Category — Tips and hints

Food shopping is a chore for most people, and there is nothing more stressful than running around looking for last minute items before your guests arrive. A bit of forward planning and a few strategic shopping tips for your dinner party or home event will save you valuable time and money, as well as ensuring you and your guests are enjoying quality produce.  [Read more →]

It’s always exciting to try a new food, and last weekend I tasted for the first time a fruit called an Achacha.   What an amazing taste sensation!  A cousin of the mangosteen, Achachas are tangy and refreshing, the taste vaguely resembling that of a passionfruit although the texture is completely different. [Read more →]

This time of year lends itself to entertaining, and often it is a case of the more the merrier. A buffet is one of the easiest ways to entertain a crowd and it creates a relaxed and social atmosphere. It allows your guests to help themselves to food and choose what they like, and consequently frees up time for the host. It’s a win-win solution!
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February’s fruit of the month is berries in all their diverse varieties: strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries to name a few!  They are at their best and least expensive right now, although many are available year round (often at a price). [Read more →]

My local newspaper The Manly Daily, yesterday published this article of mine together with three of my photos. To view the newspaper article, click here.

The start of the New Year is a time when many people embark on diets and New Year’s Resolutions to lose weight and become healthier. Entertaining can be tricky: as a host you may be on a special eating program and be reluctant to inflict your diet on your guests. Conversely, your guests may be trying to lose a few kilos and would rather decline the invitation than subject themselves to temptation. [Read more →]

The beautiful summer fruit has inspired me to start a new regular monthly post: fruit of the month. With such a diverse array of fruit available in Australia, I thought it would be useful to have a spotlight on a seasonal fruit with tips and ideas.

January’s fruit of the month is the peach. Who can resist a perfectly ripe, juicy peach on a hot summer’s day?  Packed full of vitamin A, B and C, peaches originated in China more than 2500 years ago. 
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December in Sydney is a wonderful time of the year: the weather is superb (lending itself to alfresco dining and barbeques), people are in good spirits, and the produce at this time of the year is amazing. Although there are many people around the globe who find the idea of spending Christmas and New Years Eve in warm weather strange (my Dutch husband is one of them!) I wouldn’t have it any other way. [Read more →]

Christmas is just over a week away, and thoughts are turning to turkey! As the Christmas meal is usually the only time of the year that most people cook a whole turkey (in Australian anyway), getting it right can be quite a challenge.

Follow our tips to ensure you serve a perfectly cooked, plump and juicy turkey:
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Many people are put off by the idea of serving three courses at a dinner party, possibly because of lack of confidence and culinary expertise, and usually because of time constrictions with the food preparation. Serving a first course lengthens the time spent around the dinner table, hence adding to the enjoyment of the occasion.

Here are a number of ideas for easy entrees that can be put together in less than 10 minutes. So no more excuses for not serving a starter! 
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Roasted garlic develops a lovely sweet flavour and can be used in dips, sauces, soups or just about anything.  Here’s how to roast a whole head of garlic:  [Read more →]