AUSSIE BURGER #No18

INGREDIENTS:

·         500g beef mince

·         1 red onion, finely chopped

·         4 WeetBix, crushed

·         Teaspoon of mixed herbs

·         1 tablespoon tomato sauce

·         3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

·         1 egg, lightly beaten

·         1 tablespoon olive oil

·         large slices tasty cheese

·         rashers bacon, rind removed, halved crossways

·         hamburger buns, split,

·         1/3 cup whole-egg mayonnaise

·         iceberg lettuce leaves,

·         tomatoes, thinly sliced

·         sliced canned beetroot

You can also have pineapple – I opted out.

Method:

1.    Combine mince, red onion, Weet-Bix, herbs, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, egg and salt and pepper in a large bowl. Using clean hands, shape mixture into four 2cm-thick patties. Place on a plate. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

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2.    Preheat oven to 150°C. Heat oil in a large, non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Cook patties for 3 minutes each side or until almost cooked through.

3.    Transfer patties to a baking tray. Top with cheese. Place in oven for 5 minutes or until cheese melts.

4.    Meanwhile, add bacon to pan. Increase heat to high and cook for 2 minutes each side or until crisp.

5.    Spread hamburger bun bases with mayonnaise. Top with lettuce, tomato, beetroot, pineapple, patties and bacon. Cover with bun tops. Serve with a flag!

 

FROM: http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/519/aussie+burgers

Mango & Prawn skewers #No18

I adapted this recipe to create my own!

INGREDIENTS: 

·         1 crushed garlic clove,
·         1 tbsp parsley
·         King prawns
·         Mango

METHOD:

1. Cut a large mango into chunks. 
2. Thread each onto a small skewer with two large cooked prawn. 
3. Marinate the skewers and leave in a fridge for a few hours.
   

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4. Grill on BBQ or grill.

Adapted from: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/78605/savoury-party-bites

Australia Day Celebrations - #No18

When I think of Australia and food I think of barbeques and manly sport food such as pies and burgers. When I was in Australia, as a traveller, my food experience was based on price however I did manage to sample a far few native dishes. In the outback I ate camel con carne and a Kangaroo burger. Of course I also ate a live witchetty grub which actually has an almond taste to it. Meat was very important – steaks, burgers and pies. So this is what I decided to teach myself to cook for my first monthly recipe and host an Australia Day party for my friends.

I will now include the recipes and photos for each item, each thoroughly deserving its own post!

Below are some photos from the evening itself.

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See the full gallery on Posterous

 

1 down 29 to go! (#No14)

It’s been 16 days since turning 30 and although I have put a lot of plans in to place I hadn’t actually completed a challenge yet, so why not start with one of the worst? Confronting a fear was always going to be a tough one, but I had the thinking of get the hard ones out of the way. Get the pain over quickly, a bit like pulling off a plaster – fast with no hesitation. So this led to a text message being sent to a very good friend of mine asking if I could hold his snake! This prompted a reply where the clarification of what snake I wanted to hold was made clear! Then the day and time was set – no going back.

I am not sure where my fear of snakes comes from, but I have always had one, along with a fear of spiders and sheer drops (I know that one is crazy especially as I have managed to throw myself out of a plane and off the side of the mountain!). The glass floor of the spinnaker tower terrifies me! Anyway, snakes are unpredictable and fast and I think that is where the fear lies.

I decided not to tell anyone in case I bottled it and so it was I found myself walking through ice and snow to my friend’s house to confront my fear. Now my friends, Tom and Emily have had their snake Clippo, a corn snake for years, however my fear has been so much I have not even been able to look into her tank-thing.  I really was expecting a snake the size of a grass snake, so got a shock when Tom got her out. I know in the grand scheme of things she really wasn’t that big, actually quite small but when you are scared of something it really doesn’t matter how big or small it is! Immediately my heart began pounding as I watched her slither over Tom’s arms and wrap herself around his neck. There was no way I was going to do this. Eventually I managed to stroke her and was quite surprised at how squidgy and smooth she was. However stroking wasn’t enough and with a gradual hand over, Clippo soon made her way on to my arm. I am not going to lie, I was terrified.  She felt heavy yet fragile and I was worried I would hurt her. She was probably just as scared as me. However I did it, it might not have been for long and as you can see by the photographs it was definitely long enough! My thanks must go to Tom and Emily Duffell who were so patient and encouraging with me and allowing me to hold their snake. Also thank you Matthew Payne (@Mpayno04) for giving me the challenge of confronting a fear - I did it! However the star was Clippo who did not go anywhere near my face and did not poo on me – thank you Clippo!

I don’t know if I feel more confident around snakes, I definitely won’t be holding more any time soon. However I might actually be able to look into her tank to say hello and not be quite as scared. Confronting a fear is not easy, and it really is a mind over matter challenge; however it’s a challenge nonetheless. If this has inspired you to confront a fear then do it. The relief and exhilaration you feel afterwards is amazing, although it did take a while for my heart rate to slow and my legs to feel less like jelly. I do feel inspired myself to maybe have another go at the Spinnaker tower floor, well maybe.

So I am off the mark – 1 down and 29 to go!

 

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PS no flash on the camera - didn't want to upset Clippo!!

Things to help along the way!

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Thanks to some lovely friends and family, these items will help me with my #30things. Can you work out which ones they link to?

A busy week of planning - 30 things under way!

Well it’s nearly been a week since turning 30 and although I don’t feel older, I think all my birthday surprises have aged me somewhat! I had a wonderful birthday with all my friends and family; I am a very lucky ‘young’ lady. Thank you to all of you that made it so special.

Being 30 does not make me feel different only except my age now begins with a 3 rather than a 2 and I have 30 wonderful things to look forward to. Plans for #30things are already getting underway. As a present for my birthday I was given 2 tickets to the Harry Potter Studio Tour (#No22), thank you my lovely family,  and Tickets for a Tour of St James Park (#No26), thank you Jo @MrsPTeach. So I just need to book those in.

I have also signed up to being a contestant on a charity version of ‘Take me out’ called ‘Lighty for a Nighty’ (@lightyforanighty) so you never know I may meet Mr Right there (#No17).Can’t actually believe I am doing this however it does help knowing that Corinne (the brains behind the ‘lick a pig’ suggestion) will be doing it with me!

Tonight, I got back in to training with gusto and completed a 5k run in 32 minutes. I must admit it was tough going as I have not been on a long run since October 31^st! However I am sure that once I run more regularly it will get easier again. I hope to also run a 10k on the 3^rd of February.

I also purchased this book 'Do Not Pass Go' by Tim Moore, a recommended read to help with my Monopoly board challenge (#No24).

I have spent a great deal of time this week deciding on my countries for my Recipe Calendar (#No18).  I decided to choose 6 countries I have already been to (highlighted in pink below) and 6 countries that I want to go to (highlighted in green); it was hard choosing just 6! I have also been looking through my photo albums choosing pictures for the calendar – it has been lovely reminiscing. Once it is made I will upload pictures! I then decided which country will go with which month and looked at popular festivals and dates so I can create my food as part of a cultural celebration. I am already planning my first meal as part of an Australian day themed evening for my friends. Here is the full list:

January – Australia: Australia day is the 26^th.

February – China: Chinese New Year 10^th.

 I have always wanted to walk along part of the Great Wall.

March – Egypt: The festival of Sham al-Naseem - March 25.

Egypt has always fascinated me as a country ever since I learnt about it as a child and now I teach my Yr 4’s that topic, I have an increased desire to visit the ancient sites at the Valley of the Kings, Luxor and Giza.

April – Thailand – April 13 Songkran
Songkran is the traditional Thai New Year, generally celebrated as a water festival.

May – Greece

June – Finland                                                                                                                                                            I I would love to visit a colder climate and experience its wonders such as the Aurora Borealis, snow covered landscapes and of course Lapland! 

July – America – 4^th July Independence Day                                                                      

Up until recently, America has not appeared on my top ten travel destinations however as I get older I have been drawn to the magic of New York city; the beauty and captivation of the Hawaiian volcanoes  and the enormity of the Grand Canyon.

August – Turkey

September – Brazil

Again another country I want to visit thanks to my education. In primary school we held a school production about the Amazon rainforest called ‘Yamamamo’ and through-out my Geography A’level studies, Brazil was an often used case study.

October – Bahamas

November –Kenya: Mombasa carnival

 Africa as a continent enchants me and I have always held the land in high regard for its beauty and diversity. Kenya is a country which celebrates this natural and cultural diversity and there are many places here I would love to visit, including the Masai Mara, Lake Turkana, Rift Valley and Mount Kenya.

December – Germany: German Christmas Markets

I am looking forward to making and trying some interesting foods!

 

My 30 Things

Well today's the day - I officially turn 30! So far it's been a fabulous day and I have already received some wonderful presents from my family, including something that will help me complete one of the challenges! I am so lucky to have such wonderful family and friends, thank you to them all for their support and advice over the past 30 years.
Right, so here is the list. I found this so hard to choose as there were a total of 70 suggestions from friends and family and I will endeavour to complete the other 40 before I am 40! I have added the names of each suggestee as well. There is no order these will be completed in - it will be as and when they arise but I hope to keep you all updated with my progress. Some on here are easy and chosen purely because I want to do them, others will prove to be a great challenge. I hope you enjoy the journey as much as I do.

Colour coded: GREEN: Completed  YELLOW: Started

1.   Drink a beer at Oktoberfest (Kim) - Did this when I turned 30 at the Oktoberfest bar at the Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park

2.   Kiss 5 men from 5 different countries (school) - Italian and Englishman down - 3 to go!!

3.   Learn something new (school) - I learnt to play the ukulele

4.   Lick a pig! (Corinne) - completed, changed to an alpaca by Corinne!

5.   Complete a random act of kindness (Erika @EBiddlecombe and Lucy B-S) - Took dog food for the Hedgehogs at Brent Lodge Animal Hospital

6.   Climb a mountain (Amanda and Kirsty and Steve) – Snowdon Climbed!!

7.   Run the Great South Run (@ianaddison and Tom and Emily)  - completed in 1hr 43

8.   Take part in a Guinness World Record Attempt (School) - completed record breaking crowd at The Rugby 7s, Twickenham

9.   Eat a chilli (Hayley) - completed

10. Learn to speak a foreign language (School) - I now teach Spanish to my year 4s! 

11. Teach reception (school) - completed!

12.  Do a coast to coast cycle ride (@SparkysBaymarco) - completed over two days - 70 miles of hell!

13.  Run 250 miles in a year (Twitter friends)

14.  Confront a worst fear (‏@Payno04) Held a snake!!

15.   Meet Olly Murs (Lou) - met him and love him more!

16.  Organise/take part in a flash mob (@Blakey09) - completed 'Onesie Roller skating on Bognor promenade!

17.   Find the man of my dreams - I tried! Went Internet dating and appeared on 'Lighty for a Nighty' but to no avail. Met Olly Murs and he is the man of my dreams!

18.    Make a calendar with a photo each month from a different country along with a recipe (Tina M) and then make the recipe (me!) - did and doing!

19.   Try a new sport (Sarah B) – Ultimate frisbee!

20.   Roller skate for 1 mile in a onesie (@huthart44) - completed!

21.   Fly in a hot air balloon (My lovely mum) - not fly but I had a drink in one!!

22.   Visit a TV or film set (Me and Mum) Harry Potter Studio Tour

23.   Sleep on a beach (Erika @ebiddlecombe)

24.    Visit all the places on the monopoly board (Sarah B) - completed! Great day!

25.    Go to the Bingo (Michelle S) - Trents Xmas Bingo!

26.    Stand on the pitch at St James Park (My sister Nicky) - amazing!!

27.    Take a winter dip in the sea (Sarah B)

28.     Hide and seek a geocache (Mum) - completed! Great soggy day!

29.    Appear on TV or in a film (Kim, school, @SparkysBaymarco and Jon C) - several films of my 30 things. Starring role in our end of year Panto DVD and St James!!

30.     Go to a festival (My sisters and Lucy P) - Went to Cowes festival for the first time ever! Also went to several beer festivals and Capital Summertime Ball!