The prefect explanation of book reading and reviewing – I think I paint my reviews with my own delight or lack of. How do you read/review your reads?
Image courtesy of Aerogramme Writers’ Studio
Prawn Curry with Cauliflower Rice – The CSIRO Low Carb Diet Easy 100 – Professor Grant Brinkworth & Dr Pennie Taylor
The CSIRO Low- Carb Diet Easy 100
Professor Grant Brinkworth & Dr Pennie Taylor
Photography by Jeremy Simons and Rob Palmer.
Pan Macmillan Australia
ISBN:9781760988456
RRP $39.99
UNITS PER SERVE:
Breads, Cereals, Legumes, Starchy Veg 0 Dairy 1 Lean Meat, Fish, Poultry, Eggs, Tofu 1.5 Low–Moderate Carbohydrate Veg 3.5 Healthy Fats 2
SERVES: 4 | PREPARATION: 10 MINUTES | COOKING: 25 MINUTES
Ingredients:
2 heads broccoli, stems and florets chopped
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, finely diced
1 zucchini, thinly sliced
1 long red chilli, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, sliced
2 cm piece of ginger, finely grated
2 teaspoons curry powder
3 teaspoons brown mustard seeds
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
400 g tinned diced tomatoes
600 g cooked prawns, peeled and deveined, tails intact (see notes, and also note on page 174 regarding sodium)
1 cup (260 g) natural yoghurt
Juice of 1 lemon
TO SERVE
450 g cauliflower rice, heated according to the packet instructions (see notes)
2 tablespoons chopped roasted unsalted cashews
½ cup coriander leaves
Method:
- Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil and cook the broccoli for 5 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large, deep frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion and zucchini and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6–7 minutes until very so ened. Add the chilli, garlic, ginger, curry powder, mustard seeds, turmeric and ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper and cook, stirring, for a further 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the diced tomatoes, 2 tablespoons water and the prawns, tossing everything together. (There won’t be a lot of sauce here, so place a lid on the frying pan to help the prawns steam to cook through.) Cook, covered, for 2–3 minutes until the prawns are cooked through, then stir the yoghurt and lemon juice through. Divide the cauliflower rice four between bowls, spoon the prawn curry over and add the cooked broccoli. Garnish with the cashews and coriander leaves and serve.
Notes: You can use frozen raw prawns if you prefer. But don’t add the water to the frying pan as the frozen prawns will release quite a bit of moisture. You may need to simmer the sauce for an extra 2 minutes to reduce any excess liquid in your curry before serving. You can find cauliflower rice in the fresh produce section at your local supermarket. If unavailable, use the frozen variety instead.
18 g CARBS P E R S E R V E
Review: Novelist as A Vocation – Haruki Murakami
Novelist as A Vacation
Haruki Murakami
Philip Gabriel (Translator),
Ted Goossen (Translator)
Penguin Randon House
Harvill Secker
ISBN:9781911215387
RRP $35.00
Description;
Thoughts and advice on the creative writing process from an international master of literature.
In this book Haruki Murakami explores his craft. He muses upon the qualities a novelist needs such as endurance and delight in the process as well as laying out his own methods. He covers topics such as originality, finding your own style, creating characters and links between literature, music and art. He also talks about his own life experiences and how they have influenced his work and his relationship with the Japanese literary establishment. He discusses education, the importance of reading, his literary influences and his path to success and the way he balances physical and intellectual work in his life. Wise and enlightening, this is a window into the world of an unique writer.
My View:
Imagine you sitting in big cosy armchair, opposite you in the famous writer, Haruki Murakami. Perhaps it is after dinner, you are both feeling comfortable and relaxed, you have, after all spent some time that evening around the table getting to know one another during a superb four course meal. Relaxed, you sit opposite one another and conversation begins or maybe continues. This is the book you now have in front of you – conversations, musings, reflections.
I found it entertaining, engaging and surprising, unpretentious.
A stand out reflection for me was ” I have a standard answer when interviewers ask me about literary prizes – this question invariably comes up, whether in Japan or abroad. ‘The most important thing,’ I tell them, ‘is good readers. Nothing means as much as much as the people who dip into their pockets to buy my books – not prizes or medals or critical praise.’ I repeat this answer over and over ad nauseum, yet it doesn’t seem to sink in. Most often it is completely ignored.” pps 44-45. Did I mention humility?
I enjoyed this conversation with Murakami.
Salmon Nori Rolls – The CSIRO Low Carb Diet Easy 100 – Professor Grant Brinkworth & Dr Pennie Taylor
The CSIRO Low- Carb Diet Easy 100
Professor Grant Brinkworth & Dr Pennie Taylor
Photography by Jeremy Simons and Rob Palmer.
Pan Macmillan Australia
ISBN:9781760988456
RRP $39.99
LUNCH
UNITS PER SERVE:
Breads, Cereals, Legumes, Starchy Veg 1 Dairy 0 Lean Meat, Fish, Poultry, Eggs, Tofu 1.5 Low–Moderate Carbohydrate Veg 3 Healthy Fats 3
SERVES: 4 | PREPARATION: 20 MINUTES | COOKING: NIL
Ingredients:
6 sheets nori
3 Lebanese cucumbers, very thinly sliced (use a mandoline if you have one), patted dry with paper towel
6 cups rocket leaves, baby spinach leaves or shredded kale. Stalks removed
¾ cup (140 g) cooked basmati rice
SALMON FILLING
600 g tinned salmon in spring water (no added salt), drained well
2 teaspoons salt-reduced tamari (see note)
2 teaspoons rice vinegar
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2½ tablespoons whole-egg mayonnaise
1 tablespoon sriracha or other hot chilli sauce
4 spring onions, thinly sliced
- To make the salmon filling, place all the ingredients in a bowl and mash well with a fork to combine.
- Place a nori sheet flat on a workbench and top it with one-quarter of the cucumber, rocket, spinach or kale and rice, smoothing over the surface.
- Add one-quarter of the salmon filling, roll up the nori sheet tightly, running water along the far edge to seal. Slice in half, then set aside and repeat with the remaining nori rolls and filling.
Note
Tamari is a higher-salt product, so ideally use low-salt or no-added-salt
alternatives. If you are following a low-sodium diet, omit this ingredient. 20 g CARBS P E R S E R V E
The CSIRO Low Carb Diet Easy 100 – Professor Grant Brinkworth & Dr Pennie Taylor
The CSIRO Low- Carb Diet Easy 100
Professor Grant Brinkworth & Dr Pennie Taylor
Pan Macmillan Australia
ISBN:9781760988456
RRP $39.99
Descritpion:
The CSIRO Low-carb Diet is proven to be highly effective in achieving sustained long-term weight loss, reducing risk factors for heart disease and improving metabolic health. Now, with book #6 of the bestselling CSIRO Low-carb Diet series, eating low-carb has never been easier or more delicious.
Here are 100 brand-new everyday recipes, featuring plenty of vegetarian options, meals for one and two, and low-carb alternatives to high-carb staples, such as bread, pizza bases and smoothies. Plus there are shopping tips, handy lists and easy-to-follow guidelines, with solid, dependable advice from Australia’s foremost nutritional scientists.
My View:
Easy to follow, recipes for one or two people, lots hints and tips including how to set up your low carb kitchen, this book is sure to be a big hit.
Stay tuned I will publish a few recipes from this book over the next few days.
Review: Japan- Steve Wide and Michelle Mackintosh
Japan: A curated guide to the best sights, food, culture & art
Steve Wide and Michelle Mackintosh
Pan Macmillan Australia
Plum
ISBN:9781760787646
RRP $44.99
Description;
There is something about Japan that works its way into every fibre of your being. No matter how many times you visit, you’ll always uncover new experiences and life-altering adventures.
Pack your bags and travel with us to a country rich in cultural history and full of fascinating contrasts, from the frantic pace of Tokyo and Osaka, to the wintry soul of Hokkaido in the north and the natural wonders of Kyushu in the south. Navigate the dynamic cities, walk the roads of old Japan in Kyoto, Nara, Kanazawa and Nikko, or go off-grid to smaller, far-flung towns, each with their own unique traditions, crafts, sights, food and art.
Packed with cultural insights and stunning photography, this experiential and eclectic guide takes you on a deeper journey into Japan. Read up on history and local knowledge before you go, learn how to navigate the Shinkansen (bullet train), contemplate modern art and architecture, lose yourself in gardens, shrines and temples, and indulge in the best food tourism of your life. This tightly curated list of must-see places and experiences is for people who want to get an up close and personal look at the real Japan.
My View:
When I opened this book and started to examine some of the wonderful images ( presented more like a coffee travel book than a travel book) I felt an immediate urge to travel – something I have not felt at all during these years of COVID 19 uncertainty and restrictions.
This book has it all; glorious scenery, arts, history, food, beer, culture….I want to visit Japan 🙂
Guest Review: A Royal Visit To Victory Street – Pam Howes
A Royal Visit to Victory Street
Pam Howes
Bookouture
ISBN:9781800197930
Description;
From Amazon charts bestseller Pam Howes comes an emotional and uplifting saga about the power of family and a community trying to rebuild their lives after the terrible war that nearly destroyed everything…
1956, Liverpool. With the shadow of the war looming over them and bomb craters littering the surrounding streets, hope feels far away for the residents of Victory Street. When they learn that the Queen has chosen to visit them on a tour of Liverpool, the delighted neighbours bring back the wartime spirit. Can they possibly get the street ready in time?
Even a royal visit cannot take away Bella Harrison’s worries. Her son, fourteen-year-old Levi, has just told her he wants to move to America to join the rest of his father’s family. The news has so shocked Bella that she’s not sure she’ll be able to sing for the Queen, jeopardising all their plans for the big day.
Life has been hard for Levi, growing up as a mixed-race boy in Liverpool, but he’s the light of Bella’s life. The thought of losing him brings back the terrible memories of losing her father and sister during the war. If everyone pulls together make the Queen’s visit an unforgettable celebration, perhaps she can persuade Levi that Victory Street is where he belongs.
But when Levi receives heartbreaking news from America and his move becomes uncertain, Bella starts to wonder if all her efforts to keep him in Liverpool have been for the right reasons. Can Bella find it in herself to sing for the big celebration, and make the right choice for her beloved son?
A totally unputdownable, heart-wrenching historical novel, packed with family secrets, perfect for fans of Dilly Court, Diney Costeloe and Nancy Revell.
Brenda’s View:
It was 1956 in Liverpool when Mary learned the plans of Queen Elizabeth II, and her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, when they were going to visit Victory Street, during their tour of Liverpool. Mary took charge of the organisation to have Victory Street tidied up, making it fit for the royal visit. Lizzie, Mary’s small granddaughter, was going to present a bouquet of flowers to the Queen, and rehearsal for her was going well. Lizzie was deaf but she and all those around her knew signing, so she communicated well.
Bella and the other two Bryant Sisters would perform, as they had during the war, as well as her eldest son, Levi, and his two friends. Levi was keen to become a singer and his small band was having success with the concerts they joined in. The admiration Levi held for the new bands from the US as well as locally, with John Lennon doing well saw him anxious not to go on with schooling. He wanted to work to earn money and make his dreams come true. Would they manage to get Victory Street ready in the short time they had? Would their plans be successful?
A Royal Visit to Victory Street is the 5th in The Bryant Sisters series by Pam Howes (and perfect timing after current events) and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was wonderful to catch up with Bella and the girls, learn more about Levi, Earl, Bobby and their integrated family, as well as the strong, determined and stalwart Mary, matriarch of the family. I love this author’s work and I have no hesitation in highly recommending A Royal Visit to Victory Street (along with the series).
Note: The blurb is misleading, as from the second paragraph down, it’s pretty much all wrong.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
A 5 star read!
Quinoa and Black bean Patties; Meal Plan Your Way to Weight Loss – Rebecca Burnicle and Wendy Van Staden
Meal-Plan Your Way to Weight Loss by Rebecca Burnicle and Wendy Van Staden, published by Macmillan Australia, RRP $39.99, photography by Jeremy Simons
“Packed with flavour and seriously satisfying, add these tasty, fibre-filled patties to your weekly rotation if you’re keen to include some meat-free meals.”p144
Makes 4 / Prep 10 minutes / Cook 15 minutes
Ingredients:
¼ cup (45 g) quinoa
400 g can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 egg, lightly beaten
½ cup (35 g) dried breadcrumbs ( I use Gluten Free)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1–4 Personal Points range per patty
.
Method:
1 Combine quinoa and ½ cup (125 ml) water in a small saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for about
15 minutes or until water has been absorbed.
2 Meanwhile, mash beans in a bowl with a fork. Add cooked quinoa and remaining ingredients. Mix until well combined. Divide mixture into 4 even portions. Shape into patties.
3 Lightly spray a large non-stick frying pan with oil (or line with a WW non-stick liner) and heat over medium heat. Cook patties for about 3 minutes each side or until evenly browned.
· TO REFRIGERATE: Prepare patties up to 2 days ahead. Store in
a reusable container and cook as required. Cooked patties will keep
in a reusable container for up to 5 days.
· TO FREEZE: Store cooked patties as above, with baking paper between each patty.
Choc Nut Energy Bliss Bites; Meal Plan Your Way to Weight Loss – Rebecca Burnicle and Wendy Van Staden
Meal-Plan Your Way to Weight Loss by Rebecca Burnicle and Wendy Van Staden, published by Macmillan Australia, RRP $39.99, photography by Jeremy Simons
Ingredients, Serves 32 / Prep 15 minutes + soaking
½ cup (80 g) almonds
½ cup (50 g) walnuts
½ cup (75 g) unsalted cashews
¼ cup (25 g) cocoa powder
1 cup (230 g) medjool dates, pitted and chopped
1–2 Personal Points range per serve
I love the idea of bliss balls, but it’s the thought of rolling the mixture that I just can’t be bothered with. Instead, I make up the mixture and pop it into a tray to set, then simply cut it into bite-sized pieces. All the deliciousness of a bliss ball, without the fuss of rolling – winning! p172
1 Place nuts in a bowl and cover with cold water. Soak overnight. Drain.
2 Lightly spray a 16 cm x 26 cm slice tin with oil and line base
and sides with baking paper.
3 Transfer drained nuts to a food processor. Add cocoa and dates and process until well combined (add a little water if necessary to help the mixture come together). Spread mixture evenly into prepared tin. Cover and place in freezer for at least 2 hours, until firm.
4 Lift slice from tin using baking paper. Stand for about 10 minutes to soften slightly, then cut into 32 pieces. Transfer pieces to a reusable container and store in freezer. Thaw pieces for a few minutes to soften slightly before eating. ·
TO FREEZE: Store bliss bites in a reusable container for up to 4 months. Thaw at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving.
Review: Wake – Shelley Burr
Wake
Shelley Burr
Hachette Australia
ISBN:9780733647826
Description:
EVERYBODY THINKS THEY KNOW MINA McCREERY.
EVERYONE HAS A THEORY ON WHAT HAPPENED TO HER SISTER.
NOW IT’S TIME TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH…
Mina McCreery’s sister Evelyn disappeared nineteen years ago. Her life has been defined by the intense public interest in the case. Now an anxious and reclusive adult, she lives alone on her family’s destocked sheep farm.
When Lane, a private investigator, approaches her with an offer to reinvestigate the case, she rejects him. The attention has had nothing but negative consequences for her and her family, and never brought them closer to an answer.
Lane wins her trust when his unconventional methods show promise, but he has his own motivations for wanting to solve the case, and his obsession with the answer will ultimately risk both their lives.
Superbly written, taut and compassionate, Wake looks at what can happen when people’s private tragedies become public property, and the ripples of trauma that follow violent crimes. Wake won the CWA Debut Dagger in 2019
My View:
Without doubt THE BEST crime fiction read of the year, in fact I could say the best I’ve read in may years!!! I don’t think I need to say anymore, do your self a favour, reignite your thirst for books, read this.
5 STARS *****
Review: The Journey: A Big Panda and Tiny Dragon Adventure – James Norbury
The Journey: Big Panda Tiny Dragon Adventure
James Norbury
Michael Joseph
Penguin Random House
ISBN:9780241585382
RRP $35.00
Description:
The beautifully illustrated new adventure from cherished friends and Sunday Times bestsellers BIG PANDA AND TINY DRAGON
‘James has a way to speak to your soul. This book is nothing short of comforting and heartwarming’ VEX KING
‘While the drawings have the charm of Winnie-the-Pooh, the captions have the depth of ancient proverbs’ GUARDIAN
‘A beautifully illustrated book which draws on tender moments. Exquisite’ DR RANGAN CHATTERJEE
__________
‘We shall go on a journey, across the river . . .’
Join Big Panda and Tiny Dragon as they set off on an extraordinary adventure in this companion to the global bestselling phenomenon Big Panda and Tiny Dragon.
Although content in their temple high up in the mountains, Tiny Dragon realises that something feels incomplete. So it is that they decide to make a journey together, to new and distant lands.
As they encounter dangers and challenges, they learn that everything they need is already inside them and that change, though sometimes scary, is possible and, with patience, can lead to better things.
Inspired by Buddhist philosophy and spirituality, the story of these whimsical characters makes the perfect gift for anyone looking for a little hope and comfort.
__________
‘If we have to be lost,’ said Big Panda, ‘I am glad it is with you . . .’
My View:
Absolutely beautiful- in every way! The narrative so calm and honest and true, the illustrations – divine.
Buy this for yourself – you will so enjoy! Buy as a gift for anyone needing a bit of a boost, buy for you creative friends – they will love the art within these pages.
5 stars
Reading, Writing and Riesling 