***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED***
Congratulations to Felicity MacQueen and Heather Hopley
*Warning: This post contains major food and interiors porn ... oh and a Giveaway.
I officially have my first foodie crush - Annabel Langbein, The Free Range Cook.
This beautiful woman is just so damn down to earth and inspiring that she single handedly made me want to go home and cook last night.
I didn't actually cook.... but she made me want to.
The only reason I didn't was because I was so incredibly full from one of the most amazing lunches this belly of mine has ever had the pleasure of consuming, and I simply couldn't face any more food.
But today after pouring through her gorgeous book Simple Pleasures, I have the motivation to make my family the best fresh home cooked meal they have ever feasted on.
I was so lucky to be invited yesterday to the most stunning home to lunch with Annabel.
But before I tell you about the lunch, I HAVE to share some of the pictures I took of this amazing home with you. All I can say is I hope my drool marks don't stain their beautiful white furniture.
I'm not exaggerating.
Really!
See for yourself.
Did I NOT warn you?
Rightyo. Pick up your jaws cause I want to tell you about this fabulous lunch.
The thing I loved so much about Annabel were her simplistic views on food and life.
We live in this crazy world where technology and our lifestyles consume so much of our time that we lose connections with our loved ones.
Sharing meals with our family and friends has been throughout history one of the joys of life. We laugh and we cry over meals shared together. We gossip and bond as we sip wine or warm drinks around the kitchen bench as food is lovingly prepared and we use food as a reason to gather together when you crave the company of those you love.
But life in all its craziness, seems to rob us of the time to do this ... or does it?
Yesterday as an intimate group gathered around the kitchen chatting and clinking glasses, Annabel engaged us with stories of her life, her travels and her thoughts. All the while she was cooking up a storm in a way that just seemed so organic and effortless.
Ideas popped into her head as she fetched fresh produce from the fridge and whilst we laughed and bantered the most amazing dishes were appearing before our eyes.
There was no rushing and no stressing. It was fun and simple and I couldn't help but notice how this group of virtual strangers sat in a kitchen and bonded over food preparation.
It was as easy as that.
You cant help but like Annabel and be inspired by her. She is so warm and friendly and her passion for food and cooking just oozes from every pore. Her body language and her hand gestures act to reassure you that this woman is living her dream.
I like that.
I like us woman living our dreams.
Normally when I am cooking, everyone is off in different parts of the house, busy being busy, if you know what I mean.
I want us to share the space of the kitchen together. To chat about our days whilst I prepare our meal and to reconnect in one of the most simple ways... over food.
I want to explore more organic and fresh food options and stop seeing meals as a hassle and instead as a pleasurable way to spend more time with my family.
As you can see, everything was just so relaxed and uncontrived.
No one noticed mess on the benches or spilled food. It was all part of it, organic props that added to the comfortable ambiance.
But the food.
My God the food!
As I mentioned before, what seemed to be such little effort, time and minimal ingredients turned out meals like this.
Yes - it really did taste as good as it looks.
Are you inspired? Are you actually looking forward to gathering together with your family tonight for your evening meal?
Annabel's gorgeous book - Simple Pleasures is available in all leading bookstores and the ABC Book store has it in stock for $41.99.
This book is full of gorgeous pictures and even more gorgeous recipes including loads of Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Make Ahead Options. There are tips and tricks and I promise you, if you aren't already inspired to cook, this book will give you that final kick in the bum.
I have two copies to giveaway of Annabel's book. To enter just leave me a comment telling me your favourite family meal. (please see competition terms and conditions below).
You can also catch Annabel on her Simple Pleasures Series on the LifeStyle Food Channel on Tuesdays from 7.30pm.
*This post was not sponsored in any way. I simply went, I saw and I was inspired.
COMPETITION TERMS & CONDITIONS
Competition is open to Australian residents only sorry
- This is a Game of Skill and the winner will be chosen for their creativity.
- Prizes will be sent to you direct from the PR Company
- The winners will be announced on this post right here on my blog and contacted by email. They will have 7 days to contact me to claim their prize. If the winner does not make contact me the prize will be redrawn and a new winner notified by email.
- PLEASE PEOPLE - either register to comment or leave me an email address. I hate in when winners miss out because I cant get in contact with them.
- The Competition is open now and closes at 7pm AEST Thursday 15/08/13.
Plus we have two Giveaways running at the moment
DON'T FORGET TO ENTER!