Once upon a long time ago, in the mid 1960s to be precise, a sweet little Hungarian-Australian girl named Lizzy (me!) stood in the school canteen queue, two cents gripped tightly in her hand, waiting patiently to buy a Vegemite crust for her play lunch. The outer crust of the soft white loaf was spread with creamy butter and finished with just the right amount of the (almost) black salty spread. If I close my eyes and concentrate right now, the aroma (and taste) of that combination is still there under my nose and on the tip of my tongue.
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'Cookbooks have always intrigued and seduced me. When I was still a dilettante in the kitchen they held my attention, even the dull ones, from cover to cover, the way crime and murder stories did'. - Alice B Toklas. 'There's so much pleasure in making a delicious dish from something you grew yourself.' My mother was a clever cook. Nothing ever went to waste and she knew how to feed a family of six with something as simple as a pot of nourishing cauliflower soup and a loaf of 'continental' bread. 'What happened to the rest of the madeleines?' asked the man of the house, sounding very disappointed. 'Oh, there was only a few left and I ate them,' I replied, suddenly feeling guilty. 'I've been out on a truffle hunt in the bitter cold and needed something yummy to warm me up,' I pleaded. 'But don't worry, I'll bake some more first thing in the morning,' I added, hoping it would cheer him. Yes, that's a photograph of yours truly (above) on my first ever truffle hunt in 2012. I can honestly say that I was awe-struck by the experience and the start of a new truffle season in the Canberra region always brings me great excitement! From all reports, local truffle growers are expecting a promising harvest. The frosts have come earlier than usual this year and I was fortunate enough to have plucked the last of our basil and baby tomatoes from potted plants in the courtyard before they felt the cruel bite of winter. When one of my food heroes calls to let me know they're in town and asks if I'm free for a coffee, I'm there... especially if that person happens to be the lovely Lyndey Milan OAM! The sun is just starting to set and the light is amazing as I arrive at the Farmhouse Restaurant at Pialligo Estate. It's been months since I last visited, the restaurant has now opened for business, and I'm so looking forward to my first dining experience here. 'Wow, this looks interesting!' I exclaimed, as our car drew to a halt at the end of the fern-lined gravel driveway. 'Doesn't it, just,' Peter replied, his raised eyebrows indicating that he, too, was pleasantly surprised. |
Welcome...Üdvözölöm
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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