Yes whole cumin is different to ground - smells nicer imo. Good basic spice that goes with everything (nearly). The whole seeds are usually dry roasted in a dry pan until they change smell to delicious. The change is unmistakable. Sumac is available at most colesworths, and sometimes at Aldi, and is probably included in most middle eastern spice blends. Rosemary is fine on potatoes too - I like a bit on roasted potatoes, not so much on mash - but its natural partner is pumpkin.

More than 20 years too late for that as he passed in 2003. Born in 1911. Still miss him.

Yes. The stuff of dinner table conversation in the family. My mum did her masters degree on Old English and Old Norse. Dad spoke fluent cockney, english and lowland scots depending on context. Tell me about it.

Good list. I would add whole cloves to that list, and whole cumin seeds rather than ground. I would also use whole cardamom pods in preference to ground, but that’s just me. One is usually enough to get that citrussy/eucalyptussy taste & fragrance. Buy the greenest ones you can find. You can also take off the outer husk and just use the seeds for a milder flavour. I would also add sumac to that list - middle eastern spice that adds tang and is very yummy with fish, vegetables and anything with cheese in it. I would also invest in a rosemary bush in a pot, so that you can use a few leaves here are there for meat dishes. Very yummy with lamb but also goes good with beef, but it’s easy to use too much so a few leaves is much better than a whole sprig. Dried rosemary from the shop is a pale shadow of the real thing. Smoked paprika is versatile, goes on practically any meat/fish and is also good with vegetables - sprinkle on potato or cauliflower for a delicious flavour.

Star anise is nice in asian dishes, but I find the flavour very strong so I usually just break off one of the spikes of the star and just use that.

One of my fab faves is to grate a couple of big carrots, and put in a frypan with 3 cardamom pods and 1 clove and teaspoon of whole toasted cumin seeds, then fill up the pan to juuuussst cover the carrot with milk. Simmer on a VERY low heat stirring frequently until all the milk evaporates and the carrot goes mushy. Add about 1/3 cup of sugar or to taste (varies with the sweetness of the carrots) and stir in. You may not need any sugar at all if the carrots are very sweet. Enjoy as a dessert with icecream or smear thickly on a biscuit of your choice.

Go away. Its not Friday yet. How dare you be cheerful at this hour?

All the fruit please and a blue heaven milkshake.

Some nice glamping further inland - try Macedon, Mt Erica, Walhalla, Maldon, Wedderburn, or if you are willing to drive - Mt Buffalo, Beechworth maybe Rutherglen. The Grampians and Otways will probably be booked out too, but there’s Horsham fairly closeish to the Little Desert National Park, and Rainbow near Hattah-Kulkyne. Off the beaten track may be your friend here.

EDIT: maybe farm stays? The little tacker will loooove that but might be a bit young.

🔴🔴🔴 General Alert!! Highest Level!!! Something or somebody bad has happened to our Force. 🔴🔴🔴

Please click on the link below to verify your account details.

Processed cheese sandwich on plain white bread - no butter or mayo please. And a glass of water.

I hate to say it, but I think you are right in this. After all, how do you know you’ve made it unless there are other people standing around suffering, and watching you with what you hope is envy. It isn’t envy, but something much worse.

Nope. But I’ve clearly saved it to my work computer. Not going to argue.

We weren’t imagining it - plague stalking the streets of melbourne Take care out there folks.

It seems my original logon still works on my work computer - whew! May retire new logon or might keep it for use at home only.

Yippee!

Margarine. Don’t ask - consult yesterday’s thread.

Thanks chef!

Lovely! Can I have coffee, then some more coffee and then a serve of crab cakes cos feeling crabby this morning.

I burnt the gozleme I made for dinner cos distracted.

Side note : bits of burnt gozleme in the sink look exactly like baby cockroaches.

Exxy, but contains more weird and wonderful furniture and fixings than my mind can comprehend. Definitely worth an in person visit.

Melbourne has had its face washed, and the sunshine is glorious!