Sunday 20th November 2011

This morning I picked Mum up and we went for dim sum with Jocelyn and David. Jocelyn loves Dragon Palace but we were only able to get a table upstairs so as expected, it wasn't a great experience. The food is great but you have to be sitting downstairs and by the kitchen or you have to wait ages for the dim sum carts to get to you. If you're upstairs, forget it. The food is cold, the trolleys have the leftovers from downstairs and you wait ages for food.

Worst dim sum experience of 2011.


Anyhow, in the evening I set sail on the James Stirling out on the Swan River for a Pieroth wine tasting. Tonight's wine tasting was extra special though - Pieroth are attempting to break the world record for the most number of people tasting the same wines all around the world. In different cities all over the globe, people will be merrily tasting the same three wines at the same time. In Perth, it would be at 7pm.



A lovely night for sailing and drinking with friends.

Friday 8th April 2011

This morning we used the remaining sourdough from yesterday's lunch to make cheesey toast!

I have never had vegemite on toast before so today was a first. I loved it! The saltiness with the gooey cheese is a perfect combination!

Dinner
Beef Red Curry

I enjoyed a few glasses of this wine tonight. A 2009 "Parliament of Owls" Cabernet Merlot from Golden Grape Estate in South Australia. Soooo smooth.

Sunday 27th March 2011

Today I visited Swan Valley with some friends for a lazy day of eating, drinking and laziness.

DUCKSTEIN BREWERY
9720 West Swan Road, Henley Brook
We started with lunch sitting outside in the lovely warm sunshine. The flies were annoying though!

Cameron had the Salmon with Potatoes & Asparagus

Lisa and I shard the Chicken Pizza with BBQ Sauce - $22.5

After lunch we hit a few wineries! The first one that caught our attention (or at least mine!) was one called the Ugly Duckling. Just as I thought, they are a new winery that opened recently and the couple running the place were very welcoming and friendly.

Lancaster is a favourite of ours!
When I go wine tasting, I am greatly influenced by how friendly the staff are. When we come across rude owners we usual do not stay long, nor buy anything. We have even walked straight back out once when we were rudely ignored and then told we must pay a fee to taste their wines.

We were not impressed with Houghton. The guy pouring us the wine to taste was aloof and not very keen to interest us in purchasing anything. We wandered into the restaurant area and I would love to return to have a light lunch and stay for the live entertainment, but we were not impressed today with that guy's attitude.

Suffice it to say, I am more willing to buying wine from someone who treats me with respect, warmth and friendliness. I'm not going to waste my money at a winery where the staff act like all you're wanting is a free drink.

The heritage gallery at Houghton.

With the afternoon really heating up, we sleepily wound our way to Guildford and we found somewhere to have some afternoon tea.


RIVERSIDE at WOODBRIDGE
8254 Ford Street, Woodbridge
The afternoon heat must have deterred other people from venturing out as there were only a few other tables occupied when we got there. This was fine as we were able to enjoy the tranquility of the river view in a sleepy trance without the usual hustle and bustle.

Soy Ice Chocolate with the Works! - $5.5

Scones with Jam & Cream - $3.5

What an awesome Sunday.

Thursday 20th May 2010

I totally forgot that I had a frozen stash of meatballs in the freezer! They're my Pork and Leek Meatballs. I thawed them out overnight and today made lunch with them.

I made a rich tomato sauce with garlic, onion, celery, canned crushed tomatoes, white wine, ground sweet paprika, ground coriander and chilli. I cooked the meatballs in the sauce while it was simmering. I threw the spaghetti in when the meatballs were cooked.

Pork & Leek Meatballs in a Rich Tomato Sauce with Spaghetti
I sprinkled some grated pecorino and garnished with a fresh basil leaf. Pretty!

Oh my god! I could not believe how soft the meatballs were! I thought that after being frozen they wouldn't retain the same qualities that they have when they're fresh. The meatballs were melt in your mouth and packed with lots of flavour.

I couldn't help giggling to myself in glee while eating this. I am soooo happy with myself!

Taste this, Matt Preston!
"Aah Saz, you've done it again!"

I look forward to lots of pasta dishes this winter, accompanied by a glass of red. My inventory has been replenished with this order!

Sunday 17th January 2010

This afternoon I delightedly unpacked the latest addition to my collection of kitchenwares.

My yummy yellow 4.3L Le Creuset 24cm round French oven!

I christened it by making a deliciously hearty beef stew.

Look at the marrow on these pieces of beef! *licks her lips*

As usual, I lightly coated the beef with plain flour, fried them on both sides lightly to seal in the juices, and then set them aside.

Onion, garlic, chilli, celery, carrots, potatoes, tomato, red wine, beef stock and dried rosemary.

I simmered the stew on the stove top for almost two hours! I was busy cleaning the aquarium so I didn't check on it as often as I should have, so the bottom was a bit burnt in the end. I should do it in the oven next time. Nevermind, with a bit of elbow grease and fresh lemon juice I was able to scrub my Le Creuset pot clean.

Bon apetit!

Wolf Blass 'Founders' selection 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

I also had Pimms with Ginger Ale & fresh Mint

Wednesday 30th December '09

Mum made sui mai and we all had some to snuffle our appetites before going out to dinner. It was Mum's 60th birthday yesterday.


YUKI JAPANESE RESTAURANT
Shop 7/113 Collins Road, Willetton
Fortunately I made a reservation because when we got there, the place was packed. I've been looking forward to eating here again, not only because of the good food, but also because I accidentally took the menu home with me last time I was here.

We ordered a few entrees but asked for them to come out altogether with our mains because we were eager to just get stuck into the food as soon as possible.

Takoyaki

Agadashi Tofu & Vegetables

David: Salmon Teriyaki Bento Set C

Mum: Beef Udon

Myself: Unagi Bento Set C

I love getting the bento set C. It comes with a bit of everything - your choice of dish - i.e. beef teriyaki, chicken katsu, unagi, etc - and sides of salad, nori rolls, tempura, miso soup, rice, and a choice of gyoza or spring rolls. I can never finish them all though. I usually have the rest taken home in a doggy bag, or I get everyone else to help me polish them of.

I brought along a bottle of wine from my extensive cellar of sorts.

Clairault Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Jocelyn: White Truffle Ice Cream
This was delicious! Sorta like a giant Raffaelo chocolate made of ice cream.


Myself: Green Tea Ice Cream with Red Bean on the side

Yum! I love green tea ice cream.

Wednesday 21st October '09

At work yesterday, we were talking about...you guessed it. FOOD!

At one point we broached the subject of Subway so on the way to work today, I bought some for dinner at work.

6" Meatball Sub on Wholemeal
with cheese, all the salads hold the tomato, extra jalopenos & mustard honey

After my recent trip to Swan Valley, I was able to make some additions to my wine shelf. It's almost full. I've organised the wines by order of year. Starting at the bottom, wines from the year 2001/2002, all the way up to the year 2008 at the top.

Glorious, isn't it!?

Simba was watching me admire my above collection of wine.

After tonight's shift at work I have my days off ahead of me. I planned on having a lobster for dinner tonight. It was a late dinner since I only got home just after 9pm.


I separated the lobster tail from the head and removed the shell from the underside of the tail. I removed the meat, made a slit along it and removed the 'string of poop'. I returned the meat to the tail shell and drizzled it with some olive oil to which I had added lemon zest and chilli flakes. In order to have the tail sit properly and not roll over on its side, I propped the tail on an upturned bowl and baked it in the oven for about five minutes while I cooked the pasta to go with it.

Dinner
Lobster Tail with Lemon & Chilli
served with Spaghetti in a Rich Tomato Sauce

When I removed the tail meat, the oil infused with lemon and chilli remained in the shell for me to dip the lobster meat in!