Showing posts with label big green egg recipes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label big green egg recipes. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

The Shuttle Bus


My kids go to three different schools. Theoretically this shouldn't be such an issue especially since the two older ones are at High School and can catch the bus to and from school. You'd think... But it happens every morning and frequently in the afternoon as well. For a while there it was also happening during the day but I put a stop to that. Well until the younger ones get to High School and then we'll go through the training all over again. The mornings often involve one of them being so late heading out the door that if I don't drive him to the bus stop he will miss the bus. I find this infuriating. They usually get up with plenty of time to get ready so the only explanation for the out the door rush is some form of distraction which has diverted the teenage attention, which let's face it, isn't huge, and totally side-tracked him from getting ready for school. Aside from standing over them micro-managing their every movement, and quite frankly I have way more things to be getting on with, I really don't know what the answer is. I guess they'll grow out of it. Or they won't. The afternoons present a different set of challenges. One afternoon each week child number two must remember to take a different bus and take himself to piano lessons. He frequently forgets and I'll either get a phone-call from his piano teacher to say that he hasn't arrived or a text message from him to ask for a lift. Since my younger two children also go to the same piano teacher and I have had to collect them from school, bring them home for a quick snack then take them to piano only to collect all three 90 minutes later, I find the prospect of an additional trip hard to take. It takes a huge chunk out of an afternoon where I am normally getting dinner under way, bringing washing in and various other unfinished tasks. But the one I had to put a stop to was the text message during the school day with a plea to bring some item or another to school. Now the High Schools are not just around the corner. They are a good 20 minutes to half hour drive away which means giving up an hour of an already very short day for a mercy mission. This is one of those times where the opportunity presents itself to teach the lesson of taking responsibility for their own affairs and the consequences of not being on the ball. If they fail an assignment because it wasn't handed in on time, next time they'll make sure it is. If they miss out on swimming or sport because they forgot to pack they right equipment or clothing, next time they'll be better prepared. I know I'm a grumpy mummy but at least they eat well.

Tonight we are having burgers - a rare treat because I had the mince and was looking for something different from the usual Spaghetti Bolognese or Meatloaf. I add grated carrot, finely chopped onion, a whisked egg, some tomato paste and a little dijon mustard to the mince before making the patties.

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Friday, July 10, 2009

Last Day Of Term - Pumpkin Soup


It's the last day of term. School breaks up today for a two week break. We'll be able to get a bit more creative next week and the kids can give me a hand in not only the cooking but the meal selection as well. Could see some interesting choices. It will all depend how imaginative they are feeling. I know we usually just have pizza on Fridays but I'm really getting rather bored with that routine. So I've decided it's about time I did my special pumpkin soup. Its warming and creamy and delicious. The secret to my pumpkin soup is the extras I add to it. Strictly speaking it should be called Pumpkin, Potato, Carrot & Kumera Soup but that doesn't really roll off the tongue. So Pumpkin Soup it is. If I get started on peeling the veges now, before I head out for my weekly shop, it will be a cinch to pop it on and just let it simmer away while the girls are at dancing and soccer training. I just saw the most amazing thing on the web. I'm not sure how long it has been around but I'm guessing it's been in the US a little while. Of course, being summer over there it is absolutely the right time to launch a product like this.It's called the Big Green Egg and that's exactly what it looks like. It's kind of a cross between a Weber and a mexican chiminea. It's an enclosed charcoal griller that functions much like a slow combustion heater in that it burns fuel very efficiently. According to one site I came across, "the Big Green Egg is a ceramic grill derived from an ancient clay cooker. A smoker, a grill and an oven all in one, the ceramic walls preserve heat with accurate temperature control and no hot spots. The grill has received a cult like following since it was introduced in 1974. Devout fans of all ages call themselves "Eggheads"." So this thing has been around for a while so I'm wondering why we haven't seen it here in Australia yet. You'd think it would be a perfect market. Anyway, I'm off to make soup but if you need an escape to warmer climes maybe a holiday in Phuket is the answer.

Pumpkin Soup for a family of six

1 leek, white and a little of the light green part sliced
1kg approximately pumpkin peeled, seeded and cut into chunks
1 large carrot peeled and cut into chunks
1 small kumera (orange sweet potato) peeled and cut into chunks
1-2 potatoes
2 cups chicken stock
1 cup approx milk

In a large pot in a little butter or oil, gently saute the leek until soft. Add vegetables and stir until mixed with leek. Pour over enough stock to cover. Cover pan and simmer until vegetables are tender. Turn off heat and let cool slightly then blend in batches (make sure you keep your hand on top of the blender unless you want to change the colour scheme of your kitchen). Return soup to pan. Add enough milk until you have the colour and consistency you like. Reheat gently and season with salt and pepper.

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