When I think about Easter, there are some very specific foods that come to mind. Amongst these are pickled fish, freshly baked bread and pickled fish. But the one dish that stands out among the rest is definitely the coveted Hot Cross Bun. In my family, we would buy these over several weeks before and after the Easter Weekend and serve them warm, cut in half with a dollop of butter melting over the middle. And even though my love of spicy Hot Cross Buns has since changed to a penchant for the chocolate variant, this traditional baked morsel of deliciousness will always hold fond memories for me. While planning for this year’s Easter weekend, my mind wandered back to...
As the daughter of an avid baker, there are few baked goodies that I haven’t tried. From lamingtons to cornbread, my mom always had a new recipe that she wanted to try and I was happy to be the taste tester. Bread, however, was never really one of those things either of us had much interest in. That all changed recently when Julia sent me a gallery full of images from her bread baking adventures… To be honest, I never really thought of sourdough bread as a feasible means of sustenance. Yeah, sure, it made a nice sandwich base whenever I went out for brunch but it’s not really something I would actively make or buy. That is until Julia...
I’ll admit it - kombucha was something that I never really had much interest in. Given that it’s quite a pricey beverage, it was never something that I was tempted to splurge on. I always thought of it as the drink of the hippies and health freaks and honestly, the thought of a SCOBY floating atop my drink just put me off entirely. Then came the day when I took a dive straight into the unknown and tasted it. The tart, vinegary deliciousness that covered my tastebuds was almost ethereal and after finding out about all the probiotic benefits of this fizzy favourite, I was sold! Although I enjoy the refreshing taste of kombucha, brewing it was something that I...
There’s a very simple joy that comes from the snap of a fresh broccoli stem or the crunch of a raw carrot. And while you may revel in your new bounty, the moment tends to be short lived as the struggle to keep pesky perishables perky settles in. Our founder, Julia Schaffer, challenged me to take on the task of researching and uncovering the best strategies when it comes to storing fresh produce. And let me tell you, it’s been a journey and then some! From kitchen mishaps to experiments gone right, my eyes have been opened to the myriad of ways that my produce could be saved from ultimate rot. With that being said, here’s what I found: Start...
When it comes to festive holidays, Christmas tends to reign supreme. Between the gifts and glitz and the delicious dinner spreads, it’s a difficult celebration to compete with. New Year’s Eve, however, is a great contender for the spot of ‘fave holiday’. Not only is it the final celebration of the year, but it’s also a moment to reflect while welcoming a new beginning. And even though it might present the perfect opportunity to dress up and boogie down, it’s also a chance to celebrate a few traditions as well. As we get ready to ring in the new year, we’d like to delve into culinary heritage from across the world and discover the deep, layered meanings behind some of...
