Oh - I miss Brisbane :(

Don't get me wrong I love where I live, but really, I am a city girl at heart. Try as I might not to miss Brisvegas, I can't. My heart yearns for her. I miss my friends so much and I feel so isolated here sometimes. Everyone really is a stranger and the comfort of being able to cuddle a friend I love and trust, is gone. Sure I can pick up the phone, but it's not the same. Everything here seems so foreign and un-lived in for me. It's a beautiful place but there really is nothing like home. Knowing every short cut, knowing the supermarket aisles back to front. The city and her buildings, the river with it's twists and turns. How beautiful is the city with her lights?

I'm not moping and I am not feeling sorry for myself, nothing like that. I am enjoying the adventure that is Townsville. I just can't help but miss her. I miss breakfast at the Red Deli in Clayfield, the Chandler Flea Markets, the Cabbage Patch fruit shop and deli, Zone Fresh at Windsor, the chocolate custard cannolis at Dolci in Clayfield, China town in the Valley, the Confectionery Warehouse at Hendra, Sam's Seafood( yes even Sam's Seafood) in Eaglefarm, lots of things, mostly food related things. Sometimes it feels so backwards in food up here. No offence Townsville, but it really is a place that allot of people don't really have the passion for food I do. We have had people over for dinner twice now and they never finish their meals. Why? They say they like it, but don't finish. This has never happened to me before. They're full before dessert as well. Who doesn't want Dessert, now you tell me? Do they eat less up here? I have been, but I gathered that was because I am getting used to the heat and the humidity up here. Drinking more, rather than eating. The main deli and specialty store up here scares me. It has some amazing things, but holy crap talk about expensive. I seriously think these guys need some kind of layby system. The place feels strange. But I suppose, I will get over it. My friend Clare said it took her a good 12 months before she felt at home after relocating to Bundaberg by herself with her kids I might add. Brave girl. The force is strong in her.

Anyhoo off I go. Time for bed, tomorrow if your really lucky I am making Lattace Lemon Cheesecake Slice. Yum :)

Szechann Pork Salad with Chilli Honey Dressing

This really was one of those days today where I had no brain. Wasn't even thinking properly when I just randomly chose some items at the supermarket. I was on auto pilot. How the hell do you come up with something, that turns out a triumph, when your not thinking and have no plan whatsoever for dinner. I amaze myself. This is absolutely the best salad I have ever come up with. Truly incredible, total 100% triumph if I do say so myself. You have to try it. No really, you have to try it. Don't just pretend your going to make it. Do it, please, for me? Pretty please?

Ingredients

1. 100 grams of Rocket Leaves
2. 10 Cherry Tomatoes, sliced into little wedges
3. 1 Red Onion, sliced into half moons
4. 100 grams of Greek Low Fat Feta, cut into small cubes
5. 1 Pork Fillet
6. 2 Tablespoons of Szechann Pepper ground

The Dressing

1. 2 tablespoons of Hot Chilli Jam
2. Juice of 1 Lemon
3. 2 tablespoons of Honey
4. 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil

To start rub your pork fillet in the Szechann Pepper, all over it. Then in a fry pan heat some olive oil. Sear the rubbed fillet on a high heat for about 2-3 Min's on each side. Take off the heat and all to cool to room temperature. It is really important to rest the pork. You want it juicy and rare. Slice the pork into thin strips. For the dressing it's simple. Whisk all of the dressing ingredients together. In a large salad bowl add the rocket, tomato, red onion, feta and the star of course the sliced pork. Toss the salad with the dressing and your done. You can vary the amount of dressing to suit your taste. This is so fresh and so lovely. I could eat another bowl of it right now. MMMMMMmmmmmm Serves 2 as a main or 4 as an entree or side salad. Enjoy and you really, really, really have to try this one.