The Sunshine Coast houses many secrets, and QCamel is one that I have only just discovered… with a little excitement, I might add. QCamel are farmers of camels for their milk – not something that you imagine happening on the Sunshine Coast. Based on the outskirts of Caloundra, the QCamel dairy is most certainly one [...]
For me mushrooms conjure up memories of mushroom hunts with my mother. My mother was quite the mushroom connoisseur… she knew how to identify all of the edible mushrooms. Growing up in a war-torn Germany, seeking out edible mushrooms was a matter survival in more sense than one. I now wish I had paid more [...]
Flowers have always held a certain fascination for me, add to that the novelty of edible flowers and I am even more interested. A number of years ago I became quite obsessed with edible flowers. So much so, that I began writing a book about them. The book is still a work in progress, and [...]
As far as I am concerned the best way to have oysters is freshly shucked, natural and unadorned, however sometimes I make an exception for tempura oysters. #yesplease This is my take… Ingredients: ¼ cup rice flour ¾ cup self raising flour ½ tsp finely grated ginger 1 cup sparkling mineral water, icy cold 1 [...]
Native foods have become quite popular, especially in the way of spices. There are a number of producers on the Sunshine Coast that stock a wonderful selection of spices and condiments that are based on ‘bush foods’ and this recipe is an exciting introduction to them. This Bush Ravioli recipe is quick and easy. If you [...]
I love preparing fish in this method as the corn husks really help retain the moisture of the fish, as well as infusing the flesh with its own subtle flavour. Although prising the corn out of its husk with out damaging it is a little fiddly, it can be prepared well in advance. I have [...]
Taramasalata, a ‘salad cream’ or dip, is a delicious Greek and Turkish meze dish served with thin ‘Melba’ style toast, crudités of vegetables, pita or crusty bread, or make some lavash. Tonya Jennings has a fabulous cooking school, Cooking on the Bay, based in Melbourne where this is one of the fabulous dishes that she will [...]
I have been fascinated with the purple congo potatoes ever since I first discovered them at the Noosa Farmers’ Market years ago. The flesh of this vegetable is a vibrant purple when sliced in half and is quite spectacular. Visually it is a really treat, and this is a fun way of showing it off. [...]
Living on the Sunshine Coast, writing about our food industries, I spend a lot of time visiting farmers and seeking out food producers. I love the industry and everything that comes with it. The Sunshine Coast in particular is blessed with a number of producers that are focused on ethical farming practices, and wherever possible, [...]
Winter brings with it the yearning for slowly cooked comfort foods and there is nothing more comforting than lamb shanks that just melt in your mouth. The combination of the honey and spice blend, add extra dimension to this dish which is complemented by the creamy parsnip mash. Try sprinkling a little diced preserved lemon [...]
