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Pies, Pies, Pies

Mum and I went to the see Waitress tonight as part of a 612ABC sneak preview for the upcoming BIFF (Brisbane International Film Festival). I am looking forward to BIFF as this year I am actually going to go to some of the movies been shown. I have highlighted I think 35 odd movies that I like the look of. However, as of next week I am getting an extra 8 hours a week at work, which I will enjoy for the money side of matters but since I do work at night it is going to cut into my planned BIFF time.

The waitress was a crack up of a movie, it was sad in parts but other parts just had you laughing and laughing and laughing. And gosh some of those pies that she made up just looked and sounded incredible. Kerri Russell was delightful and a much more developed actress than she was in the last movie I saw with her in Mad About Mambo. However it was the supporting cast that really made the movie for me. Joe the grumpy old man who owns the pie shop, Earl the husband who is not much of a husband, the two other waitresses Becky and Dawn, Ogie the guy who just doesn’t give up and so much more. It was a really great movie with just the right amount of quirk in it. I would like to make a couple of the pies mentioned in the movie and in particular the “Earl Murders Me Because I’m Having An Affair Pie” which as per Jenna’s commentary is “You smash blackberries and raspberries into a chocolate crust.” mmmmm.

The night was going so well until we tried to pay at the parking on our way. In short close to 45minutes and numerous phone calls later we managed to get out of the parking as the machines were extremely poorly designed and don’t like any coins that aren’t minty fresh. One guess who I am ringing in the morning to give a piece of my mind to.

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The Farm

Every Sunday arvo we go to The Farm for dinner with Grandad as well as a chance to just chill. Washing the car when that is needed since you can no longer wash your own car in Brisbane now. Taking photos. Picking custard apples and oranges. Reading the paper or National Geographic or just talking.

Here are some assorted photos from The Farm the other Sunday.

Nice Flower Backlit Leaves Kookaburra and Passion Fruit Down to the creek Lines Washing the Car

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Bertha Control CD Launch

Last night I headed down to the Zoo (solo because my prospective partner in crime decided that reading Harry Potter was more important than live music, shakes head) primarily to see Banawurun and Saritah and secondly to check out Bertha Control live for their CD launch.

Banawurun were a treat and I knew they would be. Enjoyed them at Woodford and enjoyed them immensely again last night. There was no didg or clap sticks this time though. Troy n’ Trevelyn draw on their Indigenous and Zimbabwean roots respectively and weave the music together in a way which just makes perfect sense, a blend of soul, funk and of course some good old fashioned reggae.
Troy Brady of Banawurun Trev of Banawun Troy n' Trevyln of Banawurun Troy n' Trevyln of Banawurun

Saritah is someone I have known about for a couple of years now after finding her website and downloading some mp3’s so it was an absolute treat to see her live at long last. Saritah was joined up on stage for a couple of songs by local girl Georgia Potter, who I have seen round the traps before, she added some rather incredible soul vocals to the set. The set was closed rather perfectly by Pray.

Saritah 2 Saritah 1 Saritah and Georgia 1 Saritah and Georgia Potter Georgia

Bertha Control, were intriguing, full of reggae and funk with a good dose of rock. For a couple of songs they were joined by a cellist and violinist which was great fun they also had a horns section which consisted of sax, trumpet and flute 😀 always love a horns section. One song in particular stood out for me, which was Daze of the Week which you can listen to on their myspace page.

Flawless of Bertha Control Flawless and Julz, Bertha Control Julz of Bertha Control CC the Cat of Bertha Control Flawless of Bertha Control Bertha Control 2

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Lemon Meringue Pie

First off, every time I see Meringue written/typed I think of Merengue or more precisely Pintame or Sauvemente by Elvis Crespo and my feet start tapping. Ok now that I have that out of the way.

I have never actually had Lemon Meringue Pie before, sorry correction I have no recollections of eating it in the past but Mum says she made it a bit when I was a wee kid so I quite possibly have eaten it before. Nevertheless when I was pulling Bush Lemons off the tree on the side of the road, I knew that the the first thing I was going to make was Lemon Meringue Pie.

Like any good Australian, this recipe comes from The Australian Women’s Weekly Cooking Class Cookbook, our version is at least 29 years old as Mum’s maiden name is written in the front. This book though is a classic and many of our favourite recipes are from it.

I didn’t use the pastry recipe supplied but my last pastry disc from the Chocolate Mascarpone Tart and that pastry worked quite well.

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Lemon Meringue Pie
The Australian Women’s Weekly Cooking Class Cookbook

Filling
4TBSP plain flour
4TBSP corn flour
3/4C lemon juice
lemon zest from the juiced lemons
1C sugar
90g butter, in small cubes
4 egg yolks, lightly beaten
1 1/4C water

Meringue
4 egg whites
2TBSP water
pinch salt
3/4C castor sugar

Line a 9″(23cm) pie plate with your preferred pastry. Decorate the edges with your finger, prick base with fork, line with a disc of baking paper and cover with rice, beans or baking weights. Cook in a 180°C oven for 10-15 minutes or until it is lightly browned. Leave to cool.

Dissolve the cornflour in a portion of the water so that it is smooth. In a saucepan combine the sifted flours, lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar and water. Stir till smooth over a moderate heat until the mixture boils and thickens, it must boil. Reduce the heat and stir for a further 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in butter and egg yolks, keep stirring till the butter is melted. Leave to cool.

Spread the cooled filling into the pastry shell. Beat the egg whites, salt and water on high speed till soft peaks form. Keep beating at high speed and gradually pour in the sugar until the sugar has dissolved (you can tell this by dipping your finger in the mixture and rubbing it against your thumb, it should be smooth). Spoon on top of the pie, spreading it evenly on top. Peak or rib the meringue decoratively with a knife or a spatula.

Bake in a 160-180°C oven for 5-10 minutes or until the meringue has just lightly browned. Remove from oven and cool. It is easiest to slice this with a normal dinner knife dipped in hot water.

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C’side, Seaside

This takeaway shop on Gympie Rd has been a bit of an institution round the Chermside area for quite a while now. I have often walked past and seen local workers or tradies at the counter picking up a takeaway lunch or snack. It has also had a few ownership changes recently, which has seen the name change. As I was walking home from work on Saturday I couldn’t help but laugh at the new name for the shop. Abbreviating the suburb name C’side to make your fish and chip shop sound like it is right on the water front. I loved it.

C'Side Seafood

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Blue King Brown

Last post from the ABC birthday party and really about time. I discovered Blue King Brown at Woodford this year and since then their album Stand Up has had a lot play.
Whilst the ABC show was a different vibe to Woodford where it was a X000 wet people dancing in mud at midnight to 100odd people dancing in the winter sun at the Riverstage with X000 people sitting on the hill behind them, BKB delivered with the crowd listening to every word that sung from Natalie’s mouth. There were times when the crowd was jumping, clapping and singing a long with the songs and then there were times when the crowd stood there listening in awe as they listened to the words and thought about the meaning behind them. Head over to their myspace page and listen to some tracks if you haven’t before. Now the photos which is what you all come for 🙂