Happy Australia Day!!

What are your plans for Australia Day? I think for most of us here in the sunburnt country, its very much a case of BBQ, beach, and a game of cricket. Maybe listen to the Hottest 100 if you are that way inclined (we are!) So I suggest getting some good tucker into you, some Aussie beer/wine (or water?) and enjoy the day. Here are some of our favourite Australian-inspired foods…

You can’t go past Lamb on Australia Day (though I am also partial to Kangaroo or Wallaby – and I’m now wishing I’d though of that before 2pm on Friday or I would be including a recipe for one of those meats). However, I digress, Lamb it is!

Marinated Lamb Cutlets
You’ll Need
12 Lamb Cutlets
1/3 cup Freenut butter (or regular Peanut Butter – crunchy is best)
1 garlic clove (crushed)
1cm piece of ginger (finely chopped)
Half a red chilli (or to taste) finely chopped
1 TB brown sugar
1 tspn fish sauce
1/4 cup lime juice

• Pop all the ingredients (aside from the lamb) together in a bowl and mix together.
• Use a brush (or a spoon) to paste the marinade onto the lamb – marinate for a minimum or 30 minutes, or overnight if possible.
• Cook over a high heat on a grill or bbq plate for about 5 minutes on each side or until cooked to your liking.
• Let the meat rest for a couple of minutes before serving.
• Squeeze over a wedge of fresh lime for extra tang and serve with Danni’s yummy macadamia salad!

Thermomix Conversion for the Marinade
1 garlic clove
1cm piece of ginger
Half a red chilli (or to taste)
110gm Freenut butter (or regular Peanut Butter – crunchy is best)
1 TB brown sugar
1 tspn fish sauce
1/4 cup lime juice

• Put ginger, garlic and chili in TM bowl. Chop for 4 seconds on speed 7.
• Scrape down sides and add the remaining marinade ingredients.
• Mix for 5 seconds on Speed 4.
• Marinate lamb and cook as per previous instructions.

Rocket, Mango and Macadamia Salad

You’ll Need:

1 large bunch Rocket

1 x Mango – diced

1 x Avocado – diced

1/2 cup or so chopped macadamias

1 x small handful Basil

Juice of 1 x Lime

1 x good lug of Olive Oil

• Arrange your rocket on your platter or in a big bowl
• Sprinkle over your Mango pieces, Avocado, Macadamias and Basil
• Squeeze over your lime juice and olive oil
• Serve up and Enjoy!

And of course if you want dessert, you can’t go past a classic pavlova! Check out the delicious one I helped prepare last year – here!