Violet Ice-cream

After quite a bit of thought and fiddling around, I finally came up with a violet ice-cream recipe.  Not too much colour… very subtle flavour, most of it coming as an after-taste, like most perfumes  (think truffle, jasmine… an ethereal waft that floats...

Imperial Mandarins

Winter is officially here… the weather in Melbourne has been crisp but deliciously sunny – the leaves are still falling and the air is misty.   Couldn’t resist buying a bunch of the first white jonquils to appear and am loving their heady perfume....

Violet Time

I was visiting friends in the country last week. It was a grey day and the autumn colours were rendered even more brilliant for having been washed by the rain. The rain let up just before I arrived and a quick tour of the garden before lunch had me lusting after the...

Purim

Today is the Jewish festival of Purim commemorating the salvation from annihilation of the Jewish community of Persia thanks to their Jewish queen, Esther, around the 4th century BCE. The above link gives full details of the festival as well as the customs and foods...

Buffalo Milk Cheeses

Now that the sun is shining, basil seedlings are ready for planting and tomatoes are starting to taste like they should, cravings start for fresh, milky buffalo mozzarella to pair with them –  torn into little pieces and dressed simply with sea salt, freshly...

Chocolate

  Chocolate ecstasy Have been having plenty of chocolate craving moments lately. The latest Lindt dark with sea salt is pretty special for an afternoon fix.  My great niece, pictured above, is already a connoisseur of fine chocolate and very fussy about the...