A lovely young friend joined me here last week for a morning of gluten free cooking, and as it turns out, recipe exploration and development. She suggested we might make something with custard. We matched this with the recipe for gluten free sweet pastry and before we knew it, we had developed a whole new … Continue reading Gluten free baking – Custard Tarts + Recipe!

The topic discussion with Indira Naidoo on ABC Sydney last evening was sweets such as would be suitable after fasting, for instance, of Ramadan. This past week I've really enjoyed making a selection of Middle Eastern style sweets. Three were particular favourites with the Lebanese Nights Dessert the overall winner according to all test tasters. … Continue reading Middle Eastern Sweet Dishes

For those who were listening to the discussion between Georgia Stynes and I this afternoon regarding various fruit drinks from cordial syrups to sparkling, here are some of the recipes we talked about - all absolutely delicious. Lemon Cordial Syrup 6 large lemons 1.5 kg sugar 1 tablespoon tartaric or citric acid 4 cups boiling … Continue reading Cordials – recipes!

A recipe for these, so simple to make and beyond delicious. The shortbread crosses on top add a lovely buttery crunch. These were discussed last evening on ABC Sydney with Indira Naidoo. Hot Cross Buns Makes 12 For the dough 90g butter Finely grated rind one lemon 2 cups warm milk, approximately 4 cups plain … Continue reading Hot Cross Buns

For those who asked for the recipe for the sponge cake base for this slice, here it is. You can fill it with whatever you like - I used 600ml sweetened whipped cream, with drained preserved plums folded through but, as the saying goes, you are only limited by your imagination. Basic Sponge Cake (rectangular … Continue reading Sponge cake recipe

I love it when the preserves prepared in summer can add dimension and flavour to everyday baking. A case in point yesterday - rectangular sponge was split in two and the bottom layer spread with Angelina plum jam. Preserved greengages and golden drop plums were folded through whipped cream to form the middle layer. The … Continue reading Three Plum and Passionfruit Slice

For those who were listening to the ABC Canberra discussion regarding jams and chutneys etc. with Georgia Stynes, here are recipes for Apricot Chutney and Jam, as well as the basic recipe for raspberry jam (and by extension, other berry jams. Apricot Chutney (From “A Year in a Bottle”, ABC Books, 2008) 1.5 kg apricots, … Continue reading Apricot chutney recipe plus apricot jam and berry jam

Zucchini day today. It took us the whole morning to process them. The zucchinis needed peeling for the most part as the skins had become a bit tough. Then the spongy centre with seeds was scooped out. Still and all there was enough for a double batch of zucchini relish, one of zucchini pickle and … Continue reading Zucchini preserves and pesto

Really zucchini? Did you have to grow so fast??Enthusiastic growth is one thing but this is extreme. Three days' of neglecting picking and this happens. Lots to make into pickle and relish tonight! In the unusual microclimate on this little patch of earth, the two smallish elderflower trees have burst into flower all over. More … Continue reading Zucchinis, elderflowers (at last!) and basil

For those who were listening to the discussion last evening regarding pancakes, pikelets and blinis, here are the recipes as promised. I love the versatility of the thin pancakes - a favourite way to serve them that has stood the test of decades, is to simply sprinkle each cooked pancake while warm with lemon juice … Continue reading Of Pancakes, Pikelets and Blinis – recipes