Dinner guests' manners - 10 things that drives me nuts

There are a few things that drive me nuts at the dinner table. I am sure I drive other people crazy too and you can feel free to write all about it on your own blog.

I really must be the worst hostess ever because here are 10 things that will make me want to poke a fork in my eye:

1. Arriving late without calling. Dinner can only cook for so long and the meal I prepared may go past the point of delicious after another 1hr staying warm in the oven. I really would like to serve you something yummy.
2. Starting to eating before everyone has taken their seat.
3. Reaching across people to grab things. I will bite your arm. It might be an accident but it might not be. Is it worth the risk?
4. Taking massive portions and not leaving enough for others. I am hungry too, don't make me hangry as well.
5. Double dipping. Pour some sauce onto your plate. Happily double, triple or quadruple dip into your germy sauce. I won't criticise or judge you when it's all your own.
6. Pointing cutlery at people when you talk or scratching your back with your fork.
7. Talking with your mouth full. Unless you are giving emergency, life-saving advice, keep it shut.
8. Applying tomato sauce or seasoning without tasting the dish first. Everyone has their own taste preferences, but taste it first to see whether it's to your taste or not first.
9. Bringing an extra guest without notice. Huh? Yes, it happens.

But the worse thing EVER, and I will forgive EVERYTHING else...

10. Turning up without a delicious bottle of wine (or two) for the delightful hostess.

What drives you nuts at your table? Rant away.....

How to make Brussell Sprout taste good - Attempt 1

Brussell sprouts have had a pretty bad wrap.  I saw them in the fresh food section of Woollies, people avoiding eye contact with them, speeding up their trolley's to get past them.

 Sitting left on the shelf, like reject little cabbages. I couldn't resist their silent challenge.

To make Brussell Sprouts taste good.

Remove outside leaves, chop stem and half.

Use a little olive oil (and a little butter), place them face down. Make sure you leave them for a while. You want them to cook through.

Flip and add lemon (I used lime because that's all I had) and

a little garlic, salt and pepper.

Toast some pine nuts.

Plate up with the pine nuts and sprinkled with parmesan.

Not bad, but they were still a little bitter. I think they might need to be par cooked a little beforehand. Maybe my second attempt will be better.

How do you cook them? Can they be delicious?

Wow your guests with a cheats dessert

I am excited. I have a guest post at the awesome Veggiemama blog. Please drop by, visit and say hello.

http://www.theveggiemama.com/2012/09/guest-post-wow-your-guests-with-cheats.html

Mon Komo

Last week I received a call asking if I would like to check out the new menu at Mon Komo. Being the greedy girl that I am, I said 'yes', started drooling, then phoned the second greediest girl I knew and invited her to join me. To protect her, I won't mention her name.

The first thing you notice about Mon Komo is the gorgeous setting. It's on the gorgeous Redcliffe Waterfront. The restaurant is beautifully furnished, light and airy. You feel like you could be holidaying on an exotic island.

My sister Kerrin (yeah, I lied and outed her) and I took our seats, ordered a glass of NZ Sauvignon Blanc each and started analysing the menu. I gave her orders:

1. You have to order something different to me
2. You have to let me try yours
3. Use your cutlery and
4. DO NOT EAT before I take photos. This was harder than it sounds

Entree
We decided to share the Turkish bread and grissini with hommus, eggplant kasundi, tussah and balsamic oil. Lucky the Grissini (bread sticks) were there because we could use them as swords to fight over the Eggplant Kasundi. This was amazing.

Mains
I ordered the Sweet pea risotto with Swiss shard, oyster mushroom, sweet potato, goats feta, lemon aioli. This was generous and well presented. I was happy that they catered for vegetarians. I personally don't like mushrooms but I am trying hard to train myself. I tried a few, pushed them aside and devoured the remaining dish.

Kerrin ordered Ricotta and prosciutto stuffed chicken breast with baked semi dried tomato polenta and beetroot oil. This looked amazing. I couldn't help myself and kept stealing bites of her polenta, roast beetroot and sauce. This was probably my highlight.

Dessert
Our awesome waiter, Ronald from the Netherlands, suggested we might like to look at the dessert menu. He could see we were weak, dazed from food and had passed the point of no return.

We split a Kahlua tiramisu with chocolate shards and coffee gelato. This was a great ending.

Then it was time to roll out of the restaurant and pick up the children from school. Back to reality.

I did not receive payment for this post. It appears that I can be bought with food but my opinions are honest and my own

Mon Komo Restaurant 
99 Marine Parade, Redcliffe
3284 6520
https://www.facebook.com/MKHotel

Mmmm, roast vegetables

I love roast vegetables and cook them as an easy side dish a few times a week. So easy and so very yummo.

Peel, chop and start roasting the harder vegetables. I have sweet potato and potato with a little butter, a drizzle of olive oil, salt n' pepper. I looove roasted turnips at the moment too. You can also throw in pumpkin, carrots, corn - anything......

When they are half cooked, I throw in some onion and garlic cloves...

a squeeze of lemon juice and sometimes a little honey...

Garnished with toasted pine nuts, fresh herbs and crumbed fetta. I usually serve with a salad and a steak.

Do you have any easy sides? Please share, I need start throwing in a few extra recipes.


PS: I am joining up with Wordless Wednesday at My Little Drummer Boys.