Showing posts with label Fantasy Friday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fantasy Friday. Show all posts

Friday, 6 July 2012

Fantasy Friday: Rainy Day at the Log Cabin

Log Cabin Play List:

Hall & Oats ~ She's Gone
Catherine Zeta Jones ~ I Move On
The Cure ~ Lovesong
Evanescence ~ My Immortal
Enrique Iglesias ~ Somebody's Me
Natalie Imbruglia ~ Torn
Heart ~ Stranded
George Michael ~ Cowboys & Angels
Sammy Davis Jr ~ Too Close for Comfort
Roy Orbison ~ How Do You Start Over Again?
James Morrison ~ This Boy
Bonnie Raitt ~ Love Sneakin' Up On You
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band ~ Dark Side of Love
Elvis ~ Love Me

Blimey is it raining here? lol. We are on flood alerts too..always a drag. Buckets at the ready....

So today's posting is all about the rain factor. When I looked outside at the downpour I was reminded of one of the holidays that I shared with ML and it was also our first time taking the Sock Stealer away with us...that was an experience..lol. We rented a small log cabin in Penrith at the Lake District. And to say it was rustic is an understatement...it was a little bit of a shock that first night..but after the first cup of coffee the next morning we both fell in love with the little wooden shack. It stood at the end of three others of the same kind...and across from a large pond so it was a feasting ground for bugs...marvelous! lol. There was a family or compound of squirrels to keep us company and they made friends with the Sock Stealer straight away..and he enjoyed running about with the cheeky little critters. We also had no mobile coverage so were completely cut off from the outside world..and after the first few hours of walking around the area trying to find a signal...we gave up..and found it to be quite lovely.

On the whole we had good weather and explored the area every day and some great walks were had and my favourite memory from this holiday was after a very exhausting walk we climbed down a rough piece of ground to find the most beautiful rock pool and waterfall..so we decided this was a great place to have our lunch and we camped out on a couple of rocks whilst the Sock Stealer cooled his paws in the water. It was a blissful moment. And no I do not remember what the place was called..such a shame..as I would love to go back one day.

We did have one really wet day and I enjoyed that day as much as any other because we just stayed home and put on some good music, played scrabble..cooked some and then watched a movie. I love rainy days like this..but then I also love being out in the rain too. lol. So that is why I have chosen this as the theme for today's post.

Ullswater
For a look at Penrith..click here
So this Friday..it is pouring with rain..the Sock Stealer is hiding under the bed because he is a wet weather wuss! ML is also hiding, in a book because they share the wuss status..I am sat on a dining chair that I have placed out on the porch with a steaming hot cup of black coffee as I enjoy the rain coming down..finding peace in its sound..watching the ducks on the pond also enjoying it. I know that I have little or no chance of getting the other two to go out in this weather so I decide to cook us up a lovely meal..in the rather basic kitchen. And I mean...basic. lol. So after an extended brainstorming session sat out on the porch..I make a trip to the nearest supermarket (which is about 10 minutes away although you would never think you were near any sort of civilisation out on this farm land..lol) and hastily buy the ingredients for my chosen recipes. And of course I stop at a coffee shop on the way back to enjoy a soya milk cappuccino whilst I check in with my mobile and with life back home..lol.

Once back at the ranch it's time to unpack the shopping and get my sleeves rolled up....to make this...

Cauliflower and Butterbean Rogan Josh
This is one of my most favourite spicy dishes..and the rogan josh sauce is so creamy and spicy. A must for the lovers of coconut milk out there....and I love the cauliflower and butterbean mix. It's really very easy to make so don't be put off by the list of ingredients..trust me..it's worth it..and you are worth it! I serve mine with simply cooked brown rice and some green on the side..steamed broccoli or dark green leafys. It fills the home with such a lovely smell and there is always leftovers which are even better heated up the next day as the spices become even more intense. A very delish dish! lol.

So for a dessert to be eaten later in the evening whilst we no doubt are battling it out in Scrabble wars...well I say battling it out...I almost always lose..but I am stubborn and hope that one day I will win..lol. I have chosen

Super Gooey Chocolate Brownies
These sticky brownies are a good the day they are baked..but better the next. They are GF too so no heavy wheat feeling afterwards. ML would enjoy one with cream...whereas I would enjoy one with a decaf coffee. And it also means we would have some for the rest of the holiday as we are burning lots of calories with all the walking..lol.

I would also have made a huge batch of these muffins for easy breakfasts and snack eating whilst out and about...

Warrior Double Bran Muffins
These little robust beauties are wholesome, filling and give you a great energy boost. They keep well in a sealed container and they travel well in a backpack or rucksack..great for walking holidays or festivals. lol.

So that is this Fantasy Friday's day and meals plus snack muffins..lol. OK I am away to do bucket duty to get all the leaks covered in this creaky old house. Urgh!..

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your Friday is less wet than mine...wouldn't be hard!! lol.

~R~

Friday, 29 June 2012

Guest Blogger: Trustworthy's Almost Ultimate Gig


Well, hey! First I'd love to thank Red for inviting me to deliver my fantasy meal for this Friday. A little about me before we go on, if that's ok? I'm a gluten-intolerant vegan, a pommy migrant to this scorched land down under, and a hopeless romantic lol! I'm also a music freak, with fairly eclectic tastes...which has inspired my theme for this post. It's my almost-ultimate gig this Fantasy Friday evening...most of the artists I never got to see, along with favourites I have seen, all on the same bill. I say almost-ultimate – I have been told to limit the amount of artists, as they know I could make this gig a real bum-number!






Flaming Guitar of the Almost Ultimate Gig
So, this afternoon and early evening, my significant other and I would be getting ready to go to this gig-of gigs...a true dream...whilst I prepared an easy dipping starter to be enjoyed as one or the other of us rushed back and forth between various rooms as we got ready. And being a hot country, I am sure we would need to take breaks to avoid getting too flustered...
Starter


Middle Eastern Avocado Dip and Tahini & Yoghurt Dressing

This would've been made this morning, and chilled in the (super-efficient, natch) fridge, and removed and served when we got hungry after lunch. I love avocados...the texture and creaminess, with their fresh flavour and being so full of Good Stuff...I once ate an entire bowl of guacamole I'd made with three whole avo's and a couple of Aussie Roma tomatoes. And, you know, corn chips, lol.

So, now it's getting to mid-arvo, the sun has kept things rather warm and now it's time to begin the next course, whilst the better half is doing their make-up. I'll do mine after ^_^ …

Spanish Omelette with Roasted Red Pepper-Almond Sauce
This is a very filling and energy-packed dish, takes a fair bit of work but the long oven duration will allow some QT with my partner...but also allows me to talk about my playlist! Which I shall after I've made the salad to crisp in the fridge. The photo shows a green leaf salad, of which I would prefer to use a bucketload of kale, chopped with some rocket, balsamic vinegar, Himalayan sea salt, and maybe something crispy to top it off when it comes back out.

So, the playlist. This will be playing whilst we were just about to leave, wiggling around for the first few, eating the main dish during the quiet bits, then continuing in the car or on the train (with dual earpods, natch ^_^) on the way to the festival of fantasy.
This is a fantastic cooking song! I love the driving rhythm and retro electronics. And Alison Goldfrapp – oh, what a beauty. Her...ahem..Horseplay at certain gigs was a wonder :-)
BJH are a prog band, from the 70s, and they are a favourite of my dad's. We (that is, my dad and I) actually saw them in the UK a few years back, in a tiny little venue in the quaintly-named Milton Keynes. The acoustics were a dream and we even met them afterwards.

Kings Cross - Every Sentimental Moment
I lived in Chelmsford , Essex for a while and worked with the guy who eventually became the guitarist for this band. Alas, their famously bonkers gigs I have never seen – though you can catch their Ben Nevis gig (yep, that one!) here << http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eNpe67CEDM >> so, enjoy!
These Seattle grungers were like Zeppelin with growlier guitars and more attitude. I saw them once supporting GN'R and I remember Kim Thayil leaving his guitar screaming on top of the amps as they left the stage.
I loved both JD and New Order, and I also remember as a boy hearing Love Will Tear Us Apart on the radio and thinking he was singing the same tune as Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport in the chorus! But Ian Curtis was a beautiful and troubled man, and I posthumously fell in love with him.
Another outfit from Seattle, though these guys were far from grungy. Most of them went on to form Pearl Jam, but it was singer Andrew Wood's haunting vocal on this track that managed – and still manages – to send shivers down the spine. At one time I was a Christian and felt that I'd love to perform this in church.

Kurts pained and strained voice on this track from the Unplugged session – in heavy rotation on MTV in 1994 – gets me every time, especially considering a few months later it was all over.
This is the most beautiful cover version I've ever heard. The video clip is heartbreaking. I would've loved to have seen one of his shows, back in the day. An incredible performer with an equally amazing life; a real survivor, emotionally and physically. And indeed spiritually.

Like Mr Cash, Mr Mojorisin' too was pained and challenged throughout his all too short life...and unfortunately he succumbed. I am in love with this man, and his ideals and poetry, and would have been stood in awe at his...sorry, their!...most memorable concerts.

This song starts a collection of songs on the second side (remember when records had sides!?!) of JA's second album about the lead singer's friend, Xiola Blue, that died. I chose this one because of the most amazing solo by Dave Navarro – definitely in my top ten.

My dad sat me down when I was five or six years old and played me Led Zeppelin IV the whole way through, and I listened to every note with intensity. I was amazed, and hooked, and never looked back. I realised very much later that of course John Bonham had died only in the year or so before, and I always wondered whether my dad felt the same way about that as I did when Kurt Cobain took his own life.

So, enough of dead people! Lol! I really am quite fun to be around, honest! This band was introduced to me only very recently, and I immediately fell in lust with this bluesy, sexy groove and the singer's Plant/Cornell-like voice. A genuine play-it-loud song, hot wiggling in the kitchen, cooking like a goodun to this one is a must :-)

The frontman of this band went to my school and lives in my hometown...I was always convinced he stole my musical ideas! Their appeal to me is they can go from a spacey Pink Floyd-at-their-most-psychadelic mesh-of-synths-and-sounds kind of band, to a full-on thrash metal...often in the one song!

Now, I have seen this band a fair amount of times. Each show has been different but each has been fantastic. All of their songs have meaning for me...I've been into them since I was small. And they are headlining tonight and will be playing all of my favourites :-)

And we are ready! The Spanish omelette is too, and we eat it with the kale salad, talking excitedly about the wonderful night of truly fantastic entertainment ahead, then leave the dishes for the washing up fairy and head out into the warm night to the gig of the century...



So, from that incredible gig, my SO and I would definitely be hungry for something sweet, so these little babies would have been made the previous morning, too...and chilling in the green, super-efficient fridge for just this moment. Succulent, rich, and...dare I say playful...there's nothing like a hot drink, sweet dessert, and an awesome cuddle on the couch, talking about the superb music we'd just experienced.
Late Night Dessert
Chocolate Lover's Pudding with Raspberries

Personally I would not use the raspberries...fruiting up a chocolate dessert?! Some would say sacrilege lol ;-)

Thanks for spending the time with me today...if you like it I may return...should Red let me lol ;-) T

Note from Red...Thank you for doing such a great job Trustworthy..I've loved reading and listening to all the songs from the Almost Ultimate Gig..well all apart from Joy Division..lol. And great choices on the food too..you guys would have had the best evening all round, eh? lol
I hope that you will come back and do a regular spot for me...

Thanks ~R~




Friday, 22 June 2012

Fantasy Friday: Picnic in the Rain

Rocket & Roses HQ Play List:

Nelly & Tim McGraw ~ Over and Over
Idil Biret ~ Chopin: Nocturne#2 in E Flat. Op.9/2 CT 109
Eurythmics ~ Sweet Dreams
Pat Benetar ~ Promises In The Dark
Neil Diamond ~ What#s It Gonna Be
Natalie Clein ~ Brahms: Cello Sonata #1 in E minor,Op.38-1
Justin Timberlake ~ FutureSex/LovesSound
Natalie Clein ~ Schubert:Arpeggione Sonate in A Minor
Evanesence ~ Lithium
Nickelback ~ Cowboy Hat
Franz List Chamber Orch ~ Bach:Orchestral Suite #3 in D
Madison Avenue ~ Edible French Chic
Ocean Colour Scene ~ The Circle
Caro Emerald ~ You Don't Love Me
The Quireboys ~ Hey You
Black Robot ~ Shake A Leg

Fantasy Friday..sheesh..they come around so quick. But that's a good thing right? Because that means it's the weekend...wehoo! lol. But then I look out the window and it's pouring with rain and it's not so much a wehoo as a hoo. lol. Anyway reminding myself that I am one of those weird rain loving folks (although even I am getting a little fed up with it now!) I decide to work with the rain and factor it into my fantasy Friday theme.

So today I am catering for a Picnic in the Rain..nope..not a car picnic by the sea..although they can be fun. I'm thinking sat under massive tree in Normanby Park on camping chairs. The tree sheltering us from the rain, enough to get comfy and eat our lunch whilst watching and enjoying the rain around us. (Told you I liked the wet stuff!! I find it calming when it isn't coming through my old house's various roofs and other places..URGH! Anyway!Ahem!)

Normanby Park ~ Picture it raining..and a rain loving
freak camped out under one ot the trees with a picnic! lol
As it's raining and it will no doubt be cold the first selection would be a soup that could be enjoyed from one the fantastic soup flasks you can pick up quite cheaply now. The soup of choice would be...

Rocket and Roses Root Veggie & Thyme Soup
This soup is a good all rounder and keeps really well in a soup flask..it will warm the cockles of your heart and your extremities too! lol. It's comfort in a bowl..great for sipping whilst rain watching.


Colleen's Panini with Roasted Veggies & Lemon-Basil Pesto
This fantastic panini recipe is one of the many fabulous recipes from the kitchen of Colleen Patrick-Goudreau. I have made this many times and it works well with GF bread too..so if you are GF no fear..you can still enjoy this. I make the roasted veggies a day before so assembly is really easy on the day. And they keep well and don't get soggy like some sandwiches can. And they are just as delicious cold as they are straight from the griddle.

So drinks for this affair would be for me..as ever..water! Don't I know how to have fun, eh? lol. But I would also have with me hot water to make herbal teas or coffees. Desserts would most likely be fruit of some kind..but after the soup and Panini I'm not sure we'd have room..lol.



So there you have it..the picnic in the rain..under a magnificent old tree for shelter. After the picnic I would probably pull out my current reading book and enjoy some quiet time hidden under the tree..just lovely! lol.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your Friday is less rainy and full of sunshine for you..

~R~


Friday, 15 June 2012

Fantasy Friday: Dinner with D

R & R HQ Play List:

Tom Jone & Jools Holland ~ Mess of the Blues
Sub Sub ~ Ain't No Love, Ain't No Use
Meshell Ndegeocello ~ Who Is He and What Is He To You?
Luke Morley ~ Sacred Cow
Melissa Etheridge ~ Kiss Me
Shania Twain ~ I'm Jealous
Roy Orbison ~ Claudette
Dire Straits ~ Romeo & Juliet
Count Basie ~ After Supper
Stevie Wonder ~ Light My Fire
The Pretenders ~ Middle of the Road
David Bowie ~ China Girl
Yahiya Emerick ~ In The Kasbar
Dani Wilde ~ Some Kinda Crazy

It quickly became Fantasy Friday again, huh? Where did the week go? lol. So this week I have decided to invite my lovely pal D for dinner...as B & ML have gone in search of a Fish Restaurant. As D is the other lovely vegan in the gang, it will be a pure pleasure cooking for us both. I get to use spices and nuts and flavours galore..(sorry ML but it is a truly exciting thought..lol) So I would leave D to choose the tunes for the evening whilst I go in the kitchen and put the final touches to the starter which would be....

Indian Loaf

This loaf is the perfect starter and cuts really easily so there are no collapsed offerings..lol. It also is great the next day as a sandwich/wrap filling. In fact it's one of those loaves that gets better the longer it is sat..and it's really tasty the day it's made..lol. I served mine with two Raitas and a Chutney. For the recipes for those click here

So onto the main course...


Nine-Jewelled Vegetables with Wholemeal Chapatis
I'm sorry for this photo..it really isn't good at all and really doesn't do this beautifully tasting dish any justice whatsoever. The mix of veggies used are sublime...the almost creamy sauce they are cooked in, is heady with flavour and texture. To serve this with rice or grain of any kind is just plain wrong...and we have tried it..it doesn't work. So a simple chapati used to scoop and soak up the sauces is just perfect. I would go as far as saying this is probably my most favourite Indian dish. And it's low fat too guys..without losing any of the flavour etc.

Now if you had any room for dessert after those two offerings...lol..not sure I would but I'm fairly certain D would..I guess I would go for something like this....

Plum Sorbet
I chose this dessert because for me, after a quite rich two first courses, I would appreciate the lightness of a sorbet plus it would be quite palate cleansing. The sorbet is a little powerhouse of flavour and although presenting it in little espresso cups looks stingy...believe me..a little of this sorbet goes a long way. lol.

Now the drinks for this dinner...for my lovely pal D..it would probably be some form of Indian Beer for her..and myself I would stick to my ever boring water..but would secretly covet her beer..lol.

By this point I think ML & B would be back from their fishy adventures..(strange folks but we love em anyway..lol)..and we would all settle in for coffee and tea..and some great friend time.

So there you have it..my Fantasy Meal for this Friday..a lovely meal with my lovely pal D...

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your Friday is being excellent to you...

~R~

Friday, 8 June 2012

Fantasy Friday: Summer Lunch

Lounge Play List:

Beulah ~ Mabel & I Album

The view from my window today is gloomy and damp...and it makes me cross because it's Friday..that awesome day before the weekend comes and brings us family, fun and chaos. So I started to think..what would I do if I could do anything today? And came up with so many things it was a little bonkers..lol. And whilst I was sat smiling at the many options, I was reminded of a question asked of me by a reader last year. I answered her via email but decided that writing a blog posting about it could be quite fun..so Sally..this one is for you lovely.

Q: If you were hosting a fantasy lunch..who would you invite and what food would you serve?

So my lunch would be served on a bright sunny day..lol And it would be outside in the garden so we could all enjoy the sun and the fresh air. The picture I have in my head is something a little like this...

Nice setting, eh?
So my guest list would be a mix of loved ones and fantasy lunch guests lol. Well if we are going all out fantasy I'm taking full advantage of it..lol. To cater for the masses is not a big deal for me so my table would be set for 21 people..yes..21! And on the guest list would be:

Loved Ones                

My Love  ~ Co host              
Mum  ~ artist and lovely person                    
G  ~ wouldn't be a party without my sister       
Gr ~ lovely kid brother               
D ~ much loved pal and no party is complete without her
B ~ much loved pal ~ her smile and laughter are essential                           
Phil ~ the lovely man and friend                       
H ~ pen pal and how could I pass up the chance to meet her?                
V ~ pen pal's lovely hubby..would be great to meet him too!                    
A ~ much loved pal..                           

Fantasy Guests

Freddie Mercury ~ My choice..because it's Freddie!!
Lindsay Wagner ~ My choice..actress and excellent vegan.. 
Slash ~ My choice..Rock god..need I say more?
Emma Thompson ~ ML's choice...just because
Eddie Izzard ~ How could I not invite him?
Katherine Hepburn ~ ML's choice..who would wear a silly smile..lol
Stephen Fry ~ Choice of both..because it's Mr Fry..silly!
J.R.Ward ~ My choice ~ Author..So many questions for her..lol
Shakira ~ My choice ~ Singer/Songwriters/Human Rights/Goddess
Douglas Adams ~ ML's choice ~ author of sci fi books..apparently lol

Oh! and me...lol Always forget to put myself on the guest lists..ah well. In a very shaded part of the garden would be table laid out with fruit juices, waters and summer alcoholic beverages so as people arrived, they could just help themselves to drinks whilst I put the finishing touches to the meal.

When the food is at the final stages I would dispatch ML to ask the guests to take a seat at the table and everyone would be welcome to sit where they wanted..except Freddie and Lindsay..lol They would sit either side of me..lol Hey cooks privilege!..I always sit at the end of the table as I'm the one getting up and down so much..lol.

The music would be a sunny day play list played via my iPod...with songs and music that would help everyone feel relaxed and happy.

So to the food...for this lunch I would go for a Thai inspired menu..along the length of the table there would bowls of freshly made salads for everyone to help themselves to..but the starter would come in the form of a very light soup..

Beansprout & Lettuce Soup
This soup has a beautiful flavour and is light so it's the perfect start to a special lunch..the next course would consist of two parts..a Thai inspired salad and some Dipping Patties in Lettuce cups..for recipes for both...click here

Thai Peanut, Potato & Tofu Bites in Lettuce Cups
with Sweet Chilli & Garlic Dipping Sauce
Thai Broccoli, Red Pepper and Sesame Salad
When we first tried the patties we were stunned by how good they were..but as these recipes are all Linda Majzilk's from A Vegan Taste of Thailand..I have no idea why we were surprised..lol.

Thai Mixed Vegetable & Tofu Curry
And for those with hearty appetites there would be large bowls of the above curry passed around, to enjoy with steamed rice. For desserts there would fresh fruits and berries for those needing a sweet hit...and much later there would be some lemon cupcakes to enjoy..light and refreshing..as I know my Loved Ones guests would need a cupcake later in the day..lol

The afternoon would pass so quickly no doubt and I would hope to have talked with all the fantasy guests and hope everyone had had a great afternoon...

Who would be on your fantasy lunch party list? What food would you serve???

Thanks for stopping by and sharing in my Fantasy Friday: Summer Lunch...I hope your Friday is being very kind to you and I hope you have sunshine...

~R~