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Country Cooking comes to Canberra

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Country came to Canberra last Saturday night when Mel and her mum from Dubbo, treated the Canberra Cooking Circle  to some real authentic old time country cooking.

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My favourite course would have to be the faithful recreation of the CWA catering for the 1995 Peak Hill Debut Ball featuring Sweet Sherry…

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…mashed potato and devon rolls!

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…cocktail frankfurts and tomato sauce

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…devilled eggs.

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This was followed by pumpkin soup and damper…

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..and some classic Aussie curries featuring sultanas, pineapple and just a pinch of curry powder…

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…accompanied by banana and coconut.

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Dessert was two styles of bread and butter pudding, rice pudding and golden syrup dumplings with cream and icecream.

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Being Cooking Circles, it was not just about enjoying the food and great company….

….but also about sharing the preparation of the desserts.

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Recipes were taken from the Common Sense Cookery book, and a collection of family favourites.

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For the next event (open to all)…

SAT, 2 JUL AT 1:00 PM

Cooking Circles Bush Tucker Workshop – with Narelle Happ

WHEN

Saturday, 2 July 2016 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (AEST) –

WHERE

Foodish of the Belconnen Fresh Food Markets, 10 Lathlain St, Belconnen ACT 2617

Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/cooking-circles-bush-tucker-workshop-with-narelle-happ-tickets-25047219909

Trying the Pierogi Dumpling Special at the Polish Club, Turner

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The Wednesday Pierogi Special night at the White Eagle Polish Club across from the O’Connor shops, has been on my wish list ever since CBR Foodie recommended it .

There’s a good looking menu Thurs -Sat, but Wednesday night is special night!


 On Wednesdays there’s a choice of  4 different types of pan seared Pierogi Polish dumplings for $10…


…or $14 with a beer or wine.

The Beef with Horseradish ( with yogurt sauce, bacon, carmelised cabbage) was sold out, so it may be the favourite choice. But the Pork and Chicken served bacon and caramelised cabbage was very good.


Fellow diners reported that the Pork and Chicken was the pick over the Cheese and Potato or the Mushroom and Cabbage Pierogi.

But if you don’t fancy the Pierogi, then the Golabki – pork, beef and rice stuffed cabbage leaves, with sour cream and tomato sauce $16 looked very good. It’s a large serve and could easily be shared  (for a light meal with a drink) or with a serve of dumplings for a larger appetite.

Other Wednesday options are Ricotta Fritters $10 – cinnamon tossed dumplings with rhubarb compote that sound particularly good to try. (Maybe share a plate of savoury and sweet dumplings between two or three). Dishes do sell out though, so the earlier diners have more choice.

Pierogi may not be everyone’s choice, and it may be an option to ask for boiled rather than pan fried (either way, plenty of sour cream is good to ask for). However, it’s a great value menu and the staff and atmosphere are friendly and homely.


Not at all fine dining, it’s noisey, buzzing and casual but it feels like visiting friends of friends and a great place to meet up.

Wednesday –  Saturday evenings from 6pm

Facebook is useful for keeping up to date with the specials and the Saturday Continental Deli I’ve heard is good.

Kopernik traditional Polish restaurant Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

High Tea at The Wilmot, The Primus Hotel, Pitt Street, Sydney

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Inspired by Not Quite Nigella’s post for a High Tea at the Wilmot and spurred on by the two for one deal from the High Tea Society available until 30 June 2016, Monday to Friday, it is hard to choose between the three options available:

Traditional (The Wilmot)

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The Zen

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The G&T Gentleman’s High Tea ( savoury only)

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Both diners need to choose the same option  but the Zen is definitely a winner.

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The savoury options win the day with the pork bao definitely a winner, followed by the Thai beef salad, seafood salad on a wonton crisp, steamed bun with pandas coconut custard,  Peking duck pancake, then the miso caramel fudge, kalamansi curd fruit tart, green tea and raspberry mousse cake, mango and coconut sago, and lastly the chocolate and jasmine delice.

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The Bombay Chai is the pick of the black teas and is served in a gorgeous tea drawerer.

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$45 per person with tea/coffee and $55 – $65 with wine/cocktail.

A gorgeous option in a heritage setting with good service. Best enjoyed before 30 June if you get the chance.

The Wilmot Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Joe’s Bar, East Hotel Kingston – excellent spot for a drink or casual meal!

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Joe’s Bar at the bottom  of East Hotel in Kingston has got to be one of the best spots in the area for a drink or casual meal.

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The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly, decor warm and welcoming and the menu is well priced with plenty of inviting options.

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Joe’s Plate (see below for more detail) – large $26 an excellent choice to share with a drink.

The wine by the glass is well priced and well sized.

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The 2013 Valpolicella Classico Nicolis Corvina Rondinella (Veneto) $11 is very good.

The buttered popcorn with rosemary, fennel and pecorino is also tasty.

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ANTIPASTI – Piatto di Joe – The house antipasto plate embodies the Chef’s favoured selection of meats, cheese and accompaniments. Imported San Daniele Italian Prosciutto (the celebrated best of breed from Friuli), Salame Cacciatore (a classic thin pork salami), Black Pepper Mortadella (Italy’s version of devon but oh so much better), Taleggio Lombardo (gooey and morish), grape infused Pecorino (a sharp hard cheese made with sheep’s milk, infused with dried red wine grapes from Barolo), smoked baby corn puree & pickled baby fennel – Small $15 | Large $26

Joe's Bar Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Debacle 

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Debacle ticks lots of boxes for a group lunch – it’s central in Lonsdale Street, Braddon, open every day, and you just order and pay at the counter.

But perhaps best of all, it’s got a range of options to suit everyone.

If you are eating light then there’s the side of steamed vegetables or mashed potato for $8 (a half serves pictured here)…

…. and the six slices of pizza bread for $5 is a bargain and tastes fantastic with the anchovies and parmesan…

…other smaller dishes include the tapas like the Seared Chorizo and Prawns (tossed with lemon, chilli and shallots) $12..

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…or a shared pizza like the Bombay Chicken with tandoori chicken, spanish onion, raita & papadums (large $30 pictured here with 8 slices, medium $21 is six slices, small is $14 for small slices)

Then for something more substantial off the menu there’s the Chicken Burger – $20 with southern-fried chicken breast, avocado, tomato, lettuce, blue cheese aioli & beer battered chips

…or the Seafood Linguini $26 with king prawns, mussels & scallops in a spicy tomato sauce…

…or the Fish and Chips with grilled snapper $25

But there are also the black board specials like….

Pho $13.50 (not the strongest dish)..

Mexican Chicken Breast $16.50…

Thai Beef Salad $16.50…

Char-grilled lunch steak $16.50

Mondays and Tuesdays are two for one specials and there’s also Happy Hour Monday to Friday 3-5pm.

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Debacle Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Vincent

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Vincent is has chosen its location in Barton well to capture the after work drinks/dinner trade and Friday lunchers.

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Its great strength is its decor and ambience. It has fabulous style!

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Wine by the glass is well priced and the temparillo at $8 is excellent.

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The menu  is small, but interesting and food is well presented though possibly lacking wow.

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The mini lobster sliders $6 each, have a great brioche bun, but only a small amount of dressing so a little dry. It’s worth asking for extra mayonnaise to get a better mouth feel and flavour.

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The medley of beetroot salad $19, is beautiful but again, fairly simple.

Serve sizes are small so be prepared to budget for a least one dish each unless you order the gnocchi or chips on the side.

For extra photos of dishes, search instagram.

Tree House Hotel, North Sydney, great spot for a coffee or brekkie in the area

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If you’re have a meeting near North Sydney Station, the. The Tree House Hotel is a great spot for coffee or brekkie.

Something new at Taste of Bangladesh, Manuka

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There’s no doubt that the Fish Bengali and Chicken Dum Murgh with Onion Bhaji or Samosas for entree and Cheese and Spinach Naan are top picks at Taste of Bangladesh.

But sometimes it’s good to explore the other dishes…

The Palak Papdi Chaat $9 is just as good as the Bhaji or Samosa with a tasty tamarind sauce highlighting crisp spinach fritters on a potato salad. It’s a cold entree perfect for summer and great for sharing.


The Boona Beef is tender and has great flavour, a very good pick for a greater variety of dishes.


The Coconut Fish Curry is a sweeter creamer, but very moorish dish. Well worth ordering.

The Malai Kofta is a good vegetarian choice, but not as good as the Palak Paneer or Yellow Dahl.

The Tandoori Paratha is quite good, but not nearly as soft and tasty as the Cheese and Spinach Naan.

So the Fish Bengali, Chicken Dum Murgh, Samosa, Bhaji and Cheese and Spinach Naan are still great choices, but perhaps the Palak Papdi Chaat, Boona Beef and Coconut Fish Curry are worth adding to the list of favourites.
The mango lassi is great too!

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Taste of Bangladesh Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Rama’s Fijian Indian Restaurant Pearce

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Rama’s is an old timer and extremely popular with locals. Part of their secret is Mini’s warm hospitality, but the food is also great!

Sit outside in the warm weather….

…or be cozy inside if it’s cool.

Good choices are…

Chicken Dhai Wala – Boneless chicken pieces cooked in a spiced yoghurt sauce. $23.00

Potato and Egg Curry – Hard boiled eggs cooked with potatoes in a spicy coconut sauce. $19.50

Fijian Pork Curry- Cubes of pork cooked with capsicum, onion and coriander leaves in a tangy, spicy sauce. $24.00 (the best!)

Curried Bean and Tomato – Sliced beans, chopped tomatoes and onions cooked slowly at low temperature. $13.00

Roti – Wholemeal pan fried bread 1 for $2.50

The Garlic Paratha – Wholemeal pan fried bread with garlic $2.70…

….is a better choice than the Roti – Wholemeal pan fried bread 1 for $2.50

and the Fish NarielBoneless fillets of ling marinated in lemon juice, tumeric, garlic and simmered in a spicy coconut sauce. $23.50 has a lovely sauce but the fish is rather coarse…

…so try the Jhinga Nariel – Prawns cooked with onions, garlic, tomato and fresh coriander, and finished in a spicy coconut sauce. $24.50

Pappadum -Deep fried crispy bread is 4 for $3.00

Four curries and the beans and four breads is just right for six people.

All curries are served with unlimited rice at a charge of $2.75 per person, but you can negotiate to get just a few serves if also getting breads.

Corkage is free and until the end of May Canberra Entertainment Card holders can get a 25 % discount.

Ramas Restaurant Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato