Failte go Cnocic Chill Mhantain (A Welcome to the Hill of Wicklow) Nestle in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains is a charming cottage surrounded by blooming flowers and, in summer, fields that glow yellow in the sunshine. It just happens to be the home of my daughter Valerie and her husband Niall. Their cottage […]
If opposites truly attract, then my home is living proof. My husband and I could not be more different. He is calm, steady, and quietly observant. I am a chatterbox, passionate, animated and occasionally dramatic. Somehow, it works. One thing we do agree on wholeheartedly is Colombia. My husband fell in love with it so […]
Bushtucker is also called bush food or any food that is native to Australia. A few months ago I saw an interesting documentary on Netflix done by British comedian Bill Baily. It was called “Wild West Australia”. I came to realise how little I knew about Western Australia even though I have lived here for […]
Walking along the banks of the Saone in Lyon, I stumbled upon a small market. With every step, I was carried back to another time, when my mother lived in Paris, and my daughter and I would visit her. Those mornings always began the same way: wandering through street markets, charcuterie’s, and boulangeries, our hands […]
Happy Valentine’s! Treat your loved ones to this irresistible dessert- one that delights all the senses. It’s luxurious creamy, visually stunning, and finished with a fragrance that’s simply unforgettable. Made with cream and coconut cream, this dessert takes an aromatic turn with the addition of pandan leaves. One whiff and you are instantly transported to […]
I casually assembled this delicious salad and turned it into the perfect summer lunch! I wish I could say it is my recipe but this salad is a very common dish in places like Turkey, Greece or Morocco. All I did was to assemble the fresh summer ingredients available in my fridge and put them […]
A savoury summer salad using super-juicy fruits! Summer is definitely my favourite time of the year in Australia. It is all about Christmas, swimming in the sea, outdoor cooking, juicy fruits, green crispy salads and last but not least it is the season to entertain family and friends in your home. Watermelons are everywhere, the […]
Homemade Curry paste, is it really worth the effort??? Yes, definitely. There is a noticeable difference between curries using homemade and ready-made pastes. Curry paste in Thailand is prepared using a very simple mortar and pestle. The pestle crushes and smashes all the ingredients, mingling them together completely and releasing the natural aromatic oils, rather […]
A delicious dish for your Holy celebrations! Amid the Easter celebrations, food takes the centerstage, bringing families and traditions together. I hope this recipe will be your centrepiece. This year I will cook lamb shanks served with creamy polenta and roasted carrots. We will have this meal with a glass of an amazing young wine […]
“Eat the Seasons” Tomatoes are everywhere in every shape and colour all over Perth. Many years ago Perth was a city where it was difficult to find high-quality fruits and vegetables. This is not the case today, it is a city that has become an “Urban garden”. I can almost bet that in every garden […]
It is summer and I am back in Australian and I’ve found myself in the middle of the nectarine and blackberry season. I am obsessed with seasonal fruits and vegetables, and I am a believer that you have to “Eat the Seasons”. Seasonal ingredients are generally fresher, tastier and better for your wallet. I hope […]
Madelines are just little butter cakes. They have a beautiful scalloped shape and need nothing more than a sprinkle of icing sugar on top. I made them and brought them to my Gym class to celebrate the opening of the Olympic Games 2024 and shared them with an amazing group of ladies. I think they […]
This warming fish pie recipe is ultra comforting and family friendly. July was a truly rainy and dark winter month, I spent a lot of time at home and in my kitchen with lots of time on my hands to create and try this fish pie recipe. Celeriacs are for sale all over Perth, as […]
Quinces are golden yellow and hard and might not be an interesting fruit when they are raw but bake them and they turn pink, delicious and tempting. Their floral scent is unforgettable, no wonder they were the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden. Quinces are in season in Australia and are in all supermarkets […]
The Burnt Basque cheesecake has taken the world by storm. It is unlike any other you have tasted before. It also known as the San Sebastián cheesecake originating from the Basque region between the borders of France and Spain. A few years ago I went to San Sebastián on a family trip but unfortunately I […]
Embrace the asparagus season in Australia. Queso blanco or queso fresco is a Latin and Mexican cheese traditionally made from raw cow milk. It is snowy white, creamy but not too rich. I am a Latin girl and I grew up eating sliced thick slabs of this cheese tossed or crumbled with savoury and sweet […]
My Naughty Chocolate Dessert These petit pots are my very simple dessert solution for those who need to deliver big results in a small amount of time. They are easy to make and are rich and chocolaty. Serve smaller versions of this delicious dessert and accompany it with lots of vanilla wafers to dip in. […]
Home is the one word that warms my heart during the winter months in Perth. The Southern Hemisphere is wrapped in shadows of grey skies, strong winds and constant rain. After months of being away from home I am back in my home, sleeping in my comfortable bed and cooking in my warm and colourful […]
Happy New Year 2024 to all my blog followers all over the world! My New Years cocktail …. cherries, Kombucha and vodka! Cheers!
In Australia at Christmas no celebration is complete without a Pavlova. Australian supermarkets sell ready made Pavlova bases, they have a crisp shell and the center is soft, airy and fluffy. They are a great option if you don’t have time to make a Pavlova base, or you do not know how to make one, […]
Christmas is my magical time of the year! I love decorating my house and preparing my kitchen for this big cooking occasion. Over the years I have had the opportunity to cook traditional festivity dishes and share them with family and friends. This year I will be in Australia and the summer promises to be […]
A light nibble for a drinks party! This recipe is suitable for the beginner or the more experienced cook. Just buy ready made ingredients from your supermarket and put them together. It will impress your guests. Ingredients Method Tips
Eat the seasons! Every single supermarket in Australia has a shelf stacked with Stollen and Panettone boxes. They are not only a sweet gift for a family member or a friend, once they are sliced and toasted they make a tasty festive addition to a summer starter. Ingredients Method Tips
Mediterranean ingredients are essential for a summer table! Salads are my favourites during the summer months and with good reason, I just simply dress the salad ingredients at the last minute. This salad celebrates the very best of the season’s tomatoes. Ingredients Method Tips
Simply Summer! With the holiday season and the warmer weather coming to Australia, it is the ideal time to plan your Christmas menu to enjoy and share with family and friends. Strawberries and summer are my inspiration for this simple but delicious Galette. It can be prepared in advance and served with scoops full of […]
Let’s celebrate the delicious and colourful Australian apples. Literally they are at the moment the apple of my eyes. I have to be honest, I prefer to eat cooked apples than raw apples, I think that cooking them brings out their sweet flavour and juiciness. They are beyond mere delicious. I gave this tart a […]
Soups are part of the food culture in Colombia! Colombia has some of the most traditional and delicious soups. They are hearty like a “Sancocho” or unique like an “Ajiaco”. Soups in my home were not only comfort food to ward off the winter chill of the mountains, but for my mother they were also […]
Eating grilled corn or Mazorca asada is a delicious treat that takes me to my childhood. It is simply one of Colombia’s favourite street foods. It is found at every “Asado” or BBQ when families gather together. My home in Colombia was a beautiful and cosy villa outside the city of Bogota with plenty of […]
What does it mean when one of your parents has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s ??? Well, I had no idea of the journey my mother and I were about to take! My first step was to fly from Australia to Colombia to take charge of my mother and her home. As time went by I […]
I love spicy and sweet-and-sour salads! All Thai salads are notable for their distinct flavours and freshness. They are a lively assemblage of herbs, spices and fruits. In this salad the prawns are freshly cooked and therefore warm, the dressing is strong which unifies the hot and cold ingredients. Ingredients 500g raw King Prawns, peeled […]
During the winter months in Australia we can enjoy sweet and delicious citrus fruits. Oranges are in season and they are relatively cheap compared to many other fruits and vegetables, that are pricey during winter. My advice is to buy seasonal and local fruits and vegetables, as they are generally cheaper. This luscious, rich, and […]
This fish soup is a one dish meal! The simplicity of cooking this soup is contrasted with the complexity of its flavours. It celebrates the sweetness of the fish and the prawns, they will melt in your mouth! I love making this soup and it is my take on a Bouillabaisse or a Bourride from […]
I have tried many recipes to master the techniques of a silky and wobbly Panna Cotta and all of them have failed. But thanks to chef Francesco Sellitri who has kindly shared his recipe I finally found the perfect Panna Cotta. This Panna Cotta is creamy in texture with a milky and a sweet vanilla […]
A generous bowl of pasta, lightly sauced and steaming in the centre of your table is an everyday satisfying staple. This recipe is definitely a winner. It is easy and inviting, you will never want to dine out again! Ingredients 100g butter, cut in 1 cm cubes 1 medium onion, peeled and chopped finely 3/4 […]
This Easter dessert is comforting in flavour and spectacular in looks! Easter is one of the most enjoyable occasions for food lovers. Whether you have a big family feast, or a lunch with friends at home, this dessert is the perfect choice. It is easy to make and requires minimal preparation which will give you […]
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 […]
These steamed parcels are aromatic and their flavour is truly unique. The fish cooks in the paste that transforms into a mouth-watering rich sauce. Ingredients 4 snapper fish fillets 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1/2 cup chicken stock 1/2 cup coconut milk 6 Kaffir lime leaves, torn 1/2 cup Thai basil, torn Salt to taste 2 […]
I love kale but definitely I do not like it raw. I find that raw kale tastes bitter and grassy. This recipe is my daughter Valerie’s. She shared this recipe with me a few years ago and taught me a few tricks on how to turn kale from a super food to an amazing and […]
EAT THE SEASONS! I have seen lots of pumpkins in the markets and supermarkets around Perth, although their season does not begin until mid-September. Head to your local markets and take advantage because they are everywhere and at a good price. For me pumpkins always make a heartwarming meal when the weather is cold and […]
My Creme brûlée is a creamy custard with a twist of Asian flavours, topped with a brittle layer of melted sugar that cracks when you gently tap it with a spoon. In this recipe I am making the custard by blending all the ingredients in the liquidizer. I use the empty condensed milk tin to […]
This recipe is home baking made simple! In this recipe I am giving the traditional Napoleons a makeover. The many crispy and flaky layers of buttery puff pastry are spread with a delicious guava sauce. The combination of whipped cream and guava sauce makes each bite a wonderful indulgence! Ingredients 2 sheets of frozen puff […]
EAT THE SEASONS! Avocados should always be the star of your dish. In my opinion people take them too far and I believe just adding a few ingredients that enhance their flavour is a better way to eat them. Salt, lemon juice, a good vinegar and olive oil does the trick! In this recipe the […]
“Put pork on your fork” has been one of the most successful campaigns to make Australians buy and cook pork. Contrary to many peoples’ beliefs pork is one leanest and affordable meats you can find. Australian pork has a unique and delicious flavour and doesn’t need to be overcooked. Ingredients 4 pork chops 2 cups […]
Australian oysters in general are plump, creamy and buttery. In this recipe I wanted to keep the liquid of the oysters as clear as possible and I then added finger lime beads to enhance the flavour. These Australian lime caviar are zesty citrus and give the oyster the BANG BANG factor in your mouth. Each […]
This is one of my favourite salads, it is delicious, tasty, veg-packed and budget friendly. It is perfect for a super lunch! Ingredients 1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed 3 long chillies 1 tablespoon brown mustard seeds 1 tablespoon of Nigella seeds 1 tablespoon of cumin seeds 1/4 cup curry leaves, torn 500g heirloom […]
EAT THE SEASONS – AUTUMN Pears are in season from March to May in Australia and you know autumn is here and winter is on the way when pears appear in the supermarkets. Buy your pears when they are firm and watch them ripen. Pears continue to ripen after you take them home. For this […]
Most Thai recipes called for duck eggs. Why? Because chickens were scarce and considered precious. Today chicken eggs are found everywhere and can be substituted in any Thai recipe provided that they are large! There are some ingredients that are essential to Thai cooking and one of them is Thai basil. The thing is that […]
EAT THE SEASONS! Za’atar is an aromatic mix of thyme, sesame seeds and sumac. It is just perfect for this recipe. Put a twist in your Easter feast. Have trout! Ingredients 1 tablespoon of Za’tar 1 garlic clove, grated Zest of 1 lemon, plus 2 lemons cut into wedges to serve 1 tablespoon olive oil […]
This recipe is an exquisite balance of herby and tangy flavours. The aromatic mix makes a magical topping that is just perfect for the potatoes. Ingredients 6 shallots, thinly sliced 4 garlic cloves, crushed 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 kilo of potatoes, do not peel them 270ml coconut cream 300ml vegetable stock or chicken stock […]
Perth to Paris Recipes 