V.I.P VISIT...LUXURY HOMES LOVES CHARCOAL INTERIORS....SHUTTER STRUCK!...COOK LIKE A PRO! ASPARAGUS TART...PLUS! THE ONE MINUTE COCKTAIL ...SOOOO GOOOOOD...CHEERS!

OUR WEEK THAT WAS.....

Well, its been a bit of a dreary old week, 'weather-wise' here in Brisbane, but we havent let that stop us from having a good time here at Charcoal Interiors.  

Read on for some of our latest acquisitions...more beautiful new things to tempt and inspire.

But firstly...we had a surprise visit today from our most favourite V.I.P (very important pooch).  Mick the plumber came in for a spot of maintenance...little does he know that we secretly fake plumbing disasters just so that he can bring his beautiful sidekick Asher the Boxer in for a visit.  This week she helped with all kinds of important tasks....

Overseeing the workings of the showroom....

Spotting potential customers.....

....and just doing her very best to look very beautiful...

Gotta go and find Cath...I think she might be trying to break a tap or two...

LUXURY HOMES MAGAZINE

Thank you to our friends at Luxury Homes Magazine for featuring Charcoal Interiors in their latest Bumper Edition!....you do say the nicest things...

NEW ARRIVALS!

More new stock has arrived this week into the showroom.  Beautiful hand painted antique Asian cabinetry, Japanese Merchant Chests, Mongolian Cabinetry, Moroccan Pendant Lighting, French Style Urns and Mirrors and so much more!  It's like Christmas has come early!

Our beautiful Hand Painted Cabinet circa 1890's with Nina Candelabras and Antique Wooden Horse....Dont you just love the French Style Mirror as a backdrop?  It would be difficult to split this setting up.  We think its perfecto!

Japanese 2 panel screen with silk border detail...circa 1880's.  What a magnificent feature to any room..and you wont believe the price!

Moroccan lantern with backdrop of one of our delicious Handwoven rugs by Bangalows Milton Cater.

Oversized Feature Clock.  A perfect addition to the Living Area...or even large rustic style kitchen.  And there will never be an excuse for not knowing the time again!

NEWPORT SHUTTERS

At Charcoal Interiors we host a wonderful range of shutter styles from Newport Shutters.  Newport Shutters are leaders in the field of quality shutter for inside and outside of the home, and also deal in Venetian Blinds, Roller Blinds and Louvre Doors.  Customised to your requirements, and made in Australia, Newport Shutters and Blinds stand for quality and excellence, creating a sophistication and style to any home that is second to none.

LET'S EAT.....!

Asparagus tart with Brie and black olive dressing

A delicious cheesy vegetarian tart, perfect for spring and summer eating

You can use a variety of cheeses. Soft cheeses, like Camembert, will melt, whereas the halloumi will remain unmelted, but browned.  Also great with Fetta cheese too.  So quick and easy.

Preparation time: 30 Minutes plus 15 minutes chilling time
Cooking time: 30 Minutes
Serves: 4 to 6

1 packet chilled puff pastry,
around 500g (1lb 2oz)
1 egg, beaten
500g (1lb 2oz) asparagus
250g (9oz) Brie or halloumi cheese, sliced

For the dressing
100g (4oz) black olives, chopped
4tbsp capers
3tbsp olive oil
squeeze fresh lemon juice 

You will need a baking sheet 

1 Roll out the pastry to a large rectangle, around 23x30cm (9x113/4in). Using a knife, score another rectangle 2.5cm (1in) inside, without cutting through the pastry. Brush the “frame” with the beaten egg, place on a baking sheet and chill for 15 minutes. Trim the asparagus to fit across the inside of the frame. Blanch it for 2 to 4 minutes in a saucepan of boiling water, then refresh and drain well on kitchen paper. Preheat the oven to 200 C, 180 C fan, 400 F, gas 6.

2 Bake the pastry in the oven until lightly browned. Remove and discard the top layer of the inner rectangle to prevent having too much soggy pastry underneath the asparagus. Arrange the asparagus inside the pastry frame, top with the cheese and season well. Bake for 20 minutes or until the pastry is nicely browned and the cheese has melted.

3 Mix together all the dressing ingredients. This is delicious served with some steamed potatoes and a green salad. 

FRIDAY....IT'S COCKTAIL FRIDAAAAAAAYY!

Welcome one and all to Cocktail Friday...the serious side of the week, where we forget our troubles and take time out for some concentrated self-indulgence....lets face it, this is the least we can do for us! 

Time poor?  Looking to create a cocktail in less than a minute...?  Then, do we have the elixir for you...its the

CHAMPAGNE PASSION COCKTAIL!

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 60ml (1/4 cup) fresh passionfruit pulp
• 2 tsp caster sugar
• 375ml (1 1/2 cups) chilled sparkling wine
• sprig of mint to garnish

Method

1. Combine the passionfruit and sugar in a jug and stir until the sugar dissolves.
2. Pour the sparkling wine among the serving glasses. Spoon over the passionfruit mixture and serve. Garnish with a fresh mint leaf.
   
   Next week: Pink Ribbon Day, Singapore Bound, Noodles and more.....

 HAPPY WEEKEND TO ONE AND ALL...ENJOY YOURSELVES, WHATEVER YOU DO!

With love...