Australia Day lunch
![table setting](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4059/426/320/DSC01630%200601.0.jpg)
A good host is organised but not pedantic, relaxed but still attentive. Simple food that can be prepped beforehand is crucial, lending a casual carefree atmosphere that your guests will not appreciate until after they have gone home, and reflected on what an effortlessly pleasant time was had by all.
![biscuits and dip](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4059/426/320/DSC01627%200601.0.jpg)
Dips and nibbles
An Australia Day lunch hosted by R, A and C was a classic textbook example. Despite A, T and I arriving late, our hosts were gracious and welcoming. There were delicious tidbits to nibble upon on arrival, lunch was simple but tasty and delicious, and everyone was relaxed and unharried.
![bread](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4059/426/320/DSC01629%200601.0.jpg)
Fresh crusty bread
Cubes of top-quality beef rump and peeled green prawns had been purchased then marinated and threaded onto skewers that morning.
![surt and turf beef and prawn kebabs raw](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4059/426/320/DSC01638%200601.0.jpg)
Prepped-up surf and turf kebabs (prawns and beef)
As lunchtime neared, the chef politely excused herself and within fifteen minutes, lunch was cooked and ready.
![surt and turf beef and prawn kebabs cooked](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4059/426/320/DSC01642%200601.0.jpg)
Three minutes on the grill pan
A fresh colourful salad of tabbouleh was livened with chilli-basted chargrilled zucchini (courgettes) and smashings of creamy goats cheese.
Call it surf-and-turf, beef-and-reef or whatever rhyming nickname you please, but the prawn and beef kebabs were tender, tasty and utterly delicious.
![surt and turf beef and prawn kebabs with tabbouleh salad](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4059/426/320/DSC01650%200601.jpg)
Simple tasty Australia Day lunch:
surf and turf kebabs with tabbouleh salad
Plates were cleared and dessert materialised. Oranges had been peeled and soaked with a Cointreau sugar syrup, then baked in the oven to warm the boozy citrus.
A scoop of caramel swirl ice cream was all that was needed. Silence descended but for the clang of spoon upon ceramic, and then the furtive sound of a finger licking the bowl clean (sorry, that was me).
![baked oranges with Cointreau and caramel swirled vanilla ice cream](http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4059/426/320/DSC01657%200601.jpg)
Oranges baked with Cointreau and served with
caramel swirl vanilla ice cream
Thanks R, A and C for a delightful lunch and the most fascinating pre-dessert show-and-tell I've had for a long long time.
And let's not forget the excellent food of course. Encore! Encore! =)
posted by Anonymous on 2/08/2006 09:42:00 pm
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2 Comments:
At 2/10/2006 7:48 am,
Anonymous said…
I've always admired ppl who are so at ease at hosting parties.. and dinners.. or just get together. I go all frenzy for weeks.. and on the real day too.. when i need to host anything..! i'm a wreck..at hosting anything that has got food.. heh!!
At 2/11/2006 3:04 am,
Rachel said…
Wow what a great menu and that idea for surf and turf kebabs ... so easy and delicious! Glad you had a good time ... nothing heightens the appreciation of fine food more than good company.
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