Very proud of my great nephew Will (R) at his graduation parade from ADFA and his father, my nephew Tim (L) in Canberra – I love feeling short.
Welcome,
I have just returned from a couple of days in Canberra where my great nephew Will St Quintin had his Graduation parade from the Australian Defence Force Academy. He goes on to Duntroon next year. Very special as he is the son of my nephew and godson, Tim who is now a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve and an amazing army chaplain too. I have had very little experience of the military and it is wonderful to learn more and see their commitment. They are a wonderfully close family and, given my daughter Lucy and family live in Singapore, I am lucky to have them. My only claim to fame is having encouraged Tim in his appreciation of food and wine, something his whole family shares. I do explain that he is the son of my much older sister and Will calls me Fabulous (not Great) Auntie Lyndey. Great is far too aging! Though when we went out for at night we were on first name terms. Young people keep us young and I so enjoy their company and different view of the world.
I am really enjoying seeing friends pre-Christmas, being back in my home, blessed by mostly good weather and generally catching up. I’ve had some lovely lunches, dinners, drinks and theatre visits and am looking forward to going to the Messiah with my niece and close friend in the choir and a carol service. I find singing so uplifting. I am also working on not being stressed and over-committed with all the festivities. How many of us say that – but are we ever able to do it? You might like my Top Ten Tips to Make Christmas Day Easy.
I’ve been sharing more recipes on social media with the usual huge response and emails about my Mum’s boiled fruit cake. I included my Seafood Platter with Chimichurri Sauce and Chipotle Mayo. More recipes, tips and tricks below.
I also spoke with a journalist from Mindfood and there is an article in the December issue (with the fabulous Dame Helen Mirren on the cover) about dealing with loss. I’m looking forward to bringing some Christmas cheer, recipe and tips to the Morning Show on Channel 7 on 22 December.
News Flash I have just met with the fabulous Carol Prior from By Prior Arrangementand, after the success of this year’s tour, we are planning my next hosted tour to Morocco for either late October 2023 or April/May 2024. We are seeing expressions of interest to help us decide which timing works best for guests. If you have a penchant to discover magical Morocco with me please let me know which dates might suit you best? You can email me lyndey@lyndeymilan.com
Seafood platter with Chimichurri Sauce and Chipotle Mayo.
I was full of good intentions to get this out on Thursday but life got in the way.
Remember you can keep up-to-date with me onFacebookand Instagramor email me with any requests or comments.
Please eat and drink well, enjoy it all, and be happy and healthy – Lyndey x
Recipes of the week
AVOCADO SPRING
SALAD Spring may have gone, but this salad is still fabulous in the Summer months GET MY RECIPE HERE
SLABLOVA WITH STRAWBERRY CURD A fabulous shareable dessert, celebrating beautiful summer berries. GET MY RECIPE HERE
In the kitchen with Lyndey
Japanese Yakitori and Okonomiyaki
Perfect for finger food entertaining. The printed Yakitori recipe is hereandOkonomiyaki.
If you would like to see more of my videos, subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE.
Some little Christmas cakes
Little Christmas Cakes with Eggnog Buttercream.
Sometimes good things come in small packages. If you don’t want to cook a big cake for Christmas, here are some smaller alternatives which are also great as finger food for parties:
Here is another lovely book to keep and read. Part history, part food and such a wonderful insight into our culinary history as well as sharing wonderful recipes. Executive Chef Vanessa Harcourt is outstanding (also a wonderful mentor for Tasting Success, my female chef mentoring programme). The recipes from her and her catering team are wonderful, carefully tested and well-written. Vanessa is also NSW Restaurant and Catering Association 2022 Chef of the Year and has explained that the unique project came about during the COVID-19 lockdowns in NSW, as a way to engage the Parliament’s chefs in meaningful work, including testing recipes from their home kitchens. The book also explores how the Parliament used the lockdown to prepare meals for those in need through the food rescue organisation OzHarvest, providing approximately 180,000 meals between 2020 and 2022.
Beginning with an era when cows in The Domain parklands provided milk for Parliament, it explores the Parliament’s rich collection of art and artefacts and takes the reader on a fascinating journey through history, tracing the evolution of dining practices and food trends. Understandably some very famous people have dined there – Audrey Hepburn, Agatha Christie, Ernest Shackleton and royalty. However, for me, it was the hosting of my late friend Margaret Fulton’s 85th birthday which stands out. I was able to assist with some information there and was honoured to give the speech and toast to Margaret. I donated my signed copy of the menu to the wonderful Australian Culinary Archive which is underway at The Powerhouse Museum.
Dining at New South Wales Parliament can be purchased through the NSW Parliament’s online gift shop. It is hardback and at $49.99, great value.
Would you like to join me for experiences like the above? Then let me know when might suit you to join a hosted tour – late October 2023 or April/May 2024? No obligation just seeking expressions of interest. lyndey@lyndeymilan.com
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