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Vanilla Marble and Chocolate Swiss Rolls

I have a mild confession to make and that is that I don’t have much of a sweet tooth. It doesn’t mean that I don’t have a passion for baking but my sweet preferences lie more in those that are simple and classic rather than wickedly sweet.

To me, a lightly aired classic sponge with cream is my ideal sweet indulgence here and there. Imagine a lovely moist and airy sponge that is like marshmallows on your tongue coupled with a light fluffy Chantilly cream that will give those taste buds just that right amount of sweet.

Whilst baking can be all about measurements, precision and that odd bit of science, baking for the most part can also feel like a wonderfully creative process. The most rewarding aspect is seeing your sugary creation come to form and then instantly disappear behind satisfied devouring smiles.

Though my repertoire of cakes is pretty limited (it’s something I guess I need to work on), I can always produce a no-fail to please” Swiss Roll. My recipe here incorporates some very basic ingredients that relies on a simple technique of aeration to give the sponge a very light feel. It’s no secret that this is a foolproof way to produce a light sponge without any need for raising agents.

As I have created both a vanilla and chocolate sponge recipe, you can use a bit of your creative license to create a marble/stripe effect for either roll. In this recipe, I have simply added a chocolate stripe to the vanilla roll for that bit of contrasting look and taste.

Grab that pot of tea to enjoy and ….

Try my Vanilla Marble and Chocolate Swiss Roll recipe.




Roast Pork

Chinese Roast Pork

A golden crispy crackling atop a perfectly roasted rack of pork is my idea of comfort food for any season, any time.

Although you can easily pick up a serving of Chinese Roast Pork from some Speciality Chinese Restaurants, there is nothing that can compare to roasting up a rack of your own.

Its no secret that a wonderful Roast Pork all starts off with a perfect cut of belly pork from the butcher; one that has a lovely even skin with a uniformly layered piece of meat and with a rack of bones on the underside. Selecting a piece of pork with the bones I believe, helps to seal in the juices of the meat when cooking. If you are one of those who also likes to chew and wrap their mouths around the meat surrounding the bones ,then this is an added bonus for you!

What defines this Roast Pork is simply the added pinch of Five Spice that gives it a subtle Asian tone. Serve it together with mouthfuls of Hoisin Sauce to add a richly exotic smothering flavour. This Pork is best accompanied with hot bowls of steaming rice and a plate of wok tossed Asian Greens.

Try my Chinese Roast Pork recipe.




Asian Pork Meatballs

Asian Pork Meatballs

When we think of meatballs, do we automatically conjure up images of the Italian type basking in an oozy cheesy and tomato sauce?

In many ways that was how I had known of meatballs for most of my childhood years … and picturing those bite sized morsels wrapped in a layer of that comforting sauce was what I frequently craved.

When I started to cook and to take charge of a household myself, I was looking for ways to make easy (and inexpensive) meals that were more of an Asian influence… something that could typically be served with a bowl of steamed rice. In fact, most nights, rice graced our tables and our only requirement was that we had a meat dish and a vegetable dish to accompany it.

When I first made my version of meatballs, my family couldn’t get enough of these… the more they ate the more they ate!! What could be simpler than just grabbing a lot of Pork Mince, seasoning with a few herbs and spices and frying them to a golden perfection?

The secret to these is simply in the ingredients , especially incorporating some freshly chopped garlic and coriander in the mix which really enhances the taste. When frying, you will find that some of these bits will come away from the meat mixture but grab them up from the oil and add them back in as a garnish when serving. Eat with rice, salad or even as a finger food. Delicious!

Try my Asian Pork Meatballs recipe.




Sweet Potato Soup with Miso Corn

Sweet Potato Soup with Miso Corn

Although the leaves of Autumn are still lining and scattering the streets of Melbourne, the cooler weather is surely whispering in the beginnings of winter.

With it, my winter woolies and scarves are making their feature as I seek the warmth and comfort in the thickness of layers. The kitchen is a hubris of activity that alights the house with as much warmth as a fireplace, filling the air with the promise and aromas of something good to eat.

A hot and wintry soup is a feast in a bowl; a nourishing food that embraces you from the cold and warms the insides of your soul. It also feels tonic, even sometimes medicinal as it reaches that part of you to nourish within.

Here in today’s blog post I share my love of Sweet Potato soup as a winter comforter….

The wonderful golden orange glow of Sweet Potatoes has inspired me to utilise these gems in a hearty and creamy (without the fat!) soup. As it is, Sweet Potatoes are a health wonder, high in Beta-Carotene and a host of other vitamins and goodness. Just the pure colour of this soup makes you feel like uplifted and enriched by the pure comfort this soup promises.

As a contrast to the natural sweetness of the potatoes in the soup, I have added some miso buttered corn for that wonderful depth of saltiness that miso is so renowned for. Top with some freshly chopped spinach leaves and seaweed and you’ve got a fulfilling meal in one bowl!

Try my Sweet Potato Soup with Miso Corn recipe.




Thai Pork Basil Noodles with Eggplant

Thai Basil Pork Noodles with Eggplant

Inspired by Thai flavours, this stir fry dish is a simple ensemble of noodles, herbs, snake beans and eggplant that will deliciously satisfy.

Thai Basil is a wonderfully aromatic herb and fragrantly uplifting. Tossed in with any stir fry dish or curries and your taste buds are elevated to a different flavour level.

Melbourne has its wonderful share of Thai Eateries that range from the elegantly fancy to the bustling corner take-away. Long ago, to get that taste of Thai you really had to frequent these places to get your fix of Thai cuisine. Now our markets are abundantly stocked with so many great Asian herbs and ingredients, that emulating dishes and Thai flavours is an easy and achievable feat at home.

Another interesting ingredient are snake beans. Longer than normal beans, these snake beans are characterised by its longer length (hence the name) and by its purple tipped stems. With a slightly ‘pocked’ surface, they might feel taut and tough to the touch but when cooked over high heat, transforms to something sweet with a biting crinkly texture.

Wonderfully comforting, easily satisfying, a bowl of noodles with Thai flavours is an ‘easy- to- do’ meal with simple preparation and execution.

Try my Thai Basil Pork Noodles with Eggplant recipe.