The hottest food trends: poke, egg waffles, golden grind lattes and Denver's cat bar
We're eating… POKE
Come winter, we turn to red wine and comfort food, but poke – a Hawaiian staple of chopped raw fish and condiments similar to a Japanese sashimi bowl – is taking over summer in LA and trickling down to us. Before you eat it, you have to know how to pronounce it: poh-kay, oh-kay? Try it at Melbourne's Tokyo Tina or in Sydney at Poke in Coogee – and soon-to-open Fishbowl in Bondi.
Eggcellent news: you're never going to overcook a boiled goog again – or undercook one, if you're that way inclined. The Perfect Egg Timer app stays true to its name and is a worthwhile investment at $1.49 from the App Store. Measure your egg using your iPhone screen, specify whether it's room temperature or refrigerated and then determine your altitude via GPS for foolproof cooking instructions.
We're buying… GOLDEN GRIND
Matcha is so May 2016. This month it's all about golden lattes, which can be made at home with a packet of Golden Grind. The natural blend of turmeric, cinnamon, ginger and black pepper boasts a range of health properties, from antioxidant to anti-inflammatory. Add a teaspoon of the powder to hot water to form a paste before topping with milk from a nut, grain, soybean or even a cow.
We're craving… EGG WAFFLES
Halfway between German waffles and Dutch pancakes is the egg waffle, a street snack popular in Hong Kong. Made from a thin, eggy batter pressed between two hot plates of egg-shaped cells, the finished product resembles oversized bubble wrap. Each segment has a crispy exterior and soft, chewy middle. Keep an eye peeled for them at dessert cafes in Chinatown, or try one for brunch at Haven in Sydney (with kimchi, parmesan and vanilla ice-cream) or Baba Sus in Melbourne (custard, berry compote and green tea ice-cream)
We're obsessed with… PRODUCE POSIES
Props to online gift delivery service Little Matters for finding the happy medium between a bunch of flowers and a practical present – their signature posy bouquet is an arrangement of fresh blooms, apples, ornamental kale and seasonal vegies. Delivery exclusive to Melbourne, but not for long. Say it with produce from $29.
We're watching… COOKED
Michael Pollan, known for non-fiction bestsellers such as The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, released a Netflix documentary mini-series earlier this year called Cooked, an adaptation of his namesake book. It explores the anthropological and ecological significance of cooking for others through the elements of fire, water, air and earth. The beautiful cinematography is as hunger-inducing as it is informative. Binge watch all four episodes before your next dinner party.
We can't believe that… DENVER IS GETTING A CAT BAR
Melbourne may be welcoming its first dog cafe early next month, but the Denver Cat Company in the United States has just launched a Kickstarter campaign to open the world's first cat bar. Because the only thing better than a kitty with your cappuccino is a feline with your wine.