By Chef Sonia Higgins
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, […]
It is corn season and it is freshly picked. This is my daughter’s recipe and one of my favourites. Once you make this recipe you will never eat corn any other way. Ingredients 8 corn cobs, pick fresh bright green husks at your local market or pick the best one you can get at the supermarket. Butter Sauce […]
This is a simple no fuss recipe that will make a great summer dish. To cook your peppers on the BBQ, just break the eggs and season! This recipe is a real topic of conversation. Your guest will love looking at them in anticipation and then dipping their bread in the soft egg yolks. Ingredients 4 red peppers, cut in […]
Cook this great recipe on Mother’s day. Brownie points guaranteed. Ingredients 2 big bunches of chard 1 red pepper, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 tablespoon butter 2 tablespoon olive oil 4 tablespoons of milk 1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes salt and pepper to taste 8 sheets filo pastry 50 gr melted butter […]
A tempting, sweet and decadent dessert. Ingredients 370g ginger nut biscuits 100g unsalted butter, melted 150g honey 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste 600ml pouring cream 4 tablespoons ginger marmalade 2 teaspoons ginger powder 6 eggs 3 teaspoons cornflour 55g caster sugar Method 1- Pulse the biscuits in a food processor to crumbs. Add butter and […]
Ugly Vegetables Are Perfect I was reading TIME magazine this week and in one of its articles they mentioned a food trend for 2017, and in very big letters it said … ugly vegetables go mainstream. This article caught my eye and to my surprise when I went to the supermarket I found these carrots that just fitted the bill. They were not pretty, […]
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 […]
