marinating butterflied spiced leg of lamb

People often ask me whether I regret leaving the wine industry to return the life of a corporate slave. And to tell you the truth, I don’t think there’s been a single moment when I’ve wished I was back in a dark cellar with waterlogged boots and hands stained a very mechanic-like deep purple from repeated exposure to red ferments. Read the rest of this entry »

bbq jumbo quail marinated with lemon, thyme & walnuts 

While I try to not play favourites with the seasons, I must admit that Summer does hold a special place in my heart. Long balmy evenings, beautiful light, bountiful stone fruit, frosty glasses of crisp crisp Riesling, luscious tropical fruit (how good were the mangoes this year?), not to mention the berries, or the humble tomato, long lazy holidays, beach sand between your toes, bikinis & sarongs, that reassuring warmth of sun on naked skin. What’s not to love? Read the rest of this entry »

crispy duck confit with fig and walnut salad

I know as a single person I’m meant to hate Valentines Day. I know I should be way to cool to buy in to all that Hallmark generated hype. I know I should be resenting all those happy couples and their intimate candle lit dinners. And while I’m not a fan of perfume-less roses, heart shaped chocolates, or cheesy red lace lingerie, I must admit I do love the day of Saint Valentine. I mean a day that focuses on romantic dinners and celebrates love, what’s not to love about that?? Read the rest of this entry »

bbq chorizo with slow roasted tomatoes & braised lentils
Until recently, I’d forgotten about a game that my ex-husband and I used to play. Over the 11-odd years that we were together, we shared countless pleasurable meals across five continents, and as you can imagine came to know each other’s food preferences and peccadillos intimately. During this time we developed a kind of restaurant game where we’d both peruse the menu and then try and guess what the other was going to order. Read the rest of this entry »

Ok so it’s not secret that I’m a big spice fan and love dabbling with them, but my friends, I do have a confession to make. Until a couple of weeks ago, I didn’t grind my own spices. Shocking that someone like me who has read countless times just how flavourful and amazing freshly ground spices can be has never bothered to actually try it out for herself…. I know…I know…Herbie would not be proud. Read the rest of this entry »

oxtail ravioli with gremolata 

It’s amazing how intertwined food and travel can be and how one can inspire the other. In my own past pretty much every trip has been inspired by the desire to eat or drink and in the future no doubt this will continue. (Although with my recent rejection from the el bulli reservation lottery that trip to Spain and Morocco might just have to wait another year.) But what is really special to see is when someone is so captured by the food they experience on holiday that they embrace it on their return home. Read the rest of this entry »

morh fish’s perfect hangover cure 

Today I’ve been living, or actually more like just ‘existing’ in a world of hurt. Now before you start sending sympathetic thoughts, I guess I need to come clean. You see gentle readers, it was all self induced, the result of some serious over indulgence last night. Yep. The granddaddy of all hangovers. Read the rest of this entry »

lamb & eggplant curry

The last time anyone can remember my dear old Dad coming to the big smoke was back in 2004 to pick me up from the airport after my winemaking trip to France. As you can imagine, it took a bit of convincing to talk him into a city visit. But persistence prevailed and on Saturday night I found myself standing on the platform at central station to greet the Canberra XPT. With fish and chips on our minds we headed to arguably the best fish café in Sydney: Fish Face in Darlinghurst. Read the rest of this entry »