The Buttermilk Express

Today, 17 June, is Icelandic National Day, celebrating the formation of the independent Republic of Iceland in 1944. It's interesting that such an old country only achieved independence so recently. I mean, their language is thousands of years old and so well-preserved that they can read ancient texts. Can U say teh same 4 English, m8?

I'm learning Icelandic. This is why I haven't posted in a while. Homework.

Anyway, a slight deviation from the usual restaurant reviews (of which there are several waiting to be written -- it's just hard to throw one together quickly) to bring you some home-cooked treats. In honour of Þjóðhátiðagurinn.

Baked Chicken with Borlotti Beans, Leek and Mashed Potato

I consider it a crime, Molly, to take a beautiful fresh bit of chicken and stew it for two hours in water and balsamic vinegar.

It started with Everybody Loves Ramen's version of Nigel Slater's Chicken Stew with Borlotti Beans. I went out, bought the ingredients. Cooking time was at hand. Then I had a closer look at the instructions. Marinate for 4 hours or overnight? I hadn't planned for that. Add 1 litre of water, balsamic vinegar, and cook for 2 hours? But these Burrawong Chicken Marylands are fresh!

So I made some changes on the fly. Switched to a roast, with the cooking juices drizzling down into the leek and borlotti beans. Less effort, and the results were spectacular.

Jamie's Ministry of Food, The University of Sydney (Crave Food Festival)

Jamie Oliver played a big part in my food renaissance, Molly. His TV shows led me to Fifteen Melbourne, my first fancy restaurant experience. And it was great. That, plus the amazing food throughout Melbourne, opened my taste buds to new experiences. I finally started using herbs, spices, different ingredients. It was not all successful. There was that one incident when I used globe artichokes instead of jerusalem artichokes. That sucked. But who cares?