Bye Bye Winter...Helloooo Spring!...Urbane Edge Article with one Half of our Design Team....Sell, Sell, Sell...More Exclusive Charcoal Project Peeks...Sweet Treats...Anatoly, The Rug Guru...Best Dukkah Recipe In The World...Dukkah Encrusted Lamb and Kiwi Cocktails..What More Could You Want on a Friday?..enjoy xx

Its almost official....

Spring is nearly here!

Whilst some of you may be dreading the warmer weather being just on our doorstep, we are all pretty happy about the change of season.

Spring brings with it the smell of Jasmine, BBQ's on a Sunday, Sundresses, Picnics and the obligatory...for some..Spring Clean.  We love everything about Spring, and look forward to introducing you to some absolutely amazing new pieces that we will be bringing in to the showroom.  We simply cant wait!  Plus, there will be a fresh new menu of gloriously healthy and tasty dishes to please the palate...and with all that seasonal fruit coming in, we have finished test driving some excellent new Cocktail Friday recipes...just part of the job criteria...someone's got to make sure they are delicious!

Urbane Edge

This week, our Cathie Venardos...One half of the design team here at Charcoal, was interviewed by the Big and Glossy Brisbane News.  Cathie gave an insight on her design style, art and furniture pieces purchased during her travels.  For those of you who don't live in Brisbane, and haven't seen the article, here's a peek for you....click on the pic and it will enlarge if you are finding it hard to decipher.

Our Sale is Still Going Strong

With so many amazing discounts on selected stock, you are sure to find something perfect for your home.

Pop in over the weekend and step into a world of inspiration!

Serving Up More Inspiration...

Next week, we showcase our latest Exclusive Charcoal Interiors design project...here's a sneak peek.  This home was completely reduced to a shell and has been transformed and updated into a beautiful space.  We look forward to sharing the Before and After images with you over the coming weeks...wait until you see the bathroom!

Lounge Living...more Photos next week.

Golden Day

Sometimes you just have one of those days, that are just 'Golden', because we had two wonderful surprises in one day this week.  The first was a delivery of Organic Belgian White Chocolate and Fresh Coffee from a client that we had helped style his apartment for sale....Then, mere minutes later, 3 bunches of beautiful Spring blooms were delivered for us....a thank you for all the girls hard work from an appreciative client and all-round great lady.  We felt just so spoilt and it was a fabulous day indeed.  

Here we are looking very chuffed with ourselves....

Cathie..Colette and Jen

Every Stylish Home Needs at Least One....

This week, as promised we bring to you our Host with the Most..Anatoly Frusin!  Anatoly is our Rug consultant here at Charcoal Interiors, and brings with him a wealth of knowledge on the beautiful handwoven rugs that we stock here in the showroom.  

Please click on the link below which will take you to a short video presentation by Anatoly, with a brief outline of some of the rugs we have instore.....enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8QpEUa7UbY&feature=channel

'Drool-worthy Delights'

Fancy something tasty and super healthy for dinner or lunch? 

We feel we have excelled ourselves with this weeks recipe...braggers...

We do love a good Dukkah...there's nothing nicer than dipping some really fresh Turkish Bread into a quality Cold Pressed Olive Oil, and then dunking into a great Dukkah Mix.

With Egyptian origins, Dukkah is a spice blend of toasted nuts and seeds, and has become a international favorite over the past few years, thanks to its popularity first in Australian restaurants and then among home cooks and food blogs. The warm, aromatic mixture is addictive when served as a dip with bread and olive oil. We've also been sprinkling it on everything else lately – roasted vegetables, pasta, feta cheese, and even peaches, not to mention the wonderful crust it makes for meat and fish....speaking of which, heres a fab recipe for Dukkah Encrusted Lamb Chops.  You can use this recipe and method for any meat...fish, chicken, or you can roll a vegetable like cauliflower into the mix and bake in the oven...now that's delicious too.  Dukkah is very versatile and so healthy too.  Dazzle your friends with the recipe below...they will think you have had lessons!

Dukkah Encrusted Lamb Chops

Dukkah is available in many stores nowadays.  Its not just a gourmet item anymore and you can find it by the packet on jar in most supermarkets.  Making your own is easy.  Pistachios are a lovely addition to a Dukkah mix and they give a pleasant sweetness.  Here are some ideas for your Dukkah mix below.  Grind up in a processor, or get into the traditional way with a Mortar and Pestle...really get your elbow into it, and then be sure to stop...take a rest...sip the Cocktail from the recipe below...pace yourself now...and begin again....

Basic Ingredients
• Nuts – hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios, cashews, pine nuts, macadamia nuts
• Sesame seeds
• Coriander
• Cumin

Optional Additions
• Dried chickpeas
• Dried herbs – marjoram, mint, thyme
• Dried lemon zest
• Hot pepper – red pepper flakes, chili powder
• Pepper – freshly ground or whole peppercorns
• Salt
• Seeds – caraway, fennel, nigella
• Spices – cinnamon, clove, turmeric
• Sugar

Dukkah (Basic Recipe)
Makes 2 1/4 cups

1 cup nuts
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup coriander seeds
1/4 cup cumin seeds
1 teaspoon sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Toast nuts and seeds in separate batches. Let cool completely.

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse. The mixture may fine or coarse, depending on personal preference, but be sure it is dry and crumbly. Over-mixing will turn it into a paste. (Can also use a mortar and pestle or spice grinder.)

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 

Once you have your mix to your satisfaction and taste, drizzle a good quality olive oil over your lamb chops...rub in a quality rock salt and then coat in the Dukkah mix.  Heat your pan with oil and sear the chops on both sides for 2 - 3 minutes each.  Place the chops onto aluminium foil and seal for 15 minutes to rest the meat.

In the meantime...take your time here now...another sip of your drink...soo nice and relaxing isnt it?...and I do like that music in the background...bit of Angus and Julia Stone perhaps?...or a Katie Noonan track or two...blissful...now, where were we?  Oh yes, the salad.  Now, whilst waiting on the resting of the meat, throw together a nice green salad...pop a side of plain yoghurt on your plate...shake up some lemon juice with a bit of salt, pepper, balsamic and olive oil and drizzle this over the salad.  Arrange the meat and salad on the plate with your chops...and Voila!...its a meal fit for the MasterChef judges.  Enjoy!

Happiness Comes in Many Forms...Puppies, Shoe Shopping, Sass and Bide and.....Cocktails!

Happy Friday to all.  Hope you have had a great one...Let's Celebrate with a...

Kiwi Fruit Cocktail...Fresh...Sparky...and oh, so delicious!..and guess what?..you deserve one...

The Friday Kiwi Cocktail

Its as Easy as Mix, Shake and Pour

Mix

2 shots of Gin
0.25 shots of Lemon Juice
0.5 shots of Sugar Syrup
1 whole peeled Kiwi

Shake

Peel and quarter the Kiwi, muddle with the Gin in the mixing tin, add the other ingredients, add lots of ice, shake and fine strain.

Pour

Serve in a Martini glass and garnish with a kiwi slice.

Thank you to all our wonderful customers and blog readers, facebook followers etc..for another amazing week here at Charcoal Interiors.  We just love being part of The Valley precinct and hope to see you in this part of the world one day soon.  Grab a coffee, and stroll the streets of James, Wandoo and Doggett and be sure to pop into the showroom at 18 Doggett St, Fortitude Valley...we would love to see you.  Mention the blog and we will give you an even bigger smile!...til next week...we are off to collect more goodies for you on Monday...another shopping excursion just for you.  Cant wait to share all our treasures.  Have a great weekend.

Cathie...Colette..and Jen..The Charcoal Girls xxx