zucchini fettuccine.

INGREDIENTS:

• 8 small zucchini
• 8 small zucchini flowers
• 500g fettuccine
• ⅓ cup olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 small brown onion, diced
• 1 cup cream
• 150g mascarpone
• 1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves
• salt and pepper
• parmesan cheese, shaved

METHOD:

1. Cook pasta in salted bowling water until al dente
2. Slice zucchini and flowers lengthways
3. Heat olive oil and saute garlic, onion and zucchini in frying pan until softened
4. Pour in cream and simmer gently for 3-5mins
5. Stir in mascarpone and oregano, season with salt and pepper
6. Drain pasta and add to frying pan, toss to combine
7. Serve with parmesan and zucchini flowers

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frangelico sparkling italian punch carafe.

This recipe is perfect if you and your friends like your sparkling wines! I wasn't a huge fan of this cocktail from the Frangelico Master Class but there was bound to be one or two drinks I didn't like :)

This recipe makes approx. 850ml.

INGREDIENTS:

• 400ml Prosecco
• 120ml Frangelico
• 30ml lemon juice
• 5 mint springs
• 5 lime wheels
• 300ml soda water

METHOD:

1. Pour all ingredients into a carafe
2. Put two to three scoops of ice in and stir
3. Serve in a glass filled with ice and garnish with a lime wedge
4. VOILA! Your sparkling Frangelico cocktail is ready to be enjoyed!

 Image courtesy of @lpmmags Instagram

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french toast.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 slices of bread per person
• 2 eggs
• ⅓ cup milk
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 40g unsalted butter

METHOD:

1. Whisk eggs, milk and cinnamon in a bowl
2. Heat pan on medium heat and melt butter - if the butter sizzles furiously the pan is too hot and you may be burning the butter, remove the pan from the heat and cool it down a little
3. Dip bread into egg mixture and coat generously, draining excess and fry in pan until each side becomes golden brown
4. Drizzle with maple syrup or honey, and garnish with fruits like bananas and berries to serve - VOILA! French toast!

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sushi hotaru, sydney.

My love for Japanese food stemmed from my first encounter with sushi trains as a young lass. The best thing about sushi trains are that they are THE perfect fast food places. You're not going to get food faster any other way, and not to mention it's healthier than a meal from Maccas.

The best thing about Sushi Hotaru is that every dish is only $3, which is incredibly cheap if you've ever been to any sushi trains, AND the sushi from Hotaru is simply amazing! My favourite of all dishes there is the soft shell crab (second picture below). I don't know what it is that makes it so amazing, but ever dish you try is amazing!

Find them:
Shop RP1, 500 George St, Sydney - inside Galleries Victoria.

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mud cake.

Mud cake reminds me of that scene from my favourite childhood movie Matilda. Although that scene makes me completely and utterly sick I can't help but love the decadent chocolate cake with a generous serving of vanilla ice-cream.

INGREDIENTS:

• 250g butter, chopped
• 2x 200g dark chocolate, chopped
• 2 cups caster sugar
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup self-raising flour, sifted
• 1½ cups plain flour, sifted
• ¼ cocoa powder, sifted
• ⅔ cup thickened cream

METHOD:

Cake

1. Preheat oven to 180˚C.
2. Grease round cake tin.
3. Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat, add chocolate, sugar and 1 cup of cold water - constantly stirring until smooth. Transfer to large bowl and cool for 10 minutes.
4. Add eggs, stir to combine.
5. Add flours and cocoa, stir to smooth.
6. Pour mixture into prepared pan and bake for approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until skewer comes out clean.

Ganache

1. Pour chocolate and cream into a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until smooth.
2. Transfer to bowl and refrigerate for 30minutes or until thick enough to spread.
3. Spread over cake and VOILA! Chocolate mud cake! Serve with a generous amount of vanilla ice-cream and you've got the perfect childhood dessert.

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pattison's patisseries, top ryde.

I first stumbled across Pattison's Patisseries about 5 years ago when I lived in up north and drove past that St Ives branch daily. The moment I walked in I knew this was a love that would last, and it has. Pattison's both have a little something-something to curb your savoury and sweet pastry cravings. Although the price is a bit expensive, especially for a student income, the food is well worth the money when you can afford it! The quality is absolutely amazing and will have you coming back for more!!

Find them:

My local Pattison's is located in Top Ryde shopping centre but they also have several other stores in Sydney. Find your closest one here!

Turkey & Brie Turkish Sandwich, $7.40

Provencal Quiche, $7.40 (dine-in) / $6.20 (take-away)

Tomato & Basil Quiche, $7.40 (dine-in) / $6.20 (take-away)

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frangelico west iced tea carafe.

This is another carafe recipe from the Frangelico Master Classto for you to pre-prepare before a party to save you from being made the bartender for the night ;) I quite enjoyed this recipe, despite cringing when I saw mint was in the recipe - trust me, you can't taste it!

This recipe makes approx. 750ml.

INGREDIENTS:

• 240ml Frangelico
• 500ml cold & strong green tea
• 4 lemon wedges
• 3 mint springs

METHOD:

1. Pour all ingredients into carafe, squeeze lemon juice in before putting wedges into carafe
2. Put two to three scoops of ice in and stir
3. Serve in glass filled with glass and garnish with a spring of mint
4. VOILA! Enjoy this tasty beverage, just in time for summer picnics and barbeques!

 Image courtesy of @lpmmags Instagram

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sesame chicken with soba noodles.

INGREDIENTS:

• ⅓ cup sesame seeds
• 600g chicken tenderloins
• 1½ tablespoons peanut oil
• 270g packet dried soba noodles
• 1 teaspoon cornflour
• ⅓ cup teriyaki sauce
• ¼ teaspoon sesame oil
• 100g snow peas, trimmed, cut diagonally
• 1 onion, sliced

METHOD:

1. Place sesame seeds on a large plate and put chicken in and coat
2. Cook noodles in a large saucepan of boiling water, drain and rinse under cold water
3. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in non-stick frying pan over high heat and cook chicken until each side is golden and cooked through. Remove from pan and set to the side
4. Place cornflour in a bowl and gradually add teriyaki sauce, stirring until smooth and combine then stir in sesame oil
5. Heat pan and add remaining peanut oil and cook snow peas and onion. Stir-fry until snow peas are bright green and just tender
6. Add cornflour mixture and noodles and stir-fry until heated through, and serve with chicken
7. VOILA! A healthy Japanese dish!

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saigon bowl, strathfield.

I first discovered Saigon Bowl when the tennis club around the corner was packed and it was the best discovery ever! The Saigon Bowl is where I go for food in Strathfield. The food is made well and quick, given there isn't too many people. Although I've been there more times than I can count on my hands and toes I only eat two dishes there. I'm not a very adventurous eater, if I like it then I don't change.

Find them:
3 The Boulevarde, Strathfield

 Crispy Chicken with Tomato Rice, $12.50

Beef Vermicelli, $13

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