And just like that it is quiet.
I have returned home from the first school drop off in two weeks.
The two week hiatus from being woken by an alarm is over.
Back to making lunches.
In the blink of an eye a strange calm has veiled my house.
The first week we were still in flu recovery here.
The second week was a mix of playground and home.
Nothing special.
No big holiday anywhere.
Just lots of time together.
Sometimes with extras.
Sometimes not.
My kids are happy to just be together, they don't hassle me for stuff or to go places.
They are just content to be.
To be kids together.
Simple
And
Uncomplicated.
Long may it last.
Childhood is never long enough.......
Either are the holidays.
BLACK TURTLE BEAN & CORN SALSA (recipe adapted from Thomasina Miers book : Mexican Food Made simple ):
I love cooking (and eating) all types of cuisines.
We have been experimenting a little with Mexican food lately.
I mentioned on my facebook page about my family watching Thomasina Miers together.
My sister and her husband lived in Mexico for a while and I guess I have always had an interest in the culture and food since she lived there.
On the weekend my eldest lad (13yo) wanted to cook a Mexican fiesta.
He planned the menu.
He wanted it to be fish based. He is a big fan of Ceviche. You will find my recipe for ceviche in Pip Lincolne's Good stuff Holiday Guide.
His menu was~ Crispy Panko fish, ceviche, chunky guacamole & black bean & corn salsa. He served it all with mini tortillas so everyone could jsut pop whatever they wanted in Tortillas.
Needless to say it was DELICIOUS!
I especially loved the salsa- I made fritters for breakfast the next day with the leftovers by adding 1/2 a cup of SR flour and an egg (I also added some green chilli).
NB: the dressing for this Salsa will be on lots of other food I serve- it is da BOMB!!!!)
This salsa would be gorgeous served with anything in my opinion. Or just on it's own.
My 12yo has asked for it as a school lunch this week. YUM.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
(for the dressing)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 5 slices of Japaleno chillies (we used the ones in jar)
- a generous pinch of sea salt
- a heaped teaspoon of ground cumin
- juice of a lime
- 2 tblspoons EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
- lots of freshly ground black pepper
(for the salsa)
- 1 corn on the cob
- 100g cooked Black Turtle beans (we found them at a local Asian grocer- they are used in some dessert dishes in Asia, but if you live in Melbourne you will find them at Casa Iberica too)
- 4 spring onions, finely sliced
- 3 tomatoes, chopped into small dice
- more jalapenos if desired (we didn't put anymore in as we were feeding littler kids with less chilli tolerance)
- 1/2 bunch of fresh coriander, chopped roughly
Pop the garlic, jalapenos, salt & cumin into a Mortar & pestle and grind to a paste. Savour the amazing perfume!
Wouldn't the world be less of an amazing place without Cumin?! - i really believe that. I LOVE it soooo much!
Now add the lime, ground pepper & EVOO.
Simmer the corn for about 5 minutes in salted water & then slice the kernels off the cob.
Add them into a large bowl.
Add Black Turtle beans, spring onions & tomatoes & pour dressing over.
Add fresh Coriander & combine well.
Serve.
Howe Gelb is one of my absolute favourite musicians. Prolific. And every new album a surprise. Often collaborating with new musicians. He has so much magnificent music in him. May he continue to share it so beautifully with us.
Here is a gorgeous little doco about him and his collab with some Flamenco musicians:
