Vietnamese Pork Spring Rolls

In need of a fresh, vibrant dish to match the beautiful weekend, I decided to whip up some Vietnamese Pork Spring Rolls for Sunday lunch. This is an incredibly cost effective meal for a larger group, and when you get everyone involved in wrapping the spring rolls it ends up being quick, easy, and a whole lot of fun (mostly when laughing at the failed rolls *ahem Suzie*).

Ingredients (serves 3)

1 packet Vietnamese rice paper rolls

Vegetables
2 carrots, thinly sliced
1/2 red onion, sliced
Crisp lettuce
Coriander leaves

Pork filling
500 grams pork mince
1/4 cup sweet chilli sauce
1 teaspoon minced ginger
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tablespoon fish sauce

Dipping sauce
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup simple syrup (even quantities of sugar and water)
2 tablespoons fish sauce
Fresh or dried chilli, chopped
Small handful of fresh coriander and mint, chopped

Firstly to cook the pork filling heat a splash of oil (preferably peanut oil) in a pan, and add the garlic and ginger. Stir for a minute, then add the pork mince. Quickly brown the mince, and add the sweet chilli and fish sauce to taste. Cook for 5 minutes over medium heat until the pork is fully cooked.

Leave the pork to cool slightly as you prepare the sauce. To do so, mix all dipping sauce ingredients in a bowl to serve, and garnish with extra herbs or chilli.

To make the rolls, soak one rice paper in water for about 30-45 seconds until slightly soft. Spoon a small amount of the pork, along with some of your vegetables into the centre of the roll. Fold tightly, tucking the edges under as you go, to make a fully sealed roll.

If you're serving this dish at a party you'd want to prepare the rolls in advance, but if you're as disorganised as me and throwing this together for a quick lunch or dinner, you can enlist the help of your diners to make their own rolls as they go. It encourages slow eating and increased laughing.

Federal Delicatessen

I have certainly been long overdue for a visit to 'The Fed' - Al Brown's New York styled, Jewish cuisine inspired Deli. I have peeked in many times while dining next door at Depot, but until this glorious Sunday morning a few weeks ago I hadn't yet made it there to it eat.

The first thing that hits you is the amazing interior and the detail throughout. From the beautiful ceiling panels to the fine red stitching against green leather chairs, the entire place is a work of art. You feel like you've jumped into a beautiful, retro film.

James, Paddy, Emma and I and squeezed into a booth and let onslaught of food and drink begin. I started with a 'Pickled Mary' which is The Feds very pickley, but very delicious, take on the Bloody Mary. Oddly, I was the only going for a cocktail while the others went for bottomless cups of coffee.

 

It had just turned 12pm so we chose from the brunch menu, and the food came thick and fast. Paddy was delivered a ruby red grapefruit and a pastrami loaded toasted Ruben, while Emma went for the famous Best Ugly bagel with lox, cream cheese, capers and red onion (which by now all of you bagel lovers should know of). 

To share we ordered a small poutine - fries covered in cheese curd and draped in gravy, which disappeared from the table worryingly quickly.

James went for the 'Mish Mash': a delicious pastrami loaded hash with an egg on top, and a smear of mustard. Like all of the other dishes, this one looked and tasted amazing, and was so filling he could barely finish it.

Last of all, I chose the chicken salad sandwich with 'chicken skin cracklin's, berg, and dipping gravy'. And wow, it was good. Usually a chicken sandwich would be about the last thing on a menu I'd order, but the crackling and gravy sold me. It was creamy, crunchy, fresh and absolutely moorish when dipped in it's own little gravy pot.

The verdict on the food was all around deliciousness- but it's the whole experience of bottomless coffee, unashamedly simple food, amazing decor and great service that makes a meal at The Fed so damn good.

The Roaming Dive

A couple of guys called Pete and Mo are running the coolest, slickest food truck in town. You've probably seen it around- you know, the blue and white one with the yellow signs and delicious food. The one with sliders and po-boys to die for.

In case you haven't already cottoned on, it's called The Roaming Dive, and it hangs out at Silo park most weekends. A few weeks ago the girls and I (and Allie's beautiful dog Maggie) strolled down there to visit them and make the most of a beautiful sunny day. This was the third time I had tried The Roaming Dive, so I knew it was good, and knew it was time I shared this place with all of you.

Pete wasn't around this time, but Mo was manning the fort, and served us up a huge array of food. Chicken sliders and fries for Alice and Jamie, a prawn po-boy for Allie, and a beef slider and buffalo wings for me. All of the food is amazing - the girls like the spicy sweet chicken sliders the most, but I've decided that the pulled beef dunked slider is a winner for me (although I might have to go back a few more times ... just to be sure).

The food at The Roaming Dive really is exceptionally good, and in an increasingly competitive market of food trucks they are definitely standing out. As you would expect for a food truck the menu is small, but executed well - these guys know their stuff!

After a big feast we bumped into our friend Richie (who had about six dogs in tow), and we all sat in the sun contentedly full, laughing at the dogs making friends, and chatting the afternoon away.

If you haven't been to check out the markets at Silo Park please go this weekend. It is AWESOME. My favourite time to visit is Friday nights, when they screen open air movies and the place is bustling with busy food vendors and hungry patrons.

Nice Day

Tucked away in the middle of the city on Durham Lane is a small, but very cool coffee shop. Now those that you who read this blog often will know that I don't drink much coffee- but on this day I made an exception (and I'm glad I did).

Nice Day cafe has a small selection of pastries, to serve along side their delicious supreme coffee. And for those who have time to sit down and take a moment out of their busy working day there is a small and sweet courtyard where you can relax in the sunshine and read the paper.

It is a small cafe, but it works so well in the space, and really adds a splash of charm to a forgotten city lane. Next time a coffee craving hits you in town pop along to Nice Day and give it a try.

The Coromandel Oyster Company

As summer starts to dwindle away before our eyes, we begin our good-byes to balmy nights, salty skin and sandy feet. But, one thing I will not say good-bye to yet is a favourite sea-side fish and chip shop of mine called The Coromandel Oyster Company.

Located just on the outskirts of Coromandel town, The Oyster Company is a regular stop-in for weekenders, locals, and tourists alike. As for me, it's a must visit almost every time I am holiday bound.

On this occasion, James and I stopped in on our way back to Auckland for a bite to eat. Oysters are, of course, the crowning glory and are available to buy either in the full shell, half shell or the pot.

After a couple of oysters we both ordered good 'ol fish and chips, gurnard for myself and snapper for James. The fish was beautifully light and fresh, served with crunchy fries.

The food at The Coromandel Oyster Company is delicious, although the menu is about as basic as it gets. But it's the raw wooden benches, the rope bound stools, and the salty air that make this place so special.