NZ green mussels steamed in sake and miso
Departing from the typical white wine-based sauce, these NZ green-lipped mussels are steamed in sake and miso. Sorry white wine – this is some serious competition!
Departing from the typical white wine-based sauce, these NZ green-lipped mussels are steamed in sake and miso. Sorry white wine – this is some serious competition!
An appetiser should excite the palate. And these spicy soba noodles with XO sauce and confit/sous vide egg yolk does just that. Umami packed, velvety egg yolk, and a nice edge from the chilli. Delectable.
Tzatziki, a cucumber and yoghurt sauce or dip, originated in southeastern Europe. Its fresh, cool savouriness makes it a perfect compliment for… in this case, chickpea waffles.
These Vietnamese rice paper rolls, packed with fried fish and dill, were inspired by the first thing on the menu of a Highway 4 restaurant in Hanoi – Catfish Spring Rolls. Simple and so delicious.
Trying to sum up this simple dish in words is difficult, and actually seems pointless. Onsen tamago, or onsen egg, simply has to be experienced. It’s so difficult to describe this slow poached egg, and yet so easy to create at home.
Gazpacho sorbet works very well as a palate cleanser, clearing away any lingering flavours and mouthfeel from the previous course. And then energizing the palate for the next course.
“No animals were harmed in the preparation of this pâté.” This is an appropriate disclaimer for this vegetarian foie gras or faux gras. The mushroom, nuts, and lentil-based spread, topped with a piece of pickled garlic, is so delicious and very healthy.
With its pickled seaweed, caviar, and dashi foam, this mini lasagna looked and tasted like you really were next to the ocean. A seafood lasagna with more of an ocean connection than most.
A delicious sweet and sour strawberry relish crowns a succulent herb and panko-crusted cod fillet. Supporting this wonderful combo is a slice of crispy grilled parmesan polenta.
Synchronicity. The three components of this dish, the kimchi fritter, the scallops, and the sesame mayo, complemented each other perfectly. The sweetness of the scallops balanced the salty, sour, and slightly funky kimchi. The sesame mayo worked a little like a bridge between them.
Call it fusion. Call it a mash-up. These black pudding and apple parcels, echoing that classic pork and apple sauce combination, are dipped in a lively ginger garlic dipping sauce that perfectly balances that rich black sausage.
The velvety beetroot cured salmon looks so beautiful, almost like a jewel. That sparkle on top is a gin and cucumber sorbet. It contributes a cool fresh sensation to balance the richness of the beet cured salmon. A potato pancake forms the foundation of this delicious combo.
An appetiser’s purpose… stimulate your appetite and leave you wanting more. The rich and complex flavours in this dish certainly had people hungry for more. The roasted garlic cream sauce was simply divine. The black pudding spiked mash – delectable! And seared scallops are great any time anywhere.
Came across some giant shiitake mushrooms from Dalat in an organic vegetable shop. It turns out they make a divine cream of shiitake mushroom soup.
This cauliflower cashew soup will be nothing like what you are expecting. It’s a rich, sumptuous soup that really doesn’t taste anything like cauliflower. The smoked paprika infused garnish adds a colourful dimension both visually and to the flavour.