Cafe Int - Toronto, NSW

Just posted some more photos of Cafe Int's great food!  

Did you know?

The Arabs invented Caramel.  It was used as hair removal for women in the Harem.  Ouch.

Birthday/Thank You For Helping Me Move Dinner

Two days to go until my five course Dinner party for myself and 9 friends.  The Dinner is a thank you to those of my friends who helped me move and also a chance to celebrate my birthday!

My grocery list is written (shopping in the morning), my timeline has been planned (first dish commences cooking at 6pm Thursday night) and my house is undergoing a thorough cleaning (hopefully I can get it all up to standard)!  So, lots and lots to do in the next two days.  

Wanna know what we're having?

The menu - 

• Roast beetroot, carrot and sweet potato on baby spinach w goats feta, hazelnut dukkah and balsamic glaze.
• Broccoli soup w fried chorizo and parsley oil 
• Basil pesto pasta w slow roasted roma tomatoes and tomato caramel syrup
• Moroccan lamb stew w orange and coriander couscous 
• Chocolate mousse cake w coffee mascarpone and hazelnut praline 

I've only made two of the dishes before and only one time each, so finger crossed (really tightly) that it all works out!!

Photos and recipes will be posted by Monday night

Recipes - Maltese Spaghetti

This recipe is the reason most of my friends keep me around.  It's probably not traditional but is my interpretation of the recipe my grandmother makes and is a good representation of Maltese Cuisine. The ingredients may seem a bit odd, but trust me, I have not met one person who has not enjoyed this.

Ingredients

600g middle bacon, diced

1/2 head garlic, about 8-12 cloves, roughly chopped

2 x 400g tins tomatoes

4 heaped tbs tomato paste

1tbs sugar

Step 1 - Heat oil in a large frying pan.  You need lots of olive oil, enough to cover the base of the pan in a thin layer.  Fry garlic and bacon until they are cooked and slightly coloured, but do not allow the garlic to burn.

Step 2 - Add tomato paste and sugar and fry off for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning.

Step 3 - Add tin tomatoes and 1 cup water, reduce heat and simmer slowly for 2-4 hours.

Step 4 - Serve with spaghetti and freshly grated parmesan.

Notes:

The long, slow cooking of this dish is essential. 

Lightbulb!

I'm thinking lamb burger, seasoned with cumin, on a toasted turkish role with eggplant, spinach, tomato, sour cream and sweet chili sauce.

It might just work....