After my appointment I check my coffee app for the nearby options and selected The Journal in Flinders Lane between Swanston & Elizabeth Sts in the City Library building.
In terms of atmosphere and space this would have to be one of my favorite places so far since starting my blogging journey. Perhaps because it is a quieter, spacious place that is a little out of the way. The music is acoustic and subtle in the background and people talking quietly in their groups, or like me on their iPad/computer. Perhaps because it is Monday morning and I like many others are just warming up for the week slowly. The service was great and coffee was perfect.
This week I am getting over a horrible head cold that I woke up with last Monday morning. Having spent the week in the warmth of home on the couch with the tissue box, lemon and honey drinks watching the Tour de France. Go Cadel! Sorry no blog last week.... It is nice to be out and about again taking steps towards my next role.
Over the weekend I made my first batch of Chicken stock which I can now store in my new 90ltr freezer, a purchase so I can readily store my stocks,sauces, and purchases from the Vic market.
The stock was so easy..surprisingly so and much more flavorful than the stock you buy in the supermarket. 2kg of Chicken bones from the local chicken shop with some veggies, a few herbs, garlic, black peppercorns and just let it simmer for 4-6 hours. Adding water and skimming along the way.
There is differing views from some chefs on the length of time to simmer the stock. Some say the longer the better. Others say 4-6 is enough. For my first time I simmered for 6 hours and was very happy with the end result. I now have 6 litres of delicious stock stored in my freezer, ready for some soups, stews and sauces.
My next stock will be Vietnamese master stock which does require a day or so to simmer to get the complex flavors for a delicious beef pho.
My other activity this week is de-cluttering or taking stock of my 'stuff' and doing a bit of a clean up. Since returning to Australia almost 2 years ago I have not really gone through and cleaned out. It's a good time to do that room by room and pile it up in my basement ready for dispersement. I am being pretty ruthless on what to get rid of and what to keep. Of course this is also in preparation for the house painting starting in a week or so.
I would rather make stock, than take stock.....much more fun.
When was the last time you made stock or took stock?
Which do you prefer?
Narelle
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