erin ashleigh photography

MmmMmm! I am always searching for the perfect Chai Latte. I’m not supposed to drink milk but I would do anything for chai! When we were on a wine tour in Melbourne, I saw this in one of the cellar doors in the Yarra Valley and just had to photograph it! Too bad I didn’t get to try it!

 

So today was a beautiful day and I have definitely neglected this blog of mine, but what can I say, I have been so busy getting ready for the upcoming travels and have just returned from an amazing weekend with the girls in Melbourne for my Hens (an Aussie Bachelorette party!). Anyways, I had some free time and thought I’d pull out my camera. This is the beautiful countryside that I now call home.

 

 

 

Last night, upon returning from Melbourne (catching a flight from Sydney back to Mudgee), I ended up travelling with a few pilots I had met previously at Mudgee Brewing Co. After all the excitement in Melbourne, who would have expected I would get to sit in 1st row (always in row 5)!! Not to mention the fact that I had the opportunity to wear headsets and listen to air traffic controls and communicate to the pilots throughout the flight! So, where am I going with this story? I have been working on an Iphone App with a few marketing professionals for Mudgee Region Tourism and noticed there were some areas that needed updating. I noticed that the Mudgee Airport is lacking in some updated photos, so I thought I would take a few spare minutes and dash out to the airport. After speaking to one of the co-pilots today, they agreed to let me out onto the tarmac to to take some photos! Here is my favourite:

 

 

 

The Aeropelican plane.. they are the noisiest flights you will ever be on, but flying at sunset, what a beautiful view over the Mudgee Region!

 

 

 

Before heading home, I saw this and thought, what a beautiful view of the vines (Mudgee Town in the background) during winter time. There are always photos of the vines in bloom-beautiful greenery when driving through the countryside but hardly any during this time of year. As much as I miss Canada sometimes, there’s nothing like a beautiful crisp winter day with the sun shining.

 

 

 

mmmMmm. Mudgee. I loved Melbourne, full of culture and excitement that I shared with friends, but there’s something to be said of the real beauty of outdoors!

 

See you in Mudgee, X

 

mmm…. So I had the opportunity to head to Blacklea Vineyard for a Thai cooking class! It was absolutely amazing- I learned so much and it was so fun. The flavours were incredible and each bite you could taste every ingredient individually and altogether at the same time. It was like an explosion of flavours and textures with every dish! I recommend this to EVERYBODY so if you are wondering when the next class is, they run every long weekend throughout the year! I will warn you now, between the endless amounts of different wines we tasted to compliment the dishes, it was hard to keep up with the photos!

 

 

So we started out with this incredible mandarine with a sweet and savoury mixture of different mince and other spices to create this amazing treat! Known as Ma Hor- it is a must, so look up a recipe and try it for yourself- you will not be disappointed!

 

 

Next were the rice cakes with seared scallops and chilli jam! I am allergic to scallops so I skipped this section but everyone raved about them. Later, Chef Nathan White made one without the scallops for me and the chilli jam was unlike anything I have ever tried and it was a traditional flavour-filled Thai special!

 

Next, we made our own Dtom Klong  (Hot and Sour Soup of Sorrel).

 

We started out with a bowl with crispy garlic and onion, then Chef Nathan placed other key ingredients to choose from on a plate so we could choose how much spice we could handle!

 

 

By the end of the day, our mouths were on fire! Anyways, here are my ingredients I chose:

 

 

and FINALLY… the broth that had been on the stove ALL day..mmmm!! So good!

 

 

Well… after we finished that, we had a beautiful La Tiang of Smoked Trout, Chicken and Lychee (probably my favourite dish of the day..okay dessert rocked too) but this salad was UNBELIEVABLE. After that, we moved on to Massaman Curry of Lamb, Thai Salad of Kangaroo (Allergic to this too…can’t believe I had to miss out!), and Nahm Prik of Harbour Prawns and Green Mango (yummmmmmmy!!)

 

Here’s the Curry…

 

 

So, yeah I have TONS more photos, but this just to dip your toes into my adventure for the day.. it was amazing and if you have the chance to go do a cooking class, if you can’t make it with this chef, most definitely do it! It was most definitely worth it.

 

So, I am signing off for now, I don’t think I will be hungry for weeks…but until next time, enjoy  x

 

p.s.   It was great how we got to enjoy the complimentary wine too…haha not going to lie.

If you have been to Mudgee, and never been to Mañana, then you are definitely missing out! The owners, Shawn and Katrina, have brought Spain to Mudgee with their contemporary tapas bar- not to mention their to-die-for Sangria! There is a beautiful outdoor patio upstairs that looks over town and when there’s a gorgeous sunset, that patio is the place to be!  Looking for a place to cozy up? Mañana has blankets to bundle up in during the winter months if you feel like enjoying the crisp air, if not, head inside for an intimate meal with your  family or friends.

 

(Amazing Veggie Chips!)

 

No matter what time of year, Shawn’s dishes reflect the amazing local produce. With a menu that changes regularly, his dishes will always keep you on your toes! Luke and I struggle when deciding what to order (and always over order…but the flavours are just soo mmmMMmm gooood!!) If you have never been to a tapas bar, the dishes are meant to be shared so when you see a few of the following meals, they are just a few things that would be ordered.

 

 

 

Looking for coffee or hot chocolate and dessert after dinner? Well you are definitely in for a treat! Katrina is a Master on the coffee machine- you will not be disappointed! These two have just been featured in the Good Food Guide and needed photos so here are a few. They have such a great sense of humour and are great hosts! I promise you will LOVE the flavours. MM.. now my mouth is watering. Mañana anyone?

 

 

 

Look for more photos of Mañana to come!

x