‘Tis the season to be jolly and we can’t think of a better way to take advantage of those indulgent days off work than shaking up a bunch of cracking Christmas cocktails. Stock up the liquor cabinet, grab some seasonal offerings from your green grocer and invite your mates around for delicious experimenting. Now all you have to do is hit play on the Christmas carols and drink in that festive spirit. more
Never mind the 12 days of Christmas, there are only 100 days of holy cherries. These edible little baubles are in season right now, so it's the perfect time to dash down to your local green grocer, fill a punnet and feast to your heart's content. Pop a cluster of washed cherries in a bowl on the Christmas table, throw some into your morning muesli or twist them into a seasonal dinner of duck tacos with cherry salsa. This recipe is easy to make and serves four hungry mouths. We recommend donating any leftover cherries to a sweet and simple dessert of vanilla bean ice-cream. more
That endless stream of visitors. The unexpected drop-ins. The hangers-on who linger from dawn to dusk. Not only does the festive season demand an extraordinary supply of patience but also a rather hefty supply of nibbles. Spend a morning whipping up a batch of this beetroot hummus and pull it out of the fridge as needed. It makes a fantastic companion for crackers, flatbread and a cheeky glass of white. Hey, it’s Christmas. more
While the weekdays may see you running out the door with an apple in your pocket and a toothbrush in your mouth, those precious weekend mornings are all about slowing down, sleeping in and enjoying a bit of time out. Indulge in the luxury of pottering about the house in your pyjamas and cooking up a divine feast to break that night-time fast or aid morning-after recovery. Shakshuka, or shakshouka, offers an interesting twist on the standard breakfast staple, teaming eggs with a touch of spice and a rich tomato sauce. Optional extras include broad beans, spinach, mushrooms or chorizo. more
Those who can recollect the childhood pain of being forced to finish all their veggies before being served dessert can now seek sweet revenge with a recipe that ticks both boxes. The addition of beetroot to your traditional chocolate brownie batter has the potential to raise a few eyebrows and incite objection, but the rich conclusion that emerges from the oven will no doubt abate all cause for concern. Pop on some protective gloves, throw on your daggiest apron and dig into the mixing bowl. more
They could be wrapped up in newspaper from a fog-crowned English fish ‘n’ chip shop or served in the most pompous fashion from a high-end hotel. However your fries arrive, the result is inevitably the same – unrestrained, all-out feasting until every last crispy morsel is consumed. Shake things up by swapping the standard potato for sweet, and opting for baked, not fried. Serve your posy of goodness alongside a bowl of sour cream with sweet chilli sauce, or try the refreshing yoghurt-based dip below. Of course, double-dipping is mandatory. more
Your Google calendar is packed, your phone is buzzing alerts and you’re pretty sure you’ve stood someone up, somewhere. If your weekends are leaving you feeling exhausted rather than replenished, it’s probably about time you took a weekend off and settled in for a lazy weekend. We can’t think of a better way to slow down the clock than pottering about in the kitchen preparing a home-cooked meal. Wind the ticker back to the 1600s when the traditional Japanese dish of donburi was making its first appearance. Composed of fluffy rice topped with meat and egg, this Edo era repast is consolation food at its cockle-warming best. more
If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then dessert must surely come a very close second – and we’ve tracked down a sweet and sticky dish that can double as both. This gooey black sticky rice pudding swims in rich coconut milk to achieve its sweet flavour and is divine when topped with fresh tropical fruit in summer. While patience can be difficult in the face of such sweetness, ensure you soak the rice for at least six hours before you begin the cooking process. Grab a spoon and an oversized bowl, and carve into this sweet repast morning, noon or night. more
You may have farewelled the Halloween costume when you threw out the trick-or-treat bags, but growing old certainly doesn’t have to mean growing up. Relive some of the excitement of that great ghoulish day by carving a couple of pumpkins and salvaging the flesh for a divine pumpkin pie. Top with cream and slice up into generous portions. We promise we won’t judge your serving size … more
As anyone who took a seat at Kinfolk’s special supper in Brisbane last weekend will attest, there’s something very special about the magazine’s community. Spanning continents and vocations, the cluster of creative folk who are drawn to the rich narratives and thoughtful approach to living will no doubt be clinking their tea cups in celebration over the release of the magazine’s very first cookbook (yes, there will be more). The Kinfolk Table: Recipes for Small Gatherings shares 85 recipes from all over the world and for every occasion, as well as some charming tales and Kinfolk’s signature dreamy photography. If delights like sweet potato and quinoa burgers and ginger ice-cream with kumquat compote could find a place on your dinner table, pop online and snap up your copy of culinary inspiration. more
There’s something sweetly innocent about the humble ice-block that has us daydreaming of endless summer school holidays when the hot bitumen would bite our feet and the sun would freckle our faces. Tap in to that nostalgia with a fruity citrus popsicle that will have you licking your sticky hands and staining your shirt like you're a child again. The beauty of this recipe is you can throw in as many fruits as you like – simply toss together in a blender, pour the potion into popsicle moulds, and voila! It’s the school holidays again. more
Perhaps two of life’s most enjoyable pleasures – art and food – marry seamlessly in this hunger-inducing clip from Tate Britain. The newly renovated gallery will be revealed to the public next month and to celebrate, the icon has launched its Recreate with Tate Britain series, which invites cultural luminaries to draw comparisons between their creative processes and those of some of the gallery’s most celebrated artists. Cooking Meets Art – Rachel Khoo sees The Little Paris Kitchen chef Rachel Khoo develop a recipe for quick pickle sardines inspired by JMW Turner’s 1827 work, Study of Sea and Sky. more
Spring has sprung, summer is almost upon us and daylight savings has kicked off in the southern states. What better way to make the most of the luminous twilight hours than with an Italian-inspired platter of cheese, prosciutto, grilled peaches and a glass of sweet prosecco. Pop in to your local grocer or deli to pick up a smorgasbord of delights, treat the fresh peaches to a dance on the barbecue, and arrange your feast on a clean chopping board or serving dish. more
If there were two things that symbolised the sweaty season in Brisbane, they’d have to be mangoes and barbecues. The waiting game is almost over, with the emblematic first tray of mangoes set to go to a good home at the 16th annual Brisbane Markets Mango Auction fundraiser from 7:00–9:00am at the Brisbane Produce Market on Thursday October 10. Fire up the barbecue this weekend and help support the Greengrocer Mango Act of Kindness campaign while you’re collecting your ingredients. Simply make a $2 donation at any participating grocery store – which includes Ashgrove Fresh, Taringa’s Naturally Fruit, Fresh Sensations Chermside, Kenmore Fresh and The Standard Market Company – before Monday October 7 to help raise funds for Diabetes Queensland and Life Education Queensland. more
It may have become a buzzword of late, but kale is bringing all the health nuts to the yard for very good reason. Packed with powerful nutrients, the leafy green’s vitamin and mineral count has seen it progress from the back of the organic store to front-row shelves in supermarkets and grocers across the country. There are many different ways to get your fill of the so-called ‘queen of greens’ – be it a bowl of spicy kale chips or a refreshing green smoothie. Combine it with a selection of your favourite veggies and nourishing quinoa to create a filling salad ideal for lunch or dinner. Try the recipe below, substituting the pumpkin, capsicum and onion for any vegetables of your choosing. more
Spring has struck Brisbane, bringing a warm change in the weather and an infectious energy, and locals are making the most of our climate by hosting spring picnics in backyards, parks and along the banks of the river. If you’re yet to master the tea-time staple of the classic scone, roll up your sleeves and try your kneading hands on this basic recipe. Get as creative as you like with the toppings, opting for the traditional jam with whipped cream or something a little different like a marmalade infusion, rose butter or the sweet lemon curd below. more
At long last the Brisbane Festival is upon us! Featuring an eclectic program of awe-inspiring theatre, dance and music, the event also boasts another sparkling favourite – the signature cocktail Bacardi La Fiesta. This divine concoction packs a punch with the fresh flavours of raspberries, mint and a splash of vanilla and lime. Experience the real deal for yourself at Brisbane Festival, then recreate the magic at home. more
It’s the food trend that has swallowed up New York and pushed the cronut off the It list. Go Ramen food blogger Keizo Shimamoto is credited with the development of the east-meets-west hybrid, having completely sold out of his ramen burgers just moments after he launched them at the Smorgasburg market in New York. It’s a questionable creation sure to challenge the tastebuds, but if you’re still reading, you might just be brave enough to see what all the fuss is about by whipping one up yourself. more
While the dos and don’ts of the health food world may inspire and overwhelm at the same time, Brisbane is ripe for the picking and getting your fill of superfoods may be easier than you think. more
Ahh, the Deep South. That sun-baked land where the music carries soul and the chicken carries buttermilk batter. The Southern locals aren’t afraid to get friendly with a deep-fryer, so take their lead with this recipe for classic fried pickles. It might not be an everyday food, but these spicy snacks sure are fantastic when teamed with a glass of cold beer on a hot night. more
