deconstructed cassoulet with a green salad 

When it comes to the national days of countries other than Oz, I’m afraid to say that I’m sadly ignorant. But there is one exception. Ever since I began my love affair with France, while studying their beautiful language in high school, I’ve had a soft spot for Bastille Day. For some reason, every year on July 14th I feel the urge to celebrate with the French in some way or other. Read the rest of this entry »

basic five hour roast leg of lamb

It never ceases to amaze me how much most blokes love their meat and my gorgeous brother, Dom, is definitely no exception to the rule. Give him a lamb shank or a thick juicy steak, and he’s a happy man. Read the rest of this entry »

roast lamb shank & barley soup

It’s a well known fact that we eat with our eyes. From market shopping for fruit & veg to cruising the supermarket aisles for mass-marketed packaged goods our first judgments are based on appearance. And while this is generally a good practice to help guide us away from less-than-fresh food choices, there are times when there are great flavour rewards for taking a chance and tasting something not so good looking. Read the rest of this entry »

kid kibbeh pies with cranberry & sumac sauce

In my little world, the month of May has proven to be anything but dull. It all began on a sunny Tuesday, May 1st to be exact. I rocked up to work expecting business as usual only to be greeted with a last minute company wide meeting in which the managing director announced that due to the poor performance of the Australian business, there were going to be cutbacks and restructuring. A few short hours later I was clearing my desk and leaving the building for the last time. Yes my friends, I was the lucky recipient of a golden handshake and on a day no less than International Worker’s Day, or Labour Day to others - nothing like a bit of irony. Read the rest of this entry »