Salmon Rillettes

This was going to be a soup post.

Sometimes things don't happen the way you plan them to. I saw this recipe and it got me craving salmon (not soup) even though soup would be the more appropriate thing to make at this time of the year.

But who cares about appropriate, really? Not when it comes to making something that tastes so lovely and makes you dream of longer days, chilled wine and lighter clothing. 

Roasted Balsamic Strawberry Scrolls

Thank you Queensland for sending us strawberries during winter. On behalf of New South Wales, I thank you. I know we have had some bitter rivalry lately - I don't care much for State of Origin but a win for the Blues might have been nice....for once, I guess (*shrug*). Still, I am sure we can get over it as long as you keep us well stocked in strawberries this winter. 

Lamb, Mint, Feta and Baby Spinach Gozleme

Whenever I go to a fete (fair) they are there. Whenever I go to the markets, they are there. Yes, those ladies in white, deftly rolling out the dough and topping it with spicy meat and other fillings before slapping it beside fifteen others on a searing hot plate. They are always there for you when you need it most, usually after spending way too much money on handmade jewellery and fisherman pants. It can be a juggling act to eat them; you are usually standing up because there are no tables or chairs to be seen and you have to hold the plate, hold your bag and your market haul and (here's the best bit) squeeze lemon over it. The lemon is a must. 

Those nimble fingered ladies are skilled in the art of gozleme; I want to be skilled in the art of gozleme! 

Let's see how I went with it...

Baked Beans with Speck

Sure, I could just open a can. 

I do open a can, I do all the time! But not this time. This time I decided to take it a little slower. 

I wanted to have home-made baked beans for Saturday morning breakfast. I've always wanted to make baked beans from scratch and finding a recipe in Matthew Evans' The Real Food Companion reminded me that I wanted, nay, needed to make them quick smart. 

This required some planning on my part, especially as I didn't have the beans ready on Friday for soaking while I was at work.