We have French neighbours....we call them 'The Frenchies'. They are just a wonderful family of 5 (mum(Cecille), dad(Frederick) and the 3 kids who have very French names that I always forget). Ever since we met them I have admired how much they value family. Their kids dont seem to be inside on the weekends...always out in the backyard playing soccer, or riding their bikes up and down the street...sometimes just sitting out on the back deck with Mum and Dad reading a story together. Then there is Cecilles cooking! Ooooh Lah Lah. Unfortunately we dont see them as much as we would like, but there is always a wave over the deck balcony on a Saturday morning in between eggs and bacon and the paper....a little Bonjour!...I love saying it. Bonjour!...Comment allez-vous? Makes me feel a bit exotic. Most people when asked where would you like to travel to, or what's one of your favourite travel destinations will reply Paris. Gone are the days of rude Parisians (at least attempt to speak the language and you will be greeted with a smile and good service) and smelly streets. Paris is the hub of beauty, fashion, food, culture, art and so much more. With Bastille Day around the corner, it felt like a great excuse to divulge ourselves in this weeks blog with some beautiful things of the French variety.
Enjoy our amazingly easy and super tasty French Onion Soup recipe in our weekly 'Recipes' section and Pink Parisian Cocktail (below)
Stunning view of the iconic Eiffel Tower
Edith Piaf and her timeless music lives on...
Our stunning French Farmhouse Table...and its on Sale!
Beautiful entry to French Country Farmhouse.....one word...Wow!
So French and so chic....we all at some time have daydreamed about being a real live French woman.
OUR COMPETITION FOR JULY
YOU CAN WIN!!...THIS ANTIQUE ASIAN SCROLL WITH SILK DETAILING
WORTH OVER $650!
ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS JOIN OUR FACEBOOK PAGE. ONCE YOU DO, YOU'RE IN THE RUNNING TO WIN EVERY SINGLE MONTH!
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU INTO THE CHARCOAL INTERIORS FAMILY.
OUR SALE CONTINUES...
These kinds of discounted prices on quality items at Charcoal Interiors dont come around every day. Take advantage of our huge savings on Asian and French Inspired Furniture, Homewares, lighting, Garden Urns and Pots, Statues, Rugs and so much more! We even have discounts on our beautiful Custom Made Tables.
Pop in this weekend and see what the fuss is all about.
Charcoal Interiors. 59 Doggett St. Newstead. Ph. 38526002
Or...you can view just a scratch on the surface of the amazing products we have at:
Rue Du Croissant
OUR COMPETITION FOR JULY
YOU CAN WIN!!...THIS ANTIQUE ASIAN SCROLL WITH SILK DETAILING
WORTH OVER $650!
ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS JOIN OUR FACEBOOK PAGE. ONCE YOU DO, YOU'RE IN THE RUNNING TO WIN EVERY SINGLE MONTH!
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU INTO THE CHARCOAL INTERIORS FAMILY.
OUR SALE CONTINUES...
These kinds of discounted prices on quality items at Charcoal Interiors dont come around every day. Take advantage of our huge savings on Asian and French Inspired Furniture, Homewares, lighting, Garden Urns and Pots, Statues, Rugs and so much more! We even have discounts on our beautiful Custom Made Tables.
Pop in this weekend and see what the fuss is all about.
Charcoal Interiors. 59 Doggett St. Newstead. Ph. 38526002
Or...you can view just a scratch on the surface of the amazing products we have at:
www.charcoalinteriors.com.au
GUESS WHO POPPED UP IN
AUSTRALIAN HOUSE AND GARDEN'S 'NEST' ARTICLE??
Sharing this salubrious page with other Design greats such as the iconic Jenny Kee, this month was our very own Colette Venardos, Head Designer and Director of Charcoal Interiors!
In the article Colette shares a little bit of the history to some of her greatest treasures. Surrounded by her favourite clock, Turkish Urn and other beautiful pieces you can find Colette on Page 71 of the August Edition of Australian House and Garden. A well deserved recognition of one of Brisbane's stalwart and talented designers.
I was always under the assumption that French Onion Soup was a really difficult dish to make, but then I found this recipe that was just so easy and I had to share it. I may sound like a real ditz, but I didnt realise that French Onion Soup could have lamb added to it? I just thought it was ALL onion...no changes...no diverting from the original style. So there you go, learning something new every day. I will make genius one day at this rate!
IT'S FRIDAY....COCKTAIL FRIDAY!!
This week we celebrate Bastille Day with the 'Eiffel Tower' Cocktail! Ooooh La La!
Swilling of this little gem must be done after riding your leeetle bike around the streets weeeth your leetle basket on the ze front weeth ze french sticks poking out, plus beret donned and one of those glamorous cigarette holders hanging from zee corner of your mouth :-)
Recipe
1 part Vodka
1 part Cognac
GUESS WHO POPPED UP IN
AUSTRALIAN HOUSE AND GARDEN'S 'NEST' ARTICLE??
Sharing this salubrious page with other Design greats such as the iconic Jenny Kee, this month was our very own Colette Venardos, Head Designer and Director of Charcoal Interiors!
In the article Colette shares a little bit of the history to some of her greatest treasures. Surrounded by her favourite clock, Turkish Urn and other beautiful pieces you can find Colette on Page 71 of the August Edition of Australian House and Garden. A well deserved recognition of one of Brisbane's stalwart and talented designers.
I was always under the assumption that French Onion Soup was a really difficult dish to make, but then I found this recipe that was just so easy and I had to share it. I may sound like a real ditz, but I didnt realise that French Onion Soup could have lamb added to it? I just thought it was ALL onion...no changes...no diverting from the original style. So there you go, learning something new every day. I will make genius one day at this rate!
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 6 large lamb leg chops
- 50g butter
- 3 brown onions, halved, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1L (4 cups) beef stock
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 dried or fresh bay leaves
- 8 x 1cm-thick slices baguette (French breadstick)
- 4 slices Swiss cheese
- Fresh thyme leaves, to serve
Method
- Place the lamb in a large saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 1 hour or until tender.
- Transfer the lamb to a clean work surface. Discard the cooking liquid. Remove the bones from the lamb and discard. Finely shred. Set aside to cool.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in the pan over medium-low heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, for 15 minutes or until soft and caramelised. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add stock, thyme and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes.
- Discard the thyme and bay leaves. Transfer the mixture to the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth. Return to the pan. Stir in the lamb. Stir over low heat until heated through.
- Preheat grill on medium. Place the bread slices on a baking tray. Cook under grill for 2-3 minutes each side or until toasted. Cut the cheese slices in half and divide among the bread slices. Cook under grill for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese melts.
- Divide soup among serving bowls. Top each soup with 2 cheese toasts and thyme. Serve.
Swilling of this little gem must be done after riding your leeetle bike around the streets weeeth your leetle basket on the ze front weeth ze french sticks poking out, plus beret donned and one of those glamorous cigarette holders hanging from zee corner of your mouth :-)
Recipe
1 part Vodka
1 part Cognac
| 1/2 part anisette | |||||||||||||||
| 1/2 part contreau liqueur | |||||||||||||||
| Stir with crushed ice and then strain into the glass.....Voila! Until next week! The Charcoal Girls xxx |
