recipes Archive
French toast: weekend special
Friday, May 4th, 2012
You know what it’s like. You rush around all week. Commute. Work. Kids. Shopping. Catch-up with a mate. More work. You get to Friday and sometimes the last thing you want to do is think about cooking. Well take it from me. This French toast barely counts as cooking but the results are going to [...]
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Gazpacho in a jiffy
Sunday, April 29th, 2012
Gazpacho is the classic Spanish cold soup that originates from the Andalusian south. It’s quick, simple, can be prepared well in advance and is best served straight from the fridge. It is a light but very satisfying meal and if you can make it with freshly picked, organic vegetables, the flavours are truly sublime. Get [...]
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GFC rabbit
Friday, April 20th, 2012
Now that Easter has come and gone and we have had our fill of chocolate, let’s take a closer look at what to do with our little friend, the rabbit. What? Too soon? Hey, if you can see beyond a cuddly lamb to get at the chops, then you can do this. First of all, [...]
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BBQd prawns, scallops and mango
Friday, March 2nd, 2012
There are few things more iconic than Paul Hogan (Hoges)… but really? SHRIMP? Keep it real mate! It’s a PRAWN! So to honour the humble bottom-feeder I give you my quickest, bestest, tastiest feed done on the one cooking appliance we all know and love… the barbeque. 1 kg large green tiger prawns, shell and [...]
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Are you game for the new chic?
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011
So I’ve told you to ditch Big Bird and you’re thinking “Now what?”. Never fear for I have the solution that tastes great, is easy as to prepare and will look like it came straight out of the pages of a glossy magazine. I give you quail! Small but sweet and rich enough to satisfy [...]
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Aussie Xmas glazed ham
Tuesday, December 20th, 2011
I LOVE a ham over the Christmas period. Tasty and easy to prepare, a good ham will have a longevity that doesn’t mean timing the meal with the rubbish bin collection. So buy an ethical ham from a butcher you can trust. Most of the better butchers smoke their own hams sourced from organic or [...]
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Roast pork belly
Friday, December 2nd, 2011
“Roast pork”… hmmm. Just the thought of it is enough to distract me from whatever I am doing: I know, I know. It’s the inner Homer in me, but I’m sure we all have a bit of Homer in us. Crisp crackling with a salty zing and juicy meat that goes with just about everything. [...]
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Pho – Hanoi beef noodle soup
Friday, November 11th, 2011
I’m a sucker for a good broth. And if I’m eating Vietnamese, I have my favourite places for one of my favourite dishes: Pho. For me, this simple beef noodle soup is the cornerstone of Vietnamese food and characterises a culture that seems uncomplicated, but is full of depth, vitality and eagerness. This recipe comes [...]
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Beef empanadas
Friday, November 4th, 2011
Few people enjoy a tasty savoury snack more than me. I can recall most days in my adolescence involving a surf followed by a meat pie and milk… the iconic Aussie fast food. And even back in those days I had a discerning foodie palette with only the “choicest” bakeries getting my $2 note…yeah, you [...]
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Strawberry vacherin
Friday, October 28th, 2011
The Situation: You invite 8 guests around for a dinner party. You put a lot of time and effort into the appetisers and the main course. Your brain’s on the blink and every pot and pan is in the sink. You haven’t even thought how to send your guests home with that sweet finish and [...]
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Slow roasted rib of beef
Saturday, October 15th, 2011
I couldn’t think of a better way to relate my Rockpool experience than by sharing Niel Perry’s method of cooking the perfect roast beef. The beauty is it’s simplicity. All you need is time, a meat thermometer, an oven capable of low temperature control and the best cut of beef you can get your hands [...]
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Lemon syrup yoghurt cake
Monday, August 29th, 2011
I couldn’t resist sharing the love with this recipe, using Maleny Dairies award winning yoghurt and lemons, which are so hot right now. This one is bursting with flavour and texture and looks great. And you can use any citrus if lemon isn’t yer thang. Try Valencia oranges or cumquats for a walk on the [...]
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Chocolate souffle easier than you think
Friday, July 22nd, 2011
Few things strike fear into the heart of the home chef like the mention of the word “souffle”. But this needn’t be the case when you are armed with a recipe as simple as this. Easy to prepare and fun to watch, the souffle’s light texture can leave you floating on a cloud. Just remember [...]
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Raclette… you bet!
Tuesday, June 21st, 2011
Now that the winter has really come home and made itself comfortable…(4 degrees this morning!!!) my thoughts turn to foods that really warm the bones. And for those with the luxury of an open fire, here’s an experience you really must try; raclette cheese melted over potatoes, mushrooms, prosciutto and lamb. And if you’re like [...]
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Pavlova canape… really!
Thursday, June 2nd, 2011
Most of us picture savoury delicacies when we think of canapes, hors d’ouvres and nibbles. But when catering for a crowd, there’s no rule stopping you from serving a dessert with the champagne cocktails. In fact, if you think about it, they go together quite well. So here’s a recipe from the recent Two Small [...]
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Lamb kebabs: Greek for good
Friday, May 20th, 2011
On the weekend I met Grant Hilliard, proprietor of Feather and Bone, a wholesale butcher supplying ethical meat to some of Sydney’s best restaurants, butchers and delis. Restaurants like Rockpool, Universal, Longrain and Red Lantern can be seen on dispatch list because they appreciate the quality and provenance of his meats, poultry and game. Grant [...]
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Sticky pork ribs with honeyed plum sauce
Wednesday, May 11th, 2011
Styling ribs for new brand packaging last week reminded me of a gem from the Spirit House-Essentially Thai cookbook. Thanks Annette. I love making a pig of myself with this one! And for you out there who haven’t bought the book yet… get on your bike! You don’t know what you’re missing. 1.5kg baby pork [...]
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Banana bread for a good cause
Tuesday, April 19th, 2011
Here in Queensland, devastating summer floods and cyclones threatened to put many of our iconic “banana benders” on the bread line. Here’s a simple way you can support a good cause: buy bananas to help our local growers get back on their feet. Although the prices are high, you can drive your dollar further by [...]
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Lemon chicken
Tuesday, April 5th, 2011
Here’s one to crow about. Quick, easy and feeds as many as you like. Prepare the night before and pan fry, grill or BBQ when you’re ready. And please respect the birds. Choose only happy free range chickens. For large crowds, allocate 2 drumsticks per person and serve with fresh salads or just about anything [...]
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Viva Espana! Viva churros!
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010
To the victors go the spoils. And if for you that means chocolate, then have a go at this Spanish staple for the revellers who never know when to call it a night. A fresh plate of churros is without a doubt the king of the late night snack. So if the after party is [...]
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