My Virtual Cookbook - Foodie Newsletters

Sweet & Savoury (January 2016)

In this latest round of new recipes, I'd like to feature some of the fun I've been having with trying new flavours.

Essentially, I'm trying out dishes which have both a sweet and savoury taste... or even desserts and meals with a big jump in an unexpected flavour (such as poached quinces with rosemary or roasted carrots with a lovely coriander seed fragrance).

All this to just give your tastebuds a little bit of a rollercoaster ride!

Sweet & Savoury Features

Thai Sweet Coconut and Curry Pork Skewers - Sweet and salty. One of the best bbq skewers recipes I've tasted yet.

Iranian Stuffed Apples with Spiced Beef and Saffron Sauce - For a truly exotic twist, this dish with apple, saffron and beef will send your tastebuds to flavour heaven.

South African Bobotie (Curry Casserole) - Sweet and savoury lamb curry, with raisins even!

Japanese Sesame and Miso-Glazed Chicken Wings - The sauce on these wings is so tasty that you'll want to drink it. Well, we just couldn't help ourselves really.

Honey-roasted Carrots with Tahini Yoghurt (V) - Fantastic uplifting flavour from the coriander seeds and honey gives the standard roasted carrots a great twist.

Korean Sesame Soy Braised Lotus Root (V) - If you really want to feel like you've taken a trip to Asia, this is the dish to take you there. Lotus Root has a surprisingly gentle and subtle taste which goes beautifully with sesame, soy and a little rice malt to ensure it doesn't get too salty.

Rosemary Quinces Poached Pink to Perfection - The best way to make quinces. Te rosemary too adds a nice touch.

Lebanese Knafeh (Sweet Cheese Pastry) - Similar to the popular "Jerusalem street food" treats in Sydney, this is another sweet & savoury (but mostly sweet) dish.

Mediterranean Halva Cake - Bet you never saw this one coming... sweet tasting sesame halva sneaking into a delicious sour cream coffee cake.

Mains & Sides from around the world

Mexican Tamales (V option) - No corny jokes here. Mexican tamales are a real savoury treat.

Jamaican Goat Curry - A curry has always been my favourite way to have goat, hands down.

French Mushroom and Tarragon Savoury Pies (V) - These little packets of goodness are so full of delicious mushroom flavour with four types of mushrooms going into them.

Burmese Chicken Curry - This great light curry broth tastes delightful.

Braised Lentils and Sausages - If you're looking for a delicious filling meal without carbs, try this one. Excellent for any meal - breakfast (a late one), lunch or dinner !

Middle Eastern Lamb Shanks with Preserved Lemons and Fennel - Preserved lemon goes wonderfully well with lamb shanks.

Pork Sausage & Caramelised Fennel Orrechiette - The most tasty chic noodles I've ever know... and what better accompaniement than caramelised fennel and sausages.

Sundried Tomato Stuffed Portobello with Melting Taleggio Cheese (V) - Taleggio cheese, sundried tomatoes, roasted portobellos... need I really say more.

Herb Stuffed Tomatoes (V) - Fantastic presentation food. Would go beautifully next to a steak!

Warm Freekeh Salad with Preserved Lemon (V) - Freekeh, a green grain that has a nice bite to it, is delicious with preserved lemon.

Breakie Treats

Pumpkin, Chorizo & Kale Frittata - Give the classic frittata a strong flavour boost with this delicious and for the most part quite-healthy morning treat.

Tomato & Olive Tart (V) - More unique than you'd think. Not your usual tomato & olive tart. Presents itself beautifully as a centerpiece for breakfast and highly tastebud-acclaimed.

Home-made crumpets (V) - When someone first said "best thing since sliced bread", I bet they were speaking about these crumpets. Absolutely easy to make and the buttermilk makes it truly sing.

Delightful Entrees

Soups - Garlic & Harissa Soup (V) for those who really love garlic (there are 25 cloves in there!), Spicy Chickpea and Bulgar Soup (V) for a soup with a beautiful unique texture and taste.

Chickpea Wedges with Parsley, Lemon & Caper Sauce (V) - Tired of polenta chips? These yummy chickpea wedges may be your answer!

Spiced Nuts (V) - We're all nuts here with Rosemary Spiced Nuts, Salted Caramel Pecans and Sriracha Baked Almonds.

Sweet Treats

Maple Treats - I couldn't just stop at one could I being Canadian and all... so here are three delicious maple flavoured treats : Maple Syrup Pie, Canadian Whiskey Maple Cookies and Whiskey Maple & Walnut Chocolate Truffles.

Iranian Cardamom Shortbread - The cardamom in these treats just shine. And they are made with chickpea flour which result in the most delicate texture.

Strawberry Cheesecake - Move over strawberry shortcake. You've not tasted strawberries fully until you've tried this treat.

Blood Orange Granita - Having tried a few recipes, this is my favourite blood orange dessert recipe yet.

French Chocolate Macarons - Classic recipe... finally got it right on the 3rd try. All I can say is I'm very thankful for the help of YouTube.

French Chocolate Eclairs - Another classic french recipe. Delicious of course and fun to decorate!

Chocolate Espresso Dacquoise - Takes loads of time but it will hard to find a more beautiful (and flavourful) dessert centerpiece.

Five Layer Pudding with Sherry Jelly, Chocolate Custard and Dulce de Leche Caramel - If you can't make up your mind on whether you want a chocolate or caramel desert, you can have it all here!

Happy Bellies!