Bavarian Bier Cafe @ Bondi Beach

Having beer on a sunny weekday afternoon is one of life's good treats! Ms. C and I went to Bondi Beach for beer and lunch. Ms. J joined us there after she finished work.

Crystal Bay Prawns 1kg with 3 Dipping Sauces $25

We tried the Crystal Bay Prawns which was on special. It was yuhhhmeeeehhh!!! The prawns were extremely fresh. It had such a unique flavour, salty and yet rich creamy seafoody taste. 1kg bucket of prawns for $25 is too cheap for its amazingness!!! (LOL). Unfortunately, the 3 dipping sauces could have been better. The sweet chilly was ok, but the aioli and mayonnaise had room for improvement. In fact, the prawns tasted so good we ate it without the dipping sauce.

The Bar

It was a weekday afternoon - which explained the empty bar/restaurant? Well, yes and no. There were a few occupied tables indoors but the rest of the patrons were outside as the weather was good last week - sunny and warm.

Munish Brewers Platter $31.50

We also ordered the Munich Brewers Platter to share. OMG!! The platter consists of a large serving of cracking roast pork belly, chargrilled kassler, a selection of 3 sausages, chicken schnitzel served with Sauerkraut, Red Cabbage and Sabago Mash - all for a mere $31.50! You could eat your heart out! And this is apparently for 1 serving.....burp! HEHE...the crackling was crisp, the meats were tender and juicy, the sausages were delicious and the sides of sauerkraut, red cabbage and mash complimented the meats so well!

Paulaner Premium Pilsner (L), Lychee Beer (R)

I had the Lychee Beer which was refreshing and Ms. C had the Paulaner Premium Pilsner. I didnt manage to take photo of the beer which Ms. J had oops! Total bill came up to $95.00.

Overall, it was a nice day out, beautiful weather with good food and great company. 

Cheers.

Homemade Rye Bread

Another week another loaf. I am happy to say that this is my 3rd home made loaf and I know it wont be the last. Having successfully made bread at home, it would be hard for me to buy commercial bread again, but I shan't be too quick to say this hehehe if I get too busy and need bread, I would have to buy bread. 


I have tried cooking and baking a lot of different types of food but I highly recommend making your own bread. The results are extremely satisfying and the taste is incomparable to the ones store bought. I had always thought bread making is difficult but ever since I stumbled upon Dan Lepard's recipes, it has been easier than ever. I used his wholemeal bread recipe and tweaked it by using different flours and inclusions such as linseed and sunflower seeds. The results have been amazing.


So this time round, I made Rye Bread using the same wholemeal bread recipe, but using rye flour instead. The result is a crusty soft yummy loaf. Here is the recipe:


Ingredients

• 300ml warm water
• 14g fresh yeast 
• 1tbs brown sugar
• 1/2 a 500g vitamin C tablet, crushed into powder
• 300g rye flour 
• 150g bakers flour/bread flour
• 1tsp sea salt
• 50g unsalted butter, melted
• Oil and bakers flour/bread flour for kneading

Method

• Pour hot water on a mixing bowl to warm it up and then wipe it dry
• Add warm water, fresh yeast and sugar - stir well
• Then add the crushed vitamin C, both the flour, and salt - stir well again
• Pour in melted butter and squeeze the dough together to work the butter through the dough
• Cover the mixing bowl with a cloth and leave it for 10mins
• Lightly knead the dough 3 times over 30mins (knead every 10mins) - ensure u use the timer to keep time!
• Follow the basic kneading technique (*refer below)
• Butter and flour a 2lb loaf tin
• Once you have completed the kneading process, lightly flour the work surface with bakers flour/bread flour
• Roll the dough into a rectangle and roll it up tightly
• Place the seam-side down in the loaf tin
• Cover the tin with a tea towel and leave it in a warm place until the dough has doubled in height (about 1.5hrs)
• Heat the oven to 220deg (fan-assisted) / 240deg (non fan-assisted)
• Place a small tray with hot water at the lowest shelf in the oven (this creates steam)
• Dust bakers flour/bread flour with a sieve/tea strainer
• Cut the loaf down the middle with a knife
• Bake at 220deg (fan-assisted) / 240deg (non fan-assisted) for 20mins
• Reduce oven to 180deg ((fan-assisted) / 200deg (non fan-assisted) for another 20-25mins until dark golden brown
• Remove the tin from oven, tap the bottom of the bread and if it's ready, it will make a hollow sound. If not, chuck it back into the oven for few more minutes and check again.
• Once ready, remove the bread from the tin and allow the bread to cool on a wire rack

Basic Kneading Technique

• Pour some oil on the work surface and rub some oil on your hands and over the top of the dough
• Remove the dough from the mixing bowl and place it on the work surface
• Press the dough flat and fold it by half towards you, press it down with the hell of your hand, lift and rotate the dough and eight of a turn and repeat this folding and turning process
• Do this folding and turning process quickly for about 8-10 times
• Once done, pick up the dough and place it back into the mixing bowl, cover it with the tea towel and leave it for 10mins
• Repeat this kneading twice more at 10mins interval and then follow the recipe

So dear readers, I urge you to try making your own bread this weekend or when you have the time. The first time may be slightly more challenging, but it gets easier when you do it once a week for you and your family.

Have you made bread at home? What is your favourite recipe?

Cheers.

Taxim Chinese Restaurant, Hornsby

Pork & chives dumpling (Kau Choy Kau)

This is my local yumcha joint. The food is acceptable, not great but always served piping hot. I like my dimsums served piping hot and absolutely hate it when they are served luke warm, of which I have experienced before in a few popular yumcha restaurants because of the large demands due to overwhelming crowds (especially during the weekends!).

The Pork & Chives Dumpling had a good springy texture but the chives were slightly over cook, thus a bit too soft for my liking. Flavour wise was good.

Steamed Pork Dumplings (Siew Mai)

The Steamed Pork Dumplings had good texture and the size was good - not too big, and not too small. They didnt look delicate or pretty like some other ones I have tried before, but eating it piping hot makes it all ok! :)

Fried Glutinous Rice Pork Dumplings (Ham Sui Kok)

The Fried Glutinous Rice Pork Dumplings had a good crisp crunch on the outside, a good thin layer of chewy glutinous outer shell but the flavour of the filling was quite lacking - probably a bit too bland for my liking and missing some flavours (not sure what it is).

Soy Bean Sheet Dumplings (Foo Chook Kuin)

Now, the Soy Bean Sheet Dumplings were good. It had a generous roll of soy bean sheets, soft and tasty. And the filling also had a generous amount of vegetables and pork. Extremely juicy too.

Braised Chicken Feet (Foong Jau)

The Braised Chicken Feet was delicious, though it could do with a bit more sauce. Not too oily and flavour was just right.

Steamed Beef Balls with Black Vinegar sauce

This is one of my favourite Steam Beef Balls with Black Vinegar Sauce dish. The beef balls are extremely soft and springy in texture. There is a layer of soy bean sheet at the bottom of the beef balls which added additional texture, flavour and juiciness to the dish. A must to dip the beef balls into the black vinegar as it lifts the total flavour of the dish and gives it a good sourish kick!

Steamed BBQ Pork Buns (Char Siew Pau) 

The Steamed BBQ Pork Buns were ok. The filling wasnt as tasty but it was again served piping hot, so I am ok with that.

Overall, the yumcha food here is acceptable and I would still continue to dine here as it is convenient for me to get here - and parking is free for the first 3 hours in the Westfield Shopping Centre. There's plenty to walk around after a heavy yumcha meal to help me digest. The charges are also reasonable - total bill for 7 dishes and chinese tea (complimentary) came up to $53.00. Yes, it was only Babs and me that ate all the 7 items..he he he...

Taxim Chinese Restaurant

Shop R3, 20 George Street (Hornsby Westfield Shopping Centre)

Hornsby NSW 2077

Tel. No.: 02-9482 8988

Cheers.

Opera Cake!! OPERAAAAAAA

I made this Opera Cake for Ms. J's birthday this year. We celebrated an early birthday before she went back to Malaysia. Now why this cake? I thought I should make a difficult one since I missed making her a cake for her past 2 birthdays - where the rest of the gals and guys (Mr. A included) got a cake for their birthday. I gave it a twist by adding the chocolate roses and gold dust. So what do you think? Nice? HEHE yeah am just showing off..LOL..the glaze is not perfect because I didnt use the right chocolate but all the layers come out really thin and nice, and the italian coffee buttercream was divine. All handmade and made with lotsa love :)

Now, who wants to order an Opera Cake? ;)

Cheers.

The Cut Bar & Grill @ The Rocks, Sydney

Prime Beef Tartare with Melba Toast $36 (L)

Babs and I were just here at The Cut Bar & Grill just slightly over a month ago and we are back! The last time we were here, I did write a post on that but did not have any photos to share. We were seated in a very dimmed area the first time, and this time round we were seated at a slightly better lit area, so the lighting was not too bad for my iPhone4's camera. Although the photo quality is not great, I have some photos to share! :)

It was Ms. R's birthday and we were invited to her birthday dinner at The Cut. She chose this restaurant because Babs was raving about the delicious meat after we ate here the first time. Babs and I ended up ordering almost the same thing we did the first time because we wouldn't get enough of the meats here. Here's what babs and I had: For starters, the Prime Beef Tartare with Melba Toast and for mains, babs had the Tasmanian Wilderness Grass Fed New York Sirloin 300g and myself, the 4hr Slow Roast Sher F1 Wagyu Standing Rib (OMG TO DIE FOR)...we also had the bone marrow and roasted mix mushrooms to add onto our meats. We chose the Bernaise sauce to share, but a few types of mustard and horseradish sauce came complimentary as well.

Tasmanian Wilderness Grass Fed New York Sirloin 300g $38

4hr Slow Roast Sher F1 Wagyu Standing Rib 400g $55

Bone Marrow and Mixed Roast Mushrooms $7 each

Here's what the rest ordered, plus whatever photos I could take.

Main - The Cut's Beef Fillet Tasting Plate $68

 Starter - Seared White Scallops, Veal Sweetbreads and Artichokes with Caramelised Butter  $22 

Main - Roast Pork Belly & Loin, Mustard Butter, Apples and Sardalaise Potato $37

Dessert - Lemon Custard on Sugared Puff Pastry, with Elderflower Marsmallow & Rose Geranium Pebbles $15

I didnt manage to snap photos of the Roast Roast Double Lamb Cutlet with Braised Lamb Shoulder, White Beans & Anchovy, Rosemary Pound  ($38), sides of Broccoli and French Beans Salad, Shoe String Fries and Onion Rings (a combination of 3 sides $24).

Some of us had wine and the birthday girl had a few cocktails. The rest had lemon lime bitters (LAME!!!!). Total damage = $677. I reckon the prices for the steaks here are reasonable for the excellent quality meat served (plus delicious gristle yumyum).

If you're looking to have a decent steak dinner in a cosy ambience but minus the fine dining prices, The Cut Bar & Grill is da place.

The Cut Bar & Grill

16 Argyle Street, The Rocks

Tel: 02-9259 5695

reservations@cutbarandgrill.com

Mon-Fri 12-2.30pm, 6pm-10.30pm (except Friday till 11pm)

Sat-Sun 6pm-11pm (except Sunday 10.30pm)

Website: http://www.cutbarandgrill.com

So, what's your favourite meat place? 

Cheers.

Healthier option post rich indulgent non-stop eating!

Sweet potato, basil and watercress soup with garlicky croutons

It was an eating spree, eating marathon, whatever you call it, but it was all the way EAT EAT EAT for the past 2 weeks! First it was Ms. S from Msia, then Ms.V and her family from the US, then Mr. & Mrs. AL from Mt. Isa, and then birthday celebrations one after another! I felt as if I was going to explode! To ease my guilt and soothe my gut, I decided to cook a healthy meal last week. I read that watercress is good for the liver, so I decided to make my own soup and to accompany that, a nice yummy salad. Here are the recipes:

Sweet Potato, Basil and Watercress Soup (served with garlicky croutons)
Recipe is enough for 2 servings:

• In a pot, bring to boil 500ml water
• Add to boiling water 1 large sweet potato, cubed. 
• When the sweet potato is about half way cooked (roughly after 10mins in the boil), add 1 bunch of watercress, 1/2 spanish onion, 3 cloves of garlic, and a bunch of basil (all ingredients roughly chopped),  into the pot - continue to boil for another 5-10mins - until all vegetables in the pot are soft/wilted/cooked
• Remove pot from heat.
• Use a hand blender and blend all the ingredients in the pot until it forms a soft puree
• Scoop the soup into a bowl
• Season with sea salt and a little drizzle of garlic oil/olive oil
• Serve with garlicky croutons

Notice how I didn't use cream? The soup does taste slightly like baby food, but just for this one time, this healthier version should remain cream-less. The croutons did help lift the texture of the soup.

Cos heart lettuce salad with avocados, celery, sundried tomatoes, capers, garlicky croutons, and poached egg with creamy relish dressing

Cost heart lettuce Salad (serves 2)

• 2 small cos heart lettuce, washed and chopped to 'bite' size
• 1 avocado, diced
• 4 pieces of sun-dried tomatoes, cut into small pieces
• some capers
• 1 large celery stalk, chopped into small pieces
• Garlicky croutons
• Creamy relish dressing
• Poached eggs x 2 (1 for each serving)
• Toss all ingredients together in a bowl. Drizzle dressing. Top salad with poached egg and garlicky croutons - serve.

Creamy relish dressing

• 3 tbs mayonnaise/aioli
• 2 tsp sweet relish
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• Sea salt and cracked black pepper
• Mix all ingredients together

Garlicky Croutons

• Few pieces of old bread (I used the loaf I made few days ago), cut into small bite size pieces
• Place the bread onto baking tray
• Drizzle garlic oil (my homemade garlic oil) generously all over the bread
• Bake in oven for about 15mins @ 200deg until golden brown and crunchy

Yes, I have to admit, the creamy dressing on the salad is not a good choice since this is suppose to be a healthy meal, but..but...but...I love creammy dressingggg....*guilty look*......what matters most is that it's yummy and the entire meal is healthy (less the creamy dressing hehehe).

Do you have any healthy meal recipes to share? What do you eat/cook after a indulging in good foods?

Cheers.

De-Pho Vietnamese & Chinese Restaurant, Chatswood

Deep fried spring rolls $8

Ms SF and Mr A loves the food here. So when they were back in Sydney last weekend, we came here for lunch. It was my first time. The overall food that I tasted was acceptable but I absolutely adored the Stir Noodles which Mr A had. It was blanched egg noodles coated with an aromatic mixing sauce with fragrant oil and fried shallots. So soo moorish! I wanted babs to try the noodles, so we ate here again this week. We shared the deep fried spring rolls. The spring rolls were well fried, not oil, crispy and had a tasty filling. The fresh iceberg lettuce really gave the entire dish an uplifting fresh taste at the same time cutting any oily taste. The only comment I have is the dipping sauce. It was too diluted and the expected flavour did not come through as well  as I had hoped for.

Stir noodles with crispy skin chicken $11.00

I highly recommend this stir noodle dish! Babs loved it too! YAY! You can choose different accompanying sides for the noodles such as crispy skin chicken, grilled pork etc. I had it with crispy skin chicken. The chicken skin is acceptably crispy but I have tasted crispier ones. As a combo, definitely value for money!

Combination Rice Noodle Soup $13.00

Babs ordered combination beef pho which came with raw beef slices, beef tribe and beef balls. The beef stock was quite light, but babs prefered a stronger tasting stock. Overall rating: 5/10 (from Babs).

As soon as you are seated, you will be served a pot of chinese tea (complimentary). The restaurant is quite small and packed, so we had to share tables with others. No one seemed to mind :) 

De-Pho Vietnamese & Chinese Restaurant

Lemon Grove Shopping Centre

Shop 21, 427 - 441 Victoria Ave 

Chatswood, NSW 2067

Tel: 02- 9904 8870

Cheers.