Tag: Italian

La Disfida Haberfield: authentic Italian at Home #ladisfida

Thanks to our friend David who suggested, organised, ordered, picked up and delivered our delicious and old school, authentic Italian dinner from Haberfield to Centennial Park tonight.

These are the real friends we all need when life is at risk of slipping into the mundane, but is surprised back into delight by people like him! The delivery was back door, dark lane, personal and special….we almost felt illegal! 😂

Special delivery..back door, back lane from Haberfield to Centennial Park!

Of course we thought we had over ordered but then we ended up devouring the delicious 😋 food with little hesitation. The potato croquettes went first, while we gave the pizza and polenta chips a quick reheat in the oven.

Next up was the divine thin, crispy pizza with delicious oven roasted beetroot salad and our polenta Chips with Gorgonzola sauce. Might need to do an extra lap of the Park to work these goodies off!

An appropriately Italian made dinner setting from Positano for our Italian dinner!
Polenta chips with Gorgonzola sauce.

Pizza, salad and cheeky chillies provide by La Disfida on the side!

Thanks again David! Your kindness and La Disfida’s commitment to old school Italian flavours made for a very special dinner!

Here’s the link to their menu if you are want to enjoy a similar great experience https://ladisfida.com.au

Shanthini3 Comments

Lucky Lucio’s dinner

A few weeks ago we had gone to Oxford St in Paddington to try a new Italian place but found it doesn’t open for a while so thought we would try our luck to get a table for two at legendary Lucio’s on the spur of the moment.

Not only were we lucky to get a table, we were greeted by the lovely Lucio himself and welcomed warmly by everyone on a very busy Saturday night.

We were given delicious complimentary canapés and warm crusty bread to start as we contemplated the wine list and menu.

We chose a Vino Rosso from Umbria and settled on the Duck liver parfait with poached yabbies and the famous green noodles with crab for entrees and slow cooked lamb shoulder and duck for our mains with a side of Brussel sprouts.

As always, each dish was superbly executed and delicious with creative sauces and gels adding to the fine dining experience, all in the warm, welcoming and happy atmosphere of Lucio’s.

Make sure you reserve a table if going as you might not be as lucky as we were to get into the spur of the moment as we were.

Thanks Lucio, Michaela and the team for another great dining experience.

ShanthiniLeave a comment

Ten out of 10 William, #Paddington #Sydney

Delicious lunch at the hole in a wall, boutique Italian restaurant at 10 William on the eponymous William St in Paddington, Sydney today. 10 William is a Sydney institution which is well known for favourites such as pretzels with bottarga cheese dip and it’s tiramisu.

With leather banquettes, tiny tables and stools, 10 William combines style with an all organic, very expensive wine list and a short but spot on menu featuring fresh and interesting produce.

Excellent for lunch after shopping at the Saturday Paddington markets or the trendy boutiques in William St itself.

We started by sharing delicious globe artichoke deep fried Roman style and served with the most tangy delicious bagna cauda (garlic and anchovy sauce) and creamy ricotta and bitter green Fritto parcels with a sprinkling of chilli on top.

The parpadelle with broccoli and Jerusalem artichoke was a hit with its sprinkling of crunchy breadcrumbs as was the nettle cavatelli with light lamb ragu and chickpeas in a light divine flavoured broth.

All the wine is natural and our Gentle Folk Schist Sauvignon Blanc was rich and flavourful complimenting the food well. Check out their website for latest menu and wine list.http://10williamst.com.au

Unfortunately no room for dessert but word on the street is that the flan with vermouth caramel sauce is divine!

We’ll be back for more from talented Chef Trish Greentree and the friendly waitstaff.

ShanthiniLeave a comment

Zesty stuffed artichokes with orange mayonnaise sauce

Inspired by traditional Sicilian fare, these rustic stuffed artichokes have been a family favourite for many years. When the kids were young this dish fitted into the category of “interactive eating” – as it entails using your hands to pulling off the steamed and stuffed leaves, dipping them in the sauce and then inelegantly sucking the stuffing off them. Messy but definitely worth the effort as you make your way to the tender artichoke heart – the jewel in the crown. The zesty orange flavoured stuffing and unique artichoke flavour team with the semi-sweet Orange mayonnaise sauce to make a delicious entree that never fails to surprise and delight guests.

Prep time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes
Ingredients

4 fresh artichokes
1 onion finely diced
3 cloves garlic crushed into paste
Olive oil – 2/3 tablespoons to thinly cover base of small frying pan
Half a bunch parsley finely chopped
6 stale slices white bread torn into fresh breadcrumbs
Zest of one Orange
Juice of half an orange
Half a cup whole egg mayonnaise
Salt and pepper to taste
Large heavy, flat bottom pot with lid
4 cups water

image

Method
Heat oil in small non-stick frying pan
Add onion and cook slowly until transparent
Add garlic paste and cook through with onions for 2-3 minutes
In a seperate bowl make breadcrumbs and then add onion mixture, parsley and orange zest and mix all ingredients well allowing breadcrumbs to absorb the oil and flavours of onion mixture
Cut off stems from artichokes to form a flat base for artichokes to sit in pot
Wash artichokes well, gently spreading leaves without breaking them off, to make room for stuffing mix
Stuff artichokes leaf by leaf working from inside out. The aim is to have a little bit of stuffing on each of the leaves.
image
Place 2-3 cups water in a flat heavy bottomed pot with a lid and bring to the boil.
stand artichokes flat side down in pot. Water should just cover about 1/4 of the artichokes. You are aiming to steam leaves but have enough water to cook hearts at the bottom.
Cover with lid and allow water to boil on a gentle roll for 25-30 minutes.
In the meantime, mix the Orange juice with the mayonnaise and let stand in fridge agin to slightly thicken again. The consistency will be saucy.
Remove artichokes from water and allow to stand and drain for 2 minutes.
Serve with orange mayonnaise in seperate small bowls for each person. Have a seperate bowl at hand to discard the leaves in as you go!

image

Shanthini2 Comments