These crisp savoury rice flour crepes are very popular in Vietnam and are generally eaten as a snack. Some versions are made with coconut milk, but this one is both delicious and simple to prepare. The pork is optional but adds flavour. Make sure to prepare the fish sauce before you start making the crepe. [...]
Many Chinese New Year dishes are rich in symbolism. The Chinese word for fish sounds like “good luck” so fish is considered an important part of the meal. Carp (very ordinary and quite bony fish) is considered auspicious. Rinse and dry the fish thoroughly. Make three diagonal slashes about 2.5cm apart on each side so [...]
Yes, it’s Halloween next Sunday and people are doing all manner of things with pumpkins (such as carving them into Jack O’Lanterns) – apart from cooking with them! Here’s a recipe for a lovely soup, with a touch of spice, to serve on the day – or, indeed, at any time. Look for a good [...]
Cut asparagus spears into 1cm slices. Heat a large frying pan of wok over medium-high heat, add oil and stir-fry capsicum, asparagus and sweet corn until just tender, about five minutes Meanwhile, heat a small frying pan with additional oil and cook eggs until set. Turn omelette over and remove pan from heat. Turn out [...]
In our household, this is known as ‘get-better-soon’ soup. Make sure you use a good chicken stock so that the soup is really flavoursome. If you prefer, substitute wontons or mini dim sims for the noodles and use vegies of your choice. The recipe is from my new book Mini Chef – Cooking with Kids. [...]
“Give tofu a try in this quick Thai street food classic. Leftover cold roast chicken could be added to the noodles too,” says Jane Hornby in her new cookbook “What To Cook And How To Cook It” (Phaidon Press $59.95), which is full of step-by-step recipes and images, a must-have for novice cooks and experts [...]
Serve these for dessert or breakfast. The glorious translucent red jelly can be used to spread on toast and scones or to serve with roast pork or turkey. Yes, there’s a lot of sugar, but you will need it! Rub skins of quinces and wash well. Place in a pot packed fairly tightly. Add [...]
There are many versions of this popular noodle dish. This one is very delicious and may only feed two greedy people. Soak the noodles in a large bowl of warm water for 12 – 15 minutes or until soft but not mushy. Drain and set aside. In a small bowl, combine the fish sauce, lime [...]
Fresh Vietnamese rolls spring rolls (bánh tráng) are great for lunch or for snacks. Alternatively, serve them as a starter to a meal and get everyone in the family to fill and roll their own at the table. You can substitute small peeled prawns for the chicken if you prefer – and if you have [...]
The Nashi season coincides with the celebration of Chinese New Year – The Year of the Tiger, February 14th – 28th. The Tiger, deemed a manifestation of royalty in Asia, shares centre stage with the fruit of Emperors – the Nashi, which the Chinese first grew in Australia during the 1850’s Goldrush. Cut the duck [...]
