Food and gardening

Best food and gardening books of the month, with Chris Gordon

by Chris Gordon

The Mediterranean Cook by Meni Valle

Meni Valle is a teacher and a culinary tour guide in the Mediterranean. This is excellent news because it means her recipes are easy to follow, considered for a range of skill sets, and include a historical background to each dish. This is her sixth cookbook, and it captures the Mediterranean approach of dishes that spread from the early afternoon through to the evening. Imagine filo pastries, stuffed vegetables, grilled meats, and delicious fruit-based…

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We test recipes from Beatrix Bakes: Another Slice

Recently our office was blessed with a visit from legendary local baker Natalie Paull. The visit coincides with the publication of her second cookbook Beatrix Bakes: Another slice (yes, we have signed copies), and to celebrate our multi-talented staff participated in an in-house bake-off, where we trialled recipes from Paull's latest collection.

With Paull on-site to judge an array of delicious bakes including tarts, chiffon cakes, buns and pies – this was truly a taste test to relish…

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Vegan festive feasting

by Lucie Dess

Are you vegan and dreading another Christmas of a few wilted lettuce leaves and some turkey-tainted roast veg on your plate? Or perhaps you're not vegan, but you need to cater for some this festive season and aren't sure where to begin! Well, feast your eyes on this line-up of vegan cookbooks that will have vegan and non-vegan tastebuds singing this Christmas!

For those who like a traditional Christmas...

A Very Vegan Christmas by Sam Dixon

Do you miss iconic…

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A recipe from Rumi by Joseph Abboud

Rumi is a wonderful collection of over 60 recipes from chef and restaurant owner Joseph Abboud. Below, we're pleased to share a recipe from this heartfelt – and delicous – collection of recipes.

Freekeh, feta and pomegranate salad

Freekeh is wheat, picked green (young) and then toasted or smoked. It comes from the Arabic word farik, which refers to the rubbing of the grains to remove their husks. It’s highly nutritious and it seems the more you eat, the better

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We test recipes from Philoxenia

Recently we tested a selection of recipes from Philoxenia: A Seat at My Table, a new cookbook from Kon Karapanagiotidis, founder of the ASRC, and his mother, Sia.

We were of course thrilled to then have Kon and Sia themselves stop by to taste test our attempts and judge the best replication.

Joe Rubbo made Spanikopita

I made the Spanikopita. Although I cheated by not making the phyllo pastry, using store bought instead. This shortcoming was spotted immediately by…

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Gift ideas for fathers who love to keep busy

We've compiled a collection of books that are perfect for fathers who love a hands-on project, sharing a big family meal, and getting out and about in nature. Read on for our top Father’s Day recommendations for busy souls.

For the dedicated home cook:

The Food Fix by Yumi Stynes & Simon Davis

Since its launch, the 5 Minute Food Fix podcast has consistently been among the most downloaded food podcasts in the country, and has spawned a vast collection…

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Feeding vegetarian teens

by Poppy, Teen Advisory Board member

Poppy from our 2023 Teen Advisory Board has put these plant-based cookbooks through their paces and thinks they pass the test!

Running out of meal ideas for the never-ending hunger of a teen? Below are six delicious vegetarian dinners and snacks from three plant-based cookbooks, approved by a teenager for teenagers. They provide perfect energy boosting for studying, smile-making on test days or even just comfort food when necessary.

David Frenkiel and Louise Vindahl write the popular Green Kitchen cookbook…

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The best food and gardening books of the month, with Chris Gordon

by Chris Gordon

Japan: The Vegetarian Cookbook by Nancy Singleton Hachisu & Ellie Smith

Nancy Singleton Hachisu, one of the most recognised voices in Japanese food (perhaps you saw her on that excellent television series Salt Fat Acid Heat?), has created over 250 vegetarian recipes that will delight every sense. There is even a chapter dedicated to fried food! This is the perfect book for home cooks and a companion for all of us that have her other fabulous title: Japan: The Cookbook

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What your cookbook collection says about you

by Chris Gordon

Let our resident cooking enthusiast Chris Gordon walk you through what your cookbook collection says about you or perhaps find some inspiration for what it could.

You are part of the Melbourne culture collective ...

Chinese-ish by Rosheen Kaul and Joanna Hu

Chinese-ish celebrates the confident blending of culture and identity through food: take what you love and reject what doesn’t work for you.

In these pages you’ll find a bounty of inauthentic Chinese-influenced dishes from all over Southeast Asia…

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Festive feasting this holiday season

by Chris Gordon

Here are my top picks for cruising through the festive season; I’ve tried to pick a cookbook for every occasion you may find yourself in.

⭑ For homemade gifting and storable-snacks for those – inevitable – unexpected guests ...

Preserving the Italian Way by Pietro Demaio

Want to give a little of your time and love to your neighbors and friends? Then make something from your garden and kitchen! Preserving the Italian Way is the ultimate guide for keeping it…

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