Week of Dinners: Waste Friendly
Whether money is an issue or not, we’re living in an environmentally conscious century where waste is at the forefront of everyone’s minds. I’ve always been savvy when it comes to cooking and I enjoy the challenge of rustling up a good dinner using a bunch of ingredients from whatever I have in stock. I find that in Australia where groceries and particularly fresh fruit and veg are rather pricey, there is even more need to make the most of what you buy. Over the past week I have made some fantastic dishes by simply using what I had going in the fridge alongside some store cupboard basics. Not only were these delicious and nutritious meals, but I saved on my grocery shop and can proudly say there was no waste at the end of the week!
With plenty of fresh veggies at the start of the week, I made this Moroccan inspired couscous salad bowl served on a bed of salad with some pumpkin I had left from a previous recipe, roasted veg seasoned in paprika, a generous dollop of tatziki and fresh mint leaves for garnish.
I always crave a good bowl of pasta for my midweek dinner, so I made this simple penne pasta using pesto I had in the cupboard, leftover green beans and sautéed courgette with jarred sundried tomatoes and parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.
My favourite way to have rice is to make it super sticky by leaving it to cook a little longer, making it more like a risotto. I used some leftover white wine and plenty of garlic to flavour this rice dish which I then paired with roasted veggies, salad, jarred beetroot and some natural yogurt.
To finish the week and use up any fresh ingredients I still had, again I roasted all of the veggies, fried off some chorizo slices and mixed it all in with the couscous, before serving with the last of my salad, mint leaves and the rest of the tatziki dip.
Located on the North shore, Wendy Whitley’s Secret Garden boasts the best view in town of the iconic Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Luna Park and CBD skyline all in one. With the most stunning sunsets and breathtaking outlook over Sydney, I still find myself in awe every time I take a stroll down to the waters edge.
The garden is open to the public and free of charge to visit, yet remains a hidden gem of Sydney. An old railway runs right through the centre too adding character to this perfectly formed oasis.
A number of foot paths and steps wind around the garden leading to little spots ideal to setup for a picnic or even doing a morning yoga stretch. There’s always new areas to discover and I loved this wall mural I found on my latest wonder through the garden.
For anyone visiting Sydney or locals just looking for an alternative to the heaving beaches in summer, Wendy’s Secret Garden is the place to be. As well as taking a stroll with my morning coffee on weekends, I’ve often grabbed a pizza with friends and we’ve walked down to enjoy the sunset from the most magical spot in Sydney…Golden hour at its best.
Following six months of full-time work at my PR firm, I must now move on given the limitations of my visa. Whilst it will be sad to say goodbye to a company and role which has taught me so much, I look forward to new beginnings and the prospect of developing all the skills and knowledge I have gained from my current job.
As I pack my bags to go back to the UK for a few months to celebrate my brother’s wedding, the time has come to move out of my flat here in Lavender Bay too. I will hold many fond memories of my time here and feel blessed to have been able to experience living in such a special corner of Sydney.
I’ve been inspired by the eclectic decor and quirky artistic touches in every corner of this wonderful flat. My lovely landlady has been a pleasure to live with and her vivacious approach to life is very admiral…the ‘Fuck Fuckity’ wall placard says it all – don’t take life too seriously!
So as the sunsets on my final week here, I can’t help but feel a twang of nostalgia as I reflect on my short but sweet time in the lovely neighbourhood of Lavender Bay. If I was to write a letter back to myself when I moved in six months ago, I would remind that girl to exhale the worry, embrace the good times and just enjoy every minute of the journey.
With a delectable menu of modern Australian cuisine and a twist of European influences, it was hard to choose. For appetisers the Burrata, Lobster Tacos and Grilled Corn caught my attention. However we went straight in on mains, so I opted for the Beetroot Salad served with spiced pumpkin, heirloom carrot, roasted sprouts, humous, goats curd and a garnish of flaked almonds.
This dish was not only exquisitely presented, but the roasted veg were served piping hot and seasoned to perfection. I particularly liked the wintery twist of spiced pumpkin and by favourite brussel sprouts, bringing together a colourful plate of delicious food as pleasing to the eyes as it was to the tastebuds!
From the specials board, my collegue went for the Chicken and Sweetcorn Soup served with sourdough, a perfect winter warmer. My manager chose the Sweet Potato Gnocchi served in a pea puree with grilled asparagus, Persian feta, crispy kale and dry ranch. Yet another stunning bowl of food with gorgeous flavour also inspired by Mediterranean cuisine. I would highly recommend visiting Wild Sage for an ideallyic long lunch savouring fine food and lapping up those European al fresco dining vibes.
Following an eye test to get my prescription, I went about trying on the different frames. With my heart shaped face and square jaw line, the assistant advised on the types of designs that would work for me. I wanted a frame that was subtle yet stylish, so I opted for a thin gold pilot style actually meant for men.
It’s taking a bit of getting accustomed to wearing them, but what a world of difference they make to my vision; watching TV from the sofa, walking to work and looking out over the harbour, it’s like seeing everything in HD. I can proudly say I am now part of the four eyes glasses gang and unashamed to be so 🙂
One of my favourite bloggers Andy Csinger is the perfect example of how to achieve this effortless yet chic style. By adding a pop of colour with accessories or throwing an oversized trench coat on top of a tee, the most basic of outfits are transformed for the office or even grabbing a cocktail after work.
A note to take from this method of dressing is paying close attention to the fit of your garments. A little mini skirt with an oversized blazer or baggy shirt with skinny jeans; these are just some of the ways Andy uses tailoring to add a hint of masculinity to otherwise very feminine silhouettes.
Little details such as gold jewellery or a tie up back are another way of achieving class and style with just an everyday outfit. Sticking to a tonal colour palette also keeps looks clean and elegant, and of course an all black ensemble is always a killer statement. So keeping in mind that less is more, invest in the timeless pieces and shape your look from there using the basics as your blank canvas.
To think that this time last year I packed my suitcase and ventured down to the Southern Highlands to embark on my farm work, I still can’t believe my luck to have ended up in such a place much like my home back in England. That quaint little town of Moss Vale became my home for 4 months, during which I established some of my closest friends who I continue to catch up with on my visits back to the Aussie countryside.
Now I find myself back in Sydney making the most of working city life and soon to move into a different role for another 6 months of my visa. I’m unsure where this next chapter will take me, but I hope to make the most of this year and continue making many beautiful memories with all the wonderful people I meet along my journey.
Friday night I was treated to the best homemade beef burgers with all the extras including cheese, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, gherkin and chilli relish, just what I needed after a long day at work and two hour train journey out of the city. To top it all off, he also found my favourite Malbec red wine with a logo of a Flamingo wearing ballet shoes – it’s like it was made for me! We watched The Graham Norton Show whilst devouring our burgers, making for the perfect Friday night setup.
#BurgerPorn
With such exquisite fish I decided to keep the side dishes super simple; herby buttered new potatoes, steamed green beans, rocket beetroot salad topped with pepitas and a garlic mayo relish mixed with diced gherkins. It was a feast of fresh delights which was as delicious as it was nutritious. Following our meal, we sat back with our Merlot wines and watched a good movie on Netflix, Lost Paradise.
As Sunday rolled around far too quickly, we wanted to meal prep some snacks for the week. Together we made savoury spiced pumpkin feta muffins and peanut butter chocolate date balls which were made of a few basic ingredients; medjool dates, oats, desiccated coconut, peanuts, smooth pb, honey and I swapped the raw cacao for Milo powder, what a game changer! These sweet bites taste so naughty and could easily compete with a chocolate truffle on taste, yet have nothing but natural goodness in them. Enjoy as a healthy snack or crumble over yoghurt or even desert.
It certainly was a weekend of fabulous food and of course perfect wine to match. I have to remind myself that it’s important taking time out sometimes to completely switch off, give my busy mind a rest and indulge in the simple pleasures which nourish my body as well as feed the soul.
Burnt Orange in Mosman is a boutique restaurant which was the original Clubhouse for Mosman Golf Course. Built in 1920, this historic space boasts stunning harbour views from the unique wrap around terrace overlooking Middle Head. With its chic interiors and classic white wood furniture, this homely cafe echoes its exclusive member’s Clubhouse beginnings.
Arriving on a late Sunday morning, we just made it in time for the breakfast menu. With an extensive offering of brekky delights, it was hard to choose! I decided to have the toasted muesli served with coconut yoghurt, passionfruit, seasonal berries and a very fitting caramelised ‘burnt’ orange slice. The fruit was perfectly fresh and each dish exquisitely presented.
For coffee I had my usual cup of long black, but I didn’t even need to add the milk – that’s when you know the coffee is extra special! Service was quick and staff were very friendly and attentive making us feel well looked after.
Being in such a unique spot off the beaten track, Burnt Orange certainly feels more special and exclusive than the everyday cafe. With a bustling atmosphere, delicious menu and boutique interiors to match, I will certainly be putting it up there as one of my favourite cafes in Sydney too. I’ve already eyed up the High Tea menu for my next visit, but may have to go back in the meantime just to enjoy another one of those coffees whilst having a browse of the niche cookbooks for sale.
With this in mind, I popped a date in the diary for our admin and finance team to go and lap up the cheap drinks following another busy week at work. This Friday evening we left the office to meet at Palings, one of the Merivale bars which is part of The Ivy complex just off of George street.
Of course the bar was heaving as everyone scrambled to get their drinks in before the bell, many of us finding ourselves double parked! Being one of the most popular CBD bars for city workers, there was a bustling atmosphere which made for a fun night out with my colleagues. Cheers Merivale!
Dani Aneka 