Archive for April, 2009

Dante’s Pizzeria revelling in TV success!

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

The team from Dante’s Pizzeria is busy constructing as many of their beautifully authentic Italian Pizzas as they can after they were featured on TV3’s Campbell Live last week!

The owner emailed us at Menu Mania to say “Due to our TV gig, we had queues outside waiting an hour before we opened and sold out by 4.30pm that day. Pre-orders were taken for the following days trade and we sold out again this time at 5.30pm. I turned away on Saturday alone at least 80 orders. Today being our day off we have been inundated with people turning up at the shop. Emails, phone calls … not only were we on TV but also in the weekend papers, radio dj’s were talking about us, MSN kept flashing up an advert about us” . . . “We had people drive from Orewa, Matakana even the Coromandel . . .

Things are probably settling back to a steady but hotly demanded pace since then . . . We congratulate them on turning out such World Famous pizzas!!!

Here is the video link should you want to check it out.
http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/CampbellLive/tabid/367/articleID/101150/Default.aspx#video

The Operation

Monday, April 27th, 2009

Hi Everyone.

 This post is about The River View Bar and Grill in Hellensville.

 This is a classic case of  “ The operation was a success but the patient died”.

Andrew (Owner) left his wife over in Australia, came to New Zealand and tried to set up and run The River View Bar.

When I first met Andrew, he seemed to be very stressed and totally at a loss. His business was just about to collapse and he couldn’t get his wife to come back with him.

 After the TV makeover was finished, he became inspired, refocused and started working at building the patronage of the restaurant. He was a changed man and we could all see it.

When the episode of  “The Kitchen Job” aired, Andrew found some fame with the local single ladies who have made sure to contact him for a date. I can at least feel confident that I’ve helped him in his love life.

I ran into him late November at the Restaurant Show and he was feeling on top of the world.  He told me that he was doing well, the month of December was booked out with parties and he was even looking at opening another restaurant down south.

I’ve advised him to just focus on one business and do it as best he can before he spreads himself too thin.

It’s very common for some restaurateurs (or small businesses) to use the success of the first business, grow confident then try to open more of the same.

Running two or more businesses requires a new set of skills. It’s not as easy as it might look and trying to do it without the right set of skills can lead to the loss of all the businesses.

I went and visited Andrew after a little while. He was still working hard; he decorated the restaurant a bit more and was trying out some new dishes.

He was being proactive but I feel that he needed to work on his marketing skills.  When you are the owner operator of a small business, you need to be able to work on all the aspects of your business. Marketing yourself and your business is just one of them…

Last time I went to visit Andrew, the restaurant was closed (the patient died) and Andrew was nowhere to be found. I am guessing that he decided to go back to his wife in Australia… Good luck to him and I hope he does well.

Thank you all for following my posts.

Best regards

John Palino

Fun Food Quotes

Sunday, April 26th, 2009

Need a laugh? Here are some food quotes that may just give you a giggle.

I come from a family where gravy is considered a beverage. - Erma Bombeck

I don’t even butter my bread; I consider that cooking. - Katherine Cebrian

Eat what you like and let the food fight it out inside. - Mark Twain

Anybody who believes that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach flunked geography. - Robert Byrne

You never know where to look when eating a banana. - Peter Kay

Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into 4 pieces with your bare hands and then eat just one of the pieces. - Juduth Viorst

I didn’t fight my way to the top of the food chain to be a vegetarian. - Anonymous

Ever wonder about those people who spend $2 apiece on those little bottles of Evian water? Try spelling Evian backward. - George Carlin

My doctor told me to stop having intimate dinners for four. Unless there are three other people at the table.  - Orson Welles

I went into a McDonald’s yesterday and said, ‘I’d like some fries.’ The girl at the counter said, ‘Would you like some fries with that? - Jay Leno

Never eat more than you can lift. - Miss Piggy

I’ve been on a diet for two weeks and all I’ve lost is two weeks. - Totie Fields

This recipe is silly. It says to separate 2 eggs but it doesn’t say how far to separate them. - Gracie Allen

Food is an important part of a balanced diet. - Fran Lebowitz

Once, during prohibition, I was forced to live for days on nothing but food and water. - W.C Fields

My mom made two dishes: Take it or Leave it. – Stephen Wright

The devil came to me last night and asked what I wanted in exchange for my soul. I still can’t believe I said pizza. – Marc Ostroff

As you like it

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

Okonomiyaki is often described as a Japanese pizza or pancake, basically a large pan-fried fritter with shredded vegetables, most often including cabbage and topped with a variety of condiments.
I find it an idea meal or snack any time of the day, brunch, lunch or those lazy Sunday dinners. Quick to prepare if you’re feeling a little peckish after a late night movie or rugby game. Best of all, it’s easy as, super for young cooks to create and cheap as chips! You can cut the Okonomiyaki fritter into slices to share, or be greedy and keep a full one for yourself. As a general rule of thumb to follow you need; 1 cup of shredded vegetable per 1 egg, ¼ cup of flour, 3 tablespoons of water, salt and pepper.

As with pizza toppings there are million and one combinations for Okonomiyaki, no recipe’s the same! In fact Okonomi simply stands for “what you like” or “what you want”, and yaki meaning “grilled” or “cooked”.

You can include any number of shredded vegetables, a combination of whatever is in season; Chinese, red or savoy cabbage, brussel sprouts, silverbeet, carrots, spring onions or leeks… you get the idea! Actually I’ve even been known to use leftover coleslaw.

I’ve simply used a normal run of the mill cabbage in the recipe below today, as they’re what we have growing in our vege patch. Normally some spring onion is thrown through the batter as well.
Once you have cooked your Okonomiyaki through on both sides it’s time to pay attention to the toppings and there are many different sauces and condiments available for Okonomiyaki in Asian food stores. Typically “Tonkatsu sauce” – a sweet BBQ type sauce and “Kewpie” – a Japanese mayonnaise are used, however again any bbq sauce, mayonnaise, mustards, sweet chilli sauce, sour cream are perfectly acceptable; “as you like it”. Lastly you can sprinkle over some “katsuobush” – dry fish or “aonori” – seaweed flakes, pickled ginger and herbs are also common. However I really like the texture of some chopped toasted nuts and seeds.

okonomiyaki_copyright_bron_marshall

    Okonomiyaki – From Bron Marshall

  • 2 cups of cabbage, finely shredded
  • ½ a small carrot, grated
  • 2 to 3 spring onions, finely sliced
  • ½ cup of plain all purpose flour
  • 2 large free range eggs, beaten
  • ⅓ cup (80mls) of cold water
  • a couple of good sized pinches sea salt and white pepper
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil, approximately
  • For the toppings:

  • Kewpie – Japanese Mayonnaise
  • Tonkatsu – BBQ sauce
  • Toasted chopped sunflower seeds, almonds
  • Extra sliced Spring Onion
  1. In a large bowl combine the cabbage, spring onion, flour, eggs, water, salt and pepper.
  2. Using either a fork or to be more authentic a pair of chopsticks, toss and mix together until everything is evenly well coated.
  3. Over a medium heat place a large frypan and add the olive oil.
  4. Pour the cabbage mixture into the pan, and using a spatula spread and press the mixture out into a circular shape.
  5. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until the bottom is golden and flip your Okonomiyaki over to continue cooking the second side, you may wish to add a little more oil.
  6. Once the pancake is golden on both sides, remove from the pan onto a serving plate and garnish with your chosen toppings.
  7. Serve immediately, feeds 1 to 2.

You can find more of my recipes and delicious photography @ Bron Marshall, Classic and Creative Cuisine.

Top Ten Reasons to Attend The Food Show Wellington

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

Not that anyone needs further incentive to attend The Food Show Wellington 2009 (8 - 10 May, Westpac Stadium), we have compiled a list of the top ten reasons why one simply must not miss the opportunity to visit this foodie fantasy land! 
picmed-fish

  1. The Food Show Wellington attendees are lucky enough to experience the insight and inspiration of international cooking sensation, Donna Hay.  And to make it more accessible and enjoyable for all who attend, we’re creating a purpose built 450-seat theatre.  Donna will show audiences how to replicate the fast, fresh, fabulous flavours she is famed for in an undoubtedly dazzling demonstration, aptly titled ‘No Time to Cook’, in the Electrolux Cooking Theatre.
  2. For those wanting to extend their culinary know how while watching New Zealand’s finest foodies fashioning fabulous feasts and enticing eats, the Electrolux Cooking Theatre is where it’s at! Experience the experts at work first hand, with a lavish line up that includes – Julie Le Clerc, Peta Mathias, Lauraine Jacobs, Sophie Gray, Ray McVinnie, Annabelle White, Belinda Jackson and of course, Donna Hay. These performances promise to provide the ultimate inspiration for at home entertaining!
  3. Decadent, delectable and devilishly delicious, Kohu Road ice cream will be bringing its award-winning brand of gourmet, organic goodness to The Food Show Wellington. These luscious, luxurious, melt in the mouth creamy creations were awarded “Best in Show” at the 2008 Auckland Food Show, and will undoubtedly be one of the stand-out exhibitors at the Wellington Show.
  4. Electrolux takes the humble hamper to whole new extremes with their palatial prize – The Electrolux Ultimate Food Hamper – which includes a spacious, stylish Electrolux stainless steel fridge, positively packed with an indulgent and delectable selection of delicious goodies from The Food Show exhibitors.
  5. The Wellington Food Show is home of the Culinary Fare, where the region’s best and brightest will battle it out for the coveted “Chef of the Capital” Title. Witness Wellington’s cooking whizz’s whipping up incredible culinary creations in live events, including decadent desserts, innovative antipasto’s, succulent seafood’s, marvelous meats, and delicious drinks. Not to be missed!
  6. For those wanting to extend their epicurean education, Australian exhibitors Le Cordon Bleu are the people to visit. Specialising in culinary arts, hospitality management and gastronomy, they also offer cooking courses – the ultimate way to go gourmet in your own kitchen.
  7. Family owned and operated Wellington Company Wild Chef produce tempting tit-bits and fabulous finger-food that will add sizzle to your soiree. The impressive range of innovative and indulgent nibbles are prepared to perfection by chefs and snap frozen, allowing you to impress your guests with minimum fuss and maximum flavor.
  8. Cheese connoisseurs will be on cloud nine with exhibitors Blue River and Canaan Cheeses bringing their award-winning creamy creations to The Food Show. Made from pure cows milk, the soft, hand-crafted, kosher offerings from Cannan Cheeses are available in a delectable selection including unique flavours such as dill & pesto. Exhibitors Blue River ewe-tilize sheep milk to bring you exquisite, authentic cheeses as well as luscious sheep’s milk ice cream.
  9. For those with a fondness for fresh seafood, the opulent ocean offerings available at the Food Show Wellington will have your mouth watering. Anatoki Salmon has superb smoked salmon available in a selection of sumptuous flavours, not to mention fresh fish to be enjoyed in its purest form. Aotearoa Seafoods are set to stun with their magnificent Kono mussels –the ultimate in succulent, sophisticated, yet simple seafood.
  10. And last, but definitely not least – the opportunity to sample and savour the mammoth and mouth-watering menu of goodies that exhibitors have on offer. With exclusive show prices available on most products, The Food Show is the ultimate, not to be missed opportunity to try and buy the fabulous food and fresh flavours that New Zealand and the world have to offer.

picmed-clams
For more information visit The Food Show Wellington

French Cafe Visit

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

I have just had the pleasure of being taken out to dinner at the French Cafe. The last outing involved us taking part in the degustation menu, all 11 courses. What a performance that turned out to be.  Some of the best food in New Zealand turned up at our table with perfect grace.
The evening was conducted like a well rehearsed orchestra performing at the ballet.
This time was to be no different we decided that the A la Carte menu was to our liking.
There were 12 guests at the dinner table and this was the most suitable option until, that is, we tried to decide on the wine.
The wine for the evening turned out to be great. The Lafond Rhone Marsanne/Rousanne was fragrant and the oily texture with high acid made it perfect for my aperitif. I carried on with this wine through the starter of Goats Cheese on Beetroot tart and then moved on to the Pisa Range ‘Black Poplar’ Central Otago Pinot Noir for my main course.
The Black Poplar exhibits ripe cherry/red fruit with a splash of earthiness and touch of oak all held together beautifully with well integrated acid.
We skipped dessert and decided on expresso instead rounding off another beautiful experience. I tip my hat to the staff for maintaining such high standards and perfectly presented and cooked food. This is truly a 5 star house.

S. Pellegrino World’s 50 Best 2009 winners

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

For those of you who travel a bit, here’s the S. Pellegrino World’s 50 Best 2009 Winners announced last night in London:

El Bulli has won for the 4th year in a row!

The nearest one to us is Tetsuya’s in Australia at number 17, and The Quay at number 46, also in Australia.

S. Pellegrino World’s 50 Best 2009 winners

Position Restaurant Country
1 El Bulli Spain
2 The Fat Duck UK
3 Noma Denmark
4 Mugaritz Spain
5 El Celler de Can Roca Spain
6 Per Se USA
7 Bras France
8 Arzak Spain
9 Pierre Gagnaire France
10 Alinea USA
11 L’Astrance France
12 The French Laundry USA
13 Osteria La Francescana Italy
14 St John UK
15 Le Benardin USA
16 Hotel de Ville Switzerland
17 Tetsuya’s Australia
18 L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon France
19 Jean Georges USA
20 Les Creations de NARISAWA Japan
21 Chez Dominique Finland
22 Cracco Peck Italy
23 Die Schwarzwaldstube Germany
24 D.O.M. Brazil
25 Vendome Germany
26 Hof van Cleve Belgium
27 Masa USA
28 Gambero Rosso Italy
29 Oud Sluis Netherlands
30 Steirereck Austria
31 Momofuku Ssam Bar USA
32 Oaxen Skargardskrog Sweden
33 Martin Berasategul Spain
34 Nobu UK
35 Mirazur France
36 Hakassan UK
37 Le Quartier Francais South Africa
38 La Colombe South Africa
39 Etxebarri Spain
40 Le Chateaubriand France
41 Daniel USA
42 Combal Zero Italy
43 Le Louis XV France
44 Tantris Germany
45 Iggy’s Singapore
46 Quay Australia
47 Les Ambassadeurs France
48 Dal Pescatore Italy
49 Le Calandre Italy
50 Mathias Dahlgren Sweden

Italian Comfort Food: Easy Tomato Soup

Monday, April 20th, 2009

Over the Easter weekend I ducked up to Auckland to see The Winter’s Tale, one of the plays being staged by the Bridge Project currently touring the world. With time to spare beforehand I ended up in Borders, and it must be said, the Auckland branch of this bookselling juggernaut has the most bewildering layout. I found myself going round and round in circles trying to get out of the childrens’ section – which I have no idea how I got into anyway – and into the open air.

Serendipitously though, quietly tucked behind the childrens’ section was a veritable goldmine of sale-priced cookbooks. It was here that I found, for $10, Italian Comfort Food by the Scotto family, who run Fresco by Scotto in New York. I normally avoid American cookbooks as the measurements and different names for ingredients are annoying to get my head around. Like measuring butter in sticks and cups. Also not many have appealed to me (apart from the delicious Barefoot Contessa). But this book is gorgeous – a complete bargain at such a price. I’ve already made several recipes from it, including this amazing soup…

Papa Pomodoro

This is a simple but hearty tomato soup, perfect for the increasingly bitter weather we are experiencing lately.

  • olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 leek, finely diced
  • 2x 400g can crushed tomatoes
  • 750mls good chicken or vegetable stock
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1/2 a loaf stale, good bread, diced small
  • handful fresh basil

In a good sized pot, saute the garlic in the olive oil for 2 minutes. Add the leeks and continue to saute till the mixture is soft. Add the tomatoes and their juice. If you feel like you have particularly bland canned tomatoes you may want to add a spoon or two of tomato paste to oomph up the flavour. Add the stock and simmer for 30 minutes, or until you see the soup start to thicken a little.

At the honey, bread, and chopped basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the soup rest for half an hour before serving. This is important for the texture and to allow the flavours to develop. Quickly reheat and serve.

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It’s easy, cheap, healthy comfort food, the sort of thing the Italians do so well and which we could do well to learn from!

Laura Vincent

Come visit me at my stupedous blog Hungry and Frozen for more food-related hijinks…

Restaurant bought for $181

Thursday, April 16th, 2009

In February, a 27-year-old Aucklander won a Trade Me auction for a former Spagalimis pizza restaurant in Northlands Mall, Christchurch for just $181 !!!

Theresa Cowan and her mum, Kathy Dryfhout, struggled to drum up investment support for the high costs of their new venture, however high-profile Christchurch business personalities Mike Pero and Cookie Time founder Michael Mayell have come to the rescue with some innovative ways to drum up the dollars needed.

Cowan will be fundraising by selling pizza-sized limited-edition Cookie Time biscuits, using Mayell’s recipe and factory.

The cookies (which will be sold along with a dDub cd) will go on sale for 24 hours from 7.30pm tonight (Thursday 16 April).

Buyers will receive life-time membership to 181 Restaurant, which includes discounts and specials on birthdays.

Check out their restaurant page on Menu Mania for more info on plans for the launch.

Sources: www.infonews.co.nz & www.stuff.co.nz

Simple Indian Thali

Thursday, April 16th, 2009
Triangular Chapathi with Mixed Vegetable Paneer

Triangular Paratha with Mixed Vegetable Paneer

Triangular Paratha

Ingredients:

2 cups Atta flour
2 tbsp Rice bran oil
1 tsp salt

Extra:

Oil
Plain flour

Proceed:

Add flour, salt and oil to proceesor bowl, pulse it first and then add water (normal temperature) slowly until it forms into soft dough consistency (for me it takes approximately 3/4 th cup or bit more), turn this on a cleaned bench top and knead it soft for few mins, keep this in a bowl and cover for 30 mins.

Take lemon size balls out of the dough and roll into soft balls. Flatten each ball and dust with a little flour, then roll out to a 15 cm/6 in round, dusting with flour as necessary. Brush with oil, fold in half and brush with oil again. Fold to form a triangle, dust with flour and roll out to a 15 cm/ 6 in triangle.Brush with oil.

Heat a large cast – iron frying pan over a medium heat. Add a little oil, then cook 1 paratha at a time for 1 min or until air bubbles start to form. Turn and cook other side until golden.

Mixed Vegetable Paneer

Mixed Vegetable Paneer

Mixed Vegetable Paneer

Ingredients:

Mixed veges – 200 g (frozen pack (carrot, peas and corn), defrosted)
Paneer – 200 g ( chopped into bite size pieces and fried in a tbsp butter until golden on both sides)
Rice bran oil – 2 tbsp
Jalapeno – 1 small (sliced thinly)
Onion – 1/2 large (chopped finely)
Ginger and Garlic paste – 1/2 tsp (use fresh)
Chilli powder – 1 tsp
Turmeric – 1/2 tsp
Kitchen King Masala – 3 tsp (I used everest brand or which ever)
Whole tomatoes – 3 no. (small, chopped)
Coriander leaves – handful (chopped finely)
Water – 250 ml cup

Proceed:

Heat oil in a deep nonstick Kadai on medium-low heat. Once heated add jalapeno, fry for few secs (keep it cover). Add onions and fry until light brown.

Add gg paste and fry until golden color. Add turmeric, chilli powder and kitchen king masala and mix. Immediately add tomatoes and cook until 3/4 th cooked. To that add water and mixed veges, bring it to boil, keep covered and simmer for 10 mins. Add coriander leaves and salt, keep it covered and cook away for 5 mins. Lastly add paneer pieces, mix well and switch off.

Serve with Triangular Paratha and Plain Yoghurt on side (picture missing).

Tip: don’t have kitchen king masala – then add 1 tsp coriander powder, 1/2 tsp cumin powder, 1 tsp garam masala powder.

Note:

Measure the spices before hand in small container.

I used Home made Paneer.

Kitchen King Masala can be found in Indian groceries say Moshims (which is a common one :-) ) or else can be substituted with the tip above.

For my spice level it is mild for me not Indian Hot.

For Paneer recipe and more, please visit my blog amma-cheppindi.blogspot.com.

cheers

Rajani Rayudu

amma-cheppindi.blogspot.com