articles, recipes, ideas and tips for entertaining at home

Figs are believed to have originated in the Middle East and are now grown in many parts of the world including Australia. The season in Australia is a relatively short one – late summer to mid-Autumn – so enjoy them fresh while you can.

[Read more →]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

This stylish yet simple dessert is made in less than 15 minutes in total and tastes as good as it looks. Cannoli are Sicilian pastry desserts, and ready-made cannoli shells are a terrific time-saver. The ricotta filling can be made ahead of time and stored covered in the refrigerator. The cannoli just need assembling at serving time, which takes less than 5 minutes. Your guests will love these!

[Read more →]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Today is officially the last day of summer, but in Australia our climate allows us to enjoy barbequing most of the year round. Everyone loves a good barbeque: less fuss, more fun and flavour, and great for entertaining. Barbequing has come a long way since the days of overcooked steaks and charred sausages. But surprisingly, even in our barbeque-obsessed country, many people are still intimidated by outdoor cooking. Here are a few tips that will have you the master of the grill in no time: [Read more →]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

I made this divine salad at our Easy Asian Dinner Party cooking class last week and it was a winner. My students wondered how such a quick and easy salad could taste so good? The answer is the combination of the classic Thai flavours of the dressing, sweet prawns and fresh Asian herbs. [Read more →]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

With summer drawing to a close, mangoes are starting to become more expensive and less plentiful. I say make the most of them while they’re still around, and this recipe is a great way to enjoy the last of the season’s mangoes.

The divine Thai flavours of garlic, chilli, ginger, lime and coconut marry beautifully with the prawns and mango. The curry sauce can be made in advance – you only need to add the prawns and mango just before serving time. Perfect for entertaining and a piece of cake to make, you’ll make this recipe time and time again. [Read more →]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Grapes arrived in Australia with the First Fleet in 1788 and now Australia is one of the most successful grape growing countries in the world for both eating and winemaking.  There are over 50 varieties of grapes, the more popular eating types being Thompson Seedless and Menindee Seedless (green varieties) and Red Globe and Red Flame (red varieties).

[Read more →]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

It’s Australia Day tomorrow, a day when Australians celebrate everything that’s great about this fantastic country. It is also a day when Australians enjoy some of their favourite national dishes – pavlova, barbequed lamb and lamingtons come to mind. I like to bake a batch of Anzac biscuits for Australia Day – everyone loves these tasty treats and they are a cinch to make.

[Read more →]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

I served these Smoked Salmon and Basil Mini-Frittatas at my recent Christmas Cocktail Party.  They were a winner, and disappeared from the platters quicker than I could refill them!  [Read more →]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Happy New Year! As it’s the 1st of January today, I felt it appropriate to make a traditional Dutch New Year’s treat – Oliebollen. It’s a ritual I have been doing for many New Year’s Days, as my husband is Dutch, and I lived in the Netherlands for 3 years (where I learnt how to cook them). [Read more →]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Christmas in Australia means sunshine, beaches, tropical fruit and outdoor dining. This time of the year I love to entertain and show my appreciation and gratitude to friends and people that have been an important part of my life in the past 12 months. Because this includes around 40 people, the best way to do this is to throw a party!

[Read more →]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!