Manolas Brothers Delicatessens, Gold Coast, Australia

Biggest lamingtons I've ever seen - size them up to the panettone to the right. 

A sensory overload, Manolas Brothers Delicatessens is packed floor to ceiling with temptations that will leave any foodie with a puddle of saliva at their feet. House made salads, risottos, pastas and a whole bundle of sweets are ready for take away or to be eaten either at the long coffee bar running down the middle or al fresco under umbrellas on the street. Enter at your own risk and beware of the mesmerizing oversized dessert section at the front.

Manolas Brothers Delicatessens
17 a/19 Albert Ave
Aria Building
Broadbeach, 4218
QLD, Australia
+61 07 5538 8223
into@m-b-d.com.au
www.m-b-d.com.au

Healthy New Year #1- Carrots

Did you know that carrots have tremendous health benefits? As many are looking for health improvement strategies for the new year, carrots are a great start. Carrots are full of beta-carotine, which is converted to vitamin A by your body. Proven health benefits from beta-carotine in your diet include improved vision, improved skin, anti-aging properties, decreased risk of lung, breast and colon cancer, decreased risk of heart disease and stroke prevention. Hmmm...may explain why Bugs Bunny seems timeless!

In December, I hosted a dinner for some of our college students with food allergies. When shopping for the dinner, I saw these beautiful organic baby carrots and Balsamic Glazed Carrots became the star side dish for the dinner. These are super easy to make and super delicious. Heck, even those that don't like eating their vegetables will like these!

Balsamic Glazed Carrots
3 pounds baby carrots, cleaned and stems removed
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or dairy-free alternative (Earth Balance works well)
6 Tbsp sugar
1/3 cup good quality balsamic vinegar (I use an 18 year aged balsamic)
Pinch of sea salt and white pepper to taste

Melt the butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add carrots and sauté for about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook, stirring occasionally for about 7 more minutes. Stir in vinegar and sugar. Cook uncovered, stirring frequently, until carrots are tender and glaze is thickened, about 12 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Recipe adapted for a gluten and dairy free diet from Bon Appetit, 2000.

Supermarkets and the Great Outdoors in Australia

Australia can be an expensive place to eat. But not to worry the quality of the produce is so high you don't need a fine dining establishment to prepare it for you. Grab yourself some fresh seafood from the local supermarket or fishery, a delicious bottle of sparkling from Dan Murphy's and take your pick of beautiful scenery to enjoy your meal - beach, river, park - any of them offer a by far more delightful setting than any restaurant guaranteed. 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I am finally back to blogging after a couple weeks off for time with family and friends for the holidays.

Although I was not blogging, I was doing a lot of cooking and baking, and am excited to start the year sharing recipes, tips and tricks with you for delicious and nutritious gluten-free cooking.

As I have been reflecting on the many blessings of this past year, I can't help but reflect on my health. It was two years ago, at the prompting of my good friend Keri, that I decided to give the gluten free diet a try in a desperate last ditch effort to see improvement in my health and quality of life. It was a daunting resolution for me and one that I had little hope of making a difference. It is a resolution that I have kept, that has been both difficult and the best thing I have ever done. Two years ago, I could not stand in my kitchen to cook Christmas dinner for my family, without severe pain within 2 hours. I had years of chronic digestive and other health issues that I had resolved to live with and count it all joy. While I still have intermittent digestive issues due to micro exposure to gluten, the year has been marked with almost miraculous improvement in my health, which I am so thankful to God for! As I embarked on this journey 2 years ago, my exact quote was, "I will die if I have to go off gluten."

My resolution for 2012 is to help others see that not only will you not die, but quite to the contrary, with a little diligence and a lot of patience, life can improve more than you can imagine. I hope to help others learn to cook for themselves, their families and friends...healthier,with great flavor and with more nutritious ingredients. I hope that you will find joy again in sharing a meal with your loved ones, without the worry of being ill.

I leave you with the following scripture:

You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. Joel 2:26

Kampung Malay, Mudgeeraba, Gold Coast, Australia

What a delightful surprise to find Kampung Malay in the quite suburb of Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast. Just when we thought we had reached the top of food heaven with the high quality produce and excellent wine in Australia we were directed to this local hot spot. Packed with locals most evenings, with a line up for takeaway too, this restaurant has done a fine job of making Malay cuisine accessible to Aussie taste buds. The chef has adapted the spices (reduced the heat), uses quality cuts of meat (no grissle or bones) and taken advantage of top grade local ingredients to enable virgin Aussie taste buds to be gently initiated into the joys of Malaysian cuisine. Every dish on our table was devoured in moments, but a special mention goes to the rainbow beef which was so popular that seconds were ordered with some begging to also take a third batch home. I'm interested to know what a native Malaysian might think of these adaptations and if they would find the food equally enjoyable. My guess is yes!

Kampung Malay

16 & 17/ 2 Bell Central

Mudgeeraba, Gold Coast

Queensland, Australia, 4213

+61 07 5569 0085

www.kampungmalay.com.au

Borough Barista, Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast, Australia

Borough Barista has great reviews from locals on the Gold Coast. Unfortunately though we arrived Christmas Eve just as they were closing up, earlier than usual for the holiday. We had time for a cup of Campos coffee but didn't get to sample the breakfast or goodies that are famously cooked by the owner's wife. Judging from the few people still milling around, the latte I had and a glance at the menu it's worth another shot next visit. At any rate the coffee was worthy of the trip. If you happen to visit note the small seating area, so ideally grab your goodies to go and walk across the road to the best  setting around - the beautiful parkland and beach of Burleigh Heads.

Borough Barista
14 The Esplanade
Burleigh Heads
Gold Coast, QLD
Australia

Macadamias, Gold Coast, Australia

One of the few foods native to Australia, the macadamia has to be one of the tastiest nuts around. Expensive if you buy them from the store, but quite reasonable if you purchase a bag from the roadside. Keep your eye out for signs while driving the back roads on the outskirts of the Gold Coast or on your way to Mt. Tamborine or O'Reilly's. Simply pull up to the gate, leave your money in the box and take a bag. Be prepared with a hefty nut cracker or hammer though as these things are tough to crack.

On the side of the road

Queensland, Australia

Soo Kee, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Going from my healthiest meal for 2012 at Living Food posted yesterday right on to the unhealthiest but equally tasty at Soo Kee today. Well known by locals as one of the best char siew places in KL the evening we visited we saw this dish on every table. My local buddies and a number of foreigners in the know had advised that char siew is really the only dish to order as it is so good that anything else pales in comparison. It comes with rice and a plate of peanuts to nibble while you wait but we had to at least add some greens to balance out the heavily tipped scales - which were fresh and a welcome conscious saving side dish. So... the char siew - basically caramelized pork fat - so sinfully sapid that I wrestled hubby for the last piece and will need to run everyday for the next week to work it off. I later found out that you can ask for a portion with a higher or smaller meat to fat ratio. I don't know that I would choose differently though - I'm a pretty good runner :-) 

Soo Kee
373 Jalan Ampang
(near the junction with Ulu Klang by the overpass)
Ampang
Malaysia
+603 4257 0767

Living Food Bistro Cafe, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The entrance to Living Food (left) and international chef preparing raw granola (right). The buckwheat granola (above right and below) takes about a week to concoct as all ingredients are soaked, sprouted and dehydrated. This particular version with pumpkin seeds and cranberries was delicious - not the all too common overly sweetened version. It is a filling meal or snack that will leave you satisfied until lunch.

An unbelievably tasty sandwich topped with lettuce, avocado and in-house made sun dried tomatoes on dehydrated rosemary bread, served with fresh fruit and dried orange slices. For those of you new to raw bread, Living Food is the perfect place to open your palate as here it is done well, with a balanced consistency, being neither too crunchy or too chewy.

Raw banana pancakes - the day's special. I gulped these delicious rounds down but you'd be advised to linger a little longer to cerebrate the delicate intertwinement of flavours. The banana, almond and chia base is infused with lavender and topped with an amazing cashew cream imbued with ginger flower. The fresh strawberries and dehydrated oranges are the crowning embellishment.

 Above, a platter of healthy and heavenly treats. From top left moving anti-clockwise; bon bon dip; raw granola bar; house baked whole grain bread topped with mango & passionfruit jam; soaked sprouted dehydrated almonds; bread topped with almond butter, organic French apples and raisins; savoury herb cashew cream; crudites. 

Living Food sure is a welcome addition to the KL restaurant scene. Led by innovative, passionate and knowledgeable staff strap yourself in for a wholesome culinary adventure. What a delight to see a team going beyond the norm to create delicious and nutritious meals. Alongside the crowd pleasers of chicken pot pie and apple strudel you'll find plenty of gluten and dairy free options (even non-dairy ice cream) and a big bunch of whole and raw dishes. So far I've only eaten from the breakfast menu but am hankering to get back to try lunch and salivating just thinking about desserts that I won't have to guilt over.

Living Food Bistro Cafe
G-04 Ground Floor Menara Tan & Tan
50400 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
+6 016 888 9123
www.livingfoodmy.com

Witches Falls Winery, Mt. Tamborine, Gold Coast, Australia

Witches Falls is the only working winery on Mt. Tamborine and has been named by a number of wine critics as the best on the mountaintop. Besides the obvious reason to visit (Aussie wine), the scenery is juicy green and stunning. Beautiful gardens border the vineyards and an archway of vines guide your entrance to the tasting bar. Most grapes are sourced from Stanthorpe a few hours south, while a small percentage are also grown onsite. The winery showcases a number of wines scoring over 90 points and has been given 4 1/2 stars (out of a possible 5) by Australian wine critic, James Halliday. Out of the 12 or more wines I sampled I would have happily taken home any number of bottles (luggage allowing). Having to choose though, my pick of the whites was the 2011 Coinoculated Verdelho fermented with two strains of yeast producing a light easy drinking wine perfect for an afternoon barbie or happily quaffed unaccompanied. Of the reds I relished the 2008 Granite Belt Prophecy Syrah, scoring 94 points with a bright peppery finish. And... no wine tasting would be complete without some dessert and fortified wines thrown in the mix. My all time favourite dessert wine for years has been the Noble One Botrytis Semillon. Witches Falls, however has added another to my list - their 2008 Granite Belt Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Botrytis - with its syrupy stone fruit nose, viscous palate and apricot, honey and marmalade undertones - we have a new winner. Lastly the Granite Belt Classic Tawny was fitting for the season completely filling the mouth with a lush Christmas cake sweetness and a long smooth finish. They say it gets better with age, but with my enthusiasm for wine I guess that is something I will never know ;-) 

Witches Falls Winery
79 Main Western Road
North Tamborine
Queensland, 4272
Australia
+ 61 07 5545 2609
www.witchesfalls.com.au

Aussie Pubs for Hearty Food, Australia

 Eagle Heights pub, family and dog friendly. :-)

Spectacular views included.

Benowa Tavern - also bringing nature into the dining room.

As mentioned in previous posts, Australia is not the cheapest place to eat out. Aussie pubs though often offer big meals at not so big prices. If you're willing to go with the daily specials you could easily get a hearty budget meal everyday of the week. For example, on the days we dined the two hotels pictured above had $10 deals - one for steak and dessert and the other for roast pork and veges. Pubs are generally family friendly, with indoor and outdoor eating sections. Kids are taken care of with simple child pleasers such as the burger and chips or spaghetti shown above. Often included for the little ones are juice, an ice cream and even an activities bag with colouring pages and games. Many pubs are in prime locations with attractive views such as Eagle Heights (first photos) overlooking the Gold Coast, and the Benowa Tavern (last photos) with fresh river breezes and a water vista. Every suburb has their own watering hole. The best way to decide on which one to head to is to ask a local.

Eagle Heights Hotel

1683 Tamborine Oxenford Rd

Eagle Heights

QLD 4271

Australia

+ 61 07 5545 3388

www.eagleheightshotel.com.au

Benowa Tavern

117 Ashmore Rd

Benoa

QLD 4217

Australia

+61 07 5557 9090

wwwbenowatavern.com.au