I'm wrapping up my month of October a few days early as we are off on a road trip to Sydney. First stop on the road is to meet, Australia's newest immigrant, Krista of Rambling Tart. After swapping emails for the past couple of years, I will finally get to hug the sweet lady.
The month started with a delightful lunch with a dear friend, at Ole across the river on Southbank. I have to say it serves the best tortilla I've had outside of Spain. Almost as good as my own.
My friend Mei Yen invited me to brunch and served me my first congee. I am unable to enjoy meat and fish at the moment so Mei Yen served it with omelette, pickled greens and salted duck eggs. Not the best photo but I wanted to share it with you.
While I was there lots of heavy cardboard boxes were delivered...and inside the boxes ......Mei Yen's latest edition of Brisbane Budget Bites 2012. I'm not sure who was more excited, Mei Yen.... or me....or the dogs, Cookie and Basil.
All Brisbanites and visitors to Brisbane should have a copy of Brisbane Budget Bites. It will take me all year to work through the 215 eateries and bakeries, 29 coffee spots and the 65 providores. The latest edition has simplified the geographic boundaries, and not knowing Brisbane well, I found it very easy to follow. Both the 'suburbs index' and the separate 'cuisine index' make it a useful resource for discovering dining around Brisbane. My favourite local Japanese, Mizu in Teneriffe is in there.
My other favourite book this month is Karen Reyment's book the 2012 foodies guide to brisbane.
I wish I'd had a copy of this book when I first arrived in Brisbane. I'm loving the section 'specialist stores and markets', which covers everything including Asian food, butchers,delis,bakeries, cooking schools and more.
Scattered throughout the book under 'chef's favourites', Brisbane chef's share their favourite spots for supplies and dining out. In the sections 'spotlight on', experts in their respective fields share all manner of things like storing chocolate in Brisbane's humid climate, eating local fish by season, and making the perfect cup of coffee.
'Further afield' are suggestions for foodie trips to The Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Stanthorpe.
I have decided I will visit at least one place from the book each week. Some of Karen's suggestions are already firm favourites. Like Chouquette and Bonjour Patisserie in New Farm and Freshi Sushi Company in James Street. The first place I chose to visit was the Ruski Way Deli in Woolangabba.
We came home with jars of pickles,sour cherries, smoked mackerel, Russian chocolates, potato stuffed Pierogi and a slice of Russian Napoleon cake for our lunch.
During the month we enjoyed coffee and cake with friends at Blake and Taylor in Paddington.
I didn't spend a lot of time in the kitchen but I did try Elise's version of the Amazon Cake......
.................and combining the end of Winter and the beginning of Spring I baked a peach and fig tart. Peaches are a fruit I associate with summer. Because of the climate here in Queensland, they arrive a little earlier in the shops. These ones are from the Glass House Mountains region.
I'm sorry there is no detailed recipe for you. It's just pastry and fruit. Go with your instincts and how many people you are serving.......and if you want some for left overs. It makes a great breakfast.
FIG AND PEACH TART
INGREDIENTS
- 1 quantity of shortcrust pastry
- peaches and figs, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sugar
METHOD
- Set oven to 200C (390F)
- roll pastry out and place on oven paper on an oven tray
- place fruit in a pattern over pastry.
- sprinkle with sugar
- bake in oven until pastry and fruit are cooked.
- Serve with a dallop of cream or yogurt
Finally, if you would like to join in the Hay Hay it's Donna's Anniversary, I look forward to your entries.
DISCLAIMER: Brisbane Budget Bites and 2012 foodies guide to brisbane were sent to me by the publishers.
Brisbane Budget Bites is published by Swallow Publishers. It retails at $19.95 and can be puchased at these outlets.
2012 foodie guide to brisbane is published by Hardie Grant. It retails at $24.95 and can be purchased at most book stores and online.