Miscellaneous clean up 1

You know those phases in life when you're so busy and it seems that every waking moment is filled with a task or activity of some sort? Well, I'm not quite in one of those phases, but it doesn't feel too far off. And with Christmas breathing down my neck, it's probably not getting any quieter anytime soon.

So I'm taking the opportunity to clean out some of the random foodie experiences just sitting there like a tub of ice cream in the sun. Mmm, melted ice cream.

Fried squid and grilled scallops from
Sydney Fish Markets, Pyrmont

I love meals that are immediately associated with an event, especially when it's just some little, casual, impromptu activity. This was one of many dishes and containers of fresh cooked and raw seafood bought from the Sydney Fish Markets and walked over the road to the nearby park, to be enjoyed in the sunshine with a bottle or few of chilled white wine. This afternoon had it all, and it's one I look to re-enact rather soon.

Dumplings made at home

To me, dumplings at home is simple comfort and synonymous with sitting at the kitchen table, often with another female, wrapping parcel after parcel of seasoned minced meat in thin, floury wrappers. Often, I'd feel like I'd been wrapping dumplings for ages, to then realise that the full tray will only feed two of the household's large appetites, and that there were a few trays to go yet. This particular version we normally parboil then panfry so the skin gets nice and crunchy. I seem to have never-ending stomach capacity for these dumplings - so very dangerous.

70% dark chocolate ice cream from Lindt Cafe,
Cockle Bay, Sydney

One tub, five spoons - dessert sorted. It's an easy, almost rebellious way of having dessert, but such good value fun among friends. The 70% dark chocolate ice cream is irresistably moreish. I'm not good with excess, but this is definitely an ice cream where I could polish off a tub, brain freeze and all.

Takoyaki from Norita Cafe and Board Games,
Liverpool Street, Sydney

Late on a Friday night after a few schooners here, a few jugs of sangria there, alighting a very steep few flights of stairs to play board games seemed a fantastic idea. A lengthy democratic discussion ensued and food, drinks and Pictionary soon follow. It's certainly a novel concept: comfy couches, a hoard of board games to choose from, and a casual, civilised environment to just chill out with good company.

Strawberries with white chocolate sauce from some
sushi train on Swanston Street, Melbourne

After a long day tripping about Melbourne, we had gone for a quick and easy dinner at a sushi train near the hotel. Following the meal, a complimentary dessert plate arrived, looking tropically inviting with paper umbrella and white chocolate stripes on big red strawberries, garnished with... parsley. I didn't realise good old continental parsley was a herb to be used in sweets and honestly, I cannot confirm nor deny whether it is. Looks pretty, and I guess that's what matters here.

Flathead fillets, chips and salad from De Costi Seafoods,
Westfield Bondi Junction

There really is something that feels uniquely Australian summer about sun, the beach, and fish and chips. In fact, on this occasion we weren't even quite at the beach yet, but inspired enough to have a fish and chip lunch. I like my chips thin but not too thin, my fish boneless and thinly battered, lots of juicy lemon wedges, and ideally, all of it wrapped in paper so you can then wipe your oily fingers on it.

Home made fettucine

Since getting my very own pasta maker, whipping up a lot of lasagne sheets or or pappardelle or tagliatelle is just moments away. Saying that, I always think it's faster than I end up taking, but I must admit some selfish pleasure I have in the process. I adore seeing the silky sheets turn out from what starts as a well of flour with a few eggs. I love seeing the machine cut perfect ribbons for me to make curtains or yarn-like balls. And it's pretty good exercise for the fitness-averse too, followed with obligatory carb loading.

More miscellany another time, I assure you, once I sort out the jolly mess that is life.

It's a sweet life

Who needs happy pills when you've got the natural alternative in sugar? I'm sure there's a proper chemical explanation but sugar is my happy carbon compound. Life is about balance, however, so I'm not sitting there with a kilo pack of CSR and a spoon. More about a treat here and there to moderate the crappy moments in life.

Treating a hectic and, at moments, stressful few days was a mid-morning visit to the Lindt Cafe at Martin Place. Whether it's the wam decor away from the outside chill, the easy-listening crooner soundtrack, or knowing that there's a paradise of chocolate within reach, there's an immediate calming effect on my harried self, increasing as I peruse the cocoa-laden menu.

Mocha from Lindt Cafe, Martin Place, Sydney

Not having a chocolate beverage at Lindt, or any other chocolate cafe, is criminal in my books. Despite my preference for a macchiato or cappuccino normally, I can't go past the lure of bittersweet chocolate melting on top and melding into my coffee. The sweet, creamy caffeine goodness warms my fingers and insides, and acts as the opening act for more sugar creations.

Lindt delice and mocha

Picture perfect morning treat? Pretty much. I'm just missing warming rays of sunshine but you can't have it all. Even though I would like to try all the 'delice' or macarons on offer, I'd decided it was too early in the morning for champagne in any way, shape or form and so settled on a nutty and a fruity flavour.

Peach delice and hazelnut delice

I'm like a kid when I receive the macarons. I pat them lightly and play favourites: which shall I eat first? The peach delice is a vividly bright orange hue, smooth and perfectly petite. The hazelnut is a bigger affair, crusted with thin brown flakes. It was a case of eenie-meenie-miney-hazelnut.

Up close with a hazelnut delice

Macarons call for delicacy. I mean, can you imagine scoffing one of these? It'd be such a waste to not savour the texture and taste. The surface cracks softly to expose the sticky crumb of the insides and the hazelnut cream filling. Sugar high? Sugar heaven! The hazelnut is anything but shy in flavour with the meringue being quite mealy verging on a fudgey brownie feel.

The peach delice, in strong contrast, is extremely delicate and melts away at the first bite. It's filled with a sweet white chocolate and peach ganache and is actually one of the newer flavours available at Lindt. I thought it was more sweet than fruity, but I've cleverly left a mouthful of the hazelnut macaron for my last taste.

Floating on the macaron/sugar high leaving Lindt, I'd completely forgotten about any earlier stresses or worries. I have new worries now: diabetes and planning my next assault on macarons.