Illawarra Food Reviews at Shellharbour Markets

After much deliberation I have decided to hire a stall at the Shellharbour Village Markets, starting on August 9th and once a month on the second Sunday thereafter. I will be selling gluten free biscotti, (chocolate biscotti and biscotti with pistachio), my world famous butter shortbread and some cannoli with a sweet ricotta cheese filling. I have been making butter shortbread since I was a teenager and it is much requested by friends and family. The gluten free biscotti is inspired by my visit to Tutti in Italia, Italian Day at Wollongong Mall earlier in the year and I will be selling hot chocolate as well, the perfect accompaniment and is sure to warm me up as I man the stall from 9am until 2pm.

I will also have my photography portfolio and some samples of my work in commercial, food and portrait photography and I will be offering special packages including glamour photography sessions and 3, 6, 9 and 12 month baby portrait sessions.

Over the next week I will be trialling three varieties of gluten free biscotti

• one with cornmeal, cornflour and xanthum gum and pistachios
• millet flour, buckwheat flour, quinoa flower and cranberries
  
• another with millet flour, buckwheat flour, quinoa flour and unsweetened cocoa

I'm also testing out a recipe for Cannoli filled with ricotta from the Womens Weekly Italian Cookbook. I'm a big fan of Cannoli since my first visit to Tonitto Continental Cakes in Port Kembla and I love ricotta cheesecake so I'm excited about the combination.

I've missed out on a lot of late due to poor health and I'm glad to be getting back into the swing of things. Bring on Spring!

Food Markets of the Illawarra

One of the things I have been learning of late (both on tv shows such as River Cottage Autumn, web-based organisations such as Slow Food) is the importance on sourcing local food suppliers. We all know that fresh is best and the shortest distance between supplier and our dinner plate the better. That's why I love visiting fresh food markets such as the Shellharbour Village Markets, Kiama Produce Market and Wollongong Produce Market, .

Shellharbour Village Craft Markets
Held every second Sunday 9.00am til 2.00pm in the grounds of Shellharbour Public School
Mary Street SHELLHARBOUR NSW 2529.
2009 dates include May 10th, June 14th, July 12th, August 9th, September 13, October 11th, November 8th, December 13th. Be sure to mark them on your calendar!

Kiama Produce Market
Wonderful market held on the fourth Saturday of every month. Stalls including fresh and cured fish, meats, fruits and vegetables, cheeses and nuts, wines and other gourmet foods.

Wollongong Produce Market is held every friday in Crown Street Mall, Wollongong. Stalls of note include the fresh fruit and vegetable stall, Razorback Grove Olives (producers of fresh olives, olive oil and cheeses), fudge, fresh herb plants and assorted arts and crafts.

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Note: If you know of any Illawarra fresh produce markets or suppliers of fresh produce who sell direct to the public please let me know!

UPCOMING NSW FOODIE EVENTS

Eumundi Parkside Markets

Recently I went for a week-long trip to the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. We arrived on Saturday June 28th and came back July 5th.
On July 2nd we set off from Caloundra / Pelican Waters for Noosa via a daytrip around Eumundi, Montville, Maleny and Noosa.

Our first stop was at Eumundi markets


TIBETAN MOMOS

The sign intrigued me and they were very nice

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POFFERTJES




The offer stated 12 for $5 but I asked for half a serve for $2.50. Delicious!

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GINGER BEER


SAMOSAS

After my previous samplings I decided one samosa was better than two. The chutney was very tasty!

MANGO LICK

After all the wonderful food I was rather thirsty so I decided to try the Mango Lick. Yumm!

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HERITAGE FOODS

With thoughts of the motel room we were headed to at the end of the day, I decided to buy some Spinach and Feta bread. Absolutely delicious!

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OKONOMIYAKI - JAPANESE SAVOURY PANCAKES
I really wanted to try their okonomiyaki but the line was just too long. Next time. If you haven't tried it yet, please do so! I prefer the King Prawn okonomiyaki myself. Delicious!

Good Food Month: Sydney Night Noodle Markets

On October 17th, 2006 I celebrated my 35th birthday. It was quite a milestone so I decided to spend my day enjoying Taronga Park Zoo's 90 cent entry for birthday boys and girls (part of their 90th birthday celebrations) and then at night made our way to the Night Noodle Markets in Sydney's Hyde Park. It was a magical experience for me, my first night market but certainly not my last.

If you missed it, there is good news - it is on again this year and, weather and health permitting, I will be there on my birthday to once again celebrate growing older with a party environment that is intoxicating. Thousands of people coming together to sample foods from all over the world, sample beers and wine and appreciate the wonderful City of Sydney. What more could a birthday girl ask for?

Here are some photos from last year's Good Food Month, Night Noodle Markets 06

Night Noodle Markets, Hyde Park


Mussells



Seafood Skewers





Salt and Pepper Calimari


Yum Cha




My favourite of the night was the Japanese Okonomiyaki from Japancake



King Prawn Pancake (okonomiyaki)

King Prawn Pancake (okonomiyaki) with Oysters


Oysters au Naturale'




Yum Cha plate $18 @ Night Noodle Markets in Hyde Park, Sydney


Location:
Hyde Park North
Hyde Park, Sydney

Event dates:
Monday, 8 October 5 - 9pm
Tuesday, 9 October 5 - 9pm
Wednesday, 10 October 5 - 9pm
Thursday, 11 October 5 - 9pm
Friday, 12 October 5 - 9pm
Monday, 15 October 5 - 9pm
Tuesday, 16 October 5 - 9pm
Wednesday, 17 October 5 - 9pm
Thursday, 18 October 5 - 9pm
Friday, 19 October 5 - 9pm