Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Ostrich anyone?

Michael has been making amazing meals for me nonstop. I am not partial to parsnips, only because I'm not really sure how else to cook them apart from roasting or in a stew. I didn't grow up eating parnips, so I usually stay clear of them during my weekly market trips. Last week, I got some nice piece (according to the butcher) of ostrich. Hmm...now THIS I've never cooked before. I've tried ostrich once, in a chinese restaurant in all places, but it was overshadowed with loads of sauce (pretty good sauce....) not much ostrich taste. Not like I know what ostrich tastes like anyway. Fast forward years later...why not try it I said? (I'm neurotic that way talking about myself as if I weren't here).

For the maximum taste of the ostrich, Mike decided to sear it very quickly on a really hot pan. Best way really...it turned out perfect. Unless you consider the fact that we thought we had kangaroo meat. Tsk tsk...ignoramus. Ignoramus with a content belly.

Ostrich with roast potatoes, pickled onions, wild mushrooms and parsnip chips ( I loved them!)

Roast pork belly

Trips to borough market on the weekends is my way of relaxing after a mind busting week of work. Good quality food sold in such a nice atmosphere inspires me to make lovely meals for my husband and I to share. I bought a nice piece of pork belly. When Mike saw it, he decided to make me something special (awww). Of course when he prepares the meal it's always going to be perfect, and true to form...



Roast belly from my friendly butcher
Pickles from my pickle man in borough market
Chorizo (from brindisa)

and there you have it...

Roast pork belly stuffed with pickles, chorizo and red onions

Breakfast...after an all nighter

When Michael is lucky enough to get weekends off, we usually spend Friday nights awake until Saturday morning comes. One of us (whoever gets persuaded by the other) goes out to buy the morning paper (one for each of us) and ingredients for breakfast. This time around it was my turn. I cheated this time, bargained my way out of getting the morning paper if I make breakfast. Leftover beef from the fridge and some lonely potatoes...perfect. A little bit of japanese mayo, sesame seeds and seaweed. Alright, it's not a common breakfast menu I admit, but it turned out pretty well.

Good morning!!!

Happy Birthday Michael

A long long hiatus. I have been inundated with work. I am not complaining. It is such a joy to have work, not cooped up in the house, and most importantly, being a contributing member of society! Yipee! Our home cooked meals have been mostly stir fry but for Mike's birthday, I prepared something special. (Well, something he likes...that makes it special no?) My cornbread was really heavy, I must've used too much oil, but it didn't stop Mike from enjoying it. I'm going to try the cornbread recipe one more time. Let's see how it goes.

Southern Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Cornbread and Vegetables glazed with orange juice


Happy birthday baby.