Blog Introduction Video

Hi, This is a introduction video about our blogs. Our professional writers here will introduce ourselves and explain our blogposts. Enjoy our awesome video while you read about our great posts which will get you hungry. Make sure your not hungry when you read our blog. :)

weird types of food for the thrill seeker.

There are many types of food in the world, however i'm interested in only the weird and unique cuisines the world has to offer. So here are my meals and beverages that will test the brave and their belly's. Three meals to test the all, have fun.

By Mhedy el-ali

Rocky mountain oysters

Don't let the name fool you, it has no relation with the shelled sea-creature that so many people love. It is actually deep fried bull testicles. It is common in western america and western Canada, were cattle herding is crucial and castration of young bulls is a common site. It is usually peeled and rolled in flour, salt, black pepper and sometimes pounded flat then of course deep fried. Most of the time Rocky mountain oysters are served as a appetizer served with cocktail dip sauce. the dish is famous for its cowboy theme since its known as a cowboys favorite dish.  Mhedy el-ali

Snake wine

Now that sounds nice. Snake wine is a alcoholic beverage that is commonly served in certain villages in South-east Asia. Many of the locals that reside in the area where they a served hold to the belief that it holds certain curative and rejuvenative abilities. There are many ways some brave patron at one of these esteem establishment can enjoy this drink either they can have it in a shot glass which is usually strong wine mixed with snake blood or in a glass cup poured from a wine bottle that has a whole snake inside it, mixed with rice wine and has been left inside for months. Many brave patrons has said it has a sweet and savory flavor, calling it a " bittersweet tequila". Mhedy El-ali

Fried Spiders

In Cambodia fried spiders are considered a delicacy and many tourist who visit the country have tried this creepy dish. the type of spiders that are fried and consume are a species commonly know as Tarantulas, usually the size of a palm., first the spiders are thrown into  a mixture of MSG, sugar, salt; crushed garlic is fried then the spiders are added then fried together until their legs are stiff, by that time the innings of the spider are dry and not runny. after the spider is done it is usually served with lime wedges and a nice black bell pepper dipping sauce. many people have said it taste like chicken or cod fish. I don't know what you are thinking but it sounds delicious. Mhedy el-ali

so thats all guys hope you enjoyed my weird food for you see ya.

Lets talk Pho.

The hot special beef noodle soup in the cold winter or in the middle of the night is the best taste of noodles ever. There are only a few restaurants across Sydney that has this awesome taste to it. One of the best places is at Flemington, Canley Heights and of course homemade pho.  The hardest part is making the base soup for Pho, The noodles and beef needs to be fresh for the new exciting, awesome feeling of Vietnamese noodles. Then finally you add some lemon and freshly chopped chilli and bean sprouts. 

Low MSG and delicious beefy taste. There are two Pho restaurants that open till 2am on Friday and Saturday Nights. These two restaurants are opened in Canley Heights. Just after the late night drinks and party with friends. This place is awesome, and welcomes all customers to try its Vietnamese cuisine.

Most of these restaurants have lots of MSG and some are not authentic. The best is homemade soup with hand made noodles. I’ve been to my friend’s house who always cooks the best Pho I've ever had. The best soup with thin sliced tasty beef. 

by Nathan.

The Best Charcoal Chicken and Garlic Sauce.

If you live in the west then you should have already tried El Jannah, one of the best places for charcoal chicken and Lebanese cuisine. Now available at Granville, punchbowl and Blacktown. There are other charcoal chicken restaurants that are worth mentioning that includes,  El Hawa at Granville and Al Shawi charcoal chicken at Seven Hills.

If you like garlic sauce then you will definitely like El Jana and El Hawa. The irresistible garlic sauce with charcoal chicken is one of the best food tastes and is highly recommended. El Jannah is a family ran business that uses its own family recipe for its garlic sauce. The juicy charcoal chicken is the perfect match for the sauce. Also Chips is awesome with it. Sometimes I just come here for the garlic sauce because the chicken can be dry sometimes and does not live up to its reputation. However it is definitely recommended  if you  like garlic sauce.

It feels like El Hawa is a slight spin off from El Jannah. I personally feel that El Jannah taste a little better however El Hawa is a little cheaper.

One of my favorite places to eat from.

By Nathan

HEALTHY BURGERS (GRILL'D)

Simon Crowe was sitting in a pub having a few beers with his mates and he couldn't settled for the low quality food served there and he said to his mates that he wished Australia had gourmet and healthy burgers. He saw a gap in the market and he took it on. Fast forward it to 2014/2015, he made it to the BRW Top 40's Rich List Youngest Australians, just by making our bellies happy!

I absolutely love his franchise and burger chain. All of his burgers are absolutely delicious and healthy and leaves me satisfied. Also included can be hand cut thick chips with your choice of whatever dips you'd like.

(The Simply Grill'd - which is the signature beef burger)

His burgers are gourmet and it caters to EVERYONE. Whether you only like beef, chicken, lamb, steaks, vegetarian, low carb bun - he's got something for everyone. 

All of the burgers are made with real natural ingredients and no preservatives. I feel as if this is the key ingredient to the franchise's success and all in favour, the main thing that keeps me from going back time and time again. I have no worries that the meat isn't fresh or the vegetables aren't at its best. 

Zen Hen -  Grilled chicken breast, tangy satay sauce, shredded carrots, coriander, salads and herbs and mayo! Yummmm!

I definitely also love the culture that Simon employs at his burger chains. He employs a wide range of people and it doesn't matter what age they are, as long as they act young and see work as a fun. I have never seen older and more mature aged employees being so enthusiastic about serving burgers to me. Aside from that, there are also the younglings too. They have really simple, retro and American style diner uniforms, plain shirts, checkered shirts for the managers, jeans, shorts, funky shoes but the headband really tops it off. 

Aside from the traditional sesame bun, you can also range for the panini bun, which is softer! I prefer the panini bun :)

All Grill'd restaurants also serve light alcohol, which includes beers and ciders. It goes back to the founder, Simon Crowe's vision, to serve healthy and delicious burgers in a pub like eating house where friends can gather over some drinks too. 

I've been to many Grill'd restaurants and I love returning to the brand. But my favourite that I feel is the most consistent is World Square, in the Sydney CBD. Check it out! :)

By Jason

KONNICHIWA JAPANESE FOOD (SUSHI + SASHIMI)

Sushi has seriously become a worldwide food epidemic, in the most healthiest of ways of course.

We all know what it is and we see it EVERYWHERE now. Sushi. Who doesn't love sushi? Sushi is a dish originated from Japanese Cuisine and is rice with a combination of meat, usually seafood such as tuna. It also comes in forms with vegetables, such as seaweed. 

I really like sushi. I'm quite sure I have it at least 2-3 times a week. I feel as if that sushi is really fresh and is healthy for the body. 

There are many types of sushi but the main one comes in a rolled up sushi or a nigiri where a piece of meat is placed on top of the rice. Sushi rolls are also nice.

Sushi is generally dipped in soy sauce as well as some wasabi if you like a little punch of flavour up your nose. 

In the photo above, there are prawns, horse mackerel, squid as well as some tuna. 

The above is sashimi. Sashimi is usually just raw ingredients, in this case raw seafood. 

And people there isn't usually much flavour to sashimi, but rather the texture.

Photo above is an example of nigiri sushi except for the one on the right which is in a roll. 

The meats are examples of the absolutely delicious tuna. The more white the tuna is, generally the more fatty the tuna is, which mainly comes from the belly. 

Sea Eel or eel in general would probably be my most favourite meat on sushi. It has a fishy taste but I love the edible bones that come with it. I know - I'm a little weird.

But that's the fun thing about sushi. You can add anything to your nigiris or your rolls. Some people have sushi with chicken and beef also and this is also delicious. 

The above 3 photos is a chef in action, plating up the sushi in his hand and serving it on a plate. That's the beauty of sushi and sashimi, there's a lot of handwork and art into this gastronomical type of food, instead of just the usually pan-frying or wok-tossing like other Asian cuisines. 

The above 3 is taken from Sake Restaurant & Bar which is located in The Rocks. Aside from Sake, my other favourite Japanese/Sushi restaurant would have to be Sokyo, which is located in The Star, Pyrmont. Sushi is definitely a type of food or cuisine, that takes the consumer on a journey of gastronomy. 

By Jason

How to throw a Mexican Themed Dinner Party...

Let's get this party started. Are you reminiscing about your holiday in Mexico?.. the blue azure waters, the afternoon siestas, late nights, the cool winds in the evening and the mariarchi band playing at your table while you've got a splitting headache because you have sunstroke, your fighting with your partner and you just want everyone to shut the hell up..... oooopps, I was having a flashback!
Well help is at hand, I am going to help you re-create the wonders of mexico (without the blue azure waters and the damn marchiari bands) in your own home.

Ring your friends and tell them put their ponchos on, we're having a party - mexican style!

Here are just a few of my favourite dishes.

There is nothing like a properly made guacamole with chunky pieces of avocado and the freshness of coriander with a hint of lime.. here is one of my favourite recipes (stupid outfit is optional!)

Start with an authentic Guacamole and make plenty of it.

This is what you will need

1 small mexican 

1/2 small red onion

3 jalapeno chillies, seeds removed

1/2 bunch coriander, leaves only,

sea salt and freshly ground pepper

3 ripe avocados

juice of 2 limes

8 cherry tomatoes, roughly chopped

corn chips, to serve

So, here's the lowdown.

Finely chop the red onion, chilli's and coriander leaves. Put them in a mortar and a good amount of sea-salt, pound these ingredients with your pestle until you form a rough paste.

Cut your avocado in half and place it in the mortar and start pound until the avocado starts to break up.  Note people: discard the avocado stone. You weren't really thinking of putting it in there were you?  

Tip: to keep the consistency 'rustic', don't over mash the avocados. We like to have a good amount of texture in the dip. 

The key ingredient in a good guacamole, is to season it well and add lots of lime juice. 

Add your cherry tomatoes, cut them into halves or quarters if you have the time and inclination to do so

Carefully fold through with a spoon to mix through all the ingredients . Hey, didn't you listen.. I said 'carefully'

Taste it to get the seasoning right, if its too citric simply add some more salt, too salty add more lime.

Lightly toast some corn chips in the oven and serve (what else are you going to do with it?)

Mexican-style king prawn cocktails (SMH)

Ingredients 

1 iceberg lettuce
1 ear sweetcorn, peeled, kernels removed
1/2 Spanish onion, finely sliced2 jalapeno chillies, deseeded, finely diced
1/2 cup chopped coriander
1 avocado, finely diced
extra virgin olive oil
juice of 2 limes
sea salt and freshly ground pepper
16 large cooked king prawns, peeled and deveined, tails intact

For sauce
3 tbsp tomato ketchup
2 chipotle chillies in adobo, minced
5 drops Tabasco sauce
250ml good-quality mayonnaise

To make the sauce, simply fold the ketchup, chipotle and Tabasco through the mayonnaise until well incorporated.

Wash the lettuce and discard the outside leaves, then shred finely. Distribute the shredded lettuce over a serving plate, then scatter corn, onion, chillies, coriander and avocado over the top. Drizzle with olive oil and lime juice and season to taste.

Scatter the prawns over the salad and dollop a bit of sauce on each prawn. Serve immediately.
Photography by William Meppem; Jennifer soo. Styling by Hannah Meppem. Food preparation by Dominic Smith.

source: smh.com.au / goodfood (2014)

Mexican Corn on the Cob

Pulled pork tacos

These pork Tacos melt in your mouth. The rich succulent shredded port is the hero of this dish. 

fish tacos

If you enjoy fish and you like soft tacos - a marriage made in heaven.

Vegetarian Chilli Tacos

A vegetarian take on chilli. These will appease any meat eater. They are absolutely delicious and be sure to top with a sprig of coriander to make it even fresher than it already is.

vegetarian fajitas

What more can I say? an old favourite made entirely vegetarian. Be sure to make a nice fresh salsa to go with this. In summer why don't you try to make a mango salsa. 

Churros

And finally for our lovers of something sweet, a traditional offering of Churros served with lashings of melted chocolate. This is a staple in Mexico and no mexican themed dinner party would be complete without it. 

By Elijah

all images from google.com (2014/15)

                                                     

Comfort Food

Food Glorious Food.

There are moments in life that can only fixed with food. Call me an emotional eater - fine, I can take that, we are all different and all deal with our daily stresses differently. It could be cold and wet winters day and sometimes all you can think about is diving unapologetically into a bag of fresh chips with chicken salt and topped with a liberal ladel of thick brown gravy that probably came out of a can.

It is a sad day when the world condemns eating pasta and bread, I was brought up on the stuff. I love Italian food. My neighbours were a lovely Italian family of which I had a love hate relationship with their daughter and actually their son as well. The son's idea of fun was tying us to a tree and setting it on fire, remember it was the early 80s - you could do anything then!. I remember visiting after school oneday and seeing the mother making pasta and the spare room was full of pasta drying out on the back of chairs.

Unfortunately for most of us all we know of pasta is the stuff you cook for 12 minutes that comes out of a box, I wouldn't know aldente from a dentist.

a random Italian mumma doing her stuff

I wish I was Italian.

When I need comfort food, I look toward making a nice tiramisu with lashings of Cadbury Flake crumbled on top.

Watch this quick video on how to make a perfect Tiramisu by Italian chef Antonio Carluccio.

Tiramisu - an Italian favourite. Source: Jamie Olivers You Tube (2015)

Make an affogatto (a shot of espresso with vanilla ice-cream). A dessert in its own right.

Afogatto - a delicious treat

My other favourite (non-Italian) dessert is apple crumble with cream slightly warm out of the oven topped with shavings of coconut.

Apple Crumble.. don't forget the pouring cream

I will never be thin, my arteries will probably clog up and apparently I am obese according to my doctor but as we all know life is short, and every second that passes could be a wasted moment.

My top five comfort foods

5. Beef Pie with peas, mash and gravy - Should I say more?

4. Chicken Parmagianna - a favourite pub meal

3. Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni 

2.Bacon and Egg roll with BBQ sauce before uni

1. Hot Chips with Gravy - wet winters day

Indulge. Enjoy. Eat

By Elijah 

all images from google.com/images 2014-2015