Shared Kitchen - Real food from scratch

A nod to Italy …

I’m going on an Italian bent for the next week or two. No, not actually going there, just sharing some terrific Italian family recipes. I first went to Italy in 1975. Holy smoke! I must have just been a baby (because, surely, I’m not that old!). I sailed into the gorgeous port of Genova and […]

Bruschetta wth Grilled Zucchini & Buffalo Mozzarella 1

Bruschetta with Grilled Zucchini & Buffalo Mozzarella

Allow 2-3 pieces per person for lunch with salad, or serve as a substantial snack around the barbie.

Potato & Basil Frittata

These are fab stuffed into bread rolls, taken to a picnic, school, work, eaten on a beach, in the bush …

Lifting the lid on frittata

The sins that have been committed under the name frittata. Stop! No more please. Call what you bake in the oven in a cake tin a vegetable bake. Got it? Yaaaah!

Cavolo Nero with Ginger & Pine Nuts

Simple, and simply delicious.

New Potatoes Roasted with Fresh Bay Leaves

Bay leaves are a common addition to stock, soups and casseroles, but their unique musky scent works a treat with vegetable dishes. This is a Sicilian dish from my sister-in-law Marcella, though she probably wouldn’t add any butter (I do because I think it helps brown the potatoes).

Bay leaves

Fresh bay, strongly aromatic, like pine needles, eucalypt and lemon all crushed together, with a scattering of floral blossoms on top.

Spicy Pepitas

Very moreish to nibble on, and because they are tiny, they will keep you busy for quite a long time! They are also great scattered over filled tacos, into salads, on squished avocado on toast, and many other ways.

Tortillas with Pork & Tomatillo Salsa

Pickled Vege

Steeping vegetables in the pickling mixture will soften them a little making them easier to eat and digest, and giving them a more mellow flavour, but I also like this crunchy and sharp tasting and have been known to eat it as soon as it is mixed.

A good yarn

Unravelling a ball of cheese. New Zealand’s buffaloes drive things up a notch.

Quick No-Bake Chocolate Fudgey Slice

Here's a no-bake slice that's easy to make with pantry staples.