July 2013

When I was researching dishes to cook for my South American themed Gastronauts Supper Club dinner, I came across a recipe on About.com for Galletas Saladas de Quinoa or, Quinoa Crackers. The idea of a nutty biscuit made from quinoa appealed so whilst it didn’t make it onto the menu that night, I held on… Read more

Usually, I bring my lunch from home or draw on my ‘supply cupboard’ at work.  I do this for a couple of reasons including: simple economics – lunches from home are cheaper; quality – I can be certain about the ingredients; geography – there’s not many options down this end of town.  A variety of… Read more

This month, Random Recipes at Belleau Kitchen is celebrating the big three-oh. Dom has been running Random Recipes for 30 months! What a commitment. I’m a latecomer to RR, coming in at #18 with a short break in September for an overseas trip. Looking back whilst I was researching this post, I note that I… Read more

I grew up not far from Sunnybank when it still had the vestiges of market gardens and was on a sleepy street called Mains Rd that ended literally in a dead end at the Mt Gravatt Cemetary.  I recall collecting pecans that had fallen from the trees standing in the vacant lot behind the new… Read more

Many of my South Australian adventures focus on the Barossa Valley, as we visit the Vintage Festival every two years at Easter. The 2013 Festival was no different however we decided that it was time to start visiting some of the other districts and this year, that included the Clare Valley.  Famous for it’s cool… Read more

I’ll admit that when I was invited* to check out The Helm Bar & Bistro in Surfers Paradise, I had some reservations. As someone who’s spent many a summer weekend at the Gold Coast, Surfers has never been a feature.  I’m a Burleigh Heads or Greenmount girl. Surfers is strictly for the tourists and Schoolies.  Touts convincing… Read more

In my July kitchen….….I have a huge bowl of Barossa Valley walnuts that I bought over Easter from the CWA in Angaston.   They are sitting in a beautifully hand turned wooden bowl I won at the Ziegenmarkt auction whilst we were at the Barossa Vintage Festival.  They’re burning a hole in my pocket.  I… Read more

Winter is well and truly here and whilst the Winter Solstice has passed, there are a few more dark nights ahead of us. I thought I’d share a recipe that’s ticks all the boxes as far as hearty, comforting fare. A bowl of braised lentils with some crusty bread will stick to your ribs and you’ll… Read more