2012

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Burnt Orange and Troubles

Posted on Thursday, December 27, 2012

27 December

 Ok so, something has gone totally wrong with my blog. I don't know what is happening. Hopefully I can figure it out. Meanwhile, I have more photos.

 This is from Burn Orange which is a cafe in Mosman I think. The view from this place is amazing and the food is good. It was a bit bland for my tastes but was presented magnificently.

Lemonade Jar

Asparagus Ravioli with a Zucchini, battered Tempura Style

Creme Caramel

Belgian Tart

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Amazing Restaurants: El Topo

Posted on Monday, December 3, 2012

2 December

 Recently, I went to El Topo. A new mexican restaurant located in Bondi Junction's 'The Eastern'. There is a very breezy, outdoor feel to this place and the food is, dare I say it, Mexican through and through.








The whole concept behind this place was sharing. And share we did. I would highly recommend it. The actual theme of the restaurant is great too. Skulls, a lot of colour, the tables are mosaic and there are small figurines depicting many funny scenes.

 Ella xx

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Manly Jazz Festival and excuses.

Posted on Saturday, October 20, 2012

20 October

 Sorry for the lack of posts! I've been in exam mode (they start on the 5th of November). Here are a few photos of some culinary adventures in the past few weeks. This set was taken at the Manly Jazz Festival where I went and saw some jazz and had a crazy dinner with some family friends.






This is pretty much meat on a stick, dripping with chilli red wine sauce onto a bed of mash and rocket. I didn't finish it all but I definitely tried.

 Please don't forget to subscribe by email at the bottom!

 Ella xx

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Homecooked Heroes: Croque Madames

Posted on Wednesday, September 5, 2012

4 September 2012

 Rachel Khoo. This lady inspires me and makes me want to pack my bags and move to Paris every time I see her. She is a cook, tv presenter, writer and just all round fabulous in everything she does.

 Her show "The Little Paris Kitchen" is probably the best cooking show I've ever watched and I watch an episode every two weeks (and there are only six!) - I just keep on repeating and repeating. She's so beautiful and has inspired my fascination with red lipstick.

















This recipe is so simple it's ridiculous! And it tastes so great! I made these with Turkish Bread which was thicker than plain white bread but it was great because it was extra crispy on the outside but soft in the middle. You could easily eat 4 of these.

 I didn't limit myself to the prosciutto though (it was supposed to be ham). I also made ones with left over chicken too!





This time I used normal white bread - it was definitely a lot easier to fit into the muffin tin but i do prefer the turkish bread.

 I recommend you try it! Breakfast just got a little bit exciting.

 Ella xx

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The Bondi Cafes: Bondi FM

Posted on Monday, September 3, 2012

3 September 2012

 And we're back and ready to roll again.

 This weekend was Father's Day of course, however I spent lunch with my two friends Frankie & Pia. We headed down to Bondi FM, which is probably my favourite cafe in Bondi.


This was my dish. It was called "The Angry Mexican" and from memory it was $15.90. It was chorizo in sauce, rocket, spinach topped with two poached eggs, goats cheese and pesto. It was AMAZING. I don't think words can describe this. I would say it was the worlds most perfect breakfast. Just the right balance of everything. The goats cheese really complemented the saltiness of the chorizo as well.


This was Pia's dish. It was called the "Bikini Buster" and I think it would bust anyone's bikini just by looking at it.
My friend Frankie got a good ol' Bacon and Egg Roll. She definitely enjoyed it and it was half the price of mine too (haha).


But Bondi FM does not only do breakfast - they do an amazing lunch as well. Earlier on this year, I went and ordered a Nachos to share between two.




This is great. I love Nachos, it's my weakness. This kept two very hungry ladies full for the rest of the day.

 I'm definitely becoming a regular here and I suggest that you try it out because so far, everything I've eaten there has been amazing. 

 Not only that but Bondi FM is actually a radio station so while you eat, you get to hear some great tunes. 

 Ella xx

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Mi Piace

Posted on Friday, June 29, 2012

29 June

 Once again, the Shtein Family is out on the town to score some dinner (well, that's just me). We went to go see Rock of Ages (I recommend it - Tom Cruise was amazing) but not before having dinner at a relatively new restaurant to the Entertainment Quarter called Mi Piace. It's an Italian restaurant with everything from antipasto to pizza to steak to seafood. The menu is quite extensive.

Antipasto Platter for two
parma prosciutto, sopressa salami , artichokes hearts, mixed italian olives, chargrilled eggplant, rosted red peppers pecorino and toasted in house made ciabatta 

My iPhone really wrecked the presentation and colour but this was delicious. We fought over this one.


Filletto Piemontese

medium rare cooked beef eye fillet with grilled and arborio rice filled tomato, asparagus, served with red wine glaze

This was great. The fillet was cooked really well, it just melted in my mouth and the tomato had arborio rice in it which i thought was a nice touch. Asparagus was also nicely cooked - all in all a great dish.

Wood-fired Scampi

garlic, lemon, parsley marinated scampi served on a bed of wild rocket leave

Mum got this one. The scampi was cooked really well and the presentation was great. Also, what a generous serving. 
We also had pizza. The thing for me, which makes a pizza delicious is the base and the crust. Mi Piace really do have this DOWN. It was so doughy in the crust and the base was quite thin. I wish the tomatoes had been more spread out (I love my tomatoes) and the fish was a bit salty but seriously, this crust was great. I should have just got a plain pizza and just enjoyed the dough because it was great.

I really recommend this place - go for the Pizza.

Ella xx

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Simple Favourites

Posted on Friday, June 15, 2012

15 June

 After going to my local Japanese (sashimi, agedashi tofu, tempura veges, miso), I walked down to my local service station and discovered a convenient Ben & Jerry's fridge right at the door.




This stuff is amazing. Heaven in a tub. . And I can't describe the taste. The brownie and cookie dough just randomly appear through out the ice cream.

I can't. This was the perfect Friday night for me - watching TV and eating Ben and Jerry's. Mum wouldnt let me eat it out of the tub however, that was probably a good thing.

 Ella xx

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Homecooked Heroes: Poached Pears

Posted on Wednesday, June 13, 2012

13 June

 I came home today after a rainy and windy day at school to this sight -

Clearly, dessert is going to amazing. My mum is a very spontaneous cook. I think she woke up this morning and said... "I bought pears yesterday... I MUST DO SOMETHING WITH THEM" - and do something with them she did.

Just look at this beautiful pear placement.




The colour is just amazing. Can't wait to chow down on these.
Usually, I would have my pears with Connoisseur Vanilla Bean Ice-cream but I think tonight I might try them with Harris Farm Yoghurt so it's not as messy. The berry sauce which these pears are cooked in taste like heaven mixed in with the yoghurt. I manage to scrounge a tablespoon of yoghurt and pour some sauce on it. Yummy!

Part of me wishes that the weather would stop and I would be able to enjoy the sunshine but I have to say... The best part about winter is the food. Stews, soups, hot noodles; bring on the cold!

Ella xx