Monday, April 29, 2013

Backyard barbecue ...



On Saturday, the weather here was very blustery with wind whipping leaves all around - a day to stay inside.
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 Yesterday, however, was beautiful and calm with just a bit of sunshine.  Perfect weather for a paddock fire.
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 Gus has been itching to try his new Auspit rotisserie so he prepared some lamb souvlaki and made an easy  fattoush salad to go with it.
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 Once he had the fire burned down to coals he set the Auspit spinning...
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 I reckon it took about half an hour to get the meat nice and browned (still a bit pink in the middle).
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 Our fattoush salad wasn't quite as elaborate as the one in the link but tasted just as good.  We used some ground sumac and paprika in the dressing too. The recipe is here.
 The lamb was cooked perfectly and we mused over what other things we could spit roast - I have visions of a rolled pork belly stuffed with macadamias, apricot and cranberries, slow roasted to get the crackling really crispy to that is shatters when you cut the meat into chunks..... Yum!
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 The sheep seemed uninterested in our presence in their yard and soon lay down for a snooze.
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 Gus thought he might try rotisseried cat but Bonnie had other ideas and soon scarpered from my lap.  Poor puss - Gus is always trying to entice her into his barbecue!
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Later, we had roasted marshmallows over the coals - delicious!
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 Gus' Mum came out for a glass of wine and enjoyed the afternoon...
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 We had a sprinkle of rain, then the corellas came in, squarking and flapping about.  Can you see that cheeky one, looking down at us?
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 It's a pity it gets dark so quickly now as we could have stayed much longer...
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The fire was just a perfect way to spend the afternoon...
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Added: It appears we contravened the local council bylaws by lighting the fire on a Sunday and while still in fire season.  Two or three weeks ago, farmers were burning off stubble on a 30C day which totally baffled me (apparently they can get permits).  Rest assured, this fire would not have got out of control as it was built on a green grass base and we had shovel and water close handy if it did.  I am going to ring the council to clarify the Sunday burning to see if it only applies to residents in town.  We are just outside the town limits on 2.5 acres.
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Cheers - Joolz xx

6 comments:

  1. Looks like the sheep were getting as far away as they could given you were cooking one of their rellies! :) Perfect way to spend an autumn afternoon...especially like the marshmallows on the spit! So when are you guys auditioning for MKR??

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  2. Yummy it looks fabulous..yeah go on mkr

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  3. Your blog always makes me hungry! It sounds like a very relaxing Sunday afternoon.

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  4. I agree with Lorraine you two should enter a cooking show, I think you would be great. I could almost smell the smoke, it looked very inviting and a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

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  5. It looks like a good day for a fire and cookup :)

    It is a pity it is so dry and the fire bans are still in. We were 32C today, pretty damn warm for this time of the year. My garden doesn't know if it is coming or going...

    We have a bonfire pile ready to light up when permitted :)

    x

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  6. What a great campfire and the souvlaki looks delicious! I'm so glad the fire ban's gone now so that we can start having some campfires of our own!
    Hannah :o)

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