It would be without exaggeration to make the statement that my life has grown to revolve around food. I don’t know where the obsession came from but I cracked on early in life that satisfying appetites was a way to make people happy.
I learned my culinary skills as a child by watching cooking shows; Graham Kerr was the first to captivate me. Once I had had enough of Graham and his bowls of pre-measured ingredients I moved onto Jaques Pèpin and Martin Yan. After leaving secondary school I trained then worked for the next 5 years as a chef. Although I loved (and do love) cooking, I have always been interested in the bigger picture- what are we eating and why are we eating it.
Food represents an occasion; it’s related to memories and emotions. It’s the roasted prawn, pomello and fish roe betel leaves my sister’s boyfriend prepares when we go to Sydney (and probably why I love Sydney so much). It’s the pipi fritters that we make every year at the beach- the entire process; gathering, steaming, chopping, whisking, stirring, frying and finally eating them straight off the BBQ with lemon juice and black pepper or between 2 slices of fresh bread. They can be little bit gritty but secretly that’s how I like them. I love the fact that one simple food cooked with care and respect like Dad’s crispy potatoes can be just as memorable and magnificent as a complex meal with layers of flavours. I can always remember the food I was eating at a particular event in my life, I don’t know if that is astute or just completely obsessive.
After a day working in the kitchen, slogging through beef carpaccio canapés for hundreds of people, I decided that I needed more. I went to University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Human Nutrition. I am back to cooking in my spare time (and watching cooking shows) for the pleasure and immense satisfaction gained from all that is good in food.
27th April 2012
Soft rye with mushrooms, goats feta and carraway
I am really bad with things that take time and require patience; knitting, golf and gardening spring to mind as things I’ve tried and given up on due to lack of immediate satisfaction. I love cooking (obviously) but I’ve never been much of a bread-maker
15th April 2012
Handmade fruit-filled chocolates
Easter for me was 1 car accident, 3 swims, 1 finished book and an ‘almost’ surf (squeezed into my wetsuit, board tucked under my arm, ankles wet and then face to face with the ferocious surf I thought it was best left to the professionals – I’m just a learner, so I’m allowed to chicken [...]
1st April 2012
Easter
April is an unexpected visitor, knocking on our doors and bringing good weather and chocolate. We have had a (how should I say) variable summer and late March has finally delivered us beautiful sunshine. Without spending too much time reflecting on the weather, I’ll just say April is looking promising with crisp mornings and sunny afternoons
24th February 2012
Coriander & ginger chicken sandwiches
Like Joey Tribbiani, I am a huge fan of the humble sandwich and admit to often taking a perfectly good meal and placing it between two slices of bread. I don’t know if it’s the taste or because it’s like eating a little package, or because there is no cutlery, no plates and therefore no [...]
12th February 2012
Raspberry macarons
This post marks the occasion of Valentine’s Day – which doesn’t have to be all about having a mate; it can simply be thinking about the things you love. I love vanilla ice cream, hydrangeas, singing in the car, board games, new stationary, old baking tins, watching my cat lick her paws and I love [...]
29th January 2012
Soy & linseed bircher muesli
I don’t know about you but over the summer holidays a mid-morning fry-up becomes a thing of habit rather than a special treat. The Christmas ham gets thrown on the bbq along with eggs and fresh tomatoes and then I like to improve the entire meal (or ruin as my family may argue) by covering [...]
23rd January 2012
The quickest and healthiest bran muffins
There is a new kind of baking on the block that would make your grandmother drop a stitch. That new kind of baking chiefly involves using healthier alternatives in some of the old favourite baked recipes. One might surreptitiously slip pureed black beans or canned apples in chocolate brownie for example, or courgette and beetroot in chocolate cake, or replace the staples with ingredients such as
1st January 2012
A healthy start to a new year
Happy New Year readers! Welcome to 2012; a year full of possibilities. If the end of ‘11’ was gluttony and sloth, the beginning of ‘12’ should be a little bit of pride and vanity. Taketh away the turkey with all ye trimmings and dessert after each meal and in its place layeth fruit, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains. This month’s recipes will detoxify and cleanse; transform your body into a temple and prepare your mind for new beginnings.
15th December 2011
Sumac and almond crusted lamb rack
Merry Christmas blog readers! I say it every year but this year I really mean it – Christmas has snuck up on me and I really cannot think of anything I would rather do for this auspicious day than sit down with my favourite people and eat this meal.
28th November 2011
Octopus with fresh fettucine, chilli and lemon
Cooking and eating baby octopus does seem awfully cruel however it was trumps over tackling a great big mummy or daddy. My imagination sometimes gets away on me but I was truly frightened that while tackling a big octopus it could miraculously come back to life,
9th November 2011
Whitebait fritters
The time I realised what all the fuss is about with regards to whitebait was like a “lightbulb moment” (I hope I didn’t just use a Dr Phil idiom). Its sweet, delicate flavour marries perfectly with lemon and not much else; less is definitely more in the case of this tiny, translucent fish. While the [...]
29th October 2011
Halloween Vanilla Cookies
My love for Halloween stems from my older sister; born on the 30th of October she hosted an annual Halloween party throughout her teenage years and I can remember anticipation and excitement for the event building from about August. In recent years I have been lucky to befriend a little lady with a passion for black magic and entertaining, the perfect combination for throwing Halloween parties.