Chef Lex Blogwarming ^^!
I have been to housewarming parties but never did I think that I would be attending a BLOGwarming party! Chef Lex has decided to launch his blog (check it! Blog from a chefs’ POV!) off with an explosion of food, fun and friends but a requirement was that everybody brought a signature dish. Rocking up at his house we were all capitvated and entranced by the biggest and AWESOMEST giant Scooby Doo! Oh and the view of the water was pretty good as well 
hee hee The house had a very beautiful custom kitchen (as expected of a chef) and, of course, the view was breathtaking!
Can you tell which one is the real dog hee hee ?
If you guessed the giant Scooby, sorry but that is just a doll but for those who guessed the cute little ball of fur in the bed you are also incorrect *shock!* The doggy was a trick one that actually had a moving back and played sounds! Technology these dayyyss. Shez, Simon, Steph, Suze, Slex (S themed party :S?) and I then prepared for the important feasting ahead!
Look at Lex‘s HUUUGGGEEEE and enviable cookbook collection!
The table of goodies but first the religious photography begins!
We started off with some of Lex‘s Spanish chorizo and haloumi cheese. The combination of the crispy chorizo slices matched perfectly with the squeeky but more subtly flavoured haloumi cheese. I ended up making a very simple and boring honey & soy chicken since I could not think of anything that I could call my signature dish :S
Coffin Bay Oysters
Lex had freshly picked them from the water bought these from the Fish Markets earlier that day so these little plump morsels tasted very fresh especially with a squirt of lemon.
(Top Left) Sourdough from Bourke St Bakery
Mmm crusty bread and sourdough! I heart bread ^^!
(Top Right) Blue Swimmer Crab Miso Soup
Very warming and smooth of miso flavour and the hint of crab, Lex‘s soup really hit the spot as a pre lunch appetizer. I was even more surprised when he mentioned that it was using instant miso mix but I guess all the richness came from the crab.
(Bottom Left) Salad
Lex‘s freshly tossed salad with slightly sweet dressing (which I thought was pork belly jus at first) was a great buffer for all the other meaty dishes hee hee.
(Bottom Right) Mashed Potato
Creamy, soft and fluffy mash is my carbohydrate of choice (along with soft fluffy bread) and this version by Lex was a winner!
Broccoli and Cauliflower soup with a splash of garlic infused olive oil and a garlic bagel crumb
This soup by Shez was thick and creamy which reminded me of puree and the garlic punch was soft but firm so the beautiful flavour of garlic spread evenly throughout the whole soup. The soup was rich and refreshing and I could easier polished off the whole pot(s) hee hee.
Tullabung Pork Tonkatsu, Salmon sashimi, Tamagoyaki, King Prawn Ebi Tempura and lettuce and tomato salad
Simon once again whipped up some delicious tonakatsu but also some ebi fry and some fresh salmon sashimi! His bento was a good portion for one and we suspected that was his back up plan in case all our foods failed
Maple Smoked Pork Belly with Szechuan Mandarin Glaze
Another one of Lex‘s dishes and was one of the stars of the meal with its’ gorgeous crackling and soft tender meat. The sweet and sticky maple married perfectly with the mandarin, star anise and cinnamon to form the most tantalizing glaze which coated out mouths after all the meat is gone. And the crackling, oh myyy, I don’t think words can describe the crackling… just some sounds that is inappropriate for this site
After filling up our savoury stomach with all the tasty food it was time for dessert!
We started off with some the most delectable salted dulce de leche cookies by Steph. The sweet and sticky dulce really matches well with the darker cocoa which was also very soft and crumbly undertooth. The touch of salt really emphasizes the sweetness of the dulce as well.
If you think that was enough dulce for us, think again! (Oh and Shez and Suze meeting for the first time)
Round two of the dulce de leche and chocoalte was in brownie form thanks to Suze. Thicker and richer with more body, these brownies were tough competitors for the dulce cookies but in the end they were both so good that I kept grabbing for more!
Raspberri Cupcakes and raspberry cupcakes XD
Steph could not come without raspberry cupcakes could she ? These soft and crumbly cupcakes are most definitely better tahn any store bought cupcake I have had and the oozy jam centre came as a pleasant surprise! The hint of coconut along with the slightly sour raspberry all came together beautifully and I was glad I was able to steal so many hee hee.
Make some more smores!
A cheerful Shez proudly presented a mind-blasting layered cake! Even though we were stuffed to our heads with food I just had to try some of this cake and it was amazing, a harmony of the chocolate sponge, butterscotch pear, pistachio and orange cream and a finish of chocolate ganache.
We ended off with some refreshing kiwi pops by Lex and a peruse of his weapons of choice *shiny shiny knives MWAAHAHHA*
I love blogwarmings hee hee and a big thanks and welcome to Chef Lex! A big thanks to everyone for bringing delicious food as well mmmmm ^^!
FFichiban
August 13th, 2009 at 7:57 pm
whoa everything seems so good, and it’s always fun when bloggers meet up!
me want to go too! heh
August 13th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Those, are the most awesome photos. *bow in awe*
August 13th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
You will have another blogwarming party soon soon!!
August 13th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
ohmygoodness! i didn’t realise you were taking a full body shot O_o (I love that tee shirt)
August 14th, 2009 at 1:14 am
Oh man everything looks good! Scooby doo, THAT WATER VIEWS!!, the food, the desserts, and the awesomeness of all the foodbloggers! Mmmmm pork belly……….. this is bad. It’s 12AM and I’m dreaming of pork belly… mmmm…
August 14th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
We love the blog
Welcome to Nuffnang!
Kruppy (Nuffnang)
August 14th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Heehee I love your photos, it was awesome fun hanging out with you! Aww I’m so chuffed you think the cupcakes were better than store bought
Oh and where did you get that yummy yummy fig cheesecake from? I wants!
August 14th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
WOW! i should organize a party too…that doesn’t involve zombies jumping outta TV via xbox or korean soap opera…hehehe…i love love LOVE the shot of the cameras on the table hehehe…totally feeling it!
August 14th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Ladyironchef – Haha yeah meetups are funnn! How crazy would an international gathering be!
?
Lex – Hee hee thx, thinking of getting a slr
Ellie – w00t w00t can’t wait thhxx ^^!
Shez – Hee hee of course awesome shirt must be included
Trisha – Haha dw I dream of pork belly many-a-night…
Kruppy – Thanks
Steph – Well they arrree!! *nom nom nom* and more gatherings imo ^^!
Mochachocolatarita – OOhh please do it when you come back to Sydney ^^! Hee hee hee thhhxxx
August 17th, 2009 at 12:36 am
Man, that was a good day! Would so do the pork roast and sweets again!
Some real nice photos. Love your work