Taiwanese Cuisine @ Market Square

Directive from above that I shouldn't be too harsh lest people marah-marah. So enjoy the photos...

Five flavours fish fillet

Taiwanese fried noodles

Deep-fry pork chop

Wheel & Barrow @ James St Market

Before I forget about the photos, here are some peeks inside the shop.


All things pink and cute corner, love the flower shape muffin tray.


Everything was displayed nicely and attractively inside the store. I never buy anything from here. I prefer to shop at Executive Chef in Southbank (wholesale to both trade and public) or online (a lot cheaper than instore prices).

I recently scored a pair of Calphalon omelette pan (20" & 25") from Executive Chef for only A$119.

January sale please come quick! Le Creuset please come to mama!

Ali Baba @ Queens Plaza Foodcourt

I was desperate for some Japanese food. I had been meaning to check out Hanaichi on level 3, Wintergarden famed for their high quality ingredients directly imported from Japan but still sold at reasonable price starting at $2.70. Alas, I was greeted with complete darkness and a chained entrance when I finally made it to the shop front. *Sob*Sob* no Jap food today and I can't recall Sono's address, further *sob*.

Went to check out Oriental Corner nearby, also *CLOSED*

So hungry liao, head straight for nearest foodcourt in the basement of Queens Plaza.

I decided to go for kebab but a falafel one this time A$7.90.

Arghhhh, bad choice. Whole thing is blah......Big King stuck to his trusted favourite OPORTO. Healthy grilled chicken burger with good crispy chunky fries (rare commodity among fast food, even McD serves limpy shoestring fries)

We should have headed straight for Hardgrave Road in Westend in our car instead. Fan chen on the way home mah. But the brain cells all not functioning when tummy is complaining.........

2007 Boxing Day Sale!

This is Queen Street on Boxing day. PEOPLE MOUNTAIN PEOPLE SEA @_@ Everywhere is packed like sardine!

It's worse inside MYER (who's doing stocktake sale) and David Jones (half yearly sale).

Most ridiculous is the queue for GUESS.

GUESS on Queen St

GUESS @ Queens Plaza

What's the magic with Guess? I wouldn't know, I wouldn't caught dead wearing the apparels or accessorizing in the brand, for fear of looking like my neighbour's amah >.<

There were throngs of tourist everywhere! Oh, you can tell cos they always deck out in backpack, crossbody and sneakers. Yikes, sneakers in summer! Locals wear thongs, the shortest skirts and pants and the skimpest tops :^).

Aiya no lah, of course, tourists always has a guide in their hands mah. More than half the people has some sort of guides and some wear socks with slippers, YIKES! Where's the fashion police?!

2007 Christmas Dinner-Braised 'Lionhead' Meatballs, Asparagus with Scallops and Lindauer bubbly!

Christmas is the time for bubbly!


Bubbly of choice - Lindauer Fraise (strawberry sparkling wine) A$15.96


Braised 'lionhead' meatballs

My first attempt at the infamous Shanghai? dish. Turn out not too bad.

Ingredients (serves 2):
200g pork mince
2 slices stale bread soak in water
Grated ginger (add according to taste)
Sliced spring onion (add according to taste)
Chinese leaves (wong nga pak, I use whatever greens is in my fridge)
Chicken stock

Method:
1. Add bread (which should be mushy) and ginger and spring onion to mince and marinate with salt, sugar, light soy sauce, a tbsp cornflour and dash of sesame oil.
2. Mix in the marinade by hand and stir the mixture in 1 direction using a pair of chopsticks till the mixture is sticky. Cover and keep in fridge until ready to use.
3. Divide the mince into 4 and shape into balls.
4. Brown the meatballs (I shallow fry them using non-stick frypan, alternatively you can deep-fry them). Drain well in kitchen towel.
5. In a saucepan, put in the meatballs and add enough chicken stock or water to just cover them. Put in the chinese leaves (sliced or whole leaves as you like).
6. Season with a tbsp light soy sauce, 2 tsp sugar, a dash of sesame oil and add salt to taste.
7. Bring to a quick boil and turn the flame to lowest and cook for 30 minutes (longer if you double or triple the portion).
8. Thicken the soup/sauce with cornstarch before serving.

Note: The vegetable will release a lot of fluid during the process of cooking, if you don't like it too soupy, reduce the amount of chicken stock.


Asparagus with Scallops

Asparagus was bought from a certain stall in Powerhouse market which also sell fruits. The lady was really kwai-lan gave us dry and limp and thinnest bunches (no picking from this stall, 3 bundles for A$4). Note to self: another stall to avoid from now on.

The scallops cost A$11.xx for 200g. The amount in picture is 200g, of course they shrank a lot after cooking. Can't afford to indulge too often *sob*.

James Street Market

Just got connected to internet yesterday. What a long long wait. So far my experience in Brisbane being new customer for any products or services can expect excellent service. Existing customer please expect long delay and often 'non-received' instructions as most possible excuse.

The other day I bought coffee from one of the many coffee stalls in Powerhouse Market and was greeted with stern face while taking my order. The woman was all smiles with previous customers and let me waited for about 2 minutes before attending to me. When said I wanted a large cup, the smile return to her face but only slight twitching of the mouth which did not reach her eye. She even cough openly while making my coffee! Blah!

James Street Market

Wet market is non-existent in Brisbane. James St is an affluent part in Brisbane city so the market is also 'upmarket'. The car park is lined with Porsche, Mercs, Ferrari and all luxurious brand name car you can think of. The ladies stroll around clutching Chanel and Hermes. Obviously the prices are also 'upmarket'.

Inside the market complex also house a gelati bar, Spoon Deli and Cafe, Nut company, a beauty parlour, wine shop and Wheel & Barrow (homeware store)

In the deli section of Spoon, you can find gourmet food from all over the world and Lick's ice-cream which sadly is not to my taste. I bought a burnt caramel 900L tub and it sat forgotten in the freezer for months after 1 taste.

Fruits and veg perfectly displayed and so expect to pay premium prices though not jaw-droppingly ridiculous.

The meat counter inside the market filled with Bangalow sweet pork *drool*.

Chiller cabinet filled with gourmet dips, olives, sauces and pates.

There is also a seafood section at the far end which also has a small sushi counter.

You can find a florist and French Twist (bakery) on the left as you enter. Caution: avoid French Twist unless you have deep pockets, quality is mediocre but comes with hefty price tag.