OK, fine. I’ll admit it. Summer is over. Ugh. I’m going to miss that sun and the beach days and the cold wine. But wait. What’s that I hear? The crackle of a fire? The sweet pour of a sweet Shiraz? A snuggly warm blankie to share with the one you love? Autumn, I think I’m in love.
Entertaining in Autumn needs a slight re-think from your Summer strategy. First of all – the weather is going to force some amendments. I love eating outside when I have visitors, and while the weather is mild, I’d encourage you to stay outside for as long as possible. Instead of sitting around the dinner table and breathing recycled indoor air, enjoy the night air and the ambience of the sunset or stars. Fresh air can leave you feeling energized and less stressed while finding outside can help regulate your sleep schedule as you breathe in fresh air before bed.
What will I cook?
Thinking warm, comforting food and flavours? Thinking simple to make and transport to the garden? Thinking something that everyone will love? Cool. I got you.
When I remember family dinners with my mother when I was young, I remember my farmer’s wife mum, clad in an apron – spending all day and half the night in the kitchen. People would come in for a chat but a lot of the action was in the dining room. I think this led to her decision to renovate in the early 90’s and pull down the wall between the kitchen and the dining room. She didn’t want to feel like the maid, cooking while everyone else enjoyed themselves – but probably more importantly – she didn’t want to miss the goss.
Now, I don’t know about you, but I like to spend my nights with a glass of red having a cheeky laugh with my family friends. I like to spend less time in the kitchen cooking and more eating. If you’re planning on serving a meal outside, it’s even more important to create a meal that doesn’t take much time to make so you can get outside and find out who Cousin Robert is going on a date with at the pub next week.
Try the following quick dishes – easy to make and can be left happily to cook while you’re outside getting the goss with the fam.
One pan Caprese Chicken bake is impressive and hassle-free. Heat the oven to 180 degrees and line a baking disk with baking paper. Toss cut up potatoes in olive oil, salt and pepper.
Meanwhile, heat 1/3 cup vinegar to boiling over medium heat. Add a couple of tablespoons of brown sugar and stir until vinegar mixture is reduced and slightly thickened. Remove from heat; set aside. Cut and stuff chicken breasts with mozzarella a tablespoon of pesto from a jar. Press edges of chicken together to seal. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
Place everything in the pan and glaze (reserving a bit for the end of the cooking)
Bake for 20-30 minutes or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut and potatoes are tender. Drizzle reserved 1 tablespoon vinegar glaze on top of chicken breasts.
Serve with a fresh salad of rocket, spinach and shaved parmesan. All the work is done before guests arrive so all you need to do is grab a drink and relax till the chicken is ready.
Simple & Delicious
When I discovered this recipe from the Australian legend, Margaret Fulton – I realised my life was about to change. Once you perfect this quiche, you can amend it to include everything. I have used everything in my quiches – from leftover vegetables and feta to cut-up snags and a few tablespoons of chutney. Play with the flavours – and you’ll find quiche is like pizza – the toppings are endless, you’ll always find something to please everyone – and pineapple is TOTALLY allowed! (fight me!)
This is the basic recipe that I have always found to be a winner:
Margie’s winning recipe
Whack some store-bought pastry onto a flan case ( don’t forget to oil that sucker). Mix 1/2 cup cream and half cup milk with salt and pepper and a sprinkle of nutmeg. Add 2 whisked eggs and a tablespoon of sifted flour. Add in a little melted butter. Spread your desired ingredients (I love baked sweet potato, caramelised red onion and goats cheese), then pour the milk mixture over. Bake for 20-30 minutes at 180 degrees (your knife should come out clean when ready). This is a winner and can be served hot or cold and served with an any salad you like – I love a greek salad with this.
If you REALLY don’t want to go back inside after dinner, I have a surprisingly lovely dessert that the kids will love cooking for you.
With its peel still on, cut a banana split lengthways (deep enough so your knife just touches the peel on the other side. Open it up slightly and fill the boat with toppings (try maple syrup and granola or raspberries and blueberries and Nutella). Wrap in two layers of foil and bury into the coals. In 10 minutes, these will be done and can be eaten with a spoon topped with some whipped cream. CHEFS KISS!
Besides food, setting the scene and keeping everyone warm is your Autumn must-dos. And nothing sets the scene at a Winter part better than a cracking fire. Now I can’t be the only loser who needs to know this: How do I light a fire????
Seems simple huh? Well, I’ll tell ya – I have been furnished with matches and wood and still have been unable to light a fire – so it’s not as simple as it seems. It’s not. I’m not stupid. It really is hard! So rather than judge you – I am going to teach you how to light a fire. Without making fun of you. Like my children did.
Start my fire
- Gather Tinder. No – not that Tinder. Tinder is (apparently) dead grass ands sticks and dry needles and wood shavings and other small dry combustable material.
- Gather Kindling. Dry wood, cardboard, large pieces of wood cut into smaller pieces. This differs to Tinder…because. I’m not clear. Just keep following along. I promise we’ll get there.
- Gather Fuel. This includes hardwood. But also softwood. I’m not super clear on what either of these things are. Get some wood.
- Clear a circle and build a ring of rocks. If the ground is wet, you’ll have to raise the fire. Somehow. Maybe with the wood…?
- So now what you do is arrange the tinder and a few sticks of kindling in the shape of a cone and light the center. The outside logs will fall inward and feed the fire. At this point – I would pray to the God of your choosing.
- Now what your fire need to get lit is oxygen. (Unlike me who just needs a Chardonnay or two. Lol) So give it a gentle blow or fan it a bit till it starts getting ‘fiery.’
- Continue to build with wood and kindling. Build until you get a good cracking.
- This all sounds too complicated. My hot tip? Get someone else to do this.
Once you have your fire burning and your fire served, all you need is a few glasses of red or a quiet cup of tea and your Autumn party is about to start. Just because Summer is over – doesn’t mean party season ends.
