Simon Food Favourites: Yalla

Showing posts with label Yalla. Show all posts

24 August 2010

Eveleigh Farmers' Market: Searching for Organic Produce, Darlington (21 Aug 2010)

Saturday Weekly Market 8 am - 1 pm
243 Wilson Street, Darlington NSW 2015
http://www.eveleighmarket.com.au

In search for organics

After recently watching the documentary movies Food, Inc. and The Future of Food — which I thoroughly recommend everyone to watch — I've hopefully become a bit more conscious and educated in the way some food is produced in the world. Genetically Modified (GM) food seems to be more common than we might be aware of — or perhaps at least in the United States. Has anyone seen this video of what McDonalds French Fries look like after 10 weeks — has anyone done this experiment? In any case I'm hoping to add more organic food to my diet when possible and one place that sprung to mind to check out for organic produce was the Eveleigh Farmer's Market. Today's visit is in search of some organic vegetables to have with my quality steak I received in the goodie bag from Chophouse.

While scrolling around I notice Kylie Kwong's team working hard at the Billy Kwong stall serving delicious Steamed savoury pancakes with organic vegetables and organic egg ($8 for 2 pieces). These are a treat to have and reasonably priced but watch out for the dripping sauce when you're eating them. Alto Olives oil and table olives have a lovely taste and apparently also sell to Pendolino. I'm amazed at the variety of tomatoes on offer at AJ & LA Sorbello Fresh Produce. If you're looking for something beautifully different and full of flavour including heritage heirloom tomatoes you have to check out these guys. Tasty samples of marinated duck fillet and sausages from Pepe's Ducks are a real treat. One of my favourites stalls is the guys at Yalla who are so generous serving their dips on Infinity Sourdough. I heard there was a HealthyFeast at the markets but sadly there was no sign of the Lemon Meringue Pie I was after. Naturally Falafel seemed to have a tasty product but there's nothing better than freshly cooked ones, especially from Jasmin One Lebanese Restaurant in Punchbowl — how I long to return one day.

Mulled Wine has never been easier to make than the packaged wine and spices from Bell River Estate. For all your mushroom needs you really can't go past 'The Fungi' Li-Sun stand where Black truffle oil ($16) and Dried Porcini ($9) amongst other delights are available. Check out Jonima Flowers for reasonably priced flowers which are so fresh. Block 11 Organics Rivers Road Organic Farms came to the rescue for my Organic Carrots ($3.90 a bunch) and Broccoli ($7.50 kg) — dearer than my local supermarket but it doesn't break the bank and I'm sure my body will appreciate them.

Other visits to Eveleigh Farmers' Market:

• 21 Aug 2010 - Kylie Kwong Steamed savoury pancakes with organic vegetables and organic egg, Jonima Flowers, Block 11 Organics, The Fungi Li-Sun, Bell River Estate Mulled Wine, Naturally Falafel, HealthyFeast, Yalla, Pepe's Ducks, AJ & LA Sorbello Fresh Produce tomatoes, Alto Olives oil and olives

• 20 Feb 2010 - Kylie Kwong Cooking Demo, Eumundi, Yalla, Achacha, Blini Bar crepes

• 7 March 2009 - Food samples galore

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Free street parking, Good range of organic produce, Plenty of quality food stalls, Reasonable prices to be found

CONS: Can be hard to find a park close by, Very popular

MUST TRY: Kylie Kwong steamed savoury pancakes with organic vegetables and organic egg, Yalla dips and salsas

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Billy Kwong (Kylie Kwong): Steamed savoury pancakes with organic vegetables and organic egg $8 (2 pieces)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Alto Olives oil and olives

AJ & LA Sorbello Fresh Produce tomatoes

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Pepe's Ducks marinated fillet and sausage samples

Yalla

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

HealthyFeast

Naturally Falafel

Bell River Estate Mulled Wine $20 (bottle)

The Fungi Li-Sun: Black truffle oil $16, Dried Porcini $9

Block 11 Organics Rivers Road Organic Farms: Organic carrots $3.90 bunch, Broccoli $7.50 kg

Jonima Flowers

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21 February 2010

Eveleigh Farmers' Market: Kylie Kwong Cooking Demo, Eumundi, Achacha, Yalla, Blini Bar (20 Feb 2010)

Saturday Weekly Market 8 am - 1 pm
243 Wilson Street, Darlington NSW 2015
http://www.eveleighmarket.com.au

Organic and sustainable produce

I'm not a morning person at the best of times but this weekend I was curious to see Kylie Kwong cook up several dishes to celebrate Chinese New Year. The start of the event was introduced by two Chinese Dragons parading through the large undercover market with the beat of loud drumming. Kylie explained to the crowd that she'd sourced all the fresh produce from the stallholders and some of them were invited to come up and have a chat about their stall. I'm glad He Needs Food posted copies of the recipes because I forgot to take them. I've been to her Billy Kwong restaurant on Crown Street twice a few years ago. It has mixed reviews on Eatability and unfortunately doesn't take bookings so it can be a long wait depending on how early you arrive. I remember the seating was quite crowded and small which made it somewhat uncomfortable after a while, especially for my elderly parents. It's not cheap either but I guess she's sourcing quality sustainable and organic ingredients which can come at a premium price and the restaurant is located in the fashionable eating strip of Surry Hills. The signature dish of Crispy Skin Duck with Plum Sauce demonstrated today looked delicious.

After the cooking demonstration Kylie kindly made the time to have a photo with me — thank you! I then ventured on through the markets to find some much needed breakfast. Starting with the Eumundi Confused Eggs Smokey Bacon with sauteed onions and famous creole sauce which satisfied me out quickly — a very tasty and hearty breakfast indeed. I then came across the Achacha stall which grows and sells this exotic fruit in Queensland which originates from South America. I remember first reading about it through A Table For Two and Grab Your Fork, which went to a launch at Baroque Bistro. I think my dad would enjoy these because they are quite similar to mangosteen — also a lot easier to peel than lychee. Next stop was delicious and generous samplings of Yalla dips, salsas and yoghurts. Oh wow, these taste great and their hummus is one of the nicest I've tried — I'd love to visit their factory one day. My enjoyable foodie tour ends at Blini Bar which makes excellent savoury and sweet crepes with ingredients sourced from the market stallholders. I hope they start working in festivals because their Spinach, Mushrooms, Sweet Onion and Cheese Crepe is so much better than the ubiquitous Turkish Gozleme. The premium full cream milk used seems to make the crepes so soft, tasty and creamy.

If you're passionate about food, sustainability and organic produce then these markets are for you. It's a great day out and the stall owners are only too happy to talk about their produce and products and provide samples to try where possible — Yalla in particular were very generous. There's some real bargains to be found and I was surprised how reasonably priced some things were.

Other visits to Eveleigh Farmers' Market:
• 21 Aug 2010 - Kylie Kwong Steamed savoury pancakes with organic vegetables and organic egg, Jonima Flowers, Block 11 Organics, The Fungi Li-Sun, Bell River Estate Mulled Wine, Naturally Falafel, HealthyFeast, Yalla, Pepe's Ducks, AJ & LA Sorbello Fresh Produce tomatoes, Alto Olives oil and olives
• 20 Feb 2010 - Kylie Kwong Cooking Demo, Eumundi, Yalla, Achacha, Blini Bar crepes
• 7 March 2009 - Food samples galore

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Fair amount of free street parking, Good range of organic produce, Plenty of quality food stalls, Reasonable prices to be found

CONS: Can be hard to find a park close by, Very popular

MUST TRY: Yalla dips and salsas, Blini Bar's Spinach, mushrooms, sweet onion and cheese crepe

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