Wednesdays--the wheels start falling off

So..no left overs. Mother in law's dumplings , get from freezer, boil, eat. Hubby fend for thyself

Tuesdays--yay for the fruits of Monday's labour

Ok, so Tuesday wasn't the greatest day at work. Highlight of my day was that sticky, sweet, slightly spicy pork that I had stewed on Monday.
Microwave the pork, and bean sprouts, cucumbers, carrots, mint, coriander and a cocktail of lime, fish sauce, sugar, vinegar, sesame oil and I forgot what else later... We have asian style salad with stewed pork ribs.
Sounds almost sell-a-ble, especially when there's a bit of honey around to drizzle over the pork.

Mondays for Tuesdays

Mondays I realised are the crux for me surviving at least some part of the week avoiding take away. Since Mondays is now the 'day off' excuses such as 'too busy, not enough time' etc suddenly become unacceptable. 

Still, I can't say I'm motivated enough to look through cook books and come up with fantastic meal ideas. Martha Stewart, I am not. Jamie Oliver--you need too many ingredients.  The end game is to prepare enough food for hubby and myself for Monday and Tuesday (dinners) with as minimal fuss and as much efficiency as possible. 

So, here's this week's 'normal food'--a far cry from Vanitas, or any remote form of restaurant dining. 

Cooked 4 dishes---steamed frozen cod fillets with ginger and spring onion, squid with ginger and soy dressing, veggies and oyster sauce and pork cooked in soy sauce, black vinegar and chilli. 

We had the seafood for dinner that night, let's face it, it's not exactly food porn or even food B grade movie, lets face it the fish was pretty much 'straight to DVD' (that's why there's no photo)--but it's A for 'a bit of effort'. 

Yes, squid is not cut up properly but expectations are tanked especially when there's not even a sharp knife at home. 

In the end, garnishes and filters make everything look acceptable--just like CGI. 

Squid

Pork spare ribs--have to say that was pretty good even if i do say so myself 

Chinese staple--veggies in oyster sauce. At least the veggies stayed green 

Starting with a treat

There's nothing like something awesome to act as motivation for the weekend that is coming up -oh-so-far-away. Ok granted, I don't work Mondays (anymore) but most delicious eating out is done on weekends. 

For this Monday the motivation is the amazing dinner I had on Saturday night with hubby at Palazzo Versace. Sure I admit it may have seemed extra delicious because it was the first time I had matching wines (note to self: liver's not as good as it used to be), but even if I was sober I don't think it would have been half bad.

Vanita's usually does a-la-carte but Saturday nights is degustation only. Admittedly I'm not as excited about degustation as I used to be --call it old age/ageing? but sometimes 3 hours and 10 courses later just sitting there just gets too much.  Though it would have been fine sitting in Vanitas--comfortable cushioned seats, marbled floor (high five to self not wearing heels that night, marble very hard to navigate especially after wines) and attentive not too snobby waiters--Still glad when everything came out in quick progression:

The Canapés 

Palate cleanser 

Canapes (kangaroo tartare and something else), palate cleanser (chilli and grapefruit) then there was

BREAD! 

Crusty piece tasty sure,  and then the focaccia bread dripping in olive oil and of course there is the 3 types of salt (seaweed, sea salt, paprika) and then the soft butter. Forgot why I avoided (try to) carbs in the first place.

the bread, butter and 3 salts 

Rest of the dishes:

Beetroot and Goats Cheese--classic

confit ocean trout one of the best pieces of ocean trout ever. Hubby said he finally understood what the fuss is with confit 

Lamb Belly with Squid Pasta--how on trend. I swear there was 3 episodes of Masterchef where there was squid cut into pasta. For the record, ANY sort of belly is delicious 

Duck breast--best cooked one hubby's ever had.I can't comment, wine was adding up at this stage 

'Pre dessert'--There's such a thing?!

Chocolate..in all forms 

It's nice of them to offer an alternative for the dessert : cheese plate or chocolate plate. Hubby had the cheese and of course I could say nothing but yes to 'dark chocolate, white chocolate and milk chocolate.......'

Cheeses

Some very funky cheese.. that's all I've got to say. Worth the try but ask for milder flavours if you don't love blue cheese. Chocolate plate--who cares it's chocolate it's delicious and rich and the cherry flavoured wine was a top match.

Great night and finished up with no need for McDonalds especially after the petite fours (yes you can ask to try all of them when they're presented in the white box) and coffee.

Hubby's not so sure if he should have encouraged me to try matching wines--I thought it was great and will have to try it with the next degustation course. Credit to the sommelier for the wikipedia version of the explanations of the wines, how polite to persist with each course even as my understanding grew worse with each course.

So that's done savouring last weekend.. hasn't really served the purpose of inspiring me to look forward to next week. Rather just makes the 'pleb' weekday meal seems little less appealing. Some food's better than none.