Stuffed Capsicums and Brown Rice

We've been having an awesome time camping, the weather has been great and Ezra has been his usual active, adventurous self, good thing he has lots and lots of people to give him all the attention (and food) that he wants!!

Sometimes when we are camping I start feeling like we have an overload of meat and potatoes, the easiest thing to chuck on the BBQ is steaks or sausages, at home we only eat meat a few times a week so having so much meat makes me feel kind of gross. So tonight we tried something we have done in the oven before but never in the BBQ.

Stuffed Capsicums (Otherwise known as Stuffed Peppers for the North Americans)

They were delicious, and such an easy and light meal to make when your camping.

Here is the recipe, we served them with brown rice and sweet potatoes, that is what you can see wrapped in foil in the picture. We used 7 capsicums, and this is the rough amounts of ingredients, it fed 6 adults and 1 toddler with leftovers, I would suggest just making it to taste though.

Ingredients:

Red Capsicum (Red Peppers)

Spinach (250g bag)


Ricotta (1kg)

brown Mushrooms (large handful)

Onions (one medium)

basil (two stalks)

Pine nuts (100g)

Tomato

Salt

Pepper

Method:

It's really simple, you halve the capsicums and then finely chop the spinach, mushrooms, onion and basil and stir it in with the ricotta. Then add the pine nuts and salt and pepper to taste. Add a slice of tomato to the top of each and place them on a tray or rack in your oven or BBQ on medium heat. You know they are done when the capsicums (peppers) are nice and soft and the ricotta seems cooked and not runny.

We have a Weber Baby Q which is perfect for these meals, but any BBQ with a cover would work!



Of course I am linking up with the lovely Jess at Essentially Jess for #IBOT today too!!

Karen xx

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Camping or Glamping?

Today we are heading out on our yearly holiday. I can't wait, I look forward to this holiday all year. I've been camping at this same caravan park every January for almost my whole life (Except for the time I spent over East and in the USA, and was so sad to be missing out). My folks have already been down there for two weeks in their caravan, and we are booked in for the next two weeks. It is one of my favourite places in the world, and has such amazing beautiful surroundings! Unfortunately this year because of Joel's recent job change he doesn't get to take the whole time off, so he will be with us for long weekends. But, it isn't like i'll be solo-pregnant parenting, that would be a nightmare! I have my family and friends around, so it will hopefully be more relaxing than being at home!

The worst part about camping is the first and the last days! Ugghh, Packing/ Setup and Pack down/ Unpacking. Ever since I can remember my Dad had a camping list, THE LIST... I now make a similar list. Everything gets crossed off, and we leave happily knowing we did not forget any essentials. With a toddler, the list has gotten a lot longer. We will be packing both cars FULL to the brim. Yeah I call it camping, but to some this is definitely Glamping!

Here's our list... it is long, and I'm sure I probably have forgotten some things... at least I know that my Mum has everything under the sun in the caravan so I'm pretty safe!

I wont be blogging too much while were away, but I'll do what I can!!

Karen xx

A Family Tradition

Every year for the last 20 something years my family has camped in the same caravan park every single January. We started off staying there for a week, which graduated to two, and then increased to the whole month. For us it is more than just a place to camp, it holds memories, times when we get together as a family away from the trappings of the technological world (although the last couple of years we have all had our iphones down there) and just chill out and relax and enjoy one anothers company. It makes me want to create the same kind of memories for my own children. Although over the years the 4 of us "kids" have grown up, we all still squeeze into to the caravan, practically sitting on each others laps, and we are ok with that, in fact I think everyone likes it. We take the same picture every year
This picture was taken in Jan 1990, The first year that all four of us kiddos spent together, as my youngest brother was on 6 months.
This is from 2007, the last time that all four of us were down at the same time, seeing my older brother now lives in NSW.

And here is the latest picture from Jan 2011, with a couple of extra family members this time!


Here are some pictures from the Yallingup surf break which is viewed from the bbq area of the caravan park I thought I would share, the waves are big on this day!

Camping at Ocean Beach Caravan Park, Denmark Western Australia

 Last week we went camping at Ocean Beach Caravan Park in Denmark in Western Australia's south, does that make sense! I had never been to Denmark before, and now I am not sure why it took us so long, it really isn't that far, only a five hour drive from Perth. It is really a beautiful, beautiful place with so many amazing beaches-many that are virtually empty. This amazing coastline coupled with the idyllic green surrounds makes Denmark such a great place to visit! Rather than words, the best way to describe what it is like is through pictures...
Greens Pool
Somewhere we 4WDrove  to.. but amazing
The Valley of The Giants, Tree Top Walk.. you go up to 40 meters high and hang out with the trees! So gorgeous!
Me, hanging out in a giant Red Tingle Tree
Conspicuous Cliffs... Notice that it is pristine.. and empty.
The Berry Farm... mm yumm
On the hunt for berries!

We are in the midst of planning our next camping adventure, up north this time. It has definitely inspired me to see more of this amazing State that we live in.