MELBOURNE- MT BUFFALO 2018 # 9

29/4/2018
SUNDAY

feeling on top of the rock @ The Mansfields Chalet 

the precious time together @ Mt. Buffalo 2018 

Lake Catani on the west side of sawmill where the milling of timber for construction of the Mt. Buffalo Chalet was carried out.

the picnic area ...its windy and cold to sit around here now. 

Mt Buffalo is also one of the skiing resort in Melbourne and you can see the bare patch on the slope where track will be covered with snow during winter.

 
photo taken from The Dingo Dell Cafe.
The proprietor was so friendly and took the trouble to show and explain to us the winter sports that will take place  on the slope outside..

in winter the slopes will be snow covered and you can  do skiing and tobaggan-sliding.

suddenly the sky was overcast...... a bit errie as we drove along ....

but it turn sunny again as we drove further up .. The Catheral Saddle.

Here the winter vegetation of Alpine Ash trees and snow gum forest.. 

the "Horn"?

the Horn is the highest point in Mt. Buffalo at 1723 metres. 

great Monolith rocks around the Mt. Buffalo Gorge...

The Gorge Day Visitor centre 

perched on the edge of Mt. Buffalo Gorge and my legs were shaking as I go near the lookout point..

sheer granite cliffs 

the Ovens valley below 

rock-climbing is popular here.... 

located just across the road from the lookout points. 

closed for renovations 

the Grande Old Dame of Victoris Alphine region built in 1910, it was Australian first ski resort.  

After roaming around the chalet, its time to move on 

Milawa Cheese Company.... 

This is the open terrace.. 

inside the shop

The tasting counter ....

our cheese platter for lunch with a bottle of wine. 

crusty bread 

great place to relax and enjoy the cheese...

After buying some cheeses we were on the way home...

Biskie, you are hungry? 

MAKING BENTOS #2

Second round of making bento lunch for the girls.

Fried Fish with Chunky potato and purple sweet potato salad with mashed avocado

Crispy Fried Chicken Fingers with apple, cucumber and cherry tomatoes salad plus Banana Bread.

Moist and flavourful banana bread....using very ripe bananas.

Flour's Famous Banana Bread.. recipe by  Joanne Chang.

Soba Noddles with Eggplant and mango, okra and egg omelette. The dressing:- apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, salt, finely minced garlic, chili flakes, sesame oil. soy sauce, lemon zest and lemon juice.... adapted from recipe by Yotam Ottolenghi 

Baked cauliflowers with bacon and cheese, quinoa with mushrooms and red peppers.

Stuffed Taufu Pok with fish paste  braised with hairy melon, grapes and mantou (not in picture). 

Pan-Fried Chicken chop with Garlic Mushroom and roasted potatoes.

Deboned chicken drumsticks marinated with light soy sauce, dark soya, chinese Rose wine, sugar and ginger juice.  

 
My style Chicken Rice

I bought this kampong chicken from my friend at work who had this part-time business.   Upon opening, the packet, I saw that she  had cleaned, skinned  and cut up the chicken pieces already.   So instead of poaching a whole chicken in chicken stock, I cooked these pieces of chicken on top of the rice.  Pan-fry  some minced garlic and ginger in oil/butter till fragrant and slightly brown, dish up and set aside.  Add the washed, drained basmati rice into the wok and fry lightly.  Transfer to a clay pot and add chicken stock cover and cook till water has almost been absorbed  and quickly place the chicken pieces on top. Cover and lower heat and cook for another 5-10 minutes.  When ready to serve, remove the chicken onto plate and top with fried garlic/ginger and soy sauce and sesame oil.  Meanwhile, can make the rice balls if desire.  Serve with my sister's chilli paste.