Tag Archives: Dessert

I’ve had the “Thai” of my life!

March 11, 2015 Virginie the Frenchie 2 Comments

I really enjoy Thai food: the dishes are a combination of lively colours and the flavours are always a real treat for my demanding palate!

Yesterday, we went to a lovely restaurant in Adelaide CBD on South Terrace, it is called ‘Thai Chef’ and I was really glad we did! I have been meaning to go to this place for a long time but I guess I had to wait for the perfect opportunity! Yesterday, my friends were in the mood for Thai food so we took our chance!

Actually this restaurant is pretty popular and has received many good reviews. Furthermore I had the opportunity in December to attend to a cooking presentation at the North Adelaide Community Centre and ‘Thai Chef’ cooked for us an amazing selection of authentic dishes during this event! You see it is a family business: the dad is the Chef, the mother is helping him in the kitchen and the daughter is taking care of the customers. So no wonder the atmosphere in the restaurant is so friendly and welcoming… it feels nearly like home!

We had a lovely time I must say. The dinner started with a complimentary dish (stuffed chicken wing), I love surprises so it was a yummy start! Then all the beautiful plates were placed on the table and it smelt so good! We ate crispy cashews prawns, crispy cashews chicken, satay chicken, spring rolls and an amazing roast pork fried rice… I am still dreaming about this rice, it was so good! It was authentic and flavory cuisine cooked with passion! I could really savour each ingredient and I loved the crunchy texture of my meal!

I am so glad we came to this place because I really enjoyed each bite and I am curious to try the other dishes now. Anyway, I don’t know how I managed the miracle to save place for dessert but I did and I had the pleasure to taste the sticky coconut rice with egg custard… OMG… I think I have fallen in love with it. You know I have a sweet tooth, I can’t help it, this is how I am and the definition of a perfect dinner for me includes to end with a mouth watering dessert! It is like literature, you have to end on a mind blowing note to fully appreciate it… if you miss your final you lose the magical effect of this unique moment.

Sticky coconut rice with egg custard… so good!

Well done Chef! My dessert did not let me down and it was the perfect conclusion to a lovely evening in good company. Eating at ‘Thai Chef’ is not just about amazing food, it is also a real experience! Somehow you have the feeling that you are part of the family and you are their guests (a great place for celebrations). The staff is absolutely lovely and will be happy to have a little chat with you to put you at ease. Once a month or so, the Chef holds a morning tea where he cooks for his guests for free and everybody is welcomed to join… ‘Thai Chef’ is that generous and friendly ❤

Thai Chef – Modern and Authentic Thai Cuisine

1/465 Pulteney Street,

Adelaide, South Australia 5000

Tel. (08) 8232 8896

https://www.facebook.com/ThaiChefSA

australia, food

3 typical dishes to eat in Adelaide – Australia!

February 20, 2015 Virginie the Frenchie Leave a comment

I find it always interesting to get to know a new culture and a new city through its cuisine! I really enjoy to explore new flavors and to discover dishes I have never heard about before!

So forget for a moment about your home country… I mean I can have “blanquette de veau”, “ratatouille” and “raclette” everyday in France if I want do! Let’s try something new 😉 something you have never tasted before, something typical from here that you will remember for sure! Here’s my top 3:

1. Pavlova

A traditional and festive Australian dessert that people seem to particulary enjoy during summer time. Basically a beautiful meringue cake, crusty on the outside and smooth on the inside, topped with whipped cream and red fruits! It is very sweet and it tastes good. I don’t know if you can find those in a bakery/restaurant here… but you can definitely make one at home and buy everything you need at the Coles supermarket (here’s a good recipe from a previous article). If you are lucky and make friends with locals, I am sure if you ask they will bake one for you! Adelaideans are very friendly and generous people!

2. Pie floater

Again a very Australian dish, very common in Adelaide! It is a traditional meat pie floating or submerged in a sea of thick pea soup. It reminds me of the Titanic… It is usually covered with tomato sauce (ketchup) which was the weird part for me… but “when in Adelaide, do like the Adelaideans” so I ate it exactly the same way and it was ok. Australians enjoy it mostly as a late evening meal. I must say it tastes good and it is budget friendly (only $6) but it is pretty heavy on the belly especially on warm nights (and there are many here!). In my opinion the best place to enjoy this typical dish is the Bakery on O’Connell in North Adelaide.

3. Lamington

Another Australian dessert. It is a sponge cake coated with chocolate sauce and grated coconut. There is another version with a layer of cream and strawberry jam in the middle. It is quite nice to have it with tea or coffee. You can find those cakes at the supermarket or in a cafe/bakery. I personnaly like to have mine again at the Bakery on O’Connell in North Adelaide (I know I am repeating myself but this is a good address)! As for those who are not living in Australia and want to give it a try, here is a nice recipe http://allrecipes.com/recipe/lamingtons/

I hope you will enjoy this selection and that you will make sure you have ticked these 3 dishes on your list so you can feel you are becoming a perfect Australian 🙂 And as an Adelaidean don’t forget to pop by Haigh’s chocolates to indulge yourself, they are an icon here!

As for me, I am always glad to experiment new things when living abroad and I am really looking forward to it/eat. Speaking of that I have found a very interesting article called “100 things to eat in South Australia” http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/special-features/things-you-must-eat-in-sa-great-plates-1/story-fnmhkdr1-1226892366054 – this could be my next challenge by the way!

What are your favorites foods here? Do you have any typical Australian dishes you would like to recommend me? I would love to hear about it ❤

Bakery on O’Connell

Bakery – Cafe – Caterer – Open 24/7

44 O’Connell St,

North Adelaide

South Australia, 5006

Phone: (08) 8361 7377

http://www.bakeryonoconnell.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/bakeryonoconnell?pnref=story

australia, food

Pavlova, the ballet dessert!

February 2, 2015 Virginie the Frenchie Leave a comment

Pavlova seems to be a dessert the australians enjoy during summer time… A lot of people around me (natives essentially) have mentioned it many times saying that they had this dessert for christmas… I was really curious about it and I was wondering what it looks like, what it tastes like, what it feels like… Is it good? refreshing? Sweet?

Today, for the first time since I arrived in Australia, I had the chance to taste this popular dessert! Colleen our English teacher cooked one for us. I was thrilled to get to know more about my new country and its cuisine!

Actually Pavlova is a meringue cake, it has a crisp crust on the outside and it is soft like a cloud in the inside. It is topped with whipped cream and fruits such as strawberries, berries… Colleen has put bananas inside to add a special taste. She told to our class that it was quite easy to cook! I think the hardest part is to get the meringue right. You can buy ready made meringue but I think it does not feel the same.

This dessert is a traditional and festive dish that australians enjoy a lot. It is believed to have been created in honor of the beautiful and famous Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova when she visited Australia. The texture and the white colour is supposed to remind you of a beautiful and elegant ballet tutu. Poetic isn’t it?

It tasted very sweet and each bites were litterary melting in my mouth. I really liked it and I hope I will have other opportunities to savour this typical Aussie dessert 🙂

As for those who are not living in Australia and curious to taste a Pavlova, here is a recipe that will make you want to practise your arabesque!

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/the-best-pavlova/