Masterchef: Valencia

I wasn't in Valencia long enough for any life-changing culinary adventures but two meals stood out.

I am slowing getting used to the meal times in Spain and at 3pm yesterday, it was time for some lunch. Wandering aimlessly through the back streets of Valencia, I stumbled across Cerveceria 100 Montaditos, my new favourite Spanish food-chain. The concept is simple, there's a menu of 100 small baguettes (7-10cm long each), you write down the ones you want on an order form, and they call out your name when its done. Most baguettes costs 1Euro but some gourmet ones are 2Euros; perfect for a backpacker. For someone who's knowledge of Spanish culinary terms is limited to jamon, queso, pollo and gambas, it was a case of lucky-dip. I knew I'd ordered jamon, but with what???

I loved it and recommeded the place for dinner to my roommates for the night, Skye and Effie (and ended up eating round 2 with them). The concept fitted in very well with my "eat a little, often" idea; lots of variety, small portion sizes.

Effie's plate: tortilla with salsa, chocolate and tuna

The preparation area

On my second day in Valencia, I decided to set myself a challenge as since leaving San Sebastian my diet has been primarily bread, jamon and cheese. So today was to be a day without any of it.

I headed to the Central Market, one of the oldest in Europe to find some supplies to cook at the hostel's kitchen for dinner. Feeling like a contestant on Masterchef, I had to create a gourmet dish, with unlimited fresh produce but limited condiments and spices. So how did I go?

Well, I cheated a little. I bought some chicken that was already marinated and mixed with onion and assorted peppers so all I had to add was some spinach for greens. For such a simple dinner, it tasted heavenly. I actually could feel my stomach rejoicing at being reunited with vegetables!!

Dinner underway

The finished product

So, feeling like the girl on the Healthy Choice television advertisments, I can now say "Yes Mum, I am looking after myself".

Lafayette Gourmet, Paris

London has Harrods, but Paris has Lafayette Gourmet and it is far superior (sorry London)!!!

Lafayette Gourmet is located in Galeries Lafayette, the premier department store in Paris geared to both tourists and locals alike. The shoe department alone was enough to keep a girl occupied for hours but after a quick tour, I headed to the Lafayette Gourmet.

The market stocks the greatest selection of fresh produce from around the world, together with ready-to-eat meals and pantry items. The usual weakspot for a market in Eurpoe is the lack of asian ingredients but Lafayette Gourmet had all the requirements needed.

I started to take photos of each of the sections but was advised by a security guard that photos were not permitted so I can only show you a handful of photos from the patisserie sections.

Take-away cakes

This is about 1/3 of the macaroon section


Single-serve cakes


One of my favourites - the Croquembouche

Touring around all this food was starting to make me hungy so I looked for a place to sit and have a bite to eat. There are many small establishments in the food hall with their menus highlighting the produce for sale in that area. I settled on the Salumeria Rosi Parmacotto (near the charcuterie section) and pulled up a seat at the bar.

The waiter talked me into the beef carpaccio which was served with fresh bread and a small side salad.

The carpaccio (side dishes not pictured)

Whilst sitting at the bar and talking to the other patrons, I allowed the waiter to talk me into ordering one of his special cocktails - a mix of champagne, limoncello, martini and framboise, which was very refreshing

I ended up sitting at the counter for over 90 minutes, enjoying my food and talking with the other patrons. During that time, without charge or request, the waiter brought over to me a plate of jamon, another cocktail and a cheese plate!!! He was threatening to bring over more food when I begged him to stop or I wouldn't have room for dinner.

The cheese plate (with provolone, parmesan and gorgonzola)

The waiter, Mauricio and I

I would hope that the department stores in Australia take note of the wide selection stocked at Lafayette Gourmet and try to replicate the formula (and stock) back home. The closest we seem to have is the David Jones Food Halls but they really do pale in comparison.

The Markets of Paris

During the past few days I have visited the majority of the tourist sites in Paris (the Louvre, Disneyland, Eiffel Tower, Pantheon, Arc du Triomphe, Notre Dame and a boat cruise on the river Seine). Whilst each day has been highly enjoyable, I felt I was missing seeing the Paris I wanted to see. The Paris with the cobblestone streets, lined with fromageries and fresh produce with Parisians buying their daily baguettes.

The tourist sites are somewhat quarantined from the Parisians; there are no local shops in vicinity (in fact I had not even seen a supermarket, fromagerie or butcher since I arrived) and the eating choices are highly geared for the tourists.

Today I decided that I was going to take a step away from mainstream tourist Paris - to the market. Now to be fair, I didn't venture that far as tourists often visit here, but it was a welcome change of pace and scenery.

The view down Rue Mouffetard

I started my day at Rue Mouffetard, a cobblestone street lined with providores of fresh produce. Inspired by a logo on a shopping bag my cousin had last night “Don’t eat anything your great grandmother wouldn’t recognise as food”, I decided to purchase a sampling of goods from the shops and create my own picnic to eat in Paris.

A tiny selection of the goods on offer

I visited the fromagerie and bought three small cheeses (two goats and one sheep), the charcutier for some jamon, the bakery for a ciabatta, the seafood shop for gambas alla ajillo (prawns with garlic and roasted tomato) and the fresh market for raspberries.

The interior of AndrOuet Fromagerie

The weather was windy and threatening to rain so I abandoned my initial plan of picnicking by the Seine and instead took up residence in a local park in the heart of Paris.

The view from my picnic location

A sampling of my lunch items

For the remainder of the day, I walked around the Chatelet part of Paris, window shopping and taking in the sights; a lovely day in Paris.

Shoreditch, London

I met my cousin, Phil, at Islington before heading off to explore the markets at Shoreditch for the morning before taking the Eurostar to Paris.

We first walked through the flower markets and it was amazing to see the variety of flowers (and low prices) compared to Australia.

We continued walking through the area sampling the various street food/market items on offer including almond crossaints, tropical fruit juices, coffee and my favourite, a salt beef bagel.

According to my sources, there are two establishments specialising in salt beef bagels on Brick Lane, located approximately two doors down from each other. My cousin recommended that we visit Brick Lane Bakery and we shared a bagel with salt beef, mustard and pickles. It was great - full of flavour, tender beef and tasted like New York.

My half of the bagel

I then headed to Paris where I was met by my cousins, Alexis and Edith. I spent the evening settling into Paris (including trying to put together a family tree) and was welcomed with a home-cooked French dinner followed by the greatest cheese board I have ever had the pleasure of tasting.

Harrods

After finishing touring the Tower of London at 3.15pm, I decided to walk to Harrods and promised myself that I would not eat until I reached Harrods or 4pm (whichever came first). At 4.00pm I was still miles away from Harrods so decided that the Tube was in order.

My first priority was to locate the often-discussed Harrod's Food Hall. Similar to a David Jones food hall, Harrods has more fresh ingredients, much greater variety but fewer places to eat.

A selection of the sweet treats

After touring the chocolates and the pastries I was still unsure what to purchase until I saw it......the dim sum restaurant! Sometimes in life, you know you are being ripped off yet you feel that it is acceptable. Eating in Harrods having my favourite food was one such time. I knew it was overpriced, however it was an experience and I also knew it had to be good - and it was.

Each steamer was priced at $10-$13 each but I couldn't resist and ordered two.

Prawn and coriander dumplings - the pastry was clear and soft
and the prawns were plump and juicy
(there were three in the basket but I ate one before I remembered to take the photo)

Crab & Pork Siu Loong Bau - the shape was certainly unconventional
but the taste was flawless

Chinese food is often viewed as being hard to find in London (good Chinese anyway); although I have had very limited experience in this matter, if you are willing to pay for it, Harrods certainly meets expectations!

Borough Market, London

On route to the Tower of London, I passed through the Borough Market and decided it was the perfect location to grab an early lunch.

The market stocks are wide variety of fresh produce, meats and cheeses together with baked goods and meals to go. A selection of the goodies on sale.......

For lunch I decided to sample something I've never eaten before, wild boar sausage. I ordered a small size which was served with salad, homemade pepper sauce, and onions. The sausage was very nice, full flavoured but not gamey. The bread was quite dry and I left it uneaten.

For dessert, I had one piece of baklava which was divine.

I also decided to buy a snack for the afternoon (pictured below). I did not enjoy these at all as I found the texture too doughy and they were discarded after one small bite.

Overall, the Borough Market was highly enjoyable; it is a great spot to buy produce if you were a local, as well as being a good option for lunch on the go.