Polkadots and Chopsticks

February 28th, 2012

 

Crispy little morsels of flavour packed chicken. You definitely should try it.

Its crispy like KFC chicken but without the gut loads of extra fat and unknown ingredients, and a lot better flavour.

Plus its the best way to get a crispy chicken hit when your allergic to KFC.

Dead serious. I’m actually allergic to KFC chicken. Not the chips – so it’s not the oil they cook it in. Just something to do with the chicken.

Never found out what exactly because they wouldn’t give me any details when I enquired as to what ingredients they use. Concerning!

Needless to say I’ve stuck to Chicken Karaage ever since, lol.

 

I’ve tried Chicken Karaage at a bunch of different places along the Northern Beaches and they all seem a bit bland. Without having been to Japan myself I can’t confirm traditionally how strong the flavours should be but I make mine so you can recognise all the flavours without having to stop and think about it.

Like many of the recipes I cook this dish is quick and simple to prepare.

Karaage is a Japanese dish but its easier than cooking hamburgers if you ask me! Plus the flavours aren’t exotic so you could get away with serving this to people who are a little afraid of new foods.

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February 21st, 2012

 

 

According to the great almighty Wikipedia, Pancake day or Shrove Tuesday is linked to Easter. Traditionally known as the day for eating pancakes before Lent. There are all sorts of crazy things that go on to celebrate this day, like pancake races.  You know those egg on a spoon races you did as a kid? It’s like that. But with a pan. And a pancake. I hope they get to eat it at the end!

I’m not religious in the least but a day for eating pancakes? I’m so there! I urge everyone to go out today and find pancakes! Eat lots of pancakes!!

There is nothing that my work colleagues love more than chocolate. If I’m baking something to bring in to share, the request is always chocolate.

So chocolate crêpe cake for pancake day it is! Yay!

Now I’ve been attempting the age-old “I’m going to eat healthier” goal. So I added some fruit. Hey its a start right?

 

Chocolate Crepe Thin Pancake Stack-Like-Cake

For the crepes:

Recipe found here! Taste.com is such a great resource for a quick solution!

 

For the filling:

2 x punnets blueberries

125g extra light cream cheese

1 x tsp fresh lemon juice

- Blend together in a mixing bowl until well combined.

And a bit of chocolate ganache for good measure!

 

Step one. Put crêpe down. Step two. Spread on ganache. Step three. Put crêpe on top. Step Four. Layer of blueberry mixture.

Repeat from Step one! Top with fresh blueberries!

 

Simple, delicious and slightly healthier then the other option of chocolate on chocolate with extra chocolate lol!

 

Are you going to hunt down some super pancakes today? I’d love to hear about them, if you’ve found some secret treasures during your day!

 

Peace out!

xx

 

 

 

 

February 7th, 2012

Oh this week has been so long. And it’s only Tuesday!

We had a couple of guests for the weekend though, my Axey’s sister and her boyfriend crashed for a couple of nights before they flew out to Thailand for their holiday. Lucky things!

I like to introduce people to new foods so we dined on Japanese Shabu Shabu. Couple of mishaps, I burnt three of my fingers putting the noodles into the electric wok (which I thought was off.) Made things a bit difficult to eat with one hang covered in aloe vera, ice and tea towels!

Dinner was a success though. Great tasting food that everyone can cook to their liking and socialize at the same time. Best thing about it – it stops you from eating too fast! Such a westerner problem.

 

 

For four people with leftovers for two the next day:

2 x packets of thin sliced beef. I’m not sure on the exact weight as they were from the asian grocer in Dee Why, Mao Sheng (opposite Woolworths)

3 x finely chopped shallots

1 x roughly chopped leek

1/2 x packet of Soyco Japanese flavoured Tofu

1 x 400g can of bean sprouts (you can use fresh or canned, personally I actually prefer canned)

1/2 x packet of Enokitake (long, thin white mushrooms. Can be found in the fridge section at asian grocers)

2/3 x packet of Hikaru soba noodles, these can be purchased from Coles and Woolies

 

For the broth:

2 x  sheets of dried kombu (I believe this can be bought from Coles and Woolies now as well, at least in Sydney in the asian section. Otherwise asian grocers will have it)

2 x litres of water

1 x teaspoon white miso paste

1 x teaspoon soy sauce

2 x tablespoon sake

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