Heavenly Baked!!!!!

New Norcia is a tiny little town approximately 132kms north of Perth, Western Australia. See the link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Norcia,_Western_Australia
 
Originally two  Benedictine Monks -  Bishop Rosendo Salvado and Bishop Dom Joseph Serra travelled from Spain in the early 1800's and were granted 7,500 hectares of freehold land and built a mission and farm. In 1867 Bishop Salvado was appointed Abbot. During the 1860's-70's the mission flourished with the monks building a series of wells, breeding horses, producing silk & olive oil and growing grapes,almonds, dates & carob. 

The town was named after Norcia, a town in the Umbria Province of Northern Italy, in honour of the birthplace of the Order's founder, St Benedict Salvado.

It has a Monastery, frescoed chapels and is known for the largest post-Renaissance religious art collections in Australia. 

Another building is the hotel built for the Spanish Royal Family for their visit. Unfortunately, they never came.

A fire broke out and threatened the monks' crops and the mission itself. High winds fanned the fire and the monks tried in vain to extinguish the flames. Many received burns to their hands and faces and some had their beards singed. With no options left, the monks ran into the chapel and removed the picture of Our Lady (sacred image of Mary) and placed it in front of the raging fire. Within minutes, the wind changed direction and the flames died down. Both the monks and the aboriginals were witnesses to the event.  

Only a couple of monks reside there now as the others have passed on. The monks still adorn the heavy brown robes with a tie around the waist.

Today, one of the best things to come from New Norcia is its bread. A private company, New Norcia Bakeries, operates under an agreement with the Benedictine Community of New Norcia, making bread which is sold though various shops in Perth.

In 1993, New Norcia Bakeries was granted permission to use the original wood-fired oven at the monastery (installed in 1886) to produce authentic artisan breads. In 1996, another 100 year old wood-fired oven was discovered in the Perth suburb of Mount Hawthorn and was recommissioned. With the two ovens working in tandem to produce a range of breads, pastries, biscuits and cakes, New Norcia Bakeries soon established a reputation as Western Australia’s finest artisan bakers. 

Bernadette's Banana Cake with Icing

Ingredients

For the Cake:
250grams of softened butter
1 cup of light brown sugar
3 eggs
3 very ripe bananas, mashed
2 cups of self raising flour

For the Icing:
45grams of softened butter
90 grams of cream cheese
1 and a half cups of icing sugar
2 teaspoons of lemon juice



Method

Pre heat oven to 180 degrees C. Grease and lightly flour a deep 24 cm ring tin.

For the Cake
Beat butter and sugar until a pale colour. Add eggs one at a time and keep beating.
Now stir in the mashed bananas and flour. Pour mixture into cake tin and bake for 45 minutes or until cakes springs back.

For the Icing
Beat together the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. 
Gradually fold in the icing sugar and lemon juice.


 When cake is cool cover with the icing and Enjoy!

Bali and don't forget the Noodles!!!!!

Bali, Indonesia is a few hours from Australia by plane. A beautiful lush, green and tropical island. 

This is a good website http://www.bali-paradise.com/

I first went there over 30 years ago when Bali was very different from today. It was quiet and not commercial.

You moved around the island in strange little taxis called "bimos."

One of the main places to stay was the "Bali Beach Hotel."

You shopped at Kuta Beach, there were not many places then. When I went shopping the women did not want local currency (Rupiah), they wanted to sell clothes and other souvenirs for my lipsticks and perfume. It was strange, but it was great and I proved my skill at bartering!!
 
One day, I caught a sail boat from Bali to an island not far away, "Turtle Island". There was not much on the island other than large turtles and sand! Going over was great, there was pleanty of breeze to keep the sails going. On the way back, the breeze dropped and we ended up having to take turns with the paddle (Note for next time: Take a motor boat!). 

The hillsides are beautiful and green. A trip to the mountains is a must.

Even though Bali has changed over the years, it still is a lovely place to visit with many places and retreats to stay.

Bernadette Rice Noodles

Ingredients

100grams of rice vermicelli noodles
1 large onion, sliced
1 large carrot, peeled and grated
2 sticks of celery, diced
10 large fresh green peeled prawns
1 tablespoon fresh crushed garlic
1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
1 tablespoon of sweet chili sauce
1 tablespoon soya sauce
Chopped shallots for decoration 
Vegetable oil

Method

In a large bowl, place the dry noodles and cover with boiling water, leave to one side.

Place a large, non stick fry pan or wok on the stove on medium heat. Put in the oil and then add the garlic, onion, carrot and celery. Cook until tender, then add prawns and keep stirring for a few minutes until pink. Take pan off stove.

Drain the noodles, then add to the prawns and vegetable mixture. Return pan to stove and add the oyster, soya and sweet chilli sauces. This should only take a few seconds to mix through. Keep stirring so it doesn't stick to the pan.

Take off stove and serve in nice, individual bowls and decorate with shallots. Chopsticks are a good idea too.

Busselton and Beef!

Busselton, Western Australia, is approximately 220kms south of Perth. It was founded in 1832 by the Bussell Family. John Garrett Bussell moved his family to the area in 1834 and started a cattle farm. The farm was known as"Cattle Chosen" It wasn't long before it became a prosperous farm. Many people moved to the area and started farming as a result of the Bussell family's success. The town is named in the family's honour.

Later on, Grace Bussell, daughter of John and Ellen Bussell, was only 16 when she became famous for her heroic efforts along with the family's stockman, Sam Isaacs, in rescuing passengers from the SS Georgette, a steam ship. The ship got into trouble and passengers were put into life boats and were swamped with water. Grace and Isaacs rode horses down the cliffs, out to sea and rescued all the people.  They were both awarded medals from the Royal Humane Society. There is so much history in this area and this is only one of its amazing stories.

Today it is one of Western Australia's favourite holiday spots. One of the main features is not only the beautiful coastline with great beaches, but an amazing timber jetty which stretches 2kms out to sea. The jetty is so long because of shallow waters in Geographe Bay. It was constructed so commercial ships could moor and collect the cut timber. There is a rail line which also stretches the length of the jetty. In recent years, an underwater observatory was built at the end. Today you can walk the jetty or catch the train to the end. It has survived a cyclone in 1978 and a fire which destroyed 65 metres in late 1999. Locals eventually persuaded the West Australian Government and local shire to spend money preserving the jetty.

This is one of my favourite places to visit, here is a link for you:  

http://www.discoverwest.com.au/western_australia/busselton.html  

Beef and Red Wine Casserole

Ingredients 

1kg of chuck or stewing steak, diced into small cubes
Half a cup of plain flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup of red wine
2 cups of beef stock
1 dozen small pearl onions, peeled
500gms of baby carrots
250grams button mushrooms
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon of fresh garlic, peeled and crushed
2 bay leaves

Method

On the stove place a fry pan with olive oil on low heat. In a bowl, coat the beef with the flour and then place into the fry pan to brown. Cook the meat in a couple of batches as it is easier.

In a casserole dish, place red wine, beef stock, garlic, bay leaves, salt and pepper and mix. Add the meat and vegetables, gently stir.

Bake in an oven for apporximately 2 hours at 16o degrees Celsius. Check on it from time to time to see if needs more liquid, if so, add a little more stock.

Take casserole out of oven and remove the bay leaves. Serve with fresh crusty bread.

Enjoy!!  

What a "Pretty Place"

Pretty Place is the name given to one of the most spectacular places I have been. It is located in  North Carolina, USA. I have added a link for you to see for yourself.

http://www.campgreenville.org/chapel.php 

Fred W. Symmes donated the land for a camp for children (today it is known as the YMCA Camp, Greenville). On the land sits an amazing chapel, everywhere you look there are breath taking views of mountains that go on for ever. The chapel was built in 1941 and has had more additions. I was curious to find out and share with you information about this man who was so kind to leave this land.

Fredrick W. Symmes was born in 1879, one boy of five children. He attended private schools then Furman University and played baseball. He began his business career in 1901 at a furniture store which didn't work out. Later, he rented an mill and in 1910 began a partnership with Nelson Poe and Marion Brawley, a company that manufactured "Gents' Athletic Under Garments and Union Suits. Symmes was a busy man also director of Southern Bell, Southeastern Life, Liberty Life, the First National Bank, Greenville Building and Loan Association, the Poinsett Hotel and Textile Hall. There was so much more this man did before he passed away in May, 1957.

His grandfather, also named Frederick Symmes, was a noted Anderson County physician, longtime editor of the Pendleton Messenger and a first cousin of U.S. President Benjamin Harrison. 

Today Mr Symmes legacy lives through his foundation.

Bananas in Hot Brandy Sauce

Ingredients

For 2 people

2 large bananas, peeled, cut in half lengthwise
1 tablespoon of brandy essence
One third of a cup brown sugar
100gms of butter
Vanilla ice cream to serve

Method

In a fry pan place the brown sugar and butter and melt until combined and sugar dissolved. Add the brandy and bananas, turning gently so the bananas become coated with the sauce.

Place into bowls and serve hot with fresh vanilla ice cream.

If you do not like bananas other fruit can be used such as pineapple or pears. 

Enjoy!

Music to my Ears!!!!

Throughout my life I have been to different concerts, seen many bands and heard all sorts of music. I think about the artists and how they've changed over time.

I grew up in a big family and there was all sorts of music. My mother loved Bing Crosby, Pat Boone and Irish music, we sat and listened to it on our old radiogram! I loved to listen to and still do The Police, Sting, ELO, America, Fleetwood Mac, The Beach Boys, The Beatles and a few more. I remember hearing my one of older brothers and sisters talking about a river cruise they went on and seeing a band called Highway, later they changed their name to Sherbet, a well known Australian band in the 1970's.
When I went to high school one of my friends loved to play the guitar and later went on to play in the Baby Animals.

There are a lot of Hotels and Pubs as we call them in Australia. They had what we called a "Sunday Session" which was popular, you listened bands playing music while you drank and caught up with friends.

Over  the years I have seen, in Australia, the Rolling Stones with Mick strutting his stuff and flames coming up on the stage! All ok, just part of the performance. The Who at an open air concert as well as Elton John and Billy Joel dueling away on their keyboards and singing!
In America I saw The Beach Boys at a concert in a small stadium. There were enormous beach balls for people to hit around the stadium while waiting for them to come on stage.
One of my favourite memories was one sunny Sunday afternoon, I remember going to a place on the beachfront in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina  for a drink and to relax with friends. The next thing, The Drifters appeared and played some songs....now that was cool! 

Today I am married to a Radio Announcer who loves his music and have a child that turns the radio up and changes the channel in the car! I laugh when a song comes on and it is remixed from music when I was  growing up. My child wants to know how I know the lyrics  because it is only a new release!!! What's the old saying? "Everything old is new again."

I hope this makes you stop and think of something to do with music from the past, if not, put it on your to do list and go to a concert. Never too old to make a memory!

Now for a recipe, put some music on while you cook.....

Chicken Cannelloni
 
Ingredients

1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
500 grams of chicken mince
250 grams of ricotta cheese
250 grams fresh English spinach
200 gram packet of instant cannelloni shells
1 bottle, about 575grams, of pasta sauce
For cheese sauce
4 tablespoons of margarine or butter
4 tablespoons of plain flour
500mls of milk
150 grams of tasty cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Method

Heat oil in a large fry pan over a medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken mince and cook until slightly brown. Remove from heat, add ricotta cheese, spinach, then salt and pepper to taste.

To make cheese sauce: Melt butter or margarine in a saucepan, remove from heat and add flour. Return to heat and stir milk in slowly a little at a time. The mixture will start to thicken, make sure you keep stirring so no lumps appear. Once the sauce is thickened add the cheese and stir until a smooth paste. Remove from stove.

To assemble the cannelloni: Take the chicken mixture when it has cooled and with clean hands then fill each tube and put to one side. 

In a large square baking dish place a little of the cheese sauce on the bottom and then put the filled cannelloni on top. Spread the pasta sauce nice and evenly over the cannelloni. Place the rest of the cheese sauce on top. Finally, some people like to sprinkle a little more freshly grated cheese - that is optional.

Now cover with foil and bake in a moderate oven for about 30 minutes. Take out of the oven, remove the foil and return to oven and brown for about 5 to 10 minutes. 

I like to serve the cannelloni with a fresh green garden salad, crusty bread and perhaps a glass of wine....Enjoy!!! 

The Fox and The Berry!

Sometimes the best things happen when you stumble upon them. Many years ago, I came across a great glass studio in Karridale, Western Australia. It is known as Fox Studio Glass Gallery. See the following link 

 http://www.foxstudioglass.com.au/

The studio is full of beautiful colourful creations, bowls, vases and glasses. Alan Fox is very talented and does most the work on the premises. His work has been recognized throughout the world. He was commissioned to do something for the Queen. He mentioned to me he made a sceptre for Elton John in his early days. This place is definitely worth a visit.

After this, if you are heading back to Margaret River, stop at The Berry Farm for Afternoon tea. See the link

https://www.theberryfarm.com.au/index.php/

I recommend the scones, jam and cream! There are also  other yummy things on the menu including dishes for vegetarians. The Berry Farm started a long time ago with a little cafe making a few different jams from the berries they grew. Today, there are many types of jams and other gourmet treats from which you can purchase.

This has given me an idea for a beautiful recipe for tomato chutney. This is savoury and can be used on sandwiches or with cold meat and salad.

Tomato Chutney

Ingredients

1lb or 2 cups of white sugar
3lbs or approx 1.4kgs of ripe tomatoes
1lb or approx 500gms of brown onions
2 large tablespoons of plain flour
1large tablespoon of salt
1 and a half tablespoons of mustard
1 large tablespoon of mild curry powder
White vinegar

Method

With a sharp knife, cut a cross shape into the tomato skin on top (not too deep, just the surface). Now, place the tomatoes into a large basin and cover with boiling hot water and leave for about half an hour. Drain water and you should be able to peel off the skin .

Dice onions and tomatoes and put into a bowl and sprinkle with the salt. Cover with a tea towel and leave overnight.

Next day, drain off excess liquid. Place tomatoes and onions into a large saucepan with sugar and almost cover with vinegar. Place on stove and boil, remove from stove after 5 minutes.

In a small bowl, mix flour, mustard and curry with a little vinegar to form a paste. Add the paste to the tomato and onion mix, keep stirring so it doesn't go lumpy.

Return to stove and cook on a medium heat for one hour. Keep stirring so mixture doesn't stick to the pot.

Remove from stove and bottle into sterilized jars while hot. Store in the fridge.

Hanauma Bay and Bananas!!!

The ocean is a world of it's own and one of my fond memories is a place where I went in Hawaii, Hanauma Bay. This is where the water is warm and so clear and fish that you can almost touch. So many beautiful colours and types. Lucky I never saw any large types like sharks!!!

A local person told me if you go snorkeling there you must take frozen peas to feed the fish. I thought it was a joke, but I did. My friends laughed and thought it was funny until we got in the water and the fish came from everywhere to get the peas. A friend of mine put some in their pocket and as they snorkeled along the peas floated out their pocket and they  had a trail of fish following them!

Here is a link for you to see for yourself.     http://www.hanauma-bay-hawaii.com/

There are many places around the world that are becoming marine reserves which is great to protect some of the endangered fish.

After the visit to the bay we came across a place that made the best banana splits ever and the biggest. What a way to finish a day at the beach!!!

This has given me an idea to share a recipe for something very yummy!!!

Bernadette's Banoffee Pie

Ingredients

1x 250gram packet of granita biscuits (cookies) crushed
125 grams of butter, melted
1 x 395 gram can of caramel
4 large bananas, sliced into rounds
1 x 300ml tub of thickened cream
Three quarters of a cup of good quality chocolate, shaved 



Method

Grease a pie plate and put to one side.

In a bowl mix together the crushed biscuits and the butter. Then, take the pie plate and press firmly the biscuit mixture until evenly spread on bottom and sides of plate. Put in fridge to set for about half an hour.


Then take out of fridge, now spread the caramel over the biscuit base.


Place the banana slices close together in the caramel.


Whip the Cream until slightly fluffy and place on top of the banana and caramel. Use all the cream, it may seem a lot, but it works!


Lastly, spread the shaved chocolate all over the cream.

Return to the fridge and leave for at least 2 hours.  I always think it tasted better next day if there is any left. The flavours are incredible.

Enjoy and don't count the calories!!!!!