Sour is super
Fermented foods are increasing in popularity and availability — all in the name of good health. They can aid digestion and help with other health issues.
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Jan Bilton
Rosé prospects
What I love about the warmer weather is the opportunity to dine al fresco with friends, enjoying a light lunch and a glass of rosé.
This blush-coloured winner is now the go-to wine when invitees are unsure of what to bring to an event.
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Lighten up
With warmer weather approaching now is the time to say ‘no’ to deep-fried foods, muffins for morning tea and snacks before dinner. If you want to look your best at the beach then now is the time to start thinking ‘thinner’s a winner.’
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Dishy freezer dishes
We’re expecting a truck load of visitors this coming month so I’ve been freezing a selection of mouth-watering meals in expectation. This includes a favourite way of cooking a whole duck — in a slow cooker.
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Savour the sizzle
‘My favourite animal is steak,; quipped American writer Fran Lebowitz.
And, yes, there’s nothing quite like a perfectly grilled beef steak.
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Spices of life
‘Cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cloves’ has a musical ring — it could have been an alternative name for the Spice Girls. But no, the combination is one of baking’s most popular flavourings — mixed spice.
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Super simmers
Add a little variety and flavour to family meals with pickled or corned meats. The traditional method of cooking these treats is commonly known as boiling. However, the term is a misnomer. Boiling is spoiling.
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Bowled over
It’s ironic that we’ve come full circle. We start our lives eating or being fed from a bowl. And after years of designer food served on flat plates, there are now sections on restaurant menus dedicated to ‘bowl food’. Even Lonely Planet has published a book on the subject — The World’s Best Bowl Food.
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Lemon zingers
Is this the year of the lemon? My tree is laden and so are the trees of all our neighbours. Gifts of our lemons are being refused — for the first time in my lemon-growing life.
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Best pasta bakes
Winter is the ideal time to enjoy hearty cheesy, meaty, fishy or vegetable pasta bakes. Comforting and nutritious, they can often be prepared in advance and cooked just before serving.
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