Sophie Monk shares her favourite foodstuff hacks and quirky cooking strategies

Television personality Sophie Monk, 42, has used most of her adult life in entrance of the camera, obtaining her career break on the fact Television series Popstars with female group Bardot in 1999. She spent a ten years in Los Angeles making films prior to returning to Australia in 2015. 

Monk states she’s identified her satisfied place in Terrigal, on the NSW Central Coast, where by she lives with her spouse, Josh Gross. A self-explained homebody, the Gold Coast indigenous enjoys dining at household with friends and doesn’t thoughts sending herself up on Instagram for a laugh. Never significantly from our screens, Monk is a series frequent on The Hundred with Andy Lee and is tipped to return afterwards this calendar year as the host of Enjoy Island Australia (both of those on Nine, proprietor of this masthead). 

Her new part, as ambassador for Tropic Co Countrywide Prawn Working day on March 18, arrived about just after her spouse posted about their appreciate of prawns on his social media accounts. Now she’s swapping substantial heels for a fishmonger’s apron to dangle with the professionals at the Sydney Fish Current market on Friday, March 17, channelling Paul Hogan’s 1980s shrimp-on-the-barbie tourism commercial for the TikTok generation.

Lettuce burgers, swapping the buns for lettuce, with onions, a massive beef patty and lots of mayonnaise and pickles. Image: iStock

Feeding on IN

Signature dish and what is your go-to at house

I’ve lived with my partner, Josh, in Terrigal for two many years now. It can be where by Josh’s family members is from. It really is shut adequate to Sydney but I like to be a very little even further out these times. We’re authentic homebodies and appreciate to just chill out with each other. I like to whip up a spaghetti bolognese since you are unable to go wrong with a typical like that and I do love my carbs. When we are hoping to be good, we make lettuce burgers, swapping the buns for lettuce. We insert egg and it can be incredibly messy – there is certainly onions, a huge beef patty and plenty of mayonnaise, tomato sauce and pickles.

My guilty pleasure

My responsible satisfaction is going wild on just about anything that is in the long run terrible for you. Whether or not it is burgers and chips from our area takeaway shop in Gosford or chocolate cake, I consider the time to savour each moment simply because I love foodstuff, and particularly the naughty things. We are obsessed with Crimson Rooster. I am not an ambassador. I just love their rooster. I get the household meal and share it with Josh – we stay for the tacky nuggets. Pizza Hut has a terrific dessert, far too – a gooey Hershey’s lava cake. I have been to places to eat close to the entire world, but this is significantly tasty. I am not commonly a sweet tooth, but this hits the location.

Greatest kitchen area wisdom I cling to

My mum is the most astounding cook and I grew up with her earning healthy foods just about every night time. But the fact is, I am not the ideal cook as I am frequently travelling for do the job and consume out a ton. When at household, I keep it easy with meals that are uncomplicated to prepare and are however mouth watering. I have a hack for poaching eggs in the microwave. You crack an egg into a mug, and include drinking water, and blast it for 30 seconds. You are going to get the very best-searching egg and it preferences fantastic, much too. I also like placing sour cream and avocado on the top of spaghetti bolognese – it can be not actually what people do with bolognese but it’s delectable and you must attempt it. I generally glimpse for the fastest pasta to prepare dinner as very well.

Yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno at Nobu. Picture: Penny Stephens

Consuming OUT

My favourite hometown cafe (and go-to dish):

We normally go to Arc in Terrigal. It’s not far from our residence. I really don’t make a substantial fuss when we dine out – we always e book at the past minute. The food is fantastically presented, the service is top-notch and the location is in the vicinity of the beach. I love to order the Atlantic salmon with household Caesar salad, beef carpaccio and roast pork belly with braised fennel. 

My favourite hometown cafe 

Luna Cafe in Terrigal is a normal go-to. Josh and I adore a huge breakfast – bacon and eggs. I generally get a skim flat white for coffee. We also head there for their burgers and chips. 

What’s your favourite put to consume in Australia?

A favourite area to dine is George’s Paragon Seafood Restaurant in Coolangatta – I really like the spot on the h2o. The restaurant is known to serve only the freshest create. I am a large fan of creamy garlic and white wine sauces. The charcoal prawns are a winner right here. 

Black cod with miso (saikyo yaki) at Nobu. Picture: Simon Schluter

ON THE Highway

What is your favorite food stuff city and why?

I commit a lot of time in Melbourne, and I consider I have put in far more time in places to eat there than in Sydney. My great pal Oscar is a foodie and is constantly in cost of organising wherever to eat when I check out. You can obtain me at Clover on Swan Street, Richmond – I constantly buy the honey bread with herbes de provenance, half roast rooster with shallots and mustard, and grilled zucchinis.

Nobu’s Melbourne restaurant is one particular of their greatest. I love seafood and will always buy the Hiramasa yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno. The Nobu-style seafood ceviche, prawns with spicy garlic sauce, and black cod with miso (saikyo yaki) are remarkable. Nobu constantly tastes much better when someone else is paying because every single chunk is $10. But for a unique occasion, it is worth it [laughs]. 

Bar Carolina in Toorak Highway, South Yarra, is a different favourite. I can suggest the oysters with finger lime mignonette, burrata with ‘nduja, barramundi cooked in negroni, truffle chips and their signature Lavender Spritz.

I can also frequently be uncovered at the Richmond Oyster Bar on Church Road. I buy grilled community prawn cutlets, sherry-garlic prawns, the seafood platter and their household-designed Golden Gaytime.

In which do you remain when you are there and why?

When in Melbourne, I like to remain at Crown Towers mainly because the beds are insanely at ease and the places to eat are fantastic and inside of quick access. I also like to continue to be at The Langham and the Park Hyatt in Melbourne. I like to modify it up, but these are my a few faves.

Black cod with miso (saikyo yaki) at Nobu. Picture: Edwina Pickles

SYDNEY

I have a handful of favorite dining establishments in Sydney. Raw Bar in Bondi is a regular go-to. I really like their refreshing seafood and prawn rolls. I will generally buy miso black cod from Toko. And China Lane in Angel Spot in Sydney is definitely good for present day Asian food – from steamed prawn and water chestnut dumplings to steamed WA scallops. 

Stay

When in Sydney I like the comfort of Bondi QT, Crown Sydney and the Ace Hotel. I always like to mix up my stays. I’m a homebody naturally, so when I’m staying in these excellent lodges, I like to appreciate a minimal little bit of the luxury, even if I’m only there for a shorter time. I adore a little bit of indulgent junk food stuff from the space services menu: burgers and fries or common club sandwich or everything else that feels naughty.

Sophie Monk is an ambassador for Tropic Co. Countrywide Prawn Day, March 18, 2023