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 »

verjuice poached peach

There’s something about Maggie. Ever since I first came across this dynamo of Australian food, via her Pheasant Farm pate and quince paste, I’ve been big Maggie Beer fan. Her love of the seasons and simple, produce-focused cooking style together with her big country smile have always been a winner. For those of you Northern Hemisphere types, not familiar with this pioneer of Australian food I guess you could say she’s almost Australia’s answer to Alice Waters of Chez Panisse fame. Read the rest of this entry »

baked cheesecake & fig tart

Well, this week folks, I had planned on telling you the tale of two tarts. Two equally succulent but very different gals who had one thing in common, apart from both being a lovely way to end a meal: a topping of ripe, fragrant figs. But sometimes fate gets in the way of a good story and well this week I come to you with a tale of joy and a tale of woe. 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 »

chocolate mousse cake with hazelnut praline

I’ve come to the conclusion that a good chocolate cake is the little black dress (LBD) of the dessert world. I mean they are both absolute classics that are always in vogue. There is a dress-them-up or dress-them-down flexibility which makes them a workhorse in their respective arenas. And they are both excellent examples of why when you’re onto a good thing, you should stick to it. Read the rest of this entry »

the detoxing gal’s beverage of  choice

OK. So I know that the idea of doing some sort of detox or cleanse after the excesses of the silly season, Christmas and New Years isn’t exactly original. But just because something is cliché doesn’t mean that it isn’t a good idea. There’s usually a very good reason why a movement is adopted by the masses. And really when you get down to it, sometime a girl just needs to give her liver a rest. Read the rest of this entry »

mojo picon with shaved zucchini & mint salad

When talking to people about hobbies and I mention that I’m into cooking, I often get asked what type of things I like to cook. And my response is always, well everything. It all depends on so many things. My mood, the weather, my level of hunger, whether I’m heading out hunting and gathering first or just knocking something up from the fridge. The seasons of course play a big part in it but often I’m inspired by whatever cookbook I happen to be reading at the time. Read the rest of this entry »

mango granita with coconut cream

For those of you who are regular visitors to stonesoup, it will not come as a surprise that I’m admitting to being an icecream freak. There isn’t anything in the dessert arena that gets my heart racing like a good scoop or two. In Winter I love to serve it as an accompaniment to hot, rich things like a crumble, but it is during the Summer months that icecream tends to take center stage as a dessert on its own. Read the rest of this entry »

Little Summer Puddings 

When it comes to bread I’ve always been a fan. From your San Franciscan sourdough, to Turkish pide, to Italian ciabatta and foccacia, Indian naan and roti, Lebanese flat breads, the quintessential French baguette and even your humble white loaf, I love them all.

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Christmas time. I love it so. Holidays, Summer, feasting, family and friends - a few of my most favourite things all rolled into one. So glad it’s here.

It’s hard to believe, but it was Christmas two years ago that saw the birth of stonesoup. I had been toying with the idea of starting a blog for a few months but had decided to leave it until I had some time to devote to figuring the whole thing out. I’d started a list of potential topics to cover (I know I know, I am a Virgo, not much happens in my world without a list) . Read the rest of this entry »