WA Signature Dish 2015 - Buy West Eat Best

In case you haven't heard the WA Signature Dish is back In full swing this year. The Signature Dish Competition is presented by Buy West Eat Best and is a great way to showcase the fantastic local food industry and celebrate the diversity and quality of produce in WA.


Image via Peter Maloney (DAFWA)

Each year there are 4 different regions chosen and local produce from each of those regions become the 'hero' component in your culinary creation. This year, there are also 'supporting ingredients' which are Buy West Eat Best's member ingredients which can be optional to include in your recipes too.

The 4 regions to be showcased this year are;
Gascoyne
Kimberley
Peel
Swan Valley and Surrounds.

I was lucky enough last year to be chosen as a Semi Finalist for the Great Southern Region. I had a great time at the cook off in Denmark at Pepper & Salt Restaurant at the picturesque Forest Hill Estate.

Here are a few photos from the launch which was held on the 10th of August at Bistro Guillame at Perth's Crown Resort.


Image via Peter Maloney (DAFWA)

Rob Broadfield addressing the crowd.
Image via Peter Maloney (DAFWA)

Be sure to tune into Our State On A Plate on Channel 9 on Saturday at 5:30pm to catch last years winner Rhiannon Birch show Eamon Sullivan and us how to cook her winning dish from last year, Dorper Lamb in Lupin and Za’atar Crust with Sweet Potato and Lupin Salad, Moroccan Flavours.



Image via Peter Maloney (DAFWA)
 

Rhiannon Birch's 2014 Signature Dish
Image via Peter Maloney (DAFWA)

Mentor judges
Image via Peter Maloney (DAFWA)

 



This year, the winner not only receives the title of winning WA's Signature Dish but also gets 2 hours mentoring with Guillame Brahimi (head chef and owner of Bistro Guillame) plus a luxury wine and dine experience in Northern WA!

Check out Buy West Eat Best Facebook and Website for Entry Forms and more details.

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Stewarts at Brookleigh Estate

I was so excited to hear from Stewarts and was eager to try out their new winter menu for 2015.

We chose a Sunday lunch to indulge and we did just that.

As I've mentioned before in my previous visit here not too long ago (and that's just how I think ill keep my visits to Stewarts in future- very regular) one of my favourite wines happens to be on the list - the one I'm still yet to find to purchase in Perth. I found this lovely drop when I competed in the Buy West Eat Best 2014 WA's Signature Dish Competition down in Denmark WA and it's made by Forest Hill Estate. It's a 2012 Riesling and is very easy to drink. My husband agreed and we ordered a bottle of this right away.

We decided to have an entrée each instead of sharing this time around. My husband couldn't pass up the Beef Cheek. A small portion of thinly sliced cheek, served with mash, artichoke puree, it was like a mini roast and it was very tender and delicious.

 

I ordered the Duck Liver Parfait with Orange Jelly, Cornichons and Crisp Breads. I was definitely loving the creamy rich flavor of the pate and was very happy sipping my wine and nibbling on my little platter for one.

 

 

 

Filo Wrapped Chicken Wellington, Ecrase Potatoes, Silverbeet and Mustard Cream Sauce was my hubby's main (after we almost both ordered it) and the filo was lovely and crispy. The light mustard cream sauce added a nice touch also. This was a great sounding, looking and tasting dish!

 

 

For my mains, I decided on the Caramelized Pork Belly, Boulangere Potatoes, Choucroute, Sweet Potato Puree and Apple Cider Sauce to help break my pork belly drought. I don't know why but it's been a while since I've had pork belly. A perfectly sized portion of belly with a thin crispy crackling and a meltingly tender meat underneath. I'm always mesmerized how the grains of meat alternate in different directions layer by layer in pork belly and was loving every minute.

 

Looking through the menu I noticed they've switched from doing weekend breakfasts to now serving weekend brunch. Brunch is served 10am - 3pm Saturday and Sunday and looks great! The friendly waitstaff also mentioned that the new brunch menu has been very popular due to the more relaxed serving time. You can still order the full lunch menu on the weekends too so all bases are covered!

I'm so glad Stewarts isn't far from home and now I've seen the brunch menu I'll be back here in a few weeks to check it out!

The rest of the winter menu looks great too. They have a different Fish of the day dish and a pretty decent kids menu too.

 

Thanks Brookleigh!

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Stewarts Restaurant at Brookleigh Estate - Swan Valley

I catch up with my friend Brooke of Cooking 101 regularly and so far our destination of choice seems to be the Swan valley.

Scouring through the entertainment book I notice Stewarts at Brookleigh Estate. I often share their specials on my page and have been to a friends wedding here a few years ago so we decided to hit this place up.

Located towards the back end of the valley on Great Northern Highway, its a bit further out than most of the wineries and restaurants but is an easy scenic drive.

Stewarts restaurant is nestled on the property of Brookleigh Equestrian Estate, which is very picturesque and very popular for weddings.

I was a happy girl looking at the wine list when I saw Forest Hill Estate 2012 Reisling, my most favourite wine that I first tasted when I went down to Denmark for the WA Signature Dish Competiton. After we came back from Denmark I was looking in all the small boutique wine stores around Perth for this little gem with no luck. $38 a bottle was a great price and we happily sipped on this throughout out lunch.

We both agreed to share the Scallops for entrée which were fresh from Rotto and served with saganaki haloumi and sauce vierge. The scallops were cooked perfectly and the haloumi added a nice saltyness to them. This dish was very much enjoyed on both parts.

For mains Brooke chose the Confit Duck leg. This looked amazing on the plate and definitely a filling meal with the large portion size. It came with roasted beetroot, broccolini and balsamic.

 

 

For my mains I couldn't go past the gnocchi. If there's gnocchi on the menu I find it hard to choose other things. This gnocchi was served with a generous pile of mushrooms, spinach, brown butter and parmesan.

The gnocchi was nice and the portion size again was big, I couldn't finish it all! I polished off as much as I could, though.

After lunch the waiter asked us if we could be tempted with dessert; yes we could...and we did! So glad we did too, we ordered the churros to share and eagerly awaited it's arrival. Stewarts definitely delivered with this dessert beauty.

Fresh churros with dark chocolate dipping sauce cleverly poured into egg shells. We got stuck in straight away (after photos of course) and loved every bit of it!

Stewarts had been on my 'to try' list for a while and the visit was most definitely worth the wait. I'll be back here again and know I wont be disappointed!

Stewarts are also affiliated with the Entertainment Book, we used our gold card and received the relevant discount.

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How to Pack the Perfect Picnic

How To Pack the Perfect Picnic

Summer does not last all year, so it’s important to take advantage of the nice weather as much as possible while it’s here. Have you thought about taking your meals outdoors?

Perth has some gorgeous picnic spots, from the beautiful gardens at Burswood Park and the sheltered picnic tables at the Bibra Lake Reserve to the Queen’s Gardens and of course the beautiful Swan Valley. Lilac Hill Park in the Swan Valley is great for both family picnics and romantic afternoon lunches in the park - it has a stunning picnic area on the river. See a full list of parks and picnic areas in the Swan Valley here.

The Main Dish

When it comes to picnic food, simple and clean is the best way to go. Choose something healthy that you can prepare at home and bring to your picnic spot that won't require an extreme temperature, lots of dishes or utensils, or a big clean up.

Sandwiches are a delicious staple for any Perth picnic. You can pack the toppings separately, and have everyone build their own sandwich outdoors.

Stop at your local deli for some fresh meats, cheeses, and veggies. In your picnic basket, include onions, lettuce, slices of your favourite cheese, a tomato, some pickles and perhaps some avocado to spread on top.

The bonus here is that a make-your-own-sandwich picnic allows everyone, even the picky eaters, to eat what they like, there are few dishes and utensils required, and almost no clean up.

The Side Dish

Even if you add veggies to your main dish, it’s always nice to have a side dish that is healthier than potato chips. Potato salad or fruit salad can both be prepared at home, stored in a dish and served on a plate without making a mess.

If you're in a rush or looking for finger foods, cutting up some fresh fruit and vegetables requires little preparation and little clean-up. If you want to spice it up a little bit, you could make some homemade vegetable dip to be shared. Try baby carrots and hummus, grapes, berries, or even chunks of cheese with crackers.

Picnic Beverages 

While water is always a great option, it can be nice to dress up a picnic with something sweet to quench your thirst. Pink lemonade made from fresh lemons, water, and sugar to taste is perfect for the summer sun whether your picnic is for a date or a day out with friends/family. 

Remember that mixing a drink like homemade lemonade is a great way to get your kids involved in preparing for the picnic! Partially freezing your drinks before you pack your picnic helps minimise the risk of spilling while keeping your drinks colder for longer, even if they're left sitting in the sun.

For store-bought drinks and other items just remember that a bottle or can opener may be needed, so it’s always good to have them in the picnic bag, just in case!

Dessert

No picnic is complete without a tasty snack for dessert, and these homemade dark chocolate cookies definitely make the cut.

The recipe is simple - it only has six ingredients! You'll need dark chocolate, butter, sugar, two eggs, baking powder, and flour.

The best way to keep your cookies fresh on a picnic is to pack them in an airtight container with a piece of stale bread - it keeps your cookies fresh and soft until you are ready to eat them. 

When it comes to dessert, try to avoid solid chocolate or frosting, both of which could melt in the sun. Store bought or homemade cookies, brownies, or even more fresh fruit can also be a great picnic dessert. 

Kid-Friendly Munchies

Picnics are a great way to get the kids outdoors and to explore a new place around Perth. However, kids can be messy even at home, so it's usually better to keep it simple. Fresh cut local fruit or veggies are a good option, or, if you want to let the kids help with the preparation, consider a simple recipe like devilled eggs or homemade fruit, nut and seed bars.

Author Bio: This post was written by Jodee Wearne, the owner and manager of Just In Time Gourmet in Perth. Jodee and her family, love heading out on picnics which is why they have created a speciality range of gourmet picnic hampers to tempt the taste buds, which can be delivered directly to your door (with free Perth metro delivery!) – see these here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Print Hall

To celebrate Becoming the WA Finalist for The Noosa International Food and Wine Show ILVE Presents Australia's Best Home Cook , my Hubby and I were invited to Print Hall for the media launch the next day along with Jim Berardo and Greg O'Brien, the co-founders of the Festival and a few of the sponsors. Print Hall has been on my list for so long I was excited to try Executive Chef Shane Watsons amazing food. We headed to the function room on the 2nd floor and it didn't take me long to spot the menu and folded in the napkins.

Duck Liver Parfait was my Hubby's first course. Generous mounds of lovely smooth and rich parfait topped with salted plum, cherry and Geraldton wax.

My first course was the vegetarian option; New Season Vegetables which was lovely steamed asparagus and yellow squash, savoury soya milk and a big roasted malt wafer! I love asparagus and the fresh dill paired with the other elements perfectly!

For mains I had the Pan Roasted Barramundi that was topped with Coorong Pippis, courgette and dill. The skin was lovely and crispy and the Barra cooked to perfection.

David Blackmore's Wagyu Beef Bavette was a cracker of a dish! My husband loved the cut of beef which they cooked perfectly medium-rare and it was accompanied with leek, roasted pepper, cornichons, beef tendon and a rich jus. The beef tendon was soft; almost jelly like with a light meaty flavour, quite hard to describe.

The desserts we chose were Sweet Chaos with sweet parfait, honeycomb, mandarin and lavender and The Bittersweet Chocolate Tart which was lovely dark chocolate ganache snaked across the plate adorned with caramel almonds, crumbled caramel popcorn and ice cream. Both desserts were delicious.

 

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Homestead Brewery for Breakfast

A few days into the new year we decided to try out Homestead Brewery for Breakfast. We had plans for later that day to head to Outback Splash at The Maze in Bullsbrook but realised it didn't open till 10am, an hour later than we thought. So my Hubby suggested a quick breakfast at Homestead and who was I to say 'no!'.

We've been here plenty of times already for a few drinks and some lunch/nibbles and have had breakfast on my 'list' to try for a while, that along with the Mandoon Estate Degustation Lunch or Dinner.

We arrived at about 9am and was surprised to find the place almost empty, with 2 other tables dining. I put this down to everyone still being on Christmas Holidays because I've heard this place isn't this quiet for breakfast on the weekends.

We grabbed some menus and decided to sit outside seeing as though it was going to be a nice day.

The waiter gave us enough time to decide on our drinks and we ordered our usuals; a Cappuccino and a Long Macchiato topped up.

 

Browsing through the menu you will find the 'usual suspects' being Bacon and Eggs, Eggs 'Benny' (a few ways) and Pancakes. Plus a few different items.

The coffee's were nice and smooth. No complaints...except that we didn't get take-aways for the road.

I had the Crispy Bacon and Eggs which came with a grilled field mushroom, tomato half and a slice of Sourdough Toast. The bacon was definitely crispy and my poached eggs were cooked to perfection. The sourdough toast could have done with some butter, so I piled my eggs on top.

Hubby had the Eggs Benedict which presented with 2 English muffins topped with ham, perfect poached eggs and 'that' sauce. The meal also came with the Homestead's 'Hashbrowns' which reminded me of little onion bhaji's.

They taste nothing like a bhaji but are crispy on the outside and soft and flavoursome on the inside. Thank goodness I had some of these on my plate too, because they were so tasty, I didn't want to share.

Our daughter had the Kids Pancakes (no surprise there) but wished there was more maple syrup! Perhaps a scoop of ice cream or cream would complete this cracker of a kids dish!?

So glad to cross a 'Homestead Breakfast' off my list today, it really is a great new place in the Swan Valley. We are locals and we probably are embarrassed to say how often we really do come here :-)

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RiverBank Estate - Swan Valley

I met friends the other week for lunch and we decided to go somewhere that has a voucher from the Entertainment Book. We chose the lovely RiverBank Estate.

I've never been to RiverBank before and the first thing I noticed was the beautiful rolling vines which went on for ages and backed onto the Swan River.

We decided to sit underneath the beautifully designed veranda outside seeing as though it was a nice sunny day. The newly sprouting vines overhead gave out plenty of light shade and was lovely to sit under.

We chose the RiverBank Tasting board which is a selection of bites chosen by the Chef that particular day.

The Tasting Board consisted of an array of gourmet delights prepared by Head Chef  Darren King. We had a Light Prawn Salad, Pork Rillettes, Aranacini Balls, Potato Salad, Duck Liver Pate and Chorizo, Olives and Crackers.

We also ordered Pumpkin Arancini Balls and the Tempura Prawns with Wasabi Mayo.

 

 

All the food was faultless and we had fun picking our way through the dishes as we sipped on The Celebration White which is a dry blended white and was very easy drinking both my friend and I took a bottle home each!

After lunch we had a few tastings and I must say all of the wines I tried were so good, literally one after the other!

With the Entertainment voucher we saved just over $20 off the total bill. I'll definitely be back here with my Hubby for a beautiful lunch one day very soon.

They also have an Entertainment Voucher for 30% all Cellar Door Sales up to $500, so big savings all round!

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