On a recent visit to Brussels, I learned that mussels aren’t available in restaurants in the months that don’t include the letter “R.” So mussels are available only from September through to April, but they’re trickier to find during the European summer months. Interestingly in Ireland, this saying isn’t so common. Like with all produce,…
Moroccan-style lamb meatballs (Kefta)
Whenever I think of Morocco, I think of my Grandma’s travels during the 1980s and how we had to sit and look at all her slides in the living room of her house. Did anyone else have to endure that? The incessant clicking of the slide projector, as it showed each photo beamed to the…
Savoury Japanese-style pancakes (okonomiyaki)
It’s funny how food can bring back memories. That a bit of cabbage in batter will remind you of your sixteen year old self. Back then, okonomiyaki was a big deal; it was the highlight of an otherwise boring week filled with school and what seemed like endless homework. My best friend and I would…
Food Tourism: Inverloch, Australia
I was around 9 years old when I first started going to Inverloch. We used to go to my step grandfather’s holiday house during the summer, to stay in an old fibro house that always had a huntsman lurking in the outdoor dunny. Things have changed since those days. Inverloch has always been popular with…
Pipis in white wine (cockles)
Growing up we’d head to the beach to get pipis, mainly for fish bait but also for eating. Going at low tide so that we’d be able to get them at the shoreline, trousers rolled up and our thongs (flip flops) precariously hanging on to our feet as the waves rolled in. Once a wave…
Pink, gin cured salmon (gravlaks)
Over the last few years this has been my go to recipe for entertaining, as it’s perfect as a canape or a starter. It’s vibrant colour, thanks to beetroot, easily wows guests without too much effort. I first came across gravlaks when traveling around Scandinavia, where it features in open-faced sandwiches mainly. So this can…
Meringue roulade festive log
If you’ve seen my recipe for Christmas Truffles, you’ll know that I usually make an ice cream version of the classic Christmas pudding for Christmas dessert. This year I wanted make something a little different, as I’ll be arriving home on the 22nd and won’t really have much time messing around with soaking dried fruits…
Chinese-style dumplings (Jiaozi)
Hands up who loves dumplings! And if you’re not nodding right now and thinking yes, well then I don’t know if we can be friends. I LOVE dumplings. I love everything about them. Making them, and most importantly eating them. They’re quite cathartic to make, the methodical assembly is quite soothing. When it comes to…
Festive cranberry bread
Having grown up in a country where Christmas is during the summer, I really enjoy the contrast of the lead up to Christmas where there’s a chill in the air and towns are sparkling from all the festive lights, like here in Ireland. Whilst I love looking at the Myer Christmas windows on a balmy…
Mulled wine cranberry sauce
It’s that time of year, when the days get shorter and colder that I appreciate the joy that is mulled wine. Huddled outdoors, at a Christmas market, gloved hands grasping a warm glass, and quietly sipping away. It’s something that isn’t popular in Australia, where pretty much all drinks are served icy cold. It’s something…
Fried chicken and waffles with a twist
Another little nod to my backpacking days, traveling around the USA as a teenager, here’s my version of fried chicken and waffles. I know that I have previously said that I’m not a massive fan of fried food, as stated here, but who can resist a little home fried chicken atop a tasty waffle?! The…
Icelandic- style lamb soup (kjötsúpa)
I’ve been fortunate enough to have visited Iceland twice so far, and hopefully I’ll be lucky enough to visit many more times to come. It is a country that really does take your breath away, with scenery that is unique and a landscape that is constantly changing. Iceland is known for it’s lamb and this…
