Love

What’s for Dessert?

Posted on by Eatlovego

Tonight, dessert is eating straight from a Ben ‘n’ Jerry’s tub of Tonight Dough and last night, it was a mid-week apple and rhubarb crumble (making the most of rhubarb being in season right now!)

I’m the type of person who has a separate stomach for dessert, the one who always checks the dessert menu first and then plans my order in reverse and the one who on more then one occasion has ordered one of each dessert on the menu because, if not why not!

If there’s chocolate molten or anything salted caramel on the menu, then Mr ELG knows it’s a given. But I also have a sweet spot for pavlova, banoffee pie (my sister makes the best one!), chocolate mousse, apple tarte tatin, bread and butter pudding, pecan pie and an affogato. I also love a line of Whittaker’s chocolate, a bite sized chunk of rocky road and port wine jelly. And if I’m making dessert, then it’s anyone’s guess but there is ALWAYS dessert in this house (if necessary, this is in addition to a cheese board!).

My sister’s banoffee pie

Yesterday I spotted the PERFECT recipe book for me on the shelf of The Cookery Book aptly named “What’s for Dessert?” Plainly, it was talking to me. The Cookery Book is the most divine book store dedicated to cook books. I’ve lived in and around this location for decades and my daughter even went to the school opposite it for a few years, but for whatever reason I never went in. So it was a serendipitous time to go in yesterday and immediately discover this beauty that I can’t wait to get into page by page. At first glance, there are so many desserts that a) make me salivate just looking at the photos and b) I can’t wait to test out!!

So the burning question I will leave you with is, who’s coming over as I plan for tomorrow’s dessert!!??

Notes on May

Posted on by Eatlovego

I’m no fortune teller but as the mornings feel crisper and the sun slips between the shadows faster, these are my May predictions:

EATs:

  • I’m on this thing called “gardening leave” at the moment and one of life’s loves is reading recipe books. I have lots of them even after culling often. I used to work for a book publisher so that could be the culprit (or not) because in any case, I find myself still accumulating them. With this unexpected time on my hands, it gives me more time to cook new recipes and old favorites, experiment and source ingredients, test and taste so friends, please come round as I also love nothing more to feed people (or Alfie) who love to eat.
  • Ramen. As Sydney settles into Autumn and the Vivid ads start to really emerge (May is that month when Sydney literally lights up), I’m on the hunt for the best ramen. I have my usual haunts but with my free days, I’m keen to taste and explore knowing very well it will be likely a solo effort as it’s not a fave for Mr ELG but I sense there’s some new spots that have popped up that I’ve yet to find.
  • Porridge. Ever so warm that it almost burns your tongue. Topped with caramelized walnuts and poached cinnamon apple slivers. Maggio’s, Laneway, Ellie May’s are all fine Cammeray cafes in their own ways, yet it is the somewhat tucked-away Cammeray Cafe that lured me in this morning solely for its porridge that’s not on the blackboard menu but as someone who goes there often, knows to ask for it anyway. You need a bit of time as it’s made on demand but it’s a love that warms the heart and mind on a Monday.

LOVEs

  • Last week, this Sarah Wilson podcast was shared with me and I was introduced to this concept of red threads and “tilting”, as explained by renowned researcher Marcus Buckingham. The entire 50 minutes really resonated with me. The idea is that if we embrace chaos and tilt towards these red threads, then this energy strengthens us, bringing heightened joy and love, throughout our lives and enables us to thrive (& not just survive). Last night, I downloaded his book to my kindle and am excited to read “Love + Work”. People often make comments to me and observe that I say yes and do lots of things, that my life is chaotic and question how I find the time… I don’t have a concrete answer for them but listening to the podcast and reading the opening chapters of this book is the closest I’ve ever come to defining this life of mine.
  • This morning I read a post that a colleague had written on LinkedIn. She had recently been to a Gabby Bernstein event where she learnt that “the universe will never give you anything you cannot handle”. Inspiration for my Monday and what’s getting me going right now are Dr Seuss quotes, mantras and manifestations and discovering loose red threads
  • Happy skirt. In one of my posts last week, I referred to my love of pink and how the psychology of colour can influence my mood and mindset. Now I hear it’s called Dopamine Dressing and while I’m not sure if that particular ‘label’ describes it, I do know that when I put this particular Frankie’s Melbourne skirt on, the vibrant ombré colour palette, the tulle texture and swing of a ruffle energizes me every.single.time so why wouldn’t I intentionally do something that brings me joy! It needs no ironing so it’s always packed in my luggage and I absolutely love it!
Said skirt rolled & packed for Abu Dhabi trip.
Christmas Eve delights with Joe!

GO

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the guy who decides where to go”

Dr Seuss

Go in this blog was typically meant to be about destinations (reference to new restaurants, shops I’d found, places I’d been to) and it still will be as my energy to discover knows no bounds. But go right now in my life is more than ever about the journey. With this priceless time, I’m reflecting, reading, getting cosy in the pause. I’m being picky whilst saying yes and choosing where to put my energy. I’m enjoying being able to do school pick ups and love a carpool karaoke sesh with the kids. I’m baking more, bingeing on The Last Thing He Told Me (because I loved the book by Laura Dave) and catching up on Ted Lasso. I’m dreaming of a white Christmas and wandering through Christmas markets in Prague so will end this post here to do more of just that.

Pâté and the pescatarian

Posted on by Eatlovego

I love pâte. Foie gras too and any other names it may be called.

I try not to think too much about what it’s made of and have only ever questioned the specific origin of liver when I was in the Hunter Valley and the restaurant tried to mask goat as chicken. If you’re wondering, they don’t taste the same and the plate was sent back to the kitchen pronto for trying to pull the wool over our eyes on that one!

Pâte is one of those things that if it’s on the menu, with warm brioche or dry crackers, then it’s an immediate order. If I had a preference, I love a duck and Grand Marnier combo.

I was invited to a lovely lunch at Bar Totti’s today. As Merivale restaurants go, this is a winner and if it was just me and Mr ELG, there would be a few things I’d order immediately; cue the wood-fired bread, chicken liver parfait, burrata, and a Totti’s Margarita or two but as a guest, I was happy to go with the flow and eat whatever! As we discussed any food intolerances, I became aware that my two other fellow lunch buddies were both pescatarians (a person who does not eat meat but does eat fish).

Chicken liver parfait and a Totti’s margarita.
Nom nom nom

The food came out quickly (love a quick service) and to my surprise, a plate of Totti’s chicken liver parfait came out. Lucky me, I thought. So, there I was… mid-conversation helping myself to generous amounts to spread on my warm wood-fired bread when all of a sudden, my pescatarian lunch buddy takes some chicken liver parfait for herself. Ummm??! “I make an exception only for this chicken liver pâté”, she sheepishly says. And yes, after a good laugh, we agree that it is that bloody good to turn a pescatarian.

Burrata and the warm wood-fired bread

xoxo.

A pink odyssey; all 40 shades of it!

Posted on by Eatlovego

Flamingo, Carnation, Neon, Magenta, Bubblegum, Rose, Baby, Taffy, Hot, Salmon, Fuchsia. That’s 11 shades there. Personally I lean towards Neon pink and “40 shades of pink” was my theme for that milestone year. That particular party had fuchsia pink candles lining the long dinner table, bubblegum pink bubbles on top of the cocktails, a glorious pink cake by Stacy Brewer and Mr ELG still dons his Flamingo pink chinos every now and then and they always make me smile.

Mr ELG and his flamingo pink chinos!

But in terms of colour psychology, my attraction to and love for the colour pink knows no bounds. It’s the colour that always catches my eye first and brings me joy, reflects my mood and adds a certain pop to the buttercream colour or the Louboutin heels I’m wearing (above) or adds colour to the baked salmon I’ve whipped up with a smattering of pomegranate seeds.

Recipe Tin Eat’s Christmas salmon

Pink Odyssey however is actually the name of a painting that I commissioned in the year I turned 40. I had never ‘commissioned’ before but learnt that that’s what one does if you have something specific in mind and so that is what I did. La dee dah darling!!

Luckily for me, I knew the perfect artist and we crossed paths in the 1TB class pick-up line where playground conversations moved to pink dahlia creations and the rest is history. The artist’s name is Tracy Gosling (find her on Instagram here). I am proud to know her as an amazing friend and am in awe of her incredible talent as an artist.

When Tracy hand delivered the finished painting to me, I remember the moment of reveal in great detail. There were gasps, shrieks and silence, wow and wonder as there before me was a single dahlia painted in all of its hot pink fabulousness. One single flower has been painted with depth and movement, and is a great reminder of joie de vivre, echoing the dahlia’s true meaning of devotion, love and dignity. I stare at the painting where it hangs in my office and often get lost in its beauty and in the stillness.

Tracy and I

I saw Tracy this morning and asked her if she remembered the name for my painting. “Pink Odyssey”, she said without hesitation. Aptly named for the endless experiences I have with my 40 shades of pink and everything in between.

Friday LOVE ❤️

Posted on by Eatlovego

Happy FriYAY!! These delights were part of my retail therapy this week from a Fitzroy vintage shop and they are me to the max!!

It was instantaneous love when I saw them and perfect for a Friday. Actually perfect for whenever, wherever. Ok I’ll stop singing Shakira now! Enjoy your day. XOXO

Slingshot to Singapore

Posted on by Eatlovego

Gin, cherry brandy, Cointreau, angostura bitters, pineapple juice, lime juice, Benedictine liqueur and lots of ice. Shaken vigorously and served with mint leaves for garnish. Add a bowl of raw peanuts (in shell) and you’re basically in Raffles courtyard or Long Bar if you don’t mind a queue. Optional steamy weather doused with high humidity if you really want to recreate the scene but under Sydney’s rain clouds today, I’ll settle for the cocktail as described above especially as it’s always 5pm somewhere!!

I love a good cocktail and when ‘in Rome’ or rather Singapore, a Singapore Sling is a must-do! Preferably ordered at the iconic Raffles hotel, synonymous with its classic British colonial architecture and just under a fortnight ago, this was me… happy in happy hour living my best life.

Since our Aussie borders reopened post pandemic, Singapore (known for its Crazy Rich Asians) has been an on repeat, go-to destination of mine (I even featured in a Qantas travel insider clip…enticing people to go eat chili crab!) and from my recent trip, I am excited to report back that there are less masks, more “lahs” and so many escapades to be had!!

Tash tips:

1. Go Hawker Style! Singapore has so much variety in its food pickings. You just need to look up, stay curious and have an open mind (otherwise you could easily eat Shake Shack every day!) Singapore is a place where you can just as easily get a $1.30 tray of char kway teow (yes that is me eating my rice noodles off brown paper on the floor totally enjoying it) to a $1,300 plate of premium grade wagyu (I didn’t order this) with everything in between. On our last night, we made it to Lau Pa Sat whipping up our own shandys (sprite and tiger beer) to drink with our 200 chicken satay sticks under the festive lights on Robinson Street.

$1.30 deliciousness

2. If it’s your first time or fifth time, do the touristy things and see them through a different lens each time. Be amazed by Gardens by the Bay and weirdly feel like you’re in Avatar surrounded by giant tree structures, pay the (redeemable) $30 at Cé La Vie and ride up the 57 levels of Marina Bay Sands (day or night) and marvel at how everything looks like Lego pieces because you are up so high. Singapore is seriously a feast for the eyes in every way possible!

$12 to walk around the trees

3. Buy the “Chicago” popcorn from Garrett (so grateful there was one at Changi airport T1 departures) Don’t overthink it as the salty and sweet combo is sooo good… literally cheese and caramel popcorn pieces combined. Yes, I had a nanosecond delay too before nodding my head to purchase. Seriously new love affair.

So, whilst I go and get my shaker to mix up a few more Slings, please share any of your Singapore faves in 🧵. XOXO

Press restart

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This is my first post in over a decade. I’ve often thought about writing again and got distracted but at 2am this morning, I thought it’s time.

I started this blog just before I had my first child and as of Saturday, he was officially a tween! It was designed to be a side hustle, a penny for my thoughts, a place for me to share all the details on the colours and tastes, sights and skies. A merry-go-round of experiences!

So, if this is your first time here or you’re returning for the ride, my name is Tash and 12+ years later, I now have two kids and a labradoodle. I live harbour side in Sydney, Australia and am married to a gorgeous man (Mr ELG) who secretly wishes he was sunning himself on Beso Beach off the coast of Spain. And despite the pandemic, the verbs that define this blog still occur all.the.time.

So let’s press restart, follow me and keep reading as I eat, love and go (snapped in Tokyo, February 2023 because who doesn’t love the happiest place on earth!) as I sign off á la Gossip Girl (a longtime love) with a big fat XOXO

Love a whole lot of ME time

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Two hours ago I had a layer of clay lathered all over my skin as one part of the Rapt treatment at Endota Day Spa in the Hunter Valley. Jaime, my therapist, was halfway through telling me that clay draws the toxins to the skin when I think I switched off and realised I was smack bang in the midst of ME time and had another 24 hours to go.
Mr ELG and I have escaped the Sydney madhouse for a night away from MM. Our first full night away and while it’s only taken a couple of hours to realise I no longer need to tend to the every whim and need of a 13 month old child, I admit why didn’t I do this sooner!!
Driving down the F3 I just loved being able to have a full adult conversation, listen to music in peace, eat a bowl of soup while it’s still hot and most of all succumb to a 2 hour body treatment where the focus is solely ME!
So now I sit here in front of a smoldering fire with two warm scones to nibble on complete with a peppermint tea, mulberry jam and vanilla bean cream. I have the latest issues of Luxury Travel and Masterchef magazine to flick through and another two hours of blissful ME time whilst Mr ELG undergoes the same relaxing 2 hour body treatment at the hands of Jaime.
I now look forward to a yummy dinner where I don’t have to ask if there’s a high chair available and sleep which ends with a sleep in past 7am.
And finally I love having a sister who MM can stay with and become one of the gang with her other kids whilst mum and dad can spend time just being us.

A mixed bag of loves

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This year’s mother’s day was technically my second to celebrate, however it felt more like my first as a) I was more coherent and well-slept since MD #1 – when I was then a sleep-deprived mum with a 4 week old newborn baby walking around like a zombie and b) I received my first mother’s day card from MM which instantly bought tears to my eyes. It has been a big month at ELG central. I have gone back to work full time and MM is in full time childcare. In the first four weeks, the three of us were struck down with illnesses of all kind being sickly passed from MM to Mr ELG to me and back around again like a vicious cycle. Dirty washing had taken over every surface of the laundry and if you had asked me what a home-cooked meal was; I would have looked at you like you were speaking to me in Russian as dinners became the last thing on my mind after sickness, snot and sleep and I think I broke the record of how much takeaway pizza one could consume in one week! So by the time mother’s day arrived this year on 13 May, 2012 and Mr ELG handed me a red heart-shaped card with MM’s tiny hand prints on the front and a poem inside, I had an out-pouring of love and happy tears rolled down my face leaving MM bewildered as to why mummy was crying and smiling at the same time! 9 days later and it has felt like the longest 9 days – primarily due to some sad news that a close friend shared with me on the Saturday before mother’s day (I can not even begin to imagine how the days have stretched for my friend). As I listened to her speak such difficult words to say, her voice shaking and croaking with each word; I felt numb, scared and in shock over life and how moments can suddenly unfold. Right there and then, I wanted to hold my friend, tight with love and tell her it was going to be alright. And so there I was the day after celebrating the unconditional love I have for MM and not being able to stop thinking about the conversation from the day before. Over the last 9 days, my thoughts have been consumed by the events which have since unfolded and intertwined with all of this have been my thoughts of the many shades and colours of a mother’s love. A love for the present, a love for the unknown, a love for the memories, a love for the now, a love of hope and a love of what may never come. As I said; a mixed bag of loves. These last 9 days have made me stop and think, stop and appreciate and be grateful for the blessing of my child who never ceases to amaze me. I recently wrote to my friend that there are no words. But today I feel that there are three… I love you xAx

Lemon yellow leaves in Orange

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There’s something so clean and crisp about country air first thing in the morning when the only thing lingering is the faint smell of smoke coming out of nearby chimneys after a fire has been smoldering all night warming up the heart of a home.
I’m in Orange this weekend, thankful to Mr ELG who has whisked me away with MM in tow for a surprise getaway.
Up and about early we stopped in at Byng St cafe; a block away from where we’re staying.
The sun is out and the leaves of the trees above are lemon yellow in colour. The bright rays are streaming over the balcony as I eat my yummy brekkie roll. It’s the perfect balance of egg, crispy bacon, Swiss cheese, rocket and tart chutney. A hot cappucino tops off the taste.
Love, love, love

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