Dim Sum meets Tapas in West Hobart

Was it dim sum? Was it tapas? It really doesn’t matter – it was all bloody delicious.

Sunday July 18, 2021

Chez Julie and Paul

Julie & Paul Y, Christine (aka Kristafine), Paul C & Dorcas, Irene, Andrew, John

Dim sum meets tapas in West Hobart

It’s been a while since we posted, and in truth we don’t catch up all that often for our dinner parties as we used to. However we do have an irregular (ie, every couple of months or so) arrangement on Sunday morning at a local restaurant (Me Wha in Magnet Court, Sandy Bay) for Yum Cha.

Upon trying to book on a recent Sunday we found that the restaurant was closed for renovations, so we regrouped and decided that we would cater our own dim sum gathering, and somehow – no one is quite sure how – it was expanded to incorporate Spanish tapas style dishes as well.

Was it dim sum? Was it tapas? It really doesn’t matter – it was all bloody delicious.

Video Goes here

Advertisement
Photo by Benjamin Sow on Unsplash

A taste of Turkey

adli-wahid-3-QB-YKxTKY-unsplash

Photo by Adli Wahid on Unsplash

Saturday August 29, 2020

Chez Julie and Paul

Julie & Paul Y, Christine (aka Kristafine), Paul C & Dorcas, Kevin & Irene, Christopher (aka Kristafa), Andrew, Sam & Di

A splendid Turkish menu to bring back memories of travel during COVID19

Starters
  • Balik Ekmek – Turkish fish sandwiches (Paul C)
  • Felafel with Tahini Sauce (Paul C)
  • Hummus and baba ganoush with seasame lavosh crackers (Andrew)
 
Mains
  • Slow cooked lamb leg (Di)
  • Barbecued lamb chops with chilli and ginger (Paul Y)
  • Eggplant with pumpkin, feta and walnuts (Julie)
  • Turkish vegetables (Di)
  • Shish kebab (Kristafa)
  • Turkish salads (Kevin & Irene)
 
Desserts
  • Sweet Labneh with Pomegranate and Orange Syrup (Paul C)
  • Byzantine something (Kristafine)
  • Chocolate Anzac Loaf (John)
  • Turkish Delight
  • Turkish Coffee

Selected recipes

Sesame and Oregano Lavosh Crackers

Recipe by Eloise Emmett – eloiseemmett.com

These tasty little bickies are great to serve with your favourite cheeses and dips and are very easy.

  • 2/3 cup wholemeal flour
  • 2/3 cup plain flour
  • 4 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • ½ cup warm water
  • Topping for baking: Olive oil and sea salt
  1. Turn oven on to 170 C.
  2. Mix all ingredients in the blender or mixer until it is a smooth dough.
  3. Rest for 10 minutes and roll out to 3-4 ml cut into shapes, brush with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt
  4. Bake until golden brown and cooked through – approx 25-30 mins.

 

Hummus

Recipe by Alton Brown – Good Eats

Ingredients

  • 500 grams Slow Cooker Chickpeas
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/3 cup tahini, stirred well
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for serving
  • Powdered sumac, optional

Method

  1. Place the chickpeas, garlic, and kosher salt in the bowl of a food processor. Process for 15 to 20 seconds. Stop, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and process for another 15 to 20 seconds.
  2. Add the lemon juice and water. Process for 20 seconds.
  3. Add the tahini. Process for 20 seconds, then scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add salt
  4. With the processor running, drizzle in the olive oil.
  5. To serve, transfer the hummus to a bowl and drizzle with additional olive oil and sprinkle with sumac, to taste, if desired.

Slow Cooker Chickpeas

• 7 cups water
• 500 grams dry chickpeas, sorted and rinsed
• 1/4 teaspoon bicarb soda

  • Place the water, chickpeas, and baking soda in a 2 1/2-quart slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook on high heat for 4 hours, or on low heat for 8 to 9 hours, or until tender.
  • Drain and serve immediately, or use in desired dish.

 

Baba Ghanoush

from Middle Eastern Food by Claudia Roden

This rich cream is a combination of two strong flavours: the smoky one of aubergines prepared as below, and the strong taste of tahina sharpened by lemon and garlic. It is exciting and vulgarly seductive. The ingredients are added almost entirely to taste, the harmony of flavours depending largely on the size and flavour of the aubergines used. The quantities below give a fairly large amount, enough to be served as a dip at a party.

Ingredients

  • 3 large aubergines
  • 2 cloves garlic, or to taste
  • salt
  • ¼ pot tahina paste or less
  • 3 lemons, or more to taste
  • ½ tsp ground cumin (optional)
  • 2 tbs finely chopped parsley, a few black olives or a tomato, thinly sliced, to garnish

Method

  1. Cook the aubergines over charcoal or under a gas flame or electric grill until the skin blackens and blisters.
  2. Peel and wash the aubergines, and squeeze out as much of the bitter juice as possible.
  3. Crush the garlic cloves with salt. Mash the aubergines with a potato masher or a fork, then add the crushed garlic and little more salt, and pound to a smooth, creamy purée.
  4. Add the tahina paste and lemon juice alternately, beating well or blending for a few seconds between each addition. Taste and add more salt, lemon juice, garlic or tahina if you think it is necessary and, if you like, a little cumin.
  5. Pour the cream into a bowl or a few smaller serving dishes. Garnish with finely chopped parsley and black olives, or with Arab or other bread (pitta), as a salad or as a party dip.

Lamb chops with chilli and ginger

BBC Good Food 

Ingredients

  • 4 garlic cloves , crushed
  • 1 tbsp grated ginger
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp chilli powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 8 lamb chops

Method

  1. Put the garlic in a bowl with the ginger, lemon juice, oil, spices and seasoning. Blitz with a hand blender until smooth, then use to coat the lamb chops on both sides. Leave to marinate in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight.
  2. Heat a barbecue until hot. Barbecue the chops over the coals for 3 mins on each side until cooked but still pink and juicy in the centre.

Eggplant (aka aubergine) with pumpkin, feta and walnut

BBC Good Food

Ingredients

  • 2 large aubergines
  • 200g/7oz pumpkin or squash (try kabocha or butternut squash)
  • 100g red onion , thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds (or use slightly less ground cumin)
  • 2 garlic cloves , thinly sliced
  • 4 tbsp virgin rapeseed or olive oil
  • 2 tsp fresh herb (thyme, oregano, sage or rosemary work well)
  • 100g feta cheese , diced
  • large handful walnuts , lightly toasted and halved

For the courgette salad

  • 4 courgettes
  • 1 lemon
  • 2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • small handful mint leaves, chopped
  • small handful flat-leaf parsley , chopped

Method

  1. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Cut the aubergines in half lengthways, leaving the stem in place (this can be removed when eating). Using a small sharp knife, scoop out the inner flesh leaving a shell about 1cm thick. Chop the flesh and put into a bowl.
  2. Peel the pumpkin or squash, remove the seeds, then cut into 1-2cm dice and mix with the chopped aubergine and red onion. Mix in the cumin, garlic and 2 tbsp oil and toss together with some salt and black pepper. Lay on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Rub 1 tbsp oil over the aubergine halves and season. Place, cut-side down, on another tray lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-20 mins, until the pumpkin and aubergine shells are almost cooked through.
  3. Tip the pumpkin mixture back into the bowl and stir through the mixed herbs, feta and walnuts. Turn over the aubergine halves, then pile up the mixture inside. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tbsp oil and bake for 20 mins, at which point the pumpkin will be fully cooked. If it starts to colour too much, cover loosely with foil.
  4. Meanwhile, make the courgette salad. Top and tail the courgettes, then slice very thinly into wide ribbons. Toss with the zest, juice of half the lemon and the oil. Leave for 10 mins to let the courgettes soften a little.
  5. To serve, toss the herbs through the courgettes and cut the remaining lemon half into wedges. Place an aubergine half on each plate, pile up the salad beside it and serve with a lemon wedge.

 

Sweet Labneh with Orange and Pomegranate
Ingredients
  • Greek style yogurt – 1 kg
  • Navel oranges – 2
  • Orange juice = 1/2 litre
  • Sugar – to taste
  • Fresh pomegranate – 1
  • Pomegranate molasses – 100 ml or so
  • Pistachio nuts, chopped – 3 tablespoons
Method
  1. Take a large bowl, inset a round sieve that will comfortably hold 1 kilo of yogurt.  Line the sieve with cheesecloth or muslin, allowing at least 20 cm overhang on all sides.
  2. Scoop the yogurt into the cloth, draw the sides together to make a pouch and tie closed with kitchen twine.  Hang the cloth over the sieve and bowl (I tie the loose end to a kitchen cabinet handle, but anything will do).  Allow the yogurt to drain overnight. Discard the whey.
  3. Now you have labneh, or yogurt cheese.  This can be served as a savoury, mixed with chopped salted cucumber and garlic to make tzatziki. For sweet labneh, just fold in 2-3 tablespoons of caster sugar and mix well. Shape little footballs (quenelles) with two dessert spoons and set aside to chill in the fridge.
  4. Peel the oranges and cut out skinless segments with a sharp knife. Set aside. Squeeze the oranges to get the remaining juice.  Add that to your 1/2 litre of orange juice in a small saucepan.
  5. Boil down the orange juice with a spoon or two of sugar and a good tablespoon of marmalade, until you have a light syrup.  Pour through a tea strainer and reserve.
  6. Open the pomegranate and pop out the seeds, then pick over to remove all traces of pith.
  7. Put the pomegranate molasses into a squeeze bottle.
To assemble:
  1. Pour enough orange syrup onto a dessert plate to make a generous pool.
  2. Slide one portion of the labneh onto the plate.
  3. Arrange 3-4 orange segments around the labneh.
  4. Sprinkle one tablespoon of pomegranate seeds around the plate.
  5. Decorate the labneh with a squeeze of the pomegranate molasses.
  6. Sprinkle chopped pistachios over the top to finish.
Serves 10-12 people.
Surfing Santa and Disco Santa

Christmas in July 2019

Saturday 20 July 2019

Chez Cullen, North Hobart (aka ‘The Cullenary’ – thanks Kristafa)

Paul, Dorcas, Julie, Paul, Kevin, Irene, Christine, Christopher, Andrew

John not attending due to a has prior engagement in Sydney/Kuala Lumpur/Limerick.

Gold, Myrrh and...

Gold, myrrh and…

____________________

Egg nog (Kevin and Irene)
Raspberry fizz (Julie and Paul)
Pate and sourdough bagette (Andrew)
Smoked salmon starter (Irene)
Waldorf salad (Kristafa)
Roast poultry with sage and onion stuffing (Paul C)
Roast potatoes cooked in duck fat (Paul C)
Mashed potatoes (Paul C)
Roast parsnips (Kevin)
Green beans (Julie)
Buche Noel (Kristafine)
New York cheesecake (Paul Y)
Mince pies (Dorcas)

—————————-

Moroccan Feast (note: not taken at the dinner)

Moroccan dinner (with Christmas pudding)

Saturday 19 August 2017

Union Street

Julie, Paul Y, Sam, Di, Irene, Kevin, Paul C, Dorcas, Christine

_____________________________

Quotban del Kefta (kefta kebabs) — Julie and Paul Y
Moroccan lamb roast — Paul C
Seafood (or not) dish — Di and Sam
Side dish with couscous and chicken — Irene and Kevin
Eggplant dish — Kristafine
Vegetable tagine — Paul C
Khizou Harra (spiced carrots) — Julie and Paul

Moroccan dessert — Paul C
Christmas pudding — Kristafine

——————-

Moroccan Feast (note: not taken at the dinner)

Moroccan Feast (note: not taken at the dinner)

Festive Dinner at Mount Nelson

Sunday 27 November, 2016

Rancho Rialannah

Paul and Julie, Di and Sam, Kevin and Irene, Christine, John, Andrew, Kim, Jan

OOOOO

Canadian Christmas salmon dip (Kim)
……….* Christmas starter (Angels and Devils on Horseback) (Andrew)

OOOOO

Scandinavian Christmas gravlox (Irene)
……….* Christmas chicken (John)
Canuck Christmas slow-cooked barbecue pork (Kim)
……….* Christmas roast vegetables (Di)
……….* Christmas salad
Mexican Christmas salad (Julie)

OOOOO

Australian Christmas plum pudding (Kristafine)
Australian Christmas pavlova (Di)

OOOOO

* insert country name here

img_20161127_194950img_20161127_194957img_20161127_195103img_20161127_195201

 

French Feast

Saturday 26 March, 2016

Rancho Rialannah

Paul and Julie, Di and Sam, Kevin and Irene, Paul and Dorcas, Andrew, Chris, Christine, John

French menu attached (in English)

———

Pate or terrine — Paul C
French tomato soup — Andrew
Onion tart — Andrew
Coq au vin Chicken Veronique Chicken Provencal— Irene
Veal Pork bistro style — John
Green beans almondine — Irene
Gratin dauphinois (potatoes) — Julie
Jerusalem artichokes with lemon and garlic — Di
Tarte aux prunes avec vanile et brandy — Kristafine
Crepes Suzette — Paul C
Fromage:
  • bleu
  • rind-ripened Camembert or Brie
  • chèvre
  • washed rind – Bruny or something else
  • hard – raclette or Gruyere
  • good bread
Vins
  • aperitif
  • 2 bottles of something sparkling
  • 2 bottles of white Burgundy or Loire style
  • 2 bottles pinot or light red for the chicken and veal
  • 1 bottle good claret
  • 1 bottle to go with dessert
———

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Equinoxal autumnal North Africanish LUNCH

Sunday 22 March 2015

Bayfield Downs
In Attendance: John, Christine, Chris, Julie, Paul, Irene, Kevin, Andrew

Held as the last hurrah at Mr Sexton’s residence at Bayfield Downs ahead of its impending sale and pursuant construction of Bayfield Heights.

MENU

————–
Moroccan tomato and lentil soup (Andrew)
————–
Chicken curry (The Maguires)
Moroccan lamb shanks (Julie)
Middle Earth vegetarian (Kristafa)
Autumnal potatoes (John)
Couscous salad (Irene)
————–
Autumnal poached fruits (Kristafine)
————–
The repast was considered by all consuming most excellent.

The Company of Friendly Cooks at the tapas feast

Tapas Feast, 26 July 2014

Date: Saturday Saturday 26 July 2014
Venue: Rialannah Heights
Attending: Andrew, Julie, Paul Y, Chris T, Chris W, Di, Sam, Paul C, Dorcas

MENU
——–

Olive and anchovy bits (aka Kevin’s chocolate shortbread) — Andrew
Sweet and salty nuts — Julie and Paul
Spanish olives and cheese — Andrew
Spanish sherry — Andrew

——–

Tortillas — Di
Meatballs with salsa di tomato — Kristafine
Chickpeas with romesco sauce — Kristafine
Flash-fried squid with paprika and garlic — Kristafa
Spinachy-fettay parcels — Kristafa
Something with jamon — Paul C
Something with seafood — Di
Potatoes allioli — Julie and Paul
Chorizo and tomato salsa — Julie and Paul
Avocado, orange and almond salad (Andrew can supply a great recipe, Di) — Di

——–

Dessert — Paul C
Membrillo — Andrew

——–

The tapas feast

The tapas feast

Some recipes from the tapas feast

Sweet and salty nuts

  • 500 g unsalted mixed nuts (I used walnuts, almonds and cashews)
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • pinch ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp curry powder
  • 1tsp freshly ground cumin
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Preheat over to 180°. Spread the nuts on a large baking tray and bake for 5-10 minutes, until they are crisp and slightly coloured. Remove and allow to cool.

Combine the sugar, spices, salt and pepper and mix well.

Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat and add nuts. Sprinkle spice mixture over nuts and stir for 5 minutes, or until nuts turn golden. The sugar will melt and coat nuts. Gently shake frying pan to ensure even cooking. If nuts stick together, separate with a wooden spoon. When nuts are cooked, remove from heat and spread them on a lightly oiled baking tray to cool.

The nuts will keep for a few weeks in a tightly sealed jar. (Though not if Paul finds them.)

[From The Little Tapas Book, Murdoch Books]

 


Lamb and filo cigars

  • 1 tbs olive oil
  • 1 small brown onion, finely chopped
  • 235 g lean minced lamb
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 2 tsp freshly ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • pinch cinnamon
  • pinch saffron threads, soaked in a little warm water
  • 2 tbs coriander, chopped
  • 2 tbs Italian parsley
  • 1 egg
  • 8-12 sheets filo pastry
  • 90 g butter, melted
  • 1 tbs sesame seeds

Heat the oil in a large frying pan, add the ions and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, or until the ion ion is soft. Increase the heat, add the lamb and garlic and cook for 5 minutes, breaking up any lumps with the back of a wooden spoon. Add the spices, coriander and parsley. Season to taste and then cook for 1 minutes, stirring to combine.

Transfer the lamb mixture to a sieve and drain to remove the fat. Put the mixture in a bowl and allow to cool slightly. Mix in the egg.

Count out 8 sheets of film pastry. Stack on a cutting surface with longer side in front of you. Measure and mark pastry into three equal strips and cut through the stack with a sharp knife to give strips 12-14cm wide and 30cm long. Stack strips in the folds of a dry cloth.

Place a strip of film on the work surface with the narrow end towards you and brush with melted butter. Top with another stip. Place 1 tbs of the filling 1cm in from the base and sides of the strip. Fold the end of the film over the filling, fold in the sides and roll to the end of the strip. Place on a greased baking tray, seam side down. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Brush the rolls with melted butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Preheat the over to 180°. It is best to do this after the rolls are completed so that the kitchen remains cool during shaping. Bake the briouats for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Serve hot.

[From The Little Tapas Book, Murdoch Books]


Potatoes with allioli (garlic mayonnaise)

  • 750 g potatoes, cut into 4cm cubes
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • Allioli:
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 4 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1 cup mild olive oil

To make allioli, put egg yolks, garlic and half the lemon nice in a bowl. Using a balloon which, whisk until well combined. While you continuously whisk, gradually add the oil in a slow stream until a thick mayonnaise forms. It if becomes too thick, add remaining lemon nice and continue adding the rest of the oil. Season well.

Preheat oven to 200°. Season the potato cubes and toss in olive oil and put on a baking tray in the over for 45 minutes, or until golden.

Serve hot with allioli.

Allioli will keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

[From The Little Tapas Book, Murdoch Books]

Dishes at the Italian feast

Italian Feast, Saturday 12 April 2014

DATE: Saturday 12 April 2014

Venue: Union Hall

Attending:

MENU

Antipasto (Kristafine)
—-
Pistache [think double shot lasagne] (Paul Y)
Risotto with gorgonzola and asparagus (Irene)
—-
Meatballs with eggplant and pecorino (Paul C)
Roast porchetta with balsamico (Paul C)
Spring Bay mussels gremolata (Paul C)

Italian chicken TBA (Julie)

Marinated courgettes (Kristafa)
Eggplant, lemon and caper salad (Kristafa)
Caprese salad (Kevin)
Zucchini stuffed with meat and cheese [he didn’t give me the Italian translation] (John)
Italian bread (Kristafine)
—-
Dolce with quince (Andrew)
Affogato (Paul Y)
—-

More dishes at the Italian feast

More dishes at the Italian feast