Saturday 7 December 2013

Distractions. A recipe.

This week has been a long and hard one. Multiple frustrations. Multiple things to deal with. All managed, but wearing me down a bit. Here is not the forum to discuss them in detail, but suffice to say I am glad this week is finished.

My fella came back. With presents. But I like his presence better. Bless him.

Did I tell you I bought a thermomix? It should be coming sometime next week. I shall be blogging my creations. Let the Christmas baking begin.


Lovenest 1.0 is taking shape nicely. We are looking forward to having Christmas here. In our new 'hood, there is a communal herb garden. Here is a pic:



And never fear, I found a ham. I invested in a KR Castlemaine Ham. The beasty is languishing in my fridge.

I have also made some Veronika Maine purchases, which were both a. an investment and b. therapeutic. That is how I rationalise it.

[I rationalise and get buyers guilt in equal parts.... I just need to let it go.]

That manicure I was yapping about? I went and got it. A shellac mani-pedi. My nails are the colour of strawberry ice-cream.

[I love love love fake strawberry flavour]


After busy weeks, and very little time at home, a lovingly home-cooked meal was in order tonight. I utilised some broccolini and zucchini that were on their way out to make this pasta.






Here was how I cooked it


  • 1 zucchini, finely sliced lengthways (I used a veggie peeler)
  • 1.5 bunches brocollini, ends trimmed, stems cut in half to make shorter
  • Spaghetti, for 2 people
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped finely
  • 1 chilli, chopped finely
  • Anchovies
  • 2tsp butter
  • 3tsp olive oil
  • handful pine nuts, toasted.
  • zest of one lemon
Put water on to boil in large pot. Add spaghetti
Fry up garlic and chilli in butter and oil. Add anchovies, cook till they dissolve. Add zest. Then add zucchini. Zucchini will go all soft and melty and soak up all the lovely flavours. Add pine nuts,
When spaghetti nearly cooked, add broccolini to pot.
Drain spaghetti/broccolini and add to frying pan. Stir up all together. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Nom.

This will be good fuel for the Sussan fun run tomorrow. 10km along the beach on a lovely day.
The only issue is getting up at 5:30am....ergh.

Never let it be said that a busy week at work gets in the way of my extracurricular activities.

What about you?
Any good home cookin'?
Any investment/therapeutic buys?
How was your week?

4 comments:

  1. Yes this week was mental for many I tell you!!

    Love the communal herb garden. Melbourne inner city at its best.

    I am going to be a party pooper and advise shellac is not routine bc it is murder on the nails. It really weakens them but they are looking amazing!

    Tempted to thermomix but I live near one of the best take away streets in London so I only cook once a week. I did buy someone but got a fit with purchase so was sooooo chuffed bc it was one of the best ever. Have a great weekend x

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  2. Your hands and feet look gorgeous. Best thing is that stuff is hard wearing and slow to chip. I can't tell you how much I love that public herb garden. But it would not happen in Queensland true story, there was a thriving herb and vege garden down the road, quietly worked on for about a year by an elderly lady. It was just on the edge of a park. She used to hand water it from the tap. Recently I came by and Council maintenance had razed it to the ground. I actually cried. I spoke to council, they said it was 'illegal' and against council by-laws. I suppose Melbourne has shifted their ways of working (moved paradigms!) and 'allowed' this. Give me strength. The Thermomix is a great unit. You'll love it. I don't have one but I have eaten plenty from it!!! Xx

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  3. We had spaghetti bolognese for dinner- and none of that premium stuff. I prefer the cheaper minces! Mani/pedi looks delicious- nothing like fake strawberry ice-cream. Congrats on the thermomix. My appliances are archaic- I don't even own a food processor. I have a kitchen-aide, but I've never used it. I like old school beaters (the electric ones, none of those wind up ones). Enjoy your ham!

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  4. I am so excited to hear more about your Thermomix.

    (a sentence I never thought I'd say)

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