Matt Dobson 
Surprise!!! This is a berry delicious self-saucing pudding. It has raspberries and blueberries and is sweet enough to even get me on a sugar high! Where is the surprise? The surprise is that I am even awake to cook this yummy pudding much less photograph and write about it. Why you ask? Last night I … Read more
What visions come to mind when you think of your ideal gourmet getaway? I envisage lots of cheese, wine, music, beer, an abundance of restaurant choices, in a quiet, laid back setting, perhaps with some farmland, historic buildings and some designer shops for good measure. Well dear readers, this is what I experienced during my … Read more
Picnics by the beach often include a cold selection of dishes, but when you invest in a portable cooker something as tasty as a Satay Chicken Burger can easily be created! After all my cooking challenges are completed, I have plenty more food, wine and travel experiences to share, so lovely readers you needn’t be concerned, … Read more
Hello Dear Readers, Today I did something rather unusual for me. I rode my bike into the supermarket to collect some items I needed for cooking. That may not sound like an unusual activity, but for those who know me well, they would understand, this does not happen too often. I am a chronic exercise … Read more
These little Spring Cupcakes are a sweet mix of orange cupcake, mango syrup and mango ganache covered in a fondant icing. This is my first attempt at decorating a cupcake with anything other than a thick slab of buttercream or straight icing. I am the first to admit that I am not a patient person, … Read more
Vinifera is latin for grape, and this suitably named vineyard has grapes a plenty! The vineyard is owned by a lovely couple who have planted a selection of Spanish grape varieties such as Tempranillo and Gran Tinto due to the similarities in climate Mudgee shares with the Spanish wine region of Rioja. Vinifera now produces … Read more
This classic Muffaletta Sandwich has had a Aussie makeover, introducing the Muff Burger!
When I suggested we should have Sunday lunch at the Mudgee Brewery Co, as you can imagine, the men in the family answered with a unanimous and hearty “yes”. When I added that the brewery puts on entertainment for the Sunday afternoon crowd I could see my dear hubby mentally settling in for the long … Read more
Setting a topic each week that needs to be covered in a particular timeframe has meant that I have been cooking interesting dishes that I wouldn’t have otherwise prepared. This week I am revisiting Ice Cream and the recipe is for Mango Cheesecake Ice Cream. This also means I am learning new techniques, family and … Read more
Have you ever wondered how to use leftover egg yolks or whites from cooking?
Husband and I are at the Rydges Hotel Port Macquarie for the 4th Annual Six Degrees of Degustation Charity Dinner. The evening is part of the schedule of events for the 8th Annual “Tastings on Hastings” local food and wine festival, which is held over a three weeks period. The evening was to be … Read more
The mid-North Coast area of Port Macquarie and surrounding districts is showcasing the best of what the area has to offer in their 8th Annual Tastings of the Hasting food and wine event. This is the ideal time to visit Port Macquarie to sample the produce of the premier local chefs, producers, vineyards, brewers and … Read more
Niku-jaga is one of my family’s favourite Japanese meals. It is quick and simple to prepare and it has a real comfort food factor about it. I was first taught how to make it by Kaori, a Japanese, English language student we had staying with our family for about a year. We have since visited … Read more
Chawan-mushi is a traditional egg dish which Tomo and our student Mana are making as an entrée for their friend Mayumi and the rest of our family. It is a traditional Japanese dish and the second Mayumi heard what the girls were preparing she was saying “oooh I miss this dish” “I love Chawan-mushi” so … Read more
The main course for this evenings meal is Shouga-yaki. Our Japanese student Mana and her friends Tomo and Mayumi are teaching us how to cook some of their favourite traditional Japanese meals. I am watching and taking photographs and notes to that I can share them on my website and recreate these dishes again. … Read more
As it is still school holidays here, I thought I might do an article on “kids in the kitchen.” I feel very fortunate to have always been allowed into the kitchen as a child. Whether at my nan’s house or at home I was always “helping” with the cooking. Mostly by licking the beaters, but … Read more
The September/October Queensland school holidays marks the beginning of Coffs Harbour’s Annual Buskers and Comedy Festival. Commencing on Friday 24th September and continuing until Sunday 3rd October, the festival is a ten-day celebration, in which entertainers perform in the streets, clubs, pubs and other venues for everyone’s enjoyment. This year is a little more special … Read more
I have been flicking through a few cocktail books looking for a yummy drink that would convert well to a dessert. Visually I like the idea of a three layered cocktail like a “seduction” but I wanted the flavours to be true to the original drink and finally decided on a Toblerone Mousse because I love … Read more
I don’t know if you would call it “Spring Cleaning” but I have been re-evaluating my gardens. The result has been about four trailer loads of shrubs that were thriving being ripped out of the garden and sent to the tip. These plants were in some cases, up to 5 metres tall and requiring hubby … Read more
Slowly but steadily we are making our way through the vineyards of the North Coast Wine Trail. The next vineyard on our list is a family owned vineyard formerly know as Innes View Vineyard. It has recently undergone a name change to Roses Vineyard. Roses is one of the newest vineyards on the North … Read more