CATHS HAYMAN HIATUS...SUMMER TULIPS IMPOSSIBLE TO KILL...THE BRUNCH MARTINI WITH APRICOT JAM!!??...GEORGE MICHAEL...EASY BACK TO SCHOOL BAGUETTE RECIPE AND MUCH MORE!

CATHS HAYMAN ISLAND HIATUS 

Well, with all the flood 'goings-on' here in Brisbane, Cath ran screaming with arms flailing in the air to the nearest major airport and took herself off to the tranquility of a place of perfection and peace...Hayman Island.  Actually, she wasnt really screaming and arms a-flailing..but you get the picture..she was in need of a sweet sojourn, and Hayman fit all the criteria.

  Cath says the best thing about Hayman was the Pool, the Sunsets and the Service. The most strenuous activity she participated in for the week, was that of reeeelaxing...tough gig but someone has to do it!  She has come back to work brown as a berry and looking like a movie star just out of a top Health Retreat...I may have to kill her....

  Sometimes, you just have to take yourself off somewhere special and take time out just for you.... 

NEW ARRIVALS

Regulars to our showroom will know that every time they step through the doors there is something new to inspire.  We try to inspire our customers every single time they walk in.  This week is no exception with our latest 'We Love' additions.

We LOVE....our huge arched Feature Mirror

Also LOVING our Oversized Feature Clock

And how about starting the year with a new dining table to gather around and create lasting memories?  We just LOVE this latest table arrival into the showroom...completely custom made and also very affordable.  Our craftsman is second to none and we can create a special table just for you, to your dimensions and design specifications...just ask us for more details.

Bring the blooming delights of Spring into your home in the hotter Summer months with one of our beautiful and top quality Tulip Bunches.  They look real and last and last and last...no watering required and already attractively bunched and tied together they look great 'as is' on the dining table or as an added bit of colour and interest to a nook that needs just that little bit of 'something'.  Also available in Reed Bunches.

BRING IT ON!....COCKTAIL FRIDAY

Introducing for your Imbibing Pleasure...The Brunch Martini

Brunch Martini

Serves 1

45 ml	Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum
15 ml	Cointreau
1 tsp	apricot jam
15 ml	ruby grapefruit juice

1

Add all ingredients to a shaker half-filled with ice. Shake hard and fast, pour through a fine strainer into a chilled martini glass and serve.

BACK TO SCHOOL EASY FAMILY RECIPE

This week, we should have had George Michaels song 'Freedom' on the itunes to play full blast as the hoards of women sans children floated through the showroom. 

Hard as it is to pack the little sweethearts back to school for another year, considering all of the 'inside' time that Brisbane parents have had to experience with their children over the holidays, we do believe that an easy, yet delicious Friday recipe is warranted.

EASY SUMMER-FRESH BEEF BAGUETTES TOPPED WITH MUSTARD AND CRANBERRY

This recipe is super easy and wont hurt the wallet too much either.  I prepared all the fresh ingredients first and put it on a platter in the fridge, then sat out on the back deck with the whole family, while Pete the Greek cooked up the steaks. We then just assembled the baguettes out on the deck, cut the baguettes into 4 or 6 each, depending on the size of the bread stick and then everyone helped themselves.  Its a really easy, stress free meal that will literally take you 15 minutes from the time you start to finished product....enjoy!

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 4 x 90g lean beef minute steaks
• Olive oil spray
• 1 large baguette, cut into four, split
• 2 tomatoes, sliced
• 2 cups (50g) watercress sprigs
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

MUSTARD AND CRANBERRY DRESSING

• 1 1/2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tsp white wine vinegar
• 2 tsp wholegrain mustard
• 1 tbs cranberry sauce

Method

1. Pound the steaks with a meat mallet until about 2mm thick. Spray with oil and season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat a frypan over high heat. Cook the steaks, 2 at a time, for 30 seconds each side for medium or until cooked to your liking. Rest for 3 minutes, then slice.
3. Meanwhile, for the dressing, whisk ingredients with 1 tablespoon boiling water until combined. Season to taste.
4. Fill the baguette pieces with tomato, watercress, onion, sliced steaks and any beef juices. Drizzle over the mustard dressing and serve immediately.

Notes

• To make this dish even quicker, use 350g lean rare roast beef slices from the deli in place of the steaks.

....Until next week!  Have a wonderful weekend.

xxx