I recently became that woman who looks like an idiot walking in high heels. The one I usually roll my eyes at while muttering under my breath about how people really should learn to walk in heels, or alter their footwear choices. But I used to wear towering shoes of every description, so how ever did this happen?! Well it turns out that walking in heels is not at all like riding a bike. Huh. You see, back in my corporate days, heels were a regular part of my wardrobe. There is, even … [Read more...]
Summer Salad #2 – Peppers, Peaches, Cucumber & Fennel with Passionfruit, Chilli & Lime Dressing
If the first few days of 2015 are any indication of how the year will progress the next 12 months are so far looking glittery and warm -- filled with equal quantities of vegetables and ice cream, underscored by full on work and much needed play, but a bit hangry and punctuated by laughable (as in I'd laugh if I weren't so hangry) service. On New Years Eve, roughly a half hour before midnight, we landed the best last minute fireworks viewing spot we've had in years. Nothing in front of us … [Read more...]
Summer Salad #1 – Radishes, Nectarines, Beans & Cherries
It arrived on my doorstep like a gift from the heavens. An overflowing box of seasonal produce, celebrating the start of summer fruit and veg and saving me from myself. As soon as it hit the table I unpacked every piece -- and then did what any slightly OCD normal, possibly colour-obsessed, person would do... I created a rainbow of course. I didn't realise until it was all packed away again that the fennel should have been turned the other way and now that's all I see when I look at … [Read more...]
Green Papaya & Quinoa Salad
Some posts here are planned. Recipes dreamt up, sometimes over days or weeks, inspired by a weekend brunch outing or an overseas trip or a rainbow memory. Primped and polished and put on show as if there were a method to the madness. Others however are a result of a hazy vision -- a quick fix driven by a craving and combined with whatever happens to be languishing the fridge at the very moment I want lunch. This is one of those. You see, at some point back in March I had a papaya … [Read more...]
Roasted Pear, Parmesan & Spiced Pecan Salad
Another one from the archives, a salad made and shot last September -- after Cape Cod and before our road trip -- at mom's farm. Two weeks amongst row of pears dropping fruit at our feet and grapes staining our fingers purple. Sometimes the words flow and sometimes they don't. Right now they aren't, so instead just some pictures to hopefully brighten your day -- and possibly your dinner. Pictures of medusa-esque pear trees so heavy with fruit they don't know what to do with … [Read more...]
Cucumber Salad & a Scandinavian Inspired Brunch Spread
One evening last week, well after midnight if I'm to be honest, I started writing a story inspired by this salad. Or perhaps, more accurately, this salad brought back memories of the Scandinavia portion of our trip a few years back. However life (social and otherwise) reared its head once again and somewhere between working out how to make my computer see the images from my new camera (sigh) and juggling meetings and plans of world domination (only half kidding) the story was put on hold. It … [Read more...]
Cape Cod Kale Salad
Salad is a simple act. A few fresh vegetables washed in cool water. A sharp knife slicing effortlessly through crisp leaves. A tangy dressing thrown together with what's on hand. The first bite is refreshing after days of excess. The second is calming and reassuring. A return to clean simplicity, shared with family over the sound of old stories, squealing children and end of summer breezes. I probably should have made another batch for the second half of our trip … [Read more...]
