(Update: For VDP No. 14, click here) Coronavirus Lockdown – 2021 Here we are in July in Melbourne, 2021, and we are in lockdown again. Other states and territories too have been locked down when Covid outbreaks occur in the community, having escaped from our hotel quarantine system. Each lockdown only means several dozens of infections, or even less than …
Tartiflette – A creamy gratin from The Alps!
The Savoie and Haute-Savoie are two regions in the east of France. They are on the edge of the Alps, bordering Switzerland and Italy. With a cool alpine climate, Savoyarde food is heavy but delicious, with potatoes, cheese and other dairy items dominating. Some years ago we spent a week at Chamonix. One morning we caught the gondola up the …
Asparagus – One Of The Most Versatile Vegetables!
The asparagus season in Australia starts around the beginning of September – maybe August in some regions. Imported asparagus can be obtained all year round, but it is the local season that one waits for. And then you have an abundance of a vegetable that is so easy to work with, has a lovely flavour and texture and which is …
Lockdown Tryouts – The Oven!
Covid-19 lockdown has given everyone plenty of opportunities to experiment with their cooking, to go back to old favourites and to try out some of those newspaper cut-out recipes. Not everything we have tried has worked but we are generally very pleased rather than disappointed. In this post we include some savoury successes from the oven. Cazuela – An Argentinean …
Virtual Dinner Party No. 12 – With an Apple and Honey Pancake Gâteau from 1973!
(Update: For VDP No. 13, click here) Coronavirus Lockdown Mid-September in Melbourne 2020 and we are still in lock down, possibly until mid-October. We are largely confined to our homes. Country Victoria has fewer restrictions, while the other states of Australia have resumed fairly normal lives and lifestyles. We were pleased when our Adelaide friends were in contact to organise …
Virtual Dinner Party No. 10 – With an Elegant Fish Soup from 1973!
(Update: For VDP No. 11, click here) Coronavirus Lockdown August in Melbourne 2020 and we were back in lock down for six weeks. We are largely confined to our homes. However, that only applies for the state of Victoria; other states have moved back towards a free lifestyle. We and our two Melbourne friends were keen to have another VDP …
Making The Impossible! No. 5
My father had a huge garden and used to grow all sorts of vegetables. We loved practically all of them, but even the way Mum and Dad cooked them, we kids never really took to Brussels sprouts. They are tricky to cook well. They can be tough or unevenly cooked. Overcook them and they can turn mushy. Worst though is …
Virtual Dinner Party No. 9 – Cauliflower Soup, Garfish, Ranch Dressing, Latvian Layered Cake
(Update: For VDP No. 10, click here) Coronavirus Lockdown Well in Melbourne we were out of lock down for about six weeks, though still with social distancing in place. But then the virus got away from us and so for two weeks we have been largely confined to our homes again. However, that only applies for the state of Victoria; …
Virtual Dinner Party No. 6 – Scallops, Salmon, Pears!
(Update: For VDP No. 7, click here) Coronavirus Lockdown With most of us in self-isolation or even total lockdown, a VDP (virtual dinner party) is one way to catch up with friends and to continue to test your cooking skills. We have now had a number of VDPs. Here is the link to the first of those: Virtual Dinner Party …
Virtual Dinner Party No. 5 – A Malay-Italian Menu!
(Update: For VDP No. 6, click here) Coronavirus Lockdown With most of us in self-isolation or even total lockdown, a VDP (virtual dinner party) is one way to catch up with friends and to continue to test your cooking skills. We have now had a few VDPs. Here is the link to the first of those: Virtual Dinner Party No. …