By Chef Sonia Higgins
Pomegranate is harvested on a significant scale in Western Australia in the towns of Geraldton and Albany as well as in the hills to the East of Perth. Autumn is the time to visit a pomegranate orchard as it is this time of the year the pomegranates are bursting open. Their seeds are big and ruby red surrounded by a tart juicy red […]
In Colombia Prawn Cocktail or “Coctel de Camarones” is one of the most popular snacks on the beach and in the kitchens of the Caribbean and Pacific towns of Colombia. Prawns are a staple in my home as my mother was born on the Pacific coast, which has the best seafood in Colombia. This cocktail is a delicious combination of mayonnaise, ketchup, lime juice with a bit […]
In Western Australia and in Perth fishing is one of the most popular pastimes. There are many regulations and environmental changes in place to protect the oceans and rivers to ensure that there will be fish for now and in the future. The oceans and rivers have long supplied Australian cooks with fresh and tasty seafood which are a celebration […]
The East of the city of Perth is a hot spot and a destination for inspiring cooks and chefs. To me it is a basket of fruits, herbs, vegetables, vineyards and a variety of home produced products that are fresh, and well made. There are also lots of small towns worth visiting and if you are […]
A traditionally French dessert that is deliciously rich in flavour. I like making this dessert as often as I can and although it might not be in vogue the faces of my family and guests brighten up when they see these little pots of chocolate. Who doesn’t like chocolate! Bon Appetit! Ingredients for the Chocolate Mousse 180 grams milk chocolate, chopped […]
The beauty of these cupcakes is the combination of chocolate and coffee. They are a delicious perfection, moist and decadent! Ingredients 200 grams dark chocolate 125 grams butter, chopped in cubes 6 eggs 1 cup caster sugar 2/3 cup plain flour Coffee Cream Ingredients 1 teaspoon instant coffee 1 tablespoon boiling water 1 cup thickened cream […]
This fish is stuffed with herbs that give it a delicious taste and great aromas. The saltiness comes from the fish sauce and the sourness comes from the lime juice. This is a simple recipe that goes well with a dipping sauce and a nice bowl of Jasmine rice. Ingredients 4 small whole red snappers or red emperors, cleaned and scaled 2 large banana […]
Gaeng Kiew wan gai! Which literally means “sweet green chicken curry” is famous all over the world. If you go to a Thai restaurant it will always be on the menu. In my recipe I am using a whole chicken which is not the traditional way to cook this curry, but using a whole chicken and all the Thai herbs keeps the […]
A parade of aromas will emerge from your kitchen when roasting these vegetables. This recipe treats your ingredients with respect by marrying the earthy taste of your vegetables and the richness of the beetroot puree and finally adding the tangy taste of the Feta cheese. This is truly a delicious salad! Ingredients for the […]
I love hosting brunch at home and this is an easy and genius recipe to entertain your guests. The combination of baked salmon and creamy avocado sauce laced with horseradish on a golden and crispy tostada is a gift to myself and my guests! Ingredients 8 white corn tortillas 1/2 cup cottage cheese ( queso […]
Meat is good for you, for the farmers, and your local butchers. Beef is delicious, and eaten in small quantities it is not going to give you a heart attack. The recipe might look a bit complicated and very long to follow but many of the steps can be made ahead of time. The roast can […]
Impressive! Yes it is! I wanted to create a new recipe that honours this fish. I promise you that all the ingredients I used only enhance the flavour of the Salmon. It is also a tasty master piece for your table. Ingredients 1 kilo side of salmon, skin on 6 tablespoons wholegrain mustard 6 slices of crusty bread, torn into small pieces 100 grams […]
It is spring time in Australia and this means it’s strawberry season. The strawberries come in hot red colours with an intense fragrance. Their season is short and families are eager to visit the small farms and orchards around Perth where they can have a family picnic and return home with a big box of freshly harvested sweet strawberries. Unfortunately, this […]
This recipe is ideal for a summer BBQ. The scent and flavours of the sweet potatoes amazed me after all these years of cooking them. It is an example of a simple ingredient which transforms into a gusty flavour when done on top of charcoal on the BBQ. Ingredients 3 big sweet potatoes 1 tablespoon red chilli flakes Ingredients for […]
Definitely a feast for the eyes! They say we eat with our eyes first and I think with these bruschetta’s you will feel the excitement as soon as you see them. The layers of ingredients and flavours do the talking and in this case more is definitely more. A good bottle of red wine is a must! […]
The mortar and pestle are the most valued tools in a Thai kitchen. It crushes and smashes all the ingredients together releasing their flavours and oils. Curry pastes to the Thais are “the mother sauces” to the French (Chef MCDang). In my opinion Thai curry pastes are best made fresh at home and it is really worth the effort. All curry pastes take a […]
I grew up just eating red tomatoes, but today there are so many varieties of tomatoes and one of my favourites is the heirloom cherry tomatoes. I love the colours and flavours of the various varieties. I like to eat them like grapes and I also like them in a simple salad. I think the heirloom tomatoes are so […]
What makes the Tres Leches Cake, a Latin American and Mexican humble cake, so alluring ???? Well, for Latin Americans and Mexicans this cake is baked at home and the recipe is passed down from one generation to another. For others it is a moist, sticky and sweet cake that literally melts in your mouth. My passion for new flavours drew me to […]
Bread making is not my forte. I keep failing again and again when making bread. To master a bread recipe it takes time, technique, precise measuring, kneading and lots of trial and error and for this you must have a lot of patience. I have also heard from many bakers that you also need a lot of love when making […]
I love visiting Ireland, it is so green, it has wonderful landscapes and beautiful music but what I love the most are the beautiful gardens their houses have. There is so much beauty and serenity in these gardens and no matter what the weather is like there will be someone taking care of them and as I passed by there was always a […]
This dessert is not as easy to make as everybody thinks or tells you. The end result should be rich, silky and light that will melt in your mouth. The amount of gelatine is very very important and there should not be any lumps in the mixture. As for the topping, you could use sweet sauces […]
These days you can find plantains in most groceries stores. Unfortunately many people do not know what they are or how to cook them. Plantains belong to the banana family but it is important not to confuse them. While bananas are generally eaten ripe and raw, plantains need to be cooked whether they are ripe or unripe. Patacones […]
Creamy, fresh and soft Burrata topped with a spring salad keeps the Burrata pretty simple and allows its flavour to shine through. I have fallen in love with this solid mozzarella with its creamy soft centre which gives the cheese a delicious texture. Originally from the Puglia region of Southern Italy I think it has conquered the world. […]
Visit Ireland and most of the time you may not see the sun but the combination of cooler weather and a cold Atlantic Ocean make Irish oysters one of the best oysters in the world. I love oysters and a simple squeeze of lemon brings their flavour to the fullest but I wanted to do […]
For as long as I can remember there was always a tin of condensed milk in one of the kitchen cupboards of my home. The more I think about it, I am sure there was a tin of condensed milk in every single home in Latin America. It was used as milk and as a sweetener. […]
Asparagus is my favourite Spring vegetable. They are so tender and sweet at this time of the year. The sauce is made simple using store bought hummus. No fuss and a lot of taste. Ingredients 8 slices of Sourdough bread cut diagonally. 2 garlic cloves, cut in half Olive oil for brushing. 250 grams asparagus trimmed […]
Who can resist the smooth, crumbly texture of a rich fruit tart! It is autumn in Australia and I see lots of pears in the markets. Pears are so versatile you can poach them, roast them, juice them, or just eat them as they are. I still do not know which one is my favourite pear variety, but for this recipe I […]
I do not normally eat pears or apples uncooked. I feel that when pears and apples are cooked their flavour and fragrance are richer. I cooked these pears in white wine but you can cook them in red wine, Calvados or Cider. Whichever liqueur you use your pears will be divine. Ingredients 6 small pears, semi-ripe […]
“Sanconcho is down to earth meat and potato soup” (Anthony Bourdain). It is the ultimate comfort soup to me, it nourishes the soul, it can heal a broken heart, it keeps you warm on a cold winter day and it is the single greatest cure for a hangover. Traditionally it is prepared over an […]
Simple to prepare! These were perhaps one of the tastier snacks I had along the busy streets of Bali. I bought them from a young girl that prepared them in her big wok on one of the streets in Seminyak. I watched her carefully preparing these little fritters, but I had no idea how her seasoning paste […]
Balinese cuisine, yes please! My recent trip to Indonesia was an amazing gourmet journey starting in Bali. It enticed my taste buds with spices, and a variety of basic spice pastes which were ground in a saucer shaped mortar and pestle. Of course I had to buy one and carry it in my suitcase all the way back […]
When it comes to salads I have come to the conclusion that a salad bowl is only limited by imagination, so try different greens, vegetables, dressings, and nuts. This recipe is colourful and flavour-packed and the ponzu dressing transforms it from an ordinary salad to an exceptional one. Look out for this tempting salad to partner with grilled meats or […]
I made this cheesecake to celebrate Australia Day at home with family and friends. On this day many years ago I was sitting in a Citizenship ceremony and I became an Australian. I often think back at the how’s and why’s that brought me here so far away from Colombia. Australia’s cuisine is as diverse as its inhabitants. The country’s diverse cultural […]
My first Thai cooking lesson was at the Mandarin Oriental Thai cooking School in Bangkok. I made my way early in the morning to the Hotel. I took the Sky train (BTS) to the Taksin bridge and then walked to the pier. There was a beautiful hotel barge waiting for all the students that were joining […]
Let’s eat with the seasons! More flavour! I adore summer in Australia, I specially enjoy a drink and meal outside in my garden. I enjoy a party and cooking for friends. Sometimes it is a BBQ or I will cook a big Paella and a great dessert using seasonal fruits. Fruits eaten within the growing season simply have more flavour, and […]
Dtom Khaa Gai As I’ve said before Thailand is like a second home to me. But what stands out are my memories of the aromas of their food and my need to recreate them once again in my home. I used to live very close to the Khlong Toey market which is more than a market, […]
My daughter and I wanted to create a summer dish that could use one of the fruits in season in Perth. Valerie came up with the idea of making a fish ceviche with watermelon. You might think this combination is a bit odd, but it works. It is so refreshing that it makes your mouth water instantly. […]
Barbecuing is part of the Australian way of life and traditionally sausages are always on the BBQ. But at Christmas the humble sausage is replaced by beautiful Sharks Bay prawns, rock lobsters and crayfish. Lately, and available in many supermarkets, the deep sea trout has become the star. Most of the smoked trout comes from South Tasmania where they are naturally smoked. […]
Instead of the usual Christmas cakes and puddings I wanted to create a dish that could be prepared in a matter of minutes and could be done ahead of time if needed. Orange blossom water might surprise you in this recipe, but it is very popular in many French recipes. It is used to flavour crêpes, […]
Wrap up Christmas lunch with this simple dessert. It is basically ready made ice-cream and ready made Christmas cake layers. Put a new spin on it using your imagination and decorating it using chocolates, marshmallows, nuts, meringue, chocolate sauce etc. plus any Christmas decorations you have at hand! Ingredients 1 1/2 tubs of vanilla Ice-cream ( one litre) 1 […]
What I like most about this recipe is the reward you receive. Once the potatoes are done they look beautiful and the taste is fantastic. This is a recipe that I have very few words to say … It is simple, delicious, and perfect! Ingredients 1 1/2 kg of purple potatoes, do not peel them 1/3 cup olive oil salt […]
My Danish Salad for a hot summer in Perth! You wonder why my salad is called a Louisiana Salad if it is a Danish salad? The answer is simple; 30 miles from Copenhagen there is the Louisiana museum of Modern art. It is a must see museum. It is an outside inside museum over looking the Oresund sea between Denmark and Sweden. […]
Support your local growers! Saturday morning is my time to visit one of the many weekend markets in Perth. I like to arrive early when the market is not too crowded so I can lose myself in the labyrinth of stalls with seasonal fruits and vegetables. Perth has so many of these markets which are scattered all over the city. Quite frankly, the vegetables and […]
This recipe is for the most commonly served Salade Nicoise. However, the traditional Salade Nicoise in Nice may not always come with cooked beans or cooked potatoes. This salad for them reflects the seasons, so the Salade Nicoise varies with the seasons. In the spring they may use fava beans and artichokes, in the summer sweet yellow rock melon, and in the Autumn finely sliced […]
I recently visited the stunning city of Nice and frankly I did see some changes, perhaps less tourists, the streets of Nice have become big parking lots, and many new restaurants that cater French food for tourists. But, thank goodness there are still lots of old restaurants and cafes that have not changed their menu since I was a teenager and spent many happy […]
From the USA to Perth Gone are the days of intricate food on your table. My guess is that the next food trends will be home meals, comfort food, eating at your local restaurants, growing your own herbs and vegetables in gardens and balconies, and using locally produced ingredients in your kitchen. When colds winter nights arrive and a hint of […]
From Russia to Spain to Perth! I am in Seville, Spain, making my way to Granada to see the Alhambra. My plan was to visit Ronda, one of the most beautiful white towns of Andalusia also known for its food, wines and bull fighting. I drove through the wonderful countryside and all along among these magnificent hills there were beautiful white towns and villages in all shapes and […]
It has been a nice Summer and Autumn is just around the corner. Today it is curry night at home; tender chunks of chicken in a smooth, rich, spicy and creamy sauce. Ingredients 3 tablespoons butter 1 red onion, finely sliced 6 chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces 2 garlic cloves, crushed 3 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated 2 tablespoons […]
Ballymaloe is a family run business which makes a very popular tomato relish in Ireland. My daughter and I fell in love with this product and we wanted to use it in a recipe to share this flavourful product with friends and family in Dublin. The end result was just magic! Ingredients 1 whole Camembert 6 sprigs of thyme 2 garlic cloves, […]
Simple recipe that bursts with flavour. This recipe is from Seven Fires cookbook by Francis Mallmann. When oranges are in season this is definitely my favourite orange recipe. Ingredients 4 oranges 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves 1/2 cup sugar 1 cup plain thick Greek yoghurt Method Cut both ends off the oranges with a bread knife. Remove the […]
