Stuffed calamari is one of those dishes I’ve wanted to make for years. Whenever I saw it on a menu, I’d order it. Whenever I travelled through southern Italy, I’d take notice of how different restaurants approached it. Some were baked, some simmered in tomato sauce, some heavily stuffed and others surprisingly simple. It’s the…
Category: Seafood
Venetian Sweet and Sour Sardines (Sarde in Saor)
We ate Sarde in Saor standing at a little bacaro in Venice, spritz in hand, picking up silky sweet-and-sour sardines with tiny forks while people spilled into the laneway around us. It was one of those perfect travel food moments where something simple becomes unforgettable. If you’ve never had it before, Sarde in Saor is…
Spanish Seafood Rice (Arroz con Marisco)
This Spanish seafood rice looks like paella, but it’s actually much simpler to cook. It’s a looser, home-style dish made with prawns, clams and mussels — no special pan, no strict rules, just something that works. This is the kind of seafood rice you’ll find cooked at home in Spain. It’s built around what looks…
Marinated Octopus with Celery, Capers & Olives
I had a version of this marinated octopus salad at a small bar in Surry Hills that I haven’t stopped thinking about. It arrived almost instantly, which made perfect sense once I tasted it — everything had clearly been prepared ahead and allowed to sit. The octopus was tender, the celery just softened, and it…
Spanish White Bean & Clam Stew (Fabes con Almejas)
This Spanish white bean and clam stew is a simple, deeply flavourful dish made with tender beans and fresh clams in a light, savoury broth. Known in Spain as Fabes con Almejas, it’s the kind of recipe that feels rustic but surprisingly elegant. I first had Fabes con Almejas in Oviedo, in northern Spain. White…
Prawns with Nectarine Salsa
There’s something about summer that has me reaching for quick seafood dishes, and this one has become a new favourite in our house. I first made it after a beautiful market haul — perfectly ripe nectarines, bunches of coriander, and a bag of sweet medium prawns from Faros. It’s the kind of recipe that feels…
Tuna Crudo Recipe with Olive Oil & Lemon
This tuna crudo recipe is a simple way to serve fresh tuna with olive oil, lemon and a few sharp, salty elements for contrast. I’ve been thinking about doing a tuna crudo for a long time. It’s one of those dishes that feels deceptively simple, but only really works when the fish is excellent and…
Oysters with Finger Lime Dressing
I’ve always loved finger limes — their flavour is bright and aromatic, like lime but more floral, with tiny pearls that burst like citrus caviar. I even bought a finger lime tree at a market once because I wanted an endless supply. Sadly, it didn’t survive my little garden, so I’ve been waiting months for…
Pan-Seared Salmon with Mexican Salsa
Busy weeknights call for meals that come together quickly, and this Pan-Seared Salmon with Mexican Salsa is exactly that. It’s the kind of healthy salmon recipe you can pull together in under 30 minutes — fresh, vibrant, and satisfying without feeling heavy. Golden pieces of salmon meet a colourful Mexican-inspired salsa made with charred corn,…
Quick Garlic Prawn Noodles (20-Minute Dinner)
We love noodles in my house — they make a regular appearance at least once a week in various forms, from stir-fries to soups. But this is the one I always come back to. These Quick Garlic Prawn Noodles are my go-to when the day has completely gotten away from me and I need something…