Summer festivities

So many food experiences and so little time to blog – stay turned for great outdoor eating, harvesting the fruits of summer to make jam; relish and other preserves, new brunch delights and so much more…….

Pub Grub

Such an unattractive term for food which can be so honest, predictable and at times downright comforting. Unfortunately finding such fare at the ‘local’ can be a little difficult as Melbourne’s hotels are ‘done up’ and ‘gentrified’. A trip to more rural settings (the country) might be needed. The menu mainstays are often the surest bets, Chicken Parma (Parmigianino), big juicy steaks, crispy beer battered ‘fish’ or a mixed grill all served with chips and salad or vegetables cooked just like my grandmother used to – soft and with plenty of butter and salt! Of course sharing these homely meals is at its best with family – whatever that ‘family’ might look like – sometimes this is the people we spend so much time with… our work mates. The Toolangi Tavern between Yarra Glen and Healesville has $15.00 ‘Pub Classics’ and a pretty-as-a-picture backdrop to the outdoor deck or a cosy log fire in winter and the steak sandwich or Toolangi burgers are not bad either! Good Aussie tucker.