Wagyu beef burger

A great way to enjoy a really good burger is to start with high quality ground beef -- it's also a more economical way of enjoying good tasting beef such as the Angus and Wagyu variates.


So once you're on a roll with a premium pattie, choose a good bread that won't turn into pink dough when you're holding onto your burger and look for a red, ripe and juicy tomato.


Slice half an onion.


And cook it with the patties on a non-stick frying pan.


When the meat is cooked (takes about 15 minutes on a medium flame), assemble your burger and enjoy!

Finishing touches

Here's the finishing touches to our inner-city character apartment. Although I'd call the style minimalist more than contemporary (as I did in earlier posts).


A curious looking jug used as a vase looks great on the bathroom window sill. Local and in-season cut flowers shouldn't set you back more than $5 and in my opinion a better investment (to your mood) than ornaments that clutter (and irritate).


Empty bottles make great candle holders and intricate subjects to draw after the wax has melted over.

Growing herbs

I started growing herbs when the price of basil shot up to $5 at the markets. That's just ridiculous. After all, it does grow like a parasite in a sunny spot with some good soil.


I started growing my herbs from seeds but you can start with a juvenile plant.


In a sunny spot by on the kitchen window sill the seeds kept sprouting, and sprouting. Here, I'm transplanting them into individual pots made from recycled aluminum cans with holes punches in the bottom for drainage.


Now, they should start growing faster with less root and light competition.


The parsley plants are growing just as well.

With a little TLC and clean water, I'll have my own herbs in no time.

Lamb shanks

Lamb shanks are not the best way to keep in shape over the summer but as a Sunday (early) dinner (and skip brunch) with an activity planned for the evening — even a small walk, are A-okay.


Marinate the lamb shanks with rosemary, bay leaves, salt, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil (to make the marinades stick) in a roasting tray overnight.

The next day, roast the shanks in a 100 degree oven for 3 hours.


1/2 hour before the shanks are ready, sweat a leak in a pan by cutting the white part of the stalk into small rings and saut in a pan with butter. Then simmer on low with the lid down until soft. Season.


When the shanks are ready serve them with the leeks and Kumara mash, or peas, whatever you fancy.

Oven roasted bream

Eating more fish is a great way to stay in shape for summer. And if cooking fish is new territory for you, make friends with your local fish monger and I'm sure he'll help you along. I've never met one who didn't.


Buying fish whole is a great way to get the freshest fish. Make sure the eyes are clear and the gills are red (not brown) and its flesh springs back up after you (gently please) poke it.

Ask your fishmonger will de-scale and gut it for you.


Cut up some vegetables and a whole clove of garlic in half and arrange them around your fish in a roasting tray. Place lime, or lemon slices on the fish and you can even season it with sweet paprika, or any spice you fancy and have handy in the pantry. The back of the label usually lets you know if it will go well with fish.


Drizzle with olive oil and roast in a 180 degree oven for 45 mins or till cooked — I usually take a fork and test the flesh in the middle.

Authentic hummus

Authentic hummus is one of the easiest things to make. It's a great snack or can be eaten as a light meal. Once you've made your own, you'll never buy the vinegary supermarket rubbish ever again.

Here's what you do;


In a pot; fry diced onion and chopped garlic till fragrant.


Add one can of chickpeas, as well as the brine, and 2 tbsp of tomato paste. Simmer for 5-10 minutes.


Throw in chopped coriander and red chillies and sit aside.


To make little pancake wraps, combine 1 cup of plain flour in a bowl with tbsp of water and mix into a ball of dough. Sit it in the fridge for 20-30 mins, split the dough into 8 equal portions and roll out pancakes. Fry them on a pan with a drizzle of olive oil and viola.


You can mush the hummus up, but why would you?

Custom dining table

Customizing our dining table took a little work. I had my heart set on a Balinese style bench table, although that style of furniture was going to be a distinct no-no if we were to pull of a more sophisticated look — so when I told Joe my idea for customizing a bench dining table, he was all for it.

Spaghetti aglioo olio pepperoncino

I was contemplating making something fancy, impressive, different, the other night. Then I thought about my stomach and realized I wasn't in the mood for something strange and exotic with twenty ingredients.

So I called my mother and here's what she told me to do:


All you need: olive oil, chilli flakes, garlic, spaghetti.


Slice and fry garlic in olive oil.


Cook pasta in plenty of boiling water till al dente.


Drain pasta, toss in olive oil, fried garlic and chili flakes. Viola!

Farm-style roast

I found a great way to get a crispy skin roast chicken.

Basically; pan fry the whole chicken and pour flaming brandy over it before roasting.

You can also use the juices at the bottom of the roasting tray to make a gravy.


Pan fry the whole chicken.


Take your time to brown the sides as well.


Transfer the chicken to a roasting tray with potatoes, onions, bay leaves, garlic and a splash of red wine.


Roast the chicken at 190C for 1 1/2 hr. Longer if you like bigger chickens. Make sure the juices run clear.


Plate and serve with your favourite, in-season side vegetables.

Bruschetta

Tomatoes, Olive oil, Salt, Pepper, Herbs (whatever you have on hand - basil, parsley, dried oregano).

Rub garlic on toasted bread (whatever you fancy). Viola!

Breakfast, office lunch, dinner entré — you will love this.


In a bowl: combine tomatoes, olive oil, herbs, salt & pepper.


Toast bread and rub a clove of garlic over one side and watch it melt like butter.


Top toast with tomatoes and enjoy!

Japanese-style curtains and wall deco

Here's a great way to dress up a window using craft fabrics with Japanese prints and patterns. Japanese style curtains are simple flaps that tend to sit higher than the actual length of the sill (or doorway).



Intended to create atmosphere; you can widen, shorten and/or lengthen the fabric depending on how much privacy you desire.

Here's how to sew Japanese-style curtains by hand:



Another great deco idea for your walls is a simple drawing.

Everyone remembers high school art classes and their frustrated sketches of everyday and seemingly simple objects. You may think you've already forgotten what how to draw but actually; the secret was some logical observation plus patience all along.

Try it out for a relaxing activity and frame your work. Even if you're not feeling convinced at the end of the activity, just remember, "Art can be anything".


If you really want to learn how to draw: find an art class nearby and take a short course.


I quickly learnt drawing was a more technical skill acquired through careful observation rather than inbound talent I originally thought.


The sketch looked quite stunning framed simply and hung modestly in a corner.