Summer's Over

 Where did summer go this year?

(Last pickings from the garden - summer cherry tomatoes)

 It will certainly be a memorable season - but for all the wrong reasons. However, despite all the devastation caused by rain and wind and cyclone, there is still delicious fruit and vegetables on the greengrocers' shelves. There's also that appetising prospect of hearty stews and comfort puddings to look forward to as we move into autumn - "Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness"  (OK, John Keats was describing an English Autumn when he wrote that but we get pretty close here in Toowoomba!).

So, even for those of us who love the sunshine and heat, the cool seasons shouldn't loom too large because we can all warm up from within. I'm already dusting off the slow-cooker, the tagine and the casserole dishes in readiness for the chilly days ahead. If I can get my act together, I might also do something about the veggie patch over the Easter holidays - it's rampant with convolvolus after all the rain. What a pity it's not edible.

Anyway, for anyone who wants to make to make the most of the current fig crop, try this simple and delicious tart from Taste.com.au - ( http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/5362/fig+goats+cheese+tranche+vegetarian  or check out last week's Toowoomba Chronicle for recipe)  . I'm hoping to get some figs from a colleague who's currently picking from her property in Grantham. I suspect I'll savour them even more knowing that they survived the deluge down there.

New Year. Start Afresh.

What a start to 2011! It is certain that it will be etched on the minds and hearts of Queenslanders for a long time to come. Still, strength comes from adversity and, already, the community spirit is coming to the fore.

It's been interesting to see how well we all coped with the short term food shortages too. My New Year's resolution was to try to 'eat from the pantry' - not buy anything until I'd used up the stores in cupboard, fridge and freezer. Who'd have guessed how quickly I was forced into doing just that! It has been interesting and I have to say that I've been eating really well. I suspect that I usually tend to shop on auto-pilot without really checking what's already in the house. I went through every can, container and unidentified freezer bag and reorganised as I went. I ventured down the garden through the quagmire and found leeks, beetroot and onions that had survived the deluge - small but delicious. If nothing else, the floods have made me re-think what I take for granted in the kitchen.

Maybe one of the challenges for 'Come Meet and Eat with Me' might be a ration book challenge - 3 courses for 5 people for $15. Can it be done well? We'll see. Advertising begins start of Feruary. Keep a look out and spread the word.

Festive food with friends

One of the really lovely things about singledom is when you receive an impromptu invitation to share a meal with friends. You can pull your head out of the fridge or pantry and stop wondering "What will I eat tonight?". Last night was one such occasion when a dear friend took the opportunity to cook a recipe she'd been waiting to 'roadtest'.

The rain stopped for long enough to dash from car door to front door Inside, the Christmas music was playing, candles were burning and wine was chilling. Then, cous cous with delicious toasted pistachios, coriander and fresh baby beets with succulent Moroccan Chicken followed by Berry Brulee. SO delicious and it tasted even better because it was prepared by someone else!

Can't wait for more experiences like this when the 'Come meet and Eat with Me' experience gets underway!

Oh, stumbled across this blog from the author of Cooking for One. It's American but makes for lovely reading. There's even a titbit of 'insider info' for those of you who have seen the film, 'Julie Julia'. Take a look.  Cooking for One..and other tales.

Christmas eats & treats

November already and the Christmas goodies in the shops are already gathering dust they've been there so long. However, the mind does turn to festive foods and treats - those things we could cook and eat all year round but keep for Chrissy because it makes them special. Panforte is one of my favourites and making my own filling for mince pies; I can almost hear the sleigh bells ringing as I write!

So, plans are progressing to get 'Come Meet & Eat with Me' up and running and word should be out soon about how to sign up your 'expressions of interest'. Keep checking in here for the latest.

Welcome!

If you are here, then the chances are we have something in common - good food and good company. As an 'empty-nester' I really miss the opportunity to cook for an appreciative mouth (not that my children were that appreciative when they lived at home, but, still..!). I have a terrific group of friends and we often invite each other around for impromptu meals which taste that much better for being shared. But maybe it's time to branch out.

The idea for this experiment came to me on a recent overseas trip. After two weeks of wonderful food and terrific company, I returned home wondering why the experience had to end. Whilst in London, I also stumbled across a quirky food show called 'Come Dine with Me' (which I've since learned is on pay TV here). Five strangers cook a three course meal for each other to win 1000 pounds. The meals seem to range from gorgeous gourmet to practically throw-away but everyone appears to have a good time and leave with plenty to talk about.

Now, I'm not competitive, and my mother always taught me "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." So, working on that premise, I'm proposing a social experiment which relies on good taste, good manners and good times mixed with a modicum of skill in the kitchen. Aimed at singles in their 50s and 60s, all participants would meet for a social function to break the ice and get the basic ground rules of the experiment. Then each participant will cook for their group a three course meal. There will only be the satisfaction of cooking and the thanks you recieve from your dinner guests as a reward, but hopefully, friends will be made and the experience will be a talking point for some time to come. This blog can be the focus for photos taken on the evening and accolades given to the various hosts. In the interest of kindness, we'll leave any criticism for a less public forum - after all, we all make mistakes!

Looking forward to 'Meeting & Eating' with many of you soon.