Tomato salsa goes by many names. Also known as 'salsa fresca,' 'salsa cruda' or 'salsa bandera,' it's a traditional Mexican dish of raw ingredients that's quick and easy to make, nutritious and delicious. My favourite name is 'pico de Gallo.' The literal translation is 'beak of the rooster.' It's believed to be called that because people used to ... Read More
dips
Eggplant Mezze Plate
I served this eggplant mezze plate yesterday as a starter for lunch with friends. I used eggplants in two ways - thinly sliced and roasted with smoked salt and olive oil, and also roasted whole, with a head of garlic, to turn into a dip. They tasted delicious on top of toasted pita bread with a dollop of homemade labneh and rose harissa. The labneh ... Read More
Chicken Mayonnaise Sandwiches with Pistachios, Mint and Lime
Chicken mayonnaise sandwiches, for me, are the ultimate picnic fare. They're believed to have originated from"Poulet Reine Elizabeth" or "Coronation Chicken." This was a dish created by Rosemary Hume, a Cordon Bleu chef, and Constance Spry, a florist and author, as part of the banquet for the the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. ... Read More
Guacamole with toasted cumin seeds
This guacamole with toasted cumin seeds doesn't have the kick of traditional guacamole, with jalapeño and chilli. I tend to omit these ingredients because they don't appeal to my kids' tastebuds. I would recommend toasting the cumin seeds and grinding them. It does give the dip a much better flavour than using ground cumin from a jar. I ... Read More
Roasted Romanesco with Green Pea Hummus
Romanesco broccoli, or Roman cauliflower, has to be one of the most beautiful vegetables I’ve ever encountered. The first time I saw one, I was reminded of a piece of chartreuse coral. The pale green florets are arranged in an intricate, fractal-like, conical spiral formation. Romanesco belongs to the plant species Brassica oleracea, which also ... Read More
Celeriac Remoulade
Once upon a time at a cafe in Noosa, QLD, I ordered a brunch plate with celeriac remoulade. It was absolutely delicious smeared on flat bread with smoked salmon and poached eggs. Sally from https://www.farmerandson.com.au has been giving me lesser known produce to try, so I thought I'd try my hand at making my own remoulade. Celeriac, or celery ... Read More
Carrot, Date and Ginger Jam
Carrot, date and ginger jam goes beautifully with honey cashew cream, smeared on top of spelt buttermilk scones. It's also a delicious addition to a cheese platter. After a bit of chopping and grating (mind your knuckles when you grate), the ingredients pretty well look after themselves with an occasional stir in the pan. The beauty ... Read More
Fig and Olive Herb Paste
Fig and olive herb paste was a recipe from my sister in a book of culinary musings from good friends. The book was a gift on my hens' day and I have referred to it often over the years. I've changed the paste recipe a little. It's perfect on a cheese plate, served with a sharp cheddar, manchego or goat's cheese. The paste is also a delicious ... Read More
Pea and Mint Puree with Lemon and Ricotta
Pea and mint puree with lemon and ricotta is a beautifully light dip to serve with crudités. I recently served it as an alternative alongside a stronger salsa verde with radish leaves. Frozen peas are such a handy staple to have on hand, don't you think? The eschallot, which is sautéed before cooking with the peas, adds another layer of flavour, ... Read More
Roasted Onion and Beetroot Dip
Roasted onion and beetroot dip is so easy to make, and it makes a very pretty appetiser. A painter, who did some work at our place once, noticed how much I loved cooking. He would bring me culinary treats - pomegranates from his garden, halva and a jar of pomegranate molasses. Pomegranate molasses is a Middle Eastern reduction of pomegranate ... Read More