HOLY STROMBOLI

I'm always looking for different and exciting bakes and not just the sweet variety. Sometimes savoury bakes can be equally delicious. Ive been dabbling with homemade pizzas recently so when I came across the Stromboli it looked like something that would not only challenge me as a home baker but would also be amazing as part of a weekend picnic tea. A scrummy pizza dough lined with basil, mozzarella and cured meat all rolled up into a beautiful parcel that once sliced really does have the "wow factor".

ROCKIN' CRUNCHIE (ICE CREAM SUNDAY PT 3)

I hadn't made any ice cream for a while so I though it was time to crack out another "Ice Cream Sunday" recipe. This time I'm going for a true weekend treat. This is a beautifully creamy, smooth and rich Crunchie ice cream which big and little kids a like will really enjoy. The recipe uses Crunchie rocks which you can find in most supermarkets but you can use bash some Crunchie bars with a rolling pin instead if you can't find them. 

Whip some up today to serve with your Sunday pud. You know you want to!

"WINEY" CHICKEN

The weekend is her and it's start to think about this weeks Sunday Roast. It's also been a very long week in work so it's time to crack open the wine and relax for the weekend. White wine and chicken is a classic combination but I only really see it in stews and casseroles but never really on a whole roast bird. Here I've created a fantastic marinade that really pumps that wine flavor into your roast, complimented with some garlic, lemon and fresh herbs for a delightfully fragrant and oh so adult Sunday Roast. Prepare and marinade the night before and
you certainly won't be a "winey" diner!

QUICKIDY QUICK SWEET HOT DOG MUSTARD

 

It's a lazy tea tonight at MattyB Bakes. Hot dogs and 2nd day pasta! Who doesn't love hot dogs? There is the age old hot dog question though isn't there? Ketchup or mustard?

Me? I'd normally say ketchup however I may be turned around with fantastic way to really make your hot dog mustard pop just by adding a few little store cupboard ingredients to some Dijon mustard.

In this latest quickidy quick sauce/dip recipe I'll let you in to the secret. All you need is:

1 Heaped Tbsp Apricot Jam

1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard

2 Tsp Whole Grin Mustard

A Pinch English Mustard Powder

1 Tsp Dried Parsley

Whizz all these around in a bowl until a smooth sauce has been made with no traces of the jam or mustard powder and then pop in the fridge for 30 mins or so whilst you cook your hot dogs to allow the flavours to meld together. This will really add a sweet punch to your mustard and reduce that nose burny sensation you can get from a strong mustard which is what often puts me off eating it.

Its that simple. Next time it's hot dog/burger day then whip up a little batch and turn a simple meal into something a little bit more special!

LULLY LEMON AND RASPBERRY RIPPLE TARTLETS

 

I love using lemon in my baking. Hands down its my favourite dessert flavour. That beautiful sharp and zingy lemon taste is too die for. I also love making my own pastry. Crumbly and delicious homemade shortcrust is always miles ahead of shop bought. So I combined the two along with some fresh raspberries, raspberry jam and toasted almonds for these lully little lemon tartlets. The perfect way to round off any meal.

MATTY'S (NOT SO) MINTY CHILI SLAW

Here's an extract from the Scouse dictionary:

Minty: Adjective:

Dirty looking, off, out of date, undesirable

Therefore to describe this slaw as just "Minty" wouldn't sit very well with me. Therefore I shall call it my "(Not At All) Minty Slaw."

Perfect for a summer dinner or BBQ. It can be whipped up in no time but is even better when prepared in advance to allow the fresh chili mint flavour to really infuse with the other ingredients.

JON'S PERFECT PAELLA

 

Paella is of course something best eaten on the med. All the spectacle of having it cooked in front of you with local and so fresh its still breathing seafood in a ginormous pan is something you really cant match back home. However, with the gorgeous weather were having at the moment, Jon got right in the holiday mood so he whipped out our new paella pan to create the perfect Spanish treat just for us!

MEET MARY BERRY FOR AFTERNOON TEA!

The BBC Good Food Bakes And Cakes Show is drawing closer and today they have released details of a fantastic competition where you could win the chance to have afternoon tea with the legend that it Queen Mary Berry Of Cake. If you think you have got what it takes to make a cake or bake good enough to win, give the official press release below a read for a guide on how to enter. Good Luck!

FABULOUS FOCACCIA

My growing adventures into bread making continues today with this gorgeous recipe for a stunning focaccia that is a great way to use that pizza stone you bought for your homemade pizzas. Crispy, salty and punctured with fresh herbs, it makes a stunning centre piece to a meal as well as being truly scrumptious. The pizza stone will give your focaccia a delightful crispy base that is so crunchy and satisfying when you bite into it. A greased lined baking tray will work too, the layer of polenta you sprinkle over the tray will still give the base a nice bite.

MATTYB BAKES 100TH POST BONANZA

 

 Well here we are! 4 months in and I'm celebrating my 100th post. I didn't realise when i started the blog just how into it I would get but I'm enjoying it so much. I've had so many people say such nice things about all the recipes and even a few who have tried a couple and told me how great they are which really puts a big smile on my face.

That's one of the reasons I started this blog. When i started posting pictures of my food on facebook like one of those really annoying foodie people a lot of people would ask me how I had so much time to make all this food. They also wanted to know how I managed to lose 3 stone in 3 months and still bake all these cakes and tarts.

MATTY'S GARLIC MUSHIES

 

I always try and eat a balanced diet but I will treat myself to delicious homemade fried foods every now and then. I've said many a time that a little bit of what you fancy won't hurt you! Today I indulged by recreating a classic pub grub starter from the comfort of my kitchen. Juicy mushrooms covered in a crispy, herby batter all ready to be dunked in a luscious garlic mayo. Go on! Make some tonight, you deserve it.

SWEET AND LULLY LEMON LOAF

I think the lemon drizzle cake is a go too recipe for any baker. So simple to make yet so uber delicious that I cant think of many people who would turn down a slab. Now that I'm getting more confident with using yeast I though Id try something a little different with this sweet loaf version of a lemon drizzle with lashings of cream cheese frosting. Its so light and soft that if your like me you will want more than a slab but to demolish the whole thing in one go!

MY BIGGER FATTER GREEK VEGGIE PASTA

My big fat Greek veggie pasta bake has become one of the most popular recipes on MattyB Bakes but its more suited to a warm summers day. This recipe originally came from a family friend and is great for a more warming and comforting evening meal on a wet and chilly night. Spread over the top is a Greek yogurt layer which really adds a twist to the traditional tomato pasta bake. I'd never seen anything like it before but its such a fab idea I implore you to give it a go and experience it for yourself.

CRUMPS!

Its as simple as the title suggest. I always like to try out new things and seeing them being made on telly I thought I'd give crumpets a try (or crumps as we like to call them). They are a big hit in our house and so armed with some freshly bought crump rings I set off into the kitchen ready to give them a go. Now they are time consuming to make so don't think you can whip a few up at breakfast time. I suggest you knock out a large batch of them on a quiet day, keep some out to eat and freeze the rest so you some ready to take out the night before for brekkie.

FIGGY ROLY POLY BICCIES

 

When talking about classic puds, one that will always come up is the Jam Roly Poly. My nan used to make a cracking one and serve it with lashings of custard. Yum! What what about classic biscuits. Well I'm sure the fig rolls would be mentioned by a lot of people as well. So here is my mash up of the two. Vanilla dough filled with fig jam and baked into these bite sized gems. Two classics together to create a new one!

COFFEE AND WALNUT WORLD CUP CAKE

The World Cup is nearly over and done with for another four years. Wasn't one to remember for us English folk this time around but one good thing that did come from it was the spotlight on Brazil and all the fantastic food stuff they have on offer. One thing that Brazil is famous for is its coffee and it inspired me to whip up an old classic, Coffee and Walnut cake slathered with a chocolate cream cheese frosting. It'll make a perfect dessert to tuck into whilst you watch the final this weekend.

FABULOUS CHILLI CORN FRITTERS

 

Ive talked in the past about my love for Liverpool's top Thai restaurant, Chaopraya. The highlight of any visit there is their yummy sweetcorn fritters. This recipe is my tribute to those little morsels of crispy goodness. Mine add a bit more spice chili wise but then again I do love the punchy flavour that chili gives to any meal. I'm not saying they are better than Chaopraya's but they come a very close second.

VOTE FOR LONDONS BEST BAKERY!

I'm uber excited to be visiting the BBC Good Food Bakes and Cakes Show this October and I'm thrilled to see that they have launch a competition to find the best bakery in London. It can hard at the moment to make a business work particularly when your trying to compete with massive chains and supermarkets so I think its great that they are given recognition to all these fantastically talent people. I wish there were more of these small bakeries all over the UK as you can really taste the love that goes into every bake. Keep reading to see the press release from the 

BBC Good Food Bakes and Cakes Show and to find 

out how to vote for your favourite.

ONE SHOT SUNDAY ROAST CAKES

Now we all know I love a Sunday roast. I love them so much though that sometimes I go a bit overboard. Portion control is defiantly an issue here. I hate wasting food so with my left overs from this weekend I made these delicious potato cakes and all I needed was a bit of flour, breadcrumbs and an egg and Ta-Dah! Leftovers were transformed before my very eyes. Jamie Oliver would be so proud.

SMOKED TOFU SPRING ROLLS

 

So to really treat myself, as part of my special weekend Asian dinner I thought I'd give making

homemade spring rolls a go. I'll be honest, it looked like it was going to go belly up but thankfully I managed to produce these beautifully stuffed smoked Tofu rolls. Packed with veg they were miles better than some of the little greasy monstrosities you can order from the chippy. Once you go homemade you'll never go back.

STICKY & SWEET STIR FRY

This weekend i actually had two days off work and I was excited to get into the kitchen and just lose myself in my cooking. As a treat to myself I went all out and made a little Asian meal for us what with it being my favourite cuisine. This sweet chili stir fry I dished up really hit the spot. My stir frys normally have a light and fresh sauce such as on my Speedy Stir Fry but this was my weekend off and time to indulge. The sweet chili sauce on this stir fry is beautifully thick, sticky but also just on the right side of healthy to not feel to guilty. Just!

MATTY'S SPEEDY SPECIALS (VOL.2: "WIMBLEDON LEFTOVERS" MERINGUE)

This speedy special is designed to use up any leftover strawberries, cream and jam you may have left over from making my Wimbledon Tart or Vicky Sponge. I hate waste and so by purchasing some ready made meringue nests (yes, you could make your own but this is a speedy special) you can make this super quick and easy dessert, use up all your left overs, save pennies and still look like you made an effort!

All you need is the following:

Strawberry and Cream Meringue

1 Meringue Nest

1 Tbsp Strawberry Jam

2 Tbsp Whipped Double Cream

2 Strawberries (Halved)

Simply get your meringue nest and spoon in the strawberry jam. Spoon over the whipped cream to conceal the jam and then arrange you strawberries on top. Repeat per serving!

It's as easy as that. The purpose of this post was not only to encourage you to use your leftovers but to so you just how simple it is to make a beautiful looking dessert. Whip yourself up a batch today:

Pronto!

MATTY'S SPEEDY SPECIALS (VOL.1: VIETNAMESE COFFEE ICE CREAM)

I've made a couple of treats over the last week which are so simple and quick that I thought I would share them with. These treats I call my speedy specials and are ideal for making something that will still impress your family and friends even if you have no time for a full on baking masterpiece or you think that you can't cook (or won't cook!).

First comes this deliciously smooth and creamy Vietnamese coffee ice cream. A traditional recipe to the region, it's speedy in the sense that it takes 10 Min's top to prepare. You can then ether serve it straight away as a beautifully sweet cream or if you prepare it in the morning and freeze, it will be ready to serve as an ice cream come dinner time the same evening. All you need is the following:

Vietnamese Coffee Ice Cream

600ml Double Cream

397g Condensed Milk

2 Tbsp Coffee (Dissolved In 50ml Cold Water)

2 Tsp Vanilla Extract

Simply add all your ingredients into a bowl and whisk away until the mixture can form soft peaks. You want the ice cream to be light and fluffy so don't over whisk as it will be too thick and heavy. Serve immediately or pop in the freezer and after 12 hours you will a more ice cream like consistency.

It doesn't get much easier than that!

HUMMINGBIRD BAKERY'S "SNICKERS CHEESECAKE PIE" (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

Ive never really been a fan of Snickers (or Marathons if your really old school). Not sure why, think there were more appetising chocolate treats out there. So i was surprised that when I saw this recipe for what is essentially a giant snickers pie by the Hummingbird Bakery that i was instantly enamoured. I had to try it. I wasn't sure i would like it but myself and everyone who tried it had nothing but "umms" and "aaahs" to say about it.

 Basically its a peanut butter cheesecake pie. But that really doesn't do it justice. Let me talk you through it:

MA'AM'S WIMBLEDON TART

Its Wimbledon time and that calls for one thing. Strawberries and cream! There are many recipes for S+C based cakes on line but when I had to think of something to make for a chocolate lovers birthday today I thought chocolate tart with strawberries on top! Perfect.

Wheres the cream you may ask? Well not only is the filling essentially just a beautifully rich and smooth chocolate and double cream ganache but a nice dribble (or lashing!) of single cream makes the perfect accomplishment.

CHOCOLATE BOOZY BOULDER BISCUITS

Its Sunday and its time to open that liquor cabinet for a little tipple before the working week starts again. But as tempting as it would be just to stick a straw in a bottle of vodka and get on with it (remember kids, drink responsibly!), I'm just going to use a splash of Amaretto in these beautiful chocolate biscuits. Dipped into icing sugar before baking, these little rocks of cocoa goodness will rise and crack in the oven like little snowy mountain tops. They look stunning and taste just as good too.

ONE SHOT SUNDAY ROAST (LEMON AND THYME STYLE)

 

Ready for the weekend, its time for another One Shot Sunday Roast Recipe. This time were staying relatively traditional with a simple citrusy fresh lemon and thyme tray. You can use fresh lemons but its also a great way to use up that bottle of lemon juice that gets paraded out on pancake day before going to sleep in the cupboard for another year. So quick and simple its another flavor combination you can to your growing repertoire of one shots. 

"HEART ATTACK" PASTA

Caution! This post is not good for your health. You have been warned!

If your still reading this let me explain. I'm always one for promoting good healthy recipes but you know sometimes when you've had a long week and you just need to have something that's comforting and naughty, Well this is the dish for you. 

A creamy buttery and cheesy chorizo pasta that is the complete antithesis to my healthier Mac and C. You can just grab a fork, tuck in and then collapse on the sofa with a stuffed belly ready to veg for the evening. Just don't expect your arteries to thank you for it!

MATTYB'S CHARITY BIKING ADVENTURE

Hello you fantastic people who read my blog. I thought I would take a day away from sharing my kitchen adventures with you and talk about a different kind of adventure I went on this weekend. I took part in a 25mile bike ride from Chester to Liverpool with some of my amazing colleagues from work in order to raise money for the Candice Colley Foundation. I hope my story will make you dig deep and donate to this fantastic charity!

"TOTES OATY" CHEWY CHOCCY COOKIES

After the success of my "Honey Honey" biccies the other day I thought I'd have a go at making more to serve with my "Fancy Dancy" Raspberry Mousse. Now I love chocolate (then again who doesn't?) and I also love oats, my go to recipe for any occasion are my Fab And Fast Flapjacks, they always go down a treat. So I thought why not combine the two and that is exactly what I have done these beautifully chewy chocolate chip cookies. Great with my mousse, with a cup of tea or even as a breakfasty treat on the weekend.

"FANCY DANCY" RASPBERRY MOUSSE

I never used to mind making my cakes by hand in my pre-mixer days. I liked getting stuck in and it's also great exercise for your arms doing all that beating and whisking. One thing I used to hate however and therefore avoided at all costs was whipping cream. It takes ages to do by hand and baking is supposed to be fun, not laborious. But now that I have my mixer I can whip anything with the greatest of ease, like this delicious raspberry mousse, topped with fresh raspberries and served in a little tea cup. Super cute!

"HONEY HONEY" BICCIES

Well today was a very exciting day at MattyB Bakes Towers. As a belated Christmas treat I was bestowed with an actual electric food mixer. I had wanted one for ages and the day had finally arrived (Thanks Jon!)

Well it was like Christmas day. I had to unwrap my present and bake something immediately to try out my new baby. So I went to this simple honey biscuit recipe. Even without a food mixer they are easy to make and the result are these soft and chewy golden discs of joy.

"IT'S TOO WARM" CARROT AND BEET SALAD

Don't know what it's like where you are but things are sure heating up in Liverpool. I don't cope well when it's warm. After a whole days work in a stuffy basement office even I don't want to come home and spend hours over a hot stove in the evening. Neither do I want something heavy and stodgy. So with some left over beets and carrots in my kitchen I rustled up this delightfully fresh and crunchy salad. It takes minutes to make so you can whip it up as soon as you come through the door and then leave to marinade.

Done!

STICKY & SWEET ASIAN ROAST CHICKEN AND GRAVY

I love Asian flavors, I've mention  this in previous posts but the last meal my mum had before she went into labour with me was a chicken chow mien. I must of loved it even as a little Matty inside her belly as I flew out looking for more shortly after. It's possibly why I love chicken so much too. So when I thought about adding Asian flavors to my Sunday roast chicken I came up this fantastic marinade and decided to give it a go.Well I was in heaven come dinner time. If I could of inhaled the whole thing in one go I would of!

MATTY'S MOZZARELLA BALLS

Apart from the naughty but nice pizza, whats the next best thing about a hangover takeaway day. Its the sides of course. Whether it be chicken wings,dippers or garlic bread, it is a necessity that you order a little something to nibble on in between slices of pizza so that you can reach the status of "stuffed" with the greatest of ease. So whilst we are mastering the perfect homemade pizza night why not give my mozzarella balls a whirl. Dipped into one of your homemade dips, the oozing cheese will burst into your mouth as you bite through the Herby coating. Its a little taste sensation every time you pop one into your mouth.

QUICKIDY QUICK HONEY MUSTARD DIP

Last week I showed you how to make some quick pizza crust dips for dipping in your homemade pizza crusts. So simple to make and more tasty than the shop bought versions or those little tubs of sauce you get from takeaway pizza shops. There is one of these sauces I absolutely love though and that's Papa John's honey and mustard dipping sauce. It's incredible and always my first choice when we order in. Imagine my delight when I discovered this recipe for making your own version at home and let me tell you it is exactly the same. I couldn't believe it!

If your giving my homemade pizza a go tonight or even if your ordering in make yourself a big batch of this sauce today. It will take you ten minutes tops to make and my recipe below should leave you with enough left over to store in a sterilised jar in your fridge ready for next time, saving you time as well as the pennies!

KICKIN' VEGGIE KHEEMA

I've always championed the use of Quorn mince in my recipes, not just for veggies but for those trying to lose a few pounds before the summer holidays. We always fall into a trap here though of just using it to make a bolognese or chili and as yummy as they are, sometimes you need something a little different. A bit of spice in your life you could say. So that's how we discovered the joys of Kheema. Traditionally made with mutton, it's a South Asian curried mince dish that seemed like a fabulous way to use our Quorn mince.

NUTTY 'NANA AND CARROT CAKE

I love a good old carrot cake. I find it funny that the thought of a vegetable in a cake used to horrify me back in the day. A perfect example of you should always try everything once, you never know what you might be missing out on. I've had some cracking carrot cakes in the past and this is by far the best one I've made in my mission to try and emulate them. I think the secret lies in the addition of mashed bananas. You would never eat a banana and a carrot together outside of the realms of cake so I've no idea why the two seem to work so well in this recipe but trust me when I tell you it's so beautifully soft, light and moist that's is defiantly one to give a go.

QUICKIDY QUICK PIZZA CRUST DIPS

I cant wait to give my pizza stone another go again. It made truly one of the best pizzas I have ever had. I especially loved the crusts that I added to mine. Super crispy on the outside and super soft and delicious in the middle. Now I know pizza crust divide everyone out there. You either love them or hate them, I've never met anyone who is in between. But for all the haters out there I've got two scrummy pizza crust dips here for you that I promise that if you dip your crusts into these bad boys and still aren't a fan I shall raise my hands in defeat.

JAMIE'S ITALIAN LIVERPOOL (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

When it first opened in Liverpool  I loved Jamie's Italian, I had the pleasure of going for a meal at their pre-opening and was so impressed with the food and the service. It felt like we had something special that was fitting for the new Liverpool One area of the city centre. 

Sadly, we went last year and were disappointed with the quality of food. The spark had gone, it felt like I could of been in any bog standard Italian chain restaurant and with so much choice and quality in Liverpool I was doubtful that I would be returning anytime soon. So when I was sent a money off voucher to try out their new summer menu and with plans to go and eat out before going to the arena, I thought I would give them another shot. Maybe they were having a bad day and with a new menu behind them perhaps some of that old magic would return. Well, I'm pleased to report that it most defiantly has!

JON'S CITRUS CHEESE CHILLI CORN-UCOPIA

If you saw my homemade slaw recipe yesterday you may of spotted these cheesy corn cobs stealing the spotlight on the last picture. Jon created a beautiful lime, chili and ginger butter to bake them in and boy they were good.

So fresh and juicy I could of eaten 10 of them and the little sprinkling of parmigiano reggiano gives them a nice sharp edge that really compliments the lime and chili. If your looking for a different way to enjoy corn cobs give this a go today. It couldn't be easier.

(NOT QUITE AS GOOD AS NAN'S) HOMEMADE SLAW

I grew up in a pub and when there used to be an event like a wedding reception or a birthday party that used to be held for one of the regulars my Mum and Nan used to put on an amazing spread. I think it's where my love for food and cooking comes from. One of the things that always used to get asked for was my Nan's "Scouse" and her homemade slaw. It's famous within my family as well. Sadly she and mum left us before I ever found out the secret to her recipe. It was so crunchy and sweet and light, not like the sloppy shop bought versions you can buy.

When the passion for cooking was sparked up in me and I thought about Nan's slaw I had two or three attempts at trying to make it but I never found that secret ingredient something. Maybe it was just because it was made with love? We will never know. My version is the closest I have ever gotten and it's still yummy, it's just not quite there but I think you'll still find it a great treat for a summer dinner or BBQ.

"MATTY PROOF" CARROT AND CHICKPEA BURGERS

I have always had a hard time if any kind of veggie "patty". I don't just mean burgers either. Falafel are not my friend and neither is the onion bhaji. When it gets to the frying stage they just simple disintegrate into a burnt mushy mess no matter how rigidly I stick to the recipe.

That was until I discovered these little beauties. Using mainly grated carrots and a chickpeas, they not only managed to retain their shape under the grill but they also tasted scrummy and fresh, very much like a giant falafel just in a burger shape. When I posted them on Twitter a while back a lot of people complimented me on how delicious they looked and if they could get the recipe. I completely forgot all about them until I was going though my camera pictures today and came across the pictures. 

So better later than never here is the recipe for these "Matty Proof" burgers. Give them a go today.

BUTTON STREET SMOKEHOUSE (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

 

Liverpool is such a vibrant and expanding place, especially when it comes to it's food culture. Not a week goes by without news of a new eating experience gracing the streets of this fine city.  A couple of weeks ago we came across the Button Street Smokehouse on Twitter. Describing themselves as the "Deep South Gone Urban", a quick glance at the menu seemed to give the impression that they were offering BBQ/Grill cuisine at what appeared to be very affordable prices and early reviews seems to be favourable. But was this down to wanting to make a good first impression on the city or would the standard still remain high after they had been open for a couple of weeks. We took a trip down their to see for ourselves!

YEE RAH LIVERPOOL (MATTYB RECOMMENDS)

If your anything like me, the week leading up to payday is always difficult when it comes to money. I'm lucky if I have two pound coins to rub together. So what is a boy who loves his food to do if he's going out for a meal before a show and doesn't want to just go grab a burger, a trip to the chippy doesn't cut it with me I'm afraid.

Residents of the great city of Liverpool will no doubt be familiar with the Liverpool One Shopping Centre. Built and opened in time to celebrate Liverpool One becoming the 2008 Capital of Culture it has now becoming the central hub of the city, a great place to meet your friends before heading out on the town or somewhere to grab something to eat after a long days shopping.

Hidden amongst the row of chain restaurants are two culinary treats dishing up great Asian food - Chaophraya and Yee Rah. Now I've been to Chaophraya before and it is amazing. I must give special mention to their sweetcorn cake appetisers which Jon has always said are one of the best vegetarian starters he's ever eaten and I'd have to agree with him. We have been a couple of times over the years and I have never had a bad word to say about any of the meals we have had. If you are really looking to go all out and treat someone special you would never go wrong if you take them for a night out here so visit their website here and book a table today. For those of us who are little more cash strapped like I was today - Chaophraya's baby sister Yee-Rah is a delicious way to still enjoy a great taste of Asia but most importantly, on a budget.