Recipes Brisbane | The Weekend Edition

Sweet freedom – five picnic recipes to celebrate restrictions easing this weekend

30 Apr 2020

In case you haven't heard, some of Queensland's stay-at-home-restrictions are easing as of this Saturday May 2, just in time for the long weekend. This new freedom is still heavily in line with social-distancing measures, however you are now permitted to venture outdoors for a picnic with members of the same household, or one other person if you live alone. The weather forecast for the weekend is looking pretty darn perfect for a (safely distanced) outdoor spread, so we've found five delectable picnic recipes to help you celebrate this little taste of freedom. more

Food & Drink

Crank the oven and get ready to bake – Arnott’s has released its Monte Carlo recipe

29 Apr 2020

If you had visions of using this time in isolation to shred with home-based workouts and clean eating, we suggest you click away now. If, however, you've come to the conclusion that life is short and isolation is made inherently better with delectable baked goods then we have some excellent news – Arnott's has released a home-inspired version of its lauded Monte Carlo biscuit recipe. Delicious on its own or dunked in a cup of tea, the Monte Carlo is a culinary icon and for good reason. If you're keen to give it a crack, don your apron, crank the oven to 170°C and let's bake, baby! more

Food & Drink

Join the Legacy Anzac Biscuit Bake Off with this macadamia and maple Anzac granola

23 Apr 2020

We know that Anzac Day is going to be very different this year and it's heartbreaking to know we can't commemorate in our usual fashion. This also means that for charities such as Legacy, it's the cancellation of their peak fundraising activities. To keep the spirit alive, Legacy has turned to the digital realm with the launch of its inaugural Legacy Anzac Biscuit Bake Off. Joining the virtual bake off is easy – simply register as an individual or team, make your best Anzac biscuits (or Anzac biscuit-inspired delights) and share photos and videos of your creations to inspire donations. Legacy Anzac Biscuit Bake Off is open from now until Sunday May 3, so you better get baking! If you're in need of a little inspiration, you're in luck. Legacy Brisbane has worked with a number of its widows, children, staff, volunteers and supporters, gathering their Anzac recipes to create a free… more

Food & Drink

Smaklig måltid – IKEA has released its iconic Swedish meatballs recipe!

23 Apr 2020

Every trip to Ikea has a few absolute must-dos – finding the funniest-sounding item names, pretending you live in one of the display units (we see you, 500 Days of Summer), picking up at least five unnecessary items that your shopping partner tells you to put back … but one tradition reigns supreme above all. We’re talking, of course, about the procurement of Swedish meatballs. Due to Ikea journeys being off the table (or SKOGSTA if you want to get technical) for the near future, the generous powers that be have decided to hand over the recipe for this iconic dish. more

Food & Drink

The Weekend Series: five rustic recipes to watch Game of Thrones by

18 Apr 2019

Winter is coming and Game of Thrones is back. After a long hiatus, the record-smashing series returned last week with an emotionally charged Season 8 premiere, in what is set to be the beginning of the end. After nearly a decade of dragons, swords and power struggles, the series will wrap up at the end of this season – meaning every episode is ripe for a GoT viewing party. Keep the chills at bay with these five bone-warming dishes that are easy to share among friends and the perfect accompaniment to your next GoT gathering. more

Food & Drink

The Weekend Series: move over cob – muffuletta is your new breadst friend

29 Nov 2018

While the humble cob loaf has enjoyed a renaissance this year, it’s time to make room for a new bread-based hero. We’re calling it right now – 2019 is set to be the year that the muffuletta takes over Australia. Originally created in New Orleans, this multi-layered meaty delight has recently had a taste in the Australian spotlight thanks to Sydney’s A1 Canteen – and we’re ready to get on board. Sharing its name with the bread on which it’s made, the muffuletta is traditionally crammed with salami, ham, mortadella, Swiss cheese, provolone and (deep breath) a marinated olive salad. While this combination is legendary, we’ve tracked down five muffuletta variations that will have you kissing the tips of your fingers like an old-timey cartoon chef. more

Food & Drink

The Weekend Series: celebrate spring with these five batch cocktail recipes

30 Aug 2018

Hallelujah – spring is finally here! While we’re still a few days from fully shedding all of our layers, there’s no better time to blow the dust of our cocktail cabinet. Spring is the perfect entertaining season, and the best way to entertain is with some ice-cold batch cocktails. Picnics, garden soirees, intimate dinner gatherings – not only is it convenient to have the party juice already prepared, but you can save the hassle of clearing fridge and esky space for errant six packs and wine bottles. Break out the punch bowl and wash out the pitchers, it’s batch cocktail season baby! more

Food & Drink

The Weekend Series: recreate your favourites with these DIY food projects

16 Aug 2018

Sure, you can whip up a mean spaghetti bolognaise and don’t burn down the house when cooking Sunday roast. In the words of Her Royal Highness Shania Twain, ‘that don’t impress me much’. We love getting DIY in the kitchen, getting outside our comfort zone and making popular substances from scratch. Ever tried your hand at making jam? What about cheese? Don’t panic – making these items is not outside your skillset, all you need is a good recipe. We’ve found five that will give you enough guidance to take your cooking game up a notch. more

Food & Drink

The Weekend Series: warm your belly with a dose of baked cheese goodness

26 Jul 2018

After you’ve exhausted your repertoire of cheese toasties, cheesy bakes and cheesy pastas, where do you go for a sure-fire cheese-based winter warmer? For us, we’ve started straight-up baking our cheese. No, we’re not just scooping up melted cheese with our fingers (though it’s not outside the realm of possibility) – we’re getting sophisticated with it. Take our advice – fire up the oven, grab a wheel of something tasty, and get ready to witness the unbrielievable spectacle of a freshly baked cheese wheel in all its ooey-gooey splendour. more

Food & Drink

The Weekend Series: warm up with some hearty winter cocktail recipes

31 May 2018

We've already broken out our jackets and winter hasn't even officially arrived. Good thing we're prepared. We’ve already enlightened you to some divine belly-warming eats and clued you in to some chill-proof cottages, now it’s time to sit back and sip on something that will spread warmth throughout the rest of your soul. It’s pointless having a liquor collection if you’re not interested in forming a solid repertoire of cocktails, and not all cocktails need to be minimalist concoctions. Winter is about indulgence, baby. If you’re looking to snuggle up on the couch next to someone special or simply want to unwind with a nice drink after a long day, these winter cocktail recipes are just the ticket. more

Food & Drink

The Weekend Series: five ways to step up your garlic bread game

15 Mar 2018

In the words of Belinda Carlise, “They say in heaven, carbs come first. We’ll make heaven a place on Earth”. We’re pretty sure those are the exact lyrics, and if they’re not, when we’d like to start a petition to make it so. What we’re trying to say is that carbs give us heavenly joy. On the carb deliciousness hierarchy chart, garlic bread sits pretty much at the top and it’s easy to see why – you’ve got toasted bread, moreish garlic butter and plenty of opportunities to mix it up. If you're ready to step your garlic bread game up to the next level, we've found find variations that are sure to make your stomach flip with excitement. Bring on the garlic breath! more

Food & Drink

The Weekend Series: Spud studs – five fab potato-based recipes for iso feasting

07 Dec 2017

When it comes to versatility, the potato reigns supreme as one of the most beloved and adaptable foodstuff. French fries, mashed potato, potato bake, roast potato, potato gems, hash browns – without potatoes our lives wouldn’t be nearly as good. For some of us, iso living has ignited a new passion for cooking and creating – and what better ingredient to experiment with than taters? If you are strapped for ideas but are flush with spuds, then put them to good use with these five potato-based recipes that will be sure-fire winners at the table. more

Food & Drink

Slam-dunk your tastebuds with Press Club’s signature Space Jam cocktail

30 Nov 2017

If the mere mention of Space Jam doesn’t immediately fill you will an overwhelming sense of nostalgic joy, you’re probably a monster (or a robot, or a robot monster). The live-action/animated sports comedy starring NBA hero Michael Jordan and a motley crew of Looney Tunes characters is a legitimate cinematic masterpiece, so it’s no wonder that it has been a source of inspiration for many. In fact, beloved Brisbane bar Press Club named its signature cocktail for the movie – and these guys know their cocktails like Lola Bunny knows her way around the court. To celebrate the launch of its first-ever ticketed New Year’s Eve event, Press Club is handing over its coveted Space Jam recipe. This sparkling concoction is deceptively easy to make and will impress your pals more than Jordan landing a three-pointer right on the buzzer. more

Food & Drink

The Weekend Series: embrace the cob life with five baller cob loaf recipes

23 Nov 2017

Real talk, who can resist the lure of a cob loaf? It’s got all of the elements for a perfect snack – carbs, crunch, a gooey filling and plenty of options to customise. Before iso took hold, the cob was basically the social equivalent of a puppy – if you showed up with one of those bad boys, you’re going to be an absolute lord and everyone is going to want to be your best mate because you’re obviously an individual of fine taste. While we may not be able to hit the park for alfresco fun times at the moment, we can still make a delicious cob to enjoy at home – and here are five delicious variants to get you inspired. more

Food & Drink

The Weekend Series: binge mode – what to eat when you are devouring your favourite shows

19 Oct 2017

Here’s the deal – no movie night is complete without snacks. Are we all in agreement? Good. The same goes for a solid Netflix binge, though if we’re being constructive humans, we need to acknowledge that a party-sized bag of corn chips is not the most glamorous option. Sorry guys, but it’s true. It’s time to dust off the crumbs and put some effort in! If you’ve got some pals coming around for a weekly Bachelorette episode party, or if you’re keen to snuggle up with your loved one and the latest blockbuster, do so with some creative snacks that will be as much of a talking point as the movie or episode (or season) you’ve chosen for the night. more

Food & Drink

Start your morning right with an egg and bacon galette

27 Jul 2017

They say getting out on the wrong side of the bed is a sure-fire way to start your day on the wrong foot. Well, for us our day starts off poorly if we haven’t had a decent breakfast. Sure, muesli and fruit is great, but in the colder months we find something warm to be preferable. Katrina Ryan from The Golden Pig Food & Wine School contributed to the gargantuan anthology The Great Australian Baking Book, which features great savoury day starters such as Katrina’s delicious recipe for egg and bacon galettes with caramelised onion. more

Food & Drink

Blow away the winter blues with a comforting old-school cheese toastie

06 Jul 2017

If you hadn’t noticed, it’s gotten a bit cold recently. Chilly weather begets cravings for comfort food, but its important not to settle for just any dish because it’s warm. If you are looking to jazz up your winter warmers, we suggest you start with the humble toasted sandwich. Chefs Eat Toasties Too by Darren Purchase is a great resource for anyone that wants to flex their culinary muscles but want to start small. This book can help you turn your grilled cheeses into gourmet, golden-crispy gob fillers, and you can’t go wrong with the old-school cheese toastie. Say goodbye to hunger and say goodbye to the winter chill – we’re moving to toastie town! more

Food & Drink

The Weekend Series: beat your broke-ass blues with these pre-pay day meals

27 Apr 2017

'Twas the night before pay day and all through the pantry, nothing to eat – just bare cabinetry. It’s a grim scenario that we’ve all experienced before – we’ve blown out our budget on UberEATS and online shopping, leaving our dinner options slim and sad. It’s not all doom and gloom, though. There are ways to make the final few meals before payday bearable – you just have to get creative! Take stock of your paltry staples, have a crack at these ingenious recipes and compliment yourself on your resourcefulness. more

Food & Drink

The Weekend Series: desk lunches that don’t suck courtesy of Lettuce Lunch

09 Feb 2017

There’s nothing worse than being (figuratively) chained to your work desk all through lunch. Whether it be because of tight deadlines or simply a mountain of work that must get done, sometimes it’s not feasible to go out for lunch when you want. Desk lunches are an unfortunate necessity of office life, but it’s rarely a source of culinary inspiration. If your desk neighbour is giving you some fierce food envy with their freshly bought lunch or you are sick of your bland sandwiches and tinned tuna, we suggest improving your meal prep game. We recruited the services of Carlton Talbot of Lettuce Lunch to give us some killer recipes to try. Lettuce Lunch is a thriving recipe repository that educates thousands on nifty vegetarian meals that are perfect for work. Without further ado, here are five lunch boxes that’ll be the talk of the office – we guarantee it. more

Food & Drink

Make friends with this killer kale salad

12 Jan 2017

Yeah, yeah, we know. Raw kale salad doesn't sound very killer. But trust us on this one – if your kale salads have been bad in the past, it's because you haven't learnt to massage your kale. Help it relaaaxx into deliciousness and it will change the way you look at the leafy vegetable forever. This is just one of the many hot tips Dale Pinnock, aka The Medicinal Chef, offers in his new book How to Cook Healthily. The cookbook is full of tasty and healthy recipes to help you to kickstart the new year, and introduce nutritional dishes into your weekly kitchen routine. In addition to this killer kale, sweet potato and cherry tomato salad, you'll find Chinese-style roast chicken, feel-good fish fingers, goji berry cheesecake and much more. more