It's been a while

Sorry for the dearth of blog-bites cherubs, there has been fooding left, right and centre at Norfolk St over the past few weeks. I suppose I should also confess that the glorious weather Dunedin had last week left me less than inclined to tap away inside on my Mac...

Since my last post it's been all go with Cardrona lamb and slow-cooked quincy pork and extra-manly manfood (pizza and ribs), not to mention aprons galore. My studio looks like a 1934 haberdashery has exploded in it thanks to random assorted pieces of vintage-looking floral cottons everywhere.

Nothing has exploded in the kitchen although I have taken to having no-cook days which are rather relaxing. I have however, developed an unhealthy obsession with Hubbard's Feijoa cereal and would happily eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner (and indeed have done so on occasion). While I'm sure it is not quite as decadent as eating nothing but braised pork belly and vegetables with beurre blanc, I don't think finishing a whole box of cereal in 2 days is really part of a balanced diet. I now avert my eyes in the cereal aisle...

My manfoodies and I did risotto last Thursday and I must say that it was damn fantastic. I'd forgotten how tasty it is, and at the risk of expulsion from the Potato-Fanciers' Committee, would almost rate it higher than mashed taties as a comfort food. I know, I'm the first to champion a well-squashed Agria with unhealthy (but delicious) amounts of butter and salt, but creamy rice with bacon, asparagus, spinach and Parmesan was pretty fine.

Speaking of things beginning with 'r', I made my first batch of ricotta yesterday. It's so easy! I was inspired by an interview on Radio NZ National's 'Country Life' programme - the things you learn listening to public radio on Saturday mornings! Ate some for morning tea, still warm with passionfruit syrup, mmmm.