Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Asian Coleslaw Recipe

I'm not sure this even counts as a recipe, it's so easy. It's a chunky, filling, nutrient-packed alternative to a green salad, or a traditional creamy coleslaw. We eat it with spicy marinated lamb chops or chicken, and sometimes just with a fried egg on top. It will last a few days in the fridge, so when I'm trying to be healthy I'll make a big bowl and take it to lunch every day. I hope you like it too.
Asian Coleslaw
1/4 red cabbage or wombok, shredded
2 cups bean sprouts
2 carrots, sliced into matchsticks
1/2 Lebanese cucumber, sliced into matchsticks
1 small red chilli, diced finely
3 Tbs sesame seeds, toasted
Dressing
2 Tbs sweet chilli sauce
1 Tbs lime juice
1 tsp fish sauce (optional)
Toss together all the ingredients. Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl, then pour over the salad. Add fresh coriander if you have some. Enjoy with a clear conscience!

Monday, November 24, 2008

When you really don't feel like cooking...

Our schedule has been all over the place since we came back from New Zealand. The menu plans have gone out the window as we have unexpected guests, or unexpected nights out. Right this moment I have two guys grunting and carrying on in the living room - Ryan has started a new exercise regime with a mate! So dinner will be a bit delayed.
We are going to have Nasi Goreng tonight. I've been trying to recreate a version I had back in Perth - nothing's lived up to it since. I've also cooked a big batch of chili con carne - that can turn into at least six different meals later this week, when I'm too busy to cook.
So here's the menu plan:
Nasi Goreng
Chili con carne on baked potatoes
Chunky bean salad
Fish with salad and green beans.

Happy Monday!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Menu Plan Monday - November 17

I seem to have added an extra two kilograms to my already generous weight. I'm not sure where they came from. I'm not going to name these two, because I don't want them to stick around, but it's in their honour that we are having mostly salads this week. Enjoy:
Lamb chops with Asian coleslaw
Poached eggs and salad
Chicken curry and brown rice
Grilled Fish, salad and green beans
Broad bean risotto (this one was inspired the Kitchen Playground)

Happy Monday!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Cheap Eats in Canberra

We've been away visiting family in New Zealand, so I haven't been cooking or blogging. There's been a LOT of eating though. Coming home to an empty, spidery kitchen was not exactly inspiring, so we've eaten out a lot since we got home as well.
My work clothes are getting tight.
But that's not the point. The point is that there's lots of yummy, cheapish places to eat in Canberra, if you know where to look. Here's a few of the places we've eaten lately. Let me know if you've got any favourites to add!

Turkish Delight, Belconnen. I found this place through my bellydance teacher. Every few months they do a $30 banquet plus a bellydance show. And the dinner is wonderful.

Dickson Noodle House, Dickson. There are a few contenders for best laksa in Canberra, and this seems to be a popular choice. More soup and noodles than you can slurp for less than $20.

Griffith Vietnamese, Griffith. One of our friends eats here at least once a week, and it always seems to be crazy busy. We like the tofu-sticks as an entry.

Cafe Essen, Civic. I still don't know how this place functions with such a tiny kitchen. All the breakfasts are great value by virtue of their enormous size. Ryan loves their chai, too.

PJ O'Reilly's, Civic. Simple, no-frills pub grub. Cheap steak, a choice of three sorts of fish and chips.

Bon Apetite : )