My Ray of Sunshine!

A ray of sunshine!

 I found him at the soccer stadium! Isn't he gorgeous.
I'm linking to Mellow Yellow...http://www.mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/. Please join me in visiting all the other 'yellow' posts.
You can click on the button on the right hand side of my blog.

See you
Shel

Sunday!

"Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading to its hope. It can really outlast anything." 1 Corinthians 13:7 (Phillips)

Have a blessed Sunday!
Shel

A 21st Tablescape.

Simply just can't stay away from my blog...
So much to get through other than being in blogland!
But I'm so inspired by the delightful tablescapes hosted by Susan  that I'm posting my Son's 21st tables that I created many moons ago!

It was a perfect evening, we hired the hall up the road from our home and in true South African style there was a huge "spitbraai" and groot makietjie was had by all!
Won't you join me in linking with Susan and all the other gorgeous tablescapes at http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/ or click on her button on the right hand side of my blog.

See you all soon!
Shel

Weekly Menu Plan: 19 - 23 July 2010

Weekly Menu for 19th July - 23 July. Blog for my use (no need to read this post if you like!)

Monday:

Poule au Pot
Ingredients
One fine, fresh free-range chicken

Turnips, onions and celery

One leek

Thyme, bay and parsley for a bouquet garni

Salt and pepper

250ml Cream

50g Butter

Plain white flour



Method

Poule au Pot is a really rich and decadent dish, but it's really simple to make and needs only really simple ingredients.
This classic dish is just root vegetables, onions and a bouquet garni and they all go into the pot with the chicken and cold water.
Simmered for a few hours, the chicken is beautifully poached and has a lovely flavour.
The poaching liquid is reduced and then turned into a sauce simply with cream or possibly a béchamel sauce which gets poured back over the meat.
So first of all the water goes in the pot and the chicken is placed in there while you slice the vegetables, turnips, onions, celery and a leek.
Make a little bouquet garni of thyme, bay leaf and flat leaf parsley and pop that in there.
Pack the vegetables in around the chicken and add a little salt and pepper, but not too much. You season it at the end when you are making the sauce.
Put the lid on and let it simmer for about two hours.
After that lift out the chicken, which is meltingly poached, and take out the vegetables as well.
Now you can reduce the liquid in the same pot.
Strain this now, because there are lots of bits of leek that are still floating in it.
The stock goes back on the heat and it's going to bubble away and reduce by about half before we put the cream in and finish off the dish.
While the fresh chicken stock is reducing, make a simple roux to finish the thickening process.
Start by melting some butter in a small, heavy cast iron pan, into which you sprinkle some plain white flour, and stir it around until the flour has been completely absorbed by the butter.
It's important that the flour is completely cooked before adding the stock.
Gently and slowly pour the stock onto the roux and then do the same with the cream.
Give it a good stir and there you have it: a lovely silky sauce to pour over the chicken.
It is a hit in my home and my pic doesn't do justice to the taste and aroma!

Tuesday!


Plain old spaghetti bolognaise and a delicious Baguette filled with garlic and herb butter.

Wednesday!

Cheddar and Bacon Quiche with a green salad.. quick and easy ... I've got a school meeting and a hungry family waiting for their dinner...always a hit in my home.



Thursday!
Family dinner at dad for his 72nd! Happy Birthday dear dad x




Friday! For Eddie...

Grilled Salmon Burgers with guacamole.
1 side raw salmon
burger rolls
Guacamole.
1 red onoin,finely chopped.
1 red pepper deseeded and finely chopped.
2 avocados,mashed
coriander to garnish
Method
Cut salmon into sizes to fit rolls and sear 1 minute either side,
Combine onion, red pepper and avo in a bowl and chill.
To serve, place guacamole and coriander on the bun and top with the salmon.
Serve immediately.
Delicious. A busy week ahead!
I'll see you soon!
Shel

A South African Steak Sandwich.

A simple Tulip in a fish bowl.... an awesome fire with local thornwood!...
And a scrumptious Steak Sandwich made with my favourite local Artisan's bread and a good piece of fillet!
All makes for a unforgetable Saturday evening!

I'm linking to http://www.designsbygollum.blogspot.com/ at Foodie Fridays with this post. It's the first time and I trust it will work. Please join me in browsing through this gorgeous site and all the other beautiful blogs that are linked.

Enjoy!

Shel

Sunday!

But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord's victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out there tomorrow, for the Lord is with you! 2 Chronicles 20:17 (NLT)

Tablescape Thursday! Honouring our Madiba!

On Sunday 18 July Nelson Mandela will celebrate his 92nd Birthday!

Happy Birthday to an inspirational man!

My tablescape is in honour of him...

When quoted on his favourite food, he replied:
"Koeksisters are my favourite: in 1941 I was paid 2 pounds and I reserved 10/- each weekend for koeksisters!"

I set a small table outside with my "out of Africa" odd crockery.

detail of my tablecloth....

And my Vuvuzelo on my chair!

I am linking to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch (I hope I can do this!) for the first time.
I so enjoy her beautiful blog..http://www.betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/  You can  click on her link in my side bar and see all the other gorgeous tablescapes that link for Tablescape Thursday...       Won't you enjoy them with me!  ......      and thank you Susan!
I am also linking to http://ladykatherineteaparlor.blogspot.com/ today.


See you soon!
Shel