Category: Food

French Feels at Mount Ashby Estate

August 21, 2018

Nestled in the heart of Australia’s beautiful Southern Highlands, who’d have thought such authentic European ambience could be discovered. Combining a passion for antiques alongside French cuisine to accompany exquisite wine produced on the estate, Mount Ashby exudes classic style which together formulates the idyllic setting for a weekend leisurely lunch soaking up the charming Australian countryside.

Edit 11.jpgEdit 7Owners Chris and Sally Beresford pride themselves on creating the perfect setting in which to enjoy the immaculately kept estate as you graze on a delectable French inspired menu carefully curated by Sally herself. Whilst guzzling a glass of wine and soaking up the sun, you can explore the vineyard and get to know the majestic family of geese making their characterful presence known on the reservoir.

Edit 8An impeccable taste for French interiors is also reflected in the antique centre next door, in which Sally exhibits her antique tables made using trees imported from France. With a background in the rag trade and regular trips to Europe to scope out original pieces, Sally brings together antique furniture alongside touches of modern elements to formulate her unique style. This compilation of the old and new to accompany exclusively curated tables has drawn the attention of prestigious publications including Vogue and The Financial Times, establishing Beresford’s name in interiors from the highest of crituques.

Edit 9.jpgWith such attention drawn to Mount Ashby amongst socialites of the Southern Highlands and beyond, the estate is set to grow with a new event space being built to accommodate increasing demands of weddings taking place on the property. Set amongst the vineyard overlooking the reservoir, you couldn’t ask for a more picturesque, romantic setting to take marriage vows. Meanwhile, the Pallete Cafe with its new summer special menu continues to bustle on the weekends, firmly proving itself as a little taste of France within the sweeping hills of Australian farmland.

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Carrot Cake Oatmeal

August 9, 2018

With a bit of time on my hands I decided to have a play in the kitchen and create something different for my brekky this morning. You’ve probably heard of zoats which are made using courgette (or zucchini if your Australian) to bulk out the volume of your porridge bowl and get in those extra micronutrients. However with some left over carrots and dates knocking about, I chose to create my own carrot cake oatmeal recipe.

Edit 1.jpgI kept it very simple and the result was so delicious it was like eating desert for breakfast! My new obsession with rice milk really topped the dish off like the whipped cream to accompany a carrot cake. If I had gone to the supermarket and shopped for this recipe I probably would’ve over complicated it, but by just using what I had to hand, I discovered the perfect combination of ingredients – Sometimes less is more!

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  1. Cook a cup of oats with 2 cups of water over the stove.
  2. Add most of the grated carrot and chopped dates leaving a little for topping, and continue to simmer gently.
  3. Once the oats are thickening up, add a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of ground cinnamon. You may want to add more honey at this stage if a sweeter taste is required, but the dates should sweeten the mix enough.
  4. Dish up in a bowl and decorate with the leftover grated carrot, dates, cinnamon and drizzle of honey. Serve with a side of heated rice milk to pour over just before enjoying in the sunshine 🙂

Off the beaten track bars, Sydney

June 21, 2018

Getting caught up in city life and always heading to the same bars and restaurants we know is something we’re all guilty of. Being in the beautiful city of Sydney for a while now (and often sticking to my local neighbourhood of Paddington or Bondi for a night out) I decided it was time to explore and discover some new bars and restaurants a little less well known. Using the online publications Concrete Playground and Timeout I mapped out a bunch of bars to try which are highly rated and only known through word of mouth.

Finishing work in the CBD at 5pm, I couldn’t think of a better place to meet my friend and start the night than Establishment. With its uber chic interior and city worker vibe, this was the perfect place to kick things off. As a Merivale owned bar it was the June happy hour 5-7pm, so we got going with two Espresso Martinis half price! If I’m honest the bar staff were under pressure for the happy hour, so our Martinis didn’t have the best creme, but certainly quenched our thirst after a day in the office.

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Next we had a short walk over to The Rook, which after asking a few people we found the entrance to – an elevator at the bottom of what looked like an apartment block. This hidden rooftop did not disappoint with a brilliant wine selection, old school music tunes playing and atmospheric lofty vibe. We guzzled a glass of Montepulciano red wine and were tempted by the delicious aromas of lobster and chips from the kitchen.

Going from rooftop to basement, we walked over to Baxters. With it’s entrance behind an alley and down an old fire escape, this underground speakeasy whiskey bar is super exclusive with a buzzing vibe. The walls behind the bar are stacked ceiling high with hundreds of whiskeys and it feels like a step back in time with the barman climbing the ladders to select your tipple. We couldn’t get enough of the freshly blended apple as a mixer for our whiskey – I won’t have my whiskey any other way now! Hopping next door, we had a quick drink in The Duke of Clarence. This typical British style pub was very warm and cosy and beautifully decorated like the drawing room of an English country home. We enjoyed our glass of wine in front of the warming fire with a bowl of complimentary smoked nuts.

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Having completed a good round of the CBD bars, we caught a cab up to Paddington to devour yet another glass of vino at 10 William Street. This small wine bar in the heart of Paddo offers a range of delectable Italian tapas alongside an extensive wine list. A favourite for locals with its intimate yet bustling ambience, it feels like you could’ve stumbled off a street in Europe as you sit knee-to-knee with fellow diners.

Deciding it was time to get some food to soak up the concoctions of wine and cocktails we’d consumed, we visited Cheeky Burger! This late night joint sells simple burgers done well in a trendy American style setting. We halved a veggie mushroom burger and pulled pork burger and it was agreed that the veggie choice was a clear winner! To complete our evening we popped next door to The Paddo Inn to have one last drink. This pub is a local haunt and always busy with regulars no matter what night of the week.

Edit 5Overall I was happy that we got to explore so many bars off the beaten track which I will be keen to visit again. My favourite find was The Rook with its top secret elevator entrance and offerings of lobster to enjoy alongside that perfect glass of wine. It’s also been a fantastic month for the numerous Merivale bars across Sydney, as they’ve been offering their 49% off drinks 5-7pm everyday throughout the month of June – Bottoms Up Sydney!

Australian Eats: Poke Bowls

May 27, 2018

When it comes to health food trends and the latest fitness movements, Australia is constantly leading the way. Sydney isn’t short of its health food cafes offering all day breakfast menus with delicious superfood dishes, including eggs done anyway you could imagine, beautifully presented acai bowls and tempting sweet treats made from raw, natural ingredients. One of the newest cuisines which has pleased the palette of Australians this year is Poke bowls, a traditional Hawaiian dish originally made by fisherman using the trimmings from their catch of ‘ahi’ tuna. Despite the authentic fresh fish sashimi topping, shops offer Poke bowls anyway you like with different meat alternatives such as chicken and numerous fresh toppings of salads, seeds, pickles and dressings.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERASo with my $10 promo code for Uber Eats and having never tried the local Poke shop here in Paddington, I decided to order in from the comfort of my own home! Taking inspiration from the imaginative street favourites on the menu, I decided to build my own bowl which consisted of the following: Cabbage (You can have noodles, rice or quinoa as alternative bases), Yellow Fin Tuna, Radish, Cucumber, Edamame, Yellow Beetroot, Toasted Sesame Seeds and a Coconut and Chilli Lime Dressing.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe delivery was super quick and came accompanied with all the essentials including chop sticks and extra dressing on the side. All of the salad was fresh and beautifully presented in the bowl, making it almost too good to eat! I enjoyed my Poke bowl sat out in the evening sun of Paddington, revitalising me with all the essential vitamins and goodness my body needed after a long week of work and perhaps a few too many glasses of red wine on Friday night!

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Perfect Night In Paddo’

March 29, 2018

Sometimes there is nothing less lonely than being on your own. In a world caught up on social media and sharing every moment of the day online, it’s easy to forget that a little time spent in your own company is just what you need. As a Dancer/Actress I would spend most of my working days at castings and auditions, being sent different places and meeting new people, so I’m used to being on my own and enjoy that freedom. However since being here in Sydney living with my Auntie and Uncle, I’ve had less time to myself as I’m either out with friends or spending the evening catching up with my family, usually over a glass of wine or two!

So last weekend when my Auntie and Uncle were away, instead of going out to explore yet another one of Sydney’s beach bars and nightlife, I decided to take the time to myself and have the evening in. I began by putting on some music and having a browse of YouTube to find some more good tunes from channels such as The Sound You Need and La Belle Musique (these are great for chilled house mixes). I was really craving a good drink, so I decided to make an Espresso Martini with what tools and ingredients I had to hand. I ended up creating a twist on the traditional Martini using gin instead of vodka and shaking the mixture in a large drinks bottle! The ingredients were: 1 shot of espresso, 1 shot of coffee liquor, 1 shot of gin, shaken over a whole load of ice and strained into a tall glass. The result was pretty good and I even achieved a good creme on top!

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Later on one of my favourite movies Save the Last Dance was on TV, so I prepped my dinner to enjoy whilst watching that. I made a healthy bowl of goodness filled with veggies and protein; I put together kale, pepper, mushrooms, fresh salad, giant couscous with mint and peas, chicken, kimchi and finished it off with a sprinkling of walnuts, Worcestershire sauce and fiery Sriracha. I would make these healthy bowls all the time back at home when I cooked for myself, and they’re great for using up whatever’s going in the fridge. I guzzled on a glass of red whilst watching the movie and finished the night with a cheeky episode of Sex and the City; the perfect end to my evening in Paddington.

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Bondi Beach Blues

March 17, 2018

Everyone said that Bondi is overrated and so touristy that I wouldn’t like it, but I couldn’t disagree more. The view on the approach from the top of the hill on South Bondi is just breathtaking and never fails to make me smile. I admit it is very busy, however I think this is part of what makes Bondi and in fact Sydney as a whole so great too – the diversity of people from all walks of life who find themselves in this paradise.

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On the weekends during summer there’s always events happening on the front and nothing beats a Sunday afternoon drink at one of the many bustling bars after a day on the beach. My favourite hangout is the popular Bucketlist, located right in the centre of Bondi Beach with casual dining and fantastic cocktail pitchers. Later into the evening there are a number of other cool hangouts to party into the early hours including Hotel Bondi and the highly rated Ravesis. Not forgetting the famous Icebergs Bar on the cliff at South Bondi overlooking the expanse of the beach and blue ocean, perfect for sunset drinks whilst watching the surfers catch the last waves of the day.

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How could I not mention the abundance of health food cafes and restaurants in Bondi too, selling beautiful foods that are as much of an art to look at as they are delicious to eat. Of course my favourite smoothie bowls and particularly acai bowls are sold everywhere and it’s hard to go wrong in choosing where to go. My favourite for an acai on the run is Acai Brothers Bondi. This gem is hidden in the neighbourhood of North Bondi and attracts locals with its friendly staff and super yummy, thick acai bowls which can be personalised to your taste with all sorts of toppings. My favourite is the original acai topped with banana, strawberries, kiwis and burkini grain. For a more substantial bowl to graze over when you have more time, Bare Bowls located in Bronte and Manly is the other place I choose to get my acai fix.

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The Bondi beach walk is another absolute must! Simply follow the coast path and beach hop around to Tamarama, Bronte, Clovelly, Gordans Bay and finally Coogee. It’s the best way to enjoy the stunning coastline with hidden rocks and caves to explore and if you’re lucky you might even spot dolphins or a whale. A trip to the Coogee Pavillion for drinks and dinner would be the ideal way to complete the day and soak up those final rays of sun at golden hour.

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A Beautiful Bowlful

August 6, 2017

Scrolling my Pinterest feed this summer I’m always drawn to the rainbow colours of perfectly decorated smoothie bowls (alongside the dreamy photos of white sand beaches and paradise sunsets). So experimenting with my own recipes for these bowls of goodness, I found the key ingredient of frozen banana gives the creamy texture alongside chia seeds to thicken the smoothie. Using a dash of the Rude Health coconut milk adds delicious flavour and frozen berries result in a stunning pink colour.

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The method is very simple: Blend 1-2 frozen bananas, a handful of frozen berries, a teaspoon of chia seeds, a teaspoon of cinnamon and a dash of coconut milk. Add the milk slowly as too much liquid will give a thinner consistency harder to decorate. Then pour the mixture into your bowl – these coconut shape bowls my brother brought in Vietnam compliment the tropical theme of this recipe. Finally decorate with your choice of toppings, which could be anything from granolas and seeds to nut butters and spices.

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I topped mine with fresh banana, strawberries, blueberries, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, coconut chips and a sprinkle of cinnamon. This time I decorated it in lines but working in a circle towards the centre of the bowl also gives a nice finish (the symmetry of these bowls really satisfies my OCD eye!) Basically you can personalise the smoothie to your own taste – try adding cacao powder for a refreshing pudding – and have fun experimenting with different toppings to perfect that Instagram photo ❤

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Summer Slaw Recipe

May 29, 2017

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With summer here and BBQs at the ready, there’s nothing better than getting friends and family together to soak up the sun and enjoy a few Pimms. Everyone likes to make a contribution and has their signature dish – my auntie makes the most incredible celeriac roulade! So in search of a light dinner on these hot summer evenings, when scrolling a favourite blog of mine called Sheer Luxe, I came across this buttermilk chicken served with a homemade cabbage apple slaw.

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Whilst the buttermilk southern fried chicken was a delicious accompaniment, this slaw on its own would be the perfect addition to a BBQ, or could even be made in batches to have in the fridge for a quick lunch or dinner side dish. Healthy, cheap and easy to make I can’t recommend trying this recipe enough, and don’t be afraid to personalise it to your own taste too – I added mixed dried fruit or you could exchange the parsley for another mild herb such as coriander. I can’t wait for my first BBQ this summer to make this again and try mixing it up with something different.

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Recipe

  • 1/3 red cabbage, shredded
  • 5 spring onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 granny smith apple, peeled and grated
  • bunch of fresh parsley leaves, chopped
  • 125g sour cream
  • juice of 1 lemon and a wedge to serve
  • sea salt and freshly ground pepper

Method

In a large bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, spring onions, grated apple and most of the parsley. In a separate small bowl mix the sour cream and lemon juice before seasoning with sea salt and black pepper. Pour this dressing over the salad and toss to combine. You can then add any extras like sunflower seeds or dried fruit – apricots work particularly well – serve with a sprinkling of the remaining parsley and a wedge of lemon.

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Springtime Feels

April 7, 2017

There’s nothing better than those first few days of spring; the sun makes its debut, days get longer and the thought of summer festivals and sipping on Pimms all afternoon is close in sight. So with a Sunday coffee date followed by a late lunch at Brasserie Blanc, it was time to dip into the summer wardrobe.

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I wore my Bershka denim stud skirt, ASOS bardot top, Zara tan satchel and Zara silk print scarf as a neckerchief. Being in England there was of course still a nip in the air, so my Grenson ‘Alice’ Boots made the perfect spring footwear to keep my outfit casual and most importantly my feet warm! And with the sun shining I wasn’t going anywhere without my trusty Rayban ‘Lennon’ round sunglasses to complete my look.

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Finishing the afternoon with a lovely meal at Brasserie Blanc where the food was delicious with good wine and excellent service to match. A perfect springtime day.

Happy Pancake Day

March 3, 2017

Ok, so I know it’s a few days late but I think it’s time we enjoyed pancakes all year round! There’s so many delicious ways to mix them up and with the ingredients being store cupboard basics, they’re cheap and easy too.

This pancake day I decided to try something new and have banana oat pancakes for breakfast. Sticking to four ingredients – mashed banana, jumbo oats, rice flour and almond milk – I whipped it all together to make one big pancake. Perhaps not the traditional method, however once I added lots of berries, yoghurt, more banana, my homemade granola and a sprinkling of cinnamon on top, this made one tasty and filling breakfast to keep me going throughout the morning.

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And with the weekend coming up, I’m sure my Dad will be sniffing after his favourite crepes topped with simple fresh lemon juice and sugar. My fail safe recipe for these comes from Delia Smith and can be used as the basis to sweet and savoury pancakes. With leftover batter I’ll be making savoury open pancake salads which can be embellished with whatever takes your fancy – mozzarella, tomato, basil and balsamic rocket salad is always a winning combination. Experiment with your pancakes and they can become a go to dinner or a healthy breakfast choice any time of the year.