News Archive

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June 2009 Newsletter

Yes, winter is here!

A time for social dinners with a good glass of red. We're all off to the winemakers dinner next week at the Terrace. Nice one!

Stu, our famous chef and the backbone of our Kitchen team, is off somewhere sunny on holidays so we have put Mitch, the apprentice on the spot with his favourite curry recipe. This one is a treat - I tried this one out myself at home.

As I type, the sun has come out for the first time in two weeks and the boats on Pittwater look beautiful on the backdrop of the leafy western shores. Fingers crossed for a sunny long weekend.

Hope to see you soon.

Paul Cutler
Sales Manager

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Contents (scroll down to view):

• Inspiration of the Month
• A Taste of the Mirage - Stu, our Celebrity Chef is on leave so Mitch steps up with one of his favourites
• Trivia Time - Back to some Aussie Trivia
• Best Value Winter Offers for 2009 extended! PLUS win a Romantic Weekend for two
• Upcoming events - The Pittwater Wedding Expo & Yalumba Winemakers Dinner.
• Conference Tips - 'Where the bloody hell are you'?

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Inspiration of the Month

'Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.'

- Albert Schweitzer

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A TASTE OF THE MIRAGE - Mirage Mussamun Beef Curry

A winter favourite here at the Mirage. Best served with a glass of good red.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 650g gravy beef or chuck steak, trimmed and cubed
• 1 cup coconut cream
• 2 tablespoons massaman curry paste
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1/2 cup unsalted roasted peanuts
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled, cut into 3cm pieces
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 bay leaves
• 5 cardamom pods, lightly crushed (see note)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon tamarind concentrate (see note)
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• steamed jasmine rice, to serve

Method

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat until hot. Add beef. Cook, stirring constantly, until evenly browned. Transfer to a plate. Add 2 tablespoons coconut cream to pan. Cook over medium heat for 20 seconds or until hot. Add curry paste. Cook for 1 minute or until aromatic.
2. Return beef and juices to pan. Add coconut milk, stock, peanuts, potatoes, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, cardamom pods, sugar, tamarind concentrate, fish sauce and remaining coconut cream. Stir to combine.
3. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until beef is tender. Serve with rice.

Notes & tips

• Cardamom is the dried, unripened fruit of a ginger-like plant. The capsule-shape pods need to be squashed with the flat blade of a knife or pounded in a mortar and pestle (known as bruising) to expose the tiny, brown, aromatic seeds which are slightly pungent to taste. If the pods are unavailable, seeds and ground cardamom are readily available in the supermarket spice aisle.
• The tamarind tree's fruit is a primary 'sour' flavouring. Tamarind pods are available; however tamarind paste (brown) and concentrate (black) are more convenient. Tamarind concentrate requires no preparation and provides a fruity, sour flavour with just a hint of sweetness. Lime juice is a suitable alternative.

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TRIVIA TIME - Winter is time indoors with old movies and a nice glass of red to keep out the cold

1. Which Australian band had the singles 'Put your money where your mouth is' and 'Rip it up'?
a. The Seekers
b. Jet
c. The Little River Band
d. Silverchair

2. What is the name of the Australian supermodel, occasional actress and businesswoman, who is often referred to as 'The Body'?
a. Denise Drysdale
b. Dame Joan Sutherland
c. Elle Macpherson
d. Miranda Ker

3. Which Australian Movie featured a town named Porpoise Spit, numerous ABBA tracks and the quote "You're terrible..."?
a. Mad Max - Beyond Thunderdome
b. Australia
c. Muriel's Wedding
d. The Castle

Click the email address below, type 'trivia time' in the subject line, send and you will receive the answers shortly! Every response will go into the draw for a Beaches Uncovered Tour from Manly Uncovered Tours valued at $55 plus a $50 Newport Arms Gift Voucher. paul.cutler@newportmirage.com.au

Congratulations to Lissa from Neverfail who was quick and correct in May.

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Winter Conference Promotion - Booking promo extended for June!

We have a great Winter Conferencing offer at the Newport Mirage. Book and deposit your conference* on our great value winter rates and we'll send you a $100 Wish Card. Every booking also goes into the draw to win one of our romantic Weekend Indulgence packages.

Each Weekend Indulgence package includes two nights' accommodation in a King Room, Breakfast and a Dinner at the famous Terrace on Pittwater Restaurant - 2008 'Restaurant of the Year Winner' - Restaurant & Catering Awards.

*based on minimum conference spend of $2500. Booking conditions apply

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Wedding Expo

Come and experience, first hand, our award winning wedding venue. The Newport Mirage is hosting the 9th Annual Wedding Expo on Sunday the 14th of June. Lindy Dean, our Weddings Consultant will be on hand to help you design your dream wedding. On display will be 30+ local professional wedding suppliers to give you inspiration for your special day.

Yalumba 160th Year Winemakers Dinner Invitation

We all love a successful family business and the Terrace's winemaker's dinner this month features our good friends from Yalumba. 2009 see's Yalumba celebrating 160 years of family winemaking & there's no better way to share it then with a close group of 150 or so friends, a great venue, a top class menu, and their Senior Winemaker - Kevin Glastonbury - to tell us their story! Our June winemaker's dinner is one certainly not to be missed!

http://www.theterraceonpittwater.com.au

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL FOR CHRISTMAS PARTIES

Get organised for your companies Christmas Party early this year & let the Newport Mirage take the stress out of organising your Christmas party for you. Whether for an intimate party for 30 or for 120 we have a function area perfect for you.

We have a range of delicious menus to suit any budget from a two course menu to our Christmas buffet. All menus include Christmas themed table decorations, bon-bons for each guest and a decorated Christmas tree.

Book prior to the 30th September & receive a Mirage Waterfront Brunch Package for four people.

To receive a copy of our Christmas Package & find out more about theming your event, email functions@newportmirage.com.au or phone Lindy Dean on 02 9997 7011

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Conferencing Tips - 'Where the bloody hell are you'?

This month Dave Callahan from Manly Uncovered Tours talks about really finding out about where you are having your meeting.

'Often we see groups of people heading somewhere special to have a conference or company retreat. The boss or organiser has gone to great lengths to arrange a perfect team get together. They fly the team in from around the country, have perfectly timed sessions, beautiful dinners - BUT never leave the hotel.

We are fortunate to have some of the most spectacular backdrops from which to conference from, but only the truly savvy get their team out, even if only for a short time, to experience the general surrounds of where they are staying. What is the history of the area? Can they take anything significant home with them? Drive home your message with the impact of great experiences.

Take the team out for lunch on the beach, have a breakout session overlooking the spectacular backdrop of Palm Beach and Lion Island. Most properties will be able to assist with tasty takeaway packs, or even set up an ocean side buffet to surprise your group as they arrive.

In times of tightened budgets, this sort of session, can be both time wise and cost effective.'

www.manlyuncoveredtours.com.au