London|Morito|Tapas!

Morito, a mini-restaurant in Islington, London is the little sister to Moro. I've never been to Moro, but I have heard about it and everything that's been said has been good. My Dad and I once tried to make a reservation when he was in town, but there was nothing available for two until 10:45! So, we ended up at Quo Vadis (SoHo), eating calf brain and "bitter chocolate crunch" instead... no to shabby. 

Anyways, my Mum and cousin were both in town two weeks ago, and we made plans for a lunch at Moro. Got there 12:15, it opened at 12:30... we were fine to wait, but as we embarked on a time-killing stroll we came across Morito right next door. It was already starting to bustle with eaters, maybe three of 8 tables full already? We looked at the menu, thought about it, considered it an option and continued our walk. Finally, we did go for the slightly cheaper, more casual and fun Morito. 

We started with hard-boiled quails eggs with cumin and salt to sprinkle on top. It was on this day that I learned that quail eggs are in no way easy to peel, but once you get it done it's totally worth it. 

Soon pureed beetroot with walnuts, refried chickpeas, aubergine, cauliflower, patatas all made their way to our little table. 

The three of us came to the conclusion that we never knew that chickpeas could be so good. 

My Dad has two of the Moro cookbooks at home, and I think I'll invest in one myself... I may or may not be on a personal mission to get my new flatmate in right food order - I seem to be doing alright, so far.

Oh yeah, and we got dessert and coffee too.

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Malibu|Neptune's Net '12

If you've been to Malibu, and you like seafood, but you haven't been to Neptune's Net, then clearly you haven't got it together. Neptune's Net is basically a seafood-shack-on-the-beach straight from a film. Everything from the retro sign, to the bikers loitering outside... it's a real scene. You order fresh, steamed seafood from one end, and greasy, deep fried eats from another. You sit on communal benches and stare across the PCH to the beach and Pacific Ocean - v. nice.

I was in California end of December/early January, and got to Neptune's Net Jan 2. We had a great feast, I can still taste the super buttery steamed shrimp, ceviche, clam chowder and pile of deep fried sea creatures now. Let me visually reflect...

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Steak & Chips

I'm really not a steak person. As a wee carnivorous toddler, I used to eat all sorts of meat ranging from Swiss Chalet ribs to cow tongue. But, now? No thanks.

I'll eat what's given to me though, and in the quite recent past that's been steak, steak and more steak. I've eaten probably more steak in the past 3 weeks then I have in the past 13 years.

Tonight I had to cook for a 15 year old boy, and steak 'n chips was the menu.

This was the first time I've ever cooked steak (beef even), but I must say it turned out quite alright!

- Steak cut in "half", fried in olive oil, onions, garlic and chilli oil.
- Chips straight form the freezer, to the oven, to the plate. Some sea salt.
- Watercress/Red Chard, Rocket, Spinach mix with cherry tomatoes, olive oil and vinegar.

Mine.

15 year-old boys'.

Now, Looky Here at What I've Got!

Remember the "Candy Meat" post from a little while back? Yeah, of course you do, how could you forget any of the crucial information on TMWAE? 

A couple days after I made the post, and also spoke about the "Candy Meat" on Twitter, I got an @reply from @felinewong. He told me that all I needed to do to be able to once again enjoy this snack was simply to go to Chinatown and by "Pork Jerky"! 

I hadn't had the time to go into any Chinese supermarkets and look for it until yesterday when my Dad and I went on a mega Tri-Asian (Chinese, Korean, Japanese) grocery shopping spree - The reason for this will be given to you come Saturday - and, there it was, pork jerky!

Anyways, I haven't cracked it open yet, but I'm just so excited that I can't help but write a (potentially prematurely optimistic) happy-ending post. 

* JUST A QUICK NOTE, PLEASE EXCUSE MY HEINOUS PHOTOGRAPHS, THE CORD FOR MY BATTERY CHARGER FOR MY NICE CAMERA IS CURRENTLY M.I.A.

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What Do You Do When the Parents Are Gone?

You make pizza!

Last week my parents left my brother and I to fend for ourselves, watch over our reno and walk the dog. We did quite well, if I do say so myself. 

The night before my parents got home, we didn't really know what to make... We'd used up all the good groceries and all we had left were, well, frozen pizzas.

The three of us (my younger brother, my boyfriend and I) decided on customized frozen pizzas, here's how they turned out...

"THE STAVROS"

"THE JUJU" 

1. Spinach, Feta, Green Olives

2. Pepperoni, Cremini Mushrooms, Spanish Onion, Italian Seasoning

3. Arugula, Goat's Cheese, Thyme

4. La Belle Riviere, Salami-Prosciutto, Spanish Onion, Chives

"THE SMILES"

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Fresh

The need for Fresh hit me suddenly and sharply, almost as soon as I got to the Spandina streetcar stop. I got a small pang in my stomach, and then I heard a little voice speak to me "Sweet Potato fries... Peanut sauce...". I didn't even bother to fight that little voice, it would have been useless. 


Once it had been decided that Fresh was what's for dinner, I gave my BFFL (and FDDFL - Fresh Dinner Date For Life) a call to see if she was interested. She said no, she had to go somewhere... I knew this already, but thought that maybe I could probe her own little voice into coaxing her into a Fresh date. 


Anyways, I made my way to a completely jam-packed Fresh On Bloor and ordered the following:



$3 Cup of Floretine Bean soup
$6 Sweet Potato fries
    + $1.50 Peanut Sauce
$10 Baby Energy on Soba noodles


After having my food given to me, I made my way home and made the awful mistake of munching on some sweet, sweet, sweet potato french fries. Causing me to want to curl up into ball and weep due to the overwhelming craving.


I finally got home and sat down with my food, only to look in a see possibly the world's biggest "Baby" Energy. I have this feeling that they accidentally gave me a full size, but maybe it's just the packaging.


In conclusion, my Fresh was great, as always.

Oh, and I also stopped by DavidsTea and picked up a Toasted Walnut to go!

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December 23rd (And a smidgen of 22nd)

DECEMBER 22 

My family and I arrived at Heathrow on the 22nd, and when we finally got to Monxton is was time to start cooking. Fish pie was the chosen dish, and boy was I happy about that. Fish pie is quite the English meal, and I bet a few of you are questioning the idea of fish pie, but fear not, it is delicious!


Traditionally, fish pie consists of a white fish (cod), red fish (trout, salmon), smoked fish (haddock), hard boiled egg, cream sauce (Lea & Perrins, English mustard, cream, dill) with mashed potatoes on top. My family also likes to add baby shrimp. Fish pie is one of the only things I like with ketchup. 


Check out Jamie Oliver's website and see how he thinks fish pie should be made.

This little chef was determined to organize the fish in the most beautiful fashion.

DECEMBER 23

ON THE MENU 

PHEASANT Usually shot, hung, and plucked by a combination of my grandfather and my Dad... But not this time, they were purchased from a game butcher. 

STUFFED RED PEPPERS Filled with rice, onions, toasted pine nuts, garlic, tomatoes and green   peppers. Smothered in cream sauce.

BROCCOLI Boiled... that's about it...

ROASTED POTATOES From my grandparent's garden, With rosemary.

RED CABBAGE From a jar, but we added apples and onion.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH Roasted with maple syrup and nutmeg.

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Cooking In the English Countryside

When I think of English country cooking, I think of an Aga. To a N. American, it looks like a medieval and evil machine. However, once you get used to it, it's rather brilliant. It's always on, you never have to wait for it to heat! If you're curious, then you can read more here.

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Let The Feast Begin!

I have been completely crap at posting these past 11 days, I apologize to all zero of you who read my blog with real passion.

As I'm sure all of you know, it's holiday time, and holiday time - my friends - is a time of eating, drinking and yelling at your relatives. My personal favourite part of the holiday season is the food, of course.

Every year since I was born - minus 1999 and 2009 - I've come to England for a massive family Christmas. The food is always fantastic, the bickering is always entertaining, the gossip is most certainly juicy, and once again... the food is goddamn beautiful.

Anyways, here I am sitting in the dining room of Field House, patiently awaiting tonight's dinner of fish pie, drinking a Crabbie's Alcoholic Ginger Beer, next to my Lil Bro drinking a Master Brew, and dreaming of cheese...

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Everyday Eats!

I owe my obsession of food to my Dad, he's a foodie in all ways. Not only does he love to eat, but he also loves to cook delicious meals. A lot of the time he makes the kitchen off limits to the rest of us, but sometimes I'm summoned into the kitchen to be his assistant.

Here's what I ate last week!

Chinese eggplant in a Thai yellow curry with coconut milk.

Grilled chicken with peanut sauce.

Who doesn't like to eat in the PJs? Pumpkin & lamb dumplings, to be dipped in a tempura sauce, rice vinegar, chive combo.

- Inspired by Bali Bali -

Black sticky rice (sweet), covered in condensed milk, with mango and crushed peanuts.

- Inspired by Bali Bali - 

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Bee Cheng Hiang|Shanghai, China (When Candy and Meat, Meet)

I'm not much of a meat eater, and when I do eat meat it tends to stay in the chicken-bacon-maybe fish category. This meat, or this candy as it should really be called comes in pork, chicken and beef - from what I've seen - and really is to die for. Dirt cheap, big, small, for now, for later, whatever you choose. The chicken coins are pretty damn good, but the pork squares conquer all. Your tastebuds have a party with every munch, it's ridiculous.


Unfortunately, deliveries are only available in Singapore.

PHOTOGRAPHS FROM WWW.BCH.COM.SG/

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Food St.|Shanghai, China

 

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