Labna (Yoghurt Cheese) 1kg Greek yoghurt Juice 1 small lemon or ½ large one 3 scant level teaspoons salt 1 tablespoon olive oil Olive oil, extra (light olive oil is best – extra virgin olive oil will tend to solidify in the fridge.  However, if you prefer to use the latter, then all you need … Continue reading Labna (Yoghurt Cheese) from ABC Jams and Preserves talkback this morning

Elderflowers are blooming everywhere (well, except here, ours are always late). We were able to pick from a tree of a friend, enough for 3 batches of syrup and one of sparkling elderflower. Just look at the colour of the syrup, beautiful, and the flavour is exceptional. That's all bottled now and this morning the … Continue reading Elderflowers in Bloom

Here's the recipe for the onion slice from my last post (it's been much requested). ONION SLICE Ingredients For the dough: 1½ cups plain flour 1 teaspoon instant dried yeast ¾ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon sugar ¾ cup warm water 3 teaspoons olive oil For the topping 500g onions, halved then peeled and finely sliced … Continue reading Onion Slice Recipe

A week or two ago I was invited to a meeting of the Flower Room in Hobart, where Sally Dakis and I were to do an "in Conversation" piece at the end of the meeting. At the end of the session, afternoon tea was served, as is customary apparently, and what a spread it was!! … Continue reading Flower Room and Onion Slice

For Wednesday morning tea for the Custard Club today - raspberries and cream slice (cheesecake style middle layer). Recipe comes from my book "Sweet!". For good measure there were also some peanut butter fudge cookies. These latter were inspired by a beautiful granddaughter, who found this recipe with a view to baking them for a … Continue reading Wednesday morning tea for Custard Club

Here are the recipes requested by listeners yesterday, and at the end, some other points of discussion. Green Tomato Kasoundi This preserve is an Indian style chilli oil pickle.  You will notice that the finished product has some oil floating on top.  Please don’t be tempted to remove it, as it is an essential ingredient … Continue reading ABC cooking segment yesterday – recipes here for green tomato Kasoundi, green tomato cake, cheesy olive pastries and nettle tarts and other tips

Here's the recipe for the Lemon Mousse cake as promised. LEMON MOUSSE CAKE (Also referred to as Jelly Cake by grandchildren, who absolutely love it) For the base:250g plain sweet biscuits, crushed125g melted butter For the Filling2 x 85g packets lemon jelly crystals1 cup boiling water250g cream cheese, softened½ cup icing sugar (or one third … Continue reading Lemon Mousse Cake -Recipe

It occurs to me that I never did finish the hints I'd promised for entertaining from the last ABC talkback. Perhaps a catalyst to my finally remembering is the friends and family gatherings that will no doubt be happening tomorrow with the footie finals. When we have such a gathering here for whatever occasion, to … Continue reading Entertaining ideas

Here's another I promised - the recipe for Little Apple Cakes. I often use other fruits as well as or instead of apple - blueberries for instance, or apricots, peaches, plums or whatever is in season. A little hint - when stewing the fruit for the tarts, be sure not to add too much water, … Continue reading Little Apple Cakes Recipe – an old fashioned favourite

COFFEE MOUSSE The mousse can be made a day ahead, though is best decorated closer to serving time. 1½ cups sugar One eighth teaspoon cream of tartar 1 heaped tablespoon instant coffee powder 4 level teaspoons powdered gelatine (use 5 if your teaspoon is smallish) 1 cup cold water 375 to 400ml can evaporated milk, … Continue reading Coffee Mousse – recipe