The Girl Can Cook

 

Gwyneth Paltrow is cooking barefoot in the kitchen of her London townhouse. Apart from being a great actress, mother to Apple and Moses and wife to Chris Martin of Coldplay fame she is also an extremely good cook. Recently she released a cookbook, My Father's Daughter, the work of a passionate home cook who has a love of fresh simplicity, organic ingredients and a healthly lifestyle. If you like 'Jamie Oliver' or the 'River Cafe' cookbooks be sure to have a browse though My Father's Daughter.

Here are the photos from a shoot by Bon Apetite magazine when they were reviewing her book. I only wish I looked that good when cooking in the kitchen!

Melissah xox

Images via Bon Appetit

Check out my new blog 'Country Style Chic' launched this week!
 

Sunday Mornings

I love lazy Sunday mornings - they are the only morning in the week where you can sleep in ....guilt free! They are best on drizzly overcast days because there's no urgency to get out of bed and make the most of a beautiful, sunny day. There's nothing better than a leisurely breakfast in bed, which my gorgeous husband makes - scrambled eggs on Sundays are his specialty. We spread out with the Sunday papers, I'll have a new magazine to flick through and I'll only get up when signs of boredom start to creep in - usually about ten o'clock. About then, I'm ready for some fresh air and exercise before I start thinking about lunch!

Melissah xox

Images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6    

The Road Less Travelled

Images via Donna Hay magazine

It's Sunday and I always feel like getting out of the house and doing something fun like going for a drive, taking a bike ride or going for a long walk. Because I'm stuck indoors for the most of the week I am a great believer in a healthy balance of fresh air and exercise. I love this Donna Hay magazine shoot from one of her Spring Issues. It reminds me of the little MG I had in my twenties which was great for picnics and road trips. My hair never looked great at the other end but at least  I had fun getting there! I can't wait for the weather to fine up so I can take a drive in the country or down the coast looking for a pretty picnic spot to tuck into some home baked goodies!

Melissah xox

Seafood Delights

Images via Donna Hay website

I had dinner last night at an amazing seafood restaurant on the coast - everything tasted so fresh that I am sure it had been caught that morning. The grilled scallops in their shells for entree were just delicious and the Atlantic salmon was crispy on the outside and so delicate on the inside that it literally melted in your month. All washed down with a bottle of my favourite New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, lots of laughter and a very indulgent chocolate 'ooze' pudding for dessert. How decadent!

Melissah xox

Autumn Baking

Well it was a cold, wet and windy weekend - leaving us with nothing much to do apart from rugging up and staying indoors. The fire roared away all weekend so I thought I would make the most of the wintery weather and do some cooking. One of the kids is in the middle of exams and the other is learning the guitar off his very talented dad. So with the two of them strumming away I set about baking a chocolate cake for afternoon tea and a apple pie for dessert. With the lovely aroma from the oven, the warmth of the fire and good food to look forward to I think everyone was very contented!

 

Melissah xox

Images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Tropical Feast

Whilst in Bora Bora I am looking forward to eating plenty of fresh, local seafood. I've been dreaming of buckets of prawns, piles of scallops and freshly caught fish. I also love tropical fruit such as mangoes, pineapples, bananas and paw paw. I love the fantastic colours of a tropical fruit platter and the tangy taste. I'm also a big fan of the humble coconut and love it in everything from coconut prawns to ice-cream and Pina Coladas! It's also great just picked off the tree and split open - it tastes particularly refreshing when the flesh is eaten chilled. This Donna Hay photo shoot set on the Cook Islands has some lovely easy summer tropical inspired recipes.

Xox

Melissah
Images via Donna Hay magazine, Photobucket, Pinterest

Donna Hay Cooks Up A Storm

I am very excited because tonight 'The LifeStyle Channel' is presenting the very first of the brand new Donna Hay 13 part cooking series called 'Donna Hay – Fast, Fresh, Simple'. It is is Donna Hay’s first television series and will reveal what makes her recipes, books and magazine so loved. Focusing on recipes that people can cook at home, the series will showcase recipes from her latest cookbook of the same name. The show will all be about cooking fuss-free weeknight dinners; Donna’s take on traditional recipes; and simple easy shortcuts using fresh and store-bought ingredients.
 

Donna is very excited about bringing the world of her books and magazine to life. "It’s about sharing my secrets and showing how to get all the flavour without the fuss to create dishes that are achievable, look good and taste great” says Donna.

 

Recipes & Images via Donna Hay website

Xox

Melissah