I’m spending a couple of weeks at our beautiful family holiday house at Killcare on the NSW Central Coast. When my parents first bought this house, back in 1992, it was a tiny beach shack that was almost falling down around us. The one massive room had a curtain down one side, separating the 13 single beds for guests. The kitchen was a hotplate and a bench – takeaway was a far more attractive option. The toilet and “shower” were outside. And shared with the local tiger python (we named him Monty), and a few friendly redback spiders.
Two renovations later and it’s very different! My brother and I inherited this house a couple years ago after the unexpected deaths of our parents, and halfway through a huge renovation. Luckily the kitchen hadn’t been installed so we were able to make a few edits to the original design. My brother and I both love to cook and entertain, so a fabulous – and decent sized – stove and oven were essential.
One of my favourite times to visit is winter – yes, that’s weird I know. Especially as I moved to Brisbane to escape the chilly winters! But winters here are glorious. We can watch the storms roll in, go to sleep to the sound of the pounding surf, and – if lucky – wake to the joyous sounds of the cackling kookaburras.
The beach is stunning, and in winter it’s usually deserted.
It was just me, a man and his dog on the beach this afternoon. So peaceful.
The Fat Goose cafe, in the little village of Hardy’s Bay, and short walk over the hill provides me with my daily caffeine fix, gorgeous breads, cakes and the daily Sydney newspapers if I feel so inclined. I usually don’t. The Killcare General Store (also at Hardy’s Bay) has a fabulous array of local and not-so-local gourmet treats, and one of the best stocked independent bottle shops I’ve ever been into. No need for Dan Murphy’s here.
If you’re looking for a place to holiday, we rent our house out when we aren’t using it – contact the managing real estate agent for information.
Beautiful Hardy’s Bay – a quick walk over the hill from Killcare
This time I drove down, so of course my thermomix came with me. And as it’s been freezing this week (yes, yes, I am from Queensland…), I’ve been whipping up some beautiful soups.
One of my favourite is this – cauliflower and blue cheese. Anyone who knows me knows what a cheese freak I am. It’s hard for a day to go by with me savouring some. Cheese is definitely my chocolate! The stronger the better 🙂
This soup is incredibly quick and easy to make – it’s basically pureed cauliflower with a bit of onion and garlic, then add in some blue cheese. It took me about 20 minutes to make.
Cauliflower and blue cheese soup
What you need
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/2 onion
- 1tbs olive oil
- 800g cauliflower, chopped into florets
- 600g water
- salt and pepper
- 100g blue cheese - stronger is better
What you do
- Put the garlic and onion in the thermomix and turbo pulse 2-3 times. Scrape down the side of the thermomix.
- Add oil and cook at 100c for 3 minutes on speed 1.
- Add the cauliflower florets, water, salt (start with 1/2 tsp) and pepper and cook at 100c for 16 minutes on speed 1.
- Once cooked, slowly bring to speed 8 to puree for about 30-40 seconds.
- Add the blue cheese and mix on speed 3 for 20 seconds.
- Serve with crusty bread.
Killcare looks so lovely. And the food yummy too.
thanks Kylie – it is gorgeous here.
Mel, my taste buds love you. But my thighs… They’re not so fond of you because, let’s face it, the ‘100g’ bit before ‘blue cheese’ is just a serving suggestion right? Surely you meant to say a much bigger number?
Oh Jen I completely understand! The more blue cheese the better. It’s also great with gorgeous fresh bread slathered with blue cheese 🙂
Love the photos, but especially the soup. I just want to dive into the bowl and it has to be good as I am in 36 degree heat and still want this soup!
Thanks Jacqueline -it’s divine. Let me know if you make it and what you think