Are you someone who adds chickpeas and beans to soups and braises? Did you know you can save a fortune - and a whole lotta tins going to waste - by cooking them yourself at home? Buying chickpeas (and other beans and lentils) is so much cheaper than the tins, plus if you visit your local whole food store, just take a jar from home and that means there is NO WASTE at all! They're incredibly easy and take very little effort - in fact they pretty much cook themselves. Adding the aromats is optional, but make the stock tastier if, like me, you save it for vegan soups. Just cool and freeze in a container until ready to use. It's really tasty. Here's what to do: ➡️ Tip chickpeas into a large bowl and fill the bowl with water. Cover with a tee towel and set aside overnight. ➡️ The next day, drain the chickpeas and pop into a large saucepan. Fill the pan with fresh water and add some aromats, such as onion, celery and carrots, plus a bay leaf or two and some parsley (aromats are optional, but they make the stock taste good). ➡️ Bring to a boil, skimming the fluffy stuff off the top as it heats. ➡️ Turn the heat down and simmer for 1-2 hours, until soft to the bite. ➡️ Strain over a bowl, saving the stock (you can freeze this in containers and use for soup). ➡️ Cool the chickpeas, then put into containers or reusable zip lock bags and freeze. Use as required. Video music: Penguin Cafe Orchestra | Telephone & Rubber Band #chickpeas #chickpeasrecipe #cookingvideo #cookingtime #cookingathome #reducewaste #theinfatuatedfoodie #glutenfreefood #glutenfree

Plating up can be fun even though it’s not always amazing. This is a seared duck breast, broccolini, sautéed red cabbage and apple with roasted spiced pumpkin I had for dinner last night. I decided to be a bit cheffy and this is the result. It was delicious, even if it looks a bit naff. I had fun making and eating it 😁 #duckbreast #duckdinner #platingskills #platingpractice #plating #foodstyling #foodie #dinner #homecooking #homecooked #deliciousfood #deliciousness #broccolini #pumpkin #theinfatuatedfoodie #hobartfoodie

Just had lunch at Jackman & McRoss in Battery Point. It was okay. The coffee was good, the frittata a bit bland and I also got some grit, probably flecks of eggshell. It’s a good location though and nice to eat out. #jackmanandmcross #frittata #coffee #coffeetime #coffeelover #eggdishes #brunch #lunch #lunchtime #luncheats #hobart #batterypoint #hobartcafe #hobartfood #hobartfoodie #theinfatuatedfoodie #sundaylunching

Had a great catchup with the one and only @bec_chappell on Friday, in Hobart for a Business Chicks conference. It had been on the cards to meet, so we did on Friday lunchtime. Bec and I chatted many times after meeting through @janinegarner 's Elevate, so it was lovely to finally meet in person. Lots to chat about and meeting people you may not have is a good thing to emerge from our forced Zoom lives. We had some food and nice wine at @franklinwharf - a fairly new venue right on Hobart's beautiful waterfront. The service was great, such accommodating and friendly staff who swapped out a dish for another at no charge because it just wasn't right. Here's a brief overview: Photos are 🍽 Bec toasting to life, adventure and our food 🍽 Me and Bec - check out that view! We're just metres from the waterline. 🍽 Charred Octopus - peperonata | lemon labne | Nduja - both our favourite dish of the day 🍽 Roast Heirloom Beets - smoked almond purée | hazelnuts | apple balsamic - also delicious 🍽 Ceviche | white fish | cucumber | black lime | horseradish | finger lime - was very fishy for a ceviche and lacked balance. I can't recall the name of the fish, but it didn't work and was kindly swapped for ... 🍽 Chicken Liver Parfait - marinated cherries | mustard fruits | brioche - very tasty. We also enjoyed sparkling rosé and lovely whites with lunch. Mine was a Glaetzer Dixon Uberblanc - lovely. Didn't note the details of the others... oops. I'll happily go back to Franklin Wharf and explore more from that menu! And Bec, safe travels ✈️. #franklinwharfhobart #hobartfoodie #hobartfood #hobartrestaurant #hobartwaterfront #catchups #eatingout #lunch #glaetzerdixonwines #freshfood #goodfood #theinfatuatedfoodie

Saturday night feels. Home made veggie and bean soup with home made stock, cooked dried beans, home made tomato sauce from home grown heirloom tomatoes. A couple of slices of toast, glass (or two) of red. And Killing Eve on @abctv IView. After a busy month of March, including a bout of Covid and a couple of trips away, this works for me. #soup #homemadesoup #veggiesoup #freshsoup #homemadeisbest #soupandtoast #redwine #redwines #winetime #saturdayvibes #saturdayathome #theinfatuatedfoodie #killingeve #abciview #abctv

Last weekend I flew to Melbourne and realised that when I step out of the airport I feel like I've come home and it's an odd feeling. But while it's not home any more, I do miss the vibe, my friends and the longer summers. the main reason for the visit was to attend the #iabcvictoria Bronze Quill cocktail event and it was great catching up with folks I haven't seen since the 2019 Christmas party. Photos from the event are of my friend Sia of @spp_comms with Julie Gillespie accepting their award. There's also one of me with me @samjsinclair. Was a pity Sam's partner @leah_torta wasn't there! Leah, this one's for you. Despite the gala being a great night, it ended sadly when we learned of the passing of past-President, Deb Ganderton. Much has been shared on LinkedIn for Deb. It was a shock. On Friday evening I met the wonderful Julie @its.not.a.hobby for a wine at @transport_hotel before heading to @movidamelb for dinner with my friend and former boss, Jane. The rosé at Transport was a good drop, the conversation lively and it was great catching up with Jane, although the dinner I had wasn't really up to the usual standard for MoVida, but I've emailed them about that. A second night in the hotel, then brunch at Brown Sugar in Block Place, a bit of journalling and off to my bestie's place in the Dandenong ranges. It was a quiet night in, catching up for the first time in a year. Mich's husband drove me all the way to the airport, which was amazing. I checked in, then settled with a snack in the Qantas Club. Pity the only view is over the check in area. I like plane watching. Had a bitters, lime and soda in lieu of alcohol. @janew2311 #weekendfun #weekendaway #melbourne #melbournefoodie #melbourneeats #longweekend #movida #melbournevictoria #federationsquaremelb #wine #qantasclubmelbourne #friends

This sounds about right 😂. Seriously though, always drink alcohol in moderation. It’s better that way. #winewankers #winequote #sillyquotes #winememe #theinfatuatedfoodie #wine

After four days away I was craving home-made, light and fresh food. I took some home made chicken stock out of the freezer and also thawed a chicken breast, which I poached. Brought the broth to a simmer, then added broccoli, shredded carrot and some poached chicken breast. Topped it with chilli and it was just what the doctor ordered. Yum! Restorative food rocks. #poachedchicken #chickenbreast #healthyfood #freshisbest #homemadefood #chickenbroth #bonebroth #homemadebroth #broccoli #freshveggies #freshfood #chilli #healingfoods #yummy #yum #deliciousness #theinfatuatedfoodie #justwhatineeded

Where does one get a good coffee in Sydney? Honestly, the one pictured is the best I had, yet was still not what I’d call great. And when did regular size coffees become not much larger than thimbles? This was at @hemingwaysmanly - lovely atmosphere and good people watching. I thought of eating here but the food just looked far too meaty and rich. I was craving greens by now! See later pic for that solution 🥦. So my last day in last weekend’s Sydney visit was spent ferrying to Manly and back, then a bite at Circular quay - that broccolini was perfect! Didn’t need the potatoes and sent most of them back :(. Then it was time for the airport. I enjoyed a soup and salad with bubbles in the @qantas business lounge before saying goodbye to Sydney for now. Oh yes, I bought the gift no one wants home too - the dreaded Covid 🦠. Thankfully it’s been mild. But it’s slowed me down a bit this week. #holiday #sydney #coffee #manlybeach #manly #ferry #sydneyferry #sydneyharbour #qantasbusinesslounge #takeoff #goodcoffee #coffeesearch #northernbeaches #eatyourgreens #broccolini #theinfatuatedfoodie #covidpositive