The Friday Shop

A.K.A the Friday Shop

There is so much to love about a Friday. There's no grumpy Monday moaners lingering on a Friday, I love this. But what I love most about Friday's is, of course, the Friday Shop.

If you haven't heard of it you must be living in a dark cave at the bottom of the ocean... or maybe you just don't live in Dunedin. I used to live in Melbourne, the food capital of the world, the place where every street has an amazingly unique cafe. Before I moved to Dunedin I was so scared to leave my beloved food and damn-good coffee behind. I was worried about coming to a tiny city at the bottom of New Zealand, a place I used to believe didn't know the difference between instant coffee and freshly roasted barista coffee. But to my absolute joy, as I mourn for Melbourne for these years while I study, life is not so bad with places like the Friday Shop. So thank you Friday Shop for your exquisite pastries that light up my life, every week. 

As you would expect since the bakery is called the Friday Shop, it is only open on Fridays. And because of this it turns into the busiest place in the South Island at 6am on a Friday (I might be exaggerating but then again, I might not). You got to be in it to win it when it comes to these things. So most Fridays, I set my alarm extra early and drag my zombie-like boyfriend up to Roslyn. He secretly loves it. The reason I say most Friday's is because if we went every week my fingers would be too chunky to type this up, if you know what I mean, and I quite like being able to type on my iPad without sausage fingers. The pastries are fantastic but as I would say to the kids I look after, they are a 'sometimes food'. Mind you, the Friday Shop do sell beautiful soups, meatballs and other meals but to be honest, who would buy that when fresh steak and cheese pies, chocolate tarts, or various pastry quiches are screaming at you?! Remember, sausage fingers...

I do love doing my own baking but it takes hours to make croissants and when you can buy amazing pastries in seconds there is something so satisfying about it. You can taste the love and time that has gone into each treat. The first week we visited the shop we stood there for a good 15 minutes not knowing what to do. Dozens of people came in, gathered their tarts and croissants, and then left all while we stood there. How on earth can you choose between perfect pastries? I wanted them all! So we compromised with one treat each and then something to share. Now everytime we visit this is what we do. 

Yesterday this is what our popping eyes and greedy stomachs chose...

Apple turn-over Danish was Matts choice. The perfect sweet puff pastry complimented the apple sauce that oozed out as you bit into it. An absolute MUST!

My choice, however, was not as good as Matt's. It was still beautiful but I am still forever a die-hard fan of Danish type pastries rather than sliced Apple tart. It was still beautiful. Oh and as for the picture, some is missing because I took a sneaky bite before we even got home...

Last but not least... The almighty chocolate tart. I don't have much to say other than perfection. I was simply lost for words when I ate it because it was so decadent. So rich, so silky, so Devine. You simply have to try it to be able to understand. The pastry and then the two layers of chocolate, a fudge-like bottom layer and a chocolate ganache on the top. I have to try and make my own chocolate tart!

You have to see it to believe it and you have to try it before you can testify it. So here I am showing you and my evidence is proof that the Friday shop is amazing. And I am being a little over-excited about food, as usual. 

Bon-appetite!

-Fee

Japanese Inspired Spicy Chicken

I would gladly live in Japan just to be able to eat their glorious cuisine daily. 

About a month ago I went to what is now one of my favourite restaurants in Dunedin, Yuki. Located just near the octagon, Yuki has to be the cutest restaurant out. Its' cozy and authentic vibe makes for a sensational experience. Although, right now I'm not going to go off on a tangent about Yuki. I'll save that for another time.

Spicy chicken. It is unquestionably my most favourite dish from Yuki. Ever since my last visit to Yuki, those long four weeks ago, spicy chicken has been running through my mind. Delicious tender chicken covered in a hot spicy sauce. So simple but so satisfying. I love spicy food, it adds a kick of excitement to so many dishes. And to be honest, without the spice in that sauce it would not be worthy enough to write about.

I think I have made it clear how much I love Yuki and how much I LOVE the spicy chicken. And now that your mouth is watering just like mine at the thought of it, I'll share with you what I have done. Yesterday I spent a good couple of hours getting lost in Pinterest searching for 'spicy chicken sauce', 'spicy Japanese sauce' or even just 'spicy sauce'. Nothing made the cut. So I have made my own spicy sauce recipe and instead of just being for chicken, this sauce can be made to drizzle over your whole meal if you please. 

It might not be the most good looking of sauces but come on, just look at it, in all of its saucy sauciness. 

Here's what I did:

This recipe is for two people

1cup rice

1tblsp rice vinegar 

2tsp sugar

Green vegetables of choice

1 chicken breast

2 eggs slightly beaten

1/2 cup cornflour 

To make the sauce you will need:

1tblsp sesame oil

2tblsp good soy sauce

6tblsp chilli tomato (I use delmaine tomato sauce with chilli)

1tsp Honey

2 chopped spring onions

1/2 chopped medium red onion

2tsp (heaped) crushed garlic 

1tsp (heaped) finely chopped ginger

1tsp coriander 

1/2 tsp garam masala 

1tsp chilli powder

1/4 tsp turmeric 

Salt to season

The first thing I did was prepare the rice and broccoli. I wouldn't normally use broccoli in a dish like this but it was there and needed to be eaten. Snow peas or even just green beans would go lovely. Place your greens of choice in a steamer over a pot of cold water and put on a low heat (they should be ready to serve when everything else is done.) To make semi-sticky rice, put one cup of rice and 1 cup of water in a pot. Season with salt, add another two table spoons of water and then place on a low heat with the lid on. Keep an eye on your rice as you cook everything else, when all the water has gone turn the heat off pour in the rice vinegar and sugar and leave in the pot until you are ready to serve. It should be fluffy with a small amount of stick, none of that sloppy crap!

While the rice and greens look after themselves chop your chicken up into smallish slices. Cover each piece in corn flour and then dip into the egg mixture and put on a plate ready for frying. 

To prepare the sauce make sure everything is chopped up at your finger tips ready to use. While the chicken cooks you can make the sauce. Whisk the soy sauce, sesame oil, chilli tomato sauce and honey in a small bowl.

Now it's time to start your frying and your saucing. The reason I do these at the same time is to ensure the chicken stays crispy and the sauce stays hot and fresh when you serve. Oil a large pan and place on a medium high heat and oil a medium pan and place on a low heat. Once hot, place all the chicken into the large pan to start browning. Let it sizzle in the hot oil and take a moment to admire the delicious sound. Remember to keep checking the chicken when you make the sauce. It should take a few minutes on each side and should be brown and crispy. 

In the smaller pan fry the onions, ginger and garlic for a minute or so or until nice and soft. Add the sauce mixture to the pan and let it bubble for a couple of minutes, stirring occasionally. Once it has bubbled for a minute or so, add the coriander and remaining spices. Salt to season. Now try your sauce, if it's too strong for you, you can always add some water to tone it down a little. I try to keep things rather exciting so I like it quite strong. It's quite a nudge to your taste buds. 

And your done! Serve your crispy chicken with the green vegetables and rice. You may just like to pour the sauce on your chicken, but I'm a saucy girl (pun intended), so I cover everything in the spicy treasure.

And when you serve food and beer at the same time, well that's one happy man. 

-Fee