Fresh Coconut Cream

On our recent tropical

Island holiday we had some fresh young coconut   juice to drink straight from the shell. Despite the heat this water was cool, sweet and refreshing. I had forgotten how delicious it was, we used to take them for granted when they use to drop on the lawn, where we used to live. Coconut water was free and plentiful and along with our fresh Tahitian limes made a delightfully refreshing summer drink to keep you quenched and hydrated.

Our appetite for more coconut was whetted sufficiently, when we returned home, for me to trawl through various shops finding the heaviest, freshest specimens of young coconuts for a few recipes I intend to post. First cab off the rank after our Home made Coconut Cream  is a Gluten and Dairy Free 4 ingredient Coconut Bread, followed by Divine Dairy and Gluten Free Coconut Pancake Recipe. We are certainly going Nutty for coconuts at the moment. Might have to make another batch of our Kaya coconut jam to go with it.

It's surprising how wonderful this tastes and how much it makes. This coconut cost me $2.50 but if you are lucky enough to have access to free ones this delicious recipe will cost you nothing to make. We also made a creamy Piña Colada with the residual cream left in the jug, this 1970's favourite party cocktail is just as good to drink today

For this easy video recipe just visit our cheekyricho YouTube channel 

http://youtu.be/-COg87VgB0c

And you almost smell the tropical sea breeze and hear the gently rhythmic sway and rustle of the coconut fronds.

This recipe is so versatile we served it instead of yoghurt or cream for a Dairy free topping on our upcoming Coconut Pancake  Recipe. Yummo, better stay tuned for that little beauty.

Chocolate Silk French Tart

Think of a short crisp, buttery nutty flavoured pastry then imagine a rich creamy soft delicious chocolate luxurious silk filling inside that crust so deep that it billows over the rim, then a fluffy layer of pure vanilla flavoured chantilly cream. Not finished yet, squiggle some just melted Belgian chocolate in a random pattern all over the surface. Now chill it some more and when you cut this master piece, the cold chocolate will snap and shard into your Chocolate Silk Tart. Don't salivate yet you haven't even tasted it.

Now take a dessert fork and gently slice through all the layers until you get an almost imperceptible snap as the the pastry yeilds to your cutlery pressure. Prize your prize from its home and place it reverently into your mouth yours lips enveloping the silkiness and dislodging it as you withdraw the fork. Now close your eyes and let your taste buds transport you to heaven. 

You have just partaken in an experience beyond your most envious imagination.

To recreate this magnificence at home check out the video recipe on our cheekyricho YouTube channel

http://youtu.be/x4WtdTnifcw

Champagne Bay Vanuatu

Many years ago I holidayed at Espiritu Santo and dived the President Coolidge Shipwreck. On the opposite side of the island is Champagne Bay. Our dive schedule at the time prevented us from visiting this idyllic location and I have regretted missing it ever since. 

This cruise ship was not scheduled to stop here but recent bad weather cancelled our trip to Dravuni Island the substitute location selected by the Captain was this absolutely delightful beach. The water was indescribably aqua  with the whitest soft sand in the region. Coral and tropical fish are plentiful and the water is warm with these interesting, refreshing cool patches that are actually fresh water springs beneath the ocean floor bubbling to the surface, hence the name Champagne Beach. I LOVED it. No current, deep pristine water, it was gorgeous.  My favourite day so far on the trip. The tender boat trip ashore was ridiculous many people simply didn't bother because if the prolonged wait. We didn't get ashore until after lunchtime and it was very hard to leave such a perfect place. There were many locals selling cooked crayfish, crabs, fruits and locally crafted artifacts and handmade clothing, so so very pretty exactly like a perfect tropical island. 

The cruise ship sits out in the bay and the tender boats travel around the corner to surprise you with a picture postcard view.

There are a number if huts set up as stalls filled with reasonably priced island souvenirs .

Breakfast aboard Pacific Jewel

I like to try different menu selections, most of my culinary inspiration comes from my adventurous spirit when ordering a meal. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to try the grilled coconut bread with mascarpone and macadamia crumbs.

Looks a but boring but it was moist, tasty and very different. Doesn't look much with its tiny shave if pear on top but I will be making it when I get home. I don't need a recipe I will invent one. Richo went for Crunchy Farmers Muesli after deciding  he loves Bircher Muesli, something I have been trying to get him to try for years. Unfortunately his latest find was unavailable for this morning breakfast.

Eyes roll and prolonged yawn. so many delicious, unusual varied options to sample and staid old Richo gets........ Bacon & Eggs AGAIN!!!!!

Not me!  Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict was a leap out of the traditional box and a firm landing on another recipe I have to show you when I get near my stove.

Suva, Fiji cheekyricho cruise holiday

I wanted to have a look in the Prouds Department Store in Suva, Richo was reluctant until a fellow traveller told him to go in, buy a Fiji Beer $2.60 Fiji dollars or a Bourbon and Cola $3.00 you can sit inside with the air conditioning and enjoy your drink on a courtesy seat. Richo would've been happy for me to spend the afternoon there just browsing. 

He visited the largest fishing store in Fiji and it was tiny and not at all well stocked. Richo could open a store with his personal collection of fishing gear and  knock out the competition with variety and  quality of tackle and gear.

Back aboard and the evenings entertainment included a tribute to the Beatles that was able to be enjoyed on all 3 levels surrounding the stage.

One of the water features aboard in the public areas.

Richo opted for a potato and bacon quiche for his entree. My more adventurist option was King Fish and Prawn Cerviche.

Both were tasty but my selection was much lighter and more appropriate for this tropical environment.

Cheekyricho Home Coming

The last morning breakfast aboard was Croissant French Toast with Bacon and Maple Syrup and you don't want to knock this one until you try it. 

The ship was 5 hours late, which threw a lot of passengers into turmoil. It was the fastest push through customs we have ever experienced. Our shuttle bus wiz zed us to the airport, after a quick bite at the food court we were on our final leg.

We flew over our house 3 times as the plane did a few circles awaiting clearance to land. Our river looks quite big from up here and we have missed it. Every afternoon when I am doing laps in the pool I hear the plane coming in to land Richo reckons the pilot knocks it back a gear over the pool, I'm pretty certain that's not aviation speak but I had the window seat today and he knew from the engine sound we were over the house. It was strange seeing the approach to land from a different perspective. 

The lady who was looking after Tilly met us at the terminal. Tilly doesn't like loud noise but she waited patiently with our friend as we disembarked. 

All hell broke loose when she spotted us. She was crying like a baby and out of control. Richo was pretty emotional at the enthusiastic greeting we received. You can go through your whole life and never experience the love a little dog can bestow upon you and to miss such a joy would be too sad to contemplate.

We are home safe, we have had a lovely holiday and everything is back to normal. 

Pacific Jewel Meals

This was Richo's entree of Fishermans Pie.

Its hard to determine the portion sizes. Above is one entree and below is my Veal a terrine.

Pretty and tasty but barely 2 forks full.

This is a share plate of Roast Ham with a Leek sauce. Tender and tasty and not too salty. We followed with a Rum Baba with apricot compote. Don't bother with this one it was like a very stale tasteless bread. 

Richo's Triple Chocolate cheesecake was a much more acceptable choice. 

With is crisp light pastry crust, creamy rich chocolate layered cheesecake filling and creamy sticky lightly brown Swiss meringue topping. Many passengers have commented on the food standard and compare it to other cruise lines. Everyone who has travelled on Princess Lines raves about it. Last night we saw the show with the circus performers. The light show behind the performers is very good and there was a little boy about 15 months old who was seated near us. He was the star of the show. He laughed, danced, tapped his onsie clad feet, clapped,  bounced on his nappied bottom on the step and seemed to believe the audience applause was just for him. It would not be possible to watch this little guy without smiling. I enjoyed his performance very much. Richo and I kept nudging each other to watch him if we got distracted by the show, we were there to watch. 

Fiji

Port Denaru with is tourist shops, cafés and bars. It has some lovely apartments and resorts. We just pottered around the port and used the wifi. Had a bucket of beer and a pizza. 

Sampling the local beer

Whilst you enjoy the local 'traditional' dancing

We returned the ship on the Couger11 which is a high speed ocean ferry which has free wifi. Wish I had known that on the way over. It's a big job sorting through the YouTube comments, enquiry and emails. Something I take seriously and try to answer everyone personally , I'm treating this holiday as a research trip trying to gather as much knowledge about international cuisine as possible to utilise back home.

So it's back to the ship and sail overnight to Suva the Capital of Fiji just for the day.

Trivia and Waterfront restaurant Dining Experience.

Just one of the dance floors aboard the Pacific Jewel. Trivia quiz is held here and quite a few laughs are had as the cruise staff involve the audience

There are a number of shops and public seating areas on board, music is often played here and can be heard up through the decks with Thor open railings.

A selection of pasties, muffins and Danishes are available with breakfast 

The waterfront restaurant with its crisp whit table linen and full waiter service is a great way to meet people, we prefer to share a table with different people and we have had some wonderful table conversations with so many different people from all walks of life. It's my favourite part if the day. 

It's a Hard Life at sea

Our cabin Stewart Las has stretch marks from smiling. He leaves us chocolates and little animals folded out of towels. He got me an txt a pillow to elevate my ankle and burst into uncontrollable giggles when he saw I was using life jackets as an ankle elevation. He works 11 hours a day everyday. Too exhausted to take advantage of any shore time. 

I wanted to bring a backpack for shore trips but Richo wanted to just use our cabin bag. I couldn't lose him in a crowd with that fluoro pink accessory 

How on earth do those young people, party on after a hard day ashore. Richo comes back and collapses in the aircon.

Richo getting some cocktail mixing tips and instructions.

We went to a Cocktail mixing demonstration and Richo got into the shake.

My split level cocktails should never mix again after learning how to use this cocktail utensil. We sampled 4 cocktails in an hour and it definitely improved our Trivia skills.

There are a number of shops on board from cafe, confectionary, Icecream, jewellery and duty free stores along with shore tour, future cruse and photo kiosk desks.

Our Cruise

Fly to Sydney, rain and fog and the plane was early to land. Shuttle bus to the ship. Our driver must have got his licence at the racetrack.

Nothing like a ship wreck drill and man overboard, fire on board and disease lecture to make cruisers feel safe. Richo getting tangle up In his life jacket straps in a controlled non emergency situation.

Sailing out of Sydney Harbour, under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and past the Sydney Opera House. Raining and  bleak but the weather broke for a few short minutes for the photo op.

The sea is running at 4.5metres and Rivho isn't handling it too well. He is beginning to lament I only brought 5 boxes of seasick pills. Guess who couldn't eat dinner? Yep the ok' sea dog is sick as a dog.

We are 2 cabins from the stern, big walk to anywhere. Swaying from side to side and up n down.

Will bring you more food related posts as we go. Our Fiji Adventure has begun.

Our Cruise

Fly to Sydney, rain and fog and the plane was early to land. Shuttle bus to the ship. Our driver must have got his licence at the racetrack.

Nothing like a ship wreck drill and man overboard, fire on board and disease lecture to make cruisers feel safe. Richo getting tangle up In his life jacket straps in a controlled non emergency situation.

Sailing out of Sydney Harbour, under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and past the Sydney Opera House. Raining and  bleak but the weather broke for a few short minutes for the photo op.

The sea is running at 4.5metres and Rivho isn't handling it too well. He is beginning to lament I only brought 5 boxes of seasick pills. Guess who couldn't eat dinner? Yep the ok' sea dog is sick as a dog.

We are 2 cabins from the stern, big walk to anywhere. Swaying from side to side and up n down.

Will bring you more food related posts as we go. Our Fiji Adventure has begun.

Another perfect day at sea.

The view from our Dining a Room window says it all. You have to take your hat off to those early ocean explorers, who couldn't possible know what was beyond the horizon.They certainly didn't dine like we are.

Perfectly cooked steak with a

Selection of fresh vegetables or salad.

Delicious spicy apple streusel with vanilla bean custard.

Richos big breakfast ahead of his big walk around a tropical port.

Eggs Benedict for me, gently soft poached eggs atop Canadian Bacon and a warm crisp English Muffin slathered with creamy Hollandaise Sauce and sprinkled with salty capers. This is one of my favourite breakfasts and yes I am definitely a breakfast person. I believe it is  the most important meal of the day and I am generally on the hunt for food the minute my feet hit the ground as soon as I wake. Here not only do I have a choice of restaurants but I have trouble deciding what breakfast to treat myself with from the extensive and comprehensive breakfast menu.