VANUATU!

Just wanted to put up some pics from my time in Vanuatu...mostly food related..



ABOVE: just cooking chicken on the fire at our beach picnic..as you do



ABOVE: Local food lap lap: Ground manioc with chicken and coconut milk cooked underground in lap lap leaves..AMAZING!



This coconut crab was massive!! and a bit of a struggle to kill also! But sooo yummy..coconut flavoured crab meat..mmm

Meals in paradise..

So I was in Vanuatu visiting Dad and decided I would cook for them one night. I wanted to make the most of the amazing local produce so I went off to the local markets which are such a food cultural inspiring experience. Absolutely surrounded by amazing tropical fruit and veg, I couldn't go past the avocados as big as coconuts! Seriously they are HUGE, not to mention really cheap. So for entree I made guacamole with crispy garlic batar (french bread from local french patisserie).

Vanuatu has the most AMAZING organic beef in the world! It is so tender and juicy and flavoursome! Even Lily says it's the most amazing beef she has ever had! So I marinated it overnight in Soy sauce, garlic, olive oil and honey (local honey) which is my favourite steak marinade. I then did garlic beans and kumala (sweet potatoe) mash as sides. Simple yet exquisite. The beef is definitely the star of the show!

Then for dessert I did tropical fresh fruit salad, which I am not sure where the photo is.

Anyway try the steak marinade! Please! You will LOVE IT! and go to Vanuatu! It's incredible! and eat steak! and coconut crab!

CHUNKY BEEF PIE!!

oooooo yeah! Seriously what could be better than chunky beef pie!! SO EASY TO MAKE also!

I didn't use a recipe...So all I did was use frozen puff pastry and for the mixture I seared some chunky chuck steak with onions and herbs. Once it is browned pour in some beef stock, chopped mushrooms, salt and pepper, and simmer for an hour at least. Then I add some cornflour to thicken. SO quick and easy..and delicious! I also added chilli flakes for a bit of spice!

Great to cook for men as well...a very manly meal! haha...not to be sexist or anything..it is also great for women!! haha.. any aussie would love this!