My Mum used to feed us up with these potato cakes to complement the smoked cod on Fridays. Truthfully, I find it hard to even look at smoked cod these days, but the Boxty bring back happy memories. Boxty pancakes, or bacstaí, is a traditional potato dish cooked on St … [Read more...] about Boxty
How to Cook Things
Burns Night Supper
For more than two hundred years, people have been getting together in January in memory of Robert Burns, the Bard of Ayrshire and Scotland's favourite son. These get-togethers are in the form of a dinner, or supper, around the time of Burn's birthday on 25 January. … [Read more...] about Burns Night Supper
Ambarella
Ambarella is a sub-tropical tree native to the Indo-Malaysian region, but it grows well in Queensland and most likely would grow, perhaps not so lustily, in my Melbourne backyard. It would go well as an ornamental, a smallish ornamental, in Collingwood but I'm … [Read more...] about Ambarella
Fasolakia
The rain held off for the Greek Festival in Melbourne today. That was a plus. No wild young men dancing though which is, after all, the main reason I like the Festival in the first place, a nice little Cretan war dance never goes astray. However, I caught a cooking … [Read more...] about Fasolakia
Stir Fry Lotus Root
The easiest way to cook lotus roots Stir-Fry Lotus Root Large frying pan or wok 500g lotus root2 cloves garlic2 cm ginger3-4 spring onions, chopped1/4 cup chinese mushrooms (rehydrated)2 Tablesp sesame oil2 Tablesp vegetable oil2 Tablesp rice … [Read more...] about Stir Fry Lotus Root
Roast Pork Belly
Yes, I know money is tight. Mine certainly is. But there's something about roast belly pork that triggers a craving in me, the sweetness, the spiciness, the crunchiness, something primeval happens when I smell pork cooking. After a month of living on chick peas, … [Read more...] about Roast Pork Belly
Lilly Pilly Chutney
A tangy chutney, surprisingly easy to make, and guaranteed to amaze your guests. It's pretty good for you to eat as well. You can adjust the sugar or chilli to suit, I tend to add a little more chilli as the years go by, I've begun to like my food a little hotter or … [Read more...] about Lilly Pilly Chutney
Mascarpone Custard
Mascarpone, like all heavenly tastes, shouldn't be an everyday addition to the food intake, but this ivory-coloured, exceptionally smooth, and easily spreadable fresh cream cheese is so hard to ignore. The flavour is milky and slightly sweet. The rich, buttery … [Read more...] about Mascarpone Custard
Poached Plums
Plums used to come into season in early Autumn, but of late I've seen them around at the end of Summer. Are they being shipped from Tasmania? Somewhere with cooler weather than Melbourne anyway. This is the easiest, quickest and possibly the tastiest way to serve … [Read more...] about Poached Plums
Chickpea Salad
Chickpeas are a versatile base for salads. They're nutritious, they taste great and they're really cheap. Use quality chickpeas. You can use canned chickpeas — buy a brand you like or you can cook dried chickpeas yourself. It takes a bit of time, but they keep in the … [Read more...] about Chickpea Salad
Poached Quince
The classic poaching method, tried and true and here's an easy way to peel the quinces. It's wonderful poached in a syrup spiced with cinnamon and clove and reveals another quality of wonder - it turns a luscious shade, anywhere from deep pink to rich red. From rosy … [Read more...] about Poached Quince
Marinated Brussels Sprouts
Marinated Brussels Sprouts 500 g brussels sproutsMarinade1 lemon, juiced1 Tablespoon olive oil1/2 teaspoon paprika1/2 teaspoon pepper1/4 teaspoon garlic salt Combine all ingredients into a large plastic bag. Seal and shake until the … [Read more...] about Marinated Brussels Sprouts
Beans Crostini
Here’s a lunch enjoyed in Ancient Rome, crostini with broad beans and pecorino. Broad beans were used in voting, and also a common item on the dinner table. The Ancient Roman first course, the appetisers or starters gustatio, was made up of small dishes of broad … [Read more...] about Beans Crostini
Broad Beans with Bacon
What's not to love about broadbeans? A tasty dish high in protein, usually served as a side but I serve it as a main. With some crusty bread and a bowl of fresh tomatoes, it’s all that you want. Broad Beans with Bacon 500 grams broad beans1 … [Read more...] about Broad Beans with Bacon
Broad Beans with Cumin and Coriander
A quick and easy way to enjoy broad beans with added spice. Tastes good either hot or cold One of the common ways green broad beans are eaten in Middle Eastern cuisine is simply sauteed (stir fried qickly) with garlic and coriander. The cumin adds a real … [Read more...] about Broad Beans with Cumin and Coriander
How to Make Cheese Sauce
The measurements don't have to be exact. You may prefer more cheese for a cheesier sauce. Just make sure that the flour is cooked through, at least 10 minutes. Cheese Sauce 3 Tablespoons butter3 Tablespoons plain flour1 - 2 cups milk1 cup … [Read more...] about How to Make Cheese Sauce
Lamb Flatbread
It's an Australian tradition to have lamb for Easter. When I was a child we had lamb nearly every day of the week and Easter wasn't such a special thing - apart from the promise of chocolate. This year I put together a lamb sandwich - Turkish style. Lamacun. I've … [Read more...] about Lamb Flatbread
Onion Chutney in the Slow Cooker
I love my Slow Cooker. Who would have thought I could make chutney in it too? Slow Cook Onion Chutney 6 large red onions - sliced1 red chilli pepper - seeded and diced2 TABsp olive oil1 cup soft brown sugar1/2 cup red wine vinegar2/3 cup balsamic … [Read more...] about Onion Chutney in the Slow Cooker
How to make Chinese Five Spice
Last week I went to the cupboard and reached for the Chinese Five Spice powder to rub some into the pork roast. No show. No Chinese Five Spice! Then I remembered I'd thrown out the last bit because it was a couple of months old. Silly me, you must have this seasoning … [Read more...] about How to make Chinese Five Spice
Caramelised Onions in the Slow Cooker
Caramelised Onions are certainly good news but, gosh, what a boring task to cook them. Standing over the stove stirring and stirring until the cows come home. Surely this is a job for the trusty slow cooker? Yes! A slow cooker can cook onions low and slow until they … [Read more...] about Caramelised Onions in the Slow Cooker