A fairy and an Absinth masterclass...#55 revisited

I have already ticked off #55 on the Life List 'Try Absinth'. However when I saw an Absinthe masterclass was part of the Sydney Fringe Festival I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to learn more about this 'risque' drink.

Our Absinth punch

I have always been fascinated by Absinth and the history behind this drink which is often referred to as "la fée verte" (the green fairy). The stories about this drink and the artists that famously drank it have always made Absinth to me sound so exotic and dangerous.

The Fringe Festival event was hosted by Green Fairy, which claims to be the original Czech Absinth. At the class we were were able to sample the different types of Absinth available as well as learn about the history and mysteries surrounding this very ancient and once forbidden drink.

Gee David Absinth(e) Aficionado and mixologist

One of the myths that this class debunked was that Absinthe once contained hallucinogenic properties.

Supposedly it never did.

The chemical compound thujone which was blamed for these hallucinations is contained at very low levels that it could never be hallucinogenic. What it does contain is a VERY high levels of alcohol, some contained up to 90% alcohol, which could be the real reason people acted crazy.... they got very drunk.

Another reason people claimed it caused hallucinations was the toxic compounds that leaked in the spirit when it was being distilled to cut costs which could be a cause of these bad side effects.

So sadly the 'green fairy' hallucinations and expansions of the mind that these famous artists such as Manet, Toulouse-Lautrec, van Gogh, and Hemingway claimed Absinth gave them could just have been alcoholism.

The Green Fairy

What we did try at the class which I very much liked was Babicka Vodka. This vodka contains wormwood, the herb that is one of the main ingredients in Absinth.

Babička (ba-bitch-ka) vodka was inspired by 16th century Czechoslovakian wise old women called "babičkas". The babičkas freely used wormwood in their potions for its reputation of enhancing sensuality, creativity and love, not to mention its mildly hallucinatory effects. The babičkas rapidly became renowned for having mystical healing powers and practicing the art of witchcraft.

These recipes created by babičkas represent some of the earliest vodka formulas ever created, a witches' brew.

We also learnt about the best way to serve the drink via a Absinthe water fountain. It was so much fun learning about all the rituals with how you drink it.

I am now on the search for the perfect Antique Absinth fountain.

However I have to be careful as to how much I drink of it, as Absinth gives me very bad hang overs.

My Place: Cornersmith

After all the rave reviews and write ups Cornersmith in Marrickville has been getting I have been dying to go and check it out for myself and tick it off the list.

So I finally got the chance to visit after my lovely friend, Miss Alissa came up to visit.

We popped in after a great day shopping at Marrickille Organic Markets.

It was a shame we had already eaten, as we were too full to indulge in the food and sweets Cornersmith has on offer.



Strawberry and Vanilla Milk Shake = YUM

 But I did have room left for on our their legendary milk shakes. Today they had the strawberry and vanilla milkshake and it was very scrumptious.

What I have always loved about Cornersmith is that it is closed on Mondays for pickling. They make pickles and preserves, often from fruit and veggies that locals in the area have kindly donated. They also have beehives on the roof and make their own honey.

Today's selection included Pickled Fennel, Lime cordial and Grapefruit jam.

I can not wait until I go back again and try the Ploughman’s lunch and some of their yummy cakes.

Cornersmith

314 Illawarra Rd

Marrickville

Ph; 8065 0844

[all images by Zahara Dessert]

My Place: Paesanella Cheese Manufacturers

As I mentioned, part of the Life List is 'discovering the amazing things about Sydney', so today I wanted to show you a piece of 'My Place'.

I have been getting my cheese from Paesanella Cheese Manufacturers ever since I realised  a few years ago that this factory was only around the corner.

I knew of it from their store in Haberfield, but I didn't realise until Not Quite Nigella wrote about it on her food tour of my area that they had a factory around the corner.


Paesenella Cheese Manufacturers

Paesanella (which means 'peasant girl from the country'), is a family run company that make fresh cheese in a traditional Italian style using only the highest quality ingredients. Paesenella Cheese has been making cheese in Marrickville for over 50 years and the cheese they make is just superb.

The entrance

All their soft cheeses are made from the the factory next door and the store is open from 6am to 1pm every day (except Saturday).



Fresh ricotta

This is where they serve the fresh ricotta, often it is still warm when they give it to you. The ricotta is to die for! It is hard to stop yourself from eating it straight out the container when you get home.

They also sell other imported hard cheeses that are also great.


Italian Butter!!!!

You can  not believe how excited I was when I discovered they also sell imported Italian butter!

Italian butter is something I crave for often. It is so unlike Australian butter as it much creamier and less salty than the yellow butter they make in Australia.


My cheese and butter bounty

I came out with a great little bounty of butter and cheese.

Now what to do with all this cheese?
Maybe I can make my little balls of cheesy goodness again?
Or maybe make pizza?

Paesanella Cheese
27 Gerald Street, Marrickville,
New South Wales, 2204 Australia
Open 6 days: 6am to 1pm (closed on Saturday).