Ciabatta – Italian Sandwich Loaves

Ciabatta - Italian Sandwich Loaves
I always thought ciabatta was a recipe from antiquity. But it was actually invented in 1982 by Arnaldo Cavallari as a response to the threat posed by French baguettes. It seems resistance to a foreign invader created a new cultural phenomenon. I’d tried making them before but failed to master manipulating the super wet dough ...

Galit’s Mushroom and Cheese Tarts

Galit's Mushroom and Cheese Tarts
Galit made her Mushroom and Cheese Tarts the other day. Kath Wattam, who was visiting, said “Galit’s mushroom pastries are *SO GOOD*. I don’t think I’ve ever tasted a better combination of mushrooms, pastry and eggs, and I’ve tried a lot of them.” Galit's Mushroom and Cheese Tarts A vegetarian main that is *SO GOOD*. ...

Basic Bread

Basic Bread
I love bread and make bread quite a lot. This is my basic recipe if I want to eat bread the same day I start making it. Pizza bases are probably our most common variation. Focaccia is Galit’s favourite bread variation including chopped fresh basil in the dough and sea salt sprinkled over the top. ...

Kath’s Knækbrød

Kath's Knækbrød
Kath Wattam served this up for brunch when we visit her in Copenhagen last week. We had eaten a delightful meal with a variety of cheeses on Knækbrød when we asked “Where can we buy some of these crackers?” It was only then we realised that Kath had made them herself. Fantastic. Great taste and ...

Fricassee – Traditional fried bread from Tunisia 1

Fricassee - Traditional fried bread from Tunisia
Fricassees are a traditional dish from Tunisia. Marie makes them every now and then for me as a treat. They are the real Tunisian sandwich before modern health consciousness replaced the fried bread with baguettes. This is just the recipe for the bread. The filling is the same as in any Tunisian sandwich, i.e. tuna, ...

Empanadas de Choclo: Sweet Corn and Cheese Pasties

Empanadas de Choclo: Sweet Corn and Cheese Pasties
Galit decided to put on a vegetarian Mexican dinner party. Bean burritos are a standard at our home but we wanted something extra. These empanadas have a creamy, sweet and salty filling. There is a bit of work in the pastry but it has a great texture and flavour – exactly what I want. Empanadas ...

South-East Asian BBQ Chicken

South-East Asian BBQ Chicken
Charcoal grilled chicken can be found from street vendors all over South-east Asia. I’d thought I’d try making some myself.  South-East Asian BBQ Chicken Steven Thomas A tender grilled chicken with a lovely yellow tint. Print Recipe Pin Recipe Ingredients  Chicken2.5 kg of chicken pieces e.g. chicken legs, drumsticks, etcFor marinade1 head of garlic peeled and chopped2 tablespoons of ground turmeric1 tablespoon of ground coriander2 teaspoons of ...

BBQ Grilling Times

BBQ Grilling Times
I’ve got a mate and his son staying at the moment. They quite like BBQ so we did a big cook up. I wanted to have all my notes for BBQ in one place, mainly cooking times, so here they are. All times assume turning the ingredient over half way through. I’ve got a Weber ...

Eti’s Pizza

Galit grew up thinking all Pizzas were vegetarian, and in our household that is true. I got the recipe from Eti Wainer-Iluz. One of Galit’s favourites – both Eti and the Pizza.  Eti's Pizza Eti Wainer-Iluz Print Recipe Ingredients  Ingredients for Bread Base1 teaspoon sugar2/3 cups warm water 1 part boiling to 2 parts cold20 g 4 teaspoons dry yeast or 50 g ...

Majadrah – Lentils, Rice and Onions

Back in the late eighties I was living in North Sydney. Most days I’d go down to the local Lebanese takeaway booth and buy a felafel roll. Very yum it was too. Not surprisingly after a couple of years of this I became friendly with the owner. One day, instead of my normal felafel roll, ...