Watermelon on the barbecue might seem unusual but the heat brings out it sweetness and makes it very juicy. The watermelon has a subtle smoky flavour that goes well with the limes and the mint. Ingredients 1/2 small water melon extra virgin olive oil, to drizzle 2 limes, halved 125g soft Feta cheese lots […]
Soups are more than just a first course at a Thai table, they are sipped throughout a meal along with other dishes, but for me this soup is a meal in itself. It is important to have all the ingredients ready to create the essential blend of flavours which are central to Thai cooking. Ingredients […]
Master the omelette with this simple recipe! Beaten eggs fried in butter and filled with chives and smoked trout. Delicious!
So quick and easy to prepare! Today is my first day out of the house after lots of long weeks at home in self-isolation. My first stop was the super market, of course. I had this need to look, smell, touch, and buy lots of fruits and vegetables. It was a quick and short walk […]
Let’s go back to the kitchen! Flatbread is paper thin and can be toasted in the oven for a few minutes. The result is a crunchy cracker that takes this salad to the next level. In this salad anything goes. Do not be afraid of experimenting and using the ingredients you love. This is my […]
Let’s get back to the kitchen! This salad is full of flavour, filling, and packed with veggies. A lot of the pieces can be made ahead of time and assembled at the last minute. Use any canned fish you have in your pantry like anchovies, canned tuna, and Sardines. Use green, black, or Kalamata […]
Let’s get back to the kitchen! No more waste! Coronavirus is teaching me that there is not a happier place than my kitchen in my home. I feel safe, and very creative. It is forcing me to cook with whatever I have in my pantry, my kitchen, and in my garden. I guess I can […]
Let’s get back to the kitchen! Fancy a taste of England? I am sure that most of us at this moment in time are living in self isolation in our homes and I am also sure that most of us do have a can of Heinz Beans in the pantry. This recipe is simple but […]
Let’s get back to the kitchen! Tim Tams are definitely the most loved chocolate biscuits in Australia. They were invented by an Australian man named Ian Morris and were named after a horse by the same name which won the 1958 Kentucky Derby. Ingredients 200g packet Tim Tams, original 30g unsalted butter, melted, cooled 200ml […]
LET’S GET BACK TO THE KITCHEN Two of the things we all need to keep doing even as we self-isolate is to cook and to eat. Have a plan when you go shopping because there is a supply shortage of certain items in the supermarkets. What is interesting is that there is plenty of puff […]
These small Lamb koftas are easy to prepare. They are ready in less than half an hour! Ingredients 500g minced lamb 2 tablespoons ground coriander 2 tablespoons finely chopped mint 1 garlic clove, crushed salt to taste Zatar, to serve For the sauce 40g or a large handful of fresh mint 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses […]
Give it a try! This Galette is easier to prepare than you might think! Ingredients for the pastry 300g plain flour 175g unsalted butter, cubed 1/2 teaspoon salt 25g grated parmesan cheese 1 tablespoon thyme leaves, finely chopped 1 large egg yolk, lightly beaten 4 to 6 tablespoons of cold water For the Filling 500g […]
This salad has the WOW factor! These miniature baby gems present beautifully as a first course. This salad has all the Spanish flavours in one bite and the dressing is to die for. Ingredients 4 little Gem lettuces, trimmed and cut into wedges lengthways 10 Italian anchovies 1 or 2 chorizos, roughly chopped 1/2 an […]
A new twist on the Tarte Tatin On my recent trip to France I was inspired to make this sweet and savoury tart. All the ingredients are caramelized and candied, which gives it a delicious taste. Topping the tart with goats cheese is really the icing on the tart! Ingredients 500g pack butter puff pastry olive oil for frying […]
I am delighted to share this recipe with my followers. It is so simple and yet so delicious! Ingredients 4 salmon slices 4 slices of Italian prosciutto di Parma or Spanish Serrano ham 1 tablespoon of olive oil 12 asparagus spears, trimmed freshly ground black pepper salt to taste lemon wedges, to garnish Method Preheat […]
I wish I could say that this wonderful recipe is mine but this soup recipe comes from my favourite cooking book “Seven Fires” written by Francis Mallmann an Argentinean chef born in Patagonia. In his book simple ingredients are transformed into glorious food, charred meats and vegetables become an array of contrasting flavours and textures all cooked on the BBQ, or on […]
This is a rich and scrumptious pie. This pie is best made the day before to allow for easier cutting. Ingredients 370g ginger nut biscuits 100g unsalted butter, melted and then cooled 175g honey 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste 600ml pouring cream 110g crystallised ginger, chopped 6 egg yolks 3 teaspoons cornflour 55g caster sugar Method Preheat oven to […]
This salad is Thailand in a bowl. Colour and texture are very important in all Thai salads as well as the spiciness, sourness and saltiness in the dressing, all of the above have to balance well for the perfect salad. It is also very important to have all the ingredients ready so you can just toss and serve. […]
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 […]
