I've been running around like a madwoman this week. So SO busy.
out.
true grit
Amazing. I had been busting to see this film for weeks and finally went to the ultra cheap $6 session at Nova on Monday morning, only to be fire evacuated 20 minutes before the end!! Couldn't believe it! I've now seen the whole thing and its absolutely glorious. 4/5
teenage paparazzo - MIFF on deckchairs
What a wonderful program. I love seeing film outdoors and for the next 5 weeks MIFF are presenting some of their favourites from last years fest in Federation Square (with really comfy deck chairs laid out!). Teenage Paparazzo is a documentary about a 13 year papp in Hollywood. Made by Adrian Grenier from Entourage this doco is actually really freaking amazing. Very well made and edited. 4/5
eats.drinks
grill'd
I had the "field of dreams" on gluten free bun. The bun is kind of scone like so I didnt really eat the top half. Overall the burger was ok, a huge portobello with salad (I had to keep piling the salad on the order because it would have had nothing on it otherwise), will certainly satisfy in a bind.
lord of the fries
Lord of the Fries Flinders St Station store has been completely rocking my world lately. Back to the old quality we first remember. Keep on keeping on!!
journal canteen
Still one of my favourite watering holes in Melbs. Love you *paws at you*.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
jacques reymond - prahran
A terrine of leek and watermelon
Zucchini and coriander soup with a fragrant zucchini flower tempura.
Sandwich of celeriac, mirin and fresh wasabi jelly (made with agar), red capsicum delicacy, black bean and sweetcorn dressing
Potato hash (in replacement of gnocci) with braised leek? and cauliflower, almond and bush mountain pepper caramel
Lacquered salsify, Japanese coleslaw, ennoki mushroom tempura, soy and sake glaze
Sweet pepper and eggplant miso dengaku, horseradish mustard dressing, butternut pumpkin with a campari and soda poached baby turnip
Winter mushrooms risotto, broth of mushroom and truffle juice (we chose the extra $25 option of having fresh shaved French black truffles on top)
Pacific Rim martini of pineapple, passionfruit and banana, mango sorbet and praline
Millefeuilles of chocolate: fresh poached cherries, dark chocolate, poached pear with blow torched sugar
Coffee and petits fours (this was the part that made me cry, I had no idea these were coming out and they were SO beautiful and SO amazing - I had never thought I could have 'petite fours' again). My selection was like a blackberry flavoured jube, an apple sandwich of cicle cup apple pieces with I cant remember what in the middle, and agar set mango, pineapple and blueberries.
Suffice to say this was mind blowing. We got a bottle of bubbly and spent 3.5 hours eating, laughing talking, being pampered. Every care was taken to make sure I had the vegan equivalent, oil laid out, which breads were vegan etc. The wait staff were just gorgeous. This was such a special, wonderful evening. I cant really say much more!
* incidentally $40 per head less than the omnivorous menu (we all know how I feel about this subject ha!). I didnt feel cheated at all in comparison to the vegetarian menu, I felt just as much care had been taken in making mine vegan.
deets: 78 Williams Road, Prahran
$$: $130.00 without wine $70 bubbly $50 truffles $20 tip $400 total.
other voices, other times:
I cant find any other vegetarian reviews of Jacques so I wont bother hurting your eyes with posting to meat ones. Please send through vego blog reviews if you know of any :)
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Q and A
Not all vegan cruelty free brands are listed with choose Cruelty Free. I just discovered a great aussie range: Sukin. Know any other make-up/beauty brands that are not listed???
I know, I dont know what the deal is there, why wouldn't Sukin apply? or are they in the process? Its hard to know how difficult it is and what the certification process is like. Has anyone had experience with this? I've been building a business with Arbonne (which would be my recommendation) and they aren't listed on there. I'm waiting to build more of the business before I let you guys know about it. BUT through doing my research I found a lot of vegans who wont buy any cosmetics that aren't listed on the Choose Cruelty Free website so I've been thinking about that a lot. Anyone know of any other brands that are vegan and not on the CCF website? What would satisfy you that the products are vegan? Arbonne list in all their literature and websites that their products are formulated without animal products or animal derived products and label them vegan. Just curious to know this myself.
I know, I dont know what the deal is there, why wouldn't Sukin apply? or are they in the process? Its hard to know how difficult it is and what the certification process is like. Has anyone had experience with this? I've been building a business with Arbonne (which would be my recommendation) and they aren't listed on there. I'm waiting to build more of the business before I let you guys know about it. BUT through doing my research I found a lot of vegans who wont buy any cosmetics that aren't listed on the Choose Cruelty Free website so I've been thinking about that a lot. Anyone know of any other brands that are vegan and not on the CCF website? What would satisfy you that the products are vegan? Arbonne list in all their literature and websites that their products are formulated without animal products or animal derived products and label them vegan. Just curious to know this myself.
Monday, February 21, 2011
monday melbourne roundup
out.
rabbit hole
I went into this with trepidation (the trailer is really naff and not an indication of what its really like), I really super love John Cameron Mitchell as a director but I thought it might be another 'Nicole Kidman' movie. How wrong I was. You know I gotta give props to our Nic, she does choose a lot of interesting projects to work on. She produced this film and chose Mitchell as the director and its an extremely gentle, humane, gorgeous film like all of his others. I really really enjoyed it. 4/5
taylor mac - comparison is violence
New York drag/cabaret/theatre artist Taylor Mac was in town for Mardi Gras and came down to Melbourne to do a couple of shows. The show called 'comparison is violence' was really about how what we do is what we do and although it may be like something else its really not what that is. So he did a show combining Ziggy Stardust and Tiny Tim (the two people he gets compared to) and made it his own thing. It was wonderful, his voice is so SO amazing. Singing the Ziggy songs made me cry, Ziggy is one of my oldest memories and dearest records. Taylor Mac is completely amazing and I highly recommend you see him if you can. Below is a recording of the show I saw (well one song of it) - not the actual show I went to. Totally made my week, it was also at the brand spanking new Melbourne Recital Centre, W.O.W what a venue! I look forward to seeing Joanna Newsom there in a couple of weeks.
australian shiatsu college - brunswick
They have Friday and Saturday morning clinics. A really wonderful space, get worked on by a final year student for $40 (hour and a half consultation). I love it there and every shiatsu I've had has been amazing.
eats.drinks
jacques reymond
Review coming soon. Suffice to say mind blowing.
degraves espresso bar
The service has gotten better of late (ie it exists). Despite it all its still one of my favourite meeting spots. Now has Rekorderlig.
rabbit hole
I went into this with trepidation (the trailer is really naff and not an indication of what its really like), I really super love John Cameron Mitchell as a director but I thought it might be another 'Nicole Kidman' movie. How wrong I was. You know I gotta give props to our Nic, she does choose a lot of interesting projects to work on. She produced this film and chose Mitchell as the director and its an extremely gentle, humane, gorgeous film like all of his others. I really really enjoyed it. 4/5
taylor mac - comparison is violence
New York drag/cabaret/theatre artist Taylor Mac was in town for Mardi Gras and came down to Melbourne to do a couple of shows. The show called 'comparison is violence' was really about how what we do is what we do and although it may be like something else its really not what that is. So he did a show combining Ziggy Stardust and Tiny Tim (the two people he gets compared to) and made it his own thing. It was wonderful, his voice is so SO amazing. Singing the Ziggy songs made me cry, Ziggy is one of my oldest memories and dearest records. Taylor Mac is completely amazing and I highly recommend you see him if you can. Below is a recording of the show I saw (well one song of it) - not the actual show I went to. Totally made my week, it was also at the brand spanking new Melbourne Recital Centre, W.O.W what a venue! I look forward to seeing Joanna Newsom there in a couple of weeks.
australian shiatsu college - brunswick
They have Friday and Saturday morning clinics. A really wonderful space, get worked on by a final year student for $40 (hour and a half consultation). I love it there and every shiatsu I've had has been amazing.
eats.drinks
jacques reymond
Review coming soon. Suffice to say mind blowing.
degraves espresso bar
The service has gotten better of late (ie it exists). Despite it all its still one of my favourite meeting spots. Now has Rekorderlig.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
a note of appreciation - jacques reymond
hello! I just wanted to pass along my gratitude and appreciation to the kitchen and the wonderful staff. I came and dined on Thursday night and it was amazing. As a vegan my options for celebration dinners/fancy dates are limited. I have many favourite high end restaurants and have had a few degustations but have always been disappointed as its always been the vegetarian degust with all the dairy taken out and no replaced with anything. You far surpassed my wildest expectations and although my money is the same as everyone elses I have not experienced the level of dedication and service as I experienced on Thursday night.
Also a side note, I refuse to do a degustation that is the same price as the meat one, so when researching this celebration dinner I was amused and surprised that my answer came from the most unexpected place, a French restaurant!! (well what I conceived was a French restaurant :)
Jacques you are a class act all the way. I have eaten my way all over the world from the Ivy in London to Gordon Ramseys to Millenium in San Francisco and everything in between and nothing has come close the style, class and panache that you delivered on Thursday night. You have won yourself a major fan here and I have told all of my vegan/vegetarian friends (I also write a very popular vegan food blog and am very active in the community) so expect more vegan requests.
Again, with many thanks your number one fan,
Carla
ps the staff are all so gorgeous I just wanted to pinch their faces.
Also a side note, I refuse to do a degustation that is the same price as the meat one, so when researching this celebration dinner I was amused and surprised that my answer came from the most unexpected place, a French restaurant!! (well what I conceived was a French restaurant :)
Jacques you are a class act all the way. I have eaten my way all over the world from the Ivy in London to Gordon Ramseys to Millenium in San Francisco and everything in between and nothing has come close the style, class and panache that you delivered on Thursday night. You have won yourself a major fan here and I have told all of my vegan/vegetarian friends (I also write a very popular vegan food blog and am very active in the community) so expect more vegan requests.
Again, with many thanks your number one fan,
Carla
ps the staff are all so gorgeous I just wanted to pinch their faces.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Q and A
Things to add to meals to replace the flavour of onion and garlic in recipes, because I really do benefit from avoiding those substances! At the moment I'm using cumin, coriander, paprika and liquid smoke, but other ideas would be fantastic.
Wow, I cant imagine a world without garlic and onion, it makes me shed a tear thinking about it. I'm actually going to get a tattoo of a knob of garlic THATS how much I love it. To answer your question, I guess you're looking for pungent replacements, depending on the recipe you could use a teaspoon of white miso paste, sumac is a lemony tasting middle eastern spice, dukkah another middle eastern spice/seed mix full of earthy strong flavours. Other things I could think of that have tangy pungent tastes are reduced balsamic vinegar and if you can find it truffle oil (white or black) is magic. Its truly worth the $30 or so a bottle, you only use a little bit. Also maybe try some different salts, like black salt or pink salt!
What do you consider a hearty vegetable? I find it hard to have a vegetarian meal which keeps me full for more than an hour or so.
It's the old protein and carbs answer. The traditional meat and potatoes is the carbs from the potatoes fills you up now and the meat keeps you full later. So when making your meals consider if you have enough direct sources of protein in it. Potatoes in your soup will fill you up for that first hour but think about adding some cubed firm tofu, think of it like little sausage pieces you would add to a minestrone. Buy the firm tofu that's like a big block of cheese, open and put into a bowl of water and run some water over it for a few minutes then pat down the tofu with some paper towel. If you have time or can be bothered put a bunch of paper towel down then the tofu then more paper towel on top and then a plate and weigh down the plate with some cans or something to slowly squeeze the water out. Cube and throw into your soup, or stir fry or pasta sauce. Beans are also a good source of protein, throw some chickpeas or butter beans or kidney beans into your salad/soup/pasta sauce. Consider reading up on low GI foods as well, these are slow burn carbs that keep you feeling full for longer.
Wow, I cant imagine a world without garlic and onion, it makes me shed a tear thinking about it. I'm actually going to get a tattoo of a knob of garlic THATS how much I love it. To answer your question, I guess you're looking for pungent replacements, depending on the recipe you could use a teaspoon of white miso paste, sumac is a lemony tasting middle eastern spice, dukkah another middle eastern spice/seed mix full of earthy strong flavours. Other things I could think of that have tangy pungent tastes are reduced balsamic vinegar and if you can find it truffle oil (white or black) is magic. Its truly worth the $30 or so a bottle, you only use a little bit. Also maybe try some different salts, like black salt or pink salt!
What do you consider a hearty vegetable? I find it hard to have a vegetarian meal which keeps me full for more than an hour or so.
It's the old protein and carbs answer. The traditional meat and potatoes is the carbs from the potatoes fills you up now and the meat keeps you full later. So when making your meals consider if you have enough direct sources of protein in it. Potatoes in your soup will fill you up for that first hour but think about adding some cubed firm tofu, think of it like little sausage pieces you would add to a minestrone. Buy the firm tofu that's like a big block of cheese, open and put into a bowl of water and run some water over it for a few minutes then pat down the tofu with some paper towel. If you have time or can be bothered put a bunch of paper towel down then the tofu then more paper towel on top and then a plate and weigh down the plate with some cans or something to slowly squeeze the water out. Cube and throw into your soup, or stir fry or pasta sauce. Beans are also a good source of protein, throw some chickpeas or butter beans or kidney beans into your salad/soup/pasta sauce. Consider reading up on low GI foods as well, these are slow burn carbs that keep you feeling full for longer.
Monday, February 14, 2011
monday melbourne roundup
I.am.so.busy.its.ridiculous. Schools in! So begins the year really. No more faffing around, pull the finger out and GET INTO IT. I know blogging has been sparse but I've finally bought a proper battery charger today so it will pick up in the next couple of weeks. So my goals are finally set for the year, in progress for both work and personal life. I'm feeling energised to the point of frustration. I WANT IT ALL NOW.
out.
invisible atom @ the arts centre
I'm going to talk theatre here so you might want to tune out if you're a non theatre person. Invisible Atom, although a highly polished, robust play was lacking in some real guts. A one man show about essentially a late term "enlightenment" and the gravity that can have so late in life. Usually we realise the world is fucked and cruel by the age of 21, it can have disastrous effects on the man who has blindly harnessed that system for his own greed for two decades. Shooting for the lofty heights of a Wil Eno play this landed somewhere around an extremely frenetic David Williamson.
eats.drinks
balderdash
Ever since Bowl of Soul closed down I've been really lost for a good place to have lunch in Port. The organic cafe is good but quite expensive, Balderdash is along the same price range but I like it better. Nice space, nice people, good food. I think I will go there a bit now.
lord of the fries - flinders st station
LOTF update! Ok I tried the suggestion of just gravy with nuggets. I got the nuggets pack with fries and gravy and they were actually really good. Perfectly fried and not gross and weird like they've been the past well long time. The young man who served me was lovely as well. Flinders St Station store gets a thumbs up from me this time.
out.
invisible atom @ the arts centre
I'm going to talk theatre here so you might want to tune out if you're a non theatre person. Invisible Atom, although a highly polished, robust play was lacking in some real guts. A one man show about essentially a late term "enlightenment" and the gravity that can have so late in life. Usually we realise the world is fucked and cruel by the age of 21, it can have disastrous effects on the man who has blindly harnessed that system for his own greed for two decades. Shooting for the lofty heights of a Wil Eno play this landed somewhere around an extremely frenetic David Williamson.
eats.drinks
balderdash
Ever since Bowl of Soul closed down I've been really lost for a good place to have lunch in Port. The organic cafe is good but quite expensive, Balderdash is along the same price range but I like it better. Nice space, nice people, good food. I think I will go there a bit now.
lord of the fries - flinders st station
LOTF update! Ok I tried the suggestion of just gravy with nuggets. I got the nuggets pack with fries and gravy and they were actually really good. Perfectly fried and not gross and weird like they've been the past well long time. The young man who served me was lovely as well. Flinders St Station store gets a thumbs up from me this time.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Q and A
Much like Nigella's kitchen queries I thought it would be good to open up the forum for some questions! I've been doing veg?*nism for over 10 years in varying levels but always obsessed with chemical/low toxicity living (which was what made me go vegan in the first place). If there's enough demand I will do this once a week! Either leave a question here or look out for the post on facebook and leave it there, or email me! I will endeavour to point you in the right direction and perhaps I'll learn something new along the way.
1. Soy products-good or bad for you, so much conflicting information.
*So* much conflicting information. I believe this question relates to the phytoestrogens (plant hormones) and the possible cancer causing/menopause wonder drug effects. Depending on what you read they are great! or bad! or not enough science! I think its easy as vegans to fall into the trap of eating a lot of soy. Soy is in SO MANY THINGS these days so it might be a good idea to do a soy audit on your diet and really see how much you're consuming. I believe in moderation in everything. Personally I err on the side of caution with soy as it makes me really gassy! I have rice milk and the only soy I eat is tofu which I may eat 3-4 times a week. A balanced diet with lots of colours is what I aim for!
Phytoestrogens wikipedia
2. Cooked vs raw foods?
Again moderation is key. I believe cooked foods aren't that bad for you nor do I believe following an all raw diet is the best either. But with everything with the right research and help you can be healthy on many different diets (and be increasing unhealthy eating 'healthy food'). I did the liver cleanse diet a while back and it promotes eating a half portion of your meal raw, so like a salad with dinner or an apple with your cereal. Raw food helps aid digestion and I did notice a more settled stomach when I was vigilant about my raw food intake. Since then I have been eating more raw vegies and fruit and have really noticed the difference in my health/skin etc. I believe most people aim for a 70/30 split of cooked vs raw. I think this is a sensible ratio (considering breads and grains in there etc). I will also strongly advocate organic fruit and veg, the difference in my health has been VERY noticeable since I started eating organic.
Raw foodism wikipedia
3. I'm trying to make red velvet cupcakes for valentines day, I've used beetroot powder to make it red, all it does is make the top of the cupcake red, but when you bite into it there's no red, it's the weirdest thing! I really don't want to use preservatives, but not sure how else I can pull off a red velvet. please help!
Food colouring BAD!!! Have you thought about using beetroot juice as a dye? Surely only a few drops would be needed? Just found this recipe that uses beets in the batter please let us know how you go!
1. Soy products-good or bad for you, so much conflicting information.
*So* much conflicting information. I believe this question relates to the phytoestrogens (plant hormones) and the possible cancer causing/menopause wonder drug effects. Depending on what you read they are great! or bad! or not enough science! I think its easy as vegans to fall into the trap of eating a lot of soy. Soy is in SO MANY THINGS these days so it might be a good idea to do a soy audit on your diet and really see how much you're consuming. I believe in moderation in everything. Personally I err on the side of caution with soy as it makes me really gassy! I have rice milk and the only soy I eat is tofu which I may eat 3-4 times a week. A balanced diet with lots of colours is what I aim for!
Phytoestrogens wikipedia
2. Cooked vs raw foods?
Again moderation is key. I believe cooked foods aren't that bad for you nor do I believe following an all raw diet is the best either. But with everything with the right research and help you can be healthy on many different diets (and be increasing unhealthy eating 'healthy food'). I did the liver cleanse diet a while back and it promotes eating a half portion of your meal raw, so like a salad with dinner or an apple with your cereal. Raw food helps aid digestion and I did notice a more settled stomach when I was vigilant about my raw food intake. Since then I have been eating more raw vegies and fruit and have really noticed the difference in my health/skin etc. I believe most people aim for a 70/30 split of cooked vs raw. I think this is a sensible ratio (considering breads and grains in there etc). I will also strongly advocate organic fruit and veg, the difference in my health has been VERY noticeable since I started eating organic.
Raw foodism wikipedia
3. I'm trying to make red velvet cupcakes for valentines day, I've used beetroot powder to make it red, all it does is make the top of the cupcake red, but when you bite into it there's no red, it's the weirdest thing! I really don't want to use preservatives, but not sure how else I can pull off a red velvet. please help!
Food colouring BAD!!! Have you thought about using beetroot juice as a dye? Surely only a few drops would be needed? Just found this recipe that uses beets in the batter please let us know how you go!
Monday, February 7, 2011
monday melbourne roundup
Had a really relaxing week last week, watched a lot of films, went to a gig and a wedding in the Dandenong Ranges. I'm also watching Battlestar Galactica for the first time and its blowing my mind. I'm in almost full hibernation mode at the moment, consoling myself with books, television, films. I havent been cooking that much so not many food posts are going to be coming up. I'm having trouble getting into this year!
out.
sufjan stevens @ the arts centre
Sufjan chanelling his inner kanye was just too much for me. I really didnt enjoy the show. I also had no idea the direction he had taken, I probably wouldnt have gone. Good on him for doing it though!
the fighter
This is not particular a genre of film I like. Small town boy beats all odds to become global hero in "insert sport here". The performances in this were great and over all I didnt think it was a bad film. For its genre it was actually quite good, took a few different twists and turns however the cliches piled high as well and left me groaning in some spots. 2.5/5 (marky mark is still a hotty)
fair game
Not something that I thought I would enjoy but did immensely. A scathingly direct criticism of the Bush Administration, hinged around their greatest lie of "WMDs". For an administration that was so evil in so many ways its a great concise way of putting across exactly how fucked and corrupt they were with one story. A true story as well. I highly recommend seeing it. 3.5/5
127 hours
James Franco is my favourite celebrity of the past couple of years. I just love him! I also love Danny Boyle. This was not as tense as I expected it to be, I expected it to be full on dramatic which it wasn't which was disappointing but at the same time the film that it was was excellent and unexpected. I really REALLY super enjoyed this. 4/5
william ricketts sanctuary
One of my most favourite places on earth. I'm so happy to have gone back, the last time I went was over 7 years ago. Already working on my New Years resolution of doing more country Victoria things.
eats.drinks
dumplings plus
oh how I love you. LOVE YOU.
out.
sufjan stevens @ the arts centre
Sufjan chanelling his inner kanye was just too much for me. I really didnt enjoy the show. I also had no idea the direction he had taken, I probably wouldnt have gone. Good on him for doing it though!
the fighter
This is not particular a genre of film I like. Small town boy beats all odds to become global hero in "insert sport here". The performances in this were great and over all I didnt think it was a bad film. For its genre it was actually quite good, took a few different twists and turns however the cliches piled high as well and left me groaning in some spots. 2.5/5 (marky mark is still a hotty)
fair game
Not something that I thought I would enjoy but did immensely. A scathingly direct criticism of the Bush Administration, hinged around their greatest lie of "WMDs". For an administration that was so evil in so many ways its a great concise way of putting across exactly how fucked and corrupt they were with one story. A true story as well. I highly recommend seeing it. 3.5/5
127 hours
James Franco is my favourite celebrity of the past couple of years. I just love him! I also love Danny Boyle. This was not as tense as I expected it to be, I expected it to be full on dramatic which it wasn't which was disappointing but at the same time the film that it was was excellent and unexpected. I really REALLY super enjoyed this. 4/5
william ricketts sanctuary
One of my most favourite places on earth. I'm so happy to have gone back, the last time I went was over 7 years ago. Already working on my New Years resolution of doing more country Victoria things.
eats.drinks
dumplings plus
oh how I love you. LOVE YOU.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
slow cooked chai porridge
This was my first use of my crock pot and it was UHMAZING!! I used brown rice instead of oats and I woke up to the fattest, plumpest rice pudding I've ever eaten. I had mine on for 9 hours (whoops overslept) so there was almost no liquid left. I am upping the liquid and reducing the cooking time. Nom. Inspired from this recipe.
ingredients
1 cup brown rice
5 cups milk of your choice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cardamom
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (I used rose water)
sweetener to taste
1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
method
1. Cook in your slow cooker for 7-8 hours on low. Voila.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
black pepper tofu with coconut rice
I have cooked this recipe three times now and in three different ways. I just cant get over how much pepper is prescribed! First time I tried the 5 tbsp and was too much, second time I tried 3 tbsp and was still too much, third time I tried 1 and I felt it was still too much! So go with what you feel. I suggest 2 tsp of bashed up peppercorns but you know what you like.
Also the original recipe says to cube the tofu, dust with cornflour then fry in oil until they start going golden brown. I preferred just straight fresh tofu cubed and then cooked in the sauce. In any event, this recipe however you get it to work for you, is sublime. I have also perfected the art of coconut rice. Rice was my kryptonite, I never could get it to work! I bought a rice cooker last winter and its become my most used appliance! Get one! (especially because I'm trying to be as wheat free as possible, you can just set and forget).
ingredients
800gm firm tofu, drained and cubed 2cm
2 tbsp of oil
12 small shallots, sliced thickly
8 fresh red chillis
12 garlic cloves
3 tbsp fresh ginger
3 tbsp sweet soy
3 tbsp light soy
4 tbsp dark soy
2 tbsp caster sugar
2 tsp black pepper, bashed in a mortar and pestle
16 spring onions, thinly sliced
method
1. Pan fry the shallots, chillies, garlic and ginger on medium high until the shallots start to brown. Add tofu to the pan and fry with the veg until it starts to brown a little.
2. Add all the soy sauces, sugar and pepper and cook on high until it starts to simmer and thicken up a bit. Then add the spring onions and saute for a couple of minutes. Serve over coconut rice.
coconut rice
2 cups Thai jasmine-scented white rice
2 cups good-quality coconut milk
1 3/4 cups water
2 heaping Tbsp. dry shredded unsweetened coconut
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. coconut oil, OR vegetable oil
1 kaffir lime leaf
optional: 1-2 Tbsp. toasted coconut for garnish, also I've heard a little bit of fresh lemongrass is magic as well.
method
1. Throw all the ingredients in a rice cooker, set to your manufacturers settings. Done! For the stove top instructions please see the original recipe here.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
two potato vindaloo
Ok so I only used one potato but it was still completely incredible. I have to admit I've never been a fan of Indian food (though I've been given the tip that Southern Indian food might be where its at for me). But Ottolenghi can make me try anything!
There's a fair bit of preparation with the spices but after that its essentially a stew. I think this would be amazing in a slow cooker. Must tweak the recipe in winter time to try it out. Again sorry for the appalling photo but I have a battery charger now woo!
ingredients
8 cardamon pods
1 tbsp of cumin seeds
1 tbsp of coriander seeds
1/2 tsp of cloves
1/4 tsp of ground tumeric
1 tsp of sweet paprika
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp of vegetable oil
12 shallots chopped
1/2 tsp of brown mustard seeds
1/2 tsp of fenugreek seeds
25 curry leaves
2 tbsp of fresh chopped ginger
1 fresh chilli, finely chopped
3 ripe tomatoes roughly chopped
50 ml of cider vinegar
400 ml of water
1 tbsp of sugar
400gm of waxy potatoes cut in a 2.5cm dice
2 small red peppers cut into 2cm dice
400gm of peeled sweet potatoes cut into 2.5cm dice
salt
mint or coriander leaves to serve
method
1. Make the spice mix by dry roasting the cardamon, cumin and coriander seeds until they start popping. Remove cardamon seeds from pods and grind with the tumeric, paprika and cinnamon (I used an old coffee grinder but a mortar and pestle will do!).
2. Fry the shallots, mustard seeds and fenugreek on medium low for about 8 mins or until the shallots start to brown. Stir in the spice mix, curry leaves, ginger and chilli and cook for further 3 minutes. Then add tomatoes, vinegar, water, sugar and some salt bring to boil then simmer covered for 20 minutes.
3. Add potatoes and peppers and simmer another 20 minutes. For the last stage add sweet potatoes and make sure there is enough liquid to cover the veg then simmer for 40 minutes more or until tender. Remove lid and boil off to thicken the sauce for 10 minutes. Serve with rice and tofu sour cream.
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