This homemade Italian giardiniera is a colourful mix of cauliflower, fennel, carrot, celery and red capsicum, lightly cooked in a white wine vinegar brine with garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns and mustard seeds. The vegetables retain plenty of bite while absorbing the bright, aromatic flavours of the pickle. The inspiration for making giardiniera came after a…
Category: Appetizers
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…
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…
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…
Roasted Bone Marrow with Gremolata
I was planning a dinner party for friends who really know their food, and I wanted a starter that would impress without keeping me stuck in the kitchen all night. I’ve made the mistake before of choosing something too fussy, and it meant I missed out on half the fun at the table. That’s when…
Spanish Garlic Clams with White Wine (Inspired by Barcelona Markets)
Perched elbow-to-elbow at a bustling bar inside Mercat de la Boqueria in Barcelona, watching the chefs work their magic behind the counter. Among all the vibrant seafood and sizzling plates, one dish stood out for its simplicity and unforgettable flavour—clams, cooked fast and served hot with plenty of crusty bread to mop up the juices….
Grilled Mussels with Garlic Herb Crumbs
A tray of mussels under the grill—shells nestled together, golden crumbs crackling on top—is one of those dishes that always draws a crowd. It looks impressive, smells incredible, and takes almost no time to prepare once the mussels are steamed. We eat a lot of seafood at home—my son’s a total seafood fanatic and hasn’t…
Baked Brie with Honey, Figs, Walnuts and Thyme
There are times in life when only cheese will do—and for me, that time is often. I’ve been known to spend far too much time and money indulging my love of cheese. My favourite place for a proper cheese fix is The Stinking Bishops in Enmore—a small, dimly lit bar where you can sit all…
Steak Tartare
Steak tartare is a French classic that celebrates the delicate flavour and texture of raw beef, finely diced and paired with vibrant, tangy accompaniments. This recipe for steak tartare uses eye fillet (known as beef tenderloin in the USA) for its buttery softness and melt-in-the-mouth quality. Topped with a rich egg yolk and served with…