This gluten-free foodie's pre-travel checklist

Moving city calls for a lot of life admin. It's a logistical test that has challenged even this spreadsheet-loving planning enthusiast. 

Lists. So many lists.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, Ross and I are moving to Sydney for two-year secondments. We have spent the last week packing our belongings, moving out of our apartment, finishing up at work, saying goodbyes, flying across the ditch, and acquainting ourselves with a new city. 

Of course, we are super excited about our Sydney adventure. But there are lots of things about New Zealand that we will miss. The people, for sure. Plus there are a lot of things about living in Wellington that we we are sad to leave behind, too.

This photo was taken during my last run along the Wellington waterfront. 

One thing that we will miss about Wellington is the food, not to mention the coffee. And this is hardly surprising, given my prolific blogging about it. 

So, to make sure we experienced all of our favourites before leaving, we have been working through our gluten-free foodie pre-travel checklist - arguably the most important list of them all. And being homeless after we handed over our keys means we have had the perfect excuse to do it.

Ross and Liz's pre-travel checklist - gluten-free eats in Wellington

1. Dinner at Long Xiang. This was so good we did it two nights in a row.
2. Cocktails at Alice for a last strawberry doddle (avoiding the biscuit sticks).
3. A visit to Capital Market for delicious Korean food and treats from Miss Kangsta's gluten-free bakery. The chocolate chip cookies are my favourite; Ross goes gaga over the strawberry and cream cheesecake. 
4. Weekday breakfast at Mixed Business for top-notch gluten-free bread and hash browns.
5. Dinner at Great India for the best onion bhajia in town.
6. One last lunch at Pita Pit - my number one low-FODMAP lunch option. 
7. A celebratory dinner at Royal Thai on our last night in Wellington.
8. Followed by decadent gluten-free desserts at Library. 
9. Breakfast at Ti Kouka, eating from their exciting low-FODMAP menu.
10. Lunch at Neo, where they serve buckwheat pancakes made of happiness and dreams.  

Our last night in Wellington, celebrated at Royal Thai.

Caramel-peanut popcorn and vanilla bean sundae from Library.

Buckwheat pancakes from Neo, served with banana, greek yogurt, and cinnamon-crusted almonds.

As I'm sure you can imagine, we had a lot of fun sampling these goodies before flying out. 

And now that we have arrived in Sydney, the eating out continues - and so too do the logistics. 

We are having lots of great adventures over here and we have found some mind-blowing gluten-free options, too (although, I'm not going to lie, I'm starting to crave meat and three veg - emphasis on the veg). 

But then that's a post for next time... 

Our descent into Sydney.

Prepared for flight

It's been a slow start to the year, at least as far as this blog is concerned. 

But, in every other way, it has been a hectic, fast-paced start to the year for us.

This year Ross and I are starting a new adventure. We have accepted two-year secondments, working at the Reserve Bank of Australia so we will be moving to Sydney on the 10th of March. We have absolutely loved our time in Wellington, but it's time for us to take this amazing opportunity and do something a bit different. 

Much about our lives in Australia will be very new, including the food we will be eating - so this blog will be coming along for the ride. There'll certainly be lots of new experiences to write about - and hopefully there'll be some great food to try!  

But, first things first, we need to get there.

So for the past month we have been drowning in our ever-expanding to-do list. And every item we tick off leads to three new things that we need to add to the list - oh, and each of those things takes about twice as long as you would expect. 

But we are getting through it. In fact, this weekend we booked our flights and accommodation for when we arrive in Sydney. I also submitted my passport application. So, all going to plan, we are prepared for flight. 

To celebrate that - and because long weekends are the BEST - Ross and I decided to take some time this morning and head to one of the cafes that we intend to visit before we leave. 

(The list of such cafes is about as long as, but a hundred times more exciting than, my cleaning to-do list, and similarly seems to be growing by the day!)

So, to take a break and digest the fact that we have purchased our one-way tickets, we decided to celebrate with brunch at the aptly named Flight Hangar.

Our sensational brunch at Flight Hangar.

Flight Hangar is one of Wellington's trendiest cafes of the moment - it's edgy and cool, while being fresh and welcoming. There are a number of other hipster cafes in Wellington, some of which are overrated, pretty stale, and have been getting away with average customer service for way too long. Flight Hangar should be giving them a thing or two to worry about.

And don't just believe me - it's super popular. We arrived at about 8:45am to avoid it being busy and the environment was vibrant yet relaxed. But by the time we left, the place was buzzing. 

An observation that is perhaps unsurprising once you try the coffee.   

Flight coffee is run by a family of self-confessed coffee nerds and it really is outstanding Flight Hangar has a coffee menu where you can pick your roast of choice, and the brew is made with love and expert precision.  

Made with love.

The menu, with its range of gluten-free options, is extensive too. There were some delicious-sounding healthy choices we could have made, but I was feeling indulgent - and not even remotely guilty, since I completed my last half-marathon long run yesterday (yay, taper time!). 

So (armed with lactase tablets) I ordered a regular flat white and gluten-free french toast. 

Now, this wasn't just old egg-soaked-white-vogels french toast, either. It was made with soft, fluffy gluten-free brioche that had been laced with cinnamon and brown sugar, drenched in blueberry syrup, and smothered in creme fraiche. It was absolutely magical. 

French toast.

Ross had the honey roasted strawberries on toasted brioche and vanilla mascarpone. This was less FODMAP-friendly than the French toast, so I couldn't steal some (lucky for Ross), but he tells me it was yum - sweet and exquisite from what I can imagine! 

Honey roasted strawberries.

Overall, we had delicious brunch at Flight Hangar for a relaxing wee break - with excellent food, coffee and service. Exactly what we needed. 

Sadly, we won't have much time to try more of their yummy options before we take flight. 

But I may just have to add it to my to-do list...

How to survive Christmas shopping in central Wellington

1. Write a list

Then ignore it. 

2. Start adequately caffeinated

Begin your trip right at Old George. It's the best coffee in town. I know that's a pretty big (not to mention, controversial) statement in this town, but I do not say it lightly. It is quite literally the best coffee I have ever had. 

Old George roastery on the Terrace is my weekday morning regular, and the Bowen St cafe is open on weekends - perfect for your pre-shopping coffee. They even have almond milk for a low-FODMAP fix. 

Your coping mechanism.

3. Embrace the chaos

Once adequately caffeinated, use your coffee-fueled resolve to embrace the chaos head on. 

Head to Toy World. There'll be everything you could have possibly imagined - for children and adults alike - in every different theme. (Lego. And Star Wars. At the same time? You bet.) 

A word of caution: try not to stand on any children. 

4. Make hints

Meander down Lambton Quay, wandering in and out of stores - pointing out to your significant other all of the delightful things that you never knew you needed but now simply can't live without.  

For best results, try not to make your hints too subtle. 

5. Keep safe 

Always watch for hazards. Not standing on children is a great start, but avoiding stacks of books is also a good idea. (They are stacked to look pretty, not with structural integrity in mind.)

Be particularly vigilant as you walk into Lush. Allow your eyes to adjust to the brightness; inhale the deliciousness. Then take a quick gauge of the stress levels amongst the customers and staff. Feel your heart palpitate as you glance at the price tag on a nearby gift box. 

Walk out. Quickly, without any sudden movements. 

6. Stop for lunch at Neo 

Shopping is hungry work, and Neo is the perfect place to refresh after trailing the length of Lambton, but before braving the chaos of Cuba. It might even be time for another almond milk flat white.

Neo is our favourite weekend lunch haunt, with its delicious gluten-free, low-FODMAP options. 

Scrambled eggs and smoked tomato. 

From exciting brunch food, to decadent Whitakers chocolate cake. Not to mention great coffee and the best chicken salad and fries in town. 

Parmesan on deep fried potato. Perfection. 

Parmesan fries.

Jerk chicken salad.

Over your delicious food, take time to assess your progress. 

Peruse Mighty Ape to discover all the things you could have bought more cheaply online. Plus all the gifts you were looking for but couldn't find in stores.  

7. Keep some perspective

Take time to think about those people in your life that you are buying for. Be thankful for the resources that allow us to enjoy such extravagance. 

And when you make it home with only half the presents you hoped, cursing the Secret Santa price limit, just remember - Christmas is about much more than shopping and presents.  

Congratulate yourself on surviving the carnage. Extra points for not resorting to violence. 

And definitely don't give up. There's plenty of days left until the 25th. 

Besides, your next shopping trip might be the perfect excuse to try Neo's rich gluten-free chocolate cake. 

The royal treatment

It's really important to celebrate. 

On Thursday night, Ross and I went to our favourite haunt to celebrate a busy but successful week of work - along with my rekindled relationship with garlic and onions.

Royal Thai is our favourite restaurant if we have something to celebrate. We often go there for anniversaries, work successes, birthdays - anything of significance. 

It's our favourite because it's sentimental to us - and delicious. The food is full of fresh, sensational flavours. Just the right amount of spice without being greasy or heavy. 

There's plenty of variety, too. We love the Pad Thai, Pad Phrik King, and Kaeng Mussaman Nau. But everything we have tried has been excellent. We usually have two dishes, a rice each, and share.

Chicken Pad Thai.

Pork Pad Phrik King.

Royal Thai isn't expensive; it's just special.

A meal will only set you back $20 a head, meaning you can splash out on a special bottle of BYO wine to match the occasion - we recommend a riesling or gewurztraminer to complement the vibrant Thai flavours. 

Plus the service is great. And they cater for gluten-free diets - just ask. I can even eat there on my low-FODMAP diet by avoiding high-FODMAP vegetables, altough you may need to be careful if you are sensitive to onions and garlic. 

The only downside is that Royal Thai is a bit of a walk from us. But I suppose that is probably a good thing. If it was any closer, we would probably go there every week. 

And that wouldn't be quite so special, would it? 

Living the dream.

Chow down on this

Despite my obsession with eating - and, in particular, eating out - I actually don't think it's necessary for all restaurants and cafes to cater for my dietary requirements. 

Some requirements are difficult to cater for and the market just isn't big enough for everyone in the hospitality industry to be able to do it economically. 

Of course, I think it's important that some businesses cater (I wouldn't be able to eat otherwise). And I also think it's important that those who do cater make that known to their patrons and completely understand what is required (dealing with a waitress who doesn't really understand what gluten free means is always fun. "Oh, but I know someone who is gluten free and they would eat that" or "but I was told couscous is fine so it must be". You get the picture.).  

But if a business doesn't cater, then that I understand. Genuinely, I do. And if they do cater, well, then that's a bonus. 

What I don't understand is outlets that do not engage with their customers. 

If a person asks whether a restaurant or cafe can cater for them, it's important for the business to respond - regardless of whether they can cater or not. It helps the business understand customer demand, it might attract a new customer, and - perhaps, most importantly - it is courteous customer service. 

Which is why I don't understand why Chow hasn't responded to a query I sent them well over a week ago. 

I wanted to visit Chow and I was trying to help them by asking ahead, rather than nagging waitresses and kitchen staff when they are really busy and the information might not always be on hand. 

But the fact that they didn't reply tells me they don't actually care about my health. It tells me that they only offer gluten-free and dairy-free options to cater for what's trendy, not because they are actually conscious of dietary concerns. 

Maybe I am expecting too much and blogging has turned me ranty (please tell me if that is the case). But the difference between this experience and the superb service I have received elsewhere is so stark. 

At the same time that I emailed Chow, I emailed Dragons who replied to me in less than 12 hours with a very helpful, informed response. And - bonus - they can cater for me!

The contrast makes my eyes hurt.  

I certainly know which restaurant I will be visiting this weekend. 

In the meantime, Ross and I have decided we don't need Chow anyway. We've been making our own Asian fusion food and it's pretty damn good!

Update: Chow have been in touch. They intended to get back to me but due to an error on their part the email never came through. It's great to know they do care (and can cater) after all! The options sound pretty tasty, too. 

Beef sticks with low FODMAP spicy satay sauce.

Juicy duck breast with Asian glaze, polenta fries (cooked in duck fat), and bok choy.

Thai coconut sticky rice with passionfruit curd. 

Low FODMAP lattes (and why catering for special diets is only the beginning)

Update: Rice milk has now been found to be high in oligosaccharides, despite rice itself being low in FODMAPs. Personally, I cope alright with this type of FODMAP (I'm not too sensitive to oligos) but if you're on the exclusion phase, rice milk is no longer suitable. Instead, I recommend So Good soy milk (made with soy protein, not the bean) or almond milk.

Looking for a low-FODMAP latte? Have found the cafe for you!

I like coffee. I mean I really like coffee. And since I started my low-FODMAP diet, I have been drinking it black (lactose is not my friend, cafes use high-FODMAP soy milk, and almond milk hasn't yet been tested).  

I love my morning Americanos. And I happen to drink the best coffee in town. But black coffee is a very no-nonsense way to drink your coffee. 

A flat white will wake you up by gently nudging your brain into action. Black coffee pulls you out of bed, throws you against the wall, and shakes you violently into frantic alertness. 

This is exactly what I want - ok, need - on a Monday morning. But it isn't quite what I'm after on a quiet Saturday. 

Which is why it is so exciting that we discovered Deluxe today during our morning stroll to Moore Wilson's. 

Deluxe is a small, hipster cafe that serves Havana coffee. And, you guessed it, they offer rice milk (!!). 

Now, other cafes in Wellington may also serve rice milk (if you know of any, I'd love to hear about them). But Deluxe is the only one I have ever seen advertise it. 

Asking for special ingredients can be annoying and embarrassing. Especially rice milk. It is a level of coffee-fussiness that doesn't even make the what-your-coffee-order-says-about-you list.

Cafes - if you cater for dietary requirements, you have to make it known. It is not enough to cater to us. Seriously, it isn't. If people on special diets don't even get a mention on your blackboard, it isn't inclusive. It just reinforces stigma around alternative diets, which are often related to very serious health issues. It is really important to remember that many of us who are on special diets don't have a choice about it. 

I care much more about feeling welcome than I do about having rice milk in my coffee. 

And for that reason, Deluxe has won my heart. And my weekend patronage. 

Me and my rice milk flat white.

Update: Apparently Coffee Culture in Timaru offers rice milk (I'm not sure about the other Coffee Culture stores).

A new journey and an old favourite

A new journey 

Yesterday I started a new and - at least, from my perspective - exciting journey. In pursuit of digestive health. 

I have always had a bit of a delicate stomach. In fact, that is a bit of an understatement. Before I went gluten free, I used to experience intense abdominal pains every single day. 

When I went gluten free, there was instant relief. The only times I ever had stomach aches, it could be traced back to a glutenous source. 

I was better. 

Until about a month ago, that is.

Initially the pains were mild. Manageable. But the frequency and severity quickly increased. And at the same time, my energy levels were ebbing away. 

A week ago the pains had become excruciating. I went to my GP, who did a range of tests. 

My results came back normal, although my iron levels are a bit low. I discussed the situation with my GP and our family dietitian-in-training (thanks, Michelle!). Both agreed that further investigation of dietary triggers would be a good course of action. 

So, on Friday I went to see my dietitian, Sarah Elliot. Sarah is absolutely lovely. She is an expert in her field, but also extremely empathetic and genuine. She focuses on balance and the enjoyment of food. I know that I am in good hands. 

Sarah has recommended that I try a low-FODMAP diet. 

A what?!

What is a low-FODMAP diet, exactly? (Apart from something that desperately needs a sexier name.)

FODMAPs are a group of lesser-known sugars (including fructose, lactose and a number of others) that are commonly malabsorbed in the small intestine, leading to abdominal pain and other irritable bowel symptoms. 

Apparently symptoms can emerge suddenly - like they did for me - if a trigger, such as stress, reveals an underlying sensitivity. 

There is strong evidence that a diet low in FODMAPS can help to alleviate symptoms like mine, but it should always be supervised by a dietitian. 

For the next three weeks, I will be cutting out FODMAPs to see if my symptoms improve. If they do, then we will start re-introducing foods to test my sensitivity to the different sugars. Then I can adapt my diet to manage my symptoms going forward. 

It's only been a day, so I won't know if the diet is working for a wee while yet, but I am hopeful that the journey I have started will help to alleviate my digestive distress. 

Day one: An old favourite

The elimination phase of the low-FODMAP diet is pretty restrictive. This app has lots of great info about the details. Let's be honest, I'm going to be eating a lot of brown rice porridge over the next three weeks! 

But, thankfully, we still have at least one cool Wellington cafe we can go to. 

Ti Kouka is one of our all time favourites. It prides itself on being able to cater to a range of dietary requirements (Sarah's husband is head chef and co-owner). We have always found it excellent for gluten free. 

So we were delighted to discover that Ti Kouka also has a low-FODMAP menu (!!). Anyone who has tried the low-FODMAP diet for more than five minutes will know how unbelievable this is!

Ti Kouka's low FODMAP brunch menu.

The food at Ti Kouka is always stunning - high-quality and nourishing, yet gourmet and delectable. 

But yesterday it was super moreish and FODMAP friendly. 

I had the special (not on the menu) -  a potato rosti, poached eggs, spinach, bacon, and hollandaise 

My tummy-friendly treat.

A delicious experience on my journey in pursuit of digestive health. 

I think the staff at Ti Kouka might be seeing quite a bit of us over the next wee while!

Italian lessons

There's a lot of Italian cuisine in Wellington. But, believe it or not, finding an Italian restaurant with a range of tasty gluten-free options has been a bit tricky for us. 

Over time we have learnt that one restaurant has everything we are looking for.

Scopa Caffe Cucina - where authentic, exceptional Italian cuisine meets trendy Wellington style.

Senza glutine - adj. gluten-free

Of all the cuisines I have tried while gluten free, Italian has been the most problematic. 

Even though restaurants are now offering more "gluten-free" options, I have had some very severe gluten symptoms on a number of occasions. There are a couple of restaurants in Wellington that I avoid for this reason. (I won't name them here because I can't prove that they did anything wrong but if you are worried, send me an email.)

Things to look out for when eating Italian: 

• It's not enough for the pizza base to be gluten free. It has to be prepared away from where the gluten dough is being rolled. 
• Similarly, pasta MUST be boiled in different water (it seems simple, but I believe this is where I have run into trouble in the past so it's an important one to watch for). 
• Pizza toppings can be a problem, especially sauces (along with meats and other items). Always check.  
• Risotto might seem like an easy option (it's just rice, right?), but watch out for stocks thickened with wheat flour. 

There are only a few Italian restaurants that we trust and Scopa is one of them. 

Opzioni - n. pl. options, choices

But what sets Scopa apart is the range of gluten-free options.

A lot of places do gluten-free pizza or pasta - but not both. Scopa do both exceptionally, along with lots of delicious extras.

(The only thing missing is fresh gluten-free pasta. If anyone knows of an Italian restaurant that serves fresh gluten-free fettuccine, please tell me. It would make my life!)

Gustoso - adj. tasty

Scopa offers exceptional traditional dishes with exciting flavours and a modern edge. 

There's a range of light, delicious pizzas in classic and indulgent flavours. Drizzle some chilli oil over your pizza for an extra vibrant taste sensation (it's not too spicy - promise).  

Pappardelle, pizza of the day, and roasted potatoes with herb salt and aioli.

There's scrumptious pasta, of course. We like the pappardelle - gluten-free pasta with mushrooms, chevre (goat's cheese), and spinach and walnut pesto.

And tasty sides, including crispy, perfectly-seasoned roasted potatoes with tasty herb salt and creamy aioli. 

Check out how crispy those spuds are!

And don't forget dessert!

We can't go past the Scopa classic: real Italian hot chocolate. It's basically melted chocolate on a spoon - only much more dignified. This rich, creamy delight is what dreams are made of. 

The waiter accidentally gave us the large size. It defeated us.

Delizioso! 

Try Scopa - because tasty gluten-free options should never be hard to find.

Note: Since writing this review, I have also discovered that Scopa is also great for people on a low-FODMAP diet - their pizza sauce doesn't contain onion or garlic! Try a gluten-free margherita pizza, roast potatoes (no aioli), and a glass of Pencarrow chardonnay for a great low-FODMAP dinner option. Delicious! 

Martha's Pantry

Last weekend, Ross and I had the pleasure of joining his parents for a delightful visit to Martha's Pantry for gluten-free high tea. 

I actually don't think I can describe the entire experience in words. So instead, here are my top ten highlights:

1. So. Much. Pink.

Cute. Dainty. Adorable. Sweet (quite literally). Pretty. Delightful. Quaint. Lovely. Beautiful. Oh, and delicious. Martha's Pantry is all of those things. 

2. Tea - and a whole menu of it

I'm not sure what I love more, the antique cups, saucers and plates, the knitted tea cosies, or the fact that their tea menu is actually a book.

So much to love. (Gluten-free delights on the right)

3. A wee bit of everything 

I can tend to work myself up into a bit of a lather trying to decide what to eat. But with high tea, no need to choose!

4. Cheese, pesto and ham toasties

Sometimes it's the simplest things in life (or perhaps the cheesiest) that you really can't beat. 

5. Planning what treat to eat next

Deciding on the perfect crescendo from savoury to sweet is a planner's dream. 

6. Everything is bite sized

You'll get to try a little bit of everything. And everything tastes like cuteness.

Too cute to eat?

7. Salmon mousse

Salmon and cream cheese - what not to love?

8. They have their priorities right 

A two-for-one ratio of sweet to savoury. Yes, please.

The gluten-free goodies.

9. Opera Cake

Almond sponge laced with coffee, layered with ganache and coffee buttercream, then topped with chocolate glaze. 

10. Boys love it too

Everyone should have some pretty, delicious treats once in a while - so don't leave the boys at home! 

When Ross heard that Carol and I were planning on going for high tea, he didn't want to miss out. And I'm so glad he didn't. 

It was a lovely afternoon that I'm glad the four of us could share.  

Ross, me, David, and Carol.

Staying warm in Wellington

On a wet, dark, miserable evening like this it's nice to write about - if not eat - the sort of food that fills the belly and warms the heart.  

And nothing does that quite like a good Indian curry. 

Indian food is a great choice for naturally gluten-free food. And during my time in Wellington, I have been to some restaurants that were heavenly, a lot that were characteristically average, and a couple that were downright abysmal.

Based on our extensive sampling, Ross and I have two favourite Indian restaurants in Wellington. One is a wee drive away (there's a hint) and I will tell you about it another time. 

The other is Great India. 

The curries at Great India are, of course, amazing. Rich, succulent, flavoursome, and exotic. 

But delicious accompaniments are what makes a good Indian meal truly outstanding - even for someone who is gluten free. 

Sadly, we can't have the breads (except in Blenheim - this place wins major kudos). But, of course, there are other options. The coconut rice and onion bhajia (in chickpea batter) are an absolute must.

An Indian restaurant is a step above the rest if I can go there, eat gluten free, and have food so exquisite that I forget that naan bread ever existed. Great India does that.

But, as if that wasn't enough, the service at Great india is impeccable. And the atmosphere is quite special, making it perfect for an intimate date, a fun BYO, and everything in between.

An inviting setting with mouth-watering food - bringing warmth to even your dreariest of evenings.

Chicken madras, chicken masta masala, and coconut rice

Onion Bhajia

Seoul food

Ross and I really need to do some more planning for our trip in September. But, given the choice between sorting out travel insurance and familiarising ourselves with the local cuisine, you can guess which one we tend to choose. 

We are heading to Hong Kong and Korea - two countries that are rather difficult when it comes to gluten-free dining (but, hey, a good challenge never hurt anyone!). To help us on our journey, my lovely mother-in-law, Carol, has pointed us in the direction of these wonderful travel cards.  

I've been to Korea before - prior to discovering that I am gluten intolerant - so I know that I love the food. But, up until recently, Ross had not had the pleasure of trying it.

A year or more ago Ross and I visited every - I mean EVERY - Korean restaurant in Wellington to see if they could make us something gluten free. But to no avail. Many of the sauces used in Korean cooking contain gluten and we were told that it simply wasn't possible to feed us. 

We had all but given up on the idea when six months ago - a few months before we started planing our trip - we discovered amazing gluten-free Korean food in the most unexpected of places. 

We were wandering down Willis street on a lazy weekend and noticed a new market with an outdoor food court. Intrigued, we went and had a look to discover - lo and behold - that there was a Korean food stall that, not only catered for gluten-free, but had a menu with numerous gluten-free items labelled. In fact, they are the only stall that has anything labelled, which is astonishing given the trouble we have had in the past.

When I say they cater for gluten-free, I'm not talking about being able to do a rice and vegetable dish with meat and no sauce (don't you hate that!?). I am talking about being able to do a full range of snacks - BBQ popcorn chicken, anyone? - mains, and even dessert - all without hurting my sensitive wee stomach. 

And the food is incredible. Fresh, wholesome, delicious meals, with zingy Korean hot sauce that will make your taste buds sing, your eyes pop, and your nose run - all at the same time. 

Our delicious Seoul food. 

I might need to go to Capital Market again soon so that I can ask the amazing cooks at Miss Kangsta if they have any restaurant recommendations for when we are in Seoul.

All for the important purpose of organising our trip, of course. Not because I'm more than a little bit obsessed with their popcorn chicken....

Long Xiang

Last night was a nice, quiet Friday. Ross and I had a relaxed dinner with Ross's brother, Andrew, at one of my absolute favourite restaurants: Long Xiang.

Long Xiang is a sweet, unassuming restaurant that will surprise you with it's delicious simplicity.

What it lacks in pretence, it more than makes up for in flavour - serving classic Chinese dishes that will keep you coming back for more.

Ross and I love going with a small group and getting a number of dishes to share (one dish and a rice per person is a good amount). They are BYO, licensed and also do takeaways. 

We often go to Long Xiang for quiet weeknight dinners. It's an especially good option if things are busy at work. And, as one of Wellington's best options in terms of value for money, it's probably cheaper than cooking!

The hardest part about going to Long Xiang is deciding what to have. They cater for gluten-free and vegan diets and the options are enormous. As those of us with dietary restrictions well know, too much choice is not a dilemma we are faced with often!

The lemon chicken, orange beef and sweet and sour pork are all fabulous. Plus we usually try and have a stir fry dish to get a good serving of vegetables.  

But, actually, what makes this restaurant truly special isn't the food. It is the beautiful couple who greet you with a smile when you walk in the door. Yvonne and Charlie are such lovely hosts - it almost feels like you are being welcomed into their home. 

Long Xiang provides simple, traditional cuisine with authentic and friendly service. And last night was no exception.

We had a delicious meal of lemon chicken, orange beef and pork and cashew nut stir fry before heading home to play Settlers of Catan. As it turned out, I really needed the energy for the game. Andrew absolutely annihilated us!

  

Lemon chicken, orange beef, and pork and cashew nut stir fry.

  

My food bag

This week was a great week to start my blog. Ross and I are doing our second ever My Food Bag.

Our first My Food Bag was a Christmas gift from Ross's parents. We loved the food the first time around, but we had some trouble getting our bag delivered. When they arrived to drop off the bag, they rang my cellphone but the call never went through (for reasons that are still a mystery to me). Our bag was taken back to the depot and we had a very underwhelming dinner on the first night (never underestimate having a bag of frozen oven fries in the freezer). 

I suspect that the company was still experiencing some teething problems at the time and when I contacted them about it, they were very apologetic and offered us 10 percent off our next bag.  

So, this week we were ready to give it another whirl.  

My Food Bag is a great option for anyone wanting some more variety in their cooking. We get the gourmet option, which feeds two foodies for four nights with pretty decent sized portions. I'm pretty sure Ross and I are the target market for the gourmet bag - young urban professionals who can't always be bothered searching books for new ideas and co-ordinating recipes with seasonal produce and supermarket specials (we are both economists, after all!). So the whole concept is really right up our alley. Really the only downside is that it creates a few more dishes than we are used to. 

On Sunday night, all I have to do is pop downstairs when the buzzer rings - slippers, trackpants, the whole get up - to pick up our bag. Well, it's two bags really, but I'm not going to complain about overachieving. 

We unload our bags full of tasty and nutritious food. There's always lots of vegetables, which makes me happy, and the meat is always high quality. Invariably there's an ingredient in there that I haven't cooked with before. This week it's eggplant. I look at it suspiciously and hope that I can make something erring more on the side of tasty than rubbery - I have had varied experiences eating eggplant in the past. 

The exciting range of ingredients in our bag.

Our first meal was a Panang fish and vegetable curry. We like our food quite spicy, but you could adjust it to whatever heat you like. We often don't get enough fish in our diet, so this was an absolute treat. 

Panang fish and vegetable curry with rice.

For me, the highlight was Monday night when we had scotch fillet with balsamic tomatoes and parmesan mash. I wasn't sure what to expect of balsamic tomatoes, but they were off-the-charts delicious. And Ross cooked the scotch filet absolutely beautifully. 

Scotch fillet with balsamic tomatoes and parmesan oregano mash.

Compared with the last time we did My Food Bag, the meals were a lot simpler to make. The caramelised onion, camembert, courgette and mushroom pizzas we had on Tuesday were the ultimate in easy yet delicious. 

We had to replace the pizza bases that were supplied with gluten-free ones. Usually there are only one or two items that aren't gluten free and the recipes always say whether they are gluten-free, dairy-free or vegetarian, so we find it easy to adapt for us. However, at this stage, it doesn't seem like My Food Bag would be easily adapted for other dietary requirements. Hopefully the company will eventually be able to grow to a point where they can do a wider range of bags for different needs (and be able to deliver them to a wider range of regions).

Caramelised onion, camembert, courgette and mushroom pizza with pear and rocket salad.

The smoked duck salad on Wednesday night was something really quite different for us. The smoked duck was quite rich, so the salad and the tangy glaze provided nice balance. There were oodles of green vegetables. It was almost disappointingly healthy. Almost. 

We couldn't have the panko crumbs so our eggplant was simply fried in oil. And, guess what? It wasn't rubbery! 

Nailed it. 

Smoked duck salad with panko eggplant, apple and pak choy.

Good food

Good food doesn't need to be expensive. It doesn't need to be decadent. And it definitely doesn't need to contain gluten.

Here is a selection of some delicious gluten-free treats that I have had the pleasure of tasting in the last wee while.