FOOD, Friends, Uncategorized LUNCH @ HOME WITH FRIENDS 25 June 2008

Had the whole gang over for lunch, which I thought would be quite a feat since my place is small and all my cutlery comes in sets of 4, haha. Turned out to be pretty smooth-sailing though, thanks to the shared-style food Chris and I made and the fact that we at least fit around the dining table properly πŸ˜‰ Chris started off with his awesome nacho dip which is a layer of chopped tomatoes, a layer of guacamole, a layer of sour cream with taco seasoning, a layer of shredded cheese and a layer of chives. It makes a great, fresh dip for nacho chips and is freakin’ addictive!! We should have made 2-3 batches though, instead of just 1, since it was popular and was gobbled up in about 5 mins flat πŸ˜‰ Probably something we should have anticipated and planned for considering everyone was either Asian or French – a powerful combination when it comes to food appreciation πŸ˜›

For lunch, I made marinated lamb cutlets which turned out nicely – all tasty and cooked through just-so. Plus I made a fresh dip to go with it too, woohoo! And to go with the lamb, a cherry tomato and bococcini salad with lots of fresh basil and olive oil, plus a crack of salt. I really liked it, must remember to make it more often…! made her fabulous Strawberry & Lychee Cocktails which I personally think should be a staple at every dinner we have at each others’ places πŸ˜‰

As for dessert, we decided to head down the road to the French couple’s place (as they live a 5 min walk from me!) where they fattened us up with loads of hot chocolate, chocolate mousse, white wine cake, more chocolates, biscuits, etc.. Was stuffed to the brim afterwards, so full that when we left at night no one wanted any dinner. We played Rock Band, or rather, everyone played it whilst I lazed about on the couch, only participating when I could sing (or is that warble?) an Oasis song πŸ˜‰

I also just realised that the 6 of us also spent almost 12 hours straight together on this day… haha.


Pretty flower one of the couples brought. No idea what it is though – anyone know?

Our fabulous fresh homemade dip for the nacho chips

I marinated some lamb cutlets in a bit of olive oil, lemon mint, garlic and spicy sea salt..

They were pretty good!

Served with a fresh minted yoghurt dip I made as well πŸ™‚

And I whipped up a Cherry tomato and marinated bococcini salad,
with fresh torn basil leaves, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

While Chris did his famous garlic bread again πŸ˜›

says my cooking is the best in the world – fact!

Me obviously not agreeing with something Chris said, haha

Couple #1

Couple #2

Playing Rock Band… again!

These guys are waaaay too good at it

Chris surprised all of us when he started signing, he has an AMAZING voice!
Very sexy too πŸ˜‰ Not that I’m biased or anything….

Making hot chocolate

Making chocolate mousse

Chocolate mousse and French white wine cake!

Freakin’ delicious

Pouring the hot chocolate out (no idea why Chris and I look so bloody stupid..)

Chocolates and gingerbread. Delish!

Us πŸ™‚


Let’s Chat!




Let's Chat!

It’s either an African Marigold tagetes erecta or French Marigold tagetes patula – both species are quite prolific.

I have lots in my garden during spring and summer.

It’s either an African Marigold tagetes erecta or French Marigold tagetes patula – both species are quite prolific.

I have lots in my garden during spring and summer.

its a marigold no doubt. i had a lot of them in my old house. altho mine were mostly the orange ones…
marigolds can get pretty big n look totally fab!

I don’t think I’ve ever seen them in real life, or at least not that I”ve noticed. I live under a rock πŸ˜‰

Marigold, possibly a larger vaierty than most of the ones you get in little pots at the supermarkets and stuff. Or maybe they feed it some steroids or viagra? Looks like a “double petalled” one to me?

its a marigold no doubt. i had a lot of them in my old house. altho mine were mostly the orange ones…
marigolds can get pretty big n look totally fab!

I don’t think I’ve ever seen them in real life, or at least not that I”ve noticed. I live under a rock πŸ˜‰

Marigold, possibly a larger vaierty than most of the ones you get in little pots at the supermarkets and stuff. Or maybe they feed it some steroids or viagra? Looks like a “double petalled” one to me?

I’d say it’s definately a Marigold, specifically a Tagetes variety (they run from orange to bright yellow in color). It’s a nice healthy specimen – we have loads of them here in New Mexico!

I want to know what was in that chip-dip! It looks super-yummy!! Any hints as to the ingredients?

WOW I can’t believe you knew that! You’re amazing πŸ™‚ It’s so cute and sunny, I love it

I posted the ingredients up in the original entry up yonder, so have a look – basically just layer it all and you’re done! Tres easy

Oh lordy bee I’m slow! This just shows how overly-focused I get on your fabulous photos! I swear, I read your entries, too – I think the flower identification got me going πŸ˜‰

We were SO stuffed after it all haha.. hence why we weren’t hungry at dinner. But we did eat pizza at around 9pm πŸ˜›

Nah, we were contemplating moving in together this year since CHris is already apt hunting and it means we save tons of $$ for the wedding… but I do like stepping into our marriage home together after we’re married, seems a bit more special! πŸ™‚

“ptechnix says my cooking is the best in the world – fact!”

Objection your honor, move to strike!

I will not have someone put words in my mouth but only meat and biscuits.

Fact = “Ptechnix says he likes boobies”

My mum says it looks like a Peony or Carnation or something.. thought Peony too, so that could be it *shrugs* The leaves on the ones on Wikipedia look different.

We haven’t got Rock Band yet, I REALLY want to play it! πŸ™ It looks a lot more fun than Guitar Hero.

I got some of that Cote d’Or chocolate today (coz I love Bouchee, so I had to try it!). Mmm it’s delicious! Your salad looks yummy too. πŸ™‚

Maybe it’s a weird Australian peony? hehhehe!

Ahh Rock Band is really fun, it’s great for entertaining friends. When Chris and I get our own place, we wanna get a Wii for that reason!! πŸ™‚

I’d say it’s definately a Marigold, specifically a Tagetes variety (they run from orange to bright yellow in color). It’s a nice healthy specimen – we have loads of them here in New Mexico!

I want to know what was in that chip-dip! It looks super-yummy!! Any hints as to the ingredients?

WOW I can’t believe you knew that! You’re amazing πŸ™‚ It’s so cute and sunny, I love it

I posted the ingredients up in the original entry up yonder, so have a look – basically just layer it all and you’re done! Tres easy

Oh lordy bee I’m slow! This just shows how overly-focused I get on your fabulous photos! I swear, I read your entries, too – I think the flower identification got me going πŸ˜‰

We were SO stuffed after it all haha.. hence why we weren’t hungry at dinner. But we did eat pizza at around 9pm πŸ˜›

Nah, we were contemplating moving in together this year since CHris is already apt hunting and it means we save tons of $$ for the wedding… but I do like stepping into our marriage home together after we’re married, seems a bit more special! πŸ™‚

“ptechnix says my cooking is the best in the world – fact!”

Objection your honor, move to strike!

I will not have someone put words in my mouth but only meat and biscuits.

Fact = “Ptechnix says he likes boobies”

My mum says it looks like a Peony or Carnation or something.. thought Peony too, so that could be it *shrugs* The leaves on the ones on Wikipedia look different.

We haven’t got Rock Band yet, I REALLY want to play it! πŸ™ It looks a lot more fun than Guitar Hero.

I got some of that Cote d’Or chocolate today (coz I love Bouchee, so I had to try it!). Mmm it’s delicious! Your salad looks yummy too. πŸ™‚

Maybe it’s a weird Australian peony? hehhehe!

Ahh Rock Band is really fun, it’s great for entertaining friends. When Chris and I get our own place, we wanna get a Wii for that reason!! πŸ™‚