFf3_pwNdXfkRUXlDOYfFDeDE-KTMn7KY__IIM2l2rAfSaLBp/s1600/DSCN7177.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhRehl0yBSjBMAKdIc89xgdoLpk_QaWOeUxWeUeQQ-NMUj4HKmoGfmZybIbx4NJqvSN0oBNAb_KxLOh09MlIDT24ouetLFf3_pwNdXfkRUXlDOYfFDeDE-KTMn7KY__IIM2l2rAfSaLBp/s400/DSCN7177.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457292419931516114" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLrjOi4txuPzirCgJ_vOdGvo36lIe4IhzKCmNm9et5E5aixOiSi6jhbU2fGOfXOQzU6KlpkSGv-aNSUgoZcsT-Q14NdXyzMplW4yd89EgFEDso-xjKT3CXv7SSjBNfBJTdGvuoFHVjvpd/s1600/DSCN7170.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPLrjOi4txuPzirCgJ_vOdGvo36lIe4IhzKCmNm9et5E5aixOiSi6jhbU2fGOfXOQzU6KlpkSGv-aNSUgoZcsT-Q14NdXyzMplW4yd89EgFEDso-xjKT3CXv7SSjBNfBJTdGvuoFHVjvpd/s200/DSCN7170.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457291655262204658" /></a><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nNcnowcOAd2KehfiN29koF3DULZYLXLGJOIjDQy4a1CO0ZoHenkhvgyRJsrJugqFjvOa-UwL8_6aqXPe5NIGBWPTV-RAASBCRWlB0ENOqxApZf9T_o6xKOGyF8ViCXbWKcSawILKc7hv/s200/DSCN7171.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457291644547554914" /><br /><br />This has got to be the fastest meal start to finish.Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-36967362284194780942010-04-06T20:10:00.005+12:002010-04-06T21:18:52.022+12:00Pan-fried Duck LegsNat spent his last voucher from Christmas yesterday on luxury food items that he will lord over me as he consumes them one by one over the next FOREVER. He's one of <i>those</i>. He makes things last for AGES.<div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDs1f7URkJ0psqABKzKdpRQQRahX9JAb4SX5VCYKaEhBXj-71T_BWFk7petEjqfV944iH1B0OgSGqNxZhZg82B4WeSQJThU6qYOdtwfKjXlKEf6WW6Od0dEMBzOHB6mek5y7hOFGzViMF/s400/DSCN7156.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456934850998121522" /><br /><div><br /></div><div>Tonight he made duck legs with his own invention of berry sauce and salad. Looks good! But I wouldn't know how it tasted.</div></div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-41513159987324497312010-04-06T19:49:00.004+12:002010-04-06T20:10:48.210+12:00Pasta Salad 2<div>My secret to a good pasta salad: Paul Newman's Balsamic vinaigrette. I use that and mayonnaise as my dressing and it always turns out well. I just throw in whatever pasta I have on hand, anything else that looks like it could work, and stir through the gold. But actually another tip I have is to stir through little cubes of cheese and eat the salad warm. Some cheese will be melted and some not and it's just a nice surprise every now and again while you're eating it to get a little cheesy bite.</div><div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvnLtUvnJ0DpANs0WagevKWWGYaZe0lmbkhF_20KTC37jo0glBbI_DQUmBdI8CUTRbvyytPGA5qXYo8TGAWlNniYYagK456EIK4vDO1rYJ-h1jKlSvrEB5Z2besFK23KTyWhB2ZlyowDm/s400/DSCN7152.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456931984596162386" /></div><div><br /></div><div>What's in this salad? Penne - cooked; oil, onion, garlic, ham, mushrooms, salt, pepper - all fried in a pan; tomatoes, spring onions, cheese - all fresh/raw/uncooked; corn - cooked separately, <b>mayonnaise</b> and <b>Paul Newman's Balsamic vinaigrette</b>. Delicious!</div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-50807943392602932962010-04-05T21:03:00.003+12:002010-04-05T21:08:32.832+12:00Pork and Bok Choy 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPE9w-TjKf6I9dRjKI1UHn4AzuY8OmKcjE5SnF1UYysfoDUrW_C8pKSL_JOGFvYmBJmzvUT0H55n2wkMnC-82X-hys-UEthbPkVMICYsCMyYHds-24JLVMQU7inGSLdNdFx0pa03XSkiF/s1600/DSCN7146.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPE9w-TjKf6I9dRjKI1UHn4AzuY8OmKcjE5SnF1UYysfoDUrW_C8pKSL_JOGFvYmBJmzvUT0H55n2wkMnC-82X-hys-UEthbPkVMICYsCMyYHds-24JLVMQU7inGSLdNdFx0pa03XSkiF/s400/DSCN7146.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456576664545548882" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div>Nat made this delicious meal <a href="http://dinnerinspiration.blogspot.com/2010/03/pork-and-bok-choy.html">again</a> tonight. I think I'll have to post the recipe next time because it's SOOO GOOD!</div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-80573066428202622712010-04-02T19:19:00.005+13:002010-04-02T20:48:09.379+13:00Penne with PeasA variant of <a href="http://dinnerinspiration.blogspot.com/2009/10/midnight-spaghetti.html">Midnight Spaghetti</a> tonight worked well.<div><br /></div><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqolsBo5Lzu140MH6FreRZm_W1EIPqY5uBI3AKytrxaRjdjjPtIINuA4MKl1mIVgIrf6R19BNwnv3tCiys899gQbtrg0KKYeE0PoEpOKO401aubWzvMjvbQAsaM_SwVaxOQzkZyWxL1pdQ/s400/DSCN7134.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455433197566674066" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Oil, shallots, garlic, salt and pepper in pan as usual. Skip the chili, add rosemary and butter instead. After a few minutes add some cream (1/4 cup maybe) and stir to combine. Add peas and then cooked penne. Yum! It was nice and subtle, and really good.</div><div><br /></div><div>The kids loved it and ate it really well, the penne is perfect for little hands and they've always loved peas.</div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-1346976999007479252010-04-01T21:00:00.004+13:002010-04-01T23:01:59.924+13:00Pizza<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0zffcBpck-bHO85czd8VjCGjPiP85R1E-cs1_IHwGM5NsV0SHvlUmqHVugObToFGGv-owURpulnnueVRnGFoRF82LKHk22Zn2CCID4zpowUEaX0fh8v-VXgbspf7JCKcOzj1a8l3-d88/s1600/DSCN7052.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0zffcBpck-bHO85czd8VjCGjPiP85R1E-cs1_IHwGM5NsV0SHvlUmqHVugObToFGGv-owURpulnnueVRnGFoRF82LKHk22Zn2CCID4zpowUEaX0fh8v-VXgbspf7JCKcOzj1a8l3-d88/s400/DSCN7052.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455106404272428898" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0zffcBpck-bHO85czd8VjCGjPiP85R1E-cs1_IHwGM5NsV0SHvlUmqHVugObToFGGv-owURpulnnueVRnGFoRF82LKHk22Zn2CCID4zpowUEaX0fh8v-VXgbspf7JCKcOzj1a8l3-d88/s1600/DSCN7052.jpg"></a><br />I don't normally make pizza because I'm always lacking in toppings I thought. Then I asked a friend what she was putting on her pizza and she said she just does tomato and cheese. And for her tomato she just whizzes up a can of tomatoes*. How simple is that? It's so liberating to know that I can do something that simple, because if she can, I can. So I tried it tonight, and it was good! I whizzed up a 400g can of tomatoes with a bit of salt, pepper and oregano in the blender, topped with chopped ham and grated cheese. I really could've gone without the ham though. Yum! And the kids liked it too! We had some cooked carrots on the side as well to ease the mother guilt.</div><div><br /></div><div>So one can did two full tray sized pizzas nicely, but probably could do three.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*My friend said she also uses canned tomato soup or even plain old tomato sauce/ketchup when she's really going it easy.</span> </div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-38816802651727676792010-03-31T19:23:00.004+13:002010-03-31T20:11:45.530+13:00Meat and two veg 2Somehow, when Nat cooks the steak it's "Beef Porterhouse Steak with....". But when I make it, it's just "Meat and two veg". I lack finesse I think.<div><br /><div><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnkSkRVSsuCjZxrsY412qr9-uBTsIlC5O8ryseCJ9TzqU0bYYvfEvVa12MaAdNrw3DiTneVSTJb6RQVXL-glW_sHaYLUd8gwh7un6SOhEGmt16HJOaCn7cLsSNn9SQGJDQdJ2buhN7bxh/s400/DSCN7042.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454692064659956962" /></div><div><br /></div><div>I did manage to make delicious onions to go with it though: Onions in half rings, cooked with a splash of both Worcestershire sauce and white wine vinegar, and a little salt. Yum!</div></div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2137430212798508769.post-46582661572660827482010-03-29T23:50:00.004+13:002010-03-29T23:57:37.210+13:00Calzone<img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54mhrZikbGiCWYbb5Av8VtnROo3S0EEIOKMtOKJksjNJQlUAeiZLkng805CktWgqA4hwIRRetX7sjUYSEySjs-EuA27RKfLT_v5Dv3SwhGusLXalkeNA1t1eYzWEsY-ObUbO_jER2FS2g/s400/DSCN7034.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454007594043260354" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicz-8wxW3byoL8Q4dCPgsdj5TQIxPeStHhxC3CcPFBM84orwK-p8WkKBH1wqzPWsgKzH0CFckQa_9pAQwkBvloKPmxo2hu9sd5Bj7dUId_KjQr8NEMbCuhWDArP0t_oj0TeKzE0ZjRj2lD/s1600/DSCN7036.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicz-8wxW3byoL8Q4dCPgsdj5TQIxPeStHhxC3CcPFBM84orwK-p8WkKBH1wqzPWsgKzH0CFckQa_9pAQwkBvloKPmxo2hu9sd5Bj7dUId_KjQr8NEMbCuhWDArP0t_oj0TeKzE0ZjRj2lD/s400/DSCN7036.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454007603351322386" /></a><br /><br />I don't know the technicalities of calzone, but this was pretty nice. It was nice to have something different. I used my <a href="http://dinnerinspiration.blogspot.com/2010/01/chili-3.html">Nice Buns recipe</a> and rolled it out and filled it, next time I'll use a heavier dough maybe? Don't know.<div><br /></div><div>Quote from Nat: "There's definitely room for improvement, but it's good". Which is pretty much spot on. </div><div><br /></div><div>Room for improvement:</div><div>- Find a way to make sure all the dough on the bottom is cooked</div><div>- Make the sauce more tomatoey</div><div>- See if we can get more filling to bread ratio, even though I think it was pretty perfect, Nat would like more filling.</div><div>- Some sort of glaze on the bread would be nice</div><div>- Do it all much, much faster</div>Mariahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16292158433335471066noreply@blogger.com0