10/52 Weekly Stills

1. Highlight of my week has to be attending the Styling 101 Workshop held by Real Living Magazine and the International School of Colour & Design in Melbourne…. will share more details this week on blog!
2 & 3. Wandering the shops in South Melbourne.
4. Delicious breakfast at Giddiup before hitting the South Melbourne Markets.
5. Its been at least 10 years since my last visit to the South Melbourne Markets…..and I still love them!
6. Couldnt resist a quick drive by of The Block! Looks amazing!
7. Final coffee stop at Let Me Be Frank before heading home. A gorgeous cafe located in the South Melbourne Commons. Perfect caffiene hit for that drive north!
8. My photo of the Orange and Olive oil Cake with pine nuts was published in Sunday Style Magazine in the Your Plate section….very excited! It really is quite delicious and easy to make!

Hope you had a great week too!

Heavenly Figs

As you know last saturday I popped down to our local farmers markets and came home with lots of goodies. I stocked up on fresh bread, some veggies, honey, eggs, and my favourite find- a crate of figs.

I love figs, especially fresh, and with a crateful in front of me, I was on a mission to use them all up wisely….

My all time favourite way of eating figs fresh is with some Natural Greek Yoghurt, topped with sliced up figs, drizzled with honey and toasted flaked almonds sprinkled on top- oh, and a sprig of mint. I also added some fig puree (stolen from the pre fig paste making pot!) as well just to add some extra flavour to the yoghurt.  A very quick and simple breakfast or dessert.

Suggested by the lady who grew these figs, is this simple combination- Slice of bread (I used a fig and hazelnut loaf bought at markets) topped with some cream cheese, then slices of figs, drizzle some maple syrup over and pop under the griller to warm up and brown the bread. Delish!

And, with 3 kilos of figs up my sleeve I had to make some sort of preserve…..a fig paste served with cheese. Simple pleasures! This batch was adapted from maggie Beer's classic recipe. I added two pears as well in the stewing process just for some extra flavour. Served with gooey soft cheese and some fig and hazelnut loaf (purchased at the markets).

I still have quite a few left over. Im itching to make this fresh fig and almond breakfast cake and also this roasted fig tart with orange blossom, cinnamon and mint cream filling. The rest will be used to make into this Spiced Fig and ginger Jam which I think sounds rather yummy!

So, am I figged out yet????…….No way!

Have you any favourite fig recipes?

Catching up with Catherine from Farmhouse Home

Today, in our "Catching up with" series,  I am excited to have Catherine Bedson 

from the lovely food blog, Farmhouse Home.

Catherine is based in Melbourne and her blog is a collection of her love for all things foodie. Farmhouse Home was one of the first blogs I started reading. I fell in love with Catherine's rustic home style cooking and her passion for using fresh and seasonal produce and adding a healthy twist to it. I always feel like I'm being transported to a french farmhouse and can't wait to see what delicious dish Catherine has 'whipped' up.

On Farmhouse Home, Catherine shares her best loved recipes, as well as, her favourite food experiences, whether it be in Melbourne or on her travels. Catherine studied commercial cooking after having her children and has worked in catering, so her knowledge and experience is extensive. As a Mum, her cooking is wholesome, homely, heartwarming and nourishing.

Catherine also takes all her own photos and has such a knack with styling them to leave you drooling for the next hour! Recently her blog underwent a makeover- beautifully illustrated by the clever Lucy King, this blog is so lovely to look at, easy to read and really sums up Catherine's personality.

So, some questions for Catherine…….

1. What are your five favourite ingredients you currently love cooking with?
Different oils, extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil & macadamia oil for baking. Garlic as it adds flavour and depth to a dish, anchovies because when they're blended well into a dish they add a salty, rich flavour and quinoa and cauliflower because they're so versatile.

2. Cooks/Chefs that inspire you? 
Bill Granger because he's a self taught cook who creates easy to follow recipes that work beautifully.  I also love Matt Moran and Pete Evans,  I can't wait for Pete's new healthy cookbook to come out.

3. Favourite Melbourne Dining experience? 
Andrew O'Connell's restaurant Cutler and Co in Fitzroy and an italian restaurant called Caterina's where my husband took me for lunch on Valentine's Day, the food and hospitality was superb.

4. How would you describe your blog Farmhouse Home and why did you start blogging?

Farmhouse Home is a blog about my love of rustic food with a healthy twist served family style.  Sharing those recipes and connecting with people.  I started blogging as an outlet for my creativity and to meet like minded people.

5. Have you a favourite meal you enjoy cooking with your family and friends?

 I love slow cooked food especially shoulder of lamb.

6. Ultimate travel destination …and why?

France, I've been to Paris many times but would love to spend an extended period of time driving the french countryside eating at local bistros and experiencing the fresh food markets and brocantes for vintage dishes and cookware. 

7. Favourite wine or beverage to drink at the moment???

 I love Rose, when I was in Adelaide over Christmas, friends recommended Charles Melton, Rose of Virginia as being a really good one, so need to track this one down.

8. Favourite cookbook?   
A baking book called "Love, Bake, Nourish" has given me alot of pleasure.  From baking the recipes, gazing at the styling and design and even the name feeds my soul.

9. How would you describe your cooking style?

 I like to cook simple, unfussy, seasonal food with lots of flavour.

10. Favourite foodie places in Melbourne?

Markets & Stores:  definitely South Melbourne Market, I think it's the best fresh produce market in Melbourne.  Don't forget to line up at the dim sim store, for a famous Sth Melbourne Market dim sim at the end of your shopping.  My daughter and I love popping into Thomas Dux on the weekend for the lovely food you can buy there.  Oasis Bakery where you can buy any middle eastern ingredient you can imagine, they also have a bakery and cafe.  Noisette in Port Melbourne, an authentic french bakery with the most delicious bread, cakes and fruit buns.

Cafes:  Chez Dre, South Melbourne

Pizza:  DOC in Carlton, Mornington or newly opened Albert Park restaurant, 

Italian:  Tiamo Bistro, Lygon Street, Carlton, not Tiamo II next door but the place next to it on the corner.


Below are some of my favourite recipe posts of Catherine's-
(Please note-All images taken by Catherine Bedson and can be found on Farmhouse Home)

Chicken & Mushroom Risotto- Recipe here

Roasted Cauliflower, Chickpea & Quinoa Salad- Recipe here

Chicken & Vegetable Dumplings- Recipe here

Cherry & Almond Tart- Recipe here

Coconut & Chia Granola Bars- Recipe here

If you enjoy reading food blogs, I would highly recommend having a look at Farmhouse Home. Keep up to date with new posts by following Catherine on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, or add Farmhouse Home to your Bloglovin- where you will never miss a post! 

Have a lovely day, and if needing some inspiration for tonight's dinner….

make yourself a cuppa and head over to Farmhouse Home ! 

You might need to refill your cup!!

Have a great day x