Chocolate fish and Macarons

Well, F&M were hot on the macaron craze before it hit Melbourne it seems. We also have artisan chocolate fish and a gorgeous little chocolate shop.

Fortnum and Mason: Part 2 Bikkies

Here is just a sample of the types of biscuits you could find at F&M. We have the soldiers, ladies and gentleman (very upper crust), nursery rhyme biscuits and the various artisan bears. Also check out the adorable doll's house of jam. Doesn't everyone store their's that way?

Fortnum and Mason: Part 1

Welcome to Fortnum and Mason. I must have taken the majority of my photos from the whole trip at this fine establishment. Upmarket supermarket/bakery/cakeshop still doesn't quite describe it. It is posh to the extreme!

F&M stocks all manor of British essentials: marmalades and jams, tea sets, candied fruit and statues. (Although the last are not for sale. And yes, it does look like I'm putting my hand up his jacket. Nothing untoward is happening though :)).

Marmite and Huggy Bears (but not together)

Some of the regular grocery items that I thought deserved photos. And marmite really is horrid!

The Butcher, Kosher Section at Tesco & Lunch

Still in Golders we went to pick up supplies from the butcher, and were surprised to find the place empty of people around noon, despite the fact that Shabbat didn't start until about 9pm and there was still so much meat available.

And they had "Aunty Vita" salami!

We had lunch at a kosher eatery, whose same began with "White" ended with "express" and had a word in the middle that I cant recall.

I had lovely lamb chops and it felt like an eternity since I had eaten meat.

After lunch we visited Tesco and checked out the kosher section, which included a "fresh" (?) roast beef sandwich. So there you go.

Golders Green: Part 1

On Friday we decided to visit Golders Green on the tube. I was excited to see the kosher food on display and was perhaps a little too excited by all the kosher shopfronts we encountered. As it was Friday, many places had already closed for the weekend but we found plenty to keep ourselves amused.

Note: The sign in the Blooms window is explaining that they are no longer is business. Just missed it :(

London: Part 1

In London, our first stop was the Borough Markets. We found a lovely olive stall that let us sample as many as we like, especially the large green buttery young'uns (not yet matured). There was an unusual amount of foie gras and pate available.

Overseas Travel: Dubai

In the middle of this year I was lucky enough to do some travelling. I visited London and Ireland, and stopped over in Dubai. What follows are the culinary delights I experienced. Firstly, the Dubai airport, an absolute haven from the heat, with Arabic Pringles and Kraft cheese spread. And does anyone else think Clorets sound like toilet cleaner...

Sush-easy!

Being a sushi lover I could not resist the "Sushezi" (General Trader $29.95). Finally that troublesome bamboo mat was out of the picture, along with the sky-rocketing costs of ready made rolls.

The instructions were very easy to follow:

1. Cook rice

2. Add rice vinegar, sugar and salt

3. Allow to cool

4. Open "sushezi" and lie flat, with the plunger resting in the grooves, as shown.

5. Place 1/2 cup of rice in each side.

6. Use plunger stick to press into the rice, making a tunnel for the filling. Then replace in original position.

7. Place in assorted fillings (smoked salmon, carrot & mayo)

8. Gently bring the 2 halves together and snap shut, placing the lid on in lock position.

9. Push plunger in, up to the line. Remove cap, and using plunger, push out onto a sheet of nori.

10. Roll up, slice and enjoy!

What was slightly more comical than "sushi by injection" was the recipe pamphlet that came with it, suggesting I use my sushezi to make cooking dough with nutty / chocolately filling (actually quite clever) to filling it with sausage mince and green olive filling (just plain bizarre).

Sometimes a sushi maker can be...just a sushi maker.