I had the absolute pleasure of spending a few days with winner of the first Australian Masterchef, Julie Goodwin, last week. I can’t express just how lovely and down to earth she is. She welcomed me into her home and her life and I am incredibly grateful to have formed a friendship with someone I…
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Baked Brie with Garlic, Thyme and Chilli
When I crave something naughty, it’s not chocolate and sugar that I want. It’s cheese. I’m happy to unwrap a round of Brie and gobble the whole lot down with crackers, but let’s go crazy and go full monty here. Why not bake it? Yes that’s right, baked cheese. It’s incredible, the white rind holds…
Pasta with Pea Pesto, Bacon and Pinenuts
I have a family of pea haters. It all started with my husband, he claims it to be one of the foods he dislikes from his childhood (mashed potatoes is the other). I’m sure the gene was passed down to my children because as hard as I’ve tried they won’t touch peas. I, on the…
Brussel Sprouts with Chilli, Garlic and Bacon
Most people I know hate brussel sprouts. I don’t get it, but then again I didn’t grow up with them and I hear stories of smelly, overcooked sprouts that made you want to gag. I actually love them, and the baby ones are so much sweeter than the larger ones. The key is to cook…
Cookies and Cream Cheesecake
My kid’s favourite dessert ever. This cookies and cream cheesecake is simple to make, requires no cooking and is absolutely delicious. I’m not going to lie, this is decadent. Oreos are up there with the most calorific cookies you can buy, but there’s good reason for that. Intensely chocolatey, they turn this creamy cheesecake…
Florentines
I am a bit of a sucker for a good biscuit. I grew up having to do the rounds of all the Italian families for the “visits”. This usually meant Mum and Dad chatting and me sitting trying not to look bored. Oh how I wish we had Ipads and Iphones back then – my…
Watermelon Salad with Pistachio, Feta and Mint
This salad has become one of my new favourites. I just love the colour of the pink watermelon contrasted with the green pistachios and white feta. The freshness of the mint ties it all together. It doesn’t sound like it would taste that spectacular, maybe even a little weird, but seriously this is divine! The…
Best Ever Tomato Salad
I can’t remember a night this salad was missing from our family dining table since I was a little girl. Like all Italian food, simple ingredients that work so well together. Because it’s so simple you really need to use the best tomatoes you can get your hands on. There’s not much to it, ripe…
Leftovers Frittata
Use last night’s leftovers to make this delicious Frittata the whole family will love
Crostini with Honey Grilled Pears, Brie and Fresh Rosemary
Crostini with Honey Grilled Pears, Brie and Fresh Rosemary. An easy Italian canape.
