Week 2 with Jamie – Soup and Salad…

Picnik collage Jamie\'s Ministry of Food week 2

WEEK TWO – Jamie’s Ministry of Food Ipswich – Soup & Salad

Some highlights from this week were  – a  tricky way to chop an onion, how to chop pretty carrots,  the claw chopping technique and how to make the tastiest Evolution Tomato Salad {seriously  so delicious!!!} .  The salad is referred as ‘evolution’ as you can eat it as a simple salad or step it up and make it into a meal.  Andrew and I will definitely make this again.  I am surprised I loved it so much considering it has olives and beans in it….. neither of which we eat regularly {But we will now!!}

The very talented Denalla  also guided us through making a Leek & Potato soup.  It is  a vegetable patch in a pot ….. and a little bit tasty.   We all took home a lovely pot of soup.  My four year old {who is slowly becoming a fabulous eater} ate it without much drama and gave Dad a thumbs up for his cooking ability…. Thanks Ben!!

Next week we are cooking breakfast – Smoothies, Porridge and French Toast…. super yum!!

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Boiled, Poached, Scrambled and an Omelette

Picnik collage Ministry of food Ipswich

I am just loving this!!!  Today Andrew and I attended our first of ten cooking classes at Jamie’s Ministry of Food – Ipswich.  OH MY GOODNESS…. what great FUN!!  There was eleven lovely people in our class both local and from Brisbane.  Our teacher Louise  and the center manager Denalla are just beautiful.  This week was all about the EGG!!  It was back to the basics but still full of tips and tricks to help any level of home cook.  Andrew did an amazing  job.  He was so careful to follow instructions correctly and his results were better than mine!!!

Next week is Leek and Potato soup …..mmmmm!

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Linking up with Paisley Jade – Things I am loving

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Jamie Oliver, Andrew and Little Old ME!!

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‘Ministry of Food is about getting people cooking again by teaching them the basics: how to cook, how to shop, and how to enjoy food in a way that benefits not only individuals, but also their families. We want to give as many people as possible the tools and information they need to be able to make better food choices.’

I am getting very excited! This weekend Andrew and I start our ten weeks of cooking classes at the Jamie’s Ministry of Food in Ipswich.  I jumped at the opportunity to take part.  Anything that helps a Mum provide quick, easy and most importantly healthy  meals for her family is very exciting.  I was in the hairdressers yesterday and some Mum’s were discussing how they become stuck for healthy meal ideas and would love some inspiration.  Well fingers crossed I have found mine….. I can’t wait.  I also would love to lose some weight.  So this is a great kick start.   And yes you did read it correctly Andrew is also attending.  It is a wonderful opportunity for him to learn to cook but I have to say I am looking forward to us doing this together.  My Mum and Dad are taking care of Ben (love them to bits!!!) while Andrew and I cook together.

Our first class is this Saturday.  We will receive a “Participant Start-Up Kit”, with a folder of recipes and information,  a  Jamie’s Ministry of Food bag and an apron.    Each week we need to take a tupperware container because each participant cooks a family meal for four to take home.

I can’t wait to let you know how it goes!!

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Join me for a Cuppa….

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Good-morning!!

Join me for a coffee–go boil that kettle and make

yourself comfortable.

It’s cloudy, cold and raining here….

it has been like this since

Saturday morning.

So it is another lazy day at home!!

If you were really joining me for a coffee I am just busting to share some veggie patch news.  Take a look……

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I’m so excited  – our first tomato nearly ready to pick….YAY!!

I’d also share that I think I have recovered from Ben’s forth birthday party.  Lots of little children inside on a rainy day….. not sure what I was thinking!!  But Ben got a lovely present from his Aunty Andrea – a globe.  This is how I found my boys the other night before Ben went to bed.  Ben was looking for ‘my Australia – cose that is where we live’.

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Finally I would ask you if you had a spare weekend.  I have a fabulous room in my house that has been left as a bit of a junk room since we moved in over a year ago.  I have decided to make it my ‘Creative Space’ – my sewing room.  Here is what it looks like now…. oh dear!!

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I have tables to paint, bunting to hang and material to sort…… oh and find homes for all the junk and treasures that are sitting in the room already!!  Any volunteers to help….hehehh?

Better get going and do the laundry…. but I did see this today to brighten the laundry!!  Thanks for stopping by while I had my coffee.

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Our First Harvest

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While watering the garden this evening I noticed these little red tops poking out of the ground.  We have radishes!!!  I am not really sure what I do with radishes.  They were Ben’s choice of seed to plant in the garden (because they were red…. his favorite colour!).  But I better quickly learn as in the next week we are going to have quite a lot of them.  Radishes anyone…????

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Linking up with  – Life Made Lovely Monday xo