Recipe roadtest: Spiced tomato relish

Despite being a relatively regular Masterchef viewer I must admit that it irks me that almost everyone’s food dream revolves around opening their own restaurants.  Look, it’s admirable that they have these goals, but can we please leave the restaurant game to suitably qualified professionals?

I do, however, appreciate the obvious love and zeal that the contestants have for food and cooking (which to some extent I share).  Some of the feats they undertake in the kitchen successfully frequently make me think, if they can do it, and they’re regular Joes, so can I!

Until recently, our home only paid host to Masterchef when on TV.  I did not own any of their cookbooks (because if I could choose anyone’s cook book, why would I choose one of theirs?).  That was until recently, when I became the owner of one their cookbooks only by virtue of the fact it was in the $5 throw out bin at my local supermarket.

Marion Grasby is probably better known for not winning Masterchef, defecting television networks to appear on The Celebrity Apprentice and not winning that either and finally returning to Ten as a Masterchef All Star.  

Her cook book, simply titled ‘Marion' has been produced with a keen eye and attention to detail.  It looks simply gorgeous with its matte pages, beautiful photography, heart warming stories, interesting styling and simple illustrations.  From my recollections of her from TV the book seems very ‘Marion’. 

Movies reviewed: The Dark Knight Rises

The Dark Knight Rises has finally arrived, the final instalment in the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy.  It’s been four years since the Batman last graced our screens in The Dark Knight.  There’s no doubting that is a hard act to follow up.

The film opens several years after the conclusion of The Dark Knight.  Gotham is a changed place - Harvey Dent’s death has not been in vain as he is now held up as a beacon of hope, strength and righteousness, there are few that know the depth of that lie. Bruce Wayne is a recluse, taking with him the Batman.  He mourns the death of Rachael, closeted and hidden within the walls of Wayne Manor.  Gotham is unrecognisable, a changed place, a haven.

Vietnam dreaming

I have an easy relationship with Vietnam.  A beautiful place, with friendly people and delicious food, it was hard not to fall in love.  Those of you who have been there before will probably agree I’m sure (at least, I hope you would). 

Since my return this easy love affair has turned into a not-so-secret obsession.  Our Lonely Planet guide to Vietnam has been there and back no less than four times since.  There’s no doubt in my mind that my friends are going solely due to my persuasiveness – or, perhaps, to shut me up.  But no matter how you look at it, I’ve been a boon to the Vietnamese travel market (really).

A street market selling lanterns in Hoi An

Movies reviewed: Prometheus

Very rarely do I suffer from complete and utter disappointment.  Sitting in the cinema as the credits rolled on Prometheus was one such moment.  I was perplexed, bewildered, deflated.

Prometheus is the hotly anticipated, it-is-but-it-isn’t prequel to Alien.  Ridley Scott returns to the helm to provide a back story to the world that he created in 1979 when he directed Alien.  Clearly there was something about Alien, since its creation there have been four Alien (directed by Scott, James Cameron, Jean-Pierre Jeunet and David Fincher) and two Alien Vs Predator movies.

Whatever it was that Alien had was evidently lacking in Prometheus.

In Alien Scott creates a terrifying world, adeptly using environment and situation, as opposed to special effects, explosions and violence to unsettle and scare the audience.  The aura of suspense and claustrophobia that he creates leaves the audience in as much uncertainty as the doomed crew of the Nostromo.  It is both sci-fi and horror, blended seamlessly. It is also, still, the best Alien film in the franchise.

Seasonally classic

Old Hollywood, the grand old dame, an era with gilded golden edges, imbued with an elegance and class that no longer exists.  The time glows like the youthful face of Marilyn Monroe (who, I learned recently, achieved the look by maintaining a fine coating of facial hair which reflected light making her appear luminescent).

On a chill winter or autumn afternoon there are few things better than curling up and watching your favourite film for the hundredth time.  I have watched many of them from the comfort of my couch on my reasonably sized television on such afternoons (and evenings, and even not so chill days, and often not just limited to winter and autumn…).

But, finally, thanks to Dendy, I’m going to get the chance to see these films on the big screen.  The cinema has just finished it’s Autumn Allure season classic films, with the winter season Winter Wonderland to commence on 4 June. 

M and I saw three movies from the first program (M may have seen 4, but it doesn’t count because this isn’t his blog!).  There is something special about seeing old films on the big screen akin to meeting an old friend for the first time.   Despite it being the umpteenth time I’ve seen some of these films, on the big screen it was a completely different experience.

Isla in Casablanca appears more vulnerable, her love for Victor more evident, her longing for redemption from Rick more palpable.  Rick on the other seems less smooth, more barbarous but no less magnetic.  Like the layers of its characters the movie charms more on the big screen, offering up more secrets, hinting more obviously at motivations, long seeded regrets and resentments.  It is, in essence, more beautiful and complex.

Re-run Rutherglen: Part 2 - Parker Pies

It’s unthinkable.  It’s in equal measures true and devastating… What could possibly make me this distraught?  The other night I opened the freezer and made a horrifying discovery.  M and I are down to our last Parker Pie.  Yes, that’s right there’s not even enough to share.

(An even number of pies was originally purchased, however, whilst M was out gallivanting I was chowing down on a pie… Which has resulted in my current state of pielessness *gasp*).

The humble meat pie, quintessential Aussie cuisine, easily and frequently executed poorly, but mouth-watering, glorious and divine when done well.  What distinguishes the good from the bad?  For me: a thick, rich meaty filling encased in a pastry that is buttery and flaky.  But I am no professional. I’ll leave that to the judges of the Official Great Aussie Pie Competition.  

In my search for the perfect meat pie I have learned a few things.  For one you will not find the perfect meat pie down the frozen food aisle of your local supermarket. Why? Food Standards Australia and New Zealand only require a ‘meat’ pie to contain a minimum of 25 per cent ‘meat flesh’!  In fact, after reading this Choice report you might choose to avoid supermarket pies altogether. I wouldn’t blame you.

I have unearthed some true gems in my quest… Ok, only one.  But this journey of discovery is only beginning.  This initial discovery has inspired me to explore, taste and gorge all in the hopes of finding that singularly irresistible meat pie.

This leads me to Main Street, Rutherglen. Diagonal from Tapsell’s second hand bookshop, across from the IGA, between the Bank on Main and The Victoria Hotel you’ll find Parker Pies, a place where the humble pie is elevated to magnificent heights.

Hello, Hello Bic Runga

It’s an extremely chilly Sunday evening in May.  We’re on our way to the Street Theatre, whose home is the ever-changing streetscape of Childers Street, Civic.   Bic Runga is on her Hello, Hello tour and Canberra is her final stop. 

Looking in to the theatre’s foyer from the brisk evening outside, it looks lovely, welcoming and homely. With a glass of warming red wine in hand, we wait for the concert to start.  The foyer fills up with jacketed, gloved, mittened, scarved , beanie-d people, some are turned away from the ticket booth as the concert has sold out.

The new Scholar in town

To celebrate my first communion as a kid my parents took me to yum cha at the New Shanghai restaurant in Dickson.  I vividly remember the craziness, the hustle and bustle.  The restaurant was abuzz with conversation, clattering plates, the clink of porcelain against porcelain as another Chinese tea was poured, the swoosh of fabric as another table cloth was swept away making room for the next lot of customers.  I remember the white silk dress I wore, with the gauzy overlay with bright orange and brown flowers embroidered on the front.

It was overwhelming.  And ever since I have had a love affair with yum cha.  There's something special about the perfectly portioned mouthful sized delicacies, served in their bamboo steamers and rolled around the restaurant in those tinny little trollies.

Those of you who know me and my family well have most likely been dragged to a yum cha lunch or two...

If you've been to yum cha this will be a familiar sight!

Summer reading: The Year of Living Dangerously

I think I might have failed my Summer reading list challenge.  In fact I know I have. 

You be the judge: of the five books mentioned I have only finished reading four of them, one outside of the allotted summer time frame, and only ploughing through the final one as we speak.  I did, however, read a fifth book that was not included on the list (Jennifer Egan’s A Visit from the Goon Squad, maybe more on that some other time, or check out the ABC’s First Tuesday Book Club review).

Now to the task at hand: reviewing The Year of Living Dangerously.

I’ve been told that the novel is based on, or inspired by, the experiences of CJ Koch’s brother, Philip Koch, who was an ABC foreign correspondent based in Jakarta during the 1960s.

Recipe road test: Hot cross buns from Matthew Evans' The Real Food Companion

This entry is inspired by the spirit of all the things that are good about Easter – chocolate eggs, fish on Good Friday and, of course, hot cross buns.

To bring to fruition this Easter inspiration I delved into my collection of cook books trying to find a suitable recipe.  That’s when I came across this gem, in Matthew Evans’ The Real Food Companion.

The Real Food Companion by Matthew Evans

My summer reading list

A couple of months ago, when I realised that, according to my calendar at least, summer was descending upon us and that I had a six week overseas holiday coming up, I decided that it was time to think about some appropriate summer reading material.

While I did have that six week holiday up my sleeve I didn’t want to be too optimistic about how many books I could read over the course of the holiday, and the remained of the summer.  I have chosen five books that I have either wanted to read for some time, been recommended by friends or that I have heard good things about.

So the contenders are:

Gig review: Gurrumul

Another week, another concert it would seem...  I am at the National Theatre in Canberra again, but this time there’s a slight change of pace.  The person I’m here to see is Gurrumul.

Movies Reviewed: The Ides of March

The Ides of March is George Clooney's fourth film as director, having already offered up: Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Good Night and Good Luck and Leatherheads.

At the centre of the plot is the determined and focused young political campaign staffer Stephen Myers, played by Ryan Gossling.  He’s working for Governor Mike Morris (George Clooney) who is trying to get the nod to be the Democratic presidential candidate.

Straight to you: A tribute to Nick Cave

The musical tribute used to be farcical – think ABBA tribute band Bjorn Again.  But over the last couple of years musical tributes have experienced a renaissance, or, if you like, have been born again (geddit?!  Gee, I’m clever).

The reborn tribute takes its lead from the well loved Hollywood-how-to-make-a-blockbuster play book.   Take a talented musician who has had an illustrious career (they can be dead or alive) as your subject, litter your production with their most famous songs and then form an ensemble cast comprised of popular performers.

This formula is sure to deliver either an Oscar worthy biopic or, in this instance, a successful live tribute concert.  Just depends on how long you cook it for.  The live tribute concert has become a feature on the concert circuit in the past few years: there have been tribute concerts to the Beatles (for the White Album anniversary) and to the Finn Brothers of Crowded House fame with Triple J having also delivered tributes to the Go Betweens, AC/DC and Paul Kelly.

Triple J’s latest offering for their annual AusMusic Month is the Straight to You: A Tribute to Nick Cave concert.  It’s the first Triple J tribute concert to tour the country, visiting Geelong, Ballarat, Melbourne, Sydney, Newcastle and Brisbane as well as Canberra.  It arrived in Canberra on Wednesday, 16 November, and was held at the National Theatre.

Recipe roadtests: Simply the Best

I absolutely love cooking.  I’m by no means a great cook – I’m never going to be a Michelin starred chef or be a contestant on MasterChef.  One of my great failures is lacking the requisite creativity and confidence.  Success in the kitchen for me is a result of two things, the recipe I’m using and sheer luck...

It is for this reason that I have developed a love, or what some would call an obsession, for cookbooks.  Over time I have accumulated an enviable collection of food porn.    My addiction has gotten to the point where it is now affecting other people. 

I am now forced to vet all potential cookbook purchases through M, who puts them through the stringent “M Test.”  The test involves selecting recipes at random, and M making a determination of would he make it, or wouldn’t he make it.  It’s all highly technical.  To pass the test the cookbook must have 3 recipes he’d make within a reasonable number random page selection attempts.

It typically plays out something like this: we’re in a book store, and I have lingered in the cooking section for some time and located a treasure that I must purchase.  Meekly, I wander over to M, handing him the cook book, looking at him expectantly, willing him to just say that I can buy it.

Recipe 1 gets a tepid response.

Recipe 2 receives a look of disgust – it’s probably vegetarian.

Recipe 3 ... it’s a winner...

And so the game goes on.  There are times when I’m sure that I look completely despondent, as though I might curl up and cry, as the recipes flick passed his eyes receiving less than positive responses.  I think he sees me out of the corner of his eyes, and not wanting to be responsible for causing such a look, he flicks through more recipes than necessary.  It becomes a battle of wills.  Will I back down, will he exhaust the book or will M crumble and just succumb?   

How I love this type of to-ing and fro-ing!  By the end of I feel as though I have truly earned the cookbook's purchase.

Starting up this blog presents a tactical opportunity for me.  I could do posts on recipe ‘tests’ and bribe M along the way with the delicious and decadent results.  Winners all round I’d say!   

First cook book off the ranks is the latest offering from Valli Little and the ABC delicious. team: Simply the Best.  

It is the latest cook book purchase of mine.  For the inaugural test I’ll be whipping M up a three course delight.  I’ll present a picture from the cook book and a picture of my success or failure!

Movies reviewed: Norwegian Wood

Norwegian Wood is set in 1960’s Japan.  Like elsewhere in the world it’s a time of upheaval.  Watanabe (Ken’ichi Matsuyama) is studying in Tokyo, having left his home in Kobe.  Just before finishing high school his best friend, Kizuki (Kengo Kôra), commits suicide, an event that leaves an indelible mark on both Watanabe and Kizuki’s girlfriend, Naoko (Rinko Kikuchi).

While taking a break from his university studies in Tokyo, Watanabe runs into Naoko.  So begins a complicated relationship which oscillates between friendship, romance, dependence and obligation.  The relationship between Naoko and Watanabe is one part of the central love triangle in Norwegian Wood.  The other key relationship is that between Watanabe and the less complicated Midori (Kiko Mizuhara).