I have been wolfing down Lord of the Fries for a couple of years now, this is the first batch that lasted long enough to have a photo taken!! Vegan, gluten free "chicken" nuggets with napoli sauce and cheezly. Too.freaking.good. They also do vegan poutine! (SERIOUSLY!). I dont like their vegie burgers but its worth noting that the fries are super good too, I just cant ever go past the nuggets. They stock La Panella vegan pies and sausage rolls, Nellys vegan baked goods (cookies and brownies), and have many gluten free options (buns for the burgers, the patties are gluten free as are most of the sauces). In short they freaking rule. They're franchising out and an awesome drunk food/snack alternative in the city. I'm preaching to the converted already but ya'know.
Deets: http://www.lordofthefries.com.au
Estreet store (Elizabeth and Flinders intersection) MON-THU 11:00am - 10:00pm FRI-SAT 11:00am - 4am SUN 10:30am - 9:00pm
Flinders Street Station (across from Federation. Square) MON-THU 10:30am - 11:00pm FRI-SAT 11:00am - 4:00am SUN 11:00am - 9:00pm
ingredients
2 large or 3 small very ripe bananas
1/4 cup of applesauce
1/4 cup of oil
1/2 sugar
2 tbsp molasses
2 cups of flour
3/4 tsp of baking soda
1 tsp of cinnamon
1/4 tsp of nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
method
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas really, really well. Add the sugar, apple sauce, oil and molasses, and whisk briskly to incorporate.
3. Sift in the flour, baking soda, spices and salt. Use a wooden spoon to mix until the wet and dry ingredients are just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips if using.
4. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. The top should be lightly browned and a knife inserted through the centre should come out clean. Remove from the oven and invert onto a cooling rack; flip the bread right side up and cool.
BUSY! Final week of MQFF, a MIFF member screening and a freebie from Hopcotch, I've seen more films in the cinema in the past couple of weeks than I have in ages. I'm totally going to volunteer at MQFF, its such a great festival. Thanks MQFF!!
Wow. Considered to be *the* seminal queer documentary, this film totally blew my mind. Queer culture in New York in the mid 80s, particularly Blacks and Latinos. The minority of the minorities. MQFF really affects me, as I'm constantly being reminded that most of these people are now dead, dead from AIDs, suicide, murder, drug habits. Mostly from having had to live on the fringe of society due to unacceptance, being rejected by their familes, unable to get jobs. Very very very bittersweet. An amazing documentary and something everyone needs to see. 5/5 - Cant find a trailer! But this looks like it is the entire film:
The direction of this film was stunning. It was completely a 'film', the colours, the treatment. Absolutely beautiful. I saw two lesbian films from Buenos Aires this MQFF and they were both amazing. What is going on in Argentina huh? 4/5
The Eclipse
This was one of the weirdest and confusing films I've seen in ages. Essentially about grief, its part comedy part horror film, but not blended. There are horror scenes, then comedy scened. Aiden Quinn got old, fat and UGLY. 2/5
I entered a whiskey and date cake with cream cheese icing. I didn’t win, but I did taste the winning entry and it was totally amazing so kudos! It was great to see so many entries and so many talented bakers. I don’t usually get involved in the vegan community but this was super fun! Nice job!
My entry:
Gluten free goodies:
Whole cake/cupcakes/slices:
Raw:
Savoury:
Beautiful Darling
I'm loving seeing these icons finally starting to get documentaries made about them. Wonderful doco, a must see if you are interested in the Warhol crowd from the 60s and 70s. Side note, man what is UP with John Waters' teeth (he is interviewed in the film) they are bright yellow and snaggle toothed man. 3.5/5
Other films I watched this week: The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus - I really liked it. It never ceases to surprise me that I find Gilliam really dark, he is REALLY DARK.
Another wonderful way to eat breakfast on the weekend. I would add chocolate chips to these next time and a shake of icing sugar. Recipe verbatim from Vegan Brunch.
ingredients
1 cup of non dairy milk
1 tsp of apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 cups of flour
1/3 cup of cocoa
1/2 cup of sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup of canola oil
2 tbsp of applesauce
1 tsp of vanilla extract
1/4 tsp of almond essence
1 1/2 cups of berries
method
1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.
2. Lightly grease a muffin tin. Measure out the milk in a large measuring cup and add the vinegar. Set aside to curdle.
3. In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder and salt.
4. Make a well In the centre and add the milk, oil, applesauce and extracts. Stir to combine. Fold in the berries (when using frozen berries do not defrost them, add them to the batter straight from the freezer).
5. Scoop the batter into the muffin tin until the batter is almost filled to the rim. Bake for 24 to 28 minutes, or until a knife inserted through the centre comes out clean. Let cool for a few minutes in the tin before transferring muffins to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Severe hankering for satay and tofu, enter Satay Bar! I've got it down where to get cheap, quick, good vegan food during film festivals (also where to spend a quiet moment for a coffee in between all the chaos). Satay bar is freaking delicious. Shown, the large box with 3 tofu skewers (I got 2 regular tofu and 1 spicy tofu) and you get three sides with the box so I got the salad, rice and vegie crackers. Seriously delicious, they are open till 7pm for eat in or takeaway (the box is huge so I usually take half with me). I recommend the spicy tofu.
Deets: Corner of Flinders Lane & Custom House Lane, Melbourne http://www.satay.com.au $$: large box with can of soda pop - dinner special $10.60
$4 pizzas!!! enough said right?! now now please no stupid "it used to be the Punters club therefore I refuse to go there because they are WANKERS WHO ARE RUINING MELBOURNE", please, get over yourselves. The Punters Club sold up and moved on, they are they ones who should be incurring your wrath not delicious delicious pizza.
I get the Napolitana minus anchovies and capers, young Dave got the fungi which he also enjoyed immensely (the "Organico" with soy cheese - the cheese is not vegan FYI). Roasted garlic, chilli, red sauce and olive, its SO DELICIOUS. Add the gorgeous roof top, a sunny day and a schooner of Bulmers and it was a perfect Monday lunch. $4 pizzas are between 12-4pm Monday to Friday and after 7-11pm Sunday to Thursday and Saturdays 7-9pm, but if you join their membership program ($5 for life) you can get $4 pizza whenever you want.
If you've got the day off and you want to have a hot tight arse day have $4 pizza for lunch then mosey over to Nova in Carlton for tight arse Monday and see a movie for $6 before 4pm ($8 after 4pm). Pizza and a movie for $10. Bargain.
deets: cnr Brunswick st and Rose St, Fitzroy http://www.bimbodeluxe.com.au/ $$: $4!! (they obvs make their money on booze which is expensive and they dont sell pints, however you dont have to buy it)
I walked out of Bandaged before it finished so I could wolf down some food at the Thai Food and Culture festival that was going on in Fed Square. I don’t know where I bought it from but it was DELICIOUS (vegies and cashews), having grown up in Sydney, I really miss good Thai food.
A strange film, highly awkward and half baked. The first half of this film was amazing, the second half, cringe worthy. I don’t understand what this film was trying to say/do? It looks stunning, the costumes are amazing, its starts out as serious Oscar noteworthy contender and degenerates into Gaultier doing Fasbinder soft porn. Both leads hideously uncomfortable. Wouldn’t really recommend it. 2.5/5
My first film for MQFF and it was a corker. A deeply moving tale of a woman accused of her boyfriends murder, spends 5 years in prison, falls in love with an inmate, gives birth to a son and eventually, well I don’t want to give away the ending. It’s a film about women working together, how it takes a villiage to raise a child, how love can spring up in the most unlikely places and the human spirit is one that cannot be squashed. It was almost 2 hours long and I didn’t notice one bit. This is what A Prophet should have been like. Stunning. 4/5.
The old Laundry, I will never be able to all it its new name of the Revellers Bar. Friendly staff which was nice, no cider upstairs in the bandroom so you had to go downstairs to get a drink and then back up again, the space is kind of weird but its nice how the front completely opens up with concertinaed doors. It was my mate Daves 30th birthday party and his band Store Bought Cool played the last spot of the night. My friend Tims new band, The Plague Doctors, are super cute and fun and really got the place dancing. Store Bought Cool, well I'm biased because Dave is the one of the most stunning people I know, so all I will say is see these bands if you ever see them around!
I finally dragged my sorry ass down to the Ron Mueck exhibition before it closes (I think it has a couple of weeks left so get down there!), it was amazing as usual. Ron Mueck born in Melbourne, if you don't know, made all the creatures in Labyrinth and was the puppeteer inside Ludo. I saw his work for the first time 7 years ago in Sydney, 2 sculptures from that exhibition are in the one at NGV. I felt it was a rip off for the amount of sculptures were there, but at the same time I would have paid $15 to see that giant baby. Go go!!
They have a student clinic on Friday and Saturdays - $40 for an hour shiatsu with a student. The centre is beautiful, an airy, light, sun filled warehouse with exposed brick and wood. They also do seasonal cooking classes, yoga, mediation, many classes. I'm going to start hanging out there more! The space is really tranquil and lovely and I've been looking for a Hatha yoga class to go to once a week.
Nurses! Lesbians! Controlling fathers! Set in 50s Germany! Sponge baths! Suicide attempts! It sounds amazing huh? Like it would be the most amazing movie ever?!?! WRONG!! It was possibly one of the worst made films I've ever seen. It was in english (why?!), so the dialogue was laboured, considered and wooden due to the non english as a first language actors trying to get it all out. It was supposedly set in the fifties but at some point the lead actress is getting around in a denim mini skirt and black tights. The 'love scenes' were about as comfortable as watching Tony Abbott run out of the surf in those budgie smugglers. 1/5
I really want someone to make a porn remake of this. This will be the only way it will work!
A fascinating documentary, that finished some what unresolved. A lesson in everyone is running away somewhat from their past and that most people don’t come out of their teenage years unscathed. 3.5/5
This recipe was super simple and a delicious way to eat breakfast on the weekend. I threw in blueberries and an apple diced small which made it more moist (always looking for making gluten free goodies MORE MOIST!).
for the topping:
1 cup of all purpose flour (I used 1/2 cup gluten free flour and 1/2 puffed brown rice)
1/3 cup of brown sugar
1 tsp of cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup of canola oil, plus up to 2 tbsps more if needed
for the cake:
3/4 cup of non dairy milk
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of canola oil
1tsp of pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups of all purpose flour (I used gluten free flour)
2 tsp of baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
method
1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.
2. Lightly grease an 8 inch round spring form pan or an 8 inch square pan. Measure out the milk for the cake and mix in the teaspoon of vinegar; set aside to curdle. Then begin preparing the topping.
make the topping
3. In a small mixing bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Drizzle in the canola oil by the tablespoon (you can eyeball it, no need to whip out a tablespoon). Use your fingers to swish around the mixture until crumbs form.
make the cake
4. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the milk mixture, sugar, canola oil and vanilla. Sift in the flour, baking powder and salt and mix until smooth.
5. Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan. Evenly sprinkle on the topping and pat it down just a bit. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a knife inserted through the centre comes out clean.
500 gm of tofu (firm) - (I used 2 x packets of water packed tofu which was 600gms it was fine) 3 tbsp of olive oil 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice 1 tsp salt 3 tsp of mellow barley or white miso 2 cloves of garlic sliced 2 tbsp soy cream cheese
some steamed spinach (I used an entire bag of baby spinach) Filo pastry (for the pie) Olive oil
Method
Steam the spinach until wilted, rinse and squeeze as much water as you can out of it. Drain the blocks of tofu on paper towel, weighted down with cans on a plate for 10 minutes, changing the paper towel when necessary. Whizz all the ingredients (minus the filo). Voila! Leave the filo pastry on the bench whilst you are doing this so it softens, then working quickly (leaving a damp cloth on the filo you are not working with - it goes crusty and mank within about a minute!) get about 2 or 3 filo sheets then paint on a layer of olive oil, be sure to oil the edges as well. I use about 2 or 3 layers of this for the bottom, then smooth the tofu mixture into the bottom. Places 2 or 3 sheets on the top and seal the edges together then repeat for the filo lid with the oil and filo sheets. Oil the top and sprinkle on some salt. Bake at 200 for about 40 minutes (until the top turns all brown and crusty). Tasty as.
Notes:I've cooked this a couple of times and its always gone pretty soggy on the bottom. I dont know how to fix this! I'm thinking scramble the tofu on the stove for 10 minutes until all the moisture is gone? I will try again and let you know. Not sure about the soy cream cheese in it, again will try another tasting but leaving it in for now.
Melinda, who ever you are, I'm in love with you. These were AMAZING. I have NEVER liked savoury muffins, but these were incredible. I added:
Extra sliced sundried tomatoes
Half a zucchini greated finely
1/2 cup of soy cheese (I used the Kingland kind and its ok!)
2 tablespoons of chutney
These muffins were so moist and delicious, you are completely unable to tell they are gluten free. Highly recommended and a great breakfast alternative!
Frightfully broke at the moment. Switching from weekly pay to monthly pay and trying to get money together for my trip to Europe in 5 weeks, so no eating out for a while! But in other news I finally finished all of my home improvements! I made cushion covers, painted a cabinet and finished the light box this weekend (though I need to find a lower watt bulb that doesn’t heat up so much). I'm going to re-do my bathroom before I go overseas (oh just a new bathmat and shower curtain) and I'm feeling all refreshed and new. Rebuilt my computer on the weekend and cooked loads from my first Moreland Organic Fruit and Veg co-op box. So expect LOTS of recipes coming this week.
Two operas for the price of one! I love the opera, the costumes, the sets, the staging. Its mainly the costumes that kill me. The Victorian Opera of course being the poorer cousin to Opera Australia, it was still magical nonetheless. Both operas were sung in English and were comedies, the first, the Bear, the age old tale of the crotchety woman filled with scorn inpiring love from men. The second a wonderful French almost pantomime comedy about a horrible wife and her husbands attempts to sell her. They were both so adorable and full of whimsy, I had a smile on my face for days afterwards. These tickets were comps through my Fringe Festival membership (seriously get on the membership bandwagon, I get so many free tickets to things).
This was the most mouth wateringly delicious recipe I've tried out in years. Seriously. Do yourself a favour. I served over the Orgran wheat free pasta spirals and they were delicious. Recipe verbatim from Smitten Kitten (LOVE DEB, she is pretty much the only omni chef I follow these days).
ingredientsserves 4
3 tablespoons margarine
1 kg portabello mushrooms, sliced thickly
1/2 carrot, finely diced
1 small brown onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup red wine
2 cups vegetarian beef stock
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
1 cup pearl onions, peeled
cooked short pasta, sour cream and chopped chives for serving
method
1. On high heat, saute the mushrooms in half of the margarine until they start to turn colour - about 4 minutes. Set the mushrooms aside in a bowl.
2. On medium heat add the remaining tbsp of margarine and fry the carrots, onions, thyme and a good seasoning of salt and pepper until the onions have started to brown, around 10 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and saute for another minute. "De glaze" the pan with the wine then mix in the stock and tomato paste and cook on high until the liquid has reduced by half. Add the mushrooms and simmer on low, stiring every couple of minutes for 30-40 minutes, until the sauce has become thick and the mushrooms tender. Add the pearl onions and simmer for 15 minutes. If your sauce is too thin let simmer until it achieves the desired consistency.
5. Season to taste and serve with a dollop of tofu sour cream (optional), a sprinkle of chives on top of your noodles.
notes: Stews like this is where having a heavy bottom cast iron pan (or a slow cooker) is REALLY handy. You can do this in a stock pot but you will have to watch it like a hawk so bits and pieces don’t get stuck to the bottom. This is my go-to wow meal for omnivores, it will become yours too.
A relatively quiet week. I'm feeling loads better, I got made permanent at my job so I will have no money for a million years (I'm switching from weekly pay to monthly pay, my first pay 5 days before I go to Europe which is probably a good thing).
out Madagascar Oh Noni. This play was the most suicidally depressing play I've seen in ages, it was really superb but really, only see it if you are prepared to want to slash your wrists afterwards. Amazingly acted, Noni is just stunning always. MTC subscription, I have perhaps figured you out, the three plays I've seen this year so far have been spectacular. From the MTC website: "In a hotel room overlooking the Spanish Steps in Rome, three versions of a story are told at three different times: by an older woman Lilian, by a young woman June, and by an older man Nathan. As each reveals how they came to be in that room, the audience pieces together the story of a young man’s mysterious disappearance and its shattering implications.
In Madagascar, playwright J.T. Rogers meditates on the past’s ability to hold on to us and our slow-arriving acceptance that it may never let go."
I ate what I usually eat, house salad with rice balls which is always amazing. But I tried some of Daves fake duck stir fry thing and it was out of control, I am so getting that next time.
I stopped into Horse Bazaar for a cider last night after work and discovered they now do food (the last few times I went there they only did bar snacks?). I inhaled the vegetarian don buri with noodles, teriyaki sauce and tofu. Sprinkled with currents, sesame seeds and pine nuts, it was seriously delicious. I love Horse Bazaar, the staff are friendly, the space is really great and people who go there are generally on the side of younger hipster business people so not too rowdy and not too nausea inducing either. I'm going to hang out there more often!
Deets: 397 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 3000, (03) 9670 2329 http://horsebazaar.com.au/ $$: Donburi $8, pint of Bulmers $9
A word of warning, this recipe was originally for a black bean soup recipe. This makes about enough filling for 2x 9inch pies, so I would cook one and freeze one OR make enough for one bean pie and keep the stock and make black bean soup with the rest! The black bean soup recipe was originally from the Real Food Daily Cookbook.
Ingredients 2 cups of black beans 2 bay leaves 6 cups of vegie stock 1 can of tomatoes 1 tbsp of tomato paste 6 cloves of garlic minced 1 onion diced 2 large carrots diced 1/2 cup of corn kernals 2 tsp chilli powder 1/2 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper 1 tbsp liquid smoke 1 tsp of chipotle 1/4 of a cup of chopped corriander
Soak the black beans overnight. Rise thoroughly picking out any stones or weird ones. Put onto the stove with the stock and bay leaves, bring to a simmer and leave for an hour, skimming off any foam that comes to the top. Once they are cooked, drain. In a heavy bottom pan, fry up onions, garlic and carrot for about 10 minutes until the carrots start to soften. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer until the flavours are mixed about 10 minutes. Transfer half of the bean mixture into a food processor and pulse. Spread into a 9" pastry lined pie pan. Cook for about 40 minutes. I served with lime tofu sour cream and chipotle.
I cooked something new!! So wait for the recipe which will be up this week. I'm slowly getting back into my groove, having all new furniture has really rejuevenated me. Last week was INSANELY busy so I am forcing myself to stay in as much as possible this week/long weekend. I have a few art projects I've been working on at home so I'm going to finish them this weekend. Also as you've no doubt gleaned I've been super depressed over the past couple of months so this week is the festival of Carla!! I'm going to get a body wax, a massage, a pedicure and a facial. I'm going to be all shiny and new by the end of the week. Happy days.
Out
The Maltese Consulate
I applied for my EU Citizenship this week, a monumental event for me. Dreams of retiring in Spain have kept me off the ground all week. I could apply through heritage (2 lines of family born there) but getting the documentation took me 6 months. Apparently it could take them up to 18 months to process my application but I've made plans to stay in Melbourne for 3 years so, I gotst time. Hoorah!
This months book was Loaded by Christos Tsiolkas. I loved it. Its become one of my favourite books ever. Eerily similar to my own teenage years its not often I find things I identify with so easily. "Are you proud of being Greek", "I'm happy I'm Greek, but I'm not proud". Sigh. Christos. The Penny Black continues to be my favourite bar in Sydney Road. I had yummy wedges with harissa.
John Waters - The Art Centre
Pink Flamingos is my favourite movie of ALL TIME. Without a doubt the best experience of my entire life. I can die happy now.
Listen with headphones - NSFW (or sensitive ears)
Sydney Road Festival
Boring! I only hung around for a little while, why does it always bring out so many ferals?
The Road
Stunning. Breathlessness, gorgeousness. John Hillcoat is freaking amazing. The only thing that REALLY irritated me was the product placement in the film. Was that necessary AT ALL?!?!? Coke, Doles canned foods, Cheetos and Vitamin Water, really really disappointing and detracted from what was an absolutely amazing film. Nick Cave and Warren Ellis' soundtrack was beautiful. Thanks to Penny at Three Thousand for the double pass.
No update because I ate exactly the same thing there as I did the first time. Lentil parcels, asaparagus in a nest, avocado rolls and tofu crème caramel. It was totally and utterly delicious and everyone who works there is so so friendly. We had 3 beers and a coffee and the bill was $40 each. Bargain as far as I'm concerned.
