MMmmm homemade vegetarian minestrone...

I used the McKenzie's Italian Style Soup Mix to make a vegetarian minestrone. It took me 3 hours to make but was definitely worth it! Of course I didn't follow the recipe on the packet and added my own preferred ingredients. The risoni was a nice touch, I think.

Toasted tuna sandwich with tomato, chilli and cheese

John West Tuna Tempters - Chilli - quick easy-to-make snack which fills you up and tastes yummy!

Grilled fish with mash and MasterFoods Béarnaise Finishing Sauce

MasterFoods Béarnaise Finishing Sauce - so convenient to use and tastes yummy!

Gigi's Restaurant & Bar, Wollongong

It's been a while since we've been to Gigi's. It's also been a while since I've blogged. So going through my draft posts, I came across this picture and my tummy started rumbling thinking about the yummy Italian food that this restaurant offers. Hence, over 12 months later, this blog is finally going up!

I like this restaurant for it's simplicity. Although it seems to easily cater for everything from a quick coffee & cake, or pizza & beer, or romantic evening dining, it feels classy and sophisticated and welcoming all at the same time. It can be described as comfortable family friendly atmosphere which is child friendly and affordable, yet casual and unpretentious and perfect for the first date. For my husband and I, the park and beach is a short walking distance away which means that we can go for a stroll and not feel guilty afterwards even after ordering pizza and pasta and our toddler can run free.
    

GIGI'S MEDITERRANEAN PIZZA artichokes, mushrooms, zucchini, tomato & mozzarella cheese (without pancetta)

Spicy Beef Noodle Soup (Bún Bò Huế)

I had a very delicious noodle soup at my cousin's tonight. She puts so much effort into preparing this dish, which uses many ingredients. She also puts aside a little broth before adding chilli which is great for the kids. As you can see in this picture, her version of Bún Bò Huế looks deceivingly mild. As a lover of spicy foods, I did add a generous helping of the prepared chilli-sate sauce and also extra herbs, shredded veges and bean sprouts. MMmmmm it was delicious! 

Here is a link to a great blog by Wandering Chopsticks and if I am ever brave enough to attempt it one day, I will definitely be following the recipe on that site.