Jindalee Oriental

Jindalee Oriental
34 Goggs Rd, Jindalee



I think the names of Asian restaurants in the West side very confusing. Charlie and I had already gone to or passed 2 that we thought were 'Jindalee Oriental' before finding a third (and correct) one by chance.

This restaurant is located next to the McDonald in the homemaker center. It is slightly more 'restaurant' than 'eatery' but the prices are reasonably cheap.


When we went there, it was a weeknight but the restaurant was more than 1/2 filled. Someone had booked out a large table for a function so the atmosphere was decently chatty and vibrant. This is something I like when eating Chinese-style food. Sitting in a deathly quiet restaurant with staff peering at me really freaks me out so I always take note if a place still manages to pull customers during the week.

Vietnamese Grilled Pork Ball Rice Paper Rolls

Vietnamese Grilled Pork Ball Rice Paper Rolls
Home Cooking


I hate pre-made rice paper rolls but love the DIY versions you can order in Vietnamese eateries. Unfortunately there is a pronounced price gap between the two, with pre-made rolls being approximately $2 per roll and the DIY rolls are $14ish.

I don't like pre-made rolls because they put mint/lemongrass/rice noodle etc. Probably all very authentic but I just don't like it.

When I thought about making my own at home, the most important component to get right was the meat. Vietnamese grilled pork is super yummy so I set about doing that to wrap in my rolls.

Shitake Mushroom Risotto

Shitake Mushroom Risotto
Home Cooking


The first time I had to wake up early this year (aside from catching my plane to Shanghai) was for a compulsory CPR refresher course at Red Cross, Milton. I was dreading it so much (due to not being able to sleep in, not because I hate CPR that much) that I started thinking about it before I even got back from China.

Anyhow, the morning came and I made it there on time and managed not to zombie through the entire course. During that time, I was brainstorming what I would eat for lunch once the course was finished.

Azabu

Azabu
Taringa Circle Complex 168, Moggil Road



One day, long long ago, Charlie declared on a whim that he wanted to take me to a Japanese restaurant and bravely proclaimed that 'you'd love it!'

Due to unfortunate circumstances, we didn't end up going and he never again suggested it because some friends told him it was too expensive.

Yum Cha gone WILD

Bi Feng Tang, WuJiaoChang (Shanghai, China)
http://www.bifengtang.com.cn/


This is the first of my China-trip restaurant entries and I chose Bi Feng Tang to start with because a) that's what I happened to upload onto this computer and b) it's a franchise (i.e. slightly more relevant to you readers in Australia).


I went to Bi Feng Tang on my last day in Shanghai with a huge group of family and extended family. We ordered a lot of food so I'm not going to run through a personal review of each and every dish.

Chicken and Bean Stew

Chicken and Bean Stew
Home Cooking



In a bid to get healthy, I've vowed to increase my intake of fresh fruit and vegetables and other good things. In fact, upon coming back from China, I ACTUALLY promised myself to eat exclusively unprocessed fruit, vegetables and tofu. Of course, that idea quickly evaporated when I realized I didn't value my healthy enough to give up the no. 1 love of my life (ahem, food... in case you were wondering).

After a random shopping trip during which I picked up an ear of corn and a chicken frame (bargain at $1.50!), I decided to go for a chicken and corn soup.

Chinese-style Sponge Cake

Chinese-style Sponge Cake
Home Cooking



EDITED TO ADD: I originally only put up MY version of this recipe which makes 1/3 of the intended quantity. I've now added the ORIGINAL recipe ingredients list in case you want to make a full-sized cake. Scroll to the end of this post to see.

So far, of all the cooking I've done, the recipe I used for THIS sponge was the most difficult for me to track down. I wanted to make something like those basic sponges in Asian bakeries that are the foundation for birthday cakes or are made small and sandwiched with... red bean paste, taro paste or custard (etc etc).

I got a bit sneaky (or clever, depending on how you want to look at it) and looked at the back of the wrappers for these desserts and noticed that the general composition included egg, flour and oil. Thus it follows that when I was recipe-searching, I kept my eye out for the ones that contained those ingredients.

Wine & Cheese with a Killer View

Cellar Door - Sirromet Winery, Mount Cotton
www.sirromet.com



If you've never been to Sirromet Winery, it's definitely a lovely place to visit. There's the main restaurant that serves fine dishes and breakfast on the deck. The atmosphere of Sirromet is wonderful - the view is refreshing and the clientele is always a perfect blend of refined yet casual.

 
My parents (particularly my mother) enjoy going to scenic locations for tea. We've been known to drive for an hour or so to Mount Tamborine just for breakfast. They found Sirromet a few years ago but in 08, I noticed the winery getting more publicity in magazines and on TV.