PAT and STICK'S Homemade Ice Cream

PAT and STICK'S Homemade Ice Cream, why am I so crazy about it? The very fact that each ice cream sandwich is made by hand and use only the finest ingredients wins my heart.

"Pat and Stick are obsessed and passionate about making the best possible tasting products for their customers." As one of their loyal customers, I can absolutely attest to that statement.

Their ice cream is rich and creamy, with nine(9) different flavours for you to choose from. My favourite is the Double Choc, Rich Belgian couveture chocolate ice cream with a choc-fudge cookie. It is a delightful treat for a chocolate lover like me. If I can pick another favourite, it would be the espresso lace. A crunchy oat and almond lace cookie with a seductive espresso ice cream. Who would have thought oat will be a nice ingredient for cookie? They got it right the first place by naming the espresso ice cream seductive, I just can't get enough of it.

The best place to hunt this delicious ice cream sandwich is at Eveleigh Market. Every Saturday without fail you will find their cart waiting to serve eager customers like me. You can either buy the single serve for $4.50 or a pack of four for $17 which they will kindly put in a box with dry ice. 

Donna Hay's Cookie Mix

"a balanced diet is a cookie in each hand" - Donna Hay

Over the weekend I was invited to a friend's housewarming party. Not willing to go empty handed, I decided to bake something that will not only make the host welcome me with open arms but also put a smile on everyone's face. 

I have been eyeing the Donna Hay's Triple Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix from David Jones for quite sometime now. The packaging is so delicate and pretty, shouting for my attention. I thought to myself, this is it...the perfect housewarming gift. Who doesn't love chocolate?

Each carton contains cookie mix, milk & white chocolate chunks. All you need is some butter and an egg, follow the super easy instructions written on the back of the packaging and you are ready to party.

Toasting My Way to a Splendid Weekend

Waking up to a refreshing and fulfilling breakfast at Toast Cafè kicks off my weekend to a great start. A place to relax and unwind, Toast Cafè welcomes you to a casual yet modern dining experience. I love the way the owner makes full use of the corner location by placing high ceiling windows; there is no better way of enjoying your Saturday breakfast by the cafe window on a warm and sunny autumn day. It makes you very reflective of Australia.

The Japanese bird cage of entrancing design captured my full attention as I entered the cafe. One of the friendly wait staff told me that the owner loves everything Japanese. 

My breakfast journey began when I saw the Specials board that was casually rested on one of the wooden chairs next to the entrance. I knew straightaway that the 'Japanese' Breaky was one not to be missed. Why should I settle for the usual poached eggs or big breakfast when this unique dish will take me to a whole new level?

Japanese Breakfast $14.50 (extra $4 for smoked salmon)

Organic scrambled eggs, brown rice, black sesame & soy dressing

Not everyone can handle the pungent Japanese wasabi for breakfast, but for me it is one of the essential condiments for a Japanese rice meal. The healthy, nutty & chewy brown rice is topped with creamy scrambled eggs and avocado. A handful of seaweed and a sprinkle of black sesame adds to the finishing touch, and not to forget the wasabi for a memorable fiery meal.

Mexican Breakfast $16.50

Organic scrambled eggs w jalapeños & coriander; wrapped in a tortilla w grilled tasty cheese, sour cream, avocado & fresh salsa

Yet another scrambled eggs dish, but with a fiery twist on its own. The eggs is scrambled with jalapeños and coriander, wrapped in a tortilla and grilled with tasty cheese on top to create a crispy texture. The sour cream and guacamole is probably too heavy for breakfast, but a Mexican dish will not be complete without these ingredients. Fortunately the dish comes with a freshly made salsa that gives the meal a light and refreshing touch. 

You can't help but feel satisfied leaving the cafe after a hearty meal and that picture of the barista laughing sums it all.

Azuma Pâtisserie

Lately I have been craving for the light and delectable Japanese cakes, and found my solace in Azuma Pâtisserie. Not quite the first-rate level as compared to the desserts in Japan, nevertheless I gladly settled with Azuma Pâtisserie. Azuma Pâtisserie offers a delightful array of Japanese desserts and sweets. It also offers Japanese teas, coffees and their house specialty Iced Green Tea Cappuccino and Green Tea Frozen Yogurt. The Green Tea Frozen Yogurt is the perfect treat for a light afternoon snack. It is light and not too milky, but as a green tea lover I prefer it to have a more intense green tea flavour.

Azuma Pâtisserie is owned by Kimitaka Azuma, who owns the famous award winning Chefs Hat restaurant Azuma at Chifley Plaza. He also owns Azuma Kushiyaki and Ton Ton which are located on the same premise as Azuma Pâtisserie at Regent Place, George St.

Green Tea Rolled Cake

'Green tea flavoured layer sponge cake with chestnut compote'

Take away $5.90

Eat in $6.90

Occasionally, when I am served with a cake full of cream I will remove the cream to the side and only eat the cake. But it's a different story altogether with the cream on top of the Green Tea Rolled Cake! The cream is full of green tea flavour, light and definitely not one to be discard. The fluffy sponge has a mild green tea taste and the chestnut adds a textural contrast. 

Strawberry Layer

'Layers of light vanilla sponge, fresh cream and fresh strawberries'

Take away $5.90

Eat in $6.90

The Strawberry Layer was a far cry to the ones I had in Japan. The sponge is not as feather-light and overall it is lacking the strawberry flavour. Nonetheless, I enjoy the thin layer of cream and only wish that they put more fresh strawberries.  

Friendship

"The only thing that lasts longer than a friend's love is the stupidity that keeps us from knowing any better." Randy K. Milholland

Over the past week, I have been blessed with the opportunity of catching up with a close friend as well as ex-colleagues who have become friends over the years. Sadly, I had to farewell some of them as they are moving on to bigger & better things in their lives. Each & everyone of them regaled me with the best reminiscences, all fond memories.

A simple friendship can easily be shared over a glass of wine or cheese & crackers. Sharing each other's stories, secrets, promises, tears and laughters…

Whatever it is, I believe in a simple friendship that is full of trust and respect.

I dedicate this entry to all my friends and family. A token of appreciation for helping me throughout all these years in shaping the way I am today.

Lemon Tart

My obsession with lemon tart started with Jamies Oliver's restaurant Fifteen in Melbourne. It was the best lemon tart I have ever tried so far. Here I am trying to rekindle that wonderful experience by baking my own lemon tart. I found this recipe and meticulously followed every step of the way. The hardest part for me was making the pastry from scratch and transferring it (without breaking) to the pan. Did I successfully transfer the pastry without breaking it? Definitely NOT. The edge of the pastry was breaking into pieces and I inelegantly 'stitch' them back together. Let's hope for a better luck next time!

My imperfect pastry - with all the holes & unevenness

Making full use of my blowtorch to create a caramelized top

Do treat yourself with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream or crème fraiche which goes really well with the sourness of the lemon tart.