Category — Tips and hints

Pasta comes in a huge variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from tagliatelle and tortellini to penne and pappardelle. Matching pasta with a compatible sauce is instinctive for someone that has grown up eating pasta as a staple, but for the rest of us some guidelines are necessary to attain the best complement of flavour and texture.

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Until last weekend I had zero experience in making a child’s themed birthday cake (probably because I don’t have children). I hear from my friends that do have kids just how highly competitive childrens’ birthday parties can be. It seems that all the parents are trying to out-do the other parents, particularly when it comes to the cake. 

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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.

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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).

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If the thought of co-ordinating the Christmas meal fills you with dread, don’t despair – you are certainly not alone. Even competent cooks can find Christmas Day a culinary challenge. What to eat, how much to serve, how to organise and manage the different dishes so everything is ready on time – these are just some of the challenges that confront the Christmas Day host.

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The arrival of cherries in Australia marks the onset of the festive season. Highly sought after, the cherry is a favourite with everyone.

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Of all the tropical fruits, mangoes surely must be the most celebrated. Exotic and fragrant, a mango enjoyed on a hot summer’s day is a pleasurable experience indeed.

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Although ready-made shortcrust pastry is readily available, nothing says “homemade” like homemade pastry. Making pastry is easy and your guests will appreciate the personal touch that has gone into your cooking. [Read more →]

Mirepoix is the French culinary term for a combination of aromatic vegetables – usually carrots, onions and celery – used as a flavour base. You’ve probably made a mirepoix many times when cooking soups, casseroles and braises. [Read more →]

Papaya is an exotic tropical fruit, originally from Central America. It is grown in warmer climates, and in Australia papaya is predominately grown in Northern Queensland areas as well as Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Papaya is harvested all year round with production peaks during spring and autumn. [Read more →]