Though as we enter winter, our minds are probably not on barbecues, here’s a reminder about what summer is all about!
Bento Box
I do quite like the idea of a Japanese Bento Box, however here in the UK (outside London) we don’t get many Japanese takeaways.
If you exclude Indian, most Asian takeaways in this country “pretend” to be Chinese takeaways. Serving fast wok fried food in sticky sugary sauces.
This Bento Box was from a Japanese takeaway in New Zealand and was quite nice and very reasonably priced. It makes me wonder why we can’t in this country do something similar. Well actually from experience we can in London, but outside the big cities, no we have to suffer sticky faux-Chinese sauces…
Thai Mussels
In December 2009 I went to a conference in Auckland in New Zealand. A friend took me out for a meal at a wonderful restaurant. Alas I don’t recall the name or the location…
I went with the mussels.
This was a wonderfully freshly cooked Thai curry with mussels.
It was delicious.
Roast Lamb Shoulder
The last time I cooked a lamb shoulder joint it was a little chewy and lacked flavour. So deciding to try again with a small joint I cooked it and was pleased with the result. Tender and full of flavour. I cooked it until it was just pink in the middle and I let it rest for about ten minutes.
Just shows really that sometimes it is down to the meat itself and not always the cooking process.
Chargrilled Squid with Chorizo Salad
As I have said before when ordering I usually seem to avoid ordering anything that may be too new and go with the familiar, and it was the same with this dish, chargrilled squid and chorizo salad. It was a meal I had in Auckland in New Zealand.
Now unlike many times I have had squid this was made with fresh squid and you certainly could tell the difference.
Salt and Pepper Squid
Yesterday I talked about been more adventurous when I order stuff from a menu.
I like to think I am adventurous when I come to eating out, but more usually than not I will go for something that sounds familiar, or I like. Fish is a prime example where I will go for squid, but unlikely to go for a fish dish.
Well when I ordered the following dish, I was not being adventurous.
This was salt and pepper squid that I had for lunch when I was in Auckland in New Zealand for a conference in December 2009.
However I was to be slightly disappointed in that it was not made using fresh squid (well I don’t think it was).
Fish on Noodles
In December 2009 I went to a conference in Auckland in New Zealand. After the conference I went out for a meal with some friends.
I like to think I am adventurous when I come to eating out, but more usually than not I will go for something that sounds familiar, or I like. Fish is a prime example where I will go for squid, but unlikely to go for a fish dish. Not that I don’t like fish, on the contrary, but I do find I might choose something else…
However this time….
I ordered a grilled piece of fish on noodles (I forgot to note what fish).
It was very nice and I was glad I ordered it.
I try now when eating out, order things I might not usually order…
Chicken and Avocado Salad
In December 2009 I went to a conference in Auckland in New Zealand. I spent a couple of days after the conference exploring the area around Auckland. I had caught the ferry to Devonport and after climbing Mount Victoria went for some lunch.
I had this really nice salad of chicken and avocado.
The chicken was freshly grilled and served with the avocado, salad and a spicy dressing.
Grilled Spicy Lamb
In December 2009 I went to a conference in Auckland in New Zealand. I was introduced to an excellent cafe by a friend. On a later day I went there for lunch and had some grilled lamp chops.
Take some good lamb chops, marinade and rub them with spices.
Grill.
Serve with salad.
Delicious.
Flat White
So what is it with the Flat White?
It was never available in this country and now it’s all over the place. First I see Costa sell it and now Starbucks is also selling the Flat White.
So what is the Flat White? According to Wikipedia:
Originating from Australia and New Zealand, a Flat White is a coffee beverage prepared by pouring steamed milk from the bottom of steaming pitcher over a single shot or double shot of espresso. As with many other espresso-based drinks the Flat White is interpreted in a number of ways. In Australia it is commonly served as a single shot of espresso, whereas in New Zealand it is more commonly served using a double shot.
So it’s popular in Australia and New Zealand, and yes a fair of them have come over to the UK, likewise they are also popular counties to visit. But why the sudden popularity here in the UK of the Flat White?
No idea!
I have had it a few times now in the UK, from Costas and Starbucks and though nice, it’s not quite the same as a Flat White from New Zealand such as this finished one….
