Creme caramel...out of a packet

On a sunny Sunday afternoon, I decided (K just went along with me like all the other dessert things I love) that we should make our own creme caramel! Not the ones you make from scratch (eggs, cream, caramelise the sugar) but the simple, easy and no bake method of getting picture perfect (almost, if I was more gentle in unmolding the custard) creme caramel.

We were thinking that we would ultimately compare the creme caramel from different brands! We bought the 'Classic Creme Caramel' from White Wings ($2.40 from coles).With K being the model + the person making the creme caramel, I am the paparazzi, happily enjoying my authority in directing progress (Me: "Stoppp! don't move, little bit more, yeeessss that perfect") =]

 The Package, what comes with it, the things that you will need and basic prep.

Firstly the ramekins need a thin coat of oil. It is best to use the oil spray, other wise you will end up with oily creme caramel!

 Pouring the caramel mixture along with the 1/2 cup boiling water + mix

The smell of the caramel started to waffle(?) in the kitchen as soon as the boiling water is poured in. Oh the wonders of modern technology, instant caramel! Mind you the consistency does look a bit dodgy.

Mixing the milk with the custard mixture (woah at the food colouring!) and adding it to the simmering milk.

Then comes bringing the 3 cups of milk to a gentle simmer, add the - scarily looking, bright, neon yellow - 'custard' to the simmering milk.

Pouring, pouring and more pouring. 2 hours in the fridge and tada!

It was advised that the custard to be poured on to the back of the spoon to minimise the mixing of the custard and the caramel sauce at the bottom. A picture perfect creme caramel (ok probably not, there are so many things wrong with the picture!)

Taste wise? Extremely sweet, it is also missing the good 'authentic' creamy taste of the traditional custard made with real eggs and cream and the caramel was missing the slightly bitter, smokey and rich flavours of the aromatic compound formed during the millard reaction (joining of the sugar and protein - chemistry talk time!!)

After this attempt, I think I will probably still try another brand but would really avoid all these 'straight out of a packet' mixes in the future. I mean how hard can making creme caramel be?! *putting that on to my to do list*

Fix St James + Azuma Patisserie

Me: Weeee entertainment book!!!
Y: let's go Fix St James!

Just like that it was decided. Even being a midweek dinner, this little restaurant was already packed with only 2 tables left - one being ours. We take in the atmosphere, tables lit with candles and an impressive wall of wines complete the look. A cheery and upbeat staff comes and distribute the menu and after a short explanation of the frequent menu changes he points out the tasting menu to share, where we would be able to taste the best dishes, picked by the chef. Having NO idea of what to choose at all, we nod and agree to having the Quick Fix at $39pp.

By this time the last table in this restaurant was filled and I observed (lame math terms coming up) the positive linear relationship between the number of bottles of wines opened to the increasing loudness of the restaurant.

We happily munch on the complimentary warm sourdough dipped in olive oil while we wait for our dishes to come, we don't know what we are getting yet

Stuffed Zucchini flowers 

First course, stuffed zucchini flowers, it is delicious, juicy, firm and not over cooked. The for those who didn't know it was stuffed zucchini flower (eyeing K) he had a little surprise when he was savagely destroying (being the hungry person he is) the flower when the gooey cheese started oozing and popping out of the flower!

Tomato, anchovy and buffalo mozzarella salad

Our second course doesn't seem to appear on the menu nonetheless the salad was tangy balanced by the sweetness of the red capsicum(?), saltiness of the anchovies and the smoothness of the lovely buffalo mozzarella. I have to say though, it was a tad bit oily (look how shiny the salad leaves are in low light!) but sharing it among 4 peeps was just right.

Chicken liver pate with caramalised onions and crustless toast

While we were still finishing off the salad, a funky looking plate of food appears and the cheery wait staff explained (to only 1 person of the table as noise level at this point was... beyond -  lets say interesting - for my throat). I did a little 'woot' in my mind as I loved pate (excuse the missing dash above the 'e') since the first time I tried it at Caliniere. However I was puzzled at the choice of I guess, 'bread' but sandwich toast!? really?! The caramelised onions were tangy and it helped to cut through the creamy, fatty liver. I wish there was more bread - although we didn't ask any - or maybe another type of bread?

Next was a dish that I forgot to take a photo for... sardines with caviar and couscous. The pan fried sardines were slightly crispy. I was a bit annoyed at this point as the serving sizes were SMALL! and this was already the 4th dish!

Pine mushroom risotto with parmesan cheese

The final dish had me happily scrapping my plate and wishing for more. The huge pine mushrooms were so aromatic, juicy and plump! The risotto was cooked perfectly, the rice was slightly chewy and not soggy and heavy on the cream + cheese! Just the way I like it!

I think we all some how damaged our vocal cords that night trying to yell over the 'background' noise, the portion sizes were a bit disappointing, but as we had the entertainment card, I wasn't too upset.

With our entrees and main meals done, we were searching for our last course - dessert - to properly finish and fill our stomachs! We arrive at the new Azuma Patisserie, next to the famous Azuma Kushiyaki Japanese Restaurant at Regent Place for Japanese tea and cake!

They were not cheap cake + tea deal is $9.80. Love the teas though =]


Fix St James
111 Elizabeth Street
Sydney NSW 2000
(02) 9232 2767

Azuma Patisserie 
Ground Floor Regent Place Shopping
501 George Street
Sydney NSW 2000

Sushi Burger - Melbourne

"Where is the place?" I asked desperately clutching my stomach after a depressing interview at St Vincent's Hospital
"Its a bit further down"

During my short trip down to Melbourne where I was lucky enough to travel down there before the terrifying golf-sized hail storm hit (and apparently there was an International Atheist Convention in Melbourne on the same day.... God is watching). We did a little research to find something quirky and not normally found in Sydney (like we always do....within price range of course so fifteen was out of the question!) We found Sushi Burger, a Japanese eatery quite different from your usual sushi and bentos!

As the name suggests, they do Sushi - burger style. Concepts like these are not unheard of as it has already saturated the Asian market firstly by MOS burger, a Japanese take-away style akin to McDonalds, except smaller, tastier and offers rice burgers!

Image from www.mos.com.tw/seafoodriceburger.htm

Sushi Burger by Japanese Cafe Restaurant J does an extensive explanation of "What is a sushi burger" which includes a cute drawing of the cross section of the hamburger sushi burger.

We were there a bit early than their opening time of 12pm and we can already see 2 groups of people waiting outside!

As soon as the door opens we were ushered to a table and presented with their menus


We order a sushi burger box ($16.50) which includes your choice of a main meal and sushi burger served with a miso soup and a spare sushi burger for me. While we take in the atmosphere we notice quite a few white collar workers taking away sushi burgers on their lunch break.

We quickly receive the eagerly awaited for sushi burger and the miso soup with the sushi burger set.

Ebi (prawn) mayo sushi burger $7.50

The sushi burger was the size of my palm, a bit small but it was delish. The creamy mayo was the perfect compliment to the sweetness of the chunky, lightly battered and fried prawns. The burger is warm and the rice is in good proportion to the filling. K soon receive his kani croquette main.

Kani Croquette

... and his spicy salmon sushi burger

K, being hungry quickly chomps his burger until I said, give me a taste! We swapped, the raw salmon is soft and luxurious with a hint of spiciness and a good serving of 'The Sauce' (totally forgot what it tastes like, but it was nice! Baaad memory). But I quickly grabbed my Ebi sushi burger back as I still like my Japanese food with mayo!

After cleaning our portions we sat there satisfied but still with room for more, we then quickly decided that it was a good thing since we were planning to go for afternoon tea!

Sushi Burger by Japanese Cafe Restaurant J
167 Exhibition St,
Melbourne 3000
Victoria
Tel/Fax: (03) 9650 9877

First entry!

I have always wanted to start a blog, ever since every had one and that I myself have been following numerous blogs (mostly about food, food, fashion and more food). But I have either been too busy, too lazy or just haven't had the motivation to do it, until one day I found my self with nothing to do at home.

Thus begins my journey down the culinary world, I hope most of the post I put up are to do with food and hopefully as time goes on I would be able to describe in more details the taste, texture, presentation, atmosphere of the places I go to (It would really help if my memory weren't so similar to that of a goldfish!).

Since I have been so lucky to have been given a camera for my birthday last year, I promise my self that there will be MORE camera action and hopefully one day I will be able to own one of the DSLRs that everyone seems to be boasting about!!

I promise my self that I will be able to blog at least once a week (on food, there is a back log of about 2 years worth of food porn.....) but also other materials as well!

Can't wait to prove myself wrong for once (with my record of opening up 4 blogs and closing them every time). Will be visiting 2 restaurants this week! Will be busily jotting down and hogging plates and yelling "Don't touch, I'm not done with the camera yet!!!"

toodles!