hot cross buns

Good Friday French toast hot cross bun

Gary Lum Good Friday hot cross bun with maple streaky bacon
Good Friday hot cross bun with maple streaky bacon

Have you ever had a Good Friday French toast hot cross bun?

I made my French toast hot cross bun better with maple bacon


Last night I went to XO Restaurant at Narrabundah and enjoyed a meal with Bron. We had Shantung Baos, XO FC Wings, Sexy Squid, Char Siu, Crispy Lamb Ribs and XO Hot Cross Bao. The char siu was a revelation. One of the owner chefs came and had a chat with us and explained how he was inspired to make the char siu after trying a Malaysian version. XO cooks the pork for many hours by sous vides and then when a ticket arrives blast the pork with a blowtorch and then it hits a hot oven and then a little more charring. I am happy to say it’s the most tender and flavourful char siu I have ever eaten. Just for that dish the meal was worth it. The evening meal was topped off with an Easter inspired dessert, viz., Hot cross bao. For the best description check out the XO Facebook page

I only shot one photograph last night and it was the hot cross bao.

XO Restaurant's hot cross bao! Fresh bao made in house with Sichuan chilli raspberry jam and salted praline peanut paste ice cream drizzled with dark chocolate. They're vegan and dairy free!
XO Restaurant’s hot cross bao! Fresh bao made in house with Sichuan chilli raspberry jam and salted praline peanut paste ice cream drizzled with dark chocolate. They’re vegan and dairy free!

So back to today.

I started with the French toast hot cross bun. I just used hot cross buns from Coles and soaked one in some egg, cream, brown sugar and vanilla extract. I then fried it off in some butter. The streaky bacon was cooked in my benchtop oven with some Canadian maple syrup poured over each rasher.

Gary Lum Good Friday hot cross bun with maple streaky bacon and coffee
Good Friday hot cross bun with maple streaky bacon and coffee

This afternoon I was invited to afternoon tea. Peter and Li Peng are friends who have featured in Yummy Lummy many times. Li Peng has just started a new business hand making chocolate.

The label is known as Jasper and Myrtle Chocolates. Li Peng is currently working on a website but she has a Facebook page and an Instagram account which I hope Yummy Lummy readers might consider following.

Jasper and Myrtle Handmade Chocolate being made
Jasper and Myrtle Handmade Chocolate being made

Peter made hot cross buns which were really good.

I had 3 fresh hot cross bun with butter
I had 3 fresh hot cross bun with butter

I highly recommend Li Peng’s Jasper and Myrtle chocolates

Jasper and Myrtle Handmade Chocolate
Jasper and Myrtle Handmade Chocolate

Check out these links for more on Jasper and Myrtle Chocolates

http://www.handmadecanberra.com.au/easter-treats-handmade-shop/

http://www.handmadecanberra.com.au/blog/

http://hercanberra.com.au/cpcity/five-new-handmade-market-highlights/

The Foodie’s Paradise

New at the March Market

So I ended Good Friday 2016 watching the Brisbane Broncos play the North Queensland Cowboys and ate some slowly roasted beef and coleslaw. The Broncos defeated the Cowboys in a really tight game.

Good Friday slowly roasted beef with beetroot coleslaw
Good Friday slowly roasted beef with beetroot coleslaw

I hope you had a good Good Friday. What did you get up to?