Wow Canberra, you are completely taking my breath away! I was born in this beautiful city in 1958, have lived here all my life and now feel as though my baby has come of age – certainly in terms of food, wine and spectacular events!
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We picked the last of our zucchinis this week. It's been a reasonably good season, and our three zucchini plants have kept us and the neighbours contented for a while. Fortunately, Peter has come to enjoy the vegetable and loves it baked into something delicious, like my spinach and zucchini frittata, chocolate walnut zucchini cake, or stuffed with bacon, kransky and my bolognese toppers. There are times when something good catches your eye and you know you simply have to have it. That good 'thing' can range from the latest whizz bang motor car to a stylish pair of shoes – or it may just be a piece of cake. Literally. Culinary legend, Charmaine Solomon OAM, was a regular and hugely popular guest at the cooking school that I co-owned once upon a time. Whenever Charmaine presented a cookery class, together with her late husband, Reuben, you knew the event would be a crowd pleaser. There's a Persian restaurant less than ten minutes from our home and one of my favourite dishes on the menu is the jewelled basmati rice with saffron, or Zereshk Polow. I often order it specially, asking our gracious host: 'May I please have that delicious rice with the barberries'. She knows the one I mean, and always nods and smiles politely. At the risk of sounding like one of those naughty ladies on the 'Grumpy Old Women' television shows, I would like to share my opinion that not only do 'they not make 'em like they used to'... but fruit and vegetables just don't taste as delicious as they once did either! The rich scent of freshly baked chocolate cake wafting through the house is mesmerising, and reminds me of the sweet, sweet memories my parents gave to me. Staring at the potted geraniums through my kitchen window, I'm transported to summertime weekends in the 1960s and the front porch of my childhood home. The recipe for chocolate beetroot cake in one form or another has done the rounds of many a kitchen table over the years, except mine that is. I first read about this cake in the 1990s, when it appeared in Jill Dupleix's book, New Food: from the new basics to the new classics. Versions have also appeared in books by Nigel Slater and articles by Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson and Martha Stewart, among others. The time has come for me to confess to a relationship I've enjoyed since I was a little girl. A spicy, delicious and sweet love affair that I have often shamelessly fantasised about. Australians know how to celebrate around food and wine, particularly as we are blessed with some of the finest produce in the world. Throughout the year, there are food and wine events held in cities and towns across Australia — some are more low key than others, but all capture the spirit of indulgence in good things food and wine. |
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Cooking and writing have been a lifelong passion. Join me as I share with you my favourite recipes; postcards and morsels from my travels; conversations with cookery writers and chefs; and news on food, cookbooks and cooking. - Liz Posmyk
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NB: I use Australian standard measuring cups and spoons in my recipes.
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