Hilltop Phoenix Chinese Restaurant, Yum Cha, Castle Towers

Yummy, authentic and very expensive. I don't mind paying the price for quality food however the service was extremely poor except for the one waitress who was nice enough though not very bright. With a two year old in tow, I had to ask for a high chair, a bowl and a spoon (three separate occasions). I was expecting a little common sense. It wasn't busy (being a Tuesday) and there were plenty of staff milling around however we found it frustrating trying to get anyone's attention. They brought our bill quick enough though. My friend and I were disappointed. Unless I am in a superbly good mood or happy to spend $50 again for lunch, I doubt I will be going back. 

Steamed chives dumplings, 韭菜餜, Gu Chai Gue

Garlic Chives

My mum makes the best garlic chives dumplings. It's a traditional recipe that has been passed down the generations but unfortunately it will probably stop with me. I am great at eating it. I can roll the dough. I know roughly the ingredients she uses (minced pork, dried shrimp, garlic chives). Shamefully, I fail when it comes to actually putting it all together. 

Steamed Chive Dumplings "Gu Chai Gue": Here is an awesome clip I found on youtube (thank goodness for youtube) because I can't begin to describe the skill (and art) involved in sculpting these dumplings.

Tea for Two Sisters Blog: This blogspot describes it perfectly for me. I remember when I visited my cousins overseas, making Gu Chai Gue would be something all the women in the village would do together. Of course, in the village, they milled their own flour. But that's another story.

Gloria Jean's Campbelltown

1. Breakfast: scone with jam and cream.
2. Coffee: Regular creme brulee (hot), extra shot, on soy.

One of the highlights of my working day has to be my morning coffee at GJ's. aka Gloria Jean's. I usually stop by on my way up to the office, I almost always get a regular sized creme brulee hot coffee, always with an extra shot, always on soy milk. Sometimes I get a bit fancy alternating between a caramel latte or vanilla latte however being a regular customer, most staff know me by name and remember my usual unusual order. I give them top marks for customer service. The morning staff are so friendly and buzzing with energy (they probably had their coffee fix already). Although I don't really mind paying $6.55 each day, I guess I am lucky I work part time.

Purple Carrots with Udon Noodles

Stir fried udon noodles with purple carrots and other veges

I was very excited when I found purple carrots at Coles the other day. I wasn't sure how to use them and they've been in my fridge for over a week. Today I was game enough to give it a go and decided to make hubby stir fried noodles for lunch.

So here is my concoction. Hubby normally dreads concoctions because he never knows what he's going to get. Luckily I passed the test and he really enjoyed it. Next time I will add plenty of pepper and fresh chilli as well.

Recipe Notes:

• Prepare vegetables into julienne strips.
• Stir fry 1 purple carrot and 1 small orange carrot in 1 tbsp oil for about 2 minutes.
• Add 1/4 red capsicum, 1 cup cabbage, shallots, 1 packet udon noodles, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, a splash of sesame oil, 2 tbsp water and stir fry for another 2 minutes.
• Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
• Serves 1 hungry hubby.

Molokhia

Molokhia


I loved recreating this Egyptian recipe. Thank you my beautiful friend (you know who you are!) who was so kind to share her homemade recipe with me.

These were my notes which I scribbled down over the phone. Just quietly, I was so pleased with the result. I also had enough to bring to work the next day for lunch. (Although in hindsight, not a very considerate idea as my colleague had to suffer the wonderful aromas of roasted chicken, garlic and spice!)

However as a family meal where we ALL can enjoy the garlic, I do think it is a hit. I am hoping it will be a frequent meal at our house.

A good guide is SBS Food Safari. They have step-by-step instructions which are simple and easy to follow. I chose to cook a whole chicken instead of rabbit and used minced frozen Molokhia. I also like the texture of medium grain rice.


Recipe Notes:

• Bring water to boil first, then add chicken, 1 tomato, 1 onion, 1 bay leaf, 2 cardamon.
• Simmer on low heat until chicken is cooked, remove chicken, strain and reserve stock.
• Take chicken off the bone and add chicken meat to soup stock.
• Heat 1 tbsp oil to a pan, fry 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 tsp coriander powder, salt & pepper.
• Add flavoured oil & molokhia to soup. Heat soup but do not boil.
• Serve with cooked plain rice. Add a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.