This peach keffir cake is a fabulous cake to take to a picnic. The cake is an adaptation of a much treasured recipe from Annabel Langbein https://www.annabel-langbein.com The cake is delicious just as it is, it transports well, and it can also be made a day ahead. I recently attended a workshop at Idler's Hill, a gorgeous retreat in Sydney's ... Read More
eggs
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
Pear, Date and Seed Loaf
I've been making this pear, date and seed loaf since the kids were little. It's great for lunch boxes, morning tea, cake stalls and picnics, as it transports well. The loaf is delicious toasted the next day with either cashew cream or butter smeared on top. Feel free to play around with different ingredients. The loaf works well with all sorts of ... 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
Fig, Cardamom and Orange Brownies
Fig, orange and cardamom brownies are a sophisticated version of a much loved Bill Granger 'healthier chocolate brownie' recipe that I've been making since the kids were little. I love the texture of the dried figs and the crunchy pumpkin seeds, while the ground cardamom and orange zest deliver a beautiful aroma. The brownies don't ... Read More
Spiced Pear and Almond Cake
Spiced pear and almond cake is a lovely cake to serve for afternoon tea, warm out of the oven with a dollop of cream or Greek yoghurt. Pears are one of the oldest temperate fruits on earth. The pear (pyrus communis) was valued for both its flavour and texture in ancient times. It's believed to have originated in the Caucasus Mountains between the ... Read More
Cheesy Thyme Bread Puddings
These cheesy thyme bread puddings are made up of stale bread and leftover cheese. Did you know that bread is one of the most commonly discarded household items? I often make breadcrumbs and croutons and freeze them. However, occasionally there is a neglected baguette that is simply too hard to turn into breadcrumbs. But, if you soak the bread for ... Read More
Cherry Chocolate Olive Oil Mousse
Cherry chocolate olive oil mousse has the most delicious silky texture. On a trip to Italy in my distant past, I tasted a delicious gelato of cherry, chocolate and olive oil. I thought it would be interesting to combine these ingredients in a mousse. The cherry cuts through the rich chocolate, adding an unexpected tartness, while the olive oil ... Read More
Weetbix Slice with Dates
This Weetbix slice with dates reminds me of a simple lumberjack cake (without the apples). No no-one in our house likes to eat the broken up Weetbix remaining in the bottom of the cereal box, and so, this slice makes use of the the crushed remnants, with lots of other good things thrown in. L. M. Montgomery, author of 'Anne of Green Gables,' ... Read More