Baked rhubarb with vanilla meringues

Rhubarb is the flavour of the month, it seems. Our family are rhubarb lovers, and I often poach it with raspberries for us to put on our morning meusli or yoghurt. It tends to turn schmooshy, which doesn’t matter for breakfast, but I wanted to try roasting it in the oven to see if I…

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Roasted capsicum soup with spiced oil

It is time for soup in our part of the world and this roasted capsicum soup with spiced oil is a wonderful change from the usual pumpkin or potato and leek soup that are favourites in our family. The capsicums are roasted and then gently simmered with some tomatoes, garlic and vegetable stock. Roasting capsicums…

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Chocolate cake for serious chocolate lovers

Chocolate cake speaks to me of home – birthdays, happy smiles on children’s faces, and the comfort of good conversation with a well loved, old friends. I suppose the first cake I ever made was a chocolate cake and my love affair with them has continued ever since. This cake is both fudgy and rich, but not…

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Sweet chilli sauce – with a kick

Chillis were on special at the shops this weekend, and all sorts were available – long red ones, bird’s eye, Scotch bonnets, Jalapenos, green chillis and more. I bought a heap of long, red chillis and set to work making sweet chilli sauce. My recipe is based on one from an old Donna Hay cookbook,…

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Honey glazed carrots

This recipe exemplifies what I mean when I talk about simple food. Only the lightest touch of cooking is given to these sweet little Dutch carrots, but that is all that is needed. Naturally delicate, Dutch carrots are just beautiful when steamed until tender and then glazed with butter and a drizzle of honey. It’s…

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Herby vegetable soup

This soup is one of the easiest I have ever made, and it also only takes about 20 minutes to prepare and cook. It tastes fresh and clean, and leaves a warm glow inside, the way a good soup should. The most humble vegetables – carrots, leeks and zucchini – when combined with good quality…

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Lamb burgers with good things

Saturday lunch requires something easy and tasty, as the weekend mornings are often full of busyness and household chores. These lamb burgers fit the bill at our place, and they are packed with wonderful ingredients like garlic, pine nuts, chilli and cumin. Served on turkish bread with roasted capsicum, hummus and a minty fresh greek…

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Sesame snaps – a snappy snack

This treat is very easy to make and although not something to eat every day, it satisfies the occasional (or frequent) cravings we all have for sweet things. It’s quite nutty in flavour because of all the sesame seeds. It’s also gluten free, so great to take to a party if you or someone in…

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Caramelised onion tarts

Caramelised onion is a wonder food. The humble onion, when cooked slow and long to release its natural sugars transforms into a sticky, sweet and savoury taste sensation that adds incredible flavour and richness to a simple host of foods – steak, roast beef sandwiches, root vegetables and more. In this recipe I celebrate caramelised…

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Apple crumble – made with love

Simple food does not always mean quick to prepare, cook and serve. Simple food for me, is a celebration of natural flavours, seasonal produce, a lack of artifice and loads of love. This apple crumble takes some time to prepare – the apples are peeled, cored and sliced by hand before gently stewing – but…

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