Nicely Minced and Slightly Mashed...

As I am tired, and will be even more so tomorrow - my weekend has been minced and mashed into one blog.

Firstly I must say a massive 'Thank-you!' to NQN - I tried her wonderful Carrot Cake Ice Cream and have converted both my Mr and my Father into addicts. This is a wonderful treat and if you have the time and the appreciation of carrot cake I suggest you try it too! The first time I made it I decided to add freshly micro-julienned carrot and a pinch of ginger;  but tonight when I made another batch I had more ice cream to carrot cake ratio and loved it even more. The spongy texture of the cake inside the ice cream is reminiscent of a scoop of Bar Italia's (Norton Street, Leichhardt) Tiramisu Gelato; The carrot and cream cheese on the other hand provide frequent bursts of deliciously, guilty pleasure. The carrot is sweet and tender, the cream cheese icing decadent and positively sinful.

If you are going to make it from scratch follow NQN recipe, if not, try Sara-Lee Carrot Cake and a low sugar ice-cream, or you'll find yourself harboring a sugar headache.

On another note, a light (literally) and beautiful note at that; why don't you pop down to the Museum of Contemporary Art? Olafur Eliasson has taken over the third floor and the result is peacefully enchanting. You will be encapsulated by light and children especially love the 'prettiness' of it all. The best part of course is the myriad of white lego - and just as the title of the exhibition suggests,  ('Take Your Time'), this is not an exhibition to rush through. Have a lazy afternoon, bask in the lego glory and build 'till your heart is content. My Wee-Miss-Three decided she would be Godzilla, which is absolutely fine in the spirit of the exhibition, but slightly embarrassing when other participants shield their creations and gasp in horror.


Food wise - this day was topped off with a picnic and a ferry ride home. I suggest you try it next Sunday and take a child with you; said child with undoubtedly benefit from the experience, as will your pocket. Sunday's are apparently a family fun-day and with that comes a Family Fun-Day Ticket ($2.50/adult for unlimited bus/train/ferry travel).  I tell you this much, I was pleasantly surprised to return home with a fifty still in-tact, sitting pretty in my wallet.

Picnic Menu

Freshly-baked Home-Made Bread Rolls W/

Egg, Mayo and Watercress

Gorgonzola, Black Russian Tomatoes and Watercress with a drizzle of a sweet and sticky Balsamic Glaze 

Ham carved off the bone with Vintage Tasty and Baby Spinach.

Tomorrow lets talk Hot Pot!