XO Fried Noodles

Work...

This whole experience so far has just been nothing short of a roller coaster. There are days when I feel like I can conquer anything that I lay my hands on. So liberating and empowering. Then, there are days like today... Especially today... When the obstacles are so insurmountable and the deadlines are so demanding that it seemed like no matter what I did or how hard I tried, I just couldn't get a win.... Not one. It's kinda sad, really. It's times like these when I really do have no choice but to surrender. But is that even a bad thing? At this point, I draw hope and strength by focusing on the grander scheme of things. Today wasn't my day at all but tomorrow is a New Day and I am even more determined to strive till the end.

Hence, the decision to write a blog post today... Blogging and talking about Food just lifts my spirits more than people know, to be honest.

Anyway, apologies for the melancholy of this post. Back to the recipe. This XO Fried Noodle dish uses one of my favourite ingredients to have in my kitchen: The Lin Lin XO Sauce. This is one of those items that you can be sure to find in my fridge 365 days a year. My family loves it so much that Mum even buys it home to Malaysia to use it to cook for the rest of the family back home.

I enjoy that the flavour is deep and rich whilst balancing the sweetness and saltiness perfectly well. Downright delicious to eat. Plus, it's always cheaper than any other XO sauces in the aisle too. 

I've been making this XO Fried Noodle dish in massive batches for a number of years, whether it's for a potluck I'm attending or during exams in university when I wouldn't leave the house for days. Besides using the Lin Lin sauce for this dish, I also use it similarly for fried rice, or Chinese eggplant dishes or even as a dipping sauce when I have hot pots or steamboats.

I hope you give this recipe a go. It's definitely an old favourite of mine. Take care.

__________________________________


XO Fried Noodles
(serves 5)

Ingredients:

For the sauce:
5 tbsp of Lin Lin XO sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1/2 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp chilli oil (optional)
3 tbsp water (to help combine)

Other ingredients:
2 tbsp oil
3 eggs
dash of salt
1/2 large onion (diced)
500g minced beef/pork
200g rice vermicilli (soaked for 1hr, then drained)
1 large carrot (shredded)
1 1/2 cup chopped spring onions

Optional: Garnish with fried shallots

Method:

1. Mix all the ingredients for the sauce in a bowl and set aside.

2. Heat up a wok with the oil on high heat. Once hot, add the eggs and salt and scramble the eggs with your spatula until cooked. Dish and set aside.

3. In the same wok, fry the onions until fragrant. Stir in the minced meat and fry until almost cooked while breaking up the meat with your spatula continuously (so that it doesn't lump together).

4. Add in the drained noodles/rice vermicilli and carrots. Stir in half of the sauce mixture. Stir everything until evenly coated. Sometimes, doing this with chopsticks might be easier. Stir in remaining sauce until completely even.

5. Add the scrambled eggs and chopped spring onions before giving it a final stir. Serve while hot and garnish with fried shallots, if using. 

Peko Peko, South Melbourne

Peko Sausage -- $8.00

Unique house made Taiwanese sausage

Beef About -- $12.00

Tenderly stewed beef slices, authentic herb & spice stock with broad Taiwanese noodle

Pork Chop Addiction -- $13.00

Traditional Taiwanese deep fried pork cutlet, served with pickled cabbage

Requested Sriracha Mayo (best combo ever) to dip it in... Perfect!!

Custard Pancake

Wasabi Mayo Prawn -- $9.00

Battered prawn tossed in light wasabi mayo

Taiwanese sausage again

Chilli Chicken Peko Box -- $13.00

Tender chicken pieces wok tossed with dried chilli, carrot, broccoli, flaming hot tangy sauce

Crispy Honey Beef -- $13.00

Crispy fried beef strips wok-tossed with onion, capsicum, special honey sauce

Sweet and Sour Chicken Crunch -- $13.00 (my favourite!!!)

Traditional battered chicken cooked with onion, capsicum, sweet and sour sauce

____________________________

"Peko Peko?"

"OMG YESSS!!!"

A conversation that I have with various groups of friends. It's just a place that everyone seems to know and love... Including me.

I knew that this was a place that I would love from the moment I walked in the first time I ate there a while ago. The smell of colourful flavours wafting through the air, amidst the buzz and chatter of a full house in a well lit, relaxed and downright fuss free setting. Party of 10 celebrating a birthday... Family dinner of 5... Date night for 2... Groups of friends catching up... You could tell that every one there was having a good time and enjoying their food. It was the instant vibe of the place that struck me the most.

Then, of course... The food. It was one of those places that I had trouble picking what I wanted because they all sounded too good... And then of course my friends and I would agree to each order something different so we could all share dishes to try (so Asian, I know...)

It was all simple, but DAMN tasty. We each had our own favourites here. For some, it was the classic "Taiwanese pork chop", or the "kong bao" chicken, or the "honey beef".... But my absolute favourite HAS got to be those darn-friggidy-good Wasabi Prawns and Sweet & Sour Chicken Box.

Even though I've had more than my fair share of traumatic experiences with Sweet and Sour dishes in Australia, this one really caught me by surprise. It tasted JUST like the one my Mum makes at home. First, it wasn't bright neon pinkish-purplish-red. The chicken was still crispy and juicy, which means it was deep fried TWICE then only tossed at the end ever so quickly (as you should). Sauce had strong wok flavour from the onions and capsicum too... Again, just like home. I could go on and on eating this dish. Sweet and Sour dishes were my absolute favourite growing up, just ask my Mum. It's great. Thankfully, I've got my Mum's handwritten recipe for this too, which I can't wait to share. 

That aside, it's those wasabi prawns, which got me singing for days. Super crunchy, juicy and with just the right amount of wasabi in the mayo. So damn good!! And I've never liked wasabi flavoured dishes until now.

Overall, Peko Peko is fun, relaxed, really affordably priced and IMHO... Value for Money. For me, I can't think of anywhere in Melbourne that is anywhere like Peko Peko. It's one of a kind. And I can't begin to express how badly I want to go back to this place again soon... YUM

Shyun, Carnegie

Special: Salmon Lover -- $15.90

Miso Katsu Don (Pork) -- $9.90

Sukiyaki Hot Pot -- $14.90

Kaki Frai (Deep Fried Oysters) -- $10.00 

Chef's Rolls (special of the day)

Photo taken from my Instagram: @winceeee

I honestly do think that we are spoilt for choice in Melbourne when it comes to awesome Japanese food. Shyun is definitely one of them. This was another place that I took my family to when they were here for a visit last month. Needless to say it was truly enjoyed by all.

One of Shyun's most notable value proposition is definitely it's affordable pricing. They are run by Japanese people who give a damn about good quality Japanese food and this is the kind of Japanese food that I want to eat. Fresh ingredients, good variety (with constantly updated specials board), faultless execution and easy on the wallet. Overall, value for money. And this is really what I'm all about (VFM) whenever I eat out. Not how much or little I spend.

The price is so affordable that you don't feel guilty for ordering everything that is calling out to you from their extensive menu. It was a cold Autumn's night and that sukiyaki hotpot was perfect for the occasion. Massive portion for the price of one. The kaki frai (deep fried oysters) were one of the best we've had. Super crunchy, piping hot and creamy/fresh flavours on the inside. So good we ordered two. Always order the Chef's Rolls everytime I come, in anticipation of what the chef might whip up for us that day. Honestly, even the staff wouldn't be able to tell you what the chef is making.

Shyun really is one of my favourite Japanese joints in Melbourne (in the Cheap and Affordable category). Thanks again Thanh for sharing this great jewel to all of us, your friends and followers on your Instagram =)

Like I said, Shyun is just one of the many Jap places that I love in Melbourne, including:

Pabu Sake and Grill (for Izakaya and Sake)

Komeyui (for amazing quality Japanese)

Ibuki House Restaurant (for special occasion and banquet)

Ume Sushi House (for decent Jap in the CBD)

... And I'm sure there'll be more to come. Possibly in the Ramen or Sushi Train category? 

So, fellas. Do share with me where YOUR favourite hot spots are for Japanese food in Melbourne as I'd be really keen to try. I love going to places that people recommend. Hope you're all having a fantastic start to the week. Happy eating! =)

Wealth Garden, Doncaster

Pork and Prawn Dumplings

"3 Coloured" Siu Mai

Beef Balls

Beef Tripe

"Har Gao" or Prawn Dumplings

Pork and Century Egg Congee

"Lao Sar Bao" or Salted Duck Egg Yolk Custard Bun

Mango "Sai Mai Lou" or Sweet Mango Dessert with Sago Pearls

Osmanthus Jelly with Goji Berries

"Gao Choi" or Prawn and Chive Dumplings

FAVOURITE

Prawn and Corn Balls

FAVOURITE

Winter Melon Topped with Prawn Paste and Dried Scallops

FAVOURITEEEE

Photo taken from my Instagram account: @winceeee

Photo taken from my Instagram account: @winceeee

Oh WOW! I cannot believe that it's been almost 3 weeks since I last blogged. To say I've been flat out at work almost seems like an understatement. So knackered every day and night. At the same time, there's been so many catchups happening the past few weeks, which was fun. Anyway, hope I find time to blog more often again.

Anyway, Mum and Dad were here in Melbourne for a month and every day seems like a food adventure for us. Parents LOVE cooking everyday. Although, weekends we would eat out a bit because there's so much they want to enjoy in Melbourne too. One of their favourite places this trip has definitely got to be Wealth Garden in Doncaster. We LOVE LOVE LOVE the food here so much. Such a huge relief to finally find a yumcha/dimsum place in Melbourne that we truly enjoy. Big thanks to Daisy and Julie for their recommendation. Now, our family now can't get enough of this place! =D

For me, I judge a good Dim Sum restaurant by their prawn paste. It's used in SO many Dim Sum dishes, which makes it highly significant. Just like how I judge a good Chinese restaurant by their simple fried rice. Sounds simple but it's true. You can tell a lot about a restaurant's abilities by how well they master their basics. Wealth Garden definitely nailed it in this department. 

Another reason why I like this place is because the portions are VERY big and generous, compared to most. Not only quality, but quantity. I really do like how we've all got our own favourite dishes from here, there's just much too enjoy. Also, the service is super QUICK and FRIENDLY (which is rare in most Asian establishments). There's a wait staff walking past your table every minute, you can definitely count on your plate to be cleaned, tea to be poured or food to be served in close to no time.... With a friendly touch.

Wealth Garden really ticked all my boxes for a good Dim Sum restaurants. So much so that we were back there two weeks in a row and would've been back for a third, had we had the time. Personal favourites were definitely the Prawn and Corn Balls, Prawns and Chive Dumplings and also the Winter Melon Topped with Prawn Paste and Dried Scallops. YUM YUM!

"Damn Good" Crème Brûlée

Finally... The perfect crème brûlée

To be honest, I actually enjoy sharing Recipes more than Reviews on this blog. Even though I've got SO many recipes in my drafts folder of food that I love to eat (and am pretty sure other people will like), I can't seem to bring myself to share them.... Yet. 

All because of the incredibly stubborn and pain-in-the-ass-perfectionist in me. For some annoying reason, I can't bring myself to publish a recipe unless I've made it at least 5 or 6 times, taken proper photos every single time (so I'll have more to choose from) before tweaking the recipe again and again and again (down to every gram, millilitre or teaspoon). Although, this has got to stop because:

1) The only person that is probably able to tell the difference is myself

2) There's no such thing as achieving a 100% perfect recipe because everyone's taste is slightly different and measurements will vary depending on the ingredient you buy on the day

That said, you can rest assure that every recipe that I post on The Hungry Excavator is true and tested NUMEROUS times without fail. After all, my hope is that people (especially new or non cooks) find inspiration to cook more often from this blog and that I can build a reputation for having recipes that are helpful and truly reliable to people. 

And I must say that I'm quite happy with every single recipe that I've shared on this site so far. I won't share food unless it's something that I personally LOVE to eat and am also sure that everyday/learning cooks like me can recreate easily.

*tap tap*

Anyway, back to this crème brûlée. I'm not one who normally enjoys dessert but boy, do I LOVE my custards or what. This really is one of my favourite desserts to eat, period. Even after looking at SO many different recipes for this online, I knew that I could trust the one I found on one of my favourite food blogs around: Hunger Hunger.

After reading the post, I was convinced that this was one of the most reliable crème brûlée recipes out there... And it's true. Terri has really done her research and compared the measurements for cream to egg yolk ratio from recipes by many world renown chefs (Alton Brown, Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsey, Nigella Lawson etc etc) before drawing her own personal conclusion, which is both impressive and helpful. Besides that, I've been a long follower of her blog and must say that I've made so many of her recipes and can vouch how good they've all turned out. I only hope my blog can be just as good of a source for reliable recipes as hers.

The perfect brûlée consistency

This recipe here seriously NAILED the egg to cream to sweetness ratio with my idea of the perfect consistency. Not too thick and "eggy" but still smooth and just set. Borderline liquid but still retains its shape. The custard is REALLY good. Although, I've modified it slightly and also added and torched 2 layers of sugar to give it that extra *CRACK* at the top before you dig in.

So, here you go. A "DAMN GOOD" Crème Brûlée recipe that you'll definitely want to try. Personally, I prefer making it in a big tray/pan to share with friends. Way more fun to eat that way, but that's up to you. Cheers!

Sharing a big tray of crème brûlée is WAY more fun than having them in individual ramekins

_________________________________________

 "Damn Good" Crème Brûlée Recipe

(adapted from this recipe by Hunger Hunger)

Ingredients:

6 large egg yolks

4 tbsp caster sugar

1 vanilla bean

500ml cream

Extra caster sugar to make crust *

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 140 deg C. Whisk egg yolks and sugar with a fork until well combined (about 2 or 3 minutes)

Tip: Don't overbeat by bringing to "ribbon stage" or using an electric beater as most recipes suggest. I find that this adds too much bubbles to your custard and makes it foamy. Custard will even expand as a result in the oven if too much foam

2. Run a small knife down lengthwise of the vanilla bean, scrape the pods and add to a small pot with the cream. Stir the mixture and bring cream to a boil

3. Pour the cream into the egg yolk, stirring continuously. Set aside for 15 minutes so bubbles can rise to the top. Skim some off if you find that there's too much bubbles

4. Strain the mixture into individual ramekins or a tart pan. Place ramekin/pan in a baking tray and fill with hot boiling water up to 1/3 high from the bottom of the ramekin/pan. 

5. Place in centre of oven and bake for 30 minutes. Take ramekin/pan out and give it a shake. If the sides are set and middle is still wobbly, it is ready. Let it cool slightly before chilling it in the fridge for at least 3 hours.

Tip: If you still find it too runny, turn up the dial of your refrigerator to the maximum coldness. Helps set the custard even more. Custard should still be smooth and silky.

6. Sprinkle caster sugar evenly across the surface. Use a torch to melt/caramelise the sugar. Let it cool for 1 minute (to harden) before sprinkling a second layer and caramelising it some more. Chill in fridge again for 5 minutes or until ready to serve (so melted custard from the heat can firm up again)

Tip: Some recipes specify sprinkling demerara sugar, but I personally think that it is highly unnecessary. Also, double layer of sugar gives it the extra *CRACK* that everyone enjoys!

Day Trip to the Yarra Valley: Innocent Bystander & Yering Station

My parents are in town so my Sister flew in from Adelaide for a week to spend time with us. About 2 Saturdays ago, we took a family road trip to Yarra Valley for the first time to explore the sights and food that it has to offer. 

First stop: Giant Steps / Innocent Bystander in Healesville...

After spending the morning exploring Healesville for a bit, we made our way to Yering Station for our 12:30pm booking... Which I was EXTREMELY excited about! 

Before this, I spent hours on the Internet thinking of where to take my family for a road trip. After seeing photos of Yering Station, I thought it was just jaw dropping, as was the food described in their menu

Little did I know that being there in person and seeing everything in real life was much more sensational than I had imagined... Landscape was magnificent no matter which direction I was facing. Simply picture perfect all 360 degrees. I truly appreciated the decor, which was both classic yet contemporary. Cobblestones next to modern glazing... Still waters against the mountainous backdrop... Absolutely breath-taking. The restaurant which had incredibly high ceilings and full height windows made the experience so much more memorable. Could not have asked for a better view to enjoy our meal...

Yering Station Village Flume Blanc and Dry Riesling

Marinated Yabbies, Crispy Chicken Skin, Saffron Vanilla Sauce, Black Garlic Crumb - $24

AMAZING!!

Pimento and Rosemary Crusted Rabbit, Pomme Puree, Jamon Consomme - $23

SO GOOD

Special of the Day:

Seared Scallops, Chorizoes, Zucchini FLowers, Black Pudding, Pear Chutney and Pea Smash - $24

Moreton Bay Bugs, Black Olive and Potato Rosti, Tomato Sardine Vinaigrette - $24

SO JUICY AND FANTASTIC

Bread Crusted Baby Snapper, Confit Potatoes, Dutch Carrots, Smoked Mussels Sauce - $39

Could not get enough of this... Wow

Potato and Onion Gratin - $9

Best I've had

Eye Fillet, Beef Cheek Cigar, Parsnip Puree, Saffron Soffrito, Px Jus - $42

Memorable too

Caramelised Pear Pudding, Nougat Ice Cream - $17

FAVOURITE AT THE TABLE SO DAMN GOOD!!

WAAAAAAAH... 

Champagne Bavarois, Blackberry Jelly, Rhubarb Sorbet - $17

Mum having lots of fun at Yering Station (as did we) =]

Honestly, the food was absolutely FANTASTIC!! We must admit that the entrees were so interesting we wanted to order them all. The yabbies and moreton bay bugs (2 of my fav things to eat) were top notch, could not be beat. Rabbit entree was the best rabbit dish I've had as well. Can't express how much I enjoyed the fish main, simply beautiful. And I thought the beef with beef cigar was a cheeky and tasty idea. Then, came desserts... That pear pudding may look plain but flavour was incredible. Best part of that dish was the nougat ice cream!!!!! And I'm not even a fan of nougat to begin with. INCREDIBLE MEAL.

Overall, the food at Yering Station truly knocked me off of my socks. Every dish that came was impeccable. What I love most about the food was that it was all centred around fresh, local ingredients... With a stroke of creativity and executed with great finesse without being overly complicated. What I don't understand, to be very frank with you, is how Yering Station is still not a hatted restaurant as it was much better than MANY of the hatted restaurants that I've been to, seriously...

Anyway, Yarra Valley has really captured my heart and I would highly recommend it to people wishing to go on a day trip somewhere in regional Victoria that's still within a 1 hour radius from the CBD. And Innocent Bystander is a great place to start your day there before heading over to Yering Station for lunch. Great ambience and lovely food and coffee. Will definitely be back to the Yarra Valley! Missing my time there already. Happy days... =)