Farewell Dinner

My last night here for now.

We usually plan a "farewell to the farm for now" dinner for just the two of us and last night was one of the best.

Smoked salmon as we watched the sun go down

Duck Confit that we bought in France in May last year. 

We were curious  to try this canned version from the supermarket, to see how it rated compared to the ones we had eaten in France or had bought on line here in cryovac.

It was excellent - and perfectly cooked by Mark. Crispy skinned, moist and meaty.

The potatoes from our garden I cooked in the duck fat - they were crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

The walnut oil dressing on our salad with apples and walnuts had enough acid to cut the fattiness of the duck - so that each mouthful was perfectly balanced. 

Gluttons that we are we didn't stop there and why would we? 

There were 2 apple crumbles waiting for us to eat with the last of our homemade vanilla ice cream

 When I started this blog I didn't realise how much I would end up writing about food and what we grow, prepare and eat. 

 In our city life a good meal is also something we relish - but here, when we often are planning meals around the produce from our garden and when we have more time to spend putting a delicious meal together it is a passion.

It is always sad to leave here. I often wish the farm was closer to Sydney - but if it was it wouldn't be the same.  These two different countries gives us two completely different lives.

Farewell to my farmlife for now-will see you in Sydney next week!

Eating Well again

The last six weeks here has seen us enjoy tomatoes, pears, apples and potatoes from our garden prepared in a variety of ways.

Our favourite salad for this summer was the Hot and Hot Fish Club Tomato Salad.

 This was served to most of guests during August. When you are on a winner....

Our presentation got better each time.

Layers of a variety of heirloom tomatoes which had been  bathed in a balsamic dressing, sitting on top of blacked eyed peas and sauteed corn, drizzled with a lemon chive dressing and garnished with cherry tomatoes and basil and a rasher of crisp bacon placed strategically on its crown.

To die for.

Can't wait to go to the restaurant in Birmingham Alabama - Mark swears that their shrimp and grits are the best.

Happy Anniversary

It's our 9th wedding anniversary today.

We both feel like our life is a continual celebration.

Tonight a  bottle of champagne and some smoked salmon and scallops was on the menu.

Simple, sensual and delicious

You can't go wrong.

And we had a beautiful sunset.

Sunday birthday lunch

We love a good long Sunday lunch on the farm.

We love them in Sydney too - but we are not as limited in space here and we can move  in and outside depending on the weather.

It was a significant birthday week for Chrissy,  so we gathered some friends here to help her celebrate on this side of the world.

On the menu

Photo by Steve Adams

Some sparkling brut rose from California to start accompanied by smoked salmon blinis 

outside on the patio

A goat cheese salad

Rack of lamb in the dining room

 

Accompanied by potato gratin, green beans and almonds and this corn and tomato salad

The gorgeous guest of honour with her signature Summer Pudding

Photo by Steve Adams

A group photo outside, between storms and sunshine

Photo by Steve Adams

And finally, the sign of a good party

Too many glasses to wash.

Last of the summer corn

Tonight we ate some fresh sweetcorn grown by our friends Steve and Dawn.  

Possibly the last that we will get our hands on this summer.

This recipe for Roasted Corn Risotto is one I have cooked on both sides of the world for a quite a few years.  It is one of my favourites.  The corn's roasted sweetness- slight caramelised, the creamy stock and just cooked arborio rice is a fresh and summery version of a traditional comfort food meal.

I would never have attempted this if it was a hot night - but at 80F with a fresh breeze we have had a perfect afternoon and it tempted me to the stove to stir my rice and stock, accompanied by a glass of a wine - a classic Californian chardonnay. What a match! And perfect later with the risotto.

Our verdict, the last of the summer corn is the sweetest.

Fried Green "Tomay-toes"

Following on from my recent post on local specialties -
I had some fried green tomatoes on my recent trip into Kentucky.  These are a regional specialty of the Southern states.  

The idea of them has appealed to me since I read the book and saw the movie, 

Fried Green Tomatoes (at the Whistle Stop Cafe) many moons ago. 

(Must read/see that again while I am here)

I had them a while back on a visit to Memphis and at the time I felt they were a bit heavy on the oil, without much real flavour.  I thought perhaps that was what green tomatoes must taste like - but it didn't match with what I had read or imagined and I had no interest in tasting an uncooked green tomato.

They are not readily available in Illinois or Missouri so when I saw them on the menu at Shandies in Paducah as Fried Green Tomato Crisps - pickled green tomato with pink peppercorn ranch dressing- I immediately knew I had to have them again.

We shared a plate of these tasty morsels - the tang of the pickling really elevated their flavour, there was a  crunch of, I think, cornmeal in the batter and they were light in spite of being fried and dipped in the dressing. I think the pickling was the key. 

I have been researching recipes and will give them a try soon.  

We have plenty of green tomatoes at the moment.

Local specialities

Food,  being one of my major interests in life,  is one of the many pleasures I enjoy when travelling to other places. 

I thought it would be fun to do a series on local specialities served here in the Mid West, in Sydney and other destinations I happen to be in.

Starting with a local speciality - on the shelf at Rural King in Illinois.

Somethings take more courage to eat than others.

I am not sure about these. Has anyone tasted them?