Lontong with sate, cucumber and deep fried shallots

My Malaysian aunty first made lontong for me ten years ago, and I’ve loved them ever since. In Indonesia and Malaysia they are served alongside grilled meat skewers along with chunks of cucumber and sate sauce. When trying to create a vegetarian alternative to my favourite chicken sate skewers, these delicious little pressed rice cakes came to mind. They turned out to be the star of the evening!

Bò Kho (Vietnamese lemongrass beef stew)

I made this recently as the main course at a dinner party, although I’m told that in Vietnam it is usually eaten as a breakfast dish. I’d happily eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it’s so good. As with most stews it improves overnight so it’s best to start it the day before for maximum flavour and tenderness.

Bo La Lot – Beef in Betel Leaf

I adapted this recipe from Luke Ngyuyen’s recipe. Bo la lot make a fantastic finger food which can be eaten either piping hot, or just warm. I should call my version ‘roo la lot’, as I actually used kangaroo mince instead of beef.

Van Loi, Campsie

Shopping in Campsie the other day, Mr Black and I needed a food fix. We headed to the nearest busy-looking dive we could find – Van Loi. Or, as it’s called on Urbanspoon, Van Loc. As far as I can tell they are one and the same place!

Fish & Co., Annandale

I was very excited to hear about a sustainable seafood cafe/restaurant opening up, and even more excited to find it was opening up in my hood, the inner west! So tonight I took my mum (an Annandale local) to try it out as one of our weekly dinners together.

Ben Ngu, Marrickville

While shopping in Marrickville with my lovely mother, I suddenly realised that the hunger monster was hot on my heels. So we headed towards the nearest Vietnamese joint and quickly perused the (enormous) menu.

The best Malaysian beef rendang recipe

I love a good rendang! Here is Mr Black’s favourite version… mine

Pho Bac Hai Duong, Marrickville

I’d heard great things about this place from friends, and had always intended to go. But as soon I saw that it had taken over the number one spot on Eatability’s Top Ten for Value – from Jasmin’s, no less – I had to take Mr Black on a spontaneous magical mystery dinner date.