SauceandNosh.com http://sauceandnosh.com Food for thought is no substitute for the real thing posterous.com Sun, 15 Apr 2012 01:15:06 -0700 Mama Coco, Far North Queensland http://sauceandnosh.com/mama-coco-far-north-queensland http://sauceandnosh.com/mama-coco-far-north-queensland

Mamacocos

Spectacular opening dinner at the magnificent Mama Coco's, the ace Cairns cake and coffee cafe now open for dinner on Friday nights only.

And what an opening spread. I enjoyed tasty Tea Smoked Quail (quinoa, preserved lime, vanilla jus), perfect Hot & Sour Pork (on a bed of rhurbarb, pear and parsnip braise), followed by an exceptional Eclair (with salted Caramel foam, chocolate toasted peanut).

Amazing work guys, we'll be back VERY SOON.

 

Mama Coco was established in 2008 by brother and sister, Davy and Celia O’Rourke. They started selling cakes next door to Billy’s Coffee at Rusty’s market . People enjoyed their cakes and they started to see the potential for growing their small business. By the end of 2008 they were selling cakes at Rusty’s and Tank’s Markets and had started to wholesale to cafes and restaurants. They decided to take the plunge and lease a commercial kitchen at the beginning of 2009. 

Now Mama Coco is a cafe, wholesaler, market stall and caterer. The cafe is open Monday to Friday 7.30-3.00 serving breakfast, lunch, coffee and of course Mama’s cakes.

You can try the cakes at: Bang espresso, Dolce and Caffe, The Edge and Caffiend (which has the best coffee in Cairns)

Mama Coco is located at Shop 4/196, Mulgrave Road, Cairns,Queensland 4870 (actually located around the corner on Aumuller street, next to the Westcourt Butcher)

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/357776/simon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIQeTTRXeiR Simon Crerar The Circumnavigator Simon Crerar Sat, 22 Oct 2011 02:16:00 -0700 Hippie chocolate more expensive than crack http://sauceandnosh.com/hippie-chocolate-more-expensive-than-crack http://sauceandnosh.com/hippie-chocolate-more-expensive-than-crack

P129

Bought four bars of greenie, even-fairer-than-Fair-Trade raw chocolate to sate my choc-lust.

Total outlay: $33!!!

That's one expensive fix. No doubt it's handmade by Peruvian virgins: sure tastes that way!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/357776/simon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIQeTTRXeiR Simon Crerar The Circumnavigator Simon Crerar Sun, 02 Oct 2011 08:36:27 -0700 Tasty, healthy weekend goodness http://sauceandnosh.com/tasty-healthy-weekend-goodness http://sauceandnosh.com/tasty-healthy-weekend-goodness

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Enjoying some simple pleasures before the dubious delights of Dr Junger's 21-day pre-wedding deep Cleanse...

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/357776/simon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIQeTTRXeiR Simon Crerar The Circumnavigator Simon Crerar Thu, 15 Sep 2011 02:04:37 -0700 Tasmanian Blue and London Borough of Jam http://sauceandnosh.com/tasmanian-blue-and-london-borough-of-jam http://sauceandnosh.com/tasmanian-blue-and-london-borough-of-jam

P160

Combination of Champions: amazing Raspberry & Lemon Jam from Lillie O'Brien

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/357776/simon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIQeTTRXeiR Simon Crerar The Circumnavigator Simon Crerar Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:37:31 -0700 Silversonic Lunch, Agincourt Reef, GBR http://sauceandnosh.com/silversonic-lunch-agincourt-reef-gbr http://sauceandnosh.com/silversonic-lunch-agincourt-reef-gbr

P154

Definitely a contender for best lunch on the Great Barrier Reef, and this was just the starter!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/357776/simon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIQeTTRXeiR Simon Crerar The Circumnavigator Simon Crerar Sun, 11 Sep 2011 08:42:58 -0700 Finally, a Sunday Session of Tasty Nosh at Machans Beach http://sauceandnosh.com/finally-a-sunday-session-of-tasty-nosh-at-mac http://sauceandnosh.com/finally-a-sunday-session-of-tasty-nosh-at-mac

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Brekky eggs, Lamb lunch and a fabulous fruit salad to finish: but so much more...

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/357776/simon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIQeTTRXeiR Simon Crerar The Circumnavigator Simon Crerar Sun, 06 Mar 2011 12:26:12 -0800 Cheesy-egg-based Breakfast of Champions http://sauceandnosh.com/cheesy-egg-based-breakfast-of-champions http://sauceandnosh.com/cheesy-egg-based-breakfast-of-champions
Fluffy cheesy eggs with Ye Olde English Cheddar, check. Authentic Atlantic Salmon from the purest Norwegian Fjord, check. Australian bush ripened and cherry tomatoes, check. English spinach from the garden? Slice of lemon and fresh OJ on the side? Modena, Worcestershire and Tabasco when required? Check. Sit back and enjoy? Yes, sirree.


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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/357776/simon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIQeTTRXeiR Simon Crerar The Circumnavigator Simon Crerar Thu, 02 Dec 2010 16:51:16 -0800 More Draper Street dinner (and a Balkan breakfast...) http://sauceandnosh.com/more-draper-street-dinner-and-a-balkan-breakf http://sauceandnosh.com/more-draper-street-dinner-and-a-balkan-breakf Yummy honey glazed seared Salmon last night, mango, papaya, grape and watermelon fruit salad this morning (with a scoop of passion fruit)

Salmondinner Fruit_salad
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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/357776/simon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIQeTTRXeiR Simon Crerar The Circumnavigator Simon Crerar Sun, 21 Nov 2010 02:27:00 -0800 Pancetta, Sage & Parmesan Gratin: Draper Street http://sauceandnosh.com/pancetta-sage-parmesan-gratin http://sauceandnosh.com/pancetta-sage-parmesan-gratin

Before

 

Serves six

 

400g Pancetta

1kg waxy potatoes

Generous bunch of sage

At least six garlic cloves

Half a litre of double cream

Big chunk of Parmesan

Lashings of olive oil

Salt & Pepper

 

Preheat oven to 220 degrees

Boil potatoes until slightly soft, then slice lengthways into thickish slices

Lightly fry pancetta, add oil, sliced garlic, sage, salt and pepper

Evenly distribute potatoes in large baking dish, sprinkle with pancetta mix, generously pour cream

Oven cook for 45 minutes, covered with foil

Remove foil for further 15 minutes

Sprinkle with Parmesan five minutes before end

 

For best results, half heat and double time 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/357776/simon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIQeTTRXeiR Simon Crerar The Circumnavigator Simon Crerar Tue, 07 Sep 2010 21:46:00 -0700 Salmon Tikka with cucumber cream: Draper Street http://sauceandnosh.com/salmon-tikka-with-cucumber-cream-draper-stree http://sauceandnosh.com/salmon-tikka-with-cucumber-cream-draper-stree

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Rather struggled with the ingredients for this baby tonight. Forgot the natural yogurt, couldn't find tandoori sauce, there were no lemons in Woolies, and no naan breads anywhere.

Eventually stumbled into Mother India curry house, who provided delicious garlic naan and a couple of Kingfisher beers. I rustled up the rest.

Pan fried salmon with cucumber cream, red chilli and (in this instance Thai) curry paste, sprinkled with coriander.

Home Cooking!

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/357776/simon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIQeTTRXeiR Simon Crerar The Circumnavigator Simon Crerar Sun, 22 Aug 2010 05:10:12 -0700 Sunday brunch at Draper Street http://sauceandnosh.com/sunday-brunch-at-draper-street http://sauceandnosh.com/sunday-brunch-at-draper-street
Sundaybrunch

It's been weeks since I whipped up a Sunday brunch. What was a weekly staple in the UK has faded to a distant memory. Lazy or busy I guess.

Finally got my act together today, with chorizo, bacon, mushroom, tomatoes, caramelised red onion, spinach and cheesy eggs on soy & linseed bread.

Y.U.M.M.Y...

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/357776/simon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIQeTTRXeiR Simon Crerar The Circumnavigator Simon Crerar Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:04:00 -0700 Martini Rosso, Draper Street http://sauceandnosh.com/martini-rosso-draper-street http://sauceandnosh.com/martini-rosso-draper-street

Martini

Rich, bitter-sweet and complex, mix Martini Rosso with orange juice on the rocks, garnish with a slice of orange

"The World's Most Beautiful Drink.." they claim. It's certainly tasty 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/357776/simon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIQeTTRXeiR Simon Crerar The Circumnavigator Simon Crerar Sun, 08 Aug 2010 19:30:00 -0700 Sunday night cocktails at Salt House http://sauceandnosh.com/sunday-night-cocktails-at-salt-house http://sauceandnosh.com/sunday-night-cocktails-at-salt-house
Salthousecocktails
Back from the reef and catching up with my lady at Salt House. Sunday evening cocktails here turning into a regular thang.

Couple of corkers here, the tequila based tall boy Eduardo Moralez (named after a previous Salt House chef, not a Mexican revolutionary hero) and the Twister Sister, an Amarillo powered orange monster.

Needless to say, this kicked off our Sunday evening perfectly.

Cocktails for two, $14.50 each

Salt House, 6/2 Pier Point Road, Marina Point, Cairns QLD 4870

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/357776/simon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIQeTTRXeiR Simon Crerar The Circumnavigator Simon Crerar Sun, 08 Aug 2010 17:55:00 -0700 Lunch at Reef Magic, Moore Reef, Great Barrier Reef http://sauceandnosh.com/lunch-at-reef-magic-moore-reef-great-barrier http://sauceandnosh.com/lunch-at-reef-magic-moore-reef-great-barrier
Reefmagic
My inaugural dive with the Nautilus Scuba Club (www.nautilus-scuba.net), out of Cairns with Reef Magic to their Marine World pontoon.

The diving was a mix of brilliant and shambolic, but that's a story for another day. 

Dedicated dive club member Judith assured me this is the best lunch on the GBR, and it certainly didn't disappoint, with a tantalising smorgasbord of hot and cold options, from delicious prawns to veggie lasagna, beetroots bursting with goodness and a fantastic fruit salad. 

Reefmagicdessert

To top it all off a humpback whale breached less than 100m away just as I was finishing dessert! 

$180 including snorkeling, submersible tours and fish feeding.

Marine Word, Moore Reef, Coral Sea, Australia (50 nautical miles off Australian mainland

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/357776/simon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIQeTTRXeiR Simon Crerar The Circumnavigator Simon Crerar Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:57:00 -0700 Anniversary dinner at Ochre, Cairns http://sauceandnosh.com/anniversary-dinner-at-ochre-cairns http://sauceandnosh.com/anniversary-dinner-at-ochre-cairns

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We have been in Australia for one month. We have been together for 28 months! Happy Anniversary to us!

We enjoyed a lovely dinner at Ochre, widely tipped as the best restaurant in the Far North. The Mod Oz food was tip, top. The Italian service impeccable. 

The Australian Antipasto was amazing: kangaroo terrine, Kakadu plum, crocodile wonton, dessert pepper jam, ocean trout gravlax, emu pate, bush tomato chilli sauce etc.

Plus tasty seafood and starter and dessert too.

All washed down with Claire Valley's finest Riesling...

Ochre
43 Shields St
 Cairns City QLD 4870
(07) 4051 0100

 

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/357776/simon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIQeTTRXeiR Simon Crerar The Circumnavigator Simon Crerar Mon, 31 May 2010 22:06:00 -0700 Beers at Blue Sky Brewery, Cairns http://sauceandnosh.com/beers-at-blue-sky-brewery-cairns http://sauceandnosh.com/beers-at-blue-sky-brewery-cairns

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Touchdown in FNQ after 10,000 mile flight via Singapore and Darwin

Delicious welcome beer samplers at Blue Sky Brewery, our local, award-winning microbrewery

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/357776/simon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIQeTTRXeiR Simon Crerar The Circumnavigator Simon Crerar Mon, 31 May 2010 22:00:00 -0700 Fish & Chips, Cairns http://sauceandnosh.com/fish-chips-cairns http://sauceandnosh.com/fish-chips-cairns

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Comfort food at its finest from our favourite new chippy, the Captain Cook Diner: divine coral trout & chips plus outstanding tartare sauce for a bargain $9.50

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/357776/simon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIQeTTRXeiR Simon Crerar The Circumnavigator Simon Crerar Sat, 29 May 2010 20:32:00 -0700 Cheeseburger with bacon at The Avalon, London http://sauceandnosh.com/cheeseburger-with-bacon-at-the-avalon-london http://sauceandnosh.com/cheeseburger-with-bacon-at-the-avalon-london

Avalonburger

There are few things more comforting in life than biting into a burger in a cosy pub, surrounded by your closest friends. A sensation I'm not going to enjoy for a while.

This wasn't quite the last supper, more the last lunch. The burger was no better or worse than the several hundred I have gobbled down over the last dozen or so years I have lived in The Big Smoke. Oh, okay then, it was a step above the norm. But pretty much any burger with bacon and cheese would have done the job. Comfort food at its finest.

London I'll miss you, and your burgers, very much.

Amigos, I'll miss you more than you can ever imagine...

Balhamcrew

16 Balham Hill, London SW12 9EB
020 8675 8613

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/357776/simon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIQeTTRXeiR Simon Crerar The Circumnavigator Simon Crerar Tue, 25 May 2010 23:32:00 -0700 Dinner at Cookie, Glasgow http://sauceandnosh.com/dinner-at-cookie-glasgow http://sauceandnosh.com/dinner-at-cookie-glasgow

Cookieplatter Cookiemussels Cookiefront Cookieback
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Last supper with my Mama and step-father Robin before heading off to a land down under. They treated us to a delightful nosh up at funky new neighbourhood hang out Cookie.

Tasty antipasti to start with, marvellous Scottish mussels, all sorts of other delicacies, washed down with the finest of fine wines. See ya later Jimmy!

Cookie styles itself (rather successfully) as a new kind of eatery, incorporating a deli, cookery and every kind of food event. It certainly didn't disappoint.

72 Nithsdale Road, Glasgow G41 2AN 
0141 423 1411‎

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/357776/simon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIQeTTRXeiR Simon Crerar The Circumnavigator Simon Crerar Thu, 20 May 2010 20:31:00 -0700 Assorted Brazilian Sauce & Nosh http://sauceandnosh.com/assorted-brazilian-sauce-nosh http://sauceandnosh.com/assorted-brazilian-sauce-nosh

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Been a bit of a mad dash to get to the finish line while we plan our lightening fast zip round the UK and our imminent relocation Down Under. 

So here are selected culinary highlights from Rio. We are running out of readies, so mostly stayed away from restaurants in the swanky suburbs.

Brazilian food is meat heavy, mostly mixed with huge platters of heavy veggies, washed down with beer in abundance. I don't think the French have much to worry about!

 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/357776/simon.jpg http://posterous.com/users/3sIQeTTRXeiR Simon Crerar The Circumnavigator Simon Crerar