Passata Making

 Now, in February and March, is the perfect time for Passata making. Tomatoes are at their peak. It is an easy process - here is how to make it! Ingredients: To make 12 x 750 ml bottles 1 box of Roma 'sauce' tomatoes, about 15kg Bunch basil Murray River Sea Salt [...]

By |2025-03-12T15:39:04+11:00February 26th, 2021|Fruits, Italian Food, Italian Food, Passata, Passata, Passata, Recipes, South Melbourne Market, Suppliers, Tomatoes, Uncategorized, Vegetables|Comments Off on Passata Making

Syrian Festive Cake

This cake makes a lovely Christmas gift, full of Brazil nuts, walnuts and various glace fruits.  It may be made in a large loaf tin 20cm x 12cm, or smaller cake tins – 8.5 x 14cm and smaller still at 10 x 5.5cm.  This quantity also makes 8 tiny puddings, in mini pudding tins; [...]

By |2021-01-18T16:17:15+11:00January 18th, 2021|Cakes, Cakes and baking, Christmas Fruit Cake, Christmas Fruit Cake, Christmas Fruit Cakr, Festive, Festive Food, Festive Food, Recipes, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Syrian Festive Cake

Bresse and the Chicken market at Louhans.

Cooking all these chicken dishes and stock as I have been in this  Covid-19 winter 2020, reminded me of some happier times and our visit to Bresse, the home of the famous Bresse chicken, la volaille de Bresse, and the Monday market day in the market town of Louhans in Burgundy. The summer of 2017 [...]

Fish ‘pie’ with mussels and prawns.

This is a creamy, comforting 'pie' with tons of flavour and goodness without the crust.  All LCHF. I used john Dory, mussels and prawns. You can use any firm-fleshed white fish such as snapper, Ling, Mahi Mahi, or Blue Grenadier; the mussels and prawns may easily be excluded and you can add scallops if you [...]

By |2020-05-20T15:42:34+10:00May 20th, 2020|Cook Real Food, Fish and seafood pie, Fish and seafood pie, Fish pie, Healthy Family Meals, Low Carb, mussels, Recipes, Seafood, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Fish ‘pie’ with mussels and prawns.

Chicken curry with coconut cream and greens

This was a great chicken curry with good depth of flavour and superb colour.  It was quick and easy to cook in the wok, so just one pan to wash.  Inspired by what my friend Leigh, from Hamilton in country Victoria, cooked the other day I had to make something similar; she makes great curries! [...]

By |2020-04-17T17:18:06+10:00April 17th, 2020|Chicken, Condiments, Cook Real Food, Curries, Food - spices, Healthy Family Meals, Low Carb, Recipes, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Chicken curry with coconut cream and greens

Meatballs in mushroom sauce

This is a lovely flavourful main course and is very easy to make.  The meatballs can be nestled into many of your dishes to add extra protein, such as your Napoli sauce or shakshuka.  Make them larger and cook them as hamburgers. You can substitute beef mince for the chicken, plus add some grated carrots, [...]

By |2020-05-10T14:40:21+10:00April 13th, 2020|Cook Real Food, Cook Real Food, Healthy Family Meals, Low Carb, Meat, Meatballs, Mushrooms, Mushrooms, Recipes, Uncategorized, Winter braises|Comments Off on Meatballs in mushroom sauce

Braised beef short ribs* with Pedro Ximénez and an almond herb crumb

This slow braise is full of flavour and nourishment.  The almond herb topping dresses it up for entertaining; it is delicious with or without it! Serves 6 Ingredients Extra virgin olive oil 2.5k beef short rib, cut into single ribs 2 onions, roughly chopped 2 carrots, roughly chopped 4 sticks celery, roughly chopped 3 cloves [...]

By |2020-03-30T16:23:59+11:00March 30th, 2020|Beef short ribs, Braising, Food, Recipes, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Braised beef short ribs* with Pedro Ximénez and an almond herb crumb

Braised fennel with citrus and cider

Braised fennel has a wonderfully subtle flavour, not very strong and more like a braised onion, with just a hint of fennel.  The citrus adds a lift to make this a fabulous side for pork, chicken or beef.  It cuts the richness of the meats as well.  The pairing of fennel and citrus is a [...]

By |2019-06-12T11:12:46+10:00June 12th, 2019|Cook Real Food, Cook Real Food, Cooking classes, Fennel, Fennel, Italian Food, Recipes, Uncategorized, Vegetables, Vegetables in season, Winter braises, Winter braises|Comments Off on Braised fennel with citrus and cider

Salt adds flavour and enjoyment to our food – revised and updated 17th November 2020

Salt has been used since ancient times to preserve food, such as salmon gravlax, and in the koshering of meat; it is still used so today.  Unfortunately, it is also a most misunderstood food. Like a lot of other foods, such as fat, it went out of favour last century as it was linked to [...]

By |2021-01-20T16:24:25+11:00January 19th, 2019|Condiments, Cook Real Food, Food, Salt, Salt, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Salt adds flavour and enjoyment to our food – revised and updated 17th November 2020

Seasonal Produce Guide – Spring fruits, vegetables, herbs and nuts

Spring is such a wonderful time of year with so many beautiful fruits and vegetables in season to awaken our palettes and brighten our cooking after the dreariness of winter.  Writing today, on this gloriously sunny, warm Melbourne September day, one feels alive and vibrant, just like this wonderful new season's harvest. So off you [...]

By |2022-08-16T10:18:18+10:00September 27th, 2018|Asparagus, Cook Real Food, Farmers' Markets, Food, Fruit, Fruit in season, MInt, Seasonal Food Guide, Sorrel, Uncategorized, Vegetables in season|Comments Off on Seasonal Produce Guide – Spring fruits, vegetables, herbs and nuts
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