There are a few variations on this classic salt cod dish from the south of France. Basically, it is a purée of salt cod, olive oil, milk, garlic and sometimes potato and cream. Some cooks omit the garlic, I like it included. The Basques like it with peppers, tomatoes and garlic, the Bretons prefer it [...]
Yesterday, at Kureelpa, it was 38°C, with high humidity, until about 8.30pm, when a cool wind blew and the temperature fell. We had dinner guests and so I had spent the day in the very hot kitchen rather than the pool. I had planned my menu without factoring in the heat! One of the desserts [...]
Serves 4 - 6 Clafoutis is a rustic, country farm house, ‘batter style’, dessert, hailing from the Limousin region of France and is traditionally made with cherries. The original recipe calls for whole cherries with the pits in them, as the pits impart an almondy flavour; however, I always pit mine for more enjoyable eating. [...]
The International Wine and Food Society, Melbourne Branch, recently hosted a Masterclass in risotto cooking, presented by Beverly Sutherland Smith. The first dish was this ‘basic risotto’ as taught at the Swiss Hotel School in Lausanne in Switzerland’. The method of cookery is quite liberating as it requires very little stirring and, consequently, is very easy [...]
My food philosophy is to eat local food in season. The beginning of a new season is always exciting for those cooks who cook with seasonal produce; it allows enjoying a fresh new range of fruits, vegetables, meats and fish when they are at their best, at their most flavoursome and full of vitamins. Each [...]
Preparing for the weekend Italian classes, I was reading a lovely book called Acquacotta: recipes and stories from Tuscany’s secret silver coast, by Emiko Davies, given to me, recently, by my dear friend Jenny Peters. Along with some wonderful Tuscan recipes, Emiko mentions the story of Stone Soup or in Italian zuppa di sasso. This [...]
Guest Chef Edwina Golombek, from The House of Fusion, the residential culinary riad and cooking school, in Marrakesh, shared her Moroccan Berber omelette when she presented her Moroccan cooking classes here last year. It is also known in Morocco as Shakshuka. Originating in the deserts of North Africa, this omelette is served anytime of the [...]
This is ideal for a brunch party as the entire dish can be assembled the night before so all that’s left to do is bake it the next day. Serves: 8 500g country-style white bread, torn into 1-inch pieces ½ cup plus 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided Kosher salt 6 -8 roasted red capsicums 2 [...]
This is ideal for a brunch party, makes a great breakfast dish, side dish and dinner as well. It can be assembled the night before so all that’s left to do is bake it the next day. Serves: 8 500g country-style white bread, torn into 1-inch pieces ½ cup plus 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided Kosher [...]
Duck fat - the good news! Duck fat is a ‘good’ fat, rich in monounsaturated fats with a lower cholesterol than butter. We often cook duck breasts in our French Odyssey cooking classes and duck leg tagines in the Mediterranean - Touch of Spice classes and frequently people are amazed to hear that duck fat [...]
