Two friends reunited (via facebook) bridging the time gap of 30 years, the geographical gap - Australia and USA, and the generation gap; by blogging about food, fashion, fotography, fitness, family, and friends.
Renotta ........http://rrtdesigns.blogspot.com/ Web- www.shopatnextdoor.com/ http://projectknitway.blogspot.com/
Clara ........"Developing a fusion of contemporary food with health, fitness and creative ideas.
http://fitinyourjeanscuisine.blogspot.com - Web www.fitinyourjeanscuisine.com/
http://babyboomerconnections.blogspot.com/ Web www.babyboomerconnections.com.au/


Friday, November 18, 2011

Getting Up There


We were having a chat at nextdoor the other day about fun stuff like trips to New York and Broadway shows. Young Ellen had just been there and saw Follies with "you know, that older woman". This led to the comment, "yeah, she is really getting up there". I thought to myself, well in that case I am really, really getting up there. I've been thinking a lot about that since then...getting up there. Let's face it, it does have a negative connotation, and yet the expression is made up of a string of positive words. Getting for example: to accomplish, earn, receive, achieve etc. And up, that's a good thing. I'd rather be up than down. Add a Y and you have yup, that's better than nope. And there, a place, going forward...going there. Really, "getting up there" is a great place to be. I like being there. I get up every morning happy to be there, free to enjoy my day and do as I please. Up, Up and Away.












Tuesday, November 15, 2011

OJ turns one!

Hi R
Can you believe OJ is one?!!!!  It's amazing to observe children grow and develop.  I love watching them as they take on the world and develop their own style and relationships. 

OJ had a great time being the centre of attention.
Nonna Clara
ps - I wish OJ could meet AJ. 






Click on 'comment' at bottom of page to have your say or email clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Koftas make great party food

Hi R
In the first week of November we have a special horse race, called the Melbourne Cup where the whole nation stops to pick a winner.  Once this event is over, it's time to make plans for Christmas which of course involves food. 

These koftas make great party food for the silly season or even for a birthday party, a BBQ or a family meal. This recipe is for OJ who is turning one next week, and is having a party. He loves spicy foods (like his nonna and eats amazing things like avocados!)
Nonna Clara

A kofte is a Middle Eastern and South Asian meatball. In the simplest form, koftas consist of balls of minced or ground meat—usually beef or lamb mixed with spices and/or onions. The meat is often mixed with other ingredients such as rice or bulger. They can be BBQ'd, grilled, fried, steamed, poached, baked or marinated, and may be served with a rich spicy sauce or a yoghut sacce. In Arab countries, kufta or kefta is usually shaped into cigar-shaped cylinders.


Kofte with mint yoghurt dressing is great party food
Meatballs / kofte with mint yoghurt dressing
Makes approx 16
For the mint yoghurt sauce combine
1/2 cup thick natural yoghurt (greek)
2 tbsp mint, finely chopped
Juice of 1/2 lemon


For the meatballs750g / 1 1/2lb good quality lamb mince o(r a mixture of lamb and beef)1 cup fine fresh breadcrumbs
1 onion, finely chopped or processed
1 tsp fennel seeds, dry-roasted, finely ground (or ground fennel)
1 tbsp cumin seeds, dry-roasted, finely ground (or ground cumin)
1/4 cup finely chopped mint and/or combination of mint and parsley
1 tbsp lemon zest
1
egg white
salt and pepper

Oil
Combine ingredients; season to taste. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours if possible to allow flavours to mingle and make mixture easier to handle.

Mould the meat mixture into small sausage shapes and skewer with metal or wooden
kebab sticks (soaked in water for 20 mins).

Spray with a little oil and cook on BBQ for 5 to 8 minutes, turning once.

Drizzle with yoghurt sauce or serve sauce separately. Serve with toasted pita bread and
lemon wedges.



Variation - Moroccan Kefters - Substitute fennel for paprika,
and instead of 1/2 cup mint, use a combination of chopped coriander,
mint and flat-leafed parsley.
Season with black or cayenne pepper and serve with Moroccan bread.

Variation 2- Alternatively form into balls or patties, BBQ or cook in the oven and call them spicy meatballs.

Click on 'comment' at bottom of page to have your say or email clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au www.babyboomerconnections.com.au