foodie.tv

You'll probably learn more about coffee basics in this video than in a dozen websites, videos, or coffee dvd's (we've seen a couple).  Nigel, our resident coffee nut (or is that coffee bean?) goes through the basics of making great coffee at home whether your budget is $50 or $5000.

Check out:

• the difference between a $50 machine and a $2000 machine
• how you should spend your money for a home setup
• the effect of different grinders
• basic coffee-making technique including tamping, the secret to frothing milk, extraction time, even some latte art!
• cleaning your machine and parts
• and much more (including Nigel's legs *grin*)!

We plan to put together more videos for your learning pleasure so let us know what you liked, didn't like etc...and of course, forward your questions for Nigel to answer.  He could write an encyclopedia but we think videos are better for coffee.. so let's answer all your questions!

You know, I really do feel for all of you (except the Malaysians.  Oh, and maybe other south east asians). 

I was in Malaysia last week for personal reasons (sad) but nonetheless, enjoyed much Malaysian food.  In this, our group was shown the way by a much seasoned foodie, my fourth uncle, or "Si-ku", who never rested in his passionate pursuit of Malaysian food excellence. (More on this in a next post)  Many's the menu that benefitted from his guiding hand, and many a roadside stop came about from his sharp eyes!!   You have him to thank for many of the dishes below..

Interested in food? Try this book!

Sometimes, when I'm walking across a carpark, or looking out the window on a train, I wonder why it doesn't seem to matter that we've buried all that land under bitumen and concrete.

Sometimes when it rains, I wonder about all that water sliding off the roof into gutters, getting carried away into our stormwater system.  What happens when all that water leaves the land ?  Before all this, it used to soak into the ground, feed trees, flow into rivers and creeks..  and now, we just pour it all out far away from where it fell.  

Euge and I went to the Spice Bazaar which is one of the few events that are being held this early in the year - the main part of the Food and Wine Show has been pushed to March, coinciding with the Commonwealth Games.

Speaking of fixing - there's a slight bug with this video that we haven't worked out yet, but given that it's been a week since we shot the show, I just wanted to get it to you all before it wasn't news anymore *grin*  Anyway, the bug is that the sound disappears during the first section of the show.  Would you believe that it was one of the best bits?  Arrrghh Murphy!  But we'll put up the new improved version just as soon as we work out how! So bear with us :-)

Sorry everybody - this isn't exactly fascinating foodie stuff but I do like  cosy home-y meals even if they aren't in the least epicurean..

Tonight was rice porridge with spring onion sliced and thrown in for the last 10 minutes
- about 2/3 cup rice to 10 - 15 cups water (top up as required)

..with salty omelette (saute 1/2 sliced onion then add a tablespoon or so chopped preserved turnip, and 3 lightly beaten eggs.  No salt as the turnip is pretty salty!  Let the egg set for a bit then turn and break up so you get a broken up omelette)

..and sliced chinese sausage, steamed or microwaved (briefly!)

This techie learning curve is taking me awhile *grin*

I've just taken the trouble to learn about trackbacks which hopefully means that my first try of this will work!

Most importantly, because I want to return the favour to Tomatom (whether intended or not, he's the first blog to mention foodie.tv which is worth celebrating in our humble household *grin*)

So...another list of Oz foodie blogs including expats, and a bit of prophesying.. can't wait to see how the future matches up!!

By the way, if your blog isn't on Tom's list then of course the list can't be definitive.  So hurry up over there and get in touch ;-)

Aahh..a cheat sheet (not that I could aspire to such dizzy heights!)

http://grabyourfork.blogspot.com/2006/01/food-for-thought.html

.. so hurry up!

The following is about the FSANZ consumer liaison committee, which I discussed some time back on foodie.tv news.

Check it out and see if you could be a valuable voice on the food regulatory scene:

Dear FSANZ Subscriber

This is a reminder that applications to be a member of FSANZ’s Consumer Liaison Committee, first advertised in December 2005, close in one week’s time on 1 February 2006. There is more information about this committee on our website here.

Ohhh!!  I wrote a wonderful blog post but it disappeared!

I am bereft.  It can't come back and I don't have the heart to try.

You can have the links..
cincalok
chinchalok
cincaluk

Other links found while searching for cincaluk:
tribute to the Malaysian -lah
for Melaka-ites

This went more to plan.  Euge was even more impressed by the Gimson Nyonya sauce than the last time he had it (on fish).

Spicy hot, with a galangal, lime leaf and lime juice hit, and more.  I'll have to be careful not to use it on everything!



Check out how much egg there is *grin*

Alright..I confess - there were these 4 eggs I had to finish...