Italiano in Bali

Eating good quality Italian fare is one of my favourite things to do. 

So as the saying goes - 'When in Rome' or Bali in this case that was just what we did.

Jumping out of a cab along Seminyaks restaurant strip we stroll into a restaurant with a warm and vibrant buzz, a large rectangular bar is the feature of the room, with dining both indoors or if you prefer, al fresco amongst the tiny dot tree lights.

Pan fried gnocchi is a highly notable recipe choice and $5.00 for a main meal this is one place that wont suck your bank balance dry. The wine is fine and the iconic giant sized strawberry daiquiris are a must to try and a challenge if you can finish them.

bon appetite

love amie x

time for a cup of tea...

Tea can cure a lot of things; anxiety, sleep deprivation and thirst. It can bring friends together to share laughs and tears. 

If only the medicine for love and life could be remedied with a simple 'cuppa'.

love amie x

An apple a day eaten another way...

'An apple a day keeps the doctor away', so the saying goes but if it's eaten another way then does this theory still apply?
Try these 'healthier' apple and muesli muffins for breakfast, a quick snack and as a lunch box filler for the kids.
The humble Apple is well known around the globe not only as a tart and at times sweet fruit it is also the name of Coldplays Chris Martin and actress Gwenyth Paltrow's baby girl; Apple.
The French do classics delightfully and their Apple Tarte Tatin is a favourtie, the Dutch adore their Spiced Apple crumble cake. If you are an Aussie as I am then you may have similar memories of this delightful ball of flavour as I do...
Stewed granny smith Apples served with vanilla ice-cream or custard or Apple sauce coupled with roast pork is simple and fond memory! For a serving of apple try these little Apple and muesli muffins, freeze and remove for school lunches or when your friends pop in next.

APPLE & MUESLI MUFFINS
prep 10-15 minutes
cooking 18-20 minutes
makes 12 lovely muffins

the ingredients
¼ cup/60ml vegetable oil
2 x 60g eggs
½ cup (125g) dark brown sugar
½ cup (125ml) milk
2 apples, peeled, grated
1 cup (150g) self raising flour
¼ cup muesli
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 apple, thinly sliced, optional

a little fun
Pre-heat oven to 180ºC.
Combine oil, eggs, brown sugar and milk in a large bowl.
Beat for 2-3 minutes or until smooth and creamy.
Add apples and continue to mix until just combined.
Add flour, muesli, baking powder and cinnamon and fold the ingredients until just combined. Do not over mix.
Line a 12 cup muffin pan with muffin cases and spoon mixture evenly between cups. Top with apple slices.
Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown and cooked in the centre.

Tip
For a healthier muffin, replace self raising flour with wholemeal self raising flour.

love amie x

a baguette on the go...

A quick walk at lunch saw us (Cassi and I) bypass the local Asian bakery in Botany shops! In need of a little sustenance we grabbed a baguette for $2 and headed back to work already envisaging a recipe for this crisp bargain baguette.
With 2 eggs already pre-boiled and cooling in their pot awaiting our arrival we decided on an Asian inspired recipe!

Asian-style egg and shallot rolls
feeds: 2 hungry ladies for a late lunch
cost: under $5

the ingredients
2 x 60g eggs
1 tablespoon whole egg mayonnaise
2 shallots, washed, peeled & thinly sliced

1 cucumber, sliced length ways

4 sprigs fresh coriander

a little fun
Place eggs in a small saucepan and fill with cold water until 3/4 full. Bring water to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and immediately run eggs under cold water. Set aside in water to cool.
Peel and then using a fork mash the eggs in a small bowl, add mayonnaise and shallots and mix through.
Slice baguette in half and layer cucumber, coriander and egg mix top with baguette half, slice and serve.

cucumber salad -deliciously light and fresh like a spring morning!
1-2 cucumber, de-seeded, chopped
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt

a little fun
Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl.
Serve with a sprinkling of sesame seeds for a summery and light salad.

This little salad was borrowed from Tessi, she came into the Test Kitchen in search of sesame oil and vinegar and we fell in love with the simplicity and deliciousness of this recipe. YUM!

love amie x

The Shop

A teeny tiny slice of Melbourne in Sydney, The Shop is a hole in the wall haven hidden in the rickety backstreets of Bondi. Away from the hustle and bustle where the tourists roam and the untold Bondi story is awaiting to be told. This is a quieter and more relaxed side of Bondi, which is nice to experience. A mix of local arty folk, cruisy but cool dressed beachy gals is the style but basically anything goes in Bondi as you will learn! This is a cosy cafe by day serving breakfast muesli trifles, BLT's on super soft bread, lush sandwiches filled with poached chicken or hams are partnered with a selection of jams, pickles and cheese's. A comforting spot to frequent alone or in company for their award winning sanga's. By mid afternoon through to the night this tiny dot turns into a svelte wine bar with a tantalising selection of wines written up on an over sized wall mirror. Rich Burgundy and wood make this cafe/wine bar a cosy and warm place to rest your legs and catch up with friends or your lover...

 If you are indulging the cheese plate to share has a little bit of everything; soft creamy brie, quince paste, aged Cheddar served alongside crisp crackers and toasted bread soaked in olive oil. A perfect Friday night accompaniment to a vino to bring in the weekend.

The Shop, Curlewis St. Bondi Beach

love amie x

Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma, Karma Kandara

For the ultimate indulgence when visiting the isle of Bali, Karma Kandara is an ultra delish and luxurious resort. For a slither of this luxury living without the expense you can still visit the restaurant, Di Mare and enjoy the outdoor bars; Temple Bar and Nammos Beach Club are eye catching and uber cool. Situated on the south most coast of Bali, you will be welcomed by breathtaking views overlooking the sparkling Indian ocean waters below and the warmly lit skies beyond.

Arriving from a 45 minute taxi ride partly along a rough dirt track, like a sliding door we are dropped into a serene environment and one you rarely see in every day Bali life. Strolling lazily through the maze like walls of white cobbled rocks we excitedly anticipate our arrival. Far from being disappointed it holds up to everything and much more of what we dreamed of.
We are quickly escorted to an outside elevator and from here travel down the rocky terrain 100 meters to Nammos Beach Club, the only way to arrive at this secluded and quaint beach bar. Sipping luscious cocktails beach side as the sun slowly sets, is calming but sadly you cannot see the sun from this point but the skies transform magically into a million brilliant shades of the rainbow.
Dressed to impress on a deserted beach with a family and a handful of other visitors enjoying this rare quiet side of Bali.
The food has a strong Mediterranean kick and if you didn't know better you would almost think you were in the Mediterranean. Fresh coastal flavours with a preference for seafood is the menu's style. Warm service and cool wine finish of the evening with a smile before we climb back into our pre-ordered taxi and head back to bustling Bali, as we know it!

love amie x

Spring morning juice

Waking to a freshly squeezed orange juice yesterday morning was a lovely way to start the day stepping out with a spring in my step.
Living with only a tiny dot of a kitchen can be slightly pressing and at times we find ourselves set back in time a little without the space for mod cons and stylish new appliances. A single white porcelain juicer is how we like to style.
Three oranges should be plenty for a morning juice for 2. A great tip is to place the oranges in the refrigerator overnight so your juice is not only fresh but cool!

love amie x