Thursday, December 30, 2010

Thai Naan a Disappointment

We have watched the Thai Naan in Chatswood go from a homey, traditional 30 seat eatery with dishes from $8 to a two storey, stark modern, brightly lit, $27 per plate restaurant.

The food has always been outstanding but tonight we were a little disappointed. Possibly, it was our choice of menu items but the food just wasn't up to it's normal creativity and incredible flavor.

The room was very stark, almost clinical.


 Usually the restaurant is packed but tonight the upper level was devoid of people. I hope this isn't a sign of things to come.

I normally like to drink an unoaked Chardonnay or crispy Savingnon Blanc with Thai but tonight I felt like a mild red and the Sangiovese was perfect. A nice complement to the duck and beef.

We ordered the Pad Thai in lieu of the Mi Krop we were craving but were sadly disappointed.

The Beef Salad was my favorite but even better the next day for lunch.
Duck
Pad Thai
Beef Salad

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Niece Makes a Feast

Our niece, Tatum is currently studying at The Le Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts  and loves to cook so her gift to us all was a sumptuous feast. Although, in the pastry program, Tatum excels in cooking in general. It was a fabulous meal. Thank you Miss Tatum!

Hors D'oeuvres
Prawn Tempura




Salmon Mousse wrapped in Cucumber with Salmon Roe

Mains
 
BBQ'd King Fish stuffed with Green Mango and Spanish Onion
Baked Turkey

Glazed Ham

Accompaniments
Roasted Vegetables
Mango Salsa

Roasted Squash Salad


Dessert
Flaming Christmas Pudding and Pineapple/Coconut Cups


Saturday, December 18, 2010

Slow Cooked Beef Pasta is Inexpensive and Tasty...

This is a variation on a Delicious magazine recipe that really worked well for our busy family and fit the requirement for our athletes of protein and carbohydrates.

Firstly you need to marinate the meat overnight. I used rump but you could use chuck steak.

The marinade...
1 carrot chopped
1 onion chopped
2 celery stalks chopped
2 sprigs of rosemary
5 juniper berries bruised
4 cloves
750ml dry red wine

The next day, drain the beef and vegetables but keep the marinade.

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Heat a little oil in a large flame and oven proof pan, I like my Le Creuset. Brown the meat on all sides.

Remove the beef and set aside.

Add the vegetables and cook until softened.

Return the beef, and marinade and simmer on medium-low heat for 5 minutes.

Add 400 grams of chopped tomatoes, 1/2 cup of beef stock, 10 grams of chopped porcini mushrooms and the soaking liquid.

Season well with salt and pepper.

Cover and cook in the oven for 3 hours or until beef is tender.

The final dish will be rich and meaty. My kids like a little more tomato flavor so I added some tomato sauce. Remove the meat and shred with two forks. Meanwhile reduce the sauce. You could serve it as is with potatoes and vegetable sides or together with pasta and peas.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Light Lunch with Smoked Salmon and Arugula

Apparently my omega 3 oil levels are low this week as I had a strong desire for smoked salmon. Simple enough yet tasty, I threw some on top of arugula with a little persian cucumber, sugar plum tomatoes, onion (yes I'll pay for it later) and capers. Drizzle with a good quality olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper...there you have it, lunch!


Sunday, December 12, 2010

Dinner Club at Cafe Nell

NW 20th and Kearney
We were grateful that our once a month Dinner Club friends, The Nasons, happened by this wonderful eatery the previous week during an outing in Northwest Portland. 


A charming restaurant with it's warm fire place and splendid holiday decorations, Cafe Nell was poised to impress. 


First up, cocktails. Would they pass the test of this discerning group of cocktail drinkers. I believe the answer was yes. (I am a wine drinker and yes, the selection was wonderful).


In addition to the distinct glassware, the consensus was that the cherries were the best ever tasted in a Maker's Manhattan and the balance of sweet to sour was just right in the Lemon Drop and other drinks. But the prize goes to the Monkey's Gland for the most uninviting name for a cocktail!


Now the food has a lot to live up to. Was the Chef up to the challenge?


Appetizers consisted of Mussels which attracted um's and ah's from the group (I'm allergic to shellfish so you'll have to take their word on it) and a very fine, not chunky and very tasty Black Bean soup.


The bread was amazing. Crispy crust and soft inside and very rustic in flavor. I am usually not a big fan of filling my tummy on bread before a meal but one taste and I was hooked!


We managed to select a variety of main meals which were all incredible.


Steelhead and Prawns over Risotto
Pan seared Sonoma Liberty Farms Duck Breast, bacon roasted Sauvie Island Brussels sprouts, Pomegranate gastrique (a reduction of wine, sugar and fruit).

Braised SuDan Farms Lamb Shank, RedTruck Farms celeriac prepared two ways, red chili demi glace.

Chipotle and Espresso Braised Cascade Natural Short Ribs topped withjalapeno relish, served over creamy white Bob’s Red Mill grits 


Venison and Prawns
Pumpkin Creme Brulee

So good, you have to see it again!



A pleasant evening altogether!




And of course you can read more reviews at Urbanspoon.
Cafe Nell on Urbanspoon

Monday, November 22, 2010

Please Pass The Salt....

Another Neigborhood dinner at local "Allium" stimulated both our taste buds and conversation. We have to thank our fabulous neighbors, Jim and Carol who thoughtfully invited us to join them earlier in the day when they were called from the waiting list.


Chacuterie Plate
Artisan Bread
Tonight we began with a delicious Chacuterie Plate. The mousse-like pate was full of flavor and the cured meats went well with the artisan bread and a smear of mustard even though the bread was a little hard.


Our second course was a stunning Chanterelle Tart, which comprised caramelized onions as well as the duck fat roasted chanterelle's. Sadly, I did have to add a little salt which I never do at a good restaurant and yes, my jeans are a little tighter today! 
Chanterelle Tart
The salad course was refreshing although radicchio is always a little too bitter for my taste and there wasn't anything to balance it as the garlic dressing and mimolette cheese were not at all sweet.

Life was all good again when the fourth course arrived. The Braised Lamb with sweet onions, and currants was INCREDIBLE! The lamb melted in my mouth along with the accompanying brown butter Orzo. It was so good, we had several plates of it. Lost in my indulgent eating, I forgot to take a photograph so you'll just have to imagine it.
Roasted Ling Cod and Manilla Clams in Mint Citrus Butter

Now you'll have to take my husbands words on this fifth dish as I am allergic to shellfish and was unable to partake. He assures me that the Manilla Clams in Mint Citrus Butter were divine. His exact words were "oh, oh my, oh yeah!". He wasn't as excited about the roasted Ling Cod but I would probably have enjoyed it. Instead, I feasted on the just crisp heirloom carrots in wild blackberry honey, sage and sea salt....yum! 

Dessert was Pumpkin Pecan Pie which was a little heavy for my taste as I am not a huge dessert fan but everyone else appeared to enjoy it!


The wine was delicious as always. I started with the King Fish Chardonnay and then move to a red. Here is the aftermath!



As always, you can read more reviews at urbanspoon.

Allium Bistro on Urbanspoon

Monday, November 15, 2010

Drayton Oregon Wineries


We began our tasting afternoon at Vista Hills, a stunning winery perched at the top of a mountain, at the end of a winding and quite bumpy road. It was a foggy day which added greatly to the atmosphere. 


We were lucky enough to get a table down in the cellar which accommodated our group and allowed us to eat our heavenly selection of cheeses (from Whole Foods) with our flight tasting.


The wines were average, young, without much substance. We did, however, all enjoy the 2009 Pinot Gris of which we purchased a bunch as it reduced the tasting fee.


It seems this is a popular place for wedding receptions as there was many a bride inspecting the facility.


Next, we visited the always wonderful Stoller Winery where the wines were outstanding and the service impeccable, what more could you ask for. It helped to have called ahead, which they really appreciate.


After the scrumptious wines and more cheese, we decided to head to our hotel, but not before a quick attempt at Air Golf!




Back at The Inn at Red Hills, we attempted a nap but failed due to a very exciting Ducks game that kept the group engrossed until dinner time. We assembled fresh and coiffed at the designated time at Farm to Fork where we had some wonderful wines to accompany our incredible meal. (You can see the bit about the food here).




We began with the JRG, a Pamplin family wine, which turned out to be our favorite. A Merlot and Malbec blend which had been french oaked.




We also indulged in Brick House Pinot and Owen Roe Rosa Mystica 2008 Cabernet Franc which delighted us all. Alas we returned to the formidable JRG.


Wine Aftermath - not bad considering all the prior wine tasting!