Food Nirvana...some people call it Melbourne

I just got back from 4 amazing days in Melbourne - food mecca of Australia.  I love Melbourne!  The people are friendly and chatty, the food is cheap and top notch, the atmosphere at night time is electric...I could go on and on.

Pizza's with amazing vegie coloured bases

Here are a few food highlights;

I went on a chocolate tour - through Chocoholics with the very lively Suzie who knows everything about chocolate that there is to know.  I did an afternoon tea walk and it was super value at $37 per person.  We visited five chocolatiers and my favourite was 'Chokolait,' who sold the most amazing shiny chocolate frogs in bright, raspberry red.  The tour ends at the amazing Laurent Patisserie for a cake and cuppa - you won't need to eat until late that evening!

Hand rolled salmon with cream cheese...

I loved the Queen Victoria Markets - the food there was amazing.  So much choice and so fresh and so cheap.  We have nothing that compares here in Perth...!  I love Perth, but come on people, our markets cannot compare!  Wahhhhh!  I took photos of the beautiful delicatessen foods to remind me of all the ideas I want to pinch and try at home, like the cream cheese salmon rolls and the beetroot pizza bases. Definitely got some food inspiration and ideas.

On Lygon Street I found an amazing little shop called Gewurshaus that sold beautiful kitchen wares and amazing salts and spices.  I spent a small fortune and came away with 5 teeny little packages.  Tonight I am making Leek and Potato Soup but will be dressing it with some pan fried potatoes made with Bratkartoffel Salz - fried potato salt.  Nomminess to the max! I love the idea of having something a little extra with soup to kick it from ordinary to special.  I love the idea of the flavoured salts, little crispy fried spuds or croutons.  Soup is the ultimate nourishment isn't it?  For the tummy and the soul.  I steamed my spuds in the Varoma for 8 minutes before frying in duck fat and then dressing with the salt, garlic and freshly cut herbs from my wee vegie garden.

You may have noticed I have 'Monetized' the blog.  There are some small ads popping up now - you are under no obligation to hit the buttons but by all means do if they interest you.  I do this for love!  Love of FOOD and the Thermie!

Yours in market jealousy,

ThermoMINX