A Late Happy New Year

It has been a long time since I last posted!  Looking back last year's posts............I didn't write much :).  That is because all last year I was taking time off from being pregnant and giving birth to the most beautiful daughter on Earth.   She is 8 months old now and just right now she is sleeping away.

The above photo shows is what I mainly prepare now - baby food!!   E loves loves fruit and a bit of yogurt.    She started solids around 5months and since then I have been battling with her food in-tolerances which created her skin to get eczema, flare ups and really horrible skin.  So then I kept a food diary - the culprit I found was wheat.  So hopefully she can get bread again.......I will slowly introduce that later in the month and see if her skin reacts.

Some snaps of food I have been making but never really had the time to post here (will do soon!). 

Home made pizza

Cassava Cake

Chinese Turnip Cake

Yep my photo styling is always going to be messy and I am hoping to brush up in that department and I really want a new clean and fresh blog format (like every blogspot user moving over to wordpress).  We will see!

Aussie Meat Pie

Been a long time since I last posted!  I have been really busy with an addition to our family :) so there was really no time to really update!  Now that she is a few months old I got a little time back in the kitchen :).

I have been making these yummy meat pies of late.  They are pretty easy to make and taste so good :).   I got the recipe off this site and I have followed what the other members did - only add HALF TOMATO PASTE not sauce.  If you add 3/4 of tomato sauce the whole filling will be really tomato-y.   I added cheese and bacon on top of the filling in each pie just to give it a bit of oomph.

Aussie Meat Pie from Taste.com.au

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large brown onion, finely chopped
• 500g lean beef mince
• 1 tablespoon cornflour
• 3/4 cup beef stock
• 3/4 cup tomato sauce   1/2 TBS of tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce
• 1 teaspoon Vegemite
• 2 sheets frozen, ready-rolled shortcrust pastry, thawed
• 2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 1 egg, beaten 

METHOD

Step 1

• Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion. Cook for 3 minutes or until soft. Add mince. Cook for 4 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon, or until browned.
  
  
  Step 2
• Mix cornflour and 1 tablespoon of stock to form a paste. Add remaining stock. Add stock, sauces and Vegemite to mince. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 8 minutes or until thick. Cool.
  
  
  Step 3
• Preheat oven to 220°C. Place a baking tray into oven. Grease 4 x 8cm base measurement pie pans.
  
  
  Step 4
• Cut 4 x 15cm circles from shortcrust pastry. Use to line bases and sides of pans. Fill with mince. Brush rims with water. Cut 4 x 15cm circles from puff pastry. Place over meat. Press to seal. Trim. Brush with egg. Season.
  
  
  Step 5
• Place pies onto hot tray. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden. Serve.
  
  
  
  
  I found the recipe quite good!  The meat filling was just like from my old bakery I used to work at.  
   

Pho Bo (Vietnamese Beef Noodle Soup)

I have beeen so busy with work and other things in my life I rarely had the time to blog.  It's Saturday morning and I've just finished some paper work off for the week and now I am craving for some pho bo (vietnamese beef noodle soup) that I made last week.

I used this nice recipe from her site Viet World Kitchen and tweaked it a little to my taste.  Since I wasn't making pho for a big group of people I used minimal ingredients which the broth turned out fine.  I found that using beef neck bone made the soup broth not that clear (oh well it tasted delicious anyway) and used ox tail was a nicer but expensive choice.  I simmered both of this for about 3-4 hours, scooping out the scum and then added a cheat already made muslin cloth of pho spices which I got at the local Asian grocery store for around $3.60.   The ox tail meat comes out very tender!

For the bowls I used already sliced knuckle beef and beef balls and tendons - more than enough meat!  Garnishes were fresh basil, green onions /shallots, bean sprouts, dipping sauce was the usual hoi sin and chilli sauce.

The broth turned out pretty good.  It didn't taste anything like the restaurants cause its so msg based!

A nice video of Pho by Anthony Bourdain in Vietnam. The best dish ever!

O Bal Tan Restaurant Korean BBQ Cuisine

My friend and I went to a Korean BBQ restaurant called  O Ban Tan down town in Brisbane today and I must say it was pretty good as the one in Sunnybank next to the Kimchi Grocery Store.  

Atmosphere:  The restaurant looks very appealing, pretty and gave a warm atmosphere because of the yellow lighting and the use of wood and beautiful wooden carvings.   Air vents are at each table like any other Korean BBQ restaurant.

Menu: You can decide on hot pot, the main meals, charcoal bbq or the specials.  My friend and I went for the hot pot only and this was enough to fill us both up.  We couldn't finish it all!!

The price seemed about right.  The main meals are from $12 to 15, the charcoal bbq around $65 to $68, specials are from $25 to $30 and hot pots are around $40.

We both chose a Hot Pot:  # 45. 불낙전골 Bul Nak Jeon Gol Spicy octopus, beef & vegetables with chilli soup.  

The soup came out already hot and had a lot of goodies in it and we eventually found the beef down the bottom with the potato noodles.  It was a lot of food.   It was a bit spicy for me but thank goodness we had cold water at the table. 

You put the soup into this bowl with the rice side dish.  Well that is what my friend said lol.

All of the hot pot meals comes with the Korean side dishes and of course one of them is the kim chi!

Service:  Service was okay today just because they weren't very busy around 1 to 2pm.  There is a push a button on the side of the table to call for service.  Luckily my friend has been here otherwise I would be waiting for service forever hehe.

Overall:   I only had one dish here and I recommend it for the price.  The service I have not received any bad service here yet cause it was late afternoon with a few people eating.  The hot pot I had was pleasant and it was so much I think it was meant for 3 to 4 people.  We couldn't eat it all.  The value is excellent.

I will definitely drop by again to try out their other food.

Vermont Cury: Curry with a touch of apple and honey

I went to one of the Asian markets at Sunnybank a fortnight ago and this caught my eye while I was browsing through the Japanese aisle.  I thought "this looks a bit like that take-away Hanaichi Chicken Curry " they sell in Brisbane though the package looked darker in colour.   I purchased this for under $3.00 from what I remember.

The instructions at the back is easy to read and the main ingredients in this simple dish are onion, carrots and potato and rice to serve!  How simple is this!  Just throw the ingredients in, add water, cook for 20 mins then add in the packages of curry (look below) and cook for a few more minutes and done!  It tasted pretty good!  It tasted almost like the Hanaichi Chicken Curry.  I used the two blocks and food lasted for 2 days between two people.  I know lazy days for me.

 

Instructions simple to follow but I wished I read the last part so I can just make half. 

Comes in 2 packets.  I used 2 packets and it cooked up a nice comfy meal.

This is how it looks like in reality when cooked lol.  It tasted very good though a bit more sweeter (because of the apple and honey in it) than the Hanaichi one.   It claimed to be Med-Hot spicy but I found it to be nothing like it.  It was just right and sweet.  I actually like it.  So I am going to purchase a few again this week!

We snack on: Breadtop

Whenever I head out to do my weekend grocery shopping I will always pass by Bread top....either at Mount Ommaney or Sunnybank!  Bread Top is an Asian pastry franchise and it has since opened many chains in Australia.  There are 13 franchises in QLD.  I just love the soft bread and how it's not too sweet or not too savoury.  My favourite breads are the ones that are filled with their fresh custard!  So good!

Yum!!

Sweet Dessert Shop, Market Square Sunnybank

Courtesy of Happycow.net by vegan simon

Last night after cooking a vegetarian meal for family we went out to Sunnybank to grab some vegan dessert at "Sweet Dessert Shop" in Market Square located in Sunnybank.  It was very busy (not deserted like the photo above) around 9.45pm when we got there.   They have their menu set on the shop window and there are 18 choices of sweet desserts.   Desserts with taro, soy, tapioca, coconut milk, fresh milk, evaporated milk, fruit, shaved ice, taro, red bean and even cheese cake to name a few (that I remember).  They do not have any menu pamphlets.  

I think its is more of a takeaway shop because there is so little seating inside and outside.  We initially ordered for takeaway but we saw customers finishing up so we decided to sit inside.  We informed the owner (he looks like the owner lol) and surprisingly he gave us 50cents back?  Does it cost less to sit down than to takeaway?  Does a takeaway box cost a bit more?  We ordered for four people which was around $19 something.   I think there is a surcharge of takeaway desserts then.

Service was pretty quick and efficient.  I have no complaints.

I love my desserts and these desserts were okay!  All desserts are under $6. 

I ordered this cold grass jelly dessert with evaporated milk.  You can either choose it withe evaporated or fresh milk and hot or cold.  It was nice and cool.

Mags ordered number 18 off the menu.  I forgot what it was called but I think it's three different fruit over shaved ice.    She ate the whole thing.

I forgot what this number was but this one is taro coconut sago.   Tastes like any other sago.

We finished our desserts in about 10minutes and it satisfied our sweet cravings.  I think I will go back there again after having a meal there.   Nice place and really busy.  And since the weather is getting a bit warmer I am sure this place will be plenty busy during spring to summer!


Parking:  Hard to find the place and parking it's packed!
Family friend:  No.

Atmosphere:  8/10
Food:  8/10 Quick
Price:  9/10 Cheap  
Communication and service:  8 (need pamphlets)

Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Chigae) / 김치찌개, 콩나물 무침

This is a Korean dish called Kimchi Stew (Kimchi Chigae) and it is made of course kimchi, pork belly and tofu.  It is so good with rice and you don't need any other side dishes because of the kimchi.   It is full of flavour and it is really spicy!  Well to me anyway I had to water it down a little!  This is my 4th Korean dish and I am enjoying my Korean cooking journey with the help of this woman, Maangchi! 

The stew was so perfect tonight because of this cool weather.  It was really comforting and hot!  YUM!  I used Maangchi's recipe but have added less hot pepper paste and more of the onions cause I like onions and more pork but kind of sliced off the fat.

My grocery shopping basket as of last Friday!  Look at the Kimchi!  So good!  I will have to make this again one day!  It takes a lot of time but since there is a lot kimchi in Korean cooking I might as well :)

Korean Food - soondubu jjigae/ dubu ganjang jorim/ Dubu buchim yangnyumjang

 

I made this Korean Hot and Spicy Tofu Stew (soondubu jjigae) and the taste was very different from anything I tried.  It wasn't as hot as I expected.  Probably add 5TBS of hot chilli flakes next time.

 This is a Korean tofu side dish called Pan fried tofu in soy sauce (dubu ganjang jorim).  It reminds me of the japanese soft tofu cause of the sweetness because of the usage of corn syrup.

Another pan fried tofu (Dubu buchim yangnyumjang) but in a spicy sauce.  It was so delish!

I got all of these recipes at http://www.maangchi.com

I have been looking at eating more vegetarian and tofu in my diet because some days I am so over eating meat!! I will be trying other Korean dishes and keep you updated :).

I know I haven't really updated much but you know I don't want it take over other important things! 

Ikea Food Restaurant/Cafe, Logan City

I love Ikea and the store I go to is the one in Logan City!  I love Ikea for their Swedish furniture - so modern and stylish yet cheap.  After hours and hours of walking around admiring their show rooms  I start to get real hungry and all I want to do is sit down for a good meal.   The food there is cheap for the price (under $15) and it tastes alright but I think the desserts there are pretty sweet!    I like having coffee there since I get it for free since I am a 'Ikea family member' which  allows me to have discounts on weekly items and deals on meals!

I only been to the Ikea Restaurant/Cafe for lunch.  I have yet to eat anything from the breakfast or dinner menu.  I have yet to try Bistro or purchase their items at the food market.

This is what I had a few weeks ago.  Fish and chips with a daim cake and a free coffee!   I think I paid about $10 altogether for this plus the free coffee.

Daim,  Almond tart with Daim - brittle butter almond centres with a milk chocolate coating.  It's nice and crunchy but way to sweet for my tooth!  I remember it was about $2.95 under the family member discount(?)  Normally its $3.95

Salt and pepper squid (under $6 i think>) and chips (extra $) on the side.  It looks dry but it was pretty okay.

What I had earlier this week:

Chicken breast with vegetable pasta.  I like this and it costs me $7.95.  The chicken was somewhat dry but oh well I get what I pay for :P.

Stuffed salmon fillet with chive and dill sauce with vegetable medallions with chive & dill sauce. $11.95!  This was so yummy!!!!  The medallions were delicious and the salmon was cooked right.  Fresh too.

I am at Ikea to only shop and if I am hungry I will get something to eat here.  It looks like hospital food but for the price you can't really complain!   The service is quick - you wait in line like a canteen and out you go with the food.  Finding a spot to eat is kind of hard if you eat around lunch time.  You have to clear your utensils and dishes yourself since they do not hire cleaners.  

I will recommend it if you are okay with cheap food :P.

Agave Mexican Bar and Grill, Fortitude Valley

Last night we celebrated a friend's birthday at Agave Mexican Bar and Grill at Fortitude Valley.  It's one of a few Mexican restaurants in Brisbane and I think this one is great for the food and for the price (cheap $$) but the service wasn't great.  It was so hard finding the place - we were doing laps and laps around Fortitude Valley but it was worth it when we finally found the place.   My partner and I were invited to join in a Mexican birthday celebration.

Atmosphere:   This place is huge!   High ceilings and concrete walls.  Strong bold colours, nice brown floors and warm lighting.   Now because we had reservations for a group we were seated down very quickly in the bench seats.  The bench seating can be convenient for the restaurant (squash as many people in) but when you are wearing a mini skirt + heels and seated in the middle of the seat it can be quite hard and awkward to get out! I tried 3 times to get out of my seat but failed :P.  So I had to get all the people to slide out so I could get out.  If you are booking for a group reservation wear pants!

Menu, dj area and singer

The highlight of the restaurant is the singing amigos in his outfits (he at least changed 2 times when I was there) and singing familiar Mexican songs.  He got the ladies going and I really enjoyed watching.  Such different culture.  I enjoyed the live music.  It can be really noisy that you can't really hear the person next to you but it's okay because this is what I expect from a restaurant like this and especially from latin culture - they know how to party, dance hard and love their music!  They love music!

I really recommend to book because this place can be really packed especially on a Friday night.   If you don't I think you would be waiting a long time for your seat and probably your food.  Or maybe have to divert to the outside seats!

Benching seating inside

Service:  Okay the service.  The service varies a lot between restaurants and it depends on the nights and how busy or quiet it is.  I really don't want to give negative feedback but I am just giving my opinion.  The service wasn't the best because we were missing 3 orders from what we ordered initially (huge group) and the host that was hosting the celebration had to pay for the orders that were missing!  We were informed from another waitress that 'someone else might of ate it' and he really insisted on this excuse!  I really thought this wasn't good enough at all!  It could be miscommunication between the chefs/cooks and waitresses but wasn't happy that people in our table were still waiting and waiting for the orders while everyone else was enjoying their food.

Food:  The food was great!  It was so cheap from other Mexican restaurants I have tried and it tasted as nearly as good as 'my latin mother's' cooking!   So it must be authentic!    I think the food was packed with a lot of meat (so full after eating a chicken enchiladas $18.90) and all the food was plated up really nice and neat and came out quick! (besides the orders that were missing).

Some of my foods my neighours were having for the night.

I think this is the beef burritos my friend had for 14.90. This is a SNACK not a meal.

Okay this is really a snack because my friend ate this down in 5 minutes!  She said it was nice, crunchy and hot!  Could be bigger :).

This is my chicken enchiladas for 18.90

This is my main meal for the night - chicken enchiladas.   It was okay and what I expected.  Not a punch but bland and cheesy.   Just add taco sauce?   The cheese was good,  the chicken was way too much and loved how they packed a lot of fresh crispy lettuce.  I finished half.  I think two people can finish this together.

My partner had: King Prawn Diablo – grilled king prawns with smoky chipotle sauce and served with mexican rice $23

I was so envious when the waiter came along with the King Prawn Diablo my partner ordered.   He said he was in 'heaven'.  It was nicely grilled (you can taste the smokiness of it), the sauce was creamy and the side of Mexican rice was perfect!  Nice smokey flavours and a bit spicy.  He said for the price it's very worth it and very cheap!  He would come back for the same dish again.

Mocktails - $7.  Fresh and sweet!

Overall:  Overall I had a great night out with my Mexican 'family' and Agave made it nice with food and the live music.  Though, the service was quick and efficient the missing orders put them down.  It was horrible which the host had to end up forking out more money!   I really hope this is a one off thing because I really like the place.

Don't think Mexican food is like Oldepaso (from the box).  I read a lot of bad reviews about this place and other Mexican places that 'there is no flavour' or 'no punch' or 'kick' because I think these people eat from the box :).  Add taco sauce?  I don't know why these people that give such bad reviews when they have not yet tasted a REAL MEXICAN's COOKING?   I have a lot of times and this what you would expect!  Like seriously?  It's mild to hot and it depends what you guys order really!   


Parking:  Hard to find the place and parking it's packed!
Family friend:  No.

Atmosphere:  8/10 Noisy, busy and live entertainment.
Food:  8/10 Quick, packed and hot!!!!!!!!!!!!
Price:  9/10 Cheap for the food.
Communication and service:  5/10 'Missing food' and loss of communication. Host had to pay over $50 of more food to cover the missing food.  Horrible.  Hope this is one off.


Though there were mishaps I would come back and order their other seafood dishes.  However, I am really let down, very let down that the host had to fork out so much money to replace the orders

I don't know.  Tell me when you go there in a big big group.....if there are missing orders and you had to pay extra to replace them.....

Good food but the service not very good.