Wonderpot – one pot pasta magic Wonder pots have been doing the rounds of late, but I must admit…I am a little obsessed. For starters, how can you not want to cook something with such a cool name? I also love the fact that I have one dish to wash up – yes, ONE […]
Everyone that has been to one of my Relish Mama classes should pass this quick quiz……. What is my all time favourite store cupboard ingredient (ok so I’m talking the savoury one given I have been banging on so much about my sweet dulce de leche obsession lately) ? You know, the one that can […]
It was pointed out to me recently that there weren’t many ‘sweet treats’ on my blog in relation to the not-so-sweet (here you go – 2 in the space of a week! x). There’s good reason for that – I am much more of a savoury girl. With that said though, there are some sweets that […]
This winter seems to be my season to reflect and to make some changes. Maybe it is the season itself but I have had a feeling that has almost been overwhelming. There is a little ‘something’ telling me to slow down. I do feel it is a warning sign. I have taken note. I […]
Slow-roasted lamb shoulder with ras el hanout Serves 6-8 Sometimes, the most simple of dishes are the most delicious. This dish can cook away all afternoon and fill your home with the most comforting of aromas. There is not much to do come serving time, as the meat will fall away from the bone and […]
This is my nourishing ‘go-to’ lunch of late. It only occurred to me today that for the last few Monday’s, I have made up a huge pot of this beautiful Italian inspired soup. Each batch has been unique as it is also a wonderful way to cook using the ingredients you might be craving as […]
Delighted to announce that the Relish Mama cookbook won a bronze medal in New York this month in the IPPY awards. The IPPY awards honor the year’s best independently published titles from around the world. The awards are intended to bring increased recognition to the thousands of exemplary independent, university, and self-published titles published each […]
I use farro often in soups and salads but have only recently discovered the joy of farro for my morning porridge. Farro is full of goodness and has a very earthy nuttiness about it. It is also packed full of minerals like magnesium, which helps to relieve tension. This porridge can be like taking a […]
A very quick post for a very quick yet beautiful salad. I promised this recipe to our lovely guests who attended a class at Relish Mama last Saturday. This salad is warming and nourishing and was the perfect lining before indulging in Guy Mirabella’s stunning desserts class that day. This warm cauli salad is divine […]
A little while back, we had guests travelling from interstate to attend our pasta-making workshop at Relish Mama. The male partner of the pair phoned first to see if we had any cooking classes running specifically on the 18th of March. This date was his partner’s birthday and he wanted to surprise her […]
I swear this wholesome looking dish is not penance for anything (although I am quite looking forward to trying the pistachio and pomegranate cake that I can smell cooking in my kitchen right now in preparation for a guests birthday who is coming to a cooking class tonight. I will blog about that next […]
Thanks to all of you who came to support us on stage yesterday as we cooked some delicious ‘Mid week inspiration’ dishes from the Relish Mama cookbook. I stand in front of people many days each week to teach but yesterday was a little different given there was 200 plus sets of eyes looking back […]
I am sitting here at my desk and I am writing. I know I really should be doing other tasks………… you know the deal, ‘we are at our most productive first up’ so I should hit my desk and start crossing off the to- do- list but today that must wait. So much has happened. […]
Poached chicken recipe Eating well is as much about great quality and nourishing produce as it is about forethought and planning. It can all go pear-shaped when you run in the door, much later than you had hoped, and have to get your head around preparing something nourishing for yourself and often others. Poached […]
I invite you to join us for an experience like no other this October as we travel together and experience new and delicious wonders. We are off to Italy everyone and we would be absolutely delighted if you care to join us on this amazing culinary journey. The Relish Mama food tour to Italy will […]
I love this period between Christmas and New Year but usually for very different reasons than what I am up to this year. December is crazy (good crazy) for us and I find that when I actually get a few days at home, I become that crazy neurotic person who suddenly has an overwhelming urge […]
This is my all time favourite glaze for my Christmas ham. The alcohol is burnt off during the cooking time so don’t worry – the kids wont be climbing the walls as a result of the ham (you can blame that on the candy canes). The sugar in the bourbon makes it shine […]
We taught our last Moroccan cooking class yesterday at Relish Mama. Of course, this class will be back bigger & better than ever in 2015 and in actual fact, I have added an all new menu so there are two choices now on the website. As many of you now know, the food and flavours […]
The cookbook is here. I am still pinching myself that it is here and that I can now share it with you all. Thank you to all of you who have cheered this on. Thank you to all of you who have bought a copy and to those sending in the most heart warming […]
There was a distinct lack of laughter from my usually pleased family from precisely 3pm on the 12th October until the 14th October at around the same time. We were actually all very quiet and all very miserable during this long 48 hour period. On 12th October 2014, we shut up our home and headed […]
For those times when you are just a bit over tomatoes being the hero of your pasta. This is a cracking dish and super speedy to whip up.
We had a pretty memorable pastry class this weekend at Relish Mama. Memorable for so many reasons in a good way but then there was also the small issue of loosing all power to the building mid class – quite memorable for me I can tell you. Our guests and Chef were incredible and truly […]
We were blessed with sunshine and good spirits yesterday as we kicked off our first barbecue class for the season. I really love this class and sharing tips and tricks so people go home feeling confident to ‘break out’ and to try new dishes which can take their barbecue cooking and enjoyment to a whole […]
It feels like forever since I have posted a recipe here to share with this special community. I miss writing here so much and try to take the time to sit and write at least once every couple of weeks. Life has been very busy however and I have been writing and creating elsewhere over […]
They say that, if you ever want to make something happen for yourself, just start casually dropping it into conversations. Just saying things aloud is half the battle sometimes. I have had a dream for many years to write my story and to put my favourite recipes in what will be known as the Relish […]
I made this simple and elegant (not to mention easy) Teacake for our daughter Grace recently. We enjoyed this on an evening when she took my breath away. It is now a cake I think of with immense love as the memory that goes with it is very special to me. Grace […]
I got a sweet email from my husband after lunch today. I know an email might sound a little ‘business like’ and impersonal but the truth is, I love these little interruptions when I receive them during my working day. Generally, they consist of just a sentence or two and when they are […]
If you have beautifully fresh eggs in the fridge, you can have a truly cracking meal in no time! I made a large batch of granola in the early hours of today but it was never going to be ready in time for my stomach to stop it’s growling. Adamant to not eat anything from […]
Today we celebrate the Anzac landing at Gallipoli in 1915. It is a day to remember all those who served and lost their lives in the wars or during peacekeeping operations. It is a day of reflection. I find myself following in my Mother’s footsteps and I make a batch of Anzac biscuits this day each […]
I took a car trip with my girls yesterday in search of a large box of ripe tomatoes perfect for making a big batch of this sauce. We grew our own tomatoes again this year and they were as delightful as ever. My particular favourite from our crops was one called ‘The Mortgage lifter’ . […]
A JOURNAL ENTRY: NELLIE KERRISON I was asked to write this for the incredible ladies and Mother’s over at Wholehearted | a journal. This piece means so much to me that I wanted it in my own special place here also. Lots of tears flowed during the writing but there was healing in the process. […]
Exactly 5 years ago, I took a deep breath and pressed ‘send’ on an email to a very small group of close friends and family. In this email, I confessed that I had a little dream of teaching people to cook, to share my favourite recipes and style of entertaining and to share a table with those […]
Sunday’s at our place start with a serve of Grace’s fabulous pancakes. This is her ‘thing’ and the excitement usually starts building Saturday evening when Grace makes the slight mention to her Sister’s that it is ‘Pancake Sunday’ tomorrow. It couldn’t be any sweeter for our middle girl, Ava who has always treasured a sleep […]
I still remember the day I had my first cooked peach. I loooooove peaches. I love all stone-fruit really but wrapping my mouth around my first barbecued peach is a moment I will never forget. My first barbecued peach was enjoyed many moons ago relaxing after dinner around a campfire with my chilled out husband […]
This is a really fun and effective way to cook a Chook. Make sure your bbq lid is high to hold the upright chicken. The steam from the beer cooks the inside of the bird, so the meat ends up lovely and juicy. The beer used should be a good larger. Excuse me to all […]
Melbourne is quite literally cooking this week and we have another day of 44oC forecast for today. I love my salads on days like these, like this beautiful chicken salad or this zingy soba noodle salad but I am more than aware that my kids don’t always crave what I crave and sometimes they just want […]
Spiced chicken salad I hope this finds you happy and well. I hope things are not feeling too hectic as we head towards this busy end of the year. It is not yet Christmas day, and I have thoughts and plans for Summer picnics and gatherings on our back deck and perhaps down by […]
This delicious frozen berry cake is light & refreshing and the perfect dessert to serve Christmas day (along with a feast of other dishes too or it just wouldn’t be my family Christmas table without waaaaaay too much food and waaaaaay too much choice). I usually make 2 of these as it keeps beautifully in […]
Our family headed off for an adventure a couple of weekends ago to enjoy the great outdoors. Camping is like a love-hate thing for me. I really rather loathe trying to fit in the shopping and packing around work and our many other commitments. I actually find the lead up quite stressful and have […]
This is for a family whom I love with all of my heart. This is for a man with more optimism and positivity than I could ever hope to possess. This is for a family who exemplify what family is. This is for you because it is how I can love you right now. […]
