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# Craig Cooks

everyday experiments with food

## Sitemaps

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## Posts

- [Making Sushi](https://craigcooks.com.au/making-sushi/) - You're supposed to sing "making sushi" to the tune "making whoopee"! I've been getting into Japanese cooking a LOT, so you can expect a few posts on this. I ordered a couple of rice moulds and this is the first time I've used this one. It doubles as a little lunchbox. Some of these are
- [Tapas Internationalé](https://craigcooks.com.au/tapas-internationale/) - For the last couple of years we have watched the Eurovision Grand Final while eating freshly made tapas. Sometimes they are themed to particular countries, but this year it was all a bit more random. Here's the menu! Served with sherry, Adelaide Hills bubbly and a Cab Merlot.
- [Spaghetti Carbonara](https://craigcooks.com.au/spaghetti-carbonara/) - Since I haven't posted for a while, here's a photo while I get back on my bike. Spaghetti carbonara. Home made pasta tossed with grana padano. Prosciutto briefly pan-fried. Egg cooked sous vide on 63C for an hour. Fresh thyme. Perfect.
- [Slow-cooked Spanish Lamb](https://craigcooks.com.au/slow-cooked-spanish-lamb/) - Here's a variation of a dish that I've cooked on a charcoal BBQ a number of times. I call it Spanish Lamb and it consists of studding a lamb leg or shoulder with slivers of garlic clove, seasoning with salt and pepper, then smothering it with tomato paste and oregano (fresh or dried), and then
- [Roast Cauliflower Soup with Coconut and Turmeric](https://craigcooks.com.au/roast-cauliflower-soup-with-coconut-and-turmeric/) - This is a tasty soup enriched by the roasting of the caulflower. The recipe is from Laura Davidson's website A Beautiful Plate and is apprently adapted from this cookbook. I only had half a small cauliflower (instead of 2) so I ended up adding less coconut milk (I had coconut cream), and it was still
- [Three Middle Eastern Dips](https://craigcooks.com.au/three-middle-eastern-dips/) - I love learning about Middle Eastern cooking. I love the flavours, colours, mixture of savoury and sweet, and I also particularly like serving a table full of different plates of food where everyone can help themselves. As well as making flatbread, I like making simple, tasty, colourful dips. Here are two regulars on our table
- [Roast Cauliflower & Spiced Honey Carrots with Whipped Hummus](https://craigcooks.com.au/roast-cauliflower-spiced-honey-carrots-with-whipped-hummus/) - I sometimes say "This dish is going on the Cafe Menu" - which means that if I were ever to start a cafe, this dish would be on the menu. I've gathered together three of Yotam Ottolenghi's ideas and added a bit. Serves 2 people. Whipped Hummus I'm not even sure if Ottolenghi uses this
- [Sweet Potato, Feta and Onion Quiche](https://craigcooks.com.au/sweet-potato-feta-and-onion-quiche/) - This is a tasty and simple quiche. The recipe is from Delicious magazine and is here. I made Maggie Beer's Sour Cream Pastry instead (with added thyme leaves). We had been given the eggs from a friend so they were local and fresh. It's great so try it. [Shortly after taking the photo, the quiche
- [Pan-fried Swordfish](https://craigcooks.com.au/pan-fried-swordfish/) - This a fabulous and relatively simple dish from Gary Mehigan. Gary and George's Your Place or Mine is a really great cookbook. The recipes are tasty, a bit different (in a good way) and not too difficult. Some are super-easy. I highly recommend it. Yes I amended the recipe a bit... Ingredients 100g dried figs
- [Roast Turmeric Butter Cauliflower](https://craigcooks.com.au/roast-turmeric-butter-cauliflower/) - The roast cauliflower part of this recipe comes from Duncan Welgemode's Africola, a remarkable testament to the Adelaide restaurant of the same name. I've paired it with a lentil, tomato and roast capsicum curry topped with raisins and pine nuts, some home made hummus and flatbread. The cauliflower is simmered for 10 minutes before being
- [Seven Spice Chicken with Flatbread](https://craigcooks.com.au/chicken-with-flatbread/) - Here's my middle eastern chicken with flatbread. I'm on the hunt for good but simple flatbread recipes, and this recipe from Gourmet Traveller did the trick. I did however add twice as much water, and then had to add more flour and yoghurt to compensate! Nevertheless, I'm standing by the recipe! The chicken recipe came
- [Chinese Braised Duck](https://craigcooks.com.au/chinese-braised-duck/) - Last night I made a slight variation on this recipe from Taste. The sauce was good, and more importantly the duck cooking method worked really well. The duck marylands were cooked in a pan, skin side down, on low heat for 15 mins, then skin side up for 5 mins. Then they were covered in
- [Muscat Braised Goat](https://craigcooks.com.au/muscat-braised-goat/) - It all started with Swedes. Not Abba. Tonight's dinner is based on a James Kidman recipe from his wonderful book Renaissance. It's out of print. I bought a kilo of goat offcuts for $10 reduced from $20. I used to buy half a goat at the Adelaide Markets for $9 a kilo. Then the price
- [Pork with Apple Parsnip Puree](https://craigcooks.com.au/pork-with-apple-parsnip-puree/) - We made panko-crumbed pork loin with crispy parsnip skins. baked fennel, an apple-parsnip puree and poached leek with a mustard vinagrette. It was pretty good and I'm posting a couple of elements here so as not to lose them. The puree recipe came from F00d52 with slight amendment. It's a great site, so please go
- [Lemon Verbena Ice Cream](https://craigcooks.com.au/lemon-verbena-ice-cream/) - After they mentioned lemon verbena on Masterchef a hundred times, I finally decided to buy a plant when we moved to Melbourne two years ago. We made ice cream and tea. Over the first winter i thought the plant had died. It can back and flourished! Lemon verbena smells and tastes amazing. Dried leaves in
- [KFC Korean Fried Chicken](https://craigcooks.com.au/kfc-korean-fried-chicken/) - The other day I had a rushed introduction to making KFC - Korean Fried Chicken wings. Thanks to COVID lockdown, a lunch meeting moved from Gami Chicken to Zoom. I was challenged to make my own fried chicken so I did. Korean fried chicken is a serious thing, apparently. I've never eaten it or made
- [Steamed Pork Buns](https://craigcooks.com.au/steamed-pork-buns/) - I have a goal of becoming a bun gun. That's right, a dumpling king. It's going to take years of practice so I might as well get started. Neil Perry's Spice Temple is my guide. It has a great array of different kinds of dumplings with recipes for dough and filling. The other night I
- [Sardines on Toast](https://craigcooks.com.au/sardines-on-toast/) - Sure, it's more fancy than sardines on toast. The dish is based on a recipe from The Sydney Broadsheet cookbook published by the Broadsheet City Guide. I have both the Sydney and Melbourne cookbooks which are. full of excellent cafe and restaurant meals - tasty, complex, and capable for home cooks. I love sardines. Healthy
- [Pumpkin and Goat Cheese Ravioli](https://craigcooks.com.au/pumpkin-and-goat-cheese-ravioli/) - We have a glut of pumpkin. Last night I made this easy and tasty cheat's ravioli using gow gees dumpling pastry. This made about 18 ravioli which is enough for 3 people. The quantities are all very approximate! 2.5 to 3 cups of roast pumpkin 100gms of soft goat cheese 2 to 3 tbsp grated
- [Hot Sauce Week](https://craigcooks.com.au/hot-sauce-week/) - I was given a bunch of these chillies this week so I thought I'd dive into making hot sauce! I've made BBQ sauces quite a few times, mainly from or inspired by the ones in this book. I can't find it in print any more. It has 8 basic sauces from different regions in the
- [Cauliflower Cheese Soup](https://craigcooks.com.au/cauliflower-cheese-soup/) - Here's a remake of an old favourite. This is adapted from Moosewood Restaurant Low-Fat Favourites - a must-have in every kitchen. I admit I tend to up the fat content at every opportunity though... Before you start, make parmesan crisps. Grate some parmesan finely. Using a ring, make parmesan rounds on baking paper, or better
- [Fermenting Gear](https://craigcooks.com.au/fermenting-gear/) - I though I'd post about my two fermenting tools. You can spend a lot of money buying ceramic crocks for hundreds of dollars. And yes, I'd love to! However you can get started more easily with some cheaper gear. The Masontops Fermentation Kit is an excellent way to get started. You get 4 plastic breathing
- [Lacto-fermented Chilli Sauce](https://craigcooks.com.au/lacto-fermented-chilli-sauce/) - Hot sauce #4 is going to be a lacto-fermented sauce using this recipe from the Great British Chefs' website. I've used up the rest of the bonnet peppers which are quite variable in heat. I'll post some more photos as the fermentation develops. I'm really enjoying learning about pickling and fermenting. We possibly have more
- [Habanero Mango Curry Sauce](https://craigcooks.com.au/habanero-mango-curry-sauce/) - Is this the final hot sauce? Not sure yet! This one will blow your head off. It's adapted from a recipe in Big Flavours of the Hot Sun by Chris Schlesinger and John Willoughby. This is one of my all-time favourite cookbooks for spice. I bought it on sale at Barnes and Noble in Dallas
- [Mango Mustard Chilli Sauce](https://craigcooks.com.au/mango-mustard-chilli-sauce/) - Here's chill sauce #5. It's from the Guardian website and the link is here (recipe at the bottom of the page). I've only made one and a half bottles. I was searching on jerk sauces and ended up here, maybe because of the reference to Jamaica. (I must add that I'm going to try the
- [Two More Hot Sauces](https://craigcooks.com.au/two-more-hot-sauces/) - So far I've made three hot sauces, with more on the way. Tropical Chipotle Sauce - see previous post here. Green Papaya Chilli Sauce This is an uncooked sauce, which apparently can be stored in the fridge for up to six months. I put half a dozen of my red bonnet peppers in it, not
- [Pickles and Chutney](https://craigcooks.com.au/pickles-and-chutney/) - At the end of summer we're pickling all kinds of things. Here are a few that we've bottled. Stephanie's Bread & Butter Zucchini Pickles from The Cook's Companion This of course is a cooking Bible and therefore essential in every kitchen. We had a surfeit of yellow squash and I was looking for a simple
- [Grand Final Sausage Rolls](https://craigcooks.com.au/grand-final-sausage-rolls/) - Today should be the Australian Rules Football Grand Final - it is always the last Saturday in September. Thanks to COVID-19 and a late start to a shortened competition, the Final is going to be a month late. Nevertheless, why not still make Grand Final Sausage Rolls. Eat some today and freeze some for next
- [Feta and Lamb Gozleme](https://craigcooks.com.au/feta-and-lamb-gozleme/) - Tonight I made gozleme for the first time, and it turned out really well. I hunted my cookbooks and online for recipes, and they were all varied. Some had yeast and some didn't. Some were flour and oil. Some included yoghurt. In the end I based it on this recipe from Gourmet Traveller. I made
- [BBQ Whiting with Tarragon Butter Sauce](https://craigcooks.com.au/bbq-whiting-with-tarragon-butter-sauce/) - Here's my first attempt at a dish from Josh Niland's remarkable and scary cookbook "The Whole Fish". Josh is renowned for using the whole fish. THE WHOLE FISH. I surprised the person at the local fish market (a favourite haunt) when I said that I wanted to scale and gut the whiting myself. Having done
- [Baked Cauliflower with Chickpeas](https://craigcooks.com.au/baked-cauliflower-with-chickpeas/) - Here's my second baked cauliflower. I used the same spice mix as last time. 2 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp black pepper 1/4 tsp sea salt 1/4 cup olive oil (add a bit more if needed) Double the above quantity if needed. This was
- [Spinach and Ricotta Gnocchi](https://craigcooks.com.au/spinach-and-ricotta-gnocchi/) - Here's a different way to make ricotta gnocchi from my previous Ricotta Gnocchi with Scampi Tails. This comes from the brilliant Zuni Cafe Cookbook by Judy Rodgers. The book is packed with great descriptions of method. Whereas the previous recipe mixed the ricotta with flour, this one simply rolls the cheese mixture in flour. Ingredients
- [Mushroom & Cheese Pie](https://craigcooks.com.au/mushroom-cheese-pie/) - Here's my mushroom, cheese and leek pie. I'm extremely happy. It's only the second or third time I've made pastry by hand. I usually use Maggie Beer's sour cream pastry which you blitz in a blender. Also it's the second time I've tried to make a lattice, and thanks to a Youtube lesson, it worked!
- [Veg & Miso Pasties](https://craigcooks.com.au/veg-miso-pasties/) - Last night we made these pasties from Helen Goh's recipe in the Good Weekend magazine. I made the filling and my partner made the dough. The dough unusual in that it is made with hot water. 150g plain flour 150g wholemeal flour 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp black pepper 160g unsalted butter rubbed into the
- [Quinoa & Sweet Potato Burger](https://craigcooks.com.au/quinoa-sweet-potato-burger/) - I've become quite a fan of Martin Nordin's Green Burgers, which I bought at bargain price some time ago. Since we're in COVID-19 lockdown mode, we're taking the opportunity to try some new recipes. I varied the patty recipe slightly, and the additions. For 6 burgers 600g 0r 3 medium sweet potatoes - bake in
- [Gnocchi, Proscuitto & Feta](https://craigcooks.com.au/gnocchi-proscuitto-feta/) - My basic gnocchi recipe comes from Philip Johnson's fabulous book classic e'cco and I've previously blogged about it here. I love making gnocchi and am finally confident about it. I've been very light on the flour and the amount of mixing, but this last time have been increasing it a bit as the last couple
- [Red Emperor in Ancho Sauce](https://craigcooks.com.au/red-emperor-in-ancho-sauce/) - Here's a beautiful piece of Red Emperor fish. The sauce is made from a dried ancho chilli, blackened garlic and onion, and tomato. I pan-fried the fish on both sides and then finished it in the sauce. This is a mini-tagine so the lid was on for a bit. I added corn, sliced spring onion
- [Orange and Coriander Flathead](https://craigcooks.com.au/orange-and-coriander-flathead/) - This is simple and tasty. Flathead tails rolled in freshly ground coriander seeds, black pepper and salt, pan-fried. Carrot puree - boil carrot for about 25 mins. Puree with butter and a little cream. Cauliflower - mixed with olive oil and salt. Baked at 200C for about 25 mins. Corn - cob boiled for 10
- [Smoked Jalapeno Cheese Sausages](https://craigcooks.com.au/smoked-jalapeno-cheese-sausages/) - After tasting some sensational sausages at Sethro's BBQ in Geelong, Victoria, I had to try making my own. I looked at a few recipes and then added some of my own ideas. Here's my recipe. 2 kg pork shoulder, minced 2 tsp garlic powder 2 tsp onion powder 2 tsp smoked paprika 3 large jalapeno
- [Kingfish with Campari and Orange](https://craigcooks.com.au/kingfish-with-campari-and-orange/) - Last night's entree consisted of oysters with a kingfish carpaccio with an orange and Campari dressing. The recipe came from Delicious magazine, Issue 191, April 2019. Delicious is a fantastic magazine and I recommend that you subscribe. Dressing 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 1/2 tbsp Campari Zest of 1 orange 2 tbsp orange
- [Dukkah-crusted Garfish](https://craigcooks.com.au/dukkah-crusted-garfish/) - I've been remiss in not posting lately. Here's a recent plate of dukkah-crusted garfish with carrot puree, baksed cauliflower, charred capsicum, parsley and yoghurt. I've previously made this with garfish fillets, but this time cooked whole garfish. The dukkah crumb recipe comes from Greg and Lucy Malouf's fabulous book "Malouf". 50 hazelnuts 8 tbsp sesame
- [Steamed Asian Scallops](https://craigcooks.com.au/steamed-asian-scallops/) - Since moving to Victoria I've been spoilt by seafood choices, with several markets around. A big shout of the "The Big Fish" Fish Market at Carrum Downs for fantastic fresh fish, every single day. This is the first time I've bought "live" scallops. This simple steamed scallop recipe comes from Ken Hom's "Hot Wok". It's
- [Lamb and Pistachio Kofte](https://craigcooks.com.au/lamb-and-pistachio-kofte/) - I cooked this yesterday. We didn't have any currants so I replaced them with some prunes and raisins. This is such an excellent, simple and tasty way to make 'rissoles' with a difference. I have to say that I added pureed chillies to my plate. It needed more kick! I have a couple of similar
- [Duck with Blood Orange and Star Anise](https://craigcooks.com.au/duck-with-blood-orange-and-star-anise/) - Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi are my favourite chefs at the moment. Not only are Ottolenghi's restaurants famous, the cookbooks are sensational. Here's our second experiment with blood orange. One my aims on this blog is to share my own inventions, but also to share one great recipe from one of the cookbooks on my
- [Pomegranate and Pistachio Couscous](https://craigcooks.com.au/pomegranate-and-pistachio-couscous/) - Here's a relatively simple but colourful salad. Ingredients 2 cups couscous cooked in chicken stock Spinach leaves 1 cup pistachios, roasted and chopped 1 cup semi-dried figs, sliced 2 blood oranges, peeled and segmented Fried haloumi slices 1 pomegranate - bottom half on platter, seeds from top half scattered over Juice of half a lemon
- [Beetroot, Walnut and Feta Salad](https://craigcooks.com.au/beetroot-walnut-and-feta-salad/) - So the summer of salads has begun. Ingredients Mixed lettuce leaves 2 medium-sized beetroot 1/2 small red onion, sliced thinly Walnut pieces Sugar Feta Rind of 1/4 of a preserved lemon, diced finely 2 tbsp chopped parsley 2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves 2 tbsp date vinegar 4 tbsp olive oil Pomegranate syrup Salt and pepper
- [Herbed Couscous with Onion and Tomato](https://craigcooks.com.au/herbed-couscous-with-onion-and-tomato/) - Here is the accompaniment to tonight's Chermoula Chicken and Beetroot and Yoghurt dip with Pita bread. Couscous Oven- dried cherry tomato halves and fresh cherry tomatoes Chopped red onion caramelised with sugar and blood plum vinegar Toasted pepitas and slivered almonds Fried haloumi Fresh coriander and basil leaves Blood orange segments Diced red and green chilli
- [Zucchini and Smoked Salmon "Pasta"](https://craigcooks.com.au/zucchini-smoked-salmon-pasta/) - So we have this gizmo that turns vegetables into ribbons or strings like this. It works by hand. Here is zucchini 'pasta' with cherry tomatoes, leek, smoked salmon, capers, chilli, garlic, parmesan, basil and olive oil. Last time I blanched the 'pasta' and it went limp, so this time I simply microwaved it on 8/10
- [Orange and Pomegranate Cake](https://craigcooks.com.au/orange-and-pomegranate-cake/) - Today I've made this lovely looking Orange and Pomegranate cake from Diana Henry. The recipe is on her website here. This explains the cake part. It is a fantastic cake. My adapted recipe below is for the ice cream. It is supposed to be very moist, like a pudding, so I'm serving it with some
- [Orange, Beetroot and Fig Salad](https://craigcooks.com.au/orange-beetroot-and-fig-salad/) - Here's the first of the summer salads. 3 beetroots baked with olive oil, salt and balsamic vinegar, sliced thinly 2 oranges, peeled and sliced 3 figs, each cut into 6 wedges 1 1/2 tsp cumin seeds, toasted and crushed 1 1/2 tsp sumac 1 1/2 tbsp pine nuts, toasted Pomegranate seeds Goats chevre Chopped parsley
- [Sous Vide Moroccan Lamb](https://craigcooks.com.au/sous-vide-moroccan-lamb/) - I cooked a half leg of lamb for 15 hours overnight in the souse vide water bath. I use an Anova Precision Cooker stick and a Trespade Vacuum Sealer. The cooking time came from Dale Prentice's excellent book "At Home with Souse Vide" (stunning photos by my friend Mike Emmett and his friend Bec at
- [Baked Spiced Cauliflower](https://craigcooks.com.au/baked-caulflower/) - Here's my first attempt at baking a whole cauliflower and it was amazing. I looked online at some spice rubs and then made up my own. Rub the cauliflower with a mix of the following: 2 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp garlic powder black pepper sea salt 1/4
- [Beetroot & Blood Orange Salad](https://craigcooks.com.au/beetrot-blood-orange-salad/) - This isn't a new salad idea of mine, but here's last night's version. Ingredients 3 medium-sized beetroot, peeled and quartered 2 small to medium blood oranges, peeled and cut into segments 12-15 cherry or baby roma tomatoes Haloumi, cut into cubes or rectangles Seeds from 1/2 a pomegranate Handful of chopped parsley Pomegranate syrup Olive
- [Lebanese Charcoal Chicken](https://craigcooks.com.au/lebanese-charcoal-chicken/) - Yesterday I got out the battery-operated rotisserie for the summer. The chicken was dusted with Herbie's Lebanese Baharat spice mix, which is has wonderful Middle Eastern flavours. The chicken was stuffed with half a lemon, 2 garlic cloves and a knob of butter. I put more butter under the breast skin. I cooked it for
- [Roast Cauliflower and Chickpeas](https://craigcooks.com.au/roast-cauliflower-and-chickpeas/) - Here's a pretty tasty vegetarian dish that helped to used some Christmas leftovers. Happy with my plating for once. CauliflowerCut into florets. Toss with sea salt and olive oil. Bake in baking paper at 200C for 20-25 mins until it starts to change colour. Chickpea stewUsed canned chickpeas, or as I did, soak them overnight
- [Duck with Figs and Ginger Sauce](https://craigcooks.com.au/duck-with-figs-and-ginger-sauce/) - The is duck recipe comes from Diane Holuigue's "The French Kitchen." The figs are poached for 2 mins in a syrup of 2 tbsp sugar, 6 tbsp water and 1 tbsp brandy. The duck was pan-cooked and then baked. As always I had some difficulty getting the duck right. The sauce was made in the
- [Prawn and Smoked Trout Salad](https://craigcooks.com.au/seafood-salad/) - We've been eating a lot of seafood during very hot weather over the last few weeks. Yesterday I smoked a rainbow trout with 1/3 cup each of green tea, brown sugar and jasmine rice. I use an old wok lined with a few layers of alfoil and a circular wire rack to sit in it.
- [Roti Jala](https://craigcooks.com.au/roti-jala/) - Here's our second attempt a Roti Jala with a new and different cup (spouts on side) and a different recipe. The Malaysian chicken curry recipe that accompanied it will follow shortly. Roti Jala Recipe Type: Main Cuisine: Asian Author: Craig Mitchell Serves: Lots! Ingredients 600 g Plain Flour 1/2 tsp Salt 6 Eggs 100 ml
- [Black Bean Patties, Haloumi & Pickled Beetroot](https://craigcooks.com.au/black-bean-patties-haloumi-and-pickled-beetroot/) - I bought Martin Nordin's book about vegetarian burgers as a Christmas present, and liked it so much that I bought one myself. I've just started to make some of the burgers with my own little twist. Tonight I made the pattie but not the burger. 65g finely chopped onion 1/2 tsp mild chilli powder 1
- [Summer Shellfish Salad](https://craigcooks.com.au/summer-shellfish-salad/) - Here’s our Boxing Day lunch! A seafood salad with a Moroccan twist Summer Shellfish Salad Recipe Type: Salad Author: Craig Mitchell Prep time: 30 mins Total time: 30 mins Ingredients 2 Moreton Bay bugs Prawns Cos lettuce leaves Half a sweet potato 1 punnet of Cherry tomatoes 80 gms Feta cheese Pine nuts -
- [Vegetable Curry Soup](https://craigcooks.com.au/vegetable-curry-soup/) - Here's a soup that I made last night. we're still eating it so I added some zing tonight with toppings and some bread. This recipe will work with pretty much any combination of similar vegetables. Serves lots! Ingredients 1 large brown onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, crushed (not minced) 1/2 bulb of fennel, diced 2
- [Roast Cauliflower & Gnocchi](https://craigcooks.com.au/roast-cauliflower-gnocchi/) - Last night I made pan-fried potato gnocchi with roast cauliflower, a cheese sauce, parsnip chips, leek, pickled thyme leaves and a parmesan crisp. It was great! Serves 6 Place flattened circles of grated parmesan cheese on a silicon mat or baking paper and cook at 160C until melted and just starting to brown. You'll need
- [Broccoli and Cheese Soup](https://craigcooks.com.au/broccoli-and-cheese-soup/) - Here's a tasty and simple soup adapted from a recipe by Charlotte Binns-McDonald in Delicious magazine. Serves 6 Ingredients 1 large brown onion or 1 leek, diced 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced 3 cloves garlic - diced 750g broccoli - chopped (but shave some tiny bits off the top and save them to top
- [Roast Carrot Soup](https://craigcooks.com.au/roast-carrot-soup/) - I've just been reminded of this soup recipe that I made up almost a year ago. I'm posting it here so as not to lose it. This photo is from that week but it must in fact be a different soup as the following has tomato or pumpkin in it... Cut these up and roast
- [Cooking on Salt](https://craigcooks.com.au/cooking-on-salt/) - I've just bought a salt block from Williams Sonoma after looking online at a few. It comes from Pakistan. You can use it as a platter, cool it for cheeses or desserts, or heat it and cook at the table. I chose the Williams Sonoma one because of the size and the metal holder. For
- [Peach and Prosciutto Salad](https://craigcooks.com.au/peach-and-prosciutto-salad/) - It's summer here and our 'fruit salad' tree is finally full of peaches (red and yellow), but alas no nectarines yet. It is the first year that we've had any kind of peach harvest. So we're making peach pie, peach tart, peach chutney, and eating fresh peaches. Here's a simple salad Rocket lettuce (arugula) Red
- [Making Roti Jala](https://craigcooks.com.au/making-roti-jala-2/) - I've just made Roti Jala so I thought I'd post in more detail about this. This is a Malaysian lattice pancake that is used to soak up the sauce of a meal. Tonight we ate it with a Chicken Kapitan Curry and some stir-fried vegetables. We first ate Roti Jala when we visited Malaysia in
- [Smoked Tomato Achiote Pork](https://craigcooks.com.au/smoked-tomato-achiote-pork/) - Tonight I put a Mexican twist on a Spanish roast pork dish. The pork leg was studded with slices of 3 cloves of garlic. The pork was put in the following marinade for only a couple of hours and should have been longer. Marinade 50g tomato paste 1/2 cup red wine 1 tsp hot smoked
- [Haloumi and Goat Curd](https://craigcooks.com.au/haloumi-and-goat-curd/) - This past week I've made goat curd and haloumi for the first time. The goat curd is pretty easy. 4 litres of goat milk 1 sachet of cheese culture for goat chèvre (mine came from Green Living Australia). This is who I get most of my cheese supplies from. However Udder Delights shop in Hahndorf
- [Apple Pancake with Salted Caramel Ice Cream](https://craigcooks.com.au/apple-pancake-with-salted-caramel-ice-cream/) - I've finally made salted caramel ice cream for the first time. Boy, we'll be doing this again! Yum! After looking at a number of recipes, I used this one from Taste, which is based on a recipe by David Leibovitz here. However I didn't make the praline and just added extra sea salt into the
- [Toulouse Sausages](https://craigcooks.com.au/toulouse-sausages/) - A couple of nights ago I made a cassoulet, a French casserole with pork and duck. It is a truly divine thing. Confit duck or goose, tender slow-cooked pork, pork sausage, beans. When I've made it, I've varied it based on what is at hand. I've never had confit duck or goose at hand. To
- [Apple Crumble with Matcha Ice Cream](https://craigcooks.com.au/apple-crumble-with-matcha-ice-cream/) - Tonight I used my new silicon moulds to make matcha ice cream with a deconstructed apple crumble inspired by contestant Arum from Masterchef. Arum's recipe is here. The Matcha ice cream started with a packet of Matcha ice cream powder. The powder already had sugar and emulsifier in it. I made a custard with 500ml
- [Savoury Monkey Bread](https://craigcooks.com.au/savoury-monkey-bread/) - Last night we made this very tasty savoury monkey bread to eat with pumpkin soup, and today I'm eating the leftovers with butter for lunch. You can find the original recipe here. The toppings that we used were nigella seeds, ground pepitas, parsley + chives, ground almond, sesame seeds, chia seeds, Parmesan, ground wattleseed, ginseng spice
- [Mushroom Tarte Tartin](https://craigcooks.com.au/mushroom-tarte-tartin/) - Tonight I'm once again making a mushroom tarte tartin with button, oyster, shitake, swiss brown and enoki mushrooms, with leeks and feta on the bottom and topped with haloumi and goat curd. [Original recipe from Delicious magazine, July 2013] 500g mixed mushrooms - cut larger ones in half. Use an oven-proof frypan. Saute in 40g unsalted
- [Baked  Brie and Goat Cheese](https://craigcooks.com.au/baked-brie-and-goat-cheese/) - This evening the two of us shared this baked cheese meal with some things to dip and add. This recipe is adapted slightly from the one that came with the cheese baking container (with lid, not pictured). 1 piece of King Island triple cream brie (it was oblong rather than round, so it didn't fill
- [Mediterranean Lamb Shoulder](https://craigcooks.com.au/mediterranean-lamb-shoulder/) - Today I'm slow-roasting a shoulder of lamb. The lamb was studded with garlic slivers, then seasoned with salt and pepper and covered with tomato paste. I then sprinkled it with some smoked paprika, and added sliced lemon and cloves in the top. Oregano all around. Plus onion, white wine and water. Part way through I'm
- [Smoked Salmon Gnocchi](https://craigcooks.com.au/smoked-salmon-gnocchi/) - Last night I made gnocchi, using the tried and tested Philip Johnson recipe. The sauce was made from - 2/3 cup white wine, reduced by 2/3 - 2/3 cup cream - 1/2 cup grana padano or parmesan - 1/3 cup feta cheese - 1/4 cup mild blue cheese - 2 egg yolks to thicken Cherry
- [Seafood and Zucchini Pasta](https://craigcooks.com.au/gnocchi-with-smoked-trout/) - We have a zucchini glut, so we've been making "Zoodles" - pasta from zucchinis turned into noodles using a spiralizer. Google it. The zucchini noodles just need to be warmed in a microwave for 30 seconds, then add the rest of the meal. Tonight I added crab meat, prawns marinated in pesto and then seared.
- [Pork Sausages](https://craigcooks.com.au/pork-sausages/) - I'm still playing with sausage recipes. I should really write down the ingredient quantities... These are made with pork shoulder. #1 has my BBQ spice rub in the mince... sugar, salt, chilli powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, lemon pepper, cayenne pepper + garlic, orange zest and a dash of whisky. #2 has
- [Asian Prawn & Papaya Salad](https://craigcooks.com.au/asian-prawn-papaya-salad/) - BBQ prawns with glass noodles green papaya red capsicum snow peas coriander vietnamese mint basil eschallot leaves Dressing of chilli, garlic, lime juice, palm sugar, fish sauce dressing, a splash of soy sauce Fried shallots and crushed peanut on top I've decided that Asian salads are a thing.
- [Asian Tea-Smoked Trout Salad](https://craigcooks.com.au/asian-tea-smoked-trout-salad/) - This dish is a winner. I smoked the rainbow trout with equal quantities of brown sugar, jasmine rice and black tea. Next time I'll use jasmine tea. Tea-smoked rainbow trout Green mango Tomato Pomelo Garden leaves (purple kale, chard, nasturtium, eschallot) Garden herbs (vietnamese mint, thai basil-mint, coriander). Dressing from the brilliant Spirit House cookbook.
- [Vegetarian Pizzas](https://craigcooks.com.au/vegetarian-pizza/) - I'm going to catch up on some things I should have posted while ago, and hopefully get back on track posting more often. This pizza has tomato paste mozzarella, roasted cherry tomatoes mushrooms feta After it was cooked I added charred leeks shredded red witlof haloumi It was excellent. The other one, not photographed had
- [Vegan Canapés](https://craigcooks.com.au/vegan-canapes/) - Here's a simple recipe that I made up for a recent party. Slice some potato thinly (ideally using a mandoline). Choose potatoes that are circular in shape. Wash but don't peel them. I used Desiree potatoes. Place the potato slices in a bowl of clean water. Swirl them gently to separate them, then leave for
- [Coconut Lime Friand & Passionfruit Semi-Freddo](https://craigcooks.com.au/coconut-lime-friand-passionfruit-semi-freddo/) - Last night's dessert. Passionfruit semi-freddo from a Masterchef contestant - recipe here. (Yes the semifreddo is melting in the photo!) Lime and Coconut Friand - recipe here. I used coconut flour instead of plain flour, and as you will see there wasn't any icing on the outside. The mandarin pieces were dipped in a mandarin
- [Pineapple-Pepper Pork](https://craigcooks.com.au/pineapple-pepper-pork/) - Here's a pretty tasty dish that I concocted the other night. Roast rack of pork. Carrot mash cooked in orange juice with ginger slices (ginger removed before mashing) Red capsicum essence Sliced fresh Jerusalem artichokes Salsa of fried fresh pineapple, diced chilli with a little lime juice Kecap manis drizzled on top Fresh coriander leaves
- [Pork, Duck & Beetroot Sausages](https://craigcooks.com.au/pork-duck-beetroot-sausages/) - Yesterday I made up a new sausage recipe. After tasting them I'm going to tweak the recipe for next time, so here is my 'next time' recipe. 2kg pork shoulder and 4 duck breasts with skin, minced. 6 tbsp duck fat 1 head garlic confit, chopped (slow cooked in oil at 100-120C for about an
- [BBQ Kangaroo](https://craigcooks.com.au/bbq-kangaroo/) - A online cooking group was having a BBQ challenge this weekend, so I've made this kangaroo recipe for the second time, with a slight variation. The original recipe comes from the Kangaroo Industry Association's website. They have a recipe page which includes a downloadable recipe book with remarkable recipes from Australia's top chefs. This is
- [Tea-smoked Duck Salad](https://craigcooks.com.au/tea-smoked-duck-salad/) - This is the first time that I've cooked something form Neil Perry's "Spice Temple", although admittedly I changed the recipe somewhat. I got the book just before Christmas. The recipes look fantastic, the photography is stunning, and I can't wait to dip into it. I highly recommend that you check it out. The duck came
- [Cheesy Masa Toasts](https://craigcooks.com.au/cheesy-masa-toasts/) - A friend asked me for ideas for using masa, or corn flour, so I looked up Rick Bayless' "Mexican Kitchen" which is my most-used Mexican cookbook, full of fantastic flavour and recipes. He has a recipe for "Crusty baked masa boats".Well mine didn't turn into boats as I cooked them a bit too long in
- [Herbed Tomato Mustard](https://craigcooks.com.au/herbed-tomato-mustard/) - For the first time in a few years I made a batch of mustards for Christmas to give to family and friends. This neat little book, "Mustard" by Janet Hazen contains heaps of simple and tasty mustard recipes. As you can see I made five different kinds of mustard. The Muscovado (dark brown sugar) and
- [Ham and Mushroom Tarts](https://craigcooks.com.au/ham-and-mushroom-tarts/) - I made these tarts today using Christmas leftovers. Kanmantoo smoked bacon Newberry and Watson leg ham Sauted leeks and mushrooms Ricotta and some cubes of gruyere Basil Chopped black garlic Ground black pepper The above mixed with a beaten egg A small spoonful of caramelised balsamic onion in the bottom of each tart After backing
- [Christmas Beetroot and Plum Chutney](https://craigcooks.com.au/christmas-beetroot-and-plum-chutney/) - We've just harvested a stack of plums from our tree, although the birds got most of them while we were away. We had several large beetroot in the fridge so I did an internet search on beetroot and plum chutney recipes. I collected up four recipes, only two of which had plums in them. The
- [Christmas Lunch 2015](https://craigcooks.com.au/christmas-lunch-2015/) - Our Christmas meal is naturally something of a feast, with bits of preparation happening over several weeks, starting with the marinating with the fruit for the Christmas cake. It has become a bit of a tradition to produce a menu as follows (printed back to back and folded). ENTREES Served with St Ronan's Pear Cider
- [Quinoa Salad](https://craigcooks.com.au/quinoa-salad/) - Here's a salad idea from 2013 that I'm bringing over from my old blog's recipe page. The original recipe, which I varied, can be found here. This was my second time cooking with quinoa, which I struggle to enjoy. But this worked fine! Ingredients 3/4 cup quinoa, rinsed 2 tomatoes, diced or 1/2 punnet cherry
- [Brined BBQ Chicken](https://craigcooks.com.au/brined-bbq-chicken/) - As well as BBQing some marinated chicken hearts on rosemary branches the other day, I brined and BBQed a chicken with charcoal and hickory wood. I've never brined a chicken before, and it came up amazingly moist and tender. This simple brine recipe comes from "Slow Fire" by Ray Lampe. Heat 1 cup of water
- [Five Cheese Prawn and Pesto Pizza](https://craigcooks.com.au/five-cheese-prawn-and-pesto-pizza/) - We went to the Adelaide Cheese Festival on the weekend and came home with a swag of cheeses. Since we ALREADY had cheese in the fridge, the challenge is to eat it all. So this is a variation on a quattro formagio. Home-made pesto on the base. Then gouda, blue vein, ricotta, and goats cheese, garlic
- [Cajun Chicken Salad](https://craigcooks.com.au/cajun-chicken-salad/) - This worked really well, despite my initial doubts. Chicken marinated in lime juice and coriander leaves, then fried in cajun spices. Salad of radicchio leaves, red onion slices, cherry tomatoes, sliced snow peas, mandarin slices, radish slices, home-made feta, baby basil leaves. Orange juice squeezed over the top. Sea salt. Drizzled with orange-infused balsamic vinegar
- [Brioche Buns](https://craigcooks.com.au/brioche-buns/) - I've finally made decent brioche thanks to this recipe. My previous attempts have involved different recipes with a lot more butter. These were pretty perfect with Vietnamese pork and slaw.
- [Freekeh and Lentil Salad](https://craigcooks.com.au/freaked-and-lentil-salad/) - Although it's only spring, the weather has been warm enough to start making salads, and in the last year or two I've loved playing around with salads. This is relatively simple, colourful and healthy. 2/3 cup freekeh, cooked as per instructions 2/3 cup brown lentils, simmered with some salt for about 15 mins until crunchy
- [Spaghetti Puttanesca](https://craigcooks.com.au/spaghetti-puttanesca/) - I've been making pasta for years but only recently learned how to make it much better, thanks to Giorgio Locatelli's "Made in Italy". This spaghetti has 3 1/2 cups of flour, 3 eggs, 2 egg yolks and some salt. The trick is to knead the dough for 10 minutes after it is all combined, and
- [Blue Cheese](https://craigcooks.com.au/blue-cheese/) - So my cheese making is well and truly under-whey... (sorry, it had to be said.) Just made my fourth batch of feta, and experimenting with different brands of milk. We're lucky to have four dairies in our region that sell non-homogenised milk. I've also made one batch of camembert which went fairly well. Here is my
- [Corn Tortillas with Smoked Bacon](https://craigcooks.com.au/corn-tortillas-with-smoked-bacon/) - Last night I made my best ever batch of corn tortillas. I have a great love of Mexican food, and I've been making tortillas from wheat flour and corn (maize) flour for some years. Thanks to the most excellent book "Tacos" by Mark Miller (also full of fantastic recipes for fillings) I now understand corn
- [BBQ Rum & Coke Pork Belly](https://craigcooks.com.au/bbq-rum-coke-pork-belly/) - BBQ Rum & Coke Pork Belly Recipe Type: Main Ingredients 2-3 kg Pork Belly 2-2.5 liters Coca Cola 2 Star Anise 3 Cinnamon sticks 1/2 bunch Coriander leaves 2 Green Chillies (sliced) 500 g Sugar 500 ml Malt Vinegar 2 Red Chillies 200 ml Tomato Sauce 200 ml HP Sauce 100 g Horseradish (creamed) 100
- [Making Sourdough](https://craigcooks.com.au/making-sourdough/) - We've started making sourdough again, using a starter from sourdough.com. Here's our first loaf of multigrain. Off to a good start.
- [Slow-Cooked BBQ Pork](https://craigcooks.com.au/slow-cooked-bbq-pork/) - Recently I cooked Ray Lampe's "Competition-style Pork Butt" from his book "Slow Fire". I have several BBQ books and this is the first time that I've cooked from this one. Ray does well to explain the basics, but also has some great-sounding recipes such a "smoked maple-brined pork chops". The book has a range of dry
- [Pears with Rosemary-Honey Ice Cream](https://craigcooks.com.au/pears-with-rosemary-honey-ice-cream/) - Simple and worth repeating. Poached Pears Beuree Bosc pears poached whole in 1 litre of water and 750g sugar, one split vanilla bean and one cinnamon stick. Rosemary and Honey Ice Cream Recipe at Epicurious. Excellent. Plus Glace ginger slices from a packet (Buderim of course) Fresh ginger sliced, caramelised in a pan with sugar
- [Passionfruit Semifreddo with Blueberries](https://craigcooks.com.au/passionfruit-semifreddo-with-blueberries/) - This dessert is a take on a dish by Ashleigh Bareham on Masterchef 2015. The recipe was online but seems to have been taken down, so I'm glad I saved a copy. Here's my version. Passionfruit Semi-freddo Scoop the pulp from 4 passionfruit and strain the pulp. Keep the liquid. Whip 250ml cream to
- [Making Cheese](https://craigcooks.com.au/making-cheese/) - Yesterday I went to a cheese-making class organised by WEA and run by Sheree Sullivan who is the co-owner of Udder Delights, a local company and award-winning Australian cheese-maker. A very enjoyable and interesting morning making my first batch of feta. I learned a bunch of things that are probably well-known to others but not
- [Nectarine and Berry Tarts](https://craigcooks.com.au/nectarine-and-fruit-tarts/) - I made these the other day with some fruit leftover from Christmas. 2 punnets of redcurrant 2 punnet of blueberries 2 ripe nectarines These were simmered with some sugar, 2 pieces of orange rind, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 star anise, a few cloves and a splash of brandy and Cointreau. I strained off the
- [Christmas Dinner](https://craigcooks.com.au/christmas-dinner/) - Christmas dinner is something of a gastronomic event in our house. We decided to have the entree as lunch instead of with the evening meal. BBQ prawns marinated overnight in lemon and lime juice, garlic, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, chilli, black pepper and prawn oil. Served with a salad of cos lettuce, charred baby capsicum, cherry tomatoes,
- [BBQ Prawns with Thai Salad](https://craigcooks.com.au/bbq-prawns-with-thai-salad/) - The prawns were marinated in lime juice, olive oil, diced chilli, coriander and black pepper, then cooked on the BBQ. The salad consisted of lettuce leaves, sliced eschallots, diced mango, sliced avocado, chopped coriander and basil leaves, diced chilli. Topped with a dressing of fish sauce, lime juice and palm sugar, and toasted coconut slivers.
- [BBQ Sardines in Vine Leaves](https://craigcooks.com.au/bbq-sardines/) - So simple. Incredibly tasty. Fresh sardines marinated with garlic, oregano. olive oil. salt and black pepper. Wrap in blanched vine leaves. Cook on BBQ for about 3 minutes each side. Magnificent.
- [Blood Orange Sorbet with Strawberries](https://craigcooks.com.au/blood-orange-sorbet-with-strawberries/) - Our blood orange tree is bearing fruit for the second year. Last year we had one orange, but this year we have about 60, although they're not too large. I love the look, smell and flavour of blood oranges, so we hope to have many years of discovering what we can make with them. Giorgio
- [Duck Prosciutto](https://craigcooks.com.au/duck-proscuitto/) - I've just made by first batch of duck prosciutto, thanks to a simple recipe in Feast Magazine (Issue 36, October 2014). Tastes excellent. Duck Prosciutto Recipe Type: -- Cuisine: European Author: Feast Magazine Ingredients Two 40cm muslin squares Kitchen string Wire rack 2 Duck breasts 750 g Coarse sea salt 1 tbsp Fennel seeds (crushed) 1 tbsp
- [Roasted Veg with Caper Dressing](https://craigcooks.com.au/roasted-veg-with-caper-dressing/) - This is my take on a Ottolenghi recipe from "Plenty". You'll find the recipe here, although the vinaigrette is different in the book. In the book, the vinaigrette consists of 2 tbsp lemon juice 4 tbsp small capers 1/2 tbsp maple syrup 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds (optional) I varied vegetables,
- [Sardine, Caper and Radicchio Pizza](https://craigcooks.com.au/sardine-caper-and-radicchio-pizza/) - Pizza night is something of a religious ritual in our house. It happens about once a fortnight on a Saturday or Sunday evening. We almost always make 4 pizzas, since whatever isn't eaten on the night gets eaten after the next day or two. I can happily spend the better part of a day preparing
- [Cauliflower, Bacon and Caper Pasta](https://craigcooks.com.au/cauliflower-and-bacon-pasta-4/) - Here’s a recipe that I’ve adapted from “The Zuni Cafe Cookbook” by Judy Rodgers. Cauliflower and Bacon Pasta Recipe Type: Main Cuisine: European Ingredients 1 cup Bread crumbs 1/4 cup Olive Oil 1/4 head Cauliflower 1 Eschallots (sliced thinly) 1 tbsp Capers (chopped) 4 Bacon rashers 6 Garlic cloves 1 Red chilli (diced) 2 tbsp
- [Poached Pears in Red Wine](https://craigcooks.com.au/poached-pears-in-red-wine/) - Here's a pear recipe that I invented. Serves 8 (halve the recipe for 4). Simmer 1 bottle of red with 2 cups sugar until sugar dissolves. Add 3 star anise, 2 cinnamon sticks, 6 pieces of orange peel, 1 split vanilla bean and 4 tbsp brandy for 10-15 minutes until the flavours combine. Add 8
- [Roast Garlic & Cheese Tart](https://craigcooks.com.au/roast-garlic-and-cheese-tart/) - This is such an excellent dish. It's not too different from making a quiche. What makes it special is the sweet-sour roasted garlic and whatever combination of cheese you choose. My recipe is adapted from Yotam Ottolenghi's recipe in "Plenty". I've added the greens (and changed the cheeses a little). Yotam is my 'go to'
- [Easy Cheesy Scones](https://craigcooks.com.au/easy-cheesy-scones/) - Tonight I made a very tasty broccoli, bacon and cheese soup. We didn't have any bread to go with it, so my wife Yvonne whipped up this quick scone recipe handed down from her mother, Doris. Ingredients 2 3/4 cups self-raising flour (approx) 1 egg 150 ml cream 150 ml milk Salt Preheat oven to
- [Pesto Sardine Pizza](https://craigcooks.com.au/pesto-sardine-pizza/) - Pizza night here tonight. This was the standout. There are two ways that you can do this. 1. Marinate the sardines in 2 tsp pesto and brush the pizza base with garlic oil. 2. Marinate the sardines in garlic oil and brush the pizza base with pesto. On this occasion we did the first method.
- [BBQ Chicken Heart Skewers](https://craigcooks.com.au/bbq-chicken-heart-skewers/) - Yes, you read it correctly. When I was in Brazil in 2008 I ate some charcoal cooked chicken hearts and they were fantastic! No, really! So, when I saw chicken hearts at the supermarket this week... The first few I simply cooked quickly on high heat in a pan with smoked paprika and pepper
- [BBQ Paprika and Lime Chicken](https://craigcooks.com.au/bbq-paprika-and-lime-chicken/) - Chicken marinade 3 cloves minces garlic 1/3 cup garlic oil Juice of 2 limes 3 tbsp smoked paprika 3 tsp dried chiptole chilli flakes Zest of 1 lime Handful of chopped coriander Cracked black pepper Sea salt Served with fresh corn and tiny tomatoes from our garden, lime wedges and more coriander, with couscous on
- [Nonya Chicken Curry](https://craigcooks.com.au/nonya-chicken-curry/) - Nonya Chicken Curry Recipe Type: Main Cuisine: Asian This dish is similar to food that we ate in Malaysia in November 2013. We bought a few Malaysian cookbooks while in Penang. This is from "Nonya Flavours" by Debbie Toh and Julie Wong, Star Publications, 2010. Ingredients 4-5 tbsp Oil 1 Star anise 2 Cloves 1
- [Home-made crumpets](https://craigcooks.com.au/home-made-crumpets/) - These yummy things come from a Masterchef recipe that you can find here.
- [Ricotta Gnocchi with Scampi Tails](https://craigcooks.com.au/ricotta-gnocchi-with-scampi-tails/) - Thanks to some friends I've discovered this simple and tasty way to make gnocchi. 550 ricotta, strained in a cloth 100g "00" flour 1 egg 1/2 tsp fresh grated nutmeg 1 cup grated parmesan cheese 1 handful chopped mixed herbs - basil, thyme, parsley, sage Mix it all together gently and roll out into sausage
- [Barbecued Eggplant](https://craigcooks.com.au/barbecued-eggplant/) - Home-grown eggplant on the Webber. Just a bit of salt and olive oil, but the charcoal flavour makes it brilliant. So simple.
- [Heart and Soul](https://craigcooks.com.au/heart-and-soul/) - Kylie Kwong is an amazing chef, and I love her cookbooks. I haven't even cooked a lot of her recipes, simply because they usually require a bit more planning than I put in for dinner. Chinese cooking, both traditional but with all kinds of amazing twists. Here's what I love from this book -
- [Tuna, Vegetable, Herb and Feta Pasta](https://craigcooks.com.au/tuna-vegetable-herb-and-feta-pasta/) - This is pretty simple. Saute a small chopped onion in some olive oil. Add 1/2 cup white wine, a 200g cherry tomatoes, a handful of basil leaves and 1 tbsp green peppercorns. Simmer until for 3-4 minutes, then add other chopped vegetables. (I used kale and yellow squash from our garden). Continue to simmer until
- [Pumpkin Gnocchi with Bacon and Cheese Sauce](https://craigcooks.com.au/pumpkin-gnocchi-with-bacon-and-cheese-sauce/) - Pumpkin Gnocchi with Bacon and Cheese Sauce Recipe Type: Main Cuisine: European Ingredients 500 g Pumpkin (Peeled and chopped) 3/4 cup "00" Plain flour (Sifted) 1 Egg yolk 1 cup Parmesan cheese (Grated) Black pepper 1 small Brown onion (Peeled and diced) 2/3 cup White wine 1-15 Black peppercorns (Whole) 300 ml Cream 1 handful
- [Orange and Passionfruit Ice Cream](https://craigcooks.com.au/orange-and-passionfruit-ice-cream/) - This is an excellent summer ice cream dessert that I concocted the other day - a variation on a passionfruit recipe in our ice cream maker's recipe book. Orange and Passionfruit Ice Cream Recipe Type: Dessert Cuisine: Australian Author: Craig Mitchell Ingredients 3-4 Passionfruit 3 tbsp Orange zest 1 Egg 1 Egg yolk 3/4 cup
- [Grilled Peach, Chard and Fennel Salad](https://craigcooks.com.au/74/) - I've become a fan of Jamie Oliver's shared platters, so at least in the summertime they pop up fairly often in our house, either inspired by his "15 Minute Meals", or my own simpler creations like this. Yes, I could have added some goat's cheese, but I was saving that for dessert! Lettuce and baby
- [Mango, Avocado and Goat Cheese Salad](https://craigcooks.com.au/mango-avocado-and-goat-cheese-salad/) - Here's salad number 2 from my cooking adventure with my nieces. Mixed garden leaves - lettuce, chard, spinach Mango slivers Halved cherry tomatoes (the purple kind) Avocado Diced chilli Coriander Goats' cheese Toasted pine nuts Lime juice Dressing of honey and lemon juice We ate this with a bunch of skewers - King prawns in garlic,
- [Stir-Fried Mussels](https://craigcooks.com.au/stir-fried-mussels-2/) - Here's an excellent Kylie Kwong recipe from "Heart and Soul" that I've adapted slightly due to allergies in our family. Stir-Fried Mussels Recipe Type: Main Cuisine: Asian Ingredients 30-40 Mussels 1/2 Red Capsicum (chopped) 5 Spring onions (chopped) 3 cm Ginger (sliced thinly) 3 Garlic cloves (crushed) 1/2 Long red chilli (sliced) 1/2 Red onion
- [Bacon, Bean and Potato Fettucine](https://craigcooks.com.au/bacon-bean-and-potato-fettucine/) - This is adapted from a recipe from Locatelli's "Made in Italy". Bacon, Bean and Potato Fettucine Recipe Type: Main Cuisine: European Ingredients 1 Leek 3 Bacon rashers 2 Potatoes (peeled) 1 handful Green beans 2 tbsp Pine nuts (toasted) 4 tbsp Pesto 1/2 Large red chilli (diced ) 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese (shredded) 150 gm
- [Capsicum, Tomato, Olive and Haloumi Salad](https://craigcooks.com.au/capsicum-tomato-and-olive-salad/) - This is a very simple salad with gorgeous colours. Here I am playing with two of my nieces making dinner for their sisters' birthday dinner. The plating was a group activity. Multi-coloured baby capsicum (the supermarket had them in a pack), halved and briefly sautéed in a pan Halved cherry tomatoes (the purple ones) Sliced
- [Made In Italy](https://craigcooks.com.au/made-in-italy/) - "Made in Italy" is the Italian Food Bible. Locatelli is the Stephanie Alexander of Italy. His book was recommended by my friend Rob who is co-owner of The Bunyip Scenic Rim Resort and an excellent cook. I bought the 600+ page hardcover version and I'm glad that I did. Locatelli's book is part biography, part food history,
- [Grilled Figs with Goats Cheese](https://craigcooks.com.au/grilled-figs-with-goats-cheese/) - Finally it's fig season here, and I just LOVE fresh figs. This dish is very simple. Brush figs with olive oil and place on foil under a hot grill. After a few minutes, remove figs, drizzle with honey and place back under grill for a few more minutes. Remove figs again, add a dollop of
- [Charred Zucchini, Capsicum and Feta Salad](https://craigcooks.com.au/charred-zucchini-capsicum-and-feta-salad/) - Since I was barbecuing beef on the Weber tonight, I also char-grilled some halved zucchini and red capsicum. Served up here with some sliced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, currants, freshly cracked pepper and salt, and drizzled with vino cotto. Tasty and looking sharp.
- [BBQ Corn with Chilli, Lime and Coriander](https://craigcooks.com.au/bbq-corn-with-chilli-lime-and-coriander/) - This is one of the best ways to cook corn. Bake it whole with the husk still on in an oven or on a BBQ. While corn takes only 8 mins to boil, it takes 20-30 mins to bake, but turns out SO much better. Take the husk off the corn, then cook it again
- [Plenty](https://craigcooks.com.au/plenty/) - "Plenty" is a brilliant vegetable cookbook from Yotam Ottolengi, owner of London's Ottolengi restaurant and writer of some wonderful cookbooks with his head chef Sam Taimimi. Ottolenghi's Middle Eastern cooking draws on Jewish and Arab influences as well as other African and Mediterranean cuisine with a modern twist. So far I've made (and love) his
- [BBQ Lamb Roast](https://craigcooks.com.au/bbq-lamb-roast/) - I was given a ThermoWorks ChefAlarm as a late Christmas present. It's designed for testing the temperature of meat as it cooks, particularly for a BBQ which is a temperamental beast. Recommended by Chris G. at Nibble Me This whose BBQ email I love. It's a pretty impressive device - probe and connecting wire are
- [Smoked Salmon and Fennel Pizza](https://craigcooks.com.au/smoked-salmon-and-fennel-pizza/) - Brush the pizza base with garlic oil. [What is garlic oil? Well, you bake a whole head of garlic, unpeeled, in olive oil for 130-140C for about 30mins, and then put the garlic and the oil in a bottle in the fridge, and you have amazing garlic and oil for weeks.] Next add halved, small
- [Making Roti Jala](https://craigcooks.com.au/making-roti-jala/) - We learned about Roti Jala on our recent trip to Malaysia, although we didn't see it or eat it there. It's a lacy crepe made with flour, egg and coconut milk. A cup with several holes in the bottom or side is used to pour the mixture into a pan. The roti is then folded
- [Tomato and Haloumi Pesto Pasta](https://craigcooks.com.au/hello-world/) - Here's a simple vegetarian pasta that I made up the other night. Slice half a large leek thinly. Saute it gently in butter until soft. Add 1/3 cup of white wine and reduce. When half of the liquid has evaporated, add halved cherry tomatoes and continue to simmer until the liquid reduces some more. Add

## Pages

- [Christmas Beetroot and Plum Chutney](https://craigcooks.com.au/christmas-beetroot-and-plum-chutney/) - We've just harvested a stack of plums from our tree, although the birds got most of them while we were away. We had several large beetroot in the fridge so I did an internet search on beetroot and plum chutney recipes. I collected up four recipes, only two of which had plums in them. The
- [Recipe Index](https://craigcooks.com.au/recipe-index/)

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- [Uncategorized](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/uncategorized/)
- [Pasta](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/pasta/)
- [Vegetarian](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/vegetarian/)
- [Asian](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/cuisine/asian/)
- [Malaysian](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/cuisine/asian/malaysian/)
- [Dessert](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/dessert/)
- [Ice Cream](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/dessert/ice-cream/)
- [BBQ](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/bbq/)
- [Lamb](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/meat/lamb/)
- [Pizza](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/pizza/)
- [Seafood](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/seafood/)
- [Meat](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/meat/)
- [Cookbooks](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/cookbooks/)
- [Salads](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/vegetarian/salads/)
- [Fruit](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/fruit/)
- [Chinese](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/cuisine/asian/chinese/)
- [Baking](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/baking/)
- [Bread](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/baking/bread/)
- [Poultry](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/poultry/)
- [Mexican](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/cuisine/mexican/)
- [Dairy](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/dairy/)
- [Cheese](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/dairy/cheese/)
- [Pork](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/meat/pork/)
- [Condiments](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/condiments/)
- [Biscuits](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/baking/biscuits/)
- [Kangaroo](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/meat/kangaroo/)
- [Soups](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/soups/)
- [Middle Eastern](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/cuisine/middle-eastern/)
- [Cuisine](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/cuisine/)
- [Pie](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/baking/pie/)
- [Preserving](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/preserving/)
- [Mediterranean](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/cuisine/mediterranean/)
- [Menus](https://craigcooks.com.au/category/menus/)

## Tags

- [sausages](https://craigcooks.com.au/tag/sausages/)
- [quiche](https://craigcooks.com.au/tag/quiche/)
- [sweet potato](https://craigcooks.com.au/tag/sweet-potato/)
- [eggs](https://craigcooks.com.au/tag/eggs/)
- [feta](https://craigcooks.com.au/tag/feta/)
- [cheese](https://craigcooks.com.au/tag/cheese/)
- [middle eastern](https://craigcooks.com.au/tag/middle-eastern/)
- [dips](https://craigcooks.com.au/tag/dips/)
- [yoghurt](https://craigcooks.com.au/tag/yoghurt/)
- [soup](https://craigcooks.com.au/tag/soup/)
- [cauliflower](https://craigcooks.com.au/tag/cauliflower/)
- [thai](https://craigcooks.com.au/tag/thai/)
- [rice](https://craigcooks.com.au/tag/rice/)
- [sushi](https://craigcooks.com.au/tag/sushi/)

## Courses

- [Main](https://craigcooks.com.au/?course=main)
- [--](https://craigcooks.com.au/?course=26)
- [Salad](https://craigcooks.com.au/?course=salad)

## Cuisines

- [European](https://craigcooks.com.au/?cuisine=european)
- [Asian](https://craigcooks.com.au/?cuisine=asian)