Canberra Eat 2

Cookie Tree

When home and alone (while Simon's hard at work) and itching for something to, for me that something usually means one thing: I want to bake.

Haven't got my arsenal of pantry staples at my disposal so got me a box of cookie mix instead. Didn't matter,  soothed my soul the moment I opened the boxed and got stuck in.

 M&M's Cookies. Yum-O!

 Cauliflower Cumin Soup. With Cheese. :p

Fresh from my pea and ham hock soup victory, I next made a cauliflower soup for a variety of reasons: it has a different texture from its predecessor (smooth and creamy instead of chunky), cauliflower is a very nutritious but underrated vegetable, there is cheese in it, and I get to enjoy it with more of Simon's handmade bread.

Oh who am I kidding! I wanted to make the soup for one reason and one reason only- to BLITZ it with a stick blender! Total pulverization power man!

Gai Pad Gra Pow

Simon is quite the cook too, he makes a mean Gai Pad Gra Pow, or Thai Basil Chicken stir fry. He deep fries the basil leaves, something I've never seen done before, (suah koo, I know) and the taste was freakishly amazing! Pow-wow crunch with a flavor quite different from its fresh state. Paired with rice and a fried egg, the perfect weekday dinner. :)

Brod Burger, An ACT Institution


Roast Chicken With Stuffing & Salad


Baby Back Ribs


Burnt My First Attempt But It Still Went Down Well

Canberra Eats 1

Pea & Ham Hock Soup

I was living in Canberra for a couple of weeks at start of the year, to better prepare myself for the move from Singapore. I eventually had 2nd thoughts and moved to Sydney instead but that's another post for another day.

So it was autumn back then in April, pretty chilling for a gal from the tropics, so hot soups and stews were in order most of the time. Here's the first one I made which took all of 5 hours to cook, boiling the lentils till they soften and thicken up the broth. The result was a warm, spicy, thick and oh-so-hearty broth perfect for warming your body and soul with as you sit by the fireplace watching QI. Bliss.

Soup With Homemade Bread. Perfect Autumn Night Companion.

Old Bus Depot Market

When in the country, like in Christchurch, I like visiting the weekend markets. They're a great way to get local, seasonal produce and not-so-seasonal fare like the ones below. Wondering around the weekend markets of Canberra, I can get used to living in the country, I thought.

Ethnic Food Fare

Madrid

Bocadillo de Calamares ( Fried Calamari Sandwich)

More good eats around Madrid for your viewing pleasure.

Chocolate con Churros, San Ginés Cafe

Simply, Seriously the best Chocolate con Churros in the whole of Spain.

Horchata (Tiger Nut Milk)


Jamón Museum


Roast Lamb
 Botin, World's Oldest Restaurant

This will go down as the most memorable meal of my life, dining at the world oldest restaurant, Botin. Unlike El Bulli, where you can never get a table despite 2 years of relentless attempts, scoring a meal at this legendary joint requires no more than an early appearance before the rest of the city turns up for lunch.

And the food was superb! First time I was there I had the famous roast pig, so huge a serving with the crackling so crispy and meat so juicy and succulent unlike any I've ever had. So good in fact, like a lovelorn gal I went back a 2nd time, this time to try their other signature roast dish, lamb. Also roasted to perfection and served in the biggest portion possible, it'll set you up for the day real good.

Partridge & White Bean Soup
Toledo