What's been going on ...

So we have been enjoying our shack in amongst the gardening that has been done since we bought it!!

Here it is on the first visit to look at the shack ...

and again on Boxing Day ...

and now here is the front view with a makeover ...

We were lucky enough to get some free yuccas and 2 agaves to plant and then I bought some native grassy type plants at Mitre 10.

So after all the work we had a special lunch with some friends last Sunday ...

we were in for a treat after our pre-lunch drinks ...

and then we got cooking ...

Donna Hay's stirred tomato risotto with mussels and the addition of prawns ...

Recipe from Off the Shelf by Donna Hay, p. 40

we have cooked this a number of times at home so we knew we could do it!!

then the business end of the day started ... each couple (5 couples) brings a masked bottle of red wine to taste and rate!!

It's lots of fun and the wines were fantastic!!

Then the main course ...

undercut steak with baby potatoes, asparagus and Donna Hay's tomato and basil salad with anchovy dressing  and a mushroom and balsamic glaze ...

Recipe for salad from Seasons by Donna Hay, p. 31
Recipe for glaze from The Instant Cook by Donna Hay, p. 114

I can recommend this salad ... yummy!!

Then cheese and fruit platters ...

Roaring Forties, Gorgonzola and Stilton blue cheeses, 2 soft brie type cheeses and fresh fruit ...

 We had a fantastic afternoon, the weather was beautiful and lots of laughs were had ... so much fun!

Since we have been home this week I have been trying some more new recipes from Donna Hay ...

Five spice chicken and Asian greens from No Time to Cook by Donna Hay ... a very tasty dish which I will make again

Mussels in coconut milk curry ... The Cook's Companion by Stephanie Alexander - delicious, fragrant and easy!!

Last night I tried Grilled prosciutto and thyme haloumi ... Seasons by Donna Hay, p. 22 - very nice and easy!

As you can gather I am a fan of Donna Hay recipes :-) I don't have as much success with her cake recipes though!