Xmas recovery

It's been a while since I posted but that's not so much neglect as I just haven't been anywhere or done anything exciting since Christmas.

I don't think it would be in my best interests to crique Christmas dinner as I might get the smack down from Mum, plus I also helped cook it so you know it was good. That's probably the last full on meal I've had.

I did recipricate the hospitality by cooking dinner one night whilst at the folks, we had steamed pork dumplings in a soy and mirin sauce (too dry needed to be wetter, don't pre-cook or only very lightly next time). Main was pan fired salmon on asian greens. the skin of which I managed to burn but saved it reasonably OK.

Whilst in Melbourne I did go to a place on Tatersall's Lane called Shanghai Dumpling or something similar. Reasonably priced, as good as any dumpling place going around, not the best not the worst I've ever had, wsa packed with more asians than other races which is usually a good sign.

More interesting was the really hip looking outdoor bar just further up the street. It was an old caravan with lots of shipping containers and pallets stacked to sit on. Very urban, and very different. I'd imagine they'd do a roaring trade in summer but wouldn't be open much in the winter, but the setup means the overheads would be low so I guess it'd work.

Since seeing in the new year with a humble BBQ, the next biggest highlight has been corporate box catering at the Moorilla Open in Hobart. What can be said about 2 day old sandwiches in plastic triangle cases, at least the beer was cold. they should probably get someone with better counting skills than a ten year olds to run drinks though, and while they're at it get an electronic scoreboard too.

Almost forgot, the highlight for Xmas was a book entitled The Curry Bible by Mridula Baljekar to add to the collection. Hard covers, pictures on the left one recipe per page on the right for those playing at home.

I tried the chicken korma with pistachios, and it was very nice. I think the key was the cardamom seeds, kind of sweet but kind of tangy or spicy at the same time, interesting none the less.

I'll endeavour to go out and hit somewhere in the next week, so I have something to write about.

Cheers.