This past weekend, I had my lovely friend Pip visiting me from Melbourne. She loves to bake and cook just as much as me, so it was quite exciting to be able to do so together again. We literally spent all day baking and then preparing some delicious tapas style early dinner, before going out for a glass of wine (...just one for me as I don't really drink anymore so it's all a bit much!)

Pip made the most delicious tomato sauce, that we used on top of feta stuffed baked mushrooms. I don't really know if it should be called a sauce, but it is really quite versatile. You could use it on bake fish, or roast chicken or even just as a pasta sauce. It is everything I love about food; simple, fresh ingredients and flavours combined in the perfect quantities to make something just exquisite.

We also threw together some delicious, rich salmon & avocado rolls. These are really easy and such a lovely combination of colours. They also taste incredible. (Pip doesn't even really like avocado, but still ate these.)


Two-Colour Grape Tomatoes
Ingredients
2 tsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, thinly sliced or crushed
250g yellow & red grapes
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp basil leaves (fresh)

Method
Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan over medium heat. Cook garlic, stirring 1-2 minutes until softened. Add tomatoes, then cover and cook over a low heat for 3-4 minutes until tomatoes soften but still hold their shape. Remove pan from heat and stir in hand shredded basil leaves.
Serve on top of bake feta mushrooms, with chicken or fish or as a beautiful, fresh pasta sauce.

Feta Stuffed Mushrooms
Ingredients
5 Portabello mushrooms, peeled & stems removed
1 tbsp olive oil
Feta or goats cheese

Method
Place mushrooms in a baking dish and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Bake for approx. 10 minutes depending on size of mushrooms. Crumble cheese on top and bake until golden brown. Serve with tomato sauce.


Avocado Salmon Rolls Ingredients
Smoked salmon
Avocado
Cream cheese
Fresh dill
Lemon juice
Method
Combine equal parts of the avocado and cream cheese with a splash of lemon juice and dill to taste. Mix until well combined. Spoon onto smoked salmon and gently roll up. Serve immediately. Easy!