The Iron Chef - Cabramatta : diverse and versatile

Famous for yum cha - dim sum offerings, the Iron Chef has done well with Sichuan (central China) hot and spicy cuisine during the special promotion. Kitchen and stage performers were specially flown in for the month long celebration of the moon festival. 

In the face of more competition with the opening of similar restaurants which offer seafood and Cantonese cuisine, it is no wonder that even the renowned Iron Chef must innovate and reinvent its image and expand its repertoire to capture more customers from a saturated market. 

Double cooked pork - 3/4 fried in oil, and returned to finish off with spicy sauce with garlic, shallot and leek

Two flavoured / dishes of coral trout :
(1) stir fried with snow peas in light sauce and ginger garlic chive toppings - above picture
(2) steam fish with soy and sesame sauce + shallot greens and coriander garnish

Kung-po (gong bao) meaning palace treasure is the basic and key foundation to spicy Sichuan cuisine.
Compared to most make belief and adulterated versions available in most restaurants in the city and suburbs of Australian towns (forget about the country), this is perhaps closest to the original and authentic. It is a bit short of chilli hot, overpowered by peppery taste. But still good.

Postscript: Our good first impression was cracked (not shattered) with subsequent visits during the busy weekend. The staff were grumpy and the kitchen could not cope, sending out food that is lukewarm and dishes that have not been properly cooked.

Messina Gelato at Darlinghurst - favourite city east ice cream

Favourites : fruity sorbet and gelato combination

Next door : designer ice-cream cakes for special occasions.

                                      Enchanted forest?          Fairytale mushroom?

We love ice-cream especially in the warm summer heat. We scream!

Crafty gifts for Christmas - make something for friends

Sometimes, it may be more meaningful to make something for friends than to splurge your share of the stimulus package on expensive gifts. The same gifts sold at the stores could cost two or three times more. So why not let your creativity blossom during the festive season.

Time your purchses of quilting cotton material when they are on special price. Most ladies would love the pretty floral and geometric prints on cloth imported from Japan, Korea, Pakistan and USA.

Try to avoid panels as they are not as versatile. You could sew eye pillow, computer mouse wrist rest or heat pack. Leave a gap after sewing the seams of the desired size. Fill with flax seed and oat husk. Infuse some fragrance with dried flowers (do not use lavender for heat pack as they burn easily) or strongly scented tea bags. When it is almost half filled, seal up the gap. Fold and tie a ribbon around it and gift wrap with tissue or glossy paper. Now, you're ready to send your special Christmas present.

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Charming Crystal Christmas

Christmas is getting earlier each year as shops compete to adorn beautiful decorations and stock up to entice customers. Outdoor decor in Sydney may not be as glittering as some big cities like London, New York or even Singapore. But each shopping centre has put up creative works of art and special themes to draw the crowds especially those from out of town. Like they say : small is beautiful!

At QVB, the two main features are the chandelier and the Christmas tree. Both are constructed using genuine Swarovski crystals hangings.

A delightful red and clear crystal glittering against the old rotating clock in the background.

A two storey (40 feet) tall Christmas tree decorated with crystals as well.

A closeup at one of the crystal hanging on the tree.

A more natural colour of the tree is unveiled taken with the flash.

An entrance to the QVB with a stained glass arch.

We are ready for a white Christmas in summer Down Under.

Simply magical!

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Seasonal Vegetables from Down Under

The mild climate in Australia is ideal for growing a wide range of fresh vegetables all year round. In the last 10 years, leafy green Asian vegetables are easily available - kangkong (ong choy), choy sum (mustard green), bok choy (Shanghai bai cai of varying sizes), etc.

Just as most most autumn fruits and vegetables are orange (such as pumpkin and persimmon), green is the dorminant colour of spring harvest now.

Below : A refreshing summer salad of sliced fennel bulb, spanish sweet onion, orange cubes, capsicum, tomatoes and mint leaves. Toss in French vinegarette or citrus fruit juices. Yes, break down the taboo - you could mix fruits and vegetables, spices with dessert, sweet in the main course, beans in salad and dessert ...

Zucchini flowers (courgettes) is usually found in fine dining restaurants. They cost twice or three times more than the full grown zucchini. Best eaten when deep fried in light batter or stuffed with egg and cheese. Can be fried, baked or steamed.

Pumpkins are available in Spring which coincides with Halloween in the northern hemisphere.

Swede, a winter vegetable that is subtly sweet and essential ingredient for heart warming stews with meat or soups. Versatile and matches well with most vegetables - carrots, parsnips, potatoes, onions, tomatoes.




Celeraic does not look appealing or appetising but it has a stronger taste than celery which makes it useful for making cream sauce and soups.

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