I have to confess I love my food, this hasn't always been the case but ever since my wife and I started travelling we have really found our appetites, and many new menus.

Our mothers [Tricia and I] had what can best described as a 'meat and three veg' mentality, boy has that gone out the window. The influence of Asia, Italy and France really shows in our eating, all you have to do is open the larder (pantry) door to understand what I mean. The humble potato now takes a definite back seat to the healthier delight of rice or noodles. The fatty meat of lamb and beef have fallen from favour to the much leaner, virtually non fat delights of venison and ostrich. Yesteryear's meal of battered fish and chips is now a once in a blue moon affair, but the delights of fresh fish, especially shell fish, have really come to the fore.

There is little doubt that cooking programs on the telly have gone into the category of 'overkill', but we have picked up some excellent tips and dishes from the Masterchef kitchen.

It doesn't stop there. By visiting some good restaurants, especially in Australia, we have learned (and enjoyed) the delights of some of the more exotic fresh fruits. Now we come to my perennial favourite: the cheese board. I love cheese, blue, cheddar or the cream varieties. It was in a quality Aussie restaurant I had a cheese board placed before me that I would willingly have ordered as a main meal. There were three cheeses on offer and a selection of small cracker type biscuits. Well that is pretty usual and nothing to write home about, but the accompaniment.  There was a portion of macadamia nuts, also salted cashews and raisins, then there were a few fresh sticky dates of the Christmas variety … hang on I haven't finished yet. There were also a few slices of preserved apple and the same with preserved apricots, and to top this off came a small bunch of fresh, mouth watering dark grapes.

The waiter, who obviously had more than a few clues, suggested a good red wine or a glass of port would only enhance the dish … I agreed and had two glasses of port. At the conclusion of the meal the waiter nodded with approval when I ordered a brandy to finish in style, somehow coffee lacked any appeal.

I well remember Mum's meat and three veg, Sheppard's pie and stews, I happily write we have consigned those sort of meals to the memory where they shall remain. We often have such a cheeseboard with our evening meal and I write very contentedly, this is on the menu for tonight, along with fresh gurnard fillets, lightly floured and at two minutes a side, lightly cooked. These will be served with freshly baked soft rolls lightly spread with a low fat spread. 

That's it, I'm off, needless to say I'm hungry.

Well how has your daily menu changed over the years, especially with the delights of the orient so easily obtainable?

Ok I own up it was me!!! But let me explain. Lucy sent me a recipe for celery and cashew nut soup. As we were ankle deep in snow and the local shop didn't have any cashew nuts, I got unsalted peanuts instead. My thinking was, a nut is a nut…..

I made the soup and it was delicious, but I have been ridiculed since for being common and using peanuts

Lucy has now sent me a recipe for carrot and coriander! How can I make this common….leave it with me.

I love cheese, too.  In fact I belong to the Hunter Valley Cheese Club based at McGuigans Vineyard in the Hunter Valley.  Every 3 months they send me an email detailing their latest specials;  I can choose to receive one of two of their set hampers or to make up a hamper to the value of at least $55 (before discount).   On one occasion I ordered their Onion Marmalade, expensive at $15 or so per jar but sooo delicious !  Another favourite is their Riley's Marinated Fromage Blanc  with dried tomatoes through it in a quality round plastic reusable container.   Their Gold Washed Rind is another favourite which goes very well with fresh pears.  We won't go into their fudges ………..

Quality Summer CHEESE Selection………. ….This season Option One…….. Includes the following:- 1 x Marinated Hunter Valley Feta 1 x Small Branxton Brie 1 x Hunter Gold Washed Rind SPECIAL 1 x Dried Muscatels Grapes 1 x Fig,Almond & Muscatel Jam Total =$59.76 (including GST and your exclusive members discount)   Fine Produce Summer CHEESE & PRODUCE Selection………. …This Season Option Two…….. Includes the following:- 1 x Small Grape Vine Ashed 1 x Marinated Hunter Valley Feta 1 x Hunter Valley Gold Washed Rind SPECIAL 1 x Harrigans Cheddar 1 x Sundried Tomato Mustard 1 x Apple & White Balsamic Salad Dressing 1 x Fig, Almond & Muscatel Jam 1  x Spicy Green Chilli Jam 1 x Dried Muscatels 1 x Gourmet Handmade Fudge Total = $142.15 (Including GST and exclusive members discount)   Members Summer Members Only Option THREE………. This hamper option is designed to allow you to choose any products that you desire to make your Summer Hamper (please choose from the retail price list), if there is a product that you are interested in that is not listed, please contact us for further assistance (02) 49987744. Please note that your members onlydiscount will be applied once your order is received.  Remember…… Your hamper needs to exceed $55.00 (before discount).  This is also a great opportunity to organise a Gift Voucher (Easter, Mother's Day, Birthdays, Wedding). Download the Retail Order Form Here     The Hunter Valley Cheese Company McGuigans Complex, 447 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin, 2320 Tel: (02) 4998-7744  |  Fax: (02) 4998-7

Me. said:

Post edited 2:04 am – 19th January 10 by Me.

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Now back to my main question, have the flavours of the orient impacted on your meals? They sure have with ours and we are all the better for it.

You asked a simple question and my answer is NO, definitely not.

For you it is something new which added to your new lifestyle and freedom all adds up to excitement and happiness.

I enjoy a curry, when home made with the correct ingredients, fish which is flown in fresh  from France daily and is expensive, a Paella from Spain which we cook in the garden in summer, or Sushi. not bought but made in my kitchen- it is so easy to make.

Food is global and every country has it's specialities

I am sure that I would enjoy Mags tasty soups eaten with a french crusty Baguette——and oh food there is also water —-a glass of fresh cold water from my kitchen tap.

Arent' we lucky to be able to talk about such things.

I love seafood and I am lucky enough to live near a wholesaler who supplies the major restaurants in our area and who also sells direct to the public.  A good sized salmon steak is only $5 and large prawns around 4 ins or so long, can be had for around $20/25 a kilo.  In fact when you buy some prawns there he usually adds another good handful of them after they have been weighed saying – there's a few extra for you, love.

As far as oriental flavours go I tend to stay with seafood and the conventional Aussie fare at home but I am more adventurous if I go out to dinner.  My youngest daughter, Kelly, absolutely loves Thai food and the hotter a curry is the more she likes it.

In case those in the UK are wishing to compare prices, I think the Aussie $ is worth around 56 pence at the moment.

Me – I like kangaroo steaks, roasts, sausages, etc.  It is a very tasty meat and good for you, too.

My latest cheese hamper arrived this morning, so I can't stay …………  

Hazel, kangaroo is the only meat that if overcooked, the chef gets hopping mad.

Post edited 9:56 am – 20th January 10 by Ciderman

 Don't forget that olive oil is higher in saturated fats than any vegetable oil except coconut. Better with canola.

And another thing – did you know the first Mediterranean country in the life expectancy stakes is Italy at number 19, Monaco – 21; Spain 23; Greece 26; Malta 29; Cyprus 45. They're a sickly lot!

And Macau is right at the top!