I've always wanted to make caramel: I see myself heating sugar until they bubble and turn brown, setting batches in trays and running a hot knife through the bars to make perfect little squares of freshly-made caramel.  Ingredients for a basic caramel recipe are pretty standard: sugar, maybe some cream and butter, and you're set to go. The only caveat is, well, caramel-making requires a candy thermometer. Seeing I don't exactly invest...

Boy. This burger joint makes going to school worthwhile. Unfortunately - or fortunately for my waist-line? - my campus isn't close enough to hop over every day. Unlike some other lucky souls studying at the hip-and-happening Monash Caulfield campus, my campus is kinda situated in the middle of nowhere.  Growing up, I was a big fan of the Archie comics. I don't know how many of you would get this reference, but the food...

The wintry season has finally ended, and so what better time is there to put my life on hold for half a day, slap on some sun-block, and head on down to the beach?  Just next door to Cafe Florentine, and a hop, skip and jump from Brighton Beach, is Fish Tank. I had been hankering to try this ever since I chanced upon it a year back, and finally made plans to do so. Look at that display of fresh seafood. It'll take a joyless person...

Words by Miss XS I’m on the lookout of good restaurants in the west and I was elated to chance upon this restaurant which is highly raved by many food bloggers. This place was really secluded and it’s not easily accessible without driving. We were there on a Sunday night and I was surprised that the restaurant was packed despite its ulu- location. The Sweet Potato Leaves with Salted Fish came in a claypot, which was too salty. (2.5/5) We also...

I had the chance to revisit this recipe recently when I looked at my burgeoning chocolate collection, and decided it was time to cull some. Besides, J loaned me her lovely ceramic pot collection, and I've been looking forward to bake with them. I used up one bar for a chocolate fondue a week before, but the chocolate itch hadn't quite gone away yet.  I first made this recipe some years ago, when I was still trying to find my...

Words by Miss XS The food at Joyden Seafood is so good, I'm surprised how it's not more popular. Well, sorta. The restaurant is at West Coast Recreation, and the main entrance is cheekily located in the basement carpark. The first time I went, we wandered around the carpark for a bit looking a way in. Formerly known as The West Coast Seafood, it has since then revamped its menu and restaurant and is now one...

"Are you alright?" One of my friends leaned over. "You look like you're in a lot of pain."  I was 3/4 of my way through YOMG's The Creeper ($18.50 - below): a triple beef patty, triple bacon and quadruple american cheddar burger from their Limited menu. I think my stomach is at full capacity. There's nothing wrong with the burger. Au contraire. The problem exists between the burger and the chair. I was just too full to continue. The...

Up until a few months ago, I walked around Melbourne in a t-shirt and jeans, come summer or winter. Because I'm not the brightest light-bulb in the box, it took me three years in Melbourne to connect the dots: that my poor health in winter correlated with the single layer of clothing I have on in the dead of winter. Just this year alone, I spent most of May and June battling a cough and runny nose. I got much better over the holidays...