New Zealand part 2: Schmoking Delicious

I present to you a guest post by S.V. the passive food lover and my travel buddy for New Zealand:

A guest-authorship for the precious food-blog of my Schmokin’ New Zealand travel-buddy and friend...mmmm hard.

New Zealand, hunting and gathering part 1, curd and almond muffins

Where to start??

This is country is mind-blowing! How how? Every time we think it can’t get better it just does.

In my opinion there are 3 explanations for this. Either this country just is, either we are very lucky and found some of the best spots or our travel mood and mind are just in perfect sync. I believe it’s all three of the above.

I mean choosing a magical country then doing a little research finding those hidden gems to go to and then getting everything out of it, is what makes or brakes a holiday for me. I'm just a huge fan of those of the beaten track places. And it seems my travel companion thinks the same. 

It doesn't have to be luxury. It can be back to basics.  But still if you work as hard as you do and if you see as much misery as you do in our line of work. You just feel that settling for less is a complete waste of resources.

So, yes, I claim guilty when I say we have been pampering ourselves in New Zealand! And we only feel a smudge of guilt but we mostly, above all, enjoy it to the fullest.

Sydney and Markets... Love them hate them...

Did I mention this is the view from my apartment??                          ©R.G.

Mmm markets have always been mythical to me. 

They have this exotic splurge to it. I don’t know why. Is it the romantic Meg Ryan movies? The Côte d’Azur novels? My aunts' treats she brings from the French alps everytime she comes up to Belgium?

Or the sailing in Brittany where life consists of market shopping, wine and food? 

We have them in our hometown back in Belgium but somehow I’ve never been to one. It’s just a matter of time management I guess? You either need to have your Wednesday or Friday morning off or you need to get up early on a Sunday or a Saturday. Neither of which will ever happen to me.

But I’m in Sydney now!

And this is what happens to you when you get to a new place, a new city, a place all the way on the opposite side of the world. You feel alive. You stop being lived and you actually start living. You start to make everyday count.

You don’t just sit at home. You don’t just have a lay in. And when you do either one of those two you enjoy it to the fullest.

So when I was having my housewarming party I decided to do it the proper way. The legendary way. I decided to do it with market products only. I decided to set out for sydney’s finest farmers market, take my time, linger, pick my vegetables right, have a little snack whilst browsing. You know just fully submerging in that market life where time stands still and the only worry is how you are going to carry these goodies home.

Now the good thing was I had time, I actually had a couple of days off. Cause they weren’t a given the Sydney markets.

No worries mate, the salad ladies are here!

Mmm lingering temperatures, beach walks, afternoon swim, flipflops, twilight sailing, al fresco dining, a glass of Rosé, after dinner drinks on the patio...

Jealous yet?

I left the cheese fondues, raclettes, mittens, big boots, scarfs, michelin jackets, bold red wines and rich stews behind...

2 suitcases 34.9kg (each) and myself left on 4^th of January and moved from -16 to +46. 

That's right The Hidden Glasshouse has moved down under to turn the world down side up!

It's going to be a fantastic adventure. Correction it already is! 

Sydney is a fantastic city!

Mind blowing views. The Opera House is absolutely stunning. Whenever I see it, a warm tingly vibe goes through my stomach. 

Whether it’s on your first day on the water, early in the morning on the way to work, during a sunset stroll to decompress from stress at work, under the stars or from my brand new apartment (!)... No matter what it just fills you up with pride, joy and energy. 

And I haven’t even mentioned yet the dramatic backdrop by the Harbour Bridge. Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge dance in symphony through day and night and since January 5 through my daily life!

Just 3 bullet points on the first couple of weeks and then it's time to get to the cooking!

Feasting and Fasting: Spicy Thai noodle soup

Mmm the holidays are finally here. 

Festivities with the big family, the small family, the colleagues, the new friends, the old friends...

Delicious food here and there...

Lazy Sundays, lingering brunches, bread and cheese for a ‘light’ lunch, a cup of tea with a cookie (or three), five course dinners with delicious game and scrumptious sauces and a little chocolaty dessert… Finished off with champagne, gin tonic, delicious wines, digestive...!?

You name it... No limits!

Pigeon consommé with Yellow Turnips

First of November…

It’s probably the only Christian day that lays close to my heart.

I am not a religious person but I believe in something and I celebrate the Christian holidays. There is only one that actually touches me. It’s All Saint’s Day.

Not that I need that day to remember the dear loved ones that we lost along the way. They are remembered in our day-to-day activities constantly. But it’s a day that just gives that extra time to stand still, reminisce and evoke memories. My beloved grandmother used to love her glass of port before lunch. So it’s also a perfect excuse to have a port at an unconventional hour.

On the first of November the weather is usually concordant with our moods and this year was no exception. It’s cold, rainy and miserable but the beautiful autumn colors soften the wounds. And usually a little ray of sunshine will fall through at some point during the day to remind us that with the sadness of loss comes also the joy of having loved.