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PHO 2

February 1st 2008 08:56
Further to my pho gripe, I am continuing on my never ending search.
In fact the very same day that I published that last item, I went and bought myself one…it was rubbish, the meat was grey…yes grey.
I tasted it and boy was it…errr, I think interesting is the most polite way to put it.
Oh and to top it all off there was no side of lime or Thai basil…I should have seen it coming.

Yes, I only have myself to blame.
I figure, ‘Bugger this – I’ll make my own!’
So I did
And I was really impressed with the result. The only ingredient I was missing was the nuoc mam…but it’s the star anise that was the real star of the dish.


So here’s the recipe, give it a try, it takes a bit of time but that’s all in the simmering. It is super easy to make and I highly recommend it.

PHO – Serves 6
Ingredients:
250g beef Sirloin
500g rice stick (Noodles soaked in warm water for 20 mins)
1 spring onion finely sliced
115g (cup) bean sprouts
bunch coriander
bunch Thai basil
2 limes quartered
hoisin sauce, nuoc mam (to serve)

For the stock:
1.5kg oxtail trimmed of fat and cut into pieces
1kg of beef brisket
2 large onions
2 carrots peeled and chopped
7.5 fresh ginger chopped
6 cloves
3 cloves garlic
6 star anise
2 cinnamon sticks
30 mil soy sauce
salt
nuoc mam

METHOD:
Stock: put the meat only into a deep pot and boil for 15 minutes to blanch. Strain the water rinse the meat then put back into the pan with all the rest of the ingredients for the stock except for salt and nuoc mam add 3litres of water and bring to the boil. Once it’s boiled cover and simmer for 2 – 3 hours.

Remove lid and simmer until the stock has reduced to about 2 litres. (approx 1hr)

To serve:
Soak the noodles and drain when soft.
Cut the beef sirloin against the grain.
Heat up the stock and season with nuoc mam and salt.
Divide the noodles into the bowls, top with spring onions and thinly sliced beef (raw)
Pour over the boiling stock and it will cook the beef.

Put bowls of herbs and limes and sauces on the table and allow diners to add extra flavour as they like.
Enjoy.
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It’s easy to do and really easy to do badly.
So what is it that makes the perfect Sunday arvo lunch out of a simple dish?
Three things need to need to be present in the dish at the same time; freshness, crispiness and mushy peas, some lemon and tartare never goes astray either.

There, that isn’t much to ask, but you’d be surprised.
Fish and Chips n Peas
Fish'n'Chips - Brit style


Low quality fish, that is sometimes borderline rotten gets served up in so many places. Sure it may be cheap to keep the frozen stuff and recycle any unused bits, but it’s just not worth it on the other end. For every unsatisfied customer that vows to never return, you lose another10 by word of mouth.

So the solution to the problem is buying fresh locally caught fish.
Easy right? Well not always.

If you can manage that first part, the next thing is the batter.

Sure, grilling the fish is a fine healthy option, but come on – that’s not real fish and chips – you want a light crunchy batter that stays crisp right to the end and keeps your fish moist all the way. A batter that’s so good you’re happy to rip it off the fish and just eat it on it’s own.
Are you hungry for it yet?
I am.

Fish and Chips
Fish'n'Chips


In Australia, it’s summer now and this is the perfect dish, but half way around the world and on the coldest of days I wouldn’t say no to the crispiest and freshest if I could get my hands on it. The bonus for me is that I can generally get it with mushy peas.
Peas have never been more delicious than when mushed…or mashed, however you prefer to say it.

But where do I find this dish?

I found the Prince Albert located near Battersea Park in London doesn’t do a bad job. In fact I was quite impressed and the atmosphere was fantastic.
But where else? The Ship, in Wandsworth town, will only offer a ‘fancified’ version: grilled sword fish on rice and the sauce – too buttery. Save the fat for the fry up I say.
It makes an ex-pat hungry for home.

Sydney’s Bronte beach hopefully still has a fantastic little corner fish and chip shop that offered only the best wrapped in greaseproof paper. And all along the south coast, there are signs boasting “legendary fish and chips” and in some cases they are not far from it either.

So, again, where can a girl get some seriously good fish and chips in London?
Do tell I am thirsty for the knowledge…or is just for the beer to wash it down with!?
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Best Dressed - Northcote Road

December 19th 2007 16:27
Another of my favourite streets in Clapham (London) that has gone festive...
Sure it can't compete with the grand designs of Carnaby Street's decoration,
Carnaby St
Carnaby Street...The best of Christmas 07

but it's still festive and very cute.

I may as well just lead with the favourite...it has to be The White Stuff.
White Stuff
The White Stuff


I know their dressings are the same all over town, but I am a sucker for gingerbread men, what can I say.
A close second is 1 Giant Step, 1 Giant Leap...the little foofy fluffy things are adorable and better than all that fake snow people keep spraying on windows.
GIANT
1 Giant Step 1 Giant Leap


Now I was going to put my least favourite as Woolworth's, but you know - being kitsch and affordable is part of their positioning so instead I say Northcote's worst dressed is Whistles. I just looked in and I was bored.
Here it is:
Whistles
Whistles


So there you have it. Clapham's Northcote Rd undressed!
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So far, the answer is yes.

I haven’t been away from home for long so I am staying open minded…with a heavy bias on home, and that being Australia


[ Click here to read more ]
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1fortheroad.net - Some info

October 19th 2006 00:20
The heading may not be so clear, but I invite you to this blog for a bezillion reasons...well I can't really count what's going on in my mind right now, so you get the picture.

Anyway, 1fortheroad.net is here for you to take something...anything


[ Click here to read more ]
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