Engagement & Christmas at Aria

It’s been more than 2 months since I last blogged. I am terribly sorry my lovely readers! I have been trying hard to write again but seems like finding time was the hardest thing on earth. Things was crazy and multiple things happening at the same time, also my laziness made things even worse =(

Allow me to explain some of the things that happened. Well, firstly and most importantly, I got engaged! Yay! And prior do that JC moved house so meaning lots of packing and unpacking happened during the past months. It was a huge exercise for us because he has been living in the old place for 4 years so you can imagine how many junks there were, some are still remain untouched now and safely sitting in the balcony hehe.

So yeah, back to engagement bit, on August 6^th it was on our 2^nd year anniversary of dating, we planned to go to Quarter 21 for dinner to celebrate this special day. But because of the sad news about my grandpa, the dinner didn’t eventuate and postponed to September after I came back from Hong Kong. The poor JC even booked a hotel room and was planning to give me a pleasant surprise but that part of the plan was ruin…. Anyway…

On the day, we went out to the city spent the day doing some shopping. He suggested to go to observatory towel as he has never been there, I immediately rejected the idea because I thought it was a bit of a waste of money (I’ve officially ruined the first proposal plan A), then it’s finally our booking time for dinner, nothing happened during the dinner as JC thought proposing in the restaurant was too ordinary (Plan B didn’t happen). And then, after dinner we walked back to Pyrmont where we parked our car, he suggested to take a monorail as it’s getting late. Luckily, I said yes (or else I will ruin the Plan C) as my feet hurts as a result of all the walking today.

Up to here, you can pretty much guess what happened! In the monorail, only two of us in one carriage, things started getting weird, JC started talking about relationship and the time we have been together in a not so fluent Chinese…one knee on the floor with a ring in his hands, and me burst out laughing but happy and shocked at the same time, he proclaim his love for me and was asking me to marry him. Of course I said yes and we are getting married in May =)

So you see, I was absent from blogging for a good reason. To make up my bad, I promise I will try my best to keep blogging for good restaurants and recipes. As you know, Christmas is coming, I would love to share some of my favourite dishes I tasted in Aria during my work Christmas party last week. If you have followed my older post, I have been to Aria in June and it didn’t disappointed me, food is still amazing.

We were given three choices for Entrée, main & dessert, it was a clear choice because I’ve tried some of the things on menu in the last visit.

Oyster – freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters served with mignonette dressing

Pork Belly – Kurobuta sweet pork belly with pork croquette and caramelised apple

Barramundi – Crisp skinned fillet with grilled cuttlefish, apple, green olives and a horseradish sauce

Lamb – roasted lamb fillet with ricotta gnocchi, pumpkin and mustard fruit puree and a sage and balsamic sauce

Apple and almond crumble – calvados ice-cream, caramelised apple, almond crumble and apple sorbet

Cheesecake – strawberry cheesecake with strawberry sorbet

Chocolate delice – chocolate delice with raspberries and vanilla ice-cream

The best thing for me was the crispy pork belly and barramundi, it was cooked perfectly with a nice crispy skin. The dishes were in reasonable size and I can still fit dessert without feeling overly bloated.

Have a Merry Christmas and a happy new year guys ! XOXO

 

 

 

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Mother’s Day Gift Ideas?

 

Only one more week before Mother’s day. I am thinking how to surprise mum with a gift she is sure to love. She is just like me, another food lover, but a health cautious one. She doesn’t like anything too sweet, too salty or too funky. Was thinking about a hamper full of fruits & gourmet fare and sent to her work.   [The basket case] I am sure all her colleagues will envy her with all the envy-ness!!

Readers, what you think about this one?

Fresh & Fanciful $89.95

I think mum will love the woven reed basket, she loves those things and kept few of them from last year X-mas already. So nothing is wasted =)

Or This?

The Master cook $110

For obvious reason the master chef magazine is for me hehe

My second option was to purchase a Endota Spa [Endota Spa] voucher which includes a foothbath , an organic food scrub, full body relaxation massage and a refreshing facial. I received the same voucher as my birthday gift from a good friend of mine last year. I thought it was the best way to rejuvenate and recharge. What would you pick?

 

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Wine appreciation and canapés with Justine Schofield

Few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to be invited to a wine appreciation event hosted by JP. Morgan, The evening features wines from the Barosssa & Eden Valley regions of South Australia, all have been specially selected and matched to canapés designed by the top 4th master chef in season 1 – Justine Schofield. I was very excited to meet Justine personally, she is so young and lively. Who would have thought a security camera sales would became a successful chef who now own her catering business? After hearing such inspiring story I tell myself to work hard toward my dream too!

Justine’s mom side is French hence her cooking are largely influence by it. 2009 bought the opportunity for Justine to apply for the first ever series of Master Chef. She made it through to the Top 20 and amazed the judges week after week with her extensive food knowledge and organised approach to cooking. Now, she is starting to do private catering for functions, corporate event, Christmas and New year.

Unfortunately I had to leave early so I didn’t get to taste all the canapés but I will list out the name and matching wines for the readers.

Antipasto platters: sugar-cured salmon, San Daniele prosciutto, Assorted breads & extra virgin oil.

I especially like the prosciutto and bread with the dipping sauce, the soft bread went well with the flavoursome sauce.

Antipasto platters: marinated olives, roasted capsicums & eggplant, hummus, babaganoush & caperberries. Assorted breads & extra virgin oil.

Crostini with preserved lemon brandade with HENSCHKE EDEN VALLEY RIESLING 2009

That’s my favourite canapés of the day! The smooth blended brandade had a sweet cod taste and salty lemon flavour in it. It matches well with the white wine which was light and refreshing.

Confit cherry tomato, Persian fetta, white anchovies & green olive skewers with PETER LEHMANN “MARGARET” SEMILLON 2005

I really like the presentation of this skewer and I notice the cherry tomato was cut flat on the bottom so it is able to stand straight on the plate, but I found the white anchovy was a bit too strong for me.

Seared scallops with jalapeno mousse & grated granny smith apples with MOUNTADAM HIGH EDEN CHARDONNAY 2008

Sorry guys this was the last canapés I tried, the concept of combining a spicy jalapeno with a fruity granny smith apple is cool, I had a small explosion on the taste buds. It would taste even better if the scallops were sear a little bit more.

 

Tartlet of artichoke, goat’s cheese & salsa verde with CHARLIE MELTON ROSE OF VIRGINIA 2010

Wild mushroom persillade vol au vents with shredded confit of duck with YALUMBA HAND PICKED MOURVEDRE, GRENACHE, SHIRAZ 2006

Mini lamb, pickled beetroot & capsicum relish burgers with TORZI MATTHEWS FROST DODGER SHIRAZ 2008

I had a great evening and a nice chat with Justine, I wish her best of luck on her catering business and hope to try more of her food soon!

 

 

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Justine Schofield   
Ph:+612-8572-5313 m:0415 228 383 
Email: info@justineschofield.com.au  

Wine appreciation and canapés with Justine Schofield

Few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to be invited to a wine appreciation event hosted by JP. Morgan, The evening features wines from the Barosssa & Eden Valley regions of South Australia, all have been specially selected and matched to canapés designed by the top 4th master chef in season 1 – Justine Schofield. I was very excited to meet Justine personally, she is so young and lively. Who would have thought a security camera sales would became a successful chef who now own her catering business? After hearing such inspiring story I tell myself to work hard toward my dream too!

Justine’s mom side is French hence her cooking are largely influence by it. 2009 bought the opportunity for Justine to apply for the first ever series of Master Chef. She made it through to the Top 20 and amazed the judges week after week with her extensive food knowledge and organised approach to cooking. Now, she is starting to do private catering for functions, corporate event, Christmas and New year.

Unfortunately I had to leave early so I didn’t get to taste all the canapés but I will list out the name and matching wines for the readers.

Antipasto platters: sugar-cured salmon, San Daniele prosciutto, Assorted breads & extra virgin oil.

I especially like the prosciutto and bread with the dipping sauce, the soft bread went well with the flavoursome sauce.

Antipasto platters: marinated olives, roasted capsicums & eggplant, hummus, babaganoush & caperberries. Assorted breads & extra virgin oil.

Crostini with preserved lemon brandade with HENSCHKE EDEN VALLEY RIESLING 2009

That’s my favourite canapés of the day! The smooth blended brandade had a sweet cod taste and salty lemon flavour in it. It matches well with the white wine which was light and refreshing.

Confit cherry tomato, Persian fetta, white anchovies & green olive skewers with PETER LEHMANN “MARGARET” SEMILLON 2005

I really like the presentation of this skewer and I notice the cherry tomato was cut flat on the bottom so it is able to stand straight on the plate, but I found the white anchovy was a bit too strong for me.

Seared scallops with jalapeno mousse & grated granny smith apples with MOUNTADAM HIGH EDEN CHARDONNAY 2008

Sorry guys this was the last canapés I tried, the concept of combining a spicy jalapeno with a fruity granny smith apple is cool, I had a small explosion on the taste buds. It would taste even better if the scallops were sear a little bit more.

 

Tartlet of artichoke, goat’s cheese & salsa verde with CHARLIE MELTON ROSE OF VIRGINIA 2010

Wild mushroom persillade vol au vents with shredded confit of duck with YALUMBA HAND PICKED MOURVEDRE, GRENACHE, SHIRAZ 2006

Mini lamb, pickled beetroot & capsicum relish burgers with TORZI MATTHEWS FROST DODGER SHIRAZ 2008

I had a great evening and a nice chat with Justine, I wish her best of luck on her catering business and hope to try more of her food soon!

 

 

Like my blog? Feel free to leave a comment or subscribe to receive email notifications for update !

or Add me in Facebook

Justine Schofield   
Ph:+612-8572-5313 m:0415 228 383 
Email: info@justineschofield.com.au  

Sydney Food Bloggers Christmas Picnic

special thanks to Simon for the group photos

Few weeks ago, I got an email from not one but two of my favourite food bloggers Chocolatesuze and Grab your fork to invite me to attend the 2010 Food blogger Xmas Picnic, I was so excited but also nervous and little bit scare as I’ve never met anyone. Looking at the attendance list there was about 60 food bloggers attending, most of them I’ve visited their blog and left a message or even tried cooking their recipe. Putting faces on the blogs was a really good thing, I met a lot of nice people and the feeling of taking pic of the food without being embarrassed is awesome because 60 other people are doing the same thing!

Few days before the party, I bumped into Chocolatesuze on the train. I know what she eat for lunch and dinner but she doesn’t know who I am. I took a deep breathe and walked to her and said hi also introduce myself. She was really nice and asked me to make sure I come on Sat so here I am. Arrived at 12’ish but couldn’t find anyone, the only person I knew was Chocolatesuze but she was late! And luckily Marvin (who I saw standing alone looking as confuse as me) was also joining the food blogger event for the first time so we walked together and start looking for them.

Strawberry Santas by Ayana from Absolutely Ayana

Chocolate Christmas tree by Lisa from Lisaperkovic

Chocolate mudcake Christmas cupcakes by Kimberly from KayB

Macaron tower by Cleony from I Eat Sweet

Greek beef meat balls by Gianna & Demos from The Empty Fridge

BBQ Ribs by Billy from A Table for Two

White chocolate wontons with pinenut and rosemary praline by John from He Needs Food

Pao de Queijo Brazilian cheesebread by Tammi from Insatiable Munchies

Chopsticks challenge who is the faster to transfer the beans to the other bowl is the winner…hey don’t cheat

Blind tasting test… wait til your name is call ok

Food plating skills test

A lovely pic with Kat, Sheena and Dave

Say Cheese to Gaby & Angie =)

 

Finally a photo with Chocoaltesuze

Marvin & I both managed to find our way to the food blogger after asking about 10 times “ excuse me, is this the food bloggers party?”

 

The Kris Krinkle started after we satisfied our tummy, you can pick one from the pool or STEAL an existing one

Hehe Richard got my steam basket shuuuu

 

Thanks for Helen and Suze in organising such a fun picnic, I had a really fun day and met lots of food bloggers. Looking forward for the next meet up and keep in touch guys! Drop me an email if you want a copy of any of the pics. 

 

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