Recipes
Roast Whole Turkey Breast (Buffe)
Whole turkey breast (or buffe) is an impressive and easier option than a big whole roast turkey. It also yields plenty of delicious moist white meat which keeps well for leftovers. Serve with mixed roasted vegetables of various...
Downunder Christmas Gazpacho
This savoury 'red and green' soup is so easy to make and makes a perfect starter for Christmas lunch or dinner. While the traditional Spanish gazpacho includes bread and is blended to make a smooth puree, I like the crunch of finely diced...
White Christmas
This up-dated version of is an easy one for kids to make (as long as you supervise the melting of the chocolate) and makes a terrific edible Christmas gift.Don't forget to book the kids in to my Mini Chef Christmas cooking classes where...
Loukie’s Gravlax
This recipe is from Loukie Werle's charming book, The Valley, a collection of much-loved family recipes."Not a Christmas goes by without a call from my daughter, 'Mum, can you bring the gravlax?' she writes."It has become the go-to dish for festive...
Rainbow Veggie Pasta
Celebrate spring with this colourful combo of veggies, a dish which can be made ahead of time and served at room temperature with a splash of lemon juice or mild vinegar. Or for a nuttier flavour, add a teaspoon of toasted sesame oil along with the...
Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Crispy Rice Cake)
Banh Xeo (Vietnamese crispy rice flour pancake)These crisp savoury rice flour pancakes are very popular in Vietnam and are generally eaten as a snack. Some versions are made with coconut milk. This one is both delicious and simple to prepare. The pork is optional but...
Sorbetto di Limone
Sorbetto di LimoniThe recipe for this lemon sorbet is from Lonely Planet's Italy From The Source by Susan Wright. "Eaten as a digestif or palate cleanser, and enjoyed as a sweet pick-me-up, sorbet is very simple to make which is why the recipe has existed much longer...
Lumberjack Cake
I came across this fabulous cake a few years ago in Bundanoon, Southern Highlands, NSW, but sadly couldn't find any of the cafes serving it on my recent visit. It's delicious served at room temperature with tea or coffee but even better served fresh and...
Skate with Black Butter and Caper Sauce
I first tasted skate when working for Margaret Fulton at Woman's Day magazine. Margaret was keen on burnt butter sauce (beurre noir) and introduced me to classic French dishes such as brains with burnt butter and oeufs au beurre...
Coconut Lemon Syrup Cake
I just love this cake as it is so moist and cuts well, an important factor if serving it for a morning or afternoon tea, or taking to a picnic. You can pour the syrup over whilst in the tin but it might be difficult to remove: the finish will...
Spicy Noodle Salad
Hot windy days call for light punchy salads. This fresh tangy salad makes a lovely light meal or is a terrific accompaniment to grilled or barbecued fish, prawns, chicken or beef. A few finely sliced radishes will add colour and toasted sesame seeds...
Moroccan Tangia Marrakeshia
Tangia, not tagine! I must admit to being confused when I first heard of this famous slow-cooked Marrakech dish which is prepared in a clay pot called a tangia. And I was lucky to be introduced to Mohamed Soudani who was sitting outside a...
Asparagus Pasta Primavera
This is a lovely light springtime pasta dish using fresh asparagus, smoked salmon, lemon-infused olive oil, dill and chives. Great for lunch on the deck or for a light supper.
Muhammara (Middle Eastern Red Capsicum Dip)
In her fabulous book, The Cooking of The Eastern Mediterranean, Paula Wolfert writes that this is one of the outstanding dips of the eastern Mediterranean, "as delicious and striking as the far more famous hummus and baba...
Chilli Chocolate Truffles
What Dad can resist chocolate? These rich, irresistible chocolate truffles have a slight chilli hit at the back of the throat and make a perfect gift for Dad for Father's Day. They're easy for older children (10 upwards) to make. Once the...