Author Archives: Jill

Paniyiri

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It started in 1976 when a group of Australian Greeks wanted to share their culture with the community ….. and the rest is history!

Paniyiri – Australia’s longest running Greek Festival, famous for its’ food and Hellenic dancing, celebrated its’ 40 year milestone last weekend, and about 60,000 people, including myself, went along to experience everything Greek.

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My favourite – barbecued quail

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Everyone’s favourite – honeypuffs

 

 

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Octopus, anyone???

 

The park turned into a marketplace with more than 30 food stalls, and stages were set up to entertain the crowds with dancing, live music, grape stomping, plate smashing and olive and honeypuff eating contests.

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Sideshow alley was bigger and better than ever with lots of stalls and rides.

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Our lovely Autumn weather ensured that everyone had a great time

Paniyiri

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Lucky Day

I was at my quilting group last week when I purchased some raffle tickets, and imagine my surprise when someone rang me the next day to let me know that I had won second prize!  This is my lap quilt and a bottle of wine as well!

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Lap quilt

Pretty cat fabric

Which reminds me of my lucky streak before we left for our vacation – our quilting group has a monthly competition.  You purchase a pattern for 50 cents and the corresponding fabric which has all been pre-cut.  Sew it up, bring it back and you are in the draw to win approximately 25 blocks. The other blocks are used to make a quilt for a charity. I won these blocks two weeks running!

So now I have to make the quilts.  I will donate one to a  charity for sure – the other one I will make for my mother-in-law.  Time to get myself organised.  Hopefully will have some finished quilts to show in the next month or so.

Salted Caramel Choc Slice

Made this yesterday, one of my go-to slices.  I should have taken some photos when it looked perfect, I know.  But the family were too quick and now it is nearly all gone …. well, it definitely will be gone as soon as I make a coffee!

Salted Caramel Choc Slice

This is my take on a recipe which I saw on Masterchef Australia probably about 4 years ago and have  been making ever since.  If you like salted caramel + chocolate + nutty, crumbly base – you are going to  LOVE this!

Preheat oven to 180C.  Grease a 28cm x 18cm pan and line with paper  extending on short sides to help remove slice.

Base

  • 150g self-raising flour
  • 75g plain flour
  • 100g macadamias, roasted & finely chopped
  • 150g brown sugar
  • 175g unsalted butter, melted

Mix flours, nuts and sugar together, add melted butter and press over base.  Bake for 20 minutes and allow to cool whilst preparing the filling.

Caramel Filling

  • 2 tablespoons golden syrup
  • 55g brown sugar
  • 30g unsalted butter
  • 3 cans sweetened condensed milk
  • 2 teaspoons salt flakes, plus 1 teaspoon extra

Stir golden syrup and sugar in saucepan over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved   Bring to a simmer and cook for a minute, remove from heat and quickly add the butter, condensed milk and salt.  Return to stove and cook for 5 minutes until slightly thickened, stirring continuously.  Do not allow the mixture to boil.  Pour over base and bake for 15 minutes.  Allow to cool.

Chocolate Topping

  • 250g chocolate, chopped
  • 50g unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup water

Place all ingredients into a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water, and stir until the chocolate has melted and ingredients are combined.

Pour over caramel, sprinkle with extra salt flakes and refrigerate until set.  Remove from pan and cut into slices.  Makes approximately 24.