The Whiskey Mac-Gill 1 part irish whiskey (Jamesons) 1 part green ginger wine (Stones) Fresh squeezed lime or lemon juice (preference): 1 whole fruit = 4 serves.
Pour over a ‘cup’ of ice cubes, blend. Serve over two slices of lemon or lime, top up with lemonade (sparkling or homemade). Make it southern-style by adding fresh chopped mint to the blender, or muddling after.
Chicken Legs, deboned, stuffed with pork, pistachios, plenty of italian flat-leaf parsley, plenty of thyme. Wrapped in streaky bacon, seasoned well, then poached for 20 – 25mins. Chill for 30 mins. Then pan fry til bacon crispy, slice and serve. (Original stuffed chicken recipe from Gordon Ramsey, slightly modified).
I serve with:
wild mushroom & garlic risotto and fresh asparagus, blanched and peppered or spring vegetables (mushrooms, zucchini, asparagus & onion)in white wine pepper cream.
For a spicier, Oriental twist, use cashews, coriander and chillis in the stuffing, along with a little ginger. Then serve on simple asian noodles of choice with green beans, capsicum slivers and bamboo in salty sweet chilli sauce.
Lamb Take individual lamb loin or a small roast, split through the middle and stuff with feta, plenty of basil and capers. Add a little pepper and olive oil. Tie with cotton string so that the meat closes well over the cheese. Season the outside of the lamb with olive oil, salt, pepper, just a little ground chilli powder and crushed garlic. Sear on each side (about 4 mins), seasoning each side. Then roast in the oven for approx 25mins. Always let the meat rest for a few minutes before slicing.
Serve with roasted vegetables – I chose red peppers, vine-ripened tomatoes, asparagus, zucchini and green beans.
*I think it’s really important to eat seasonally – so what’s locally available is always a good (and usually cheaper) way to go.
Roasted Vegetables The key to success here is roasting to taste.. I like to put them in a high heat bake oven and then switch it to grill to crisp up when the texture is just right. I put the capsicum & tomatoes in at the beginning, well salted, with olive oil and pepper too. Then adding the zucchini, followed by the asparagus and green beans (which are blanched first). Just roll the additional vegetables in the oil you used for the capsicum and tomatoes, seasoning as you go. Perfecto. If you add the vegetables about the same time as the lamb – you’ll be perfect.
*I served the asparagus whole, the green beans in two-inch lengths. The capsicum in eighths, the zucchini in 1cm wide diagonal slices.
**Any variation of the following would also work well – whole field mushrooms, whole garlic cloves, eggplant slices, broccolini.
Roasted Vegetable Pasta If you were roasting the above vegetables with garlic cloves and mushrooms – another great way to serve an easy and light summer lunch is cooking off some angelhair pasta or tagiatelli, then adding your bite-sized roasted vegetables with plenty of fresh basil, salt, pepper and garlic. Delicious.
Beer Bread An easy and aromatic way to consume your favourite brews. 2 cups self raising flour 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon sugar a drizzle of good quality olive oil about 250ml of a good beer
Mix together until a good dough is formed – add more of whatever it needs – flour or beer, until you have a workable dough. Then form it into whatever shape loaf you prefer. You can use a tin but I prefer free form, sometimes braided etc. Bake for an hour at medium heat oven. When it’s crusty and hollow-sounding, you have a great loaf.
The consistency is a little different than normal bread – and you could make this loaf wholemeal easily. I prefer the darker ales for the aromatic content – I recently made it with a renaissance Porter ale. Delicious. Great to toast and serve with soul or another light meal.
Spanish Mushrooms & Chorizo Inspired by one of my favourite bars, Mezze in Durham Lane, this is so simple, yet one of my favourite things on the menu. It’s perfect served with hummus on beer bread.
1 chorizo per serve (sliced diagonally, thinly) 150g mushrooms per person (button is fine, quartered) fresh basil fresh garlic, crushed or finely chopped
Saute off the garlic and chorizo until the chorizo is crispy. Then add the mushrooms and saute til they are crispy. Add a dash of wine (honestly, just a splash) then a dash of either sour cream or cream. The various flavours will mix together well – add the torn fresh basil and a touch of pepper to taste.
Serve as a tapa or main over toasted bread or fresh greens.
“RECONCILIATION, n. A suspension of hostilities. An armed truce for the purpose of digging up the dead.” – Ambrose Bierce
“Reconciliation is to understand both sides; to go to one side and describe the suffering being endured by the other side, and then go to the other side and describe the suffering being endured by the first side. The practice of peace and reconciliation is one of the most vital and artistic of human actions.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
Reconciliation is being wholly accepted and wholly accepting in the midst of your agreeance and disagreeance. For me, in my personal journey, it’s become about being acknowledged, seen, heard.
The validity of my voice has never felt so threatened. So many people know this story – the anticipation that the words being held back on the tongue are words that could change the world.
Silence does not become my spirit. It leads me to loneliness – I have never been more lonely than when I do not share my voice. Using this voice – in conversation, in song, in writing, in speaking – it’s so tremulous within me that I am lonely if I do not open my voice.. and myself to the world. I become lonely, because the essence of who I am is shut away and hidden if I am silent. Actions speak louder than words, but words are my gift.
I am reconciling to myself, acknowledging her again – her strength, her softness, her heart. Her accessibility, her pain, her joy, her delight, her secrets, her story. I am acknowledging her with people who need to be reminded, and I’m beginning to look for the safe places.. with the people who see and acknowledge her.
Song Of The Moment: More Than Ordinary. by Kasey Chambers
I used to make the fire Now I’m running out of flame The closer I get the more regrets And I won’t change everything To have you back again But I can’t keep everything the same They say it won’t get harder I’m gonna be OK But it’s just like me going against the break And while I tie to your shoestrings And I’m breaking from the strain Those damn thongs hold on like chains Yeah those damn things hold on like chains
Was I ever really more than ordinary Did you ever see me like I saw you Was I ever really more than ordinary Did you ever need me like I need you now I need you now
If I was a liar, I had a few more friends The chances are my heart would never mend Even know my conscience would go Running back again Doesn’t really hurt to pretend No, it doesn’t really hurt to pretend
Was I ever really more than ordinary Did you ever see me like I saw you Was I ever really more than ordinary Did you ever need me like I need you now I need you now…
100 Days 100 Dollars – A Homegrown Campaign To Change A Lil’ Piece Of The World Luke Winslade is the epitome of the hope I have in Generation Y. Not only does he share my office everyday, but he’s more than my friend and more than my brother. He’ll hate that I’m writing this – but I don’t mind so much.
Most of the time when I get inspired to join a cause, it’s because I really believe it in. But in this instance, not only do I really, really care about the difference this campaign can make.. but I really, really believe in the people behind it.
Unlike so many other campaigns, Luke shuns publicity and attention for himself. He loves Africa, loves the kids and has dedicated himself heart, soul and wallet to the cause. He’s used his amazing creative ability to communicate a message that is compelling and simple. That we can do something. Something that means a lot.
If you haven’t yet read about 100 Days 100 Dollars, then head to the website, watch the videos, see the school and facilities we’ve already built – learn to love what hope looks like.
Not only is Luke changing the world and the way his generation view their ability to make a real difference.. but education really is key to bringing revolutionary change to our world, especially for the developing world. With education comes hope, a future, the ability to think and concieve of a life that is different to what currently exists. Given the chance, these kids will change the face of Kibera, then Africa. In our life.. we are the chance they have, to give a chance to others.
Give. However and wherever you can. 4 days to go.
To this end, I encourage you, to always be generous to those who are about the work of changing the world, bringing hope into places of hopelessness. Where they are willing to go and set foot in treacherous, tragic places.. if you will not join them, then support them as they go, setting about the work of our Father.
Tash McGill is a broadcaster, writer and strategist who works with people and organisations to solve problems and create transformation. She believes people are the most important thing and that stories are powerful ways of changing the world. You can find out more at tashmcgill.com or by visiting her LinkedIn profile.
