The process of creating new dishes

Where to begin. Honestly, it feels like a blank. Starting to post regularly after a long dry period is slightly tough. Of course, if I really wanted to, I would. However,  I feel like this is not where my focus should be, right now. This should explain my lack of posting. In saying this, though, I am doing really progress with my food journey. As mentioned in my last post, I am enthusiastically pursuing my culinary adventure, especially in the production classes. 

I will try to post at least once per month.This blog has really helped me in so many ways. When I had quiet time, this is where I used to fill the days. I would find myself sorting through endless photos to post. I can still vividly remember when I began this blog, it is when my real journey towards food became alive. I have always been mesmerised and drawn to the creative process behind food: to create dishes that are not only visually appealing, aesthetically soothing, but also taste wonderful, smells delicious and are super nutritious. It is such an intricate process to get the balance of flavours right, as well as the textures. I have slowly become familiar with ingredients combination, what goes well with what, like for example, lamb and rosemary, tomato and basil, apple and cinnamon. Something that I have become increasingly more accustomed to is making use of seasonal ingredients and what I have on hands. Letting the mind works and the creative processes loose.

Lately, I have started to try creating more dishes. I have finally managed to bridge the wide gap between reading a recipe and actually making it. You won't know until you try. I enjoy reading cookbooks, looking for recipes, but I would always end up with a massive collection of recipes, yet to be created. I will additionally watch countless of cooking shows without taking any action whatsoever. I am finally embracing the power of reproducing dishes, adding my own twist, plating up and of course, devouring the amazing food. The key is to getting started and you never know where it might lead you. So TRY, TRY, TRY........

Here are a few dishes that I put up along those lines during the past few weeks.

Steak with cauliflower puree, sauteed spinach and grilled cauliflower florets

Served with carrot soup

Spanakopita - spinach feta pie with lentil and roasted beetroot salad and charred onions

 

Pork fillet with onion puree, sweet potato and charred onions

Pulled pork

Pulled pork burger with coleslaw and oven roasted sweet potato chips

Pulled pork burger with parsnip chips

Pan-fried salmon with pea puree, sauteed spinach and pea and garlic bread

 

Chicken schnitzel with potato mash, braised red cabbage and salad dressed in light honey vinaigrette 

Pan-fried baramundi fillet with carrot fritter and carrot puree

Steamed fish with lemon sauce, sauteed spinach and asparagus

Enjoy the journey. 

What now?

After a rather long dry spell, I finally feel like posting. I tell myself there is not such a thing as "the right time". I keep telling myself this over and over. It's a never-ending process.  

It's winter again and it's strange how every season feels similar and yet so completely different. It's soup time again and warm teas- the best of both worlds. I definitely like the wintery feel- the stillness, the crisp morning and the unexpected water-vapour.

I have finally baked my first brioche, croissant and mille-feuille. Yes, I am officially on my way to get my pastry qualification.

More posts and photos to come (talk about picking up my slack ;) )

Bring on 2017

Yes, it's hard  to believe, but we're officially 2017. Goodbye 2016 and let's welcome the new year. May this year be the greatest one of all :)

Back to reality

So long, farewell, la la la la la la... Where to begin. The past few weeks have been crazy busy. I'm so glad I managed. I've been filleting and cutting fish, baking cakes. It's been pretty full on. On the other hand, I did not have much time to cook- threw some salad here and there, but overall did not eat properly. I feel best when I am eating what I cook, knowing what ingredients I'm using. I'm still fine with dining out, but it does not bring the same after-feeling. It only feels good when you eat it at that time. Anyway, busy time called for hasty grocery shopping, quick and easy dishes, No fussy fancy meals. Just a balanced meal is ok. Well, I should get back on track, with Christmas looming.

Snack time

Let's take a moment and have some snack time. Who doesn't like snacks? Crisp chips, sweet crunchy and melt-in-the-mouth biscuits, chocolate, amongst others. I love my snacks and I always have many snacks on hand, which is, I know, a bad habit. Like the saying goes, though, you live only once, so why not? I love snacking on chips and chocolate. They have recently introduced sweet potato chips and I am seriously enjoying them far too much. Otherwise I am really into matcha sweet. There is something so special about green tea flavour. Also, popcorn has become the 'new' snack it seems. I mean they are quite nice. These are recent snack findings. I find it so funny how some brand always come with new flavours. I mean what's not to like, but some taste really bad or strange. Anyway keep snacking. #smallpleasuresoflife

These roll cookies are crisp, light and very addictive. 

Matcha goodies- chocolate and cookies- YUM

Sweet potato chips and chia crisps - all super nice

New flavours of the month:

Magnum with amaretto- I love the icecream flavour, but the chocolate coating was too thin to my liking