Not the Noodle Markets

For the second time in one week we all piled into the Pajero for the trip up to the big smoke, this time we were off to the Night Noodle Markets part of the Sydney International Food Festival held every year in October. (I read an article yesterday where organisers looked at Sydney's calendar and decided that October had nothing going so decided to create an extra festival - what the?) Anyway I have every year wanted to check out the noodle markets which are held at Hyde Park in Sydney – tonight was it!

Due to a combination of our sacrifice to the parking gods, remembering to bring Nick’s parking sticker and a radical u-turn on Elizabeth St; we managed to get rock star parking on James St at the bottom of the park. Walking up to the beautifully-lit area (See Night-time Floriade, that's how it's done)that has been fenced off for the markets, we realised that this was a big attraction indeed.

The after-work Sydney crowd was already there so we joined the mass of people walking around, looking for a free table and saw with dismay the long queues for food. However, fortune smiled upon us again, as we managed to grab a table, which only had three chairs - not a problem as at this stage we split up – some to mind the table (and snaffle 3 more chairs), some to go and hunt and gather the food.

We had a bit of a quick look at the stalls, where a note of disillusion crept in. Now, I love gozleme, I think it’s a wonderful combination of freshly cooked dough, spinach and cheese, however noodles it is not! Yet here was the ubiquitous gozleme tent at the Night Noodle Markets! Once I got off my high horse, and realised that Night Noodle Markets is a euphemism for any sort of delicious outdoor stall food that the City of Sydney council can find, I started to enjoy myself.

Dan and I were entertained as we waited in the queue (which we only has to stand in for around 20 minutes) by some dancing dragon lions and an amazingly loud drum, before we were able to grab our goodies: a plate of steamed dumplings ($5 for 4), some spring rolls ($4 for 3) and steamed pork or duck buns ($2.50 each). Having no hands left to visit the alcohol tent, I was disappointed I hadn’t ignored the no BYO rule and brought one of the delicious bottles of champagne that a kind friend had given ME for some work RICK did in his garden.

We arrived back at out table, Lauren (the other hunter/gatherer) arriving swiftly behind us with another plate of mixed dumplings and steamed pork bun, also a delicious piece of san choy bow a box of salt & pepper squid and, at last, a box of noodles! They were cooked with a bit of soy sauce, some BBQ pork pieces and beans – delicious!

We ate heartily, finishing off with a delicious, very flaky, not too eggy custard tart. Allira was fascinated by the bats flying around – by fascinated, I mean scared that one would fly straight at her. It was lovely in the park surrounded by huge trees, with the city skyline all around, lots of noise and energy around us.

We walked back to the car looking at the giant photos on display for Art and About (you know, 'cause Sydney has no festivals on in October) which were very interesting. (There was a great one of a woman in her front yard in a little old place in Darlinghurst, and she was standing holding court alongside the larger-than-life photo of herself.)

So, feeling a little lacking in the noodle department, last night being my night for dinner making I decided to make Singapore noodles with chicken, beans and carrots. Very tasty.


Ingredients

• 2 packets fresh Singapore noodles, soaked in boiling water for a few minutes then drained
• 3 carrots, sliced into thin 3cm pieces
• beans, cut into 3cm pieces
• onion, diced
• garlic, chopped
• fresh ginger, grated
• 1/2 chicken breast (all that was in the freezer)
• soy sauce
• sweet chilli sauce
• hoi sin sauce

1. Fry the chicken, carrots, onion & garlic together until cooked.
2. Add the beans and cook a bit more.
3. Add the drained noodles and the sauce (and a bit of water of you want) and combine until there is an even distribution of vegetables and chicken through the noodles (though this won't actually happen until hell freezes over so don't spend too much effort on it).

As we had a guest (hi Zanko!) I though I would impress with dessert as well. And to be honest, the above amount fed 7 people - there were no seconds.

A newly re-discovered old family favourite of ours is caramelised pineapple. This is the simple version (minus the flaming rum and toasted coconut - for when you're really trying to impress!)

• 1 fresh pineapple, peeled and cut into chunks
• brown sugar
• butter
• ice-cream

1. Coat the pineapple chunks in brown sugar. (This can be done before dinner)
2. Heat the butter in a large fry-pan.
3. Drain (save the juice!) and add the pineapple to the pan.
4. Cook for awhile until warmed through and starting to caramelise.
5. Add the drained juice.
6. Have a lengthy discussion over whether the ice-cream will be better under or over the pineapple.
7. Serve as requested, or however you think it will be best.
   
   
   
   
   Enjoy!
   
   

The Night Noodle Markets are on every night this week, up to and including Friday night from 5.00-9.30pm.