It seems that for every great bruschetta out there, there’s 10 that are crap. This includes, of course, the version called ‘blue shitter’ that I spotted on a menu in Thailand. Along with most pizza and pasta I just don’t understand how we get it so wrong. Italians are purists who love simplicity and minimal […]

Forget that Old El’ you know what – in case you’ve been living in a box Mexican food has been growing up. Marvelous re-imaginings of the humble taco have been popping up in homes, pubs and five star affairs over the last year, prompting me to update my own offering for your consideration here. In […]

Is it just me, or are the beans and peas this season amazing? I was trotting around my local produce market a few days ago and just couldn’t walk past the bean and pea line-up. I got all inspired to create something as fresh and light as those beautiful green babies. Newsflash for those who […]

Larb gai is a perennial favourite with Thais and we westerners alike. And rightfully so – when cooked well its juicy, fragrant and ultra-fresh flavours are a leading cause of mouth orgasm.  A southern Thai dish distinguishable by its tepidness, and oodles of lime and chilli, the best larb I’ve sweated over was on Chewang […]

Ah haloumi! Is there anything your malty, sweet taste can’t do? Sure, it can’t change your underpants, but it makes everything in the day a bit brighter and shinier. Haloumi loves anything sweet. Per the traditional Espanol way I usually serve each slice with a little roast capsicum and a squeeze of lemon, but here […]

This dish is a bit of a Jamie Oliver / Luke Nguyen love child, and frankly it’s a cheat’s version that probably both would be ashamed by. It was with a Pavlovian slaver that I recently watched JO cook chicken satay on 30 Minute Meals, which he served with a tasty-looking but distinctly un-Asian watercress and pancetta salad. Slightly offended, I channel-flicked […]