Recipes
Recipe: Chunky Gazpacho
November 15, 2012 | 
Author With the temperatures climbing, lighter foods are definitely on the menu and this colourful chilled Spanish soup is perfect for this time of year. In my version the vegetables are not pureed but still retain some crunch, giving the soup a lovely texture. It’s also extremely low in fat, which is great news for those of us that are trying to shed a couple of kilos in an attempt to fit into last year’s swimsuit! For the best flavoured soup, ensure that the ingredients are top quality. A New Zealand sauvignon blanc is a good wine accompaniment if you’re not watching your weight.
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Recipe: Mango Salsa
It’s mango season, and mangoes have arrived in abundance! Make the most of this gorgeous fruit which can be used in many dishes, both savoury and sweet. Some of my favourite ways to use mangoes include adding cubes to a Thai Curry, making Mango Daiquiris, baking a Mango Pie (recipe to follow soon, watch this space!) and in this delicious Mango Salsa. It’ s simple to make and pairs wonderfully with chicken, pork, duck, prawns and all seafood. Enjoy!
Recipe: Rhubarb and Strawberry Compote
There has been some gorgeous rhubarb available at the Noosa Farmers Market the past few weeks, and I have been cooking with it in a number of different ways. Whilst most people think rhubarb is a fruit it is actually a vegetable! Known for its tart, tangy and slightly sharp taste, rhubarb marries beautifully with strawberries, which are readily available at present.
Recipe: Ceviche (Lime Marinated Fish Salad)
Ceviche is a marinated fish dish where citrus juice (usually lime) “cooks” the fish. It is a poplar dish in Southern and Central America, as well as the Pacific Islands where it is known as Kokoda and coconut milk or cream is added. I love this dish when the weather is warm, as it is refreshing, low fat and healthy. Plus I can get all the ingredients I need from the Noosa Farmers’ Market, many from my own garden!
Recipe: Strawberry Muffins
Spring has sprung and strawberries are in the height of the season here on the Sunshine Coast. At this time of the year, I pick up large quantities of “seconds” from the Noosa Farmers Market, for jams, smoothies and strawberry daiquiries! I also love baking with strawberries, and these muffins are what I’m serving to our cooking class participants at the moment. They are quick and easy to mix up, and will be in the oven in no time at all.
Recipe: Veggie Skewers with a Lemon Herb Marinade
The barbeque season has not officially started, but no matter how chilly the weather is, I like to grill all the year round. Food just seems to taste better when cooked on the barbeque! Barbequing vegetables definitely enhances their flavour, and these Veggie Skewers are proof of that. Marinated in a lemon herb marinade, these skewers will be a winner at your next gathering. You can vary the vegetables depending on what you like and what’s in season – cherry tomatoes and finger eggplants work well. But don’t leave out the haloumi cheese – it’s the best part! If you’re a Noosa local, try the award winning Cedar Creek Buffalo Haloumi, available from the Noosa Farmers’ Market every Sunday.
Recipe: Tropical Tarte Tatin
With the weather cold and chilly at this time of the year (yes, even on the Sunshine Coast!), this dish will add a bit of summer to your winter table. Tarte Tatin is an upside-down tart, made most commonly with apples, where the fruit is caramelised in sugar and butter prior to baking. I created this version replacing the traditional apple with local pineapple and passionfruit, which are readily available at the Noosa Farmers Market year round. It’s a tropical twist on an old favourite and tastes really good!
Recipe: Broccoli and Blue Cheese Soup
Winter has officially started, and even in Noosa it gets chilly at this time of the year. As much as I love the fresh clean tastes of summer food, right now I am craving more complex dishes like Beef Bourguignon, Braised Lamb Shanks and Osso Buco. During the colder months I also love a bowl of homemade steaming soup for lunch, like this Broccoli and Blue Cheese Soup.
Recipe: Thai-Style Pumpkin Soup
Autumn is with us, and the evenings are becoming a little cooler – a welcome relief from the hot humid days of the past couple of months. As much as I love salads and fresh clean barbeque cooking, at this time of the year I am starting to yearn for more complex slower cooked dishes. There’s nothing nicer that a pot of homemade soup warming on the stove when the temperatures are falling, and this gorgeous pumpkin soup is one of my favourites.
Recipe: Grilled Asparagus & Haloumi with a Lime & Caper Dressing
Asparagus is in the height of its season, and as a result it’s inexpensive, plentiful and flavoursome – three good reasons to be cooking with it! In this recipe, prosciutto-wrapped asparagus is paired with Haloumi cheese and dressed with a Lime & Caper dressing – a divine combination! This dish works really well cooked on a barbeque – perfect for relaxed outdoor dining. Serve it as either a starter or lunch, together with with fresh crusty bread and a glass of well-chilled sauvignon blanc.
