The Swimming Carnival '13

We had the school swimming carnival a fortnight ago. It was (as it is every year) a great day.  Once again, Harry participated in every event possible. A far cry from the boy who when we first arrived on Norfolk, quivered with fear at the mere thought of swimming to the raft. The little kids don't partake in swimming races, but Till had a blast riding on the paddle boards and running in the flag race. I know I say this again and again, but the swimming carnival here really is unique and special.

Ben's Rice Paper Rolls

Ben makes a pretty mean rice paper roll. Seriously.  Just the other day our mate Kristy wrote us an email asking Ben to send her a list of the ingredients he puts in his rice paper rolls (see I told you they are good). When he and Till cracked open a new packet of rice papers for lunch today and started chopping and grating and soaking I ran for the camera! 

So here's that list of ingredients, just for you Kristy x mwah (kisses are a bonus)

Ben's incredibly delicious rice paper rolls 

- the filling -

:: lettuce - all chopped up (Ben uses kitchen scissors)

:: a handful of chopped roasted peanuts

:: a big bunch of chopped coriander (we like HEAPS)

:: a smallish bunch of chopped fresh mint

:: a grated carrot or two or three

:: a big splash of sweet chilli sauce

:: an equally big splash of tamari

:: chopped cold meat (today Ben used left over cold pork....but sometimes he uses BBQ chicken or cooked prawns)

:: a packet of rice noodles - softened in hot water and drained

And that's it! I'm not going into the knitty gritty how-to. Those instructions are on the rice paper packet. I also haven't given exact quantities cause that's not how this works for Ben. He just throws it all in a bowl and mixes and tastes and then adds whatever he feels is missing!! Yes....it's a very scientific process.

And yes my Ben is manly enough to wear that babushka doll apron. Real men are. If you don't have a cute little carrot grater girl like we do, we can probably rent her out for a fee (with that hat I promise). She can soak rice paper sheets for just the right amount of time too.

PS If we have some freshly grated beetroot, we add that too. You can really put whatever you like in rice paper rolls.

PPS It's Ben's birthday today! 36 years young. Happy b'day Bean....we think you (and your rice-paper roll making skills) are rad!