MARCH 2022
A new local, Bistro Francais we like it a lot. Our first restaurant review in four years, with fortnightly reviews to follow, reviews that will be supporting our favourite Adelaide restaurants and bars. Click on the image to go to the review. And, yes many of them will be our friends and colleagues but after 43 years in the industry we’re bound to have a few friends in the trade [and a few enemies!!!]
POSTED March 18, 2022
FEBRUARY 2022
Leather jackets oven baked with oyster sauce. Rather ugly delicious, we did add a couple of sprigs of thyme to the package, but this is more a method than a recipe. Click on the image to go to the recipe.
POSTED FEBRUARY 13, 2022
New recipe, Smoked Tomato Sambal, a modern dish from the Malaysian Kitchen. This does not override Olive’s Chilli Sambal, it is nowhere near as hot, or complex, but in some ways a little more useful, especially since it uses loads of tomatoes. Try it with rice and crispy fried fish. Click on the image to go to the recipe.
POSTED FEBRUARY 5, 2022 AO
Pumpkin tendrills are delicious. Steam lightly and add to salads or if you have an excess serve as you would any greens.
Stuffed and fried zucchini and pumpkin flowers are a staple of the Italian kitchen. A bit of work but worth the effort. A favourite filling is ricotta flavoured with pesto and a nice crispy beer batter or Panko breadcrumbs and a dab of roasted garlic aoili.
POSTED FEBRUARY 1, 2022 AO
january 2022
A new coffee ice cream recipe, more coffee flavour a little less sugar perfect for summer iced coffee click on the image.
POSTED JANUARY 3, 2022 AO
december 2021
Delicious hot or at room temperature, can be made in-advance and proof for the ‘Zucchini Hater’that zucchinis can be utterly delicious click on the image.
POSTED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AO
I was making passionfruit and mango trifle but have instead been requested for the Tarte au Citron [lemon tart]…subsequently named ‘the tears tart’ because many budding pastry chefs stuffed it up so often and were reduced to tears. The recipe will follow in January with very specific instructions and so video. So stay tuned!
We will be posting plenty of salads in the coming weeks quite a few vegan and mainly vegetarian.
POSTED DECEMBER 23, 2021 AO
Want to do the perfect baked ham…….click here
We’re having mango and passionfruit trifle, alcohol free, with mango ice cream…links to recipes, a combination of many will follow next week.
Weihnachten Stolle is on the list for next week. They make a terrific gift and are just divine with coffee and Champagne Christmas morning. There’s the added bonus of undeserved appreciation, conversion of marzipan detesters and corny love notes like ‘you’ve stollen our hearts’. What’s not to love and so easy click here
POSTED DECEMBER 8, 2021
It’s the South Australian cherry season and we have a number of great cherry recipes, but our favourite remains the classic French Cherry Clafoutis….click on the image above.
And below our cherry favourite salad….it’s stunning at the best of times, but if you’re in a festive mood and the European Christmas truffles have arrived 30-40g of finely shaved black truffles makes this beyond heaven…click on the image below.
POSTED DECEMBER 8, 2021
last exhibtion - november 2021
Click on the image above to read more about Ann Oliver’s art and forthcoming exhibitions
UPDATED FEBRUARY 1, 2022
october 2021
Another soufflé in our continuing soufflé class. Cauliflower and Truffle, with an excellent seasonal twist that’s converts it to an asparagus soufflé. Don’t be scared the secrets are explained! click on the image.
POSTED OCTOBER 18, 2021
The dos and don’ts of the successful soufflé and the a la minute savoury soufflé base that will take you almost everywhere…..click on the image
This is just the beginning of mastering the soufflé!
POSTED OCTOBER 7, 2021
september 2021
Three ice creams, oldies but goodies, to go with the up and coming dessert soufflés click on the images
POSTED SEPTEMBER 21, 2021
july 2021
Austria’s most famous soufflé the Salzburger Knockerln! The easiest of all soufflés and the start of our complete soufflé class in the coming two months. For those of you have attended previous classes there are some updates to some recipes and at the end we will post downloadable set of notes.
click on the image
TRANSFERRED FROM THE OLD GALAXYGUIDES JULY 30, 2021
It’s the Seville orange season. No other variety of orange makes such fabulous marmalade. Our friend the late Margaret Hetzel’s recipe is the best!
TRANSFERRED FROM THE OLD GALAXYGUIDES JULY 18, 2021
june 2021
Pomelo so delicious and versatile. Click on he image for extraction methods and recipes.
POSTED JUNE 27, 2021
may 2021
It’s the olive season….everything you need to know about curing olives……easy, inexpensive and better than most commercially available olives…click on the image.
re-posted 25 May, 21
Waste not want not try this excellent eggplant relish click on the image to go straight to the recipe.
posted 15 May, 21
Curly endive so delicious and so infrequently served; everything you need to know how to prepare it and our very favourite ‘endive and potato salad’ click on the image
Posted 3 May, 2021
april 2021...oops been painting!
Picked up the brushes for the first time in four years and very focused it is a solitary craft.
Solo exhibition coming up end November 2021…stay tuned!
march 2021
Traditional Genovese Pesto….a la Stefano Riccioni
Click on the image to go straight to the recipe posted 11 March, 2021
Gougeres so simple [if you follow the rules] so very delicious. Even better the mix can be made the day before and cooked to order. A truffle and a pesto version.
Click on the image to go straight to the recipe
We’re atheists but we love to celebrate Christian and Pagan traditions alike and Easter is the next festival on the horizon….one of our favourites the Russian Pashka! This is a wonderful Easter treat and really helpful to planning Easter meals as it is best made three or four days in advance,
Click on the images ot go straight to the recipes
FEBRUARY 2021
The perfect late summer combination…new blackberry ice cream and a couple of Ann Oliver classics. So much to do, so much to enjoy!
Click on the images ot go straight to the recipes
For all you zucchini haters try this wonderful recipe and never look back. More Zucchini recipes to come…click on the image to go straight to the recipe.
and…….don’t forget, it’s the plum and pear season….use the search to find recipes. The images take you to links but don’t forget to check pickling and preserving.
We’ll be putting up a number of excellent pear recipes next week. The Adelaide Hills pear season is now in full swing. Such a versatile fruit either sweet or savoury.
posted 7 February 2021
JANUARY 2021
KIS KIF….keep it simple keep it fresh…real fast food seasonal ideas click on the image.
posted January 16, 2021
Cherry Clafoutis the queen [or king] of the classic French cherry recipes…. click on the image to go straight to the recipe.
posted December 31, 2020
posted December 21, 2020
It’s our friend Lina Verrilli’s [Patlin Gardens] birthday Saturday December 4 and we made her a special cake with a nod to her Italian heritage…. click on the image to go straight to the recipe.
posted December 4, 2020
november 2021
Painting, painting, painting….’Mainly Flowers’ goes to a limited list.
POSTED DECEMBER 1, 2021
october 2021
Another soufflé in our continuing soufflé class. Cauliflower and Truffle, with an excellent seasonal twist that’s converts it to an asparagus soufflé. Don’t be scared the secrets are explained! click on the image.
POSTED OCTOBER 18, 2021
The dos and don’ts of the successful soufflé and the a la minute savoury soufflé base that will take you almost everywhere…..click on the image
This is just the beginning of mastering the soufflé!
POSTED OCTOBER 7, 2021
september 2021
Three ice creams, oldies but goodies, to go with the up and coming dessert soufflés click on the images
POSTED SEPTEMBER 21, 2021
july 2021
Austria’s most famous soufflé the Salzburger Knockerln! The easiest of all soufflés and the start of our complete soufflé class in the coming two months. For those of you have attended previous classes there are some updates to some recipes and at the end we will post downloadable set of notes.
click on the image
TRANSFERRED FROM THE OLD GALAXYGUIDES JULY 30, 2021
It’s the Seville orange season. No other variety of orange makes such fabulous marmalade. Our friend the late Margaret Hetzel’s recipe is the best!
TRANSFERRED FROM THE OLD GALAXYGUIDES JULY 18, 2021
june 2021
Pomelo so delicious and versatile. Click on he image for extraction methods and recipes.
POSTED JUNE 27, 2021
may 2021
It’s the olive season….everything you need to know about curing olives……easy, inexpensive and better than most commercially available olives…click on the image.
re-posted 25 May, 21
Waste not want not try this excellent eggplant relish click on the image to go straight to the recipe.
posted 15 May, 21
Curly endive so delicious and so infrequently served; everything you need to know how to prepare it and our very favourite ‘endive and potato salad’ click on the image
Posted 3 May, 2021
april 2021...oops been painting!
Picked up the brushes for the first time in four years and very focused it is a solitary craft.
Solo exhibition coming up end November 2021…stay tuned!
march 2021
Traditional Genovese Pesto….a la Stefano Riccioni
Click on the image to go straight to the recipe posted 11 March, 2021
Gougeres so simple [if you follow the rules] so very delicious. Even better the mix can be made the day before and cooked to order. A truffle and a pesto version.
Click on the image to go straight to the recipe
We’re atheists but we love to celebrate Christian and Pagan traditions alike and Easter is the next festival on the horizon….one of our favourites the Russian Pashka! This is a wonderful Easter treat and really helpful to planning Easter meals as it is best made three or four days in advance,
Click on the images ot go straight to the recipes
FEBRUARY 2021
The perfect late summer combination…new blackberry ice cream and a couple of Ann Oliver classics. So much to do, so much to enjoy!
Click on the images ot go straight to the recipes
For all you zucchini haters try this wonderful recipe and never look back. More Zucchini recipes to come…click on the image to go straight to the recipe.
and…….don’t forget, it’s the plum and pear season….use the search to find recipes. The images take you to links but don’t forget to check pickling and preserving.
We’ll be putting up a number of excellent pear recipes next week. The Adelaide Hills pear season is now in full swing. Such a versatile fruit either sweet or savoury.
posted 7 February 2021
JANUARY 2021
KIS KIF….keep it simple keep it fresh…real fast food seasonal ideas click on the image.
posted January 16, 2021
Cherry Clafoutis the queen [or king] of the classic French cherry recipes…. click on the image to go straight to the recipe.
posted December 31, 2020
posted December 21, 2020
It’s our friend Lina Verrilli’s [Patlin Gardens] birthday Saturday December 4 and we made her a special cake with a nod to her Italian heritage…. click on the image to go straight to the recipe.
posted December 4, 2020
october 2021
Another soufflé in our continuing soufflé class. Cauliflower and Truffle, with an excellent seasonal twist that’s converts it to an asparagus soufflé. Don’t be scared the secrets are explained! click on the image.
POSTED OCTOBER 18, 2021
The dos and don’ts of the successful soufflé and the a la minute savoury soufflé base that will take you almost everywhere…..click on the image
This is just the beginning of mastering the soufflé!
POSTED OCTOBER 7, 2021
september 2021
Three ice creams, oldies but goodies, to go with the up and coming dessert soufflés click on the images
POSTED SEPTEMBER 21, 2021
july 2021
Austria’s most famous soufflé the Salzburger Knockerln! The easiest of all soufflés and the start of our complete soufflé class in the coming two months. For those of you have attended previous classes there are some updates to some recipes and at the end we will post downloadable set of notes.
click on the image
TRANSFERRED FROM THE OLD GALAXYGUIDES JULY 30, 2021
It’s the Seville orange season. No other variety of orange makes such fabulous marmalade. Our friend the late Margaret Hetzel’s recipe is the best!
TRANSFERRED FROM THE OLD GALAXYGUIDES JULY 18, 2021
june 2021
Pomelo so delicious and versatile. Click on he image for extraction methods and recipes.
POSTED JUNE 27, 2021
may 2021
It’s the olive season….everything you need to know about curing olives……easy, inexpensive and better than most commercially available olives…click on the image.
re-posted 25 May, 21
Waste not want not try this excellent eggplant relish click on the image to go straight to the recipe.
posted 15 May, 21
Curly endive so delicious and so infrequently served; everything you need to know how to prepare it and our very favourite ‘endive and potato salad’ click on the image
Posted 3 May, 2021
april 2021...oops been painting!
Picked up the brushes for the first time in four years and very focused it is a solitary craft.
Solo exhibition coming up end November 2021…stay tuned!
march 2021
Traditional Genovese Pesto….a la Stefano Riccioni
Click on the image to go straight to the recipe posted 11 March, 2021
Gougeres so simple [if you follow the rules] so very delicious. Even better the mix can be made the day before and cooked to order. A truffle and a pesto version.
Click on the image to go straight to the recipe
We’re atheists but we love to celebrate Christian and Pagan traditions alike and Easter is the next festival on the horizon….one of our favourites the Russian Pashka! This is a wonderful Easter treat and really helpful to planning Easter meals as it is best made three or four days in advance,
Click on the images ot go straight to the recipes
FEBRUARY 2021
The perfect late summer combination…new blackberry ice cream and a couple of Ann Oliver classics. So much to do, so much to enjoy!
Click on the images ot go straight to the recipes
For all you zucchini haters try this wonderful recipe and never look back. More Zucchini recipes to come…click on the image to go straight to the recipe.
and…….don’t forget, it’s the plum and pear season….use the search to find recipes. The images take you to links but don’t forget to check pickling and preserving.
We’ll be putting up a number of excellent pear recipes next week. The Adelaide Hills pear season is now in full swing. Such a versatile fruit either sweet or savoury.
posted 7 February 2021
JANUARY 2021
KIS KIF….keep it simple keep it fresh…real fast food seasonal ideas click on the image.
posted January 16, 2021
Cherry Clafoutis the queen [or king] of the classic French cherry recipes…. click on the image to go straight to the recipe.
posted December 31, 2020
posted December 21, 2020
It’s our friend Lina Verrilli’s [Patlin Gardens] birthday Saturday December 4 and we made her a special cake with a nod to her Italian heritage…. click on the image to go straight to the recipe.
posted December 4, 2020
march 2021
Traditional Genovese Pesto….a la Stefano Riccioni
Click on the image to go straight to the recipe posted 11 March, 2021
Gougeres so simple [if you follow the rules] so very delicious. Even better the mix can be made the day before and cooked to order. A truffle and a pesto version.
Click on the image to go straight to the recipe
We’re atheists but we love to celebrate Christian and Pagan traditions alike and Easter is the next festival on the horizon….one of our favourites the Russian Pashka! This is a wonderful Easter treat and really helpful to planning Easter meals as it is best made three or four days in advance,
Click on the images ot go straight to the recipes
FEBRUARY 2021
The perfect late summer combination…new blackberry ice cream and a couple of Ann Oliver classics. So much to do, so much to enjoy!
Click on the images ot go straight to the recipes
For all you zucchini haters try this wonderful recipe and never look back. More Zucchini recipes to come…click on the image to go straight to the recipe.
and…….don’t forget, it’s the plum and pear season….use the search to find recipes. The images take you to links but don’t forget to check pickling and preserving.
We’ll be putting up a number of excellent pear recipes next week. The Adelaide Hills pear season is now in full swing. Such a versatile fruit either sweet or savoury.
posted 7 February 2021
JANUARY 2021
KIS KIF….keep it simple keep it fresh…real fast food seasonal ideas click on the image.
posted January 16, 2021
Cherry Clafoutis the queen [or king] of the classic French cherry recipes…. click on the image to go straight to the recipe.
posted December 31, 2020
posted December 21, 2020
It’s our friend Lina Verrilli’s [Patlin Gardens] birthday Saturday December 4 and we made her a special cake with a nod to her Italian heritage…. click on the image to go straight to the recipe.
posted December 4, 2020
web site last updated MARCH 18, 2022
finding what you want
Kaaren Palmer Champagne
Love Champagne, want to know more click on the image.
october 2020
posted October 14, 2020
Dillon Kesur’s terrific Buttermilk Bread click on the image.
Posted October 13, 2020
Proving, working with yeast, some common sense tips… click on the image.
Posted 13 October, 2020
September 2020
Steamed egg yolk with crème fraiche and seaweed pearls
Click on the image to go straight to the recipe.
Posted September 24, 2020
Everyone’s favourite, even, apparently Queen Elizabeth’s… Crème Caramel! Click on the image to go to the recipe.
Posted 24 September, 2020
August 2020
a great find
I’ve always made my own Boudin Noir [akka black pudding] once a year for an annual Bastille Day dinner and although there have been a few commercial ones over the years they did not cut it for me. Still, I’m always up to try a new product when I see it. Pacdon Park are a very pleasant surprise…they are great! We have used their black pudding a couple of times. Once warm salad with squid [caught by my bro] confit cured snook, Pacdon Park blood pudding, walnut truffle vinaigrette to universal enjoyment. Last night crumbed and fried pigs ears, Pacdon Park blood and white pudding, radish [from the garden], truffled smoked roasted garlic mayonnaise, lemon. The latter was a great combo and annoyingly made the main course look lame. I hate it when I do that!!!
On the back of their packaging are cooking tips one of which we disagree with. They advise peeling the skin after cooking. Hot and difficult to handle this would be pretty messy. It is much better and simpler to skin the sausages before cooking. Both their black and white pudding peel very easily. Our favourite [probably personal] is the blood pudding which is very stable when fried and handled carefully. The white pudding is a little softer and requires slightly more careful handling. Properly seasoned steel pan or quality non-stick is the easiest.
posted AO 21 August, 2020
nettle gnocchiletti
An introduction to common winter weeds….click on the image.
ruby grapefruit and oysters
Winter Fennel from Janni Kyritsis divine Warm Fennel and Pernod Oysters, to really tasty winter salads starting with Fennel Slaw and a great Fennel Top Mayonnaise that is the making of this really great Fennel Slaw.
posted 14 May, 20
Lilly Pillies
Lilly Pillies…this Australian native can be found just about everywhere. Best of all they are most likely going to be free! click here for tips and ideas.
posted August 23, 2020
SOMETHING DIFFERENT!
A little on the wild side, cured and pork fat confit snook [Fairfish South Australia], grilled squid, smoked marinated bitter lettuce, smoked garlic truffle dressing, roasted walnuts.
We have a free pattern available click here. Very easy to make!
These masks are dangerous if not washed correctly. They must not be worn for more than four hours at a time….throughly washed and dried [preferably in the sun] and ironed with a very hot iron.
PLEASE write your names on your mask, DO NOT exchange masks with anyone. This means not even a member of your family.
Click on the image above Apple Crumble Brioche…we made a variation yesterday using a 4 egg [half rest of recipe] Pam Field’s Sponge
FRIANDES…so delicious!
From the French kitchen and oh, so delicious straight from the oven…click on the image to go straight to the recipe.
make your own masks
The best of both seasons winter oysters, candied grapefruit rind, shallot is a combination that leaves guests fighting for the last…..click here
A lot more great recipes for oysters raw and cooked can be found in our recipe index from the top navigation.
Green Tomato Chutney Version Three click here
july 2020
BUTTERMILK SOUR DOUGH
Really delicious buttermilk sour dough including making and maintaining a sourdough starter click on the bread image below.click on the image.
june 2020
posted June 13, 20
Chocolate Coated Oat Biscuits very, very good! click here
posted 11 June, 20
may 2020
in praise of pies
Some excellent technical information including the classic French lidded pie click here
posted 21 May 20
Fish and Fennel Pie click here
posted 30 May, 20
Pickled Pine Mushrooms a great way to preserve the abundance of the 2020 South Australian mushroom season and until the jars are opened…no refrigeration required…click here
posted 27 May 20
posted 10 May, 20
Pickled Pine Mushrooms…really delicious and a great way of preserving the glut.posted 9 May, 20
We’ve added a video showing how to clean pine mushrooms click hereposted 9 May, 20
White Cabbage Coleslaw a favourite with almost everyone when lovingly made.posted 7 May, 20
sauerkraut, coleslaw, hot cabbage salad, red cabbage and red cabbage slaw with roasted walnuts and semi dried satsuma plums…posted 6 May, 20
it’s chicken tonight
Classic French style garlic chicken, truly ‘ugly delicious’ add potatoes to the pan and you have a one pan perfect dinner click here for the recipe.
a perennial oldie but a goodie!
Above, not new, but proof that vegan food doesn’t need to be tasteless muck. Beware two of us nearly ate what was intended for four. Inspired by reading a recent Australian Gourmet Traveller daily email I knew immediately the recipe idea could be taken in a different direction. It is super delicious warm or at room temperature but the fridge would kill it! click here
Don’t be afraid to take any of our recipes in a different direction. Snow peas may still be good to go, but when asparagus and broad beans have long since gone …instead try snow peas, spring onions, quickly blanched cos or iceberg refreshed in ice and water.
The Fairies Sponge 2020 click on the image
posted November 22, 2020
left…………..Garth Oliver’s pickled onions click on the image. House-made pickling vinegar has been added to the recipe.
updated December 4, 2020
the best ever chocolate tart...!
the perfect
roast pork belly
click here to go straight to the recipe
Melbourne
Poor, poor Melbourne. We can’t wait for Melbourne to be open again and COVID19 behind us. We adore Melbourne for its vibrant food and art scene and unique shopping especially vintage …….take a nostalgic journey with us ….. click here
Click on the image to go to
Kaaren Palmer’s guide on where to drink Champagne in Melbourne!
Why we love induction
This is just this is just start as we have realised a much more in-depth article is required, especially explaining the advances in induction cooktops….click here Our rec ommendations are based on first hand experience using induction hotplates in our own kitchen with items that we have purchased and, other kitchens both domestic and commercial where we have had the opportunity to have a play or talk to chefs who use them on a daily basis.posted May, 2018
We finally have the time to look at
Two amazing books purchased last year…Torrablanca 2 and Ramon Morato’s Chocolate, so much to try…so much to learn!
This week I’m going to have a go at their inside out puff pastry.
Buyer beware
We all buy on-line, but how often do you take the time to read the terms and conditions? Well a recent experience we have had trying to return a domestic sous-vide appliance while still under warranty started with a demand for a $24 payment for return postage, followed by a list of fairly unacceptable terms and conditions that may have cost as much as we could buy a new one. It led us to take a look at the terms and conditions of similar equipment to discover vastly different warranty options.
Still working on this one as it has turned into a much more complicated piece than expected. Add to that we don’t have the benefit of a legal team and need to make sure our facts are absolutely right.
you can never have too many books
Why aren’t the French fat?
The very first thing you notice in France today is the lack of overweight residents. Then you notice the abundance of excellent bread, still baked twice daily; this is followed by exquisite melt in the mouth pastries, that eaten in excess would surely lead to obesity. The French still take weekends and free time seriously and the shopping/market day is Saturday. They patiently queue at the best butchers, the fromagerie, the poultry shop…well they queue everywhere good produce it to be found.