What́ s On

48 Sydney Observer July 2010

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14Nocturnal Spotlight Walk7-8.30pm Rug up and bring a torch to discover nocturnal wildlife out in the local bushland and along the harbour foreshores. Meet at the bus roundabout at the eastern end of Sailors Bay Road, Northbridge. For children 5 years and over.Clive Park, Northbridge email@willoughby.nsw.gov.au or 9777 7755

Stepping On 21 July – 1 September 10am-12noon A free seven-week program for seniors, meeting two hours each week, providing information on how to reduce the risk of falling and maximise independence at home. The program is open to anyone 65 and older, living at home, able to walk independently or with a stick, fearful of falling or has fallen recently.Royal Rehabilitation Centre, Ryde tania.perry@royalrehab.com.au or 9808 9685

Christmas in July Dinner 7pmThere will be a catered Christmas dinner and entertainment by the Four Fellas and Mixed Blessings. Tickets available from St David’s Uniting Church office. St David’s Uniting Church Hall, Lindfieldstdavidsuca@people.net.au or 9416 2106

Workshop in Jewish Choral Music 11am-3.30pmNorth Shore Temple Emanuel and Jewish Arts Inc present a workhop in Jewish choral singing as part of an artist-in-residence program celebrating the 50th anniversary of the temple. Presented by Cantor Robbie Solomon from the USA. Bookings are essential.North Shore Temple Emanuel, Chatswood pauline@nste.org.au or 9419 7011

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Warringah Art Exhibition July 15-2510am-4pm An exhibition featuring works of over 100 local artists. The exhibition also features the Waste To Art category where artists have turned reused and recycled materials into works of art. Vote for your favourites in the People’s Choice Awards. Free entry.Artfocus Gallery and Studio, 1 Powells Road, Brookvale Janine Turnbull on 9942 2502

Wild in the Parks Tour9am-4pmThe Wild in the Parks Tour is a grassroots effort that has infiltrated local and regional areas with free skating contests. These events are for kids of all ages to express their talent, gain contest experience, have a good time and walk home with a bunch of free products for a day of skating.Thornleigh Skatepark, Brickpit Park, Dartford Road azar@volcom.com.au or 9907-5516

Family Cycling Skills Workshop10am-1pmCycling is a great way to get active and enjoy the outdoors. This workshop will make sure the family has the skills and confidence to cycle recreationally. It includes a short ride where you’ll discover local cycleways. Open to adults, and children 8-12. Bring a roadworthy bike and helmet. Bookings essential.Bicentennial Reserve, Small Street, Willoughby email@willoughby.nsw.gov.au or 9777 7706

Belrose Rotary Charity Book Fair 2-6pm New and good quality books at $2.50 each. Small paperbacks, DVDs, CDs and games all $1 each. Childrens books are two for $1.Belrose Uniting Church Chris Wood on 9452 3026 or chriswood4@hotmail.com

20Lantern Club10.00am The club is working for the institute for deaf and blind children. Volunteers are sorely needed.Turramurra Uniting Church 9487 6012

22Association of Independent Retirees10am The guest speaker is Member for Hornsby Judy Hopwood (at right), addressing on the subject “the aim of the game is to remain healthy”. She will speak on her extensive experience in health, and answer questions. The Dougherty Centre, Chatswood. 9419 5851 or 9419 8164

25Music on Winter Sundays 2.30-5pm A series of free concerts to warm your Sundays in winter. Admittance is on a first-come, first-served basis, and seating is limited to 500 people. For more information see the Macquarie University website. Performing today is Bourbaki Ensemble. Macquarie Theatre, Macquarie Universityphilippa.borland@mq.edu.au or 9850 1881

3Crohn’s/Colitis Support GroupAugust 3Support group for people with crohn’s disease or colitis, meeting in Chatswood on the first Tuesday of the month at 6.30pm. Talk to people who are in a similar situation as you.Orchard Hotel, Chatswoodinfo@crohnsandcolitis.com.au or 1800 138 029

44 Sydney Observer August 2010

Recipes

Lamb Rogan Josh

Ingredients

• 1.5kg good-quality blade or chuck steak, trimmed of fat, cut into 3cm cubes • 500ml good-quality red wine (merlot is ideal) • 2 tbs olive oil • 1 tbs unsalted butter • 1 onion, chopped • 1 carrot, peeled, chopped • 1 stick celery chopped• 150g pancetta, rind removed, cut into strips • 3 tbs (1/4 cup) plain flour • 2 cups (500ml) beef stock • 1 whole head of garlic, unpeeled• 12 cocktail onions or eschallots peeled • 300g button mushrooms Bouquet garni • 1 bay leaf • 1 sprig thyme • 2 sprigs parsley • 1 sprig rosemary • 1 piece orange peel

Method

1. To make the bouquet garni, gather the herbs and orange peel in a bundle, and tie together with kitchen string. 2. Place the diced beef and bouquet garni in a large non-metallic bowl and pour the red wine over the top. Cover with plastic wrap and leave to marinate in the fridge for

at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight. 3. Preheat oven to 160°C. 4. Heat 2 teaspoons of the olive oil and half the butter in a large ovenproof casserole dish over medium heat, add the onion, celery and carrot and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until softened. Add the pancetta and cook for a further 2 minutes, then set aside. 5. Drain beef, reserving marinade, and pat dry on kitchen paper. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large frypan over high heat and brown beef in batches. Transfer beef to casserole with the onion mixture, sprinkle with flour and stir. 6. Deglaze frypan with marinade, allow to bubble for 1-2 minutes, then add to casserole with the bouquet garni, stock and garlic. Bring to the boil, cover, then cook in oven for 1 1/2 hours. 7. Meanwhile, heat the remaining butter and oil in a large frypan. Add the eschalots or cocktail onions and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until light golden. Add the mushrooms and cook for a further 2 minutes to brown. 8. Remove casserole from oven, stir in eschalots/onions and mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Return to the oven, covered, for a further hour. Remove bouquet garni and garlic before serving.9. Serve with mashed potato, potato gratin, or boiled new potatoes for a hearty, warming family meal.

Serves 6

Ingredients

350ml natural yoghurt700g boneless leg of lamb, trimmed and cut into cube2 tomatoes, de-seeded and chopped1 large onion, finely chopped25mg ghee or 2tbls vegetable oil1.5 tbsp minced garlic and 1.5 tbsp ginger puree2tbsp tomato puree2 bay leaves1 tbsp ground coriander1 tsp ground chilli powder – adjust according to taste0.5 tsp ground turmeric1 tsp salt0.5 tsp garam masalaSteamed rice to serve

Method

1. Put the yoghurt in a large bowl. Add the lamb and use your hands to combine. Cover and set aside for 30 minutes.2. Place the tomatoes and onion in the blender and process until combined. 3. Melt the ghee in a flame-proof casserole dish or a large frying pan with a tight-fitting lid. Add the garlic and ginger puree and fry until aromatic.4.Add the tomato and onion mixture to the pan along with the tomato puree, bay leaves, coriander, chilli powder and turmeric. Reduce the heat to low and simmer,stirring occasionally, for 5-8 minutes.5. Add the lamb and salt with any leftover marinade and stir for 2 minutes. Cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. The lamb should give off enough moisture to prevent it from catching on the base of the pan, but if the sauce looks too dry, stir in a little water. 6. Sprinkle with the garam masala, re-cover the pan and continue simmering for 15-20 minutes, until the lamb is tender. Serve immediately over steamed rice and with your favourite Indian ac-companiments like chutneys, naan break or raita.

Serves 4

Beef Bourguignon

by GMC’s Bistro Hornsby • ph 9477 5555

by Food on the Move, Hornsby • ph 9477 4700

Puzzles

Quick Crossword

50 Sydney Observer August 2010

Brain Busters

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

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10 11

12 13 14

15

16 17 18 19

20 21 22

23 24 25 26

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28 29 30

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SYDNEY OBSERVERHandy Cross 15C - BLANK GRIDSydneyObserverHandyBlank.pdf© Lovatts Publications – 2010

EASY + ÷ x -

SOLUTION:

The Puzzle That Makes You Smarter!

SYDNEY OBSERVERCalkuro 183 EasySydneyObserverCalkuro183easy.pdf© Lovatts Publications 15/07/2010

1. Fill in the numbers without repeating a number in any row or column.

2. For a 4x4 puzzle use the numbers 1-4.

3. The numbers in each heavily outlined set of squares (cages) must combine to equal the number in the top

corner using the arithmetic sign indicated.

4. Cages with just one square can be filled in straight away with the target number in the top corner.

5. A number may be repeated in a cage but not in a row or column.

3-

3x

12x

4

2÷

12x

5+

1324

4132

2413

3241

1. What was the name of the first Earth orbit-ing satellite to be successfully launched?2. US rock band Guns N’ Roses are performing at which Sydney event in December?3. What is Che Guevara’s real first name?4. This July saw NAIDOC week across the nation. What did it observe?5. Which American actor and war hero had a bounty put on his head by Germany’s Hermann Goering?6. As the crow flies, what is the closest train station to Palm Beach?7. Which band includes Dave Evans, Paul Hewson, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullens?8. What is the name of the Chaser boys’ satiri-cal take on the 2010 federal election?9. Prior to the coming of the Euro, which country had 100 lepta to the drachma?10. A rally was recently held to protest WHICH iconic Sydney park being turned into an expanded car park?

Swan Lake Competition

Congratulations to the winners of July’s Swan Lake competition.

Jane Whitelaw RosevilleAnna Spencer WarraweeKen & Rosemary Rowe TurramurraWe hope you enjoy the show!

1.Sputnik 1 2. V8 Supercars 3. Ernesto 4. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures 5. Clark Gable 6. Hawkesbury River (10km) 7. U2 8. Yes We Canberra! 9. Greece 10. Moore Park

Answers to crossword and calkuro on page 49

Across

1. People wrongly blamed 6. Cain’s victim10. Rapid11. Intensifies (of conflict)12. Mastered14. Grey-faced16. Hazy18. Blue-eyed cats20. Implore22. Place23. Banjo sound25. Stir up (memories)28. Inflexible29. Cider fruit31. Eager32. Attackers

Down

1. Ornamental ribbon 2. Boxer, Muhammad ... 3. Go into 4. Outdoors (4-3) 5. Travel coupons 7. Quantity (of scones) 8. Hollywood is there (3,7) 9. Nice13. Evil habits15. Temporarily speechless17. Coming into view19. Delete21. Throwing hard22. Stage (events) over time24. Stroll26. Accumulate27. Beer barrels30. Full-time golfer

44 Sydney Observer August 2010

Recipes

Lamb Rogan Josh

Ingredients

• 1.5kg good-quality blade or chuck steak, trimmed of fat, cut into 3cm cubes • 500ml good-quality red wine (merlot is ideal) • 2 tbs olive oil • 1 tbs unsalted butter • 1 onion, chopped • 1 carrot, peeled, chopped • 1 stick celery chopped• 150g pancetta, rind removed, cut into strips • 3 tbs (1/4 cup) plain flour • 2 cups (500ml) beef stock • 1 whole head of garlic, unpeeled• 12 cocktail onions or eschallots peeled • 300g button mushrooms Bouquet garni • 1 bay leaf • 1 sprig thyme • 2 sprigs parsley • 1 sprig rosemary • 1 piece orange peel

Method

1. To make the bouquet garni, gather the herbs and orange peel in a bundle, and tie together with kitchen string. 2. Place the diced beef and bouquet garni in a large non-metallic bowl and pour the red wine over the top. Cover with plastic wrap and leave to marinate in the fridge for

at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight. 3. Preheat oven to 160°C. 4. Heat 2 teaspoons of the olive oil and half the butter in a large ovenproof casserole dish over medium heat, add the onion, celery and carrot and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until softened. Add the pancetta and cook for a further 2 minutes, then set aside. 5. Drain beef, reserving marinade, and pat dry on kitchen paper. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large frypan over high heat and brown beef in batches. Transfer beef to casserole with the onion mixture, sprinkle with flour and stir. 6. Deglaze frypan with marinade, allow to bubble for 1-2 minutes, then add to casserole with the bouquet garni, stock and garlic. Bring to the boil, cover, then cook in oven for 1 1/2 hours. 7. Meanwhile, heat the remaining butter and oil in a large frypan. Add the eschalots or cocktail onions and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes or until light golden. Add the mushrooms and cook for a further 2 minutes to brown. 8. Remove casserole from oven, stir in eschalots/onions and mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Return to the oven, covered, for a further hour. Remove bouquet garni and garlic before serving.9. Serve with mashed potato, potato gratin, or boiled new potatoes for a hearty, warming family meal.

Serves 6

Ingredients

350ml natural yoghurt700g boneless leg of lamb, trimmed and cut into cube2 tomatoes, de-seeded and chopped1 large onion, finely chopped25mg ghee or 2tbls vegetable oil1.5 tbsp minced garlic and 1.5 tbsp ginger puree2tbsp tomato puree2 bay leaves1 tbsp ground coriander1 tsp ground chilli powder – adjust according to taste0.5 tsp ground turmeric1 tsp salt0.5 tsp garam masalaSteamed rice to serve

Method

1. Put the yoghurt in a large bowl. Add the lamb and use your hands to combine. Cover and set aside for 30 minutes.2. Place the tomatoes and onion in the blender and process until combined. 3. Melt the ghee in a flame-proof casserole dish or a large frying pan with a tight-fitting lid. Add the garlic and ginger puree and fry until aromatic.4.Add the tomato and onion mixture to the pan along with the tomato puree, bay leaves, coriander, chilli powder and turmeric. Reduce the heat to low and simmer,stirring occasionally, for 5-8 minutes.5. Add the lamb and salt with any leftover marinade and stir for 2 minutes. Cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. The lamb should give off enough moisture to prevent it from catching on the base of the pan, but if the sauce looks too dry, stir in a little water. 6. Sprinkle with the garam masala, re-cover the pan and continue simmering for 15-20 minutes, until the lamb is tender. Serve immediately over steamed rice and with your favourite Indian ac-companiments like chutneys, naan break or raita.

Serves 4

Beef Bourguignon

by GMC’s Bistro Hornsby • ph 9477 5555

by Food on the Move, Hornsby • ph 9477 4700

Puzzles

Quick Crossword

50 Sydney Observer August 2010

Brain Busters

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9

10 11

12 13 14

15

16 17 18 19

20 21 22

23 24 25 26

27

28 29 30

31 32

SYDNEY OBSERVERHandy Cross 15C - BLANK GRIDSydneyObserverHandyBlank.pdf© Lovatts Publications – 2010

EASY + ÷ x -

SOLUTION:

The Puzzle That Makes You Smarter!

SYDNEY OBSERVERCalkuro 183 EasySydneyObserverCalkuro183easy.pdf© Lovatts Publications 15/07/2010

1. Fill in the numbers without repeating a number in any row or column.

2. For a 4x4 puzzle use the numbers 1-4.

3. The numbers in each heavily outlined set of squares (cages) must combine to equal the number in the top

corner using the arithmetic sign indicated.

4. Cages with just one square can be filled in straight away with the target number in the top corner.

5. A number may be repeated in a cage but not in a row or column.

3-

3x

12x

4

2÷

12x

5+

1324

4132

2413

3241

1. What was the name of the first Earth orbit-ing satellite to be successfully launched?2. US rock band Guns N’ Roses are performing at which Sydney event in December?3. What is Che Guevara’s real first name?4. This July saw NAIDOC week across the nation. What did it observe?5. Which American actor and war hero had a bounty put on his head by Germany’s Hermann Goering?6. As the crow flies, what is the closest train station to Palm Beach?7. Which band includes Dave Evans, Paul Hewson, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullens?8. What is the name of the Chaser boys’ satiri-cal take on the 2010 federal election?9. Prior to the coming of the Euro, which country had 100 lepta to the drachma?10. A rally was recently held to protest WHICH iconic Sydney park being turned into an expanded car park?

Swan Lake Competition

Congratulations to the winners of July’s Swan Lake competition.

Jane Whitelaw RosevilleAnna Spencer WarraweeKen & Rosemary Rowe TurramurraWe hope you enjoy the show!

1.Sputnik 1 2. V8 Supercars 3. Ernesto 4. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures 5. Clark Gable 6. Hawkesbury River (10km) 7. U2 8. Yes We Canberra! 9. Greece 10. Moore Park

Answers to crossword and calkuro on page 49

Across

1. People wrongly blamed 6. Cain’s victim10. Rapid11. Intensifies (of conflict)12. Mastered14. Grey-faced16. Hazy18. Blue-eyed cats20. Implore22. Place23. Banjo sound25. Stir up (memories)28. Inflexible29. Cider fruit31. Eager32. Attackers

Down

1. Ornamental ribbon 2. Boxer, Muhammad ... 3. Go into 4. Outdoors (4-3) 5. Travel coupons 7. Quantity (of scones) 8. Hollywood is there (3,7) 9. Nice13. Evil habits15. Temporarily speechless17. Coming into view19. Delete21. Throwing hard22. Stage (events) over time24. Stroll26. Accumulate27. Beer barrels30. Full-time golfer

homeSydney

Home Improvement + Renovating Magazine [Autumn 2010]

Nikki LisleA designer with

conscience

Vintage Inspired BEDROOMS

How to create a stylish bathroom

RENO RAGE: a builder shares his secrets

Creative kitchens

[ FEATURES]

28 S y d n e y H o m e , S u m m e r 2 0 0 928 S y d n e y H o m e , A u t u m n 2 0 1 0

Green Styling

[ FEATURES]

Having a green home is no longer a choice between ethics and elegance.

NIKKI LIESLE was safely ensconced in the world of corporate advertising, enjoying a charmed existence in Sydney’s leafy lower North Shore when she decided to shake things up a little. Having been in an industry where creativity was valued in dollar signs, the allure of an alternative that dealt in more private aesthetics captured her interest and so she found herself studying design. She completed her Certificate IV in Interior Styling at the International School of Colour and Design in North Sydney. She says, “I wanted to do something a bit more hands on and creative. I studied part-time for two years and I loved it”. For some the thought of going back to school may be daunting, however Nikki Lisle found that many of her class mates shared similar goals to

her own. “There were a lot of like-minded people [there] and a lot of people also seeking a career change - they had been in the corporate world and now wanted to do something that used their artistic side more,” she explains.

Upon graduating Nikki went on one of her regular trips to the Philippines to visit family and friends. It was there that inspiration struck.

Attracted to the growing design industry there - which combined the colonial Spanish influences with native practices and customs - less than a year later she was importing a range of sustainable homewares into Australia and carving out a niche in the market for safe and healthy interiors.

S y d n e y H o m e , S u m m e r 2 0 0 9 29

SH: How did your business, Sala Verde, come about?I went to a trade show in the Philippines in March 2009 and

the designs and the products blew me away. When I came back I had all these ideas.

I hadn’t seen Abaca – a fibre made from banana flowers - in the Australian market much before so I got right on it and got my first shipment by Christmas. I launched the range at the Decoration + Design and Australian International Furniture Fair at Darling Harbour in February, and that was an amazing success.

The show gave me the deadline I needed, something to really strive for. I had to learn so much, which was amazing, but it was a lot of work.

SH: What drew you to the Phillipines?I have a long personal connection with the Philippines.

My father married a Philippino and I have two sisters there. I have been traveling there regularly ever since I was a kid and have always had an eye on what they’ve been doing with furniture and craftsmanship. I thought, ‘one day I’m going to do something here’.

SH: What exactly is Abaca fibre?It is actually the fibre from a banana flower, originally used to

make rope and Manila hemp. The fruit itself is inedible but the flower is stripped and dried in long threads

over a clothesline in the sun. The threads are coloured with organic dyes and woven to produce a really tough fabric, similar to a linen or hessian. The dyes won’t rub off on other surface and it’s hard-wearing but softens beautifully over time.

SH: Was it a simple process to begin importing?

I had to go through the whole Australian quarantine obstacle course, get an import licence, research the species names, and

[ FEATURES]

30 S y d n e y H o m e , S u m m e r 2 0 0 9

provide a very thorough manufacturing process including what it’s made of, what goes into it, what region of the country is the tree from, and so on. It was a huge amount of work to get the abaca fibres into Australia. It’s not the first time it has been here but it isn’t common.

SH: What is your design ethos??My ethos is very much about the sustainable and eco-friendly side

of furnishing, I really believe in healthy interiors and furnishings. I was the only student in my class at design school to go out of her way to find low VOC [Volatile Organic Compounds] paints, and avoid things with varnish, which can give off harmful gasses. I learned a lot about chemicals in fabrics and furnishings. I always wanted to steer away from it and I did a lot of reading on the dangers of chemicals in the home. In doing all this research and study I couldn’t really find that many products that were low-chemical. I realized that here was a niche

for more sustainable products in the market. I really try to find things that combine unique designs with eco sensitive practice, things

that are hand-made and support communities.With the abaca products, a man went and found this community of artisans and

weavers and kind of revived these techniques. It’s an age-old tradition and I think it’s really important that it is preserved.

SH: What advice do you give clients about styling their home?I believe that you have to inject some of you and your history and character into your

home. A home is deeply personal, it’s important to have part of who you are in it, not just photos but stories behind things. I lived in Hong Kong for 10 years and I picked a few things up around Asia, in Macau and the Philippines and they are part of my history.

Secondly, always try and buy good quality items when you can. You don’t want to fill landfill with toxic foam from a cheap sofa when you maybe could have bought a better one that would’ve lasted longer.

Lastly, recycled furniture is a great way of making your home unique. Mix good little finds with quality staples and things you pick up in your travels in life. You don’t want your home to be a Freedom display case.

[ FEATURES]

32 S y d n e y H o m e , S u m m e r 2 0 0 9

Nikki Lisle’s current collection of eco friendly

homewares can be ordered through her website at

www.salaverde.com.au.

SH: Who inspires you?Ilse Crawford, a US interior designer is a huge influence

on me, as is Terrence Conran. I have read a lot about him and his design principles. He sells more than just posh decor, it’s for the people and it focuses on what’s functional. Multi-functional design is something that I really look for.

There are quite a few houses on the North Shore that are sustainable. I have seen one that had a benchtop made from compressed rubble and I really admired that initiative - trying not to take from the earth things that you don’t need. Reuse is important, not just recycling.