Stone Dogs (by G)

For some reason Biggs refuses to make one of the best thing ever no matter how many hints I lay down. Stone Dogs are a budget hotdog created by that consummate corporate shill Curtis Stone. 

Actually, now that I look into this aberration I think I've found the reason - seems she screwed the pooch last time she made them.

Anyway, the version I made was excellent - but not as good as I remember Biggs making. My biggest disappointment is hiding the sausage - you can see a little bit on the left hand side of the photo.

Market Food (by Biggs)

The Friday night markets are becoming quite a feature in our lives. Tonight I thought I'd try something new - gozleme. Delicious! Fried flat bread stuffed with chicken, cheese and mushroom goodness, served with a range of dips. 

And, I had gyoza for dessert. 

Roast Vegetable Salad and Meats (by Biggs)

Meats. I love a good mixed grill so thought I would try one out tonight. Lamb, bacon, chipolatas - the true holy trinity.

The vegetable salad was made from potato, sweet potato, onion, capsicum and rocket. $20 if you can spot the sweet potato. The clue is that it's actually purple sweet potato....which is oddly white in colour....and, according to G, tastes lolly sweet.

I was meant to sprinkle the salad with pine nuts but couldn't find a packet for less than $8 so instead went with the exciting sounding Smokey Texas Almonds. Not so exciting as it turns out.

Mushroom and Tomato Pasta (by G)

I cut corners with dinner which made it turn out a little different to what I had expected. The original plan was to chop up a shit load of mushrooms fry them off and stir them through some pasta. It occurred to me that it would be much easier if I just ran the mushrooms through the food processor instead - this created a kind of mushroom mush.

I fried it up regardless, added some tomatoes and greens that I had in the fridge - also some garlic and parmesan. The end result had the appearance of something that you would expect to be extruded from one or other end of a very sick dog. 

That mess was stirred through some pasta then hastily topped with a whole lot more parmesan to disguise it a little, and served with some garlic bread.

It was not too bad, if you closed your eyes while eating it.

Lebanese Tortillas (by Biggs)

Boy, I really haven't cooked in a while. The second I stepped into the grocery store to collect the fixings I had an instant brain aneurism from frustration alone. I should really look into getting groceries delivered. However, once I'd bought the supplies and extracted myself from the horror of shopping, I scuttled home to make this treat.

I was watching Lebanese Food Safari recently and quickly realised that a kebab could be served on a tortilla and pass as a Tuesday night dinner. I made a tabouli, mainly from parsley and tomatoes. I couldn't find bulgur in the supermarket and was disappointed to discover we didn't even have the half-arsed substitute of couscous at home. It also had garlic, spring onions, pepper and lemon.

The lamb was coated in garlic, lemon and oregano and roasted to perfection. The hummus was from a jar.

It's probably worth mentioning that Fi supplied us with the fresh dried oregano - it's from her garden and serving our household well.

Steak and Potato Bake (by G)

This is basically the meal I had planned to cook a couple of nights earlier when I had an untimely lack of consciousness.

Apart from some griddled steak and blanched asparagus there was a potato bake inspired by the delightful James Martin.

Baked potatoes were topped with a mix of sautéed leeks, garlic, bacon, shallot, wine, cream and cheese... then baked again.  Pre-baking the potatoes in a potato bake is an excellent idea - they come out much less raw that way.

Average Chinese and/or Vietnamese (by Biggs)

Ultimate June is now officially COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL! I only had one day off this week and squandered it sleeping and drinking beer. Suddenly it was dinner time and I was without groceries or motivation.

So, I put the delivery man in charge. The delivery man brought us a range of very average Chinese and/or Vietnamese food. Some rice, garlic beef, pork chops, chicken skewers and rice paper wraps.

I think G said it best when he stated "This rice is a bit knackered isn't it?". From that point on I had awful flashes of the sort of kitchens that are featured on Kitchen Nightmares. Dinner was then quite unpalatable.