Almost A Vacation!

If we were actually rich, we’d be able to hop on our private jet and fly off to the beach whenever we wanted. Then we could relax, and live the good life, and it might look something like this:

That’s a nice fantasy, so how do we convert it into “living as if…? ” I have a few ideas.

Maybe we can’t actually jump on a private jet and fly off to a secluded island or amazing beach, but what we can do is relax and enjoy a video or two… maybe even hang out in a cool hammock, have a picnic, enjoy a fancy beverage, make a cool meal, and imagine that we are actually there.

Here is a relaxing “almost a vacation” YouTube video:

But wait… Hammocks are the ultimate symbol for the outdoor rest fan. They’re portable beds, easily strung up between two sturdy long structures from trees to poles.

Instant Hammock in 9 easy steps:

Here’s how to make a hammock in a minute from a sheet or any big piece of cloth. It’s the simplest method, and does not require a sewing machine or any complicated directions… here ya go:

First bunch up the ends and tie knots in them as shown. If you don’t have much cloth, are skilled with rope, or don’t care if you fall you can skip this step.

Next, tie a rope to each end with a lark’s head knot, just like this, or tie whatever knot you like best. If you don’t fall it means you did it right.

Hang it up, get in, and relax in utter comfort. For extra coziness pull the hammock around you like a cocoon. And since you can hang it up indoors as well at out, why not enjoy some relaxing waterfall and jungle sounds.

For a Working Vacation:

So if your budget doesn’t allow for a bonafide working vacation at the beach, you can use your hammock for a workstation for large drawings, or if you are painting a cool mandala on the floor, or anything else you can think of that would be fun to do in the comfort of a hammock…

If you do have to work, be sure to have this video playing so that you can pretend that this is a super cool hideaway… complete with beach and waterfall:

Outdoor fun:

Here is a cool triangular hammock. It’s a bedspread tied at the corners to three trees.

Helpful tips:

A king size sheet is a good size for an adult. Your local thrift store has used sheets in fun patterns for cheap, just give them a good wash.

Yes, the tutorial images show how easy it is to make a hammock, but they don’t look all that luxurious. So here is a small collection of images that might give some ideas on how cool it could look given the right choice of fabric. Say, for example, a super cool king size bedspread…

Now add some cool outdoor decor, some fun lighting and voila!

A Picnic

Why not have a nice little picnic to go with our relax at the beach theme:

Here’s a list of items you don’t want to forget to bring to your nifty picnic lunch!

• Frozen Bottles of Water

The main rule for outdoor eating is to keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Ice packs will get the job done, but frozen bottles of water do double duty. After they melt (and the food’s been eaten), you’ll have cold drinks on hand for everyone.

• Corkscrew/Bottle Opener

If you’re packing wine, beer, or bottles of soda, be sure to toss a corkscrew with a bottle opener in your bag. (Bonus points for packing plastic cups with sturdy, flat bottoms too.)

• Wet Wipes

Pre-moistened wipes will keep hands clean and help clean up sticky spills, even if there’s no running water nearby.

• Salt and Pepper

Seasoning is a small thing, but goes a long way in making your picnic feel more thoughtful—especially if you happen to be eating fried chicken.

• Paper Towels

You never know when you might have a big spill on your hands. And a roll of paper towels won’t blow away like a stack of napkins will.

• A Tray

If you’re eating on the ground, a lightweight plastic or enamel tray will provide a smooth surface to prevent drinks from toppling over.

• Serving Spoons

Cutlery is essential, of course, but don’t forget a large spoon or two for serving food.

• Folding Knife

A small folding knife will come in handy for a variety of jobs, and is essential if you’re serving meats and cheeses.

• Cutting Board

A lightweight cutting board is also a good idea if cheese is on the menu, or if you’re slicing sandwiches or fruit.

• Trash Bags

Always throw a trash bag or two in your bag for easy clean up when the picnic’s over. Even if there are plenty of trash cans nearby, your own bag will save you from having to walk back and forth to throw everything away.

Don’t have a nifty place to go for a picnic? Easy peasy! Just play this video and pretend. It doesn’t even have to be a beach, it could be a beautiful waterfall in the heart of the rainforest.

All this traveling around from beach to rainforest is making me hungry. Here’s a cool recipe for a picnic basket pie.. super cool… not so easy to bake, but definitely worth the effort.

I saw this on The Great British Baking Show, and I’ve been wanting to try it ever since.

Picnic Basket Pie

Ruby’s Picnic Basket Pie recipe appears in the The Final episode of Season 2 of The Great British Baking Show. It’s a savory pie filled with layers of deliciousness. Here’s a pic of what it looks like inside that yummy little picnic basket pie.

This recipe is for a savory pie, but I think it would be equally yummy if it had layers of apples, walnuts, and cinnamon. The most important aspect when it comes to the filling is that it not be juicy. If it gets juicy while baking, the crust will be soggy. So if you opt for a fruit and cheese filling – cook the fruit first.

Ingredients

For the pastry:

• 600g/1lb 5oz plain flour
• 300g/10½oz unsalted butter, at room temperature but not soft
• salt
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 50ml/2fl oz milk, to brush
• 1 free-range egg, beaten, to glaze

For the roasted vegetables:

• 2 tbsp sunflower oil
• 2 medium red onions, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, in whole cloves, skin on, lightly crushed under fork
• 3 Romano red peppers, chopped
• 1 large courgette, chopped *(see note below)
• 1 aubergine, chopped into 1cm/½in cubes *(see note below)
• salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the filling:

• 100g/3½oz couscous
• 90g/3¼oz sun-dried tomato paste
• 250g/9oz halloumi *(see note below)
• 100g/3½oz mozzarella, grated
• small bunch fresh oregano
• small bunch fresh basil

For the caramel

• 100g/3½oz caster sugar

Directions

Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.

For the pastry, rub the butter into the flour using your hands until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add 150ml/5fl oz water and bring the mixture together to form a dough (be careful not to overwork it). Wrap the dough in cling film and leave to rest in the fridge while you prepare the filling.

For the roasted vegetables, lightly oil a roasting tray with sunflower oil, and arrange the onions, garlic, peppers, courgette and aubergine on the tray. Toss to coat the vegetables in oil.

Roast for 30-40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Set aside to cool.

For the filling, put the couscous in a bowl and add enough boiling water to just cover it. Cover the bowl and let it stand for 5-10 minutes.

When the water has been absorbed, use a hand-held blender to blend half of the couscous with the sun-dried tomato paste. Combine with the unblended couscous. Season with salt and pepper and set aside in the fridge.

Slice the halloumi, pat dry with kitchen paper and dry-fry until brown spots appear. Flip it over and fry the other side in the same way. Leave to cool.

To make the pastry basket, divide the pastry dough into four portions: 350g/12oz for the case, 300g/10½oz for the lattice ‘basket’, 150g/5½oz for the lattice lid, and 100g/3½oz for the handle and other extras.

Roll out the pastry dough for the lattice to about 3mm thick, keeping the pastry cold (return it to the fridge for five minutes to chill if required).

Cut five strips 2cm/1in wide. The strips need to be long enough to go down one side of the tin, across the width of the base and up other side of tin, leaving a slight overhang each side. The strips will be about 25-30cm/10-12in long (depending on the size of the tin).

Lay the strips inside the tin – spacing the strips evenly along the length of the tin.

Cut four strips also 2cm/1in wide and the same length as the tin (two strips for each long side of the tin). Place one strip flush with the tin’s base and the other about two-thirds of the way up. Weave the strips in an out of the vertical strips to make a lattice. Where the strips overlap, brush with a little water or milk and press into place.

Freeze the tin with the lattice inside.

Meanwhile, roll out the pastry for the case into a rectangle big enough to line the base and sides of the tin. Transfer the pastry rolled pastry to the fridge to rest.

Make a rectangular lattice for the hamper lid, cutting long strips of pastry, and interweaving them (it’s best to do this on a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper). Leave small gaps between rows so there are holes in the lid where any steam can escape during cooking. Rest the pastry in the fridge.

Make a basket handle and two buckles out of the remaining pastry (you can mould the handle over a piece of scrunched up tin foil). Transfer to the fridge to rest.

Brush the inside of the frozen lattice with milk and line it with the rolled pastry case, pressing lightly to stick the case to the lattice. Rest it in the fridge for 15 minutes.

Remove the garlic cloves from the cooled roasted vegetables and discard.

To fill the pie, lay half of the couscous on the bottom (this will soak up any liquid) and pack it firmly by pressing it down. Layer the vegetables, halloumi and grated mozzarella on top. Sprinkle over the oregano and basil. Top with the remaining couscous, again pressing down. Make sure all layers are tightly packed.

Brush the edges of the pastry with milk, then slide the lattice lid into place from the greaseproof paper. Press the edges to seal. Brush the top of the pie with beaten egg.

Bake for 50 minutes.

Bake the pastry buckles, hinges and handles separately for 10-15 minutes towards the end of the pie’s cooking time.
Remove the pie from the tin and brush the sides with beaten egg. Return it to the oven and bake for another three minutes. Remove from the oven and leave to cool.

For the caramel, melt the sugar in a pan with a couple of tablespoons of water. Do not stir. Let it reach a light golden-brown colour.

Dip the handle ends and buckles into the caramel and stick them to the pie (caution: melted sugar is very hot. Take care not to burn yourself). Hold in place while the caramel sets.

Tips/Techniques

• Equipment and preparation:

You will need a 900g/2lb loaf tin (preferably with straight, rather than curved, sides) and a hand-held blender.

Notes:

• What is a courgette?

Zucchini (/zuːˈkiːniː/, American English) or courgette (/kʊərˈʒɛt/, British English) is a summer squash which can reach nearly a meter in length, but is usually harvested immature at 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 in). In the British Isles, a fully grown zucchini is referred to as a marrow.

• What is an aubergine?

Brit term for what is called an Eggplant in the US. Also refers to the deep purple color associated with the commonly available type of eggplant.

• What is Halloumi?

Halloumi is a Cypriot firm, brined, slightly springy white cheese, traditionally made from a mixture of goat and sheep milk, although these days cow’s milk is also used.

Here’s a pic of the finished basket: 

Cocktails anyone?

Sweet and fruity with a hint of coconut, it is just the thing to sip on a warm beach while you watch the waves come in.

Fantasy Island Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces coconut rum
• 1 ounce melon liqueur
• 2 ounces pineapple juice
• Pineapple chunk
• Maraschino cherries

Directions:

Combine rum, melon liqueur and pineapple juice in an ice-filled shaker. Shake well, strain into martini glass. Granish with pineapple wedge and cherries.

Makes one drink

Beach Art

I also thought it might be fun to browse google for beach art, and find some images to use as wallpaper for my computer, or my phone. Maybe I’ll even post some as a “where I’d rather be” on Facebook. Do you see anything you like?

Not big on the beach art? No worries… here’s some cool hammock art to choose from:

Sources:

• Southern Living
• PBS.org
• Instructables
• I Sing In The Kitchen