Five minutes with Zachary Tan

Zachary Tan is executive chef of Lucky Suzie, Devon on Danks and Devon Cafe.

Zachary Tan is executive chef at Lucky Suzie, Devon on Danks and Devon Cafe in Sydney. Here are the pantry staples he has on hand at home in order to whip up Asian-inspired dishes at a moment's notice: sambal, shrimp paste, fish sauce, miso, rice, Sriracha, black vinegar, dark soy, light soy, rice vinegar, white palm sugar, fried eschallots, coconut cream, ginger, limes, chillis, coriander, pandan, garlic and eschallots.

Tan is the master of making Malay food accessible: have your chopsticks at the ready for the nasi lemak with chicken curry, pork belly satay skewers and coconut-spiced chicken. Tan says the fundamentals of Asian cuisine start with having the right pantry staples.   

But he says the most challenging thing for cooks that come from a non-Asian background is to to understand the fundamentals of Asian cuisine. 

"The most challenging thing is knowing how or what those Asian pantry ingredients actually bring to a dish and learning how to control those volumes and quantities. For example if you are going to add fish sauce, you need to ask yourself, 'What does it bring to a dish?' I can tell you, it brings a lot of saltiness and umami. And so when you are doing Asian recipe and you understand what it actually brings, then you can move forward," says Tan. 

"I would urge people experimenting with Asian flavours to experiment with the acidity or saltiness or umami of a dish. It's only then you can understand the recipe a bit better and it becomes easier to balance the dishes."

Lucky Suzie is located at 78 Stanley St, Darlinghurst, luckysuzie.com.au

To understand the fundamentals of cooking Asian cuisine, it's a good idea to experiment.

Five fab ideas to celebrate Easter long weekend

Regardless of your faith, the Easter long weekend is a time to spend with friends and family. Here are a few Easter experiences worth shelling out for, writes Carla Grossetti.

Enjoy Easter at Cho Cho San without the sugar-crazed highs. Photographer: Nikki To. 

Enjoy Easter Izakaya-style
This year, instead of smashing seven chocolate bunnies think outside the chocolate box and head to Cho Cho San where the izakaya-style dining room will set the scene for a very elegant Easter celebration. The popular Potts Point eatery is open on Good Friday from 5.30pm and for all-day dining on Saturday and Sunday from noon. Order edamame dip for starters and Petuna ocean trout with black pepper and wasabi and teriyaki fish collars to follow. For bookings, phone 9331 6601 or email enquires@chochosand.com.au. 73 Macleay St, Potts Point, chochosan.com.au

Garden geurillas unite as Camperdown Commons makes inroads into inner-urban Sydney. Image: Supplied

Enjoy an urban Harvest
Camperdown Commons has launched a brand new series of events as acre, Pocket City Farms and Common Spaces now gather under the umbrella of Harvest at Camperdown. This newly revitalised community hub will see acre present some of the best fresh produce from its premium suppliers with a new seasonal menu at Good Friday Food and Wine, while Camperdown Commons transforms into an Easter wonderland for the kidlets on Easter Sunday with a free Easter Craft Workshop, a Gingerbread Easter hunt and a visit by the Easter bunny. From April until June, visitors can get a taste of the farm lifestyle right in the heart of Sydney.  31A Mallet St, Camperdown, www.harvesthub.com.au

The chocolate-infused cocktails at Grain Bar are red hot. Image: Supplied

Indulge in an Easter cocktail
Eggs-traordinary that Grain Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel is satisfying sweet tooths all over Sydney with a collection of cocktails that are positively pun-free. Curated by Grain Bar's talented team of barkeeps, the chocolate-infused cocktails made with craft liqueurs and premium spirits are the perfect Easter treat. Ask the bartenders to muddle you up a Murphy's Law (Bulleit Rye Whiskey, Rocky Road liqueur, dark agave, frozen berries and rocky road: $20) followed by a devilishly good Retox (Johnny Walker Black and house-made chocolate chilli-infused beetroot juice, garnished with edible flowers: $18). Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, 199 George St, Sydney. www.grainbar.com.au.

Seafood and eat it on Good Friday at this bountiful buffet at Harvest Buffet. Image: supplied

Smash the Harvest Buffet at The Star
Vary the traditional Easter lunch with your family by celebrating the long weekend at Harvest Buffet with a sumptuous seafood feast and Easter specials over the Easter long weekend. The traditional bountiful buffet will be available for lunch on Good Friday ($45.90) and Easter Saturday ($55.90). There will also be a special visit from the Easter Bunny along with face painting for kids on Easter Sunday. For more information, visit The Star Sydney or email harvestreservations@star.com.au

You say it's the long weekend, it's my long weekend too. The view from above: Sydney's Sky Terrace at The Star. 

Enjoy an Easter Sunday party in silence
Sydney’s Sky Terrace @ The Star is set to close over autumn and will go out with a very quiet bang by hosting a silent disco on Easter Sunday. Enjoy a sunset cocktail while tapping your feet very softly to Joseph Calerazzo Duo from 3-6pm, before busting a few bold but meditative moves from 6pm-11pm when the silent disco is in full swing. Headphones are available if you want to crank up the goodness as DJs Beth Yen, K-Note and Social Hooliganz do their thing. For more information about what’s on at The Star this Easter long weekend, please visit The Star or join the conversation at @thestarsydney

Order a hamper of Pana Chocolate perfection as a treat for the family. Image: Supplied

Go to the dark side
Pana Chocolate loves the idea of a holiday centred around the giving of chocolate. Oh and cue the smiley emoji because a holiday built around the giving and receiving of chocolate is a bit more guilt-free with the Victorian operation that is available online. Apart from its commitment to using raw, organic ingredients, the chocolates will make you feel virtuous when you read the contents and discover chocolates such as coconut and goji and mint, fig and wild orange contain no dairy, no soy, no refined sugar and are gluten-free and handmade. panachocolate.com

10 Sydney restaurants that use Ubereats

Uber entered the food delivery service in March 2016. Here are 10 Sydney restaurants that are signed up to Ubereats that will up the ante on that office party or desk-side lunch. 

Satisfy those crazy fried chicken cravings with a shoebox full of fried chicken from Butter. Image: Supplied

Butter
There is something devilishly good about the fried chicken from Butter, the Surry Hills storefront that sells fried chicken alongside sneakers and Champagne. This is chicken thigh dressed to impress, wearing a spicy red jacket that is best quenched with a slushie served on the side. Kick back in your high-tops with a bunch of mates to enjoy executive chef Julian Cincotta's streetwise incarnation of fried chicken and a tangle of shoestring fries. Vegos listen up: order the fresh ear of corn, which arrives anointed with a splodge of miso butter, and a 'shroom burger for a meat-free fest. Those with a love of food, fashion, music and culture take note: Butter has launched a new e-commerce streetwear concept store housing a range of sneakers and apparel. Butter, 6 Hunt St, Sydney. Buttersydney.com.au

Faster pasta when you get Ubereats to deliver a bowl of pasta. Image: Supplied

The Italian Bowl

Part old-school Italian-Australian trattoria, part innovative eatery, the menu options on offer at The Italian Bowl run by Vince Muscolo and Alexi Spyridis let you choose your own adventure - allowing you to pick your favourite pasta shape and pair it with a sauce to suit. Tasting notes: give pesto with penne a go or fuse fettucine with an arrabiata sauce. Aside from pasta dishes, the chicken parmigiana, veal with mushroom sauce and king prawn risotto are hugely popular for those hankering for hearty meals. Stick with tradition for dessert and order the tiramisu.  255 King St, Newtown, theitalianbowl.com.au       

The average time it takes to get a Love Supreme pizza delivered is 11 minutes and 39 seconds. And go! Image: Supplied

Love Supreme  

Love Supreme is the highly-evolved version of the much-loved Arthur's Pizza run by Vlad and Bosko Vujovic, who take the unleavened flatbread up a notch with 'with-the-works' toppings.  Follow the @lovesupremepizza Instagram account for updates to the menu and you will know that back on deck this week is the Gabo - Brussel sprouts, smoked bacon and a balsamic reduction. Pizza Sam demonstrates how amazing seasonal produce can be on a pizza: think pumpkin puree, sheep feta, smoked almonds and confit cherry tomatoes. 180 Oxford St, Paddington, www.lovesupreme.com.au

Seared albacore plays a starring role in this slightly spicy tuna poke from head chef Mark Jensen at Salmon & Bear.

Salmon & Bear
The first thing you need to know about poké, the Hawaiian-style sushi salad in a bowl, is how to pronounce it: it's pokay, okay? The second thing you need to understand about this island-inspired dish is that it has been reimagined with great effect by Salmon & Bear executive chef Mark Jensen. Say aloha to a poké with prawns in a lemon and coconut dressing served with edamame beans, avocado, cucumber, cherry tomato and snow pea sprouts. If your stomach is really growling, devour a Salmon 'BEARger' stuffed with cos lettuce, tomato, pickles, salsa verde and aioli.   6 Defries Avenue, Zetland, salmonandbear.com.au

Wrap your laughing gear around this whopper of a fried chicken sandwich from BL Burgers. Image: Supplied

BL Burgers
Chickpea and kumara burgers, pulled pork rolls with peppers and coriander, and a Blame Canada special starring maple-glazed streaky bacon on a beef pattie are just a few of the whimsical creations on offer at BL Burgers in Bondi. BL Burger's piece de resistance is the Classic Cheese burger, which head chef Allan Boque assembles on a St Malo Bakery milk bun with a beef pattie, slice of American cheese, pile of pickles, swirl of ketchup and slick of mustard.  BL Burgers and its big sister Bar Luca also serve first-rate fries. 1/151 Oxford St, Darlinghurst, blburgers.com.au

A feast of Syrian proportions at Almond Bar in Darlinghurst. #cookforSyria

Almond Bar
Almond Bar is a Darlinghurst gem that peppers its menu with updated Syrian classics that are close to the heart of co-owner sisters Carol and Sharon (head chef) Salloum. The Salloum family's passion for Middle Eastern food and culture is evident in the cooking, with all the food designed to be shared. Order an array of dips such as traditional hummus and labne, followed by pumpkin kibbeh, falafel, fattoush and tabouli. Carnivores will be kept happy with the shawarma and chef's Syrian duck. Watch Episode 10 on Food Safari Fire on SBS On Demand featuring Sharon Salloum. 379 Liverpool St, Darlinghurst, almondbar.com.au

The Guilty pleasure: a cocktail and a Calamity Jane hit the spot at The Guilty. Image: Supplied

The Guilty Take a billowy bun, filled with everything from American cheese and bacon to McClure's Pickles, add a calorific side of creamy mac and five cheese with pretzel bits and you will understand why The Guilty is in burger buzz feeds around the world.  The Weetbix fried chicken sandwich is - true to form - an absolute guilty pleasure. Chef James Hurlston (of Jimmy's Burger fame) also puts you through your paces with the Triple Kecksburger served with jalapenos and bacon. Eli's Ruby, an old-school Rueben that pairs pastrami with a kale kraut, is a slightly more virtuous option. 248 Palmer St Darlinghurst, www.facebook.com/GUILTYSYDNEY/

Butter up the boss with a selection of handmade Kakawa Chocolates. Image: Supplied

Kakawa
David Ralph and partner Jin Sun Kim, a chocolatier and pastry chef, know a few quick-fire ways to the heart: from hot chocolates to pralines and specialty slabs such as strawberry and pink peppercorn or chilli with dark chocolate. Dive deep into the Kakawa Chocolates menu to find ice-cream sandwiches, caramels and fudge or Easter-inspired options such as the hot cross bun, Peek a Boo Egg or pun-tastic Eggception. Getting a fix of raspberry and mint crisps and passionfruit rocky road is like getting a big hug from an old friend. This is chocolate as an art form. 147 William St, Darlinghurst, kakawachocolates.com.au 

Friend or pho? Step aside soggy sandwiches. A bowl of steaming pho from So. 9 is just the ticket. Image: Supplied

So. 9

So 9 celebrates the inspired street food of Vietnam - from the toasted baguette known as banh mi to the coveted crispy banh xeo pancakes. Diners are asked to customise their own banh mi by choosing their own combo from the salad, roll and banh station menu where the flavours of pate, grilled pork, mayo, chilli and coriander sing of Southeast Asia. If you're feeling indecisive when ordering pho, go for chef Hien Pham's recommendation for a fragrant pho tai (noodle soup with sliced beef), which is your passport to Hanoi.  The eatery is named after the No. 9, a lucky number in Vietnamese culture. Shop 1, 18 Danks St, Waterloo, so9.com.au  

Get an order away on Ubereats for ACME and boom! It's there on your desk to enjoy. Image: Supplied

ACME
Andy Emerson, Cam Fairbairn, Mitchell Orr and Ed Loveday are the brains trust behind ACME, a restaurant that gives chef Mitchell Orr the creative freedom to cook contemporary cuisine that reads like an inspired mash-up of multicultural Australia. How about pine mushroom with pecorino custard and lardo?  Or strozzapreti with braised enoki and kale?  The squid ink malloreddus with calamari and broccolini hums with flavour.
60 Bayswater Rd, Ruchcutters Bay, weareacme.com.au