Saturday 1 December 2007

Chile 3... Argentina 1... Goal...






Well I think I might have found a new career... a tour guide is what I was today to some blogger friends... We visited 3 Chilean bakeries and 1 Argentinian... I even managed to sneak in a visit to an Italian deli... I think I had some happy customers... not to mention the shop owners when my guys started their buying frenzy...

First point of call was Haley's, this is the oldest of the Chilean bakeries... We could not buy any Chilenitos (biscuit wedged together with dulce de leche then covered in meringue and lightly baked) because they had just sold the entire tray to one man... never fear this was only our first stop...
Secondly we headed to Empanadas las Penas... these guys do the whole bread and cake thing too but they specialize in empanadas (chilean pies, filled with mince meat, onion & spice mix, olives and a slice of boiled egg)... this is the more traditional type they also had on offer a seafood version and the cheese which is deep friend whilst the previous two are oven baked...
Next stop Argentina... we strode in and our heads were dizzy with the sweet smell of pastry, all vanillery and toffee-esque... I was immediately transformed to childhood and I swore I smelt the scent of fresh ice cream, all milky and creamy... I was almost a baby suckling.... no, please, no visuals... we cannot go there!!! It was just the sweetest smell... here they had lots of little bitty cakes filled with fruity jams, creamy custards and caramel...
Last stop transported us back to Chile with a cake shop called Marciano's... Marciano walked in shortly after us and I teased him about his ever whitening hair... maybe it was flour but somehow I doubt it... here we could have Chilenitos galore and pan de pasqua (Christmas bread), filled with dried fruit and very pengent and spicy, we noted cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg in our tastings that Marciano's daughter offerred us...
So it goes like this, Hayles for Chilenitos, Empandas at Las Penas (the do the best empanadas) and lots of imported liquor, chillie paste, mayonaise, jams, soaps, baby perfume, and chewing gum, Monica's (Argentinian) for little cocktail pastries and Marciano's for birthday and special occassion cakes. They do them filled with dulce de leche with flakey pastry, or sponge with pineapple and syrup, or tea enfused sponge, apricot jam and dulce de leche then the whole thing is covered in merengue, the soft Italian type, delicious. I had in tow Thanh and Furry, the lovely Ella (Purple Goddess) and they seem enraptured... Furry had indeed lived around these very parts and Thanh does so now and neither believes they would ever have found these places on their own... they had no idea such bakeries existed and in their own backyards... I was pleased to share my bounty...

Last and very quick stop was Clayton Road Deli where we were in an Italian nirvana... all the pannetone one could wish for, the cheese of the pizza gods, seeds for those who have to grow their own vegies and basil, vinegar, rice, flour, PASTA by the shelf load, no quince paste but there was sweet potato, there was guava, there was... well I don't remember what else there was but it was plentiful.... I left my friends at this point to pick up my Ella Bella Ballerina... my work was done...


Vida x

21 comments:

Tony said...

I never realised there were South American bakeries in Melbourne! It looks like it was a hot day. No winter wollies to be found!

Vida said...

Anthony, it never cooled down from yesterday... we are having another hot summer here and it has started very early... You did not know there were South American bakeries in Melbourne because you didn't know me!!! I can smell cake from a 50 mile radius!!! Vida x

Gloria Baker said...

Vida really so nice post!!!! I will send you the sopaipillas's recipe!!Gloria
I enjoy this post. Gerardo Dad loves so Mantecol!

Gloria Baker said...

I sent you the sopaipillas 's recipe by mail.xx Gloria

Vida said...

Gloria, thank you very much! Vida x

thanh7580 said...

What a great day. Thanks so much Vida for driving all the way out to the burbs to show us around. You were a great tour guide, so full of food knowledge.

thanh7580 said...

What a great day. Thanks so much Vida for driving all the way out to the burbs to show us around. You were a great tour guide, so full of food knowledge.

thanh7580 said...

Oops, double posted by accident. Oh well, double thanks to you Vida.

Sarah said...

Hey Vida,

Great post! Those bakeries look amazing, could I get the addresses?

xox Sarah

Vida said...

Thanh you are welcome! Vida x

Sarah, sure, I will email you. Vida x

purple goddess said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
neil said...

How come Sarah is so lucky?!!! I was thinking about those addresses too, think I've been to one of those shops.

Vida said...

Neil, she asked!!! It is as simple as that, ask and you shall receive. Vida x

Cindy said...

Yuuuum... what a morning! Glad you all had such an enjoyable time.

Vida said...

Cindy, we missed you though!!! Vida x

purple goddess said...

Vida...

I have been eyeing off that "ingredient" I bought... the one that you said makes a custard that you float sweet bread in??

Any chance, my dear, of a recipe???

I have a house FULL of noisy teen girls tonight, and I thought they might like to try it.

kitheth,

pg

Vida said...

I got it for you from a lovely friend in Chile and I have emailed it to you... Enjoy, wish I was there to help you eat it... ooops I meant help you cook it... or did I???? Vida x x x

Anonymous said...

Hi Vida,

You have gorgeous pictures! I recently moved to Melbourne and I'm looking for some South American bakeries. From your page, I can see you have found several fantastic bakeries. I have a uruguyian-honduran background and look forward to finding the food I grep up with. My partner is Australian and would love to introduce him to the amazing food. Could you please be so kind to send me the addresses for the bakeries? Many thanks in advance. Kind regards, Elizabeth Avila

Anonymous said...

Hi Vida,

You have gorgeous pictures! I recently moved to Melbourne and I'm looking for some South American bakeries. From your page, I can see you have found several fantastic bakeries. I have a uruguyian-honduran background and look forward to finding the food I grep up with. My partner is Australian and would love to introduce him to the amazing food. Could you please be so kind to send me the addresses for the bakeries? Many thanks in advance. Kind regards, Elizabeth Avila

Vida said...

Hi Elizabeth! I am in Paris at the moment but when I return I will get the addresses but I will try to find them now from here and post them if I can. I know Marciano is in Centre Road, clayton and the others are in Noble Park. talk to you soon Vida

Vida said...

Elizabeth, Haleys or condorito as I know it is 11 Elonera Rd, Noble Park. Empnadas Las Penas is 40 Alfred St, Noble Park. Monicas is 14 Hosken St, Noble Park and Marcianos is 1481 Clayton Rd, Clayton, have fun exploring!! Vida