Tasty Morsels

By Jackie McMillan

Jackie@alternativemediagroup.com

Pimientos de Padrón
Pimientos de Padrón (the peppers from Padrón, a region of South West Galicia in North West Spain) are quite amazing – some are hot, and some are not. This curious lottery of heat comes by virtue of them being picked immature, before they get their full capsaicin load (the active component of chilis). They’re most commonly eaten in tapas cuisine, and for three months of the year, they’re the most popular tapas dish in Spain. However there’s no need to travel across the globe to try them, because Richard Mohan who ‘encountered them in a bar in Madrid, and wondered why other diners were eating chilis by the plate load‘ tried them, and was so impressed, he’s now growing them at Midyim Eco Resort in Maleny. You’ll have to hurry to get your own taste of Spain – their season generally runs from November to May – but with the current weather in (normally) sunny Queensland, they’ve only got a month of the season left this year. But one bite of these bright green peppers – preferably blistered in olive oil, and sprinkled with salt – and you’ll hooked.
Try: Cantina Bar & Grill (Darlinghurst) or Bodega (Surry Hills)
Buy: (07) 5435 2605 or www.midyimeco.com.au

Go Greek!
Sydney’s first exclusively Greek cooking school, Greekalicious, is conveniently located in Bondi Junction, and does classes in authentic and modern Greek cuisine. Learn how to prepare Greek Comfort Food (Sat 12th Apr) including dishes like Kalamata style baked Lamb; or perhaps share in proprietor Maria Bernardis’s Nostalgic Memories from Psara (Sat 05th Apr) including recipes like Fish Plaki (stuffed baked fish) and Rizogalo (rice pudding). Your course includes a full sit down meal, a couple of glasses of quality wine, a wonderful lesson in the background of Greek cuisine, and the opportunity to participate in the cooking (if you so desire).
More Info: (02) 9331 0734 or info@greekalicious.com.au
Website: www.greekalicious.com.au

Hudson Meats
More than just a butcher, Hudson Meats carries a diverse range of produce that spans from cheese to cookbooks; and olives to Spanish jamon. The owner, Colin Holt, is an ex-chef, and that shows in little touches like being offered enough Café de Paris butter, free of charge, to accompany the whopping Angus T-Bone ($32.95/kg) I purchased. Whilst they were a bit pricy, the Pork, Veal and Truffle Sausages ($21.95/kg) were full of flavour and almost wasted on a bread roll ‘ next time I’ll slice them and serve them cold with a cheese platter. Why not visit them yourself and let their friendly staff help you decide what to cook for dinner tonight’
Where: 410 Crown Street, Surry Hills
More Info: (02) 9332 4454 or www.hudsonmeats.com.au

Cocktail with a Conscience
A new cocktail list is always a cause for celebration, so pop down to the bar recently proclaimed (by Bartender Magazine) the world’s fourth best cocktail bar, and check out their new list. Every Oasis Africa Cocktail ($17) of Cognac and gold rum built with white peach, lime and cinnamon, that you knock back puts $2 in the pocket of the Oasis Africa Foundation who help educate children in Africa’s biggest slum, Kibera. Service is warm and engaged, and my dining companion was happy to see that the semi-outdoor cocktail area includes a smoking area where you can drink and smoke simultaneously. As for myself, I enjoyed the sterling oysters with a raspberry coloured Scropino ($16), a sorbet and sparkling wine concoction, that they change the flavour of each week. Now there’s a reason to return!
Where: Bayswater Brasserie, 32 Bayswater Road Kings Cross
More info: (02) 9357 2177 or www.bayswaterbrasserie.com.au

Balmain Rozelle Food Week
Balmain and Rozelle have a vibrant and diverse range of restaurants, cafes and produce outlets that I enjoy attending, so it is with particular relish that I pass on the details from the Balmain Rozelle Chamber of Commerce about their inaugural Food Week, taking place from April 21st until April 27th 2008. Over the course of the week there will be an imaginative program of events to tantalise your tastebuds, inspire your palate, and teach you more about the produce you love to consume.

Local Rozelle business About Life will be doing an Olive Oil Talk and Taste where you will be able to try a range of oils from Australia’s premium growers, including local representative, Glenlee Olive Oils. Herbie’s Spices will be doing demonstrations to show you how easy it is to incorporate a little spice into your life in everyday meals. The big finale will be on Sunday 27th April and it will involve three noted local area chefs – Vanessa Martin of Il Piave, John Evans of The Three Weeds and Paul Camilleri of Restaurant Sojourn. They’ll be coming together to delight us all with ‘rich and exquisite creations with a little secret twist…’ I can hardly wait!
Info: www.balmainrozellechamberofcommerce.org.au (Full program available March 17th.)