food. latkas.

*Update: (minutes after I made these) I sent a photo to Nate...he's response: "hashbrowns?". My response: "basically." But you should still try them, because they are good.

No, we're not Jewish but I figured Hanukkah was a good time to try making some latkas. They always look so good when I see photos of them. I've never actually had one, so when I say "mine were good" they could actually be crap.

I mashed up a couple recipes so I don't really have a "recipe" for you. Just mix grated potatoes, and egg, onion, salt, an a bit of flour in a bowl. Turn on your stove, add olive oil and scoop out the mixture. Turn at about 5 minutes, add more oil.

I've figured out oil is the key. Lots of oil will give you Instagram-worthy photos.

found. fruit.

Say hello to our lemon tree, I mean, lime tree...actually I'm not sure which it is. I haven't paid any attention to it since we've moved in. Okay, I'm going to go with lemon tree because our neighbours have a giant lemon tree. Have any tips on making it thrive? I'll make you some lemonade if your tips work.

Also, if you know what this tree-bush is, please tell. I'd rather not try the fruit And then realise it's something that shouldn't be eaten. Alright, I wouldn't actually try it but it would be a great talking point if it was something cool.

food. bi bim bap.

Korean food. Always a favourite in my book, usually a favourite for Nate. Bi Bim Bap can be considered the Korean "all but the kitchen sink" dish. It's perfect to use up veggies, perfect for a cold day, perfect for a hang over. However, if you have a hang over, you may want to just get this dish from a restaurant. The best Korean restaurants usually look like a hole a in the wall. If your local Korean joint looks like that, go in and try it. It'll probably be delicious.

Bi Bim Bap, a mashed up recipe from allrecipes.com and my mom
Ingredients:

food. mushrooms with basil.

Super easy. Super delicious. That's it. Really, make them soon.

Mushroom with Basil from marthastewart.com
Ingredients:

• 10 ounces button mushrooms
• 1 Tbls olive oil
• Handful of fresh basil, rough chopped

food. food trucks.

I haven't disappeared! You'll see some more blogs from me this weekend. In the mean time, check out this awesome food truck lunch Nate and I are checking out today:

I'll be sure to take lots of photos and report back.

food. our place.

Not as in you come to our house and eat...as in meet us at Our Place Restaurant in Willunga.

This is another post I should have done earlier but it got pushed to the back burner. Not that it wasn't amazing, because it was. I have other things to do besides blog all the time-like take photos of birds.

If you head to Our Place, be sure to book early and go hungry. I think we ended up having a twelve course meal. Awesome for $55 a person (drinks are extra).

(Just pretend I added some Yelp link here. I'm eventually going to get around to updating our profile and adding it to the blog.)

I was going to take notes on all the food but after the first dish, I was too busy stuffing my face. Also, the photos are not in order - haven't figured that one out from the iPhone yet.

found. birds.

Galahs to be exact. They were out and about while Nate and I were on a run. Well, Nate was running...obviously, I was taking photos of birds.

social media. facebook rolls out share button on mobile.

It's about time. Now I can share all the lovely stuff I find on my news stream! Be sure you update your app. Let the sharing commence.

Want to read more? Check out this article from Mashable: Facebook Rolls Out Share Button on Mobile Site.

active. pinterest.

Does adding content about working out on my "get active" Pinterest board count as working out? I might have to vote yes on this one today.

food. pressure cooker corned beef.

After going away for the weekend, Nate had requested I make corned beef. Something delicious to have on hand for sandwiches.

Shelley (whom we went to visit over the weekend) made her corned beef in the slow cooker. Since we are without a lot of small appliances, I had to figure out another process.

The oven was out because I'm getting used to it an wouldn't risk a $10 piece of meat in there. Pressure cooker it was. Found a basic recipes on food.com and went from there.

Pressure Cooker Corned Beef inspired by food.com
Ingredients:

guest. photographer.

Jut got back from a walk and thought I'd share these amazing photos Nate took.

Sunset, all with an iPhone.

food. sweet chili + lime chicken, chickpea salad.

We made both of these recipes these last week - another staple for dinner that quick and easy. I found the Donna Hay recipe from a magazine at my office (who knew it would be a sign that we would move to Australia.)

Don't know about Donna Hay? Check out her site: www.donnahay.com.au

Sweet Chilli + Lime Chicken from Donna Hay
Ingredients:

food. cheesefest.

CHEESE! I love cheese and I was pumped that Cheesefest was going to be the first Australian festival we attended. It was a few weeks ago, so I apologise (Like that use of s? Figured out how to switch between US English and Australia English in spell check.) for the lack of details. This post is going to mostly photos, be sure to add some of these cheeses to you next grocery shop.

 

dream. lasagna throw down.

I wasn't sure if I should have titled this post dream. or food. I had a dream about food, so...yeah.

One of Nate's questions first thing in the morning is "Did you have any crazy dreams?". He knows that I have very vivid and nutty dreams - I think the most famous, or at least the one comes out while telling everyone I have crazy dreams - involves LL Cool J. In short, Nate and I were fugitives running up a mountain, LL Cool J was the cop out to get us. WHO dreams this stuff. I hadn't heard a song of his, seen him on TV, NOTHING for years. YEARS. people.

Not sure if this is going to turn out to be a series on the blog. If I remember to grab my phone first thing in the morning and jot down some notes, I'm sure you'll read more about the nonsense I create while sleeping.

On to my last dream. My company was going to fire me unless I beat my friend's mom in a lasagna throw down. Literally, my job was on the line for lasagna. It's too bad I'm writing this so late in the day because there were some pretty good details I've already forgotten. I'm sure it was close ups of the lasagna...who doesn't love food porn at any time of the day? (If anyone from work is reading this. I make a mean lasagna, please keep me.)

If this makes you think of having some lasagna, here's a recipe you should try. It's become a favorite at our house. The red sauce is good to have on hand for any last minute carb cravings.

World's Best Lasagna from Allrecipes.com
Ingredients:

garden. no bugs allowed.

I don't really have bugs to talk about in this post. Just thought it was a cute line from some garden makers I was given (thanks, Lindsay!).

The plants are still growing. Seems like the mint is going crazy. Maybe it's time for some mojitos? (Mint at week 3 --->)

If you have any tips for basil, please send them my way! One pot seems to be trying to grow. I'm pretty sure I over watered the other one.

Week 3 photos:

food. prepare a salad in advance.

I'll probably throw a few of these out there - tips for the kitchen, home, garden, etc. Just because I throw them out there doesn't mean I've tried them. Feel free to think of them as reminders for the both of us to try. Have a tip? Tweet it to me (@JenEvison) and I'll create a post about it!

Preparing a salad in advance
From: Real Simple Magazine

food. scones.

Lucy was put to the test again. This time scones were on the menu. I obviously haven't figured out what to start with and build up to when it comes to baking. I like the "close your eyes and pick something" method.

If you've already mastered scones, don't judge me. Give me tips instead.

This recipe has very few ingredients, you actually probably have them all in your pantry right now. Go ahead, make some scones. You'll make someone's day.

Scones from kitchenaid.com.au
Ingredients:

halloween. success.

Quick update on Halloween.

• Totally rocked for our living in the 'burbs!
• Over 40 witches, princesses, ninjas, goblins, ghosts, pumpkins showed up for some candy.
• We had to go buy more candy so we wouldn't run out.
• Halloween music is always a must.
• Halloween wine charms are always a must. For me, not the kids. Obviously.
• Wine for the night: Oyster Bay, Sauv Blanc
• A few kids walked away saying "I told you she was American". Not sure if that's a plus or not but I'm going to go ahead and put it on the win column.

Overall, awesome.

food. lamb, homemade tzatziki.

Of course we are going to have lamb as a staple on our menu. We live in Australia! That's a silly question.

Nate was in charge of the lamb. Super easy...salt, pepper, olive oil. BBQ. Only turn once.

I was in charge of tzatziki. Options were to buy a ready made dip (or sauce, whatever you want to call it) or to make one from scratch. Epicurious called my name on this one. It turned out pretty good. I went a bit overboard with the garlic though. Good thing Nate and I are married.

Tzatziki (Yogurt and Cucumber Salad) from Epicurious.com
Ingredients:

home. everyone should compost.

Or at least make an effort. I tried to do this in Seattle but getting a pail, refilling bags, finding a bin to throw it in (we lived in an apartment, compost bin always seemed to make its way back to a different spot).

Since moving here, we have been composting beasts. Only because the city supplies you with a free pail and bags. Genius! If you want your community to compost make it easy for them. Duh.

If you're contemplating composting, here's are a few links with more info:

• 7 Reasons You Should Start Composting (via organicsoul.com)
• 75 Things You Can Compost, But Thought You Couldn't (via TLC.com)

Do it. Compost. Your garbage bill will thank you.

halloween. boo.

Happy Halloween!! I've been told Halloween isn't big in Australia...hopefully I can change their minds. Or at least our neighbours...or I've successfully made them think I'm nuts. #CrazyAmericanlivesinourhood

I was on a limited budget (thanks, Nate) so I set up priorities on what I was going to buy. Candy was first, that was half the budget. Even if my decorations sucked we would be known as the house that gave the most candy. I followed up with fake spider webs, glitter painted skeleton hands, and signs. You're suppose to have signs if you're "Halloween friendly". I wanted to be sure the kids knew we were so I doubled up on those.

found. at the beach.

*Update from Tumblr* This is apparently squid eggs. Thanks,  theimperiouspisces!

What the hell is this? Jelly fish? Squid?

Guess it and the answer that sounds the most convincing doesn't get this thing thrown at them.

food. your name shall be lucy.

We had one exciting weekend trip to Melbourne to pick up my new KitchenAid mixer, errr...Duke. We just so happened to pick up my new KitchenAid mixer the weekend we pick up Duke (Duke will be a post, hopefully soon).

Lucy was a gift from Nate. I recently turned 30 and this year will be the year I conquer baking...maybe. Or at least attempt to. Anyway, I was told I had to name her - she's bright red and I'm sure will help me have some laughs in the kitchen. I'm learning how to bake. Bake for real, not from a box. We'll see how this goes.

First recipe was a success! I went with cupcakes. They were for a get-together. I figured if I totally screwed them up, I could whip up a batch from a box (plan b). Always thinking ahead.

One Bowl Chocolate Cake III from Allrecipes.com
Ingredients:

food. chicken satay burgers.

I forgot about this amazing recipe from foodwishes.com. Now that we are getting back into the swing of things, I'm back to making weekly menus. I do miss being able to order groceries from AmazonFresh but I don't mind going to the local Foodland* to pick up what we need. Since I don't know where everything is in the store, it's always about an hour trip to pick up 4 things. Yesterday we asked for quinoa and had the whole store on a hunt for it. Where was it? In the cereal aisle.

Chicken Satay Burgers from FoodWishes.com
Ingredients:

social media. pinterest adds website verification.

If you're a brand on Pinterest - big yeah! Check out how to have a fun little check mark by your name on Pinterest.

Image from pinterest.com

found. at the beach.

Crazy and not so crazy stuff seen on the beach. This will most likely be a series. If you don't like the beach or looking at cool stuff, read about my garden.

duke. loves the beach, hates the ocean.

First post on the iPhone app.

We took Duke to the beach for his daily walk and made him go in the water. No dice on him jumping for joy. Check out his Grinch feet.

Even though he's quietly sitting next to me as I write this, I think he's still pissed at as. Hopefully he doesn't pee on the side of the bed tonight.

Feel free to follow him on Twitter, @dukeinaustralia. I'll tell him to follow you back.

garden. we have plants.

I wouldn't consider myself an "expert" gardener but I have been able to grow a green thumb over the past few years. Living in Seattle, I did a lot of container gardening. I'm going to try to do the same here (in South Australia. Oh, we moved if you didn't know. Sorry if I didn't mention it). Started out with three easy plants and one that has always been touch and go.

Week 1 photos:

 

Basil from seeds.

I saw this article on using eggshells as seedling planters from a Real Simple magazine. I thought I'd try it. Didn't have the patience for the seeds to grow out of the eggshells so I put them straight into my makeshift containers.

 Mint, rosemary, cherry tomatoes from starts.

welcome. again.

Yes. I've started another blogging project. This one is going to be more than wine and food (and more wine). Don't get me wrong, there will be food and wine posts. I plan on doing most of the posts "on the go" w/the blogger iPhone app - festivals, restaurants, social media events, life in Australia. We'll see how it goes.

Also, I'm looking for a blog name. Have something witty I can borrow? Let me know.

food. salad upgrade.

*Blog post moved from Our Spinning City.
I came across this helpful article this morning (thanks, TasteofHome.com!). For those who are looking to revamp their salad greens, here are some great tips.

Arugula 
Look For: Long, bright-green leaves on a thin stem.
Bite and Flavor: Tender bite, but with a spicy kick.
Try It: Arugula's peppery taste nicely complements a mild fish dish, or you can mix it with other greens to amp up the flavor of a salad.
Health Perks: The calcium in its leaves promotes stronger bones, with the added benefits of folate, magnesium and vitamins A, C and K.


Butterhead
Look For: Small, loose head with wide leaves that look like big flower petals.
Bite and Flavor: Delicate leaves with a hint of sweetness.
Try It: Grilled asparagus, shaved Parmesan cheese and butterhead lettuce = sublime.
Health Perks: Low in fat and high in calcium, butterhead has an abundance of vitamins A and K.

food. ricotta, arugula and fried egg open-faced sandwich.

*Blog post moved from Our Spinning City
I came across this recipe in my inbox and since spring is upon us (supposedly), I thought it would be a great, light weeknight meal to pair with grilled asparagus. I don't know how 'kid-friendly' it would be but I think it's perfect for couples and those who are eating for one. Enjoy!

Ricotta, Arugula, and Fried Egg Open-Faced Sandwich | myrecipes.com