Swinging Sydney- Certainly Turns on Great Food and Good Times

Swinging Sydney is a bit of an old fashioned term...probably showing my age. But this City does Rock.
It has turned on lovely sunny days the whole time we have been here.
Dale and his friend Paz take advantage of the sun

Bit chilly morning and night, but our place os residence is very warm and cosy. As are our hosts. Yvonne and Stu.

We have been well spoilt.
Yvonne made a spectacular dinner for us and our friends Neil and Glenys
Even the table setting is superb

 Filet of Beef with Stuffed Mushrooms and Lots of Fresh Herbs and Lemon Zest

Accompanied by a Cous Cous ball stuffed with Salad
Quite the Centrepiece

Here is the cross section, You can't say Cous Cous is boring when presented like that
Yum

The next day we went to The Balmoral Boat House for lunch

Dale and Stu strolling up to meet us

Great food
Dale and Stu had Fish and Chips

I had the BBQ Prawn and Salad Stuffed Brioche

Yvonne had the Smoked Trout Platter

All washed down with some Excellent Aussie Wine
Below: Our Hosts

And of course. Your Truly and Spouse

Highly recommended to Visitors to Sydney
Situated on Balmoral Beach

In the Mosman Village there are some great Cafes and Restaurants
Of course Il Perugino mentioned in my previous post. All set up and ready for Service

Next door is The Classic Cupcake, They did a Special Red White and Blue Cake for  the New Prince George

We have Taken Out

And eaten in.

AND next door to that Testoni, specialising in Italian Sandwiches and Pastries etc
Had a go at that one too

But back to the Home Cooking
Ms Yvonne presented us with a delightful Roast Chook and Vege

Who wants to eat out after that?

Swinging Sydney - Winter Vacation

Sydney July 2013 
All dressed and ready early...

I felt like my mothers Old Neightbour Mrs Haseman...when she was going out at midday. She started getting ready at about 7am . 

Sitting ready dressed up just like Jackie waiting 

Not quite like that of course, in our case...but those memories stick and I really don't want to be one of those old ladies! 

Helen picked us and of course there were road works and lots of stoppages. Joys of city living I guess 

Anyway into Koru check in...Brand new passports all flash and electronic BUT
Mine was declined. 

Silly me when I booked I pushed the wrong button for title, 

so Mr Gillian was booked on the flight, 

Mrs Gillian did not compute.
So back to old fashioned ways.

The person had to do it 

Got through the customs ok... though so all sweet  

Off to Koru lounge, nice little tasty treats and of course champagne 

Small one for dale and 2 large ones for me 

Plane delayed but hey when you are in the lounge, 

who cares...Unremarkable flight. 

Nice staff, the steward obviously recognized us for people, who would like more than 1 wine and slipped a couple of extra bottles into the pocket.
Vey civilized of course  

I have a complaint though

Whosoever picks the movies and TV programmes, should be shot. 

Really struggled to find something to watch and there was a large choice but of nothing much!.
Ended up with Jonathan Creek and then some Aussie programme, bit like the Grumpy Old Men Series. 

Amusing but (shrug the shoulders, comma, keep the voice raised!)

I'm not really that fussy, so for the discerning viewer I imagine could be quite boring. 

My new passport didn't work well at customs. 

Had to go and be stamped in the old way 

(Note to self... Be aware on return journey)  

The Rubin Hilton sent an excellent chauffeur and the welcoming committee, had perfect drinks and dinner ready for us. 

What an excellent start to our vacation

Sunny day dawned. Shiny Sydney 

Had lunch at new Cafe up the road. 

Blooms. All very Tasty, Trendy  and Ultra Healthy, probably will do well in Mosman

On Friday, we met up with Erin and Milton for dinner at Il Perugeno

One of Yvonne and and Stuart's  Favourite haunts

Of course we had to take the obligatory shots before we depart

and lets not forget the delicious food

Pork Chop for me

 Fresh Crisp Salad for the Table

 Stuart always loves the whole steamed fish

 Erin and Yvonne both went for the Osso Bucho

Fantastic Food

Great restaurant in Mosman Village

Worth a trip.

Then the obligatory Photo at the end of the night

It's so so good to spend time with Old Friends

We found a Tame Tourist, who took the shot for us.

For those that are interested, there was of course major Rugby in the weekend. 

The results did excite the boys. Final to be played in New Zealand Big Night next Saturday

 Dale forced to relax in the sun

After a satisfactory visit to the Movie theatre on Sunday afternoon
Michael Douglas was fabulous, in every sense of the word... in Behind the Candelabra
His portrayal of Liberace. Excellent. Matt Damon as well
Home to a superb Salad, with Meatloaf, inspired by Ottolenghi and prepared by Ms Yvonne, with her extra touches
Great way to end the weekend

 And who can forget our constant companion Paz. Cute as a button

Roll on the rest of the week.

Taking on Jamie - # Four - Green Tea Salmon with Coconut Rice

Back trying to compete with Jamie on the 15 minute Meals
So we didn't do quite so well this time on the timing
The coconut rice took a lot longer to cook nearly 20 minutes, so that stuffed that up

Plus the wine was flowing so maybe not quite as co-ordinated as could be

 Mind you a great dish, nevertheless. Thank you Jamie

Salmon Steaks seasoned with S & P and Green Tea
Sitting on a bed of Coconut Citrusy Rice
Garnished with some fresh chili and coriander leaves

Served with a side of Green Vege with a Spicy Miso Sauce
It really was delightful and, there was enough left over for lunch for 1, the next day
You can buy the Miso and Green Tea from the supermarket...so no specialty shopping necessary

For 4 people
4 Salmon Steaks Skin on
Sea salt & freshly ground black pepper
2 teabags of green tea
Little olive oil

1 can coconut milk
Same amount of Basmati Rice
1 can boiling water
1/2 lemon end cut off so it can stand on its base

Miso Sauce
2 x Packets Miso into blender
1/2 chili chopped
1/2 bunch Coriander stalks and all break them up
1 tablespoon Honey
Thumb size piece of ginger, peeled and chopped
Juice 1/2 lemon
2-3 tbs soy sauce
Splash hot water

Vege You can work out the amounts required
Asparagus if in season or
I used Green Beans
Tender stem Broccoli
Snow peas
Garnish 
Finelt sliced Chili
Coriander leaves and may some lemon wedges

So, with the 15 minute cooking programme, you do need to do some prep
Have all of your ingredients ready to go on the bench
Jug of water boiling
Pans, hot on the stove

Also when making the sauce, pays to chop the chili and ginger before adding to the blender
or they will take ages to blend down


Season salmon with S & P and Green Tea
Pat down well into fish
Into med hot pan with a little oil
Skin side down
Turn heat down to medium
Cook for about 4-5 minutes
This will help to crisp up the skin

Meanwhile
Start Rice
Place Coconut milk into hot pan. 
Fill the empty can with rice
Add to pan, then
Fill can with Boiling water
Good pinch Salt
Stir
Push 1/2 lemon end off into rice
Cover and simmer 10 minutes (if you are lucky)

Now onto the Miso sauce
Put all the ingredients into a blender and whiz.
This will take at least a minute to blend properly

Make sure you have a pot of salted boiling water ready on the stove for the vege

Meanwhile back to the Fish
Turn Fish when nearly cooked
and the skin crispy
Remove  from pan, take skin off the filets and
Put skin. back into hot pan on soft side about 30 secs
for final crisping,



Put all of the vege into the boiling water stalks down first
Squash down with a lid and cook for about 3 -4 minutes

Drain Vege
Pour Miso dressing on platter
Add Vege on top

When Rice is cooked take the cooked lemon out with tongs
and squeeze over the top over the rice
Mix
Taste and check seasoning. It will probably need more salt

Onto a serving dish
Put Flaked Salmon on top
Garnish with chili and coriander leaves and broken up crispy skin
And there's a customer waiting already

Yum but as you can see it took a lot longer. The rice just wasn't ready in time. I could blame the wine as well but if the rice had been ready. I reckon it would have taken 20 minutes

Here's a little movie 28 minutes condensed to 1 minute.
It's very funny We've popped it on youtube  Had trouble loading it on here, so here is the link

http://youtu.be/cyghxxDIf2I

Copy it and paste in into search bar and have a laugh

Taking On Jamie -Dish 3 - Sizzling Beef

So back on track, Taking On Jamie.
An Asian style dish. Great flavours and we did this one in just over 15 minutes
As usual I got everything ready. All utensils and ingredients lined up and Pans on stove
Plus a jug of boiling water ready to cook the Noodles
Be aware All this preparation actually adds 5 minutes or so to the time
But we did well I think

My Grandson Joseph loved it, in fact it has been requested for Grandma's Dinner next week

For 4 people

Handful cashews
Same amount of sesame seeds
2 pieces Sirloin steak, fat removed for speed
Salt and Pepper
2 tablespoons 5 spice powder
Sesame oil

250 gms mushrooms, broken up

Egg noodles, 4 nests
1 red chili chopped
Thumb size piece of peeled ginger, chopped
1/2 bunch coriander


100 gms fresh prawns peeled and tailed
2 cloves garlic peeled and fine chopped

Bean sprouts

3 Heaped tablespoons Hoisin Sauce
2 tablespoons Soy Sauce

Juice of a lime

Crunchy Lettuce leaves
Couple of Radishes
Some slices of cucumber
Coriander leaves for garnish

So
Everybody ready
Get Set
Go
Add a little Sesame oil to a hot pan
Add nuts and seeds and toss around and let toast for 2-3 minutes

Place steak on board
Season S & P and 5 spice  both sides
Rub around the board to pick up any spare seasoning

Little Sesame oil into another hot pan
Add steak

2 minutes
Turn
Break up mushrooms and add to steak pan
Shake
Cook another 2 minutes and remove steak from pan and set aside

Remove nuts and set aside

Meanwhile lets get onto the Noodles
First make the base for the noodles
Add the chili, ginger and coriander to the food processor and whiz
till makes a nice paste
Add noodles to a pot and cover with boiling water

Simmer for 2-3 minutes till they are soft

Take steaks out, leave mushrooms to continue cooking

In the pan you used for the nuts
Add a little more Sesame Oil
Add blitzed sauce
Shake about

Throw in the Prawns
Add couple cloves chopped garlic for added flavour

Toss
Add Bean sprouts
Mix
Then the real Asian flavour
Add
Hoisin sauce 
Soy sauce

Toss around

Squeeze over Juice of the lime
Pick off some Coriander leaves from your garnish and add

Drag the noodles out of the water and place into sauce
Toss well

Distribute into serving bowls
Now just add the crunchy salad ingredients

Sprinkle mushrooms on top

Slice the steak and add
Pop the toasted nuts on top
Have some lime wedges and chopped chilli for people to add
There ya go 

Here's Jamie's Version Mine looking pretty good I reckon