Dish it up for Father’s Day!

This week …

Spring is upon us! Yes, there’s still a bit of rain to fall, but hopefully not much this Sunday so all the father’s in the land – and in other lands where they celebrate such a thing – can enjoy the day. The way to a man’s heart (corny, but still true, and obviously, to a woman’s heart as well!), is through the stomach, so sock it to him and cook up a feast.

I love these mushroom burgers – big and hearty, loads of flavour, juicy and crunchy, and just the ticket for a special home lunch or early dinner. Follow them with an apple and blueberry crumble and you’ll make everyone very happy. I don’t know what it is about the combination of ingredients in this crumble – maybe it’s the Brazil nuts and coconut – but it is so deeply delicious that I have had it for dinner, breakfast, dinner and breakfast for the last two days. Ain’t none left now though!

To a serious note, in memory of the people who lost their lives in the recent earthquake in Italy, and for those who lost loved ones or their homes, I have added Spaghetti all’Amatriciana to Shared Kitchen. Above all else the recipe shows a resourcefulness not often acknowledged in seemingly simple recipes, in how you can make a tasty, satisfying dish from few ingredients. In the aftermath of the earthquake’s devastation that resourcefulness will be very welcome.

What else? Oh yes, a few pics from last Sunday’s gathering at Te Matuku Oyster’s opening launch … And I came third in a poetry competition held on Waiheke recently, announced on the eve of NZ Poetry Day celebrated last Friday. Cool, aye! I’ve been asked to send out the poem to several people, but rather than do that I’ve put it up on Shared Kitchen. You are most welcome to have a read (or not!). Haha!

Have a good one.

Julie