This blog is all about me......I come here for respite in between caring for JoJo (our Daughter who has Special Needs)......I am addicted to starting new projects......I am becoming a fabric-a-holic... I love to try out recipes... take a beach walk and breathe in that salty blue air......love to have coffee...sip a glass of champagne......read a book......I am Queen of the Armchair and am inspired by all the wonderful blogs out there!!!

Friday, June 14, 2013

~An Evening with Rick Stein~and new boots~


I have been thoroughly spoilt again......
this time my Son gifted to me for my birthday a weekend at Rick Stein at Bannisters for an
~Evening with Rick Stein~


A little corner of our very generous rooms by day......the sun was shining brilliantly on this cool Winter's day......


Above pic is the Sun going down over the ocean taken from almost the same spot


The main room

This very special Event featured a long table dinner on the Sunday night hosted by Rick
Rick actually came along and greeted each table.
The evening started with Canapes and Champagne in the Garden Room followed by a 4 course meal of delectable seafood at the Rick Stein at Bannisters Restaurant


We went down to the Pool Bar and had some oysters shortly after arrival
I might mention here we ate all weekend.......


Above and below 2 of the wines for the Evening......all perfectly matched



To start we had a Salad of Lobster, Avocado, Green Beans and Foie-Gras
The texture of the Foie-Gras was as smooth as velvet


This was followed by Blue Eye Trevalla and Mussel Chowder with Celery Herb


and OMG check this out......A Meuyrette of Silver Dory with Caramelized Eschallots, Bacon and Mushrooms


Chocolate Mousse with Hazelnut Dacquoise and Raspberry Sorbet.......the Sorbet was perfectly nice and tarty!!!


Next afternoon we walked up the hill to Rick's place for a cooking demonstration from his latest book travelling and cooking his way through India

Upon entering the house we were greeted with a glass of bubbles and then offered a water bottle during the afternoon.........the Perfect Host!!!


We watched and had 3 samples of his cooking
The first one was 'My Breakfast Bhaji'
A mixture of Potatoes, Carrots, Onions and Tomatoes and various Spices
Served with a Fried Egg


followed by 'Hot Smoked Salmon Kedgeree'......Rick used Smoked Trout from the Snowy Mountains in this case


and then last but not least 'Madras Fish Curry of Snapper, Tomato and Tamarind'


And here's Rick with me and Mr Armchair signing books and menus for us
This time I bought Rick's Seafood book and the Mediterranean Escape one



After Rick's we went down the end of the road through a walking track which overlooked Mollymook Beach


Another sunset shot


Next night for dinner we had
 ~Warm Shellfish with Parsley, Chilli, Olive Oil, Garlic and Lemon Juice~
Clams, Prawns, Mussels, Oyster, Scallop, Scampi and Blue Swimmer Crab
One of the best if not the best Seafood Platter I have had......


Followed by Whole Fried Snapper with a Chilli Sauce, Crisp Basil and Cashew Nuts


Dessert 



A couple more scenes


Afterwards we met DS James
He and his Partner Danelle gave us much needed respite and had JoJo for 2 nights with them
She had a great time.......we had a great time and ate out way through the whole 2 days!!!


And I got to wear my new boots that Mr Armchair gave me for my birthday......WOO HOO!!!!

THANK YOU so much James and Danelle for this utterly delicious weekend
and Thank you Bannisters and Rick Stein for looking after us!!!

I would love to think that we will go back again another time......I'm sure we will!!!

13 comments:

Susan said...

Omg! You not need to eat until your next visit. The food looks gorgeous, and in such a beautiful setting. I'm happy you had such a wonderful break.....and got to wear your blue suede shoes!

Suedio said...

What a wonderful weekend experience. So glad you enjoyed every moment of it!

Anonymous said...

OMG look at all that yummy food,wow what a weekend,such an awesome present and love your boots.xx

Domesblissity said...

Oh Dzintra! How divine! I'm so envious. Like I told you, he's one of my favourites. What a wonderful couple of days. Lucky you! Love the boots.

Anne xx

Chookyblue...... said...

Oh Dzintra I love it when you got out to dinner.......it's always amazing.......something I would never see........so pleased you share pics of all the food I love seeing it.........

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Gosh you are pretty, Dzintra! You have a "golden" look about you that shines in your smile, your fabulous eyes and hair. I am actually excited that my jet black hair is finally turning gray, but not the typical gray hairs, but rather an overall gunpowder gray...hard to explain, but I love having naturally light hair for the first time in my life!

What could be better than the ocean, a dinner inspired by the sea, and your handsome husband by your side? NOT MUCH ELSE can get better!

You are making me hungry for seafood. LOVE THIS TOUR! Anita

Sue said...

Wow Dzintra, how fabulous! I love Rick Steins on TV. Amazing that you met him and ate his food. The menu looked perfect until I saw the Indian food and that seems even better. You certainly deserved such a wonderful weekend and such a thoughtful son!

Anita said...

That food all looks so lovely, bet you had fun tucking into it. Lucky gal.
Cheers, Anita.

Jan Gartlan said...

Yum. Lucky you. What a fab holiday

Fiona said...

Oh Dzintra it all sounds so fantastic ... and deliciouos..... wonderful...
Hugz

Astrid said...

OMG! Such a beautiful place and all that YUMMY food! I'm sure you had a blast! Love your boots!

Rachaeldaisy said...

Wow!! Lucky I'm planning a meal with smoked salmon for dinner, all those amazing looking seafood dishes have made my mouth water. Bannisters looks like such a great place to stay too. Seeing your photos always makes me think I should plan a weekend getaway there. Love those boots!!

Anita said...

What a wonderful weekend you had! You deserve it! 💜

Welcome To My World

Hello, my name is Dzintra Ingrid ... have been known as Ingrid and since our Sea Change I have started to use Dzintra ... pronounced without the D ... (but still known as Ingrid, I know, it's confusing ...)

Welcome to my world ... a journal of our Sea Change ... Mum to three wonderful children ... bringing up a daughter with a disability and seeing life through her eyes ... being a new Nanna ... photos ... inspiring quotes ... taking on a cookery course ... the odd recipe ... and trying to get some stitching done amongst all this ...