However, last night I made a curry that tasted SO good I had to stop myself from finishing the pot, and now I’m rethinking my spice mix.

Specifically, I’ve always been a very conservative garam masala user – just a dash or quarter teaspoon added toward the end of cooking. The recipe for last night’s curry (a lamb Rogan Josh found after investigoogling) called for three (3!) teaspoons of garam masala. I’d never made a Rogan Josh before so decided to trust the web recommendation and put a whole two (yes, 2!) teaspoons in my curry. And, I put it in with the other spices at the beginning. I tell you, there was much change afoot in the C’ran Country Kitchen last night. The other thing I did differently was cook it extra long (60 to 90 minutes) with the yoghurt in.

So here be the easiest, tastiest lamb curry – inspired by the Lamb Rogan Josh at the blog, Route 79.

1 onion

2 cloves garlic

500g lamb (leftovers was my choice but you can get fancy and buy fresh) chopped into 2cm pieces (or however you prefer it)

oil

half tsp salt

1 tsp turmeric

2 tsp garam masala

2 tsp ground coriander

2 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp chilli powder

1 tin tomatoes (diced)

2 tblsp yoghurt

Cooking this curry is too easy.

In a medium pot, dry fry the spices and set aside. If you’re using fresh lamb, then you probably want to brown it first. (Leftover lamb can be thrown in later). Remove browned lamb and set aside. Add a little oil, fry the onion and garlic until soft. Throw the spices back in – making sure to keep it moving so they don’t burn. When it’s all getting nice and fragrant, throw the lamb in and coat with the spice/onion mix. Throw in the chopped tomatoes. Let it cook for a couple of minutes and then add the yoghurt. Mix it all up, bring to simmer, cover and cook on low heat for 90 minutes. Be sure to check every 30 minutes and add more water if necessary. As I was using cooked lamb, I only cooked for 60 minutes or so and then let it sit for the next 30 minutes.

Taste and adjust seasoning. Throw in some chopped coriander and serve with steamed rice.

You can check out the original recipe (I’ve made a couple of changes) over at Route 79. There’s also a whole swag of other Indian recipes there that I’d love to try. Mutter Paneer? Lamb Biryani? And I’m just a tad curious about Indian style KFC!

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If you’ve been looking for a job recently, you’ll know that relying on the newspapers or job sites for finding out about job opportunities doesn’t turn up many “woo hoo” jobs. At the other end, if you’ve ever looked for staff, you’ll know that advertising can be costly and often, unproductive. So how do you tap into something that everyone acknowledges is hidden? 

It’s all about connections. At the moment we are inundated with new ways to connect with others. Word of mouth, or buzz, is just a Facebook or Twitter update away. But is anyone using this new accessibility to connection to match those who need staff with those who need work?

A philanthropic venture called Karmic Leads is giving job hunters and employers an alternative place to connect. And it’s not just a service to hook you up with “jobs” but includes matching for mentoring, speaking, and board positions. 

I love this idea. It’s sort of like a Craigslist for work and it goes beyond the “9to5, full-time, employee” work model. 

I have no idea how they are making money from it – as it is apparently a no-cost service – but I assume it is being approached with long-term goals. While the site doesn’t mention any other services, I would imagine that reciprocity would be at work.  Those who use the job connections service would be likely to pay-it-forward by perhaps using one of the parent company’s other services. There are lots of possibilities to make this one work, if only for the database and connections it makes for Karmic Leads. 

I’m not aware of any similar local sites but it would be a very timely business opportunity for someone who likes to connect with others. And it would get us a step closer to making the real job market visible. 

I wonder if I know anyone who would be up for the job?

:: Thanks to Triple Pundit for the lead. ::

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I love this.

I am such a sucker for caravans and mobile homes. There’s something about the economic use of space that makes me revere them as an artform. Really, how do they cram so much function into so little space?

Okay, usually, it comes at the expense of beauty, but as the Airstream trailers and many of the caravans from the 50s and 60s attest, the compact mobile home can be a fine thing to gaze upon. Ahh, Airstream dreams of lazing about in an autumnal wood knowing that I am safe from becoming the local bears’ dinner thanks to my two-wheeled silver castle…

Back in reality-town, I’ve been pretty underwhelmed by caravans of the last twenty years and have often wondered what it would be like to retire to one of those over-50s parks filled with green-living, architecturally-designed “relocatable” homes. Well, it seems the future is now. 

Sustain Design Practice in Canada, is promoting their sustainable MiniHome and it’s just gorgeous. It’s all angles, hidden compartments and eco-friendly products. I love the one with the garden on the roof.

What I love most is that the turnkey homes start at CAD$110K (about CAD $200 to $300 per square foot), which makes a sustainable home only a trailer park away.

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What a great idea!

Linking is the bread n butter of blogging. It’s not only how you get new readers/visitors but also gives some feedback on what works and what doesn’t.

So, I’d like to say thank you to the following blogs who linked to weston culture last month. 

Neatorama

Dark Roasted Blend

Stop the world Mummy, I want to get off…

Appreciate you stopping by!

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Caro and I had our 14^th anniversary yesterday and decided to celebrate by doing what we do best: Nothing.

But not just regular old Nothing. We chose Nothing in a Beautiful Place. And not just regular old Nothing in a Beautiful Place, but Nothing in a Beautiful Place on a Glorious Day.

Yep, we slothed out in Noosa.

Noosa Headland

We’ve lived in the Noosa area for almost six years and, I have to admit, I have become a bit blasé about how special the region is. While we initially lived down by the beach at Peregian and could enjoy the daily beach stroll, we now live up in the mountains and beach trips are less frequent.

Noosa is a resort town. There are times when it’s just best to stay away (read: school holidays) and times when you can have the beach almost to yourself. Yesterday was one of the latter.

I have a soft spot in my heart for the Main Beach at Noosa. When you leave the ostentatious hubbub of Hastings Street, take off your thongs and scrunch your way down to the water, a social equalisation takes place. Most people on the beach seem to be from elsewhere (or just have never been in the Queensland sun before). They’re there in their newly-bought bathers, tempting the sun-gods with their pale skin and often introducing their city offspring to the joy of crashing waves and soft white sand.

Perhaps this surge of oneness with my beach bumbling brothers and sisters is due to the sound. All those waves creating a white noise that short circuits the chattering brain. Maybe it’s the sun replenishing long lost Vitamin D; a sensation that awakens skin receptors shut down through lack of use and makes me remember that I’m not a mind attached to a computer. I have a physical body that can also experience the world.

Whatever it is, I love it.

Noosa is a unique beach to visit. While many know it for its upmarket beachside shopping precinct of Hastings Street, the Main Beach is top and tailed by natural beauty. To the south, the headland is a National Park, and to the north, the haven of Noosa Woods creates a green oasis out of what is ostensibly the main car park.

Shhh! Our hidden grove in the Noosa Woods

We spent much of yesterday hidden on the beach’s edge in the Woods. The council have recently made these areas more people friendly with grassy groves and paths while keeping the dune integrity.

See. Hidden Grove. It must be true.

The bush turkeys seem to have multiplied and got a lot cheekier, gladly scavenging through your belongings while you’re nearby.

Go Speed Turkey. Go Speed Turkey. Go Speed Turkey. Go.

More shocking, when I ventured down to dip my toe into the water, was the recently-cyclone-exposed two metre rock wall along the main beach; a reminder that nature can be quite forthright in reclaiming what is hers.

Noosa Rocks. Post Cyclone Hamish.

The only thing that keeps Noosa from being the perfect beach destination is its lack of a decent fish and chip takeaway by the main beach. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes to sup chardy and scoff some beer-battered barra and chips. But when I’m at the beach I want to eat my fish and chips out of butcher’s paper, on the ground, with a fanbase of turkeys and seagulls hoping that this is their lucky day.

Yesterday was not the first time I’ve got a bit starry-eyed while strolling the Noosa shores. On a previous visit, I recall being overwhelmed by what could only be described as a feeling of bliss and well-being. That day, we had walked up into the National Park and took in the awesome spectacle of nature that is Noosa – the blue ocean, the explosive blow-hole and undeveloped coastline for as far as my eye could see.

Perhaps my love of Noosa is also compensation for how I used to feel about it.

When we visited on holiday 10 or so years ago, I hated the place. I thought it was pretentious and dull with way too many hills and backpackers. We were staying on top of the hill and didn’t have transport, so every time we went anywhere we’d have to go up and down the stairs of Noosa Hill. I’m not even sure how many steps there are – I just know that it felt like a thousand. As I wasn’t a particularly fit person then it was my own version of a Himalayan trek, but rather than trancendence, it just made me cranky. For the whole week.

And  while I’m still not be a fan of Hastings Street, I see it as the trade-off for the keeping what makes Noosa special: the beauty of its flora and fauna. If it means the developers keep out of the National Park then they can knock themselves out in Hastings Street.

The new Hastings Street.

Behold the $10 million streetscape!

(Although with the recent Hastings Street makeover of paving, plants and benches coming in at a very Hastings Street price of $10 million, you’d have to wonder if anyone could afford to construct a building there now.)

But Noosa isn’t just about Hastings Street or even the Main Beach. It’s about removing ourselves temporarily from our material world and experiencing a reverence for our natural environment. It’s about approaching the earth that sustains us with respect, and nurturing her so that we can all benefit from her rejuvenating gifts. This is why I love Noosa – and now that I think of it, why I love the girl who brought me here.

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The White Earth runs until 21 March 2009 at Brisbane’s LaBoite.

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Father Jack by Declan Shalvey

It may not be obvious but a little bit of Irish blood runs through the veins of westonculture. (The catholic stories should give it away…). As such it was our duty to celebrate yesterday with a little tipple. Declan Shalvey from Eclectic Micks (a collection of talented Irish comic book artists) helps us appreciate the joy and diversity of Irish culture with this homage (above) to the great Fr Jack Hackett from my favourite Irish sitcom, Father Ted. I think it’s a very realistic likeness, complete with most common phrase of the holy man. Some of the great Father Ted quotes contributed to the Eclectic Micks site:

Father Ted: Ah, Sister Assumpta!
Sister Assumpta: Hello Father!
Father Ted: Dougal, Dougal, do you remember Sister Assumpta?
Father Dougal: Er, no.
Father Ted: She was here last year! And then we stayed with her in the convent, back in Kildare. Do you remember it? Ah, you do! And then you were hit by the car when you went down to the shops for the paper. You must remember all that? And then you won a hundred pounds with your lottery card? Ah, you must remember it, Dougal!
[Dougal shakes his head]
Sister Assumpta: And weren’t you accidentally arrested for shoplifting? I remember we had to go down to the police station to get you!… And the police station went on fire? And you had to be rescued by helicopter?
Father Ted: Do you remember? You can’t remember any of that? The helicopter! When you fell out of the helicopter! Over the zoo! Do you remember the tigers?
[Dougal shakes his head some more]
Father Ted: You don’t remember? You were wearing your blue jumper.
Father Dougal: Ah, Sister Assumpta!

Oh, it makes me want to break out the DVDs and brush up on my (very poor) Irish accent. La ta ta taa de dee.

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New York bus stop Note From Chris by Todd Lamb

 A couple of weeks ago I wrote about some strange posters appearing around Melbourne inviting people to meet up with someone named Craig. (See Craig’s Other List) Well, it turns out that Craig’s notes were, um, inspired by a New York project by writer/director/maker, Todd Lamb entitled Notes From Chris.

Todd describes the project as “Notes stuck around NYC from a man named Chris who wants to do tedious things with people.” And when you check out Todd’s four original Notes From Chris, there is a striking resemblance.

When I heard about Todd’s work (thanks Neatorama reader, AP!) I wondered if it was an international collaboration. But no, Craig just liked Todd’s work and adapted it to his own neighbourhood.

Says Craig, “I have no connection with Chris I just liked the work that he’d done and thought I’d play with the concept locally in Melbourne.  I didn’t expect it to take off like it has.  And no, Chris isn’t happy so I must apologise.  In my defense, Chris wrote 4 notes, I have written 18 so they’re not all copies, but the original concept is all his.”

Congrats to Todd for the original idea and to Craig for running with it.

You certainly got people talking!

Todd Lamb’s Notes From Chris

See zoomdoggle

See three thousand

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I love business card design. I think there’s something about the size constraints of the card that make people think a little bit more creatively about how they represent themselves and their business. In the most memorable cards, it’s the combination of typeface, colour, text and images with texture, material, shape and size that give the card a distinctive edge. Oh, and humour. I love a bit of business card humour. Which brings me to my favouritest card of the moment: the Lego card.

Yes, apparently Lego employees get customised Lego minifigs to carry around in their pockets to give to clients.

Sure they may not fit well in a wallet but who wants their business card hidden away? This is the kind of card I would put on display, and would always be at the ready when I need to order another gross of Lego. 

If you’re after a more conventional design – or something a little less chunky – then check out the very cool and beautiful designs showcased at Naldz Graphics. My favourite is the retro, tick-box number for the band, The Royal Chains (designed by Kelli Anderson).

Thanks to GeekDad blog at Wired for the Lego link.

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Bizarre notices have been popping up on lampposts around Melbourne.

On the surface they seem like legitimate notices you’d see on community noticeboards: items for sale, lost and found, and invitations to join groups with those who have similar interests. But once you start reading them, you realise that something is amiss. The item for sale is the lamppost the note is attached to (“Meet me at midnight. You may need a spade.”). The lost item is a sweatband. (Reward for its return? “We could go and see a movie. G or GA only.”) The found item is a free newspaper with a half-done crossword (“So you should be able to identify it”). Oh, and they are all signed off by someone named Craig.

I like graffiti. I see it as art, expression, and often, a much-needed political statement. Before blogging and the internet, it was one of the few ways for those with little power or influence to express themselves publicly. But I have to admit that I am a graffiti snob. I have preferences. And one of them is for the graffiti to have some wit about it.

Craig’s notices are full of wit. They bring humour to the streets. How often do we get a chance to stop and smile as we’re rushing through our day? A little moment of joy. A reminder that life can be ridiculous.

What I really like about Craig’s humour is that, unlike a lot of humour and pranks floating around the internet, it’s not taking the mickey out of anyone. There are no casualties. Even its form is light – an A4 sheet of paper loosely taped to a pole.

Brilliant!

Thanks to Gai for passing these on.

UPDATE: Text art! It’s text art. Thanks Ev for the reminder. Oh, and I didn’t mention anything about the reclaiming of public space through art … but that will come in a later post …. in the meantime, enjoy!

UPDATE 2: If you read the comments below, you’ll realise that Craig’s notes caused a bit of a kerfuffle internationally… Read the update, Craig Fesses Up: Original Notes from Chris. Okay, now you can enjoy!!

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