Portuguese custard tarts have been available in Sydney for years now, but they are often soggy, cold, and not very appetising. It’s a far cry from the little bakery in Belem, Portugal, where the sweets were originally invented. I’d tasted these while in Portugal many moons ago, and hadn’t found an equivalent until I went to Sweet Belem in Petersham. They are baked fresh on-site, so the tart is warm, the pastry flakey, and the custard is nicely burnt and lightly sprinkled with cinnamon. With a coffee, it’s fantastic.
Monthly Archives: March 2010
Favourite Feeds – Hainan Chicken Rice
Hainan Chicken Rice is a dish popular around Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. I’ve been eating it for donkeys, and unlike a lot of dishes from SE Asia, this one is homely and (comparatively) subtle in taste.
When you order it you will get:
– a portion of rice cooked in chicken stock and garlic
– a portion of chicken poached in chicken stock and dressed with a little soy, sesame oil and fried shallots
– some salad vegetables, most commonly cucumber
– a little bowl of clear chicken soup, sometimes containing Chinese veges
– a little (mild) chilli sauce
– a little ginger/garlic condiment
That’s some bang for your buck, don’t you reckon? If you’re not getting all of these things then you’re getting ripped off! The best version I’ve tasted is at my local Malaysian, Satay Inn.
Favourite Feeds – Scrambled Eggs
Favourite Feeds – Fish and Chips
Favourite Feeds – Scones
Ah, I think this will be a rather long series since you’d know by now my fondness of food (and food photography). Let’s start off with baked goods, and the wonders of scones.
Nothing better than a freshly baked batch of scones lashed with lightly whipped cream and jam. Fortunately it’s also one of the easiest and quickest baking you can ever do. Perhaps I will bake a batch this weekend?
Umina Arvo – Strolling Into the Sunset
Umina Arvo – Parasailing
Umina Arvo – Shadowed
Umina Arvo – Fishing
Walking along Umina Beach, you’re guaranteed an encounter with at least one fisher-person along the way. This is because it sits at the entrance of Brisbane Waters, and gets lots of marine life coming its way. There were a few lines being cast on this particular afternoon, so walking the beagle proved to be a bit of a challenge – she loves sniffing out and stealing bait!
Umina Arvo – Paddling
We’re back at Umina Beach on a much clearer afternoon to our last visit. Hardly a cloud in the sky, and apart from the usual dog walkers and fisher-people, there were also plenty of swimmers and paddlers on this glorious afternoon.