AT PLAY

For the home enhancers, the foodies, the wanderers

Take one Mango…

Ok! ok! Consuming and blogging about delectable noshes throughout our French and Italian travels was all well and good, but yes it’s time to get some serious stuff in the Blog’s ‘Indulge’ column now…so what about a Mango?

Why the Mango? Well those who followed our travels noted that rather a lot of G&Ts were consumed. A simple drink requiring a splash of Gin, slosh of tonic, chunk of ice, slither of lime…easy, relatively accessible. Bit of an institute actually. But! If I’d only had a blender, Barcardi and a mango or two…

Oh! And did you know that our iconic fruit is loved in the UK but sales are down because folks there don’t know what else to do with it aside from the obvious? Well here’s a mighty fine idea…

Behold the mighty Daiquiri!

When Mangos are in season, flushed with firm ripeness and smelling divine, why not grab a box at good price, race them home, peel, slice their cheeks off and freeze in small (4 cheek) freezer bags for easy, year round, Mango treats. Smoothies, mousse, coulee, granita, soufflé…AND Mango Daiquiris!

Simply grab a bag of cheeks, still frozen, slip them straight from the bag into the blender, add a slosh of Bacardi and blend on high ’till smooth. Quick taste test for texture and sweetness, pour the thick smooth outcomes into cocktail or traditional martini glasses, garnish with a slithered twist of mango peel, mint leaf tip or slither of lime and serve.

If making the Daiquiri with fresh mango…and what better way to use up the excess bits from your initial freeze fest…add ice along with the Bacardi and blend until smooth.

Cheers! sluuurp….mmmm…

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And Adelaide’s intriguing critters…

The perfect crisp clear day to explore further afield around this interesting city, starting with a stroll along the lush green curbed river to the Zoo…or more precisely the Pandas…huge cuddly pandas.

20110619-054511.jpgWang Wang and Funi are cute and chubby in a lazy kinda way…equally the petite red Pandas dozing in their warm bamboo sunshine. We sigh in awe, photograph from every angle then mosey on to Pixi’s beloved Meerkats intent on simultaneously sunning their tummies, digging a new 15 bedroom underground mansion and keeping watch for the next food delivery, followed by Brazilian Tapir, Peccary and Dusky Langur…

20110619-054637.jpgIt’s starting to rain…a perfect reason to divert intentions to equally intriguing creatures, this time in the form of Patricia Piccinini’s ‘Once upon a time…’ exhibit at the Art Gallery of South Australia…

She doesn’t disappoint, a fascinating feast of contemporary, hauntingly real sculptures of grotesque yet adorable hybrid animals and seductively beautiful, loved up shiny motorcycles…Pixie’s in raptures, Elmo’s amazed and the classic work of local and national artists doesn’t disappoint either for we have happened upon the newly opened restored Elder Wing of Australian Art…sigh!

It has indeed been a day full of interesting critters…thank you Adelaide for inspiring and surprising…

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Loving Adelaide’s vibe…

Explore, explore, foot sore, weary, Elmo* and Pixi yearn for a pub and ale and a little lie20110619-041201.jpg down…but wait! Too much to do and see within a short weekend. First up a brisk walk to ‘Bark in the Park’…a doggy morning hosted by Stevie Jacobs (wee weather guy) where Shih Tzu rub shoulders with Alsatians…or rather take a keen interest in each other’s pants while attempting to wriggle out of their cute woolie jackets lovingly selected by doting owners, while others examine the obstacle course and weigh up the worth…treat for completing or dignity for not?

20110619-042631.jpgNext stop the High Street…top of Rundle actually…oozing hip boutiques and coffee houses, the evening will find the same street buzzing with Restaurant/bar trawlers. A dawdle down to the Mall…tacky shops, quick exit past interesting architecture unique to the region, Cathedrals and lush parkland surrounding lakes adorned with ducks and on to the Markets.

20110619-041130.jpgLargest in southern hemisphere, we absorb the hustle of fish mongers jostling with spruiking
butchers and organic vege growers, breathe the aroma of Chinese herbs mingling with hot roasted nuts, marvel at whole truffles nestled in waxy paper beds, glistening coffee beans, bags of black eyed peas and orange lentils, rich Haigh’s chocolate nests…a visual, sensory and cultural feast for the senses. Pixie yearns for the lush bunches of flowers that populated the French markets but quickly finds solace in a box of exquisite rosy blushed miniature pears.

An afternoon trawling pub cider on tap, Pixie’s fave, a pint of local for Elmo, Crocodile Thai nosh…tasty! and home to nurse those weary feet.

*Elmo Briatore Spiderfoot – Brettles – photographer extraordinaire

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