¡ Día de los Muertos ! (Day of the Dead Bread)

Es el Día de los Muertos. ¿Qué es esto? La muerte a sí mismo en forma de pan!

¡ Echar aguas ! 

The traditional recipe for Pan de Muerto was way more cakey than any bread recipe I'd ever seen. ¿Eggs? ¿Warmed milk? ¿Vanilla extract? No entiendo.

@ Home Thai Cuisine, Glebe - or - Opposite Day

Baked Chicken with Borlotti Beans, Leek and Mashed Potato

I consider it a crime, Molly, to take a beautiful fresh bit of chicken and stew it for two hours in water and balsamic vinegar.

It started with Everybody Loves Ramen's version of Nigel Slater's Chicken Stew with Borlotti Beans. I went out, bought the ingredients. Cooking time was at hand. Then I had a closer look at the instructions. Marinate for 4 hours or overnight? I hadn't planned for that. Add 1 litre of water, balsamic vinegar, and cook for 2 hours? But these Burrawong Chicken Marylands are fresh!

So I made some changes on the fly. Switched to a roast, with the cooking juices drizzling down into the leek and borlotti beans. Less effort, and the results were spectacular.

Jamie's Ministry of Food, The University of Sydney (Crave Food Festival)

Jamie Oliver played a big part in my food renaissance, Molly. His TV shows led me to Fifteen Melbourne, my first fancy restaurant experience. And it was great. That, plus the amazing food throughout Melbourne, opened my taste buds to new experiences. I finally started using herbs, spices, different ingredients. It was not all successful. There was that one incident when I used globe artichokes instead of jerusalem artichokes. That sucked. But who cares?

Mr Cheng's Asian Grocery Store, Newtown - or - The Plum Complex

Mr Cheng's Asian Grocery Store
100 King St, Newtown

Edit: As of January 2012 Mr Cheng's in Newtown is no more. Sign on the door says to keep an eye on their website and FB page.

Chennai, Newtown - or - Murder She Roti

Buttersafe: Time Chef

I'll have that paperwork on your desk first thing Monday morning, Molly.

In the meantime, here's something I wish I had written:
http://buttersafe.com/2011/10/13/pablo-padilla-time-chef/

Miyama, Newtown - or - Little Sister's Report Card

It's hard to predict a final grade based on an interim assessment, Molly. Though I'm sure she got help from her older sister, so what I saw is probably pretty close to the final product, it was just a couple of lunch specials. And they receive a solid 'pass' grade. Nothing mind-blowing. I wouldn't be racing back -- there's so much to choose from in Newtown -- but if someone suggested it I wouldn't shy away.

The place was nice, and the staff were friendly. It's close to uni, so expect students who want a light lunch or a break from the usual Thai and Vietnamese fare.

$20 for two, including tea. I'd almost wear that cost myself, Molly. Almost...

Detective Chow
Case file 20110930


Miyama Japanese Kitchen
87 King St, Newtown
02 9519 9947