Monday, 21 March 2011

Monday Movies.

INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS

A young Jewish refugee, Shosanna Dreyfus (Melanie Laurent), in Nazi occupied France, witnesses the slaughter of her family by the German officer Hans Landa (Cristoph Waltz). She manages to escape but plots her revenge. A few years later the war hero Frederick Zoller (Daniel Bruehl)takes an interest in her and insists on screening an illustrious movie at the theatre she now runs. Knowledge of the German officers being at the event reaches the "Basterds", who are a group of Jewish-American guerilla soldiers led by Lt Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt). The paths of the relentless executioners and the conspiring young girl cross to shake the history that everyone knows on that fateful evening.

It was quite an enjoyable movie even though there was quite a bit of blood and gore (although I don't actually mind a bit of blood and gore. I loved the way that such a horrible subject, the Nazis was handled with humour. I would reccomend that you see this movie.

Friday, 18 March 2011

Food on Fridays.

PORK STROGANOFF

Serves 4

750 g Pork shoulder
2 tablespoons butter
3 onions sliced
Salt and pepper
1 cup beef stock
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons soy sauce

Cut pork into strips. Melt butter and quickly brown pork all over. Add onions, salt and pepper and cook until browned. Stir in beef stock and tomato paste. Cover with a tight fitting lid and cook gently until tender, about 25 minutes.
Stir in sour cream and soy sauce and reheat gently. Serve with rice and crusty bread.

Monday, 14 March 2011

Monday Movies

TOMORROW WHEN THE WAR BEGAN

A group of seven teenage friends from a small Australian country town go on a camping trip into the bush to get away from civilisation. While they are away they see military aircraft flying overhead but think nothing of it.  When they get back to their homes they discover that Australia has been invaded by another country. The teenagers then decide, despite their lack of training, to band together to fight the enemy and defend their country.

This was a good movie and it was great to see some great Australian talent. However I am a reader and I have read this book and the rest in the series, and I believe that some of the changes didn't really add anything to the movie. But I would recomend that you see it.

Friday, 11 March 2011

Food on Friday.

PAD THAI

Serves 2-3
250 g dried rice noodles
1/4 cup fish sauce
1/4 cup sweet chilli sauce
2 teaspoons peanut butter
3 tablespoons safflower oil
1 tablespoon tamar10ind sauce (optional)

3 garlic cloves crushed
1-2 red chillies seeded and finely chopped
1 chicken breast fillet finely sliced
10-12 green prawns peeled tails left in tact
2 eggs lightly beaten
2 spring onions finely sliced
100 g bean sprouts
1/2 cup coriander chopped
1/2 cup chopped peanuts
lime wedges to serve
extra sweet chilli sauce to serve

Place the noodles into a large heatproof bowl, cover with boiling water and soak for 10 minutes. Combine fish sauce, sweet chilli sauce and peanut butter; set aside.

Heat the oil in a large wok, and add the tamarind sauce if using. Stir fry the garlic, chillies, chicken and prawns over high heat for about 3 minutes until cooked through. Add the eggs and stir fry until just set and kind of scrambled.

Add the noodles and sauce mixture to the wok, and stir fry for 1 minute until well combined. Toss through most of the spring onions, bean sprouts, coriander and peanuts reserving some for garnish.

Serve topped with the reserved ingredients, with lime wedges and extra sweet chilli sauce on the side.

Monday, 7 March 2011

Monday Movies.

INCEPTION

Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is skilled at extraction, or the art of stealing secrets from the subconscious through dreams. He is so well known as a master of extraction that he is coveted in the world of corporate espionage, and for this reason he is a fugitive. Cobb is given the opportunity of redemption if  he can pull off the impossible - inception, or the planting of idea into someone's subconcious. He pulls together a team specialists to take the task. However at every move they are thwarted by an enemy that seems to predict their every move.

I found this a really interesting movie, a lot of mind blowing concepts. I thoroughly enjoyed it though. I especially enjoyed the substory about Dom and his wife. It was a little hard to follow what was going on all the time but that added to the interest. I would reccomend that you see it.

Friday, 4 March 2011

ABC TV Recording.

Yesterday I went to the ABC for the recording of Jennifer Byrne Presents...Fantasy and First Tuesday Book Club. It was a really interesting experience. It was cool to see how television programs are recorded.
There was a bit of a techinical difficulty before the first program so it started late. But it was fun to here all the conversations between the panellists in the programs while they were waiting. It was a really enjoyable day.

Food on Friday.

MUSTARD BAKED CHICKEN

Serves 4

4 large of 8 small chicken pieces
4 tbsp butter, melted
4 tbsp mild mustard
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp paprika
3 tbsp poppy seeds
400 g dried pasta shells
1 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper

1. Arrange all the chicken pieces in a single layer in a large ovenproof dish.

2. Mix the butter, mustard, lemon juice, sugar and paprika together in a large bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper. Brush the mixture  over the upper surfaces of the chicken pieces and bake in a pre-heated oven at 200C for about 15 minutes.

3.Remove the dish from the oven and carefully turn the chicken pieces over with tongs. Coat the upper surfaces of the chicken with the remaining mustard mixture, then sprinkle the chicken pieces with poppy seeds. Return to the oven for a further 15 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, bring a large pan of lightly salted water to the boil over a medium heat. Add the pasta shells and oil and cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until tender, but still firm to the bite.

5. Drain the pasta thoroughly and transfer to 4 warmed serving plates. Top the pasta with 1or 2 of the chicken pieces, pour over the sauce and serve immediately.

Tuesday, 1 March 2011

A bit of Australian Sarcasm!

My mum found these when she was looking for information on sarcasm for her students and I just had to share:

These questions about Australia were posted on an Australian


Tourism Website and obviously the answers came from fellow Aussies.



1. Q: Does it ever get windy in Australia? I have never seen it

rain on TV, so how do the plants grow? (UK)

A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around

watching them die.



2. Q: Will I be able to see kangaroos in the street? (USA)

A: Depends how much you've been drinking.



3. Q: I want to walk from Perth to Sydney - can I follow the

railroad tracks? (Sweden)

A: Sure, it's only three thousand miles, take lots of water...



4. Q: Is it safe to run around in the bushes in Australia? (Sweden)

A: So its true what they say about Swedes.



5. Q: It is imperative that I find the names and addresses of

places to contact for a stuffed porpoise. (Italy)

A: Let's not touch this one.



6. Q: Are there any ATMs (cash machines) in Australia? Can you send

me a list of them in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville and Hervey Bay? (UK)

A: And your last slave died of........?



7. Q: Can you give me some information about hippo racing in

Australia?(USA)

A: A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent

south of Europe.Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the

pacific which does not... oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is every

Tuesday

night

in Kings Cross. Come naked.



8. Q: Which direction is North in Australia? (USA)

A: Face south and then turn 180 degrees. Contact us when you get here

and we'll send the rest of the directions.



9. Q: Can I bring cutlery into Australia? (UK)

A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.



10. Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys' Choir schedule? (USA)

A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y,

which is...oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday

>night in Kings Cross, straight after the hippo races. Come naked.



11. Q: Do you have perfume in Australia? (France)

A: No, WE don't stink.



12. Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of

youth.Can you tell me where I can sell it in Australia? (USA)

A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.



13. Q: Can I wear high heels in Australia? (UK)

A: You are a British politician, right?



14. Q: Can you tell me the regions in Tasmania where the female >

population is smaller than the male population? (Italy).

A: Yes, gay nightclubs.



15. Q: Do you celebrate Christmas in Australia? (France)

A: Only at Christmas.



17. Q: Are there supermarkets in Sydney and is milk available all

year round? (Germany)

A: No, we are a peaceful civilisation of vegan hunter/gatherers.

Milk is illegal.



18. Q: Please send a list of all doctors in Australia who can

dispense rattlesnake serum. (USA)

A: Rattlesnakes live in A-meri-ca which is where YOU come from. All

Australian snakes are perfectly harmless, can be safely handled and make

good pets.



19. Q: I have a question about a famous animal in Australia, but I

forget its name. It's a kind of bear and lives in trees. (USA)

A: It's called a Drop Bear. They are so called because they drop

out of gum trees and eat the brains of anyone walking underneath them. You

can scare them off by spraying yourself with human urine before you

go out walking.



21. Q: I was in Australia in 1966 on R+R, and I want to contact the

girl I dated while I was staying in Kings Cross. Can you help? (USA)

A: Yes, and you will still have to pay her by the hour.



22. Q: Will I be able to speek English most places I go? (USA)>

A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first.

Monday, 28 February 2011

Monday Movies

LIFE AS WE KNOW IT.

Holly Berenson (Katherine Heigl) and Eric Messer (Josh Duhamel) are set up on a blind date by married friends Peter ( Hayes Macarthur) and Alison (Christina Hendricks) Novak. After Peter and Alison are killed in a car accident, Holly and Messer find out that they have been named legal guardians for Sophie the one year old daughter of Peter and Alison. When Holly and Messer move into the Novaks house to honour their friends wishes, they discover how much they do not get along and the commitment it takes to bring up a child.

The ending is once again predictable and it is an enjoyable movie however I would probably not see it again, I would though say that it is not a bad movie to watch.

Friday, 25 February 2011

Food on Friday.

CALIFORNIAN SALAD

Serves 6

1 small lettuce
3 small tomatoes
1 green capsicum
6 spring onions
6 radishes
1/2 avocado
1/2 cucumber

Vinaigrette dressing
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 small clove garlic
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
salt and pepper


Wash lettuce in cold water to remove dirt. Use a salad spinner or wrap in a tea towel and whirl over your head to dry.
Tear the leaves into smaller pieces and place in a salad bowl.
Cut capsicum in half lengthwise and discard steam and seeds.
Thinly slice cucumber and radishes.
Chop onions and slice peeled avocado, add vegetables to the slad bowl.
Crush garlic into a small screwtop jar, and add a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Add mustard, lemon juice and oil. Put the lid on and shake.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss it all together gently with salad servers.

Monday, 21 February 2011

Monday Movies

So this is another new regular feature that I am adding to my blog. It will be a review of a movie that I have seen sometime in my life. It will most likely be a recent one but sometimes it may be one that I have seen a while ago.

MORNING GLORY

Becky Fuller (Rachel McAdams) is fired from her job as a producer of a local Morning Television show, and lands a job producing a failing national show. To turn around the ratings Becky brings in news reporter man, Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford) to co-host with Colleen Peck (Diane Keaton). Becky struggles to keep the hosts in order so that the show doesn't completely fail, while falling for Adam Bennett (Patrick Wilson), the news producer.
I would highly reccomend this movie, and not just because of Patrick Wilson, although the ending is a little  predictable. I found it highly enjoyable and would watch it again.

Friday, 18 February 2011

Food on Friday.

EDINBURGH SHORTBREAD

250 g Butter
1/2 cup caster sugar
2 1/4 cups plain flour
1/2 cup rice flour


Cream butter and sugar. Gradually add flour and work with hands into a smooth creamy ball.
Press out on baking paper lined oven trays to form 2 x 20 rounds, 1 cm thick. Pinch a frill around the edge and mark lightly into 8 wedges. Pierce all over with a fork.
Bake in a moderately slow oven 20 minutes until a pale straw colour. Cool slightly then cut through the straw lines.

Friday, 11 February 2011

Food on Friday

HONEY-ICED COFFEE CAKE

Serves 8 - 10
3 teaspoons instant coffee powder
1 tablespoon hot water
125 g chopped butter ar room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla essence
3/4 cup of brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup self raising flour
1/4 cup of custard powder
1/3 cup of milk

Honey Icing
30 g butter
1 teaspoon instant coffee
3 teaspoons hot water
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 cup icing sugar, sifted

Preheat the oven to 180C. Grease a 20 cm ring tin with melted butter, and line the base with non stick baking paper. Dissolve the coffee in the hot water and combine in a large bowl with the butter, vanilla essence, sugar and eggs. Sift flour and custard powder into the bowl and add the milk.

Using electric beaters, beat on low speed until the ingredients are combined, then increase speed to medium. Beat for about 3 minutes until very smooth and lighter in colour. Spoon into the prepared tin.

Bake for about 30 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean when inserted into the cake. Stand for 5 minutes before turning onto a rack to cool.

When cold transfer to a serving plate and spread with the icing.

To make the honey icing melt the butter, then stir in combined water and coffee, the honey, vanilla essence and half the icing sugar. Gradually stir in the remaining iceing sugar to mix a spreadable consistency

Friday, 4 February 2011

Food on Friday

I have decided to add some regular features to my blog to make it more interesting and more regular. So the first one I have decided to implement is Food on Friday, basically on Fridays I will add a recipe.

PASTICCIO (Greek lasagne)

Serves 6

225 g dried fusilli or other short pasta shapes
4 tbsp double cream
salt and pepper
fresh rosemary sprigs to garnish

Sauce

2 tbsp olive oil plus extra for brushing
1 onion sliced thinly
1 red capsicum deseeded and chopped
2 garlic cloves chopped
625  g lean minced beef
400 g can chopped tomatoes
125 ml dry white wine
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
50 g can anchovy fillets, drained and chopped

Topping

300 ml natural yoghurt
3 eggs
pinch freshly grated nutmeg
55 g freshly grated Parmesan Cheese.

1. To make the sauce, heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and capsicum and fry for 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the beef and cook stirring until browned.

2. Add the tomatoes and wine,stir well and bring to the boil over a medium heat Simmer for 20 minutes or until the sauce is fairly thick. Stir in the parsley and anchovies. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

3. Bring a large pan of lightly salted water to the boil over a medium heat. Add the pasta and cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until tender but still firm to the bite. Drain then transfer to a bowl. Stir in the cream and reserve.

4. To make the topping beat the yoghurt with the eggs and nutmeg until well mixed and season to taste.

5. Brush a large shallow ovenproof dish with oil. Spoon in half the pasta mixture and cover with half the meat sauce. Repeat these layers, then spread the topping over the final layer. Sprinkle the parmesan cheese on top.

6. Bake in a preheated oven at 190C for about 25 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and bubbling. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and serve.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, 18 January 2011

The Tap Man.

So on Saturday we had a sausage sizzle for the community at the front of our church. There is a building across the road that has a tap on the side. Now there was a homeless guy hanging out across the road where the tap was. This guy decided that he needed to turn the tap on full blast. My mother saw the tap was on and went and turned it off. Then the homeless turned it back on again. So another guy from our church went and turned it off. This kept happening the homeless man would turn it on then we would turn it off. Eventually we used a wrench to turn it off and he couldn't turn it on again.
The next day I had to go up the street and on my way back I came across the tap man. He tried to talk to me. But he was not speaking English so I could not understand what he was saying.