What's in a name?

I have always wondered what all these different eggs labels mean. Seriously, hormone free - does that mean it is artificially made? Or biodynamic - do these eggs give you superpowers?

An egg is an egg right?

Well I did some research and found most labels are just clever creative advertising. Here's what I discovered...

JUST IGNORE THESE LABELS

• Hormone Free - No eggs in Australia officially contain hormones as they were banned in the production of chicken (or eggs) since the 1960s 
• Antibiotics Free - Chickens that have been given antibiotics are "quarantined" before returning to laying eggs and scientific tests have proven that antibiotics can't get into the eggs anyway
• Vitamin Enriched - We all know eggs are full of vitamins and minerals so why state it? The only vitamin missing is C
• Preservative Free/No Preservatives - Eggs contain naturally occurring preservatives - oops!

IF YOU CARE ABOUT THE HEN THESE LABELS MEAN SOMETHING

• Cage - Hens are in cages and don't have much space. They each have a space size of about an A4 sheet of paper :(
• Free Range - Hens are not in cages, although there is no strict guidelines to anything else
• Barn Lain - Hens are housed in sheds and allowed to move freely inside but not allowed to go outside
• Organic - Hens are allowed to roam free on ground that is free from pesticides and chemical fertilisers. Must be certified officially though so look for the stamp of approval!
• Vegetarian - Hens are fed a vegetarian diet (no meat or fish). Usually caged so their diet can be controlled.

After all this research, I went back to reference by sources and unfortunately have lost them. But I'm sure these are facts according to Google :)

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Drinking chlorophyll has never been on the top of my "to drink" list. I always thought it was plant food but Dr Google tells me it can be good for your health.

Mint mint juice - large $8.90

Many of the juice combinations at About Life Cafe contains chlorophyll or aloe vera juice. I gave mint mint a try, a combination of apple, pineapple, mint, ginger and chlorophyll which was surprisingly sugar sweet. The cleanser - kale, carrot, celery, ginger and beetroot with chlorophyll was a taste sensation.

Organic coffee $3.50

There are other options besides fresh juices from smoothies to herbal teas and their coffee is fair trade organic. Water is self service, so grab a water jug with fresh celery on your way to a table.


The menu changes with the season as they use natural wholefoods and if there is nothing that tickles your fancy, the display cabinet is filled with a range of delicious muffins and cakes, fresh salads and hot baked goods. It is order and pay at the counter so you cant miss this display.

Kale hash with spinach, crispy bacon and poached eggs

Although the menu is all healthy and organic, I manage to find an unhealthy option. Kale hash, crunchy, battered deep fried kale hash was balanced with spinach, nicely poached eggs and the saltiness from the crispy bacon.

The wholefood breakfast - $18.50

The wholefood breakfast is designed to please everyone. Eggs are cooked your way and you can pick 2 sides from free range bacon, smoked salmon, haloumi, organic tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, baked beans and avocado. It also comes with a side of organic toast and organic coffee #winning.

Egg nourishment $15.50

This pile of green stuff is quinoa scrambled eggs served with tomatoes, kale, raw pesto and flaxseeds. Deliciously tasty, it's warm and filling for a cooler day.


Through a high school friend, I was introduced to a new world of organic, gluten free and wholefoods. This was about 6 years ago as she recovered from cancer and finding a great wholefoods brunch spot was not as easy as it is these days. About Life was one of the first franchises we visited. The store itself is also conveniently a supermarket and natural pharmacy.

In a nutshell ♥♥
Breakfast until 3pm daily
Coffee:●●● Sacred Grounds
Food: ●●● Healthy, wholefoods, organic
Service:●● Order and pay at counter
Price: $$
Atmosphere: Relaxed, down to earth. Family, kids, group and pet friendly

About Life Cafe - 520 Miller St, Cammeray (also at Bondi Junction, Double Bay & Rozelle)
http://aboutlife.com.au/store/


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I was heading out to Cockatoo Island for the Biennale and this little hidden gem in the Rocks was worth the find. Literally a find it was. Follow the cobbled stones behind the Observer Hotel and look for the signs.


The breakfast menu is divided between light and hearty options but feeling a little indecisive we delayed our orders until we were able to scope out some of the meals being served.

Croque Sir with garlic aioli $13.00

Baked mushroom toastie with gruyere cheese and salsa verde $12.50

Blindly ordering the baked mushroom toastie, we should've trusted our eyes. A little on the dry side, the baked mushrooms was the highlight.

Belgian style waffles $12.50

The Belgian style waffles tasted as good as they looked and this time the table next to us eyed the waffles with envy and ordered the same. How can you go wrong accompanying waffles with fresh berries, ice cream and maple syrup?

Magic 3/4 $3.50

Indeed, fine food can be found here. The tiny kitchen means that service can be slow but at least they let you know when ordering. The all-in-one gourmet food store and cafe is a stand out in this touristy, overpriced area of the Rocks. It's cosy, homely, not pricey and has a great vibe.

My belly was happy as I hopped onto the ferry for Cockatoo Island.

In a nutshell ♥♥
All day breakfast until 4.30pm on weekends. Licensed
Coffee:♪♪♪ St Ali Sensory Lab
Food: ●● Gourmet sandwiches, Australian style. Worth looking at what's on offer first
Service:☺☺ Order and pay at the counter service
Price: $($)
Atmosphere: Homely, trendy, relaxed. Family, kids, group and pet friendly

The Fine Food Store - Cnr Kendall and Mill Lanes, The Rocks
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Fine-Food-Store/110647992303055




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How do you make a perfectly poached egg?

Oozing goodness - the perfectly poached egg

My version: A soft rounded oval shaped egg where the white is cooked and the yolk oozes when you cut into it

Any white vinegar will help the egg white coagulate

My tips: 
1. Use fresh eggs
2. Crack into a cup before easing it into the water
3. Water should not be bubbling boiling
4. Use vinegar to help the egg white coagulate
5. The whirlpool gives the egg an oval rounded shape because looks do count :)

Slotted spoon and a small cup for the egg are essential

My technique: The whirlpool
1. Boil about 1.5L of water with about 50ml of white vinegar in a small deep saucepan
2. Bring down in heat and create a gentle "whirlpool" by stirring with a slotted spoon in one direction
3. Crack the egg into a small (measuring) cup before easing it into the vortex of the whirlpool
4. Keep the whirlpool up by gently stirring in one direction for about 30 secs
5. Let the egg poach for another 3-4 minutes
6. Remove the cooked egg with the slotted spoon and let it drain on a paper towel
7. To check whether they're done, give it a gentle push to see if it's soft enough (trust your instincts)

Whirlpool poached egg

After trying different techniques and cheating apparatus', this seems to work best for me. Enjoy!

Other versions
Huffington Post - the best do's and don'ts
Perfect Poached Egg - 3 different methods
Jamie Oliver
Not Quite Nigella
Homelife

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Is it Fundamental Fish? Fundamental Fresh Food? or Fundamental Cafe & Restaurant? Let's just stick to Fundamental and what stood out at this place was the odd rounding of pricing. How do you know when to round it up to .05c or 0.30c or 0.85c?

Eggs Fundamental $14.30 with extra avocado $3.30

From the menu, I couldn't go past the Eggs Fundamental which was eggs benedict with brie cheese. Love the idea, although the ham didn't look so appealing and I only got a small sliver of brie cheese. The little side of fruit salad was a nice addition.

Big Breakfast $18.70 with extra hash browns $3.30 and avocado $3.30

The Big Breakfast comes with a coffee or fresh juice and the meal probably didn't need the extra sides but we were hungry. Eggs were poached nicely on both dishes. 

Freshly squeezed juice $6.05

Juices come freshly squeezed with your choice of combination. You'll notice the interesting rounding of $6.05 for a tall glass.


The breakfast menu has a few interesting dishes and I did unintentionally stare at an omelette being served daydreaming at how delicious it looked and me devouring it.

I'm not sure where the Fish or Fresh Food comes into the name but Fundamental is definitely a cafe serving simple modern Australian breakfast food and has a busy weekend brunch service. Plenty of space and a cool trendy interior, it does have a few fundamental things right.

In a nutshell 
Breakfast until 4pm. Licensed
Coffee:♪♪♪ Toby Estate
Food: ●● Simple, modern Australian
Service:☺☺ Staff were pleasant, service a little slow
Price: $$
Atmosphere: Cool, trendy, relaxed. Family, kids, group and pet friendly

Fundamental - 266 Darling Rd, Balmain
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Fundamental-Cafe-Restaurant/210474555223




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