Friday, December 3, 2010

ITS 1ST OF DECEMBER SO LETS BRING ON CHRISTMAS!...OUR LOUIS XVI KING AND QUEEN CHAIRS TRANSFORMED...CHARCOAL INTERIORS MEETS HOUSE & GARDEN...SUPER EASY SALMON AND FRESH HERB FRITTATA....CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS AND MUCH MORE...HAPPY FRIDAY TO ALL!

CHRISTMAS AT CHARCOAL INTERIORS

We have a bit of a pet peeve here at Charcoal....why do a lot of the stores bring out their Christmas displays too early?  For some its as early as September!  We think it detracts for the special time that Christmas is...so we have a rule: "No decorations until the 1st of December"!...after that its open slather.  Tinsel here...Baubles there...Holly, Candles, Reindeer, Silver, Gold...Sparkles and more!  We get right into it.  

Cath spent ages perfecting our beautiful Window Display.  Her displays are gaining Celebrity in Brisbane town as being one of the most creative and ground breaking.  This years is no exception.


The centrepiece of  this years Window Display is our stunning Louis XVI Fully restored King and Queen Chairs in luxurious French Velvet, black as a moonless night.

This pair was lovingly restored by our experienced upholsterer Adam.
Below...Adam gives us his best Blue Steel impersonation...

Before he laid his hands on them, they were a pair of chairs with sturdy bones that needed an update.  The fabric was removed and framework sanded back to its original timber.


Finished Product!

Adam gives a thumbs up to a job well done!  Thanks Adam...you're a magician when it comes to upholstery and furniture restoration.

CHARCOAL INTERIORS MEETS AUSTRALIAN HOUSE AND GARDEN MAGAZINE!

This month, Charcoal Interiors hosted 'Australian House and Garden Magazine'.
You can see the exclusive Charcoal Interiors styling and photo shoot via their Bumper Christmas Edition which is out now!
EXTENDED TRADING HOURS
Valued Customers Please Note:
Charcoal Interiors will be open every Thursday night of December until 7 p.m
Be sure to pop in to see all of our fabulous Christmas gift options, not to mention Christmas Dining Table options that make the perfect setting for the family Christmas meal and set up special memories for years to come. 


LET'S COOK!

SALMON AND HERB FRITTATA WITH ASPARAGUS



The cooking bug hit me on Monday, and with the abundance of fresh herbs in the garden going to waste, I figured a simple Frittata would do to feed the girls at Charcoal.
This Frittata took me 10 minutes to prepare and the results were visually and gastronomically pretty impressive (even if I do say so myself....hey I brag here, but dont ever ask me to bake a cake...I am miserable at cake making and have never had a success).  
Here's my recipe, and I am not one for exact measurements, but dont worry because with the Frittata you can be a bit slap dash and it still works out well.  Just dont overdo the cream because the egg wont set as well.

Preheat oven to 180 degrees.
Line a round baking dish with baking paper.


INGREDIENTS:
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/4 cup pure cream
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • 1/4 cup crumbled fetta cheese
  • Handful of chopped fresh herbs...I used chives, parsley, basil and dill
  • 150g can of salmon
  • Button Mushrooms (enough to line your baking pan)
  • Asparagus spears, cherry tomatoes and capsicum
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Note: you can add some chilli flakes, bacon or ham
METHOD
Now here is the really easy part.  Simply combine eggs, cheeses, herbs, salmon, salt and pepper into a mixing bowl and whisk.  Blanch some asparagus spears and make sure they cool sufficiently.  Slice the mushroom and just line it in the baking dish (I used a round one and lined it with baking paper).
Tip egg, cheese, salmon and herb combo on top of the mushrooms and then decorate the top with the asparagus spears, thinly sliced capsicum and halved cherry tomatoes.
Bake in the oven for 20 - 25 minutes.
I served ours up with a fresh salad of greens, cubed fetta cheese, avocado, cucumber and tomato.



 This week marks the start of our Christmas Cocktail Feature.  For the next four weeks we will be showcasing exclusive Christmas Cocktail recipes for you to try.  We are keeping it simple so you can whip up a Cocktail masterpiece in a jiffy.
 This weeks recipe follows the Christmas Theme with the use of Cranberries and fresh lime...we do love the lime!

Cranberry Kick

1 part Vodka
4 parts cranberry juice
1 half lime, juiced
Half fill a highball glass with ice. Add the vodka, lime juice and cranberry juice. Stir well. Add lime wedges and serve.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend.  Here's to a great start to the Festive Season.  Its been a wet old week here in Brisbane with more rain to come, so please be careful on the roads...we all want you around for a long...long time.
Until next week.....

The Charcoal Girls xxx