For years I have wanted to start my own cooking club.
I have a vision of a group of people all turning up somewhere simple and cosy bearing pots of pasta, crunchy bread and dishes of bubbling casserole. Everyone would share what they had already made before joining in the final preparations together.
My recent reading of Marlena De Blasi’s Umbrian Supper Club only made this desire more potent. If you haven’t read it, you should. I lingered slowly over each page, willing the story to go on for longer and pausing every few days to try out something new in my own kitchen. Continue reading →
St Valentine’s Day. Roses and chocolate anyone? February 14th.
Lunar New Year.
March
Norooz. Iranian New Year, also known as the Persian New Year, is celebrated worldwide by the Iranians, along with some other ethno-linguistic groups, as the beginning of the New Year.
April
Shrove Tuesday
Easter
Greek Easter
Queens Day- now Kings Day. Netherlands. April 27.
May
Cinco de Mayo 5th May
June
Eid al–Fitr is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting (sawm).
Midsummer in Sweden.
July
San Vermin. 1 July.
Independence Day Fourth of July
Bastille Day July 14th
August
Moon Festival, Tsukimi. Japan. 15th.
La Tomitano tomato throwing Spain.
Maslenitsa Pancake Festival, Rusia.
Kraftskiva (Crayfish Party). As the summer draws to an end, crayfish parties with snapps and singing are very popular in Nordic countries.
September
Grape Throwing Fesivtal, to celebrate the grape harvest. . Last weekend in September.
October
Oktoberfest, Germany
November
Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Wednesday 7th November in 2018 although it changes from year to year depending on the cycle of the moon. Celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains for a variety of reasons, the main theme is the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Music, lights, fireworks and the sharing of traditional sweets.
I have a few new ingredients to play with thanks to Melbourne company El Cielo Mexican foods. They sent me a gorgeous packet of dried Ancho Chile and I am loving using the last of it in this dish. It adds a distinctive depth of flavour that I love.
I am also using a collection of fresh herbs from my new garden.
While my kids are besotted with their new Labrador puppy, I feel like a have a kind of pet of my own that is my collection of herbs and flowers in their pots.
I do not have a green thumb at all but I do enjoy gardening.
I watched a snippet of this film “Portrait of a garden” and I found some illuminating advice about being a gardener. Something along the lines of (and I paraphrase here) if you want to be a gardener you have to be able to tolerate uncertainty and be willing to build for the future, with all the patience that requires.
The truly great gardens throughout history have done just that don’t you think?
I wonder what it is that actually constitutes a great garden?
My Dad was a keen gardener and spent hours and hours turning green barren paddocks into beautiful fragrant garden beds that you could wander through or gaze upon.
Just last weekend I also visited my sister’s house in the Country and she has done a wonderful job of turning her own extensive but plain back yard into a vibrant and luscious garden, fit for meandering and drinking tea.
There was a time where my husband and I were thinking of moving to Versailles as there was a job opportunity available there that we liked the sound of. Imagine that, living near the gardens of Versailles. Of course they truly are great gardens of historical significance but I don’t think we need judge other gardens by their magnificence.
Why do you think? Have you ever fallen in love with a garden or perhaps fallen in love thanks to a garden?
Some of my favourite gardens include the ones my sister and Dad created, as well as the beautiful “Rose Cottage” gardens in the Yarra Valley that were planted and lovingly cared for by my Aunty and Uncle. When I was young this garden was a truly magical place to me and powerful childhood impressions never really fade do they?
Here in Melbourne I also have a soft spot for the Royal Botanic Gardens.And the average of edible farm at the “has to be seen to be believed ” produce garden at Cardi Farm from the team at O.My in Beaconsfield.
On my wish list for a visit are the gardens of
Broughton Hall
Cloudhill Gardens Olinda
Cruden Farm by Dame Elisabeth Murdoch
Coombe House (Dame Nellie Melba)
As to falling in love in a garden? I cannot lay claim to this one.
At the moment though I am happy with my pots.
Wish me luck in keeping them happy and alive when the hot weather finally arrives.
I was pleased to be invited along to the launch in Australia of Pinkster Gin.
The launch was held at the iconic Madame Brussels and what a glorious Spring evening it was to take in the gorgeous Melbourne views from the City’s first ever rooftop bar.
I also had the pleasure of being greeted by the legendary Miss Pearls on arrival. She handed me a plate of cucumber sandwiches and I gushed for a little bit about how much I loved hearing her talk at last years Food Symposium.
Pinkster Gin was launched by founder Stephen Marsh in Cambridge England because he was experiencing dietary issues. I had the pleasure of meeting Stephen on the evening and he told us that he produces his light, raspberry infused product in his own backyard. It is made uniquely, relying on fresh raspberries.
His product uses fresh fruit to flavour the gin rather than dried fruit and it is a lovely, light way to enjoy a Friday night drink.
It was a lovely way to launch into a weekend in Melbourne after a hectic week at the tiller.
Admit it, you love a pretty picture of a fairy floss topped brunch item as much as the next guy. There is just something so appealing about looking at pictures of delicious food, and although the research sometimes suggests these pictures are making us eat more and think less, we really just can’t help loving them. Am I right?
So I present to you, courtesy of the many hours I myself spend on Instagram, the best accounts by Melbourne foodies on Instagram. You’re welcome.
I have had the pleasure of meeting quite a few of these food eating super stars around town and some of them are now my friends. These guys work hard, so feel free to visit their gorgeous feeds and show them a little love.
You know I love a fellow Melbourne Mum and this one has the most spot on skills as a photographer and a food lover. Follow Crumbs for some of the most pristine food photographs and for regular updates on what’s new and what’s hot in the Melbourne dining scene.
Anyone else fancy eating dessert for dinner on occasion? Then you are going to love Amy from Inbetweendesserts. She doesn’t just eat sweet but she has been known to order an ice cream sandwich and an oreo cheesecake for dinner so make of that what you will.
Penguin Eats has been chomping his way around the dining scene in Melbourne. Follow for great, honest reviews of popular Melbourne cafes and restaurants.
Vikki the Vego has the most beautiful vegetarian Instagram feed in the biz. With an eye for colour and a sensibility straight from the eighties, the food on this page will make you smile every time. Plus the girls got talent and has released her own book, among other things.
Y’all know I have a love and passion for Victoria wide produce and sometimes our great country food regions get a little neglected on the old Instagram feed, but not with Lisa Eats World. Lisa travels and takes stunningly evocative photographs along the way. Follow Lisa and get dreaming about where your next foodie adventure.
Absolutely beautiful images of food from some of Melbourne’s best cafes and restaurants. Jane only recently started eating out at restaurants but she has quickly gathered an enthusiastic following as she shares her adventures. This girls got skills behind the camera.
With a M.A. of Gastronomy, Jacqui is based in Adelaide but travels across all of Australian to dine at every single restaurant in the Gourmet Traveller Top 100 list. She is the go to girl for the best recommendations. She is also super talented and pretty funny.
Who is your favourite Melbourne Instagram foodie?
Do you run your own account? I’d love to see it.
Dani xx
Dani B is a food blogger and writer at www.eatmystreet.net. You can follow along on her enthusiastic foodie adventures on Facebook or of course, please on Instagram. She’s little but full of enthusiasm.
In August we have slightly longer days and the sunshine pokes through for occasional bursts of warmth and inspiration. The daffodils may be flowering in your garden and Spring time is so close, yet also so far away.
It is also a great time to join a local food swap group as those gluts of lemon, lime and artichoke set in.
Here in Melbourne we tend to spend a bit of time dreaming of a holidays somewhere warm, and some lucky people even head off and take that holiday. Cue wistful longing as we view their sun kissed holidays photos.
It is also the month that we celebrate the following food days on the Aussie food calendar.
Potato, honey and lemon juice. Quite a grand list of foods in my humble opinion.
This Friday 4th of August is Cafe Smart as part of the StreetSmart Australia fundrasing initiative. Local cafes across Melbourne will be donating money from every coffee sold to fight homelessness. Use this interactive map to find your local participating cafe.
Herbs: bay leaf, parsley, mint, rosemary, thyme, chives, oregano, marjoram, sage, bronze fennel, garlic and coriander.
Is there anything you are growing in your garden that I could add to the list?
With some of my favourite vegetables in season (cauliflower, beetroot, pumpkin) and some great fruit coming to us from Queensland, I actually find it really easy to think of great recipes to cook in August.
So what will you be cooking, growing and doing this August?
This time last year I was heading off for a most magnificent trip to Port Fairy on the beautiful Great Ocean Road. The weather was definitely not warm, but it was a perfect way to spend a cosy, Winter weekend and I loved every moment of it.
The food was sensational and I discovered two of my now favourite restaurants.
Fen Restaurant serves uniquely Australian food. You can almost taste the ocean and crisp countryside on the plate. They were also awarded two Hats in this years Good Food Guides Awards and I think it well was well deserved.
Coffin Sally Pizza serves some of the best, on point pizza in a very unique venue right in the heart of Port Fairy. I’m not sure if I loved the food or the old stone building more.
Reading
Pan MacMillan Australia were kind enough to send me a copy of two cook books from their range and I am loving discovering heaps of new recipes.
The Energy Guide by Dr Libby is an absolutely amazing treasure trove of information on nutrition, sleep, energy levels, stress, gut health and emotions.
Dr Libby gives practice advice on how to manage your time, hormones and work life. I was very impacted by her advice to quite walking around with a “to do list” in my head as this only increases stress and frustration, with very minimal benefit. So true. and obvious but somehow I still hadn’t quite realised it.
I am very slowly readying my way through this book and picking up useful tips every single time I pick it up. Dr Libby is a very practical and straight forward and with a Bachelor of Health Science and a PhD there is a real sense of trust in what she says.
This year to celebratemy birthday I am doing something from home in the shape of a 31 days of gratitude challenge. The more I read the more I am absolutely convinced of the benefits of practising gratitude daily. You can join me over on Create the Happy or just read along. Can I make it the full 31 days? Let’s wait and see.
Dani B is a food and lifestyle blogger from Melbourne. She has three kids, a naughty puppy, too many jobs and hankering to live in an Agatha Christie novel. She writes about good food for the good life in Melbourne and beyond.
20 ways to Celebrate Bastille Day in Melbourne (2018)
Bastille Day is the French National Day celebrated on the 14th of July each year. In France it is known as “le 14 juiellet” or “le fete nationale” and it celebrates the storming of Bastille, a turning point in the French revolution.
Melbourne loves a celebration and some of our best French restaurants and cafes are putting on special dinners especially for the day. So why not buy a ticket, book a table or just pop in for a visit and take in the atmosphere and French food to celebrate Bastille Day in Melbourne.
The French Brasserie are hosting a special three course set menu to celebrate with Kir Royale on arrival and live entertainment in Malthouse Lane, featuring live entertainment by the amazing Céd Le Mélédo, drink specials, and prize giveaways throughout the day.
Chef Philippe Michel was Melbourne’s first ever “International Chef” bringing an “overseas” restaurant to Melbourne diners. As such ,the food at his traditional laneway brasserie is classic and timeless with a modern touch.
With menu items like Oyster + Celery, Apple Mignonette and Daily Tarts + Reduced Milk Ice Cream this contemporary French minimalist restaurant is at the top of my wish list.
Celebrate Bastille Day in Melbourne at this Parisienne bar and bistro in Hardware Lane. You can read the review of my excellent dinner to find out more.
La Bastille Day French Festival with Alliance Francais in Melbourne. July 14-15th. 5 Blackwood St, North Melbourne. $5 entry.
Melbourne’s best croissants at Lune, also recently named by the NY Times as “buttery heft and feathery flake, may be the finest you will find anywhere in the world.”
French macarons at the adorable La Belle Miette in Collins St. This year they have a special celebratory box for Bastille Day.
Try visiting Milk the Cow in Carlton or St Kilda for one of their cheese and wine flights (or gin or whisky).
Despite my love of French food (it is my favourite cuisine) I almost never cook it at home. Something to do with all that butter and cheese I think. Ignorance is bliss.
But this soul warming French onion pot roast looks worth a try.
All you need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.
Charles M. Schultz
World Chocolate Day, the celebration we had to have because what would life be without chocolate?
Did you know that chocolate reportedly gives a more intense and longer lasting “buzz” than kissing? Oo, la la.
A study released in early 2017 shows that chocolate consumption is on the rise here in Australia with more Aussies eating chocolate bars, blocks and boxed chocolates than they were in 2013. World Chocolate Day, July 7th, seems like a great day to join in!
Here are some ideas of how you might celebrate World Chocolate Day.
I am sure that I am not alone in wanting to be able to use fresh, seasonal ingredients to feed my family. I learnt this lesson when I was quite young and working as a Nanny for a horticultural scientist. Occasionally I would do the grocery shopping for the family and one day I was very politely but firmly asked to never buy fruit from overseas again.
I have to confess that up until that point it had never even occurred to me that I might have to make the choice myself (I was young ok?).
But what exactly is in season? Well I have collated some information from the Vic Farmers Market website and also from some books I have on gardening to make this list of What’s in Season in July. I have also picked up the occasional tid bit of advice from the awesome food swap group that I am part of so that I can be prepared with recipes to use prior to hitting the shops.
So here is a great selection of recipes that you can use when cooking with ingredients that are in season in July.
One of my favourite snack recipes of all time is this sweet and crunchy cauliflower recipe. So divine!
I know that it is lemon season right now. The ABC recently posted a great article on what you can do with your glut of lemons. Sadly I currently don’t have a producing citrus tree so feel free to send some my way.
Who could forget Ottolenghi’s cabbage conversation with Blayne from O.My on Master Chef? I love cabbages. So straight to the master of veg himself for this great selection of cabbage recipes.
I have also noticed the gorgeous abundance of olives that are available at this time of year. I just love living in a neighbourhood where olive trees adorn the sidewalk. I tried brining my own one year but without much success. Maybe you will have more luck!
Why not add some fresh roasted hazelnuts to this simple chocolate slice? Or of course, just eat them fresh or in a salad because what delicious little morsels they are.
School holidays are approaching fast and while some of us ,might be lucky enough to be heading off somewhere exciting and warm, a lot of us will just want to be staying home and enjoying time with our families.
It always takes a bit of time to get into the rhythm on school holidays because everyone is so used to routines and schedules so here are 41 ideas for Winter Fun in Melbourne.
I have included a really good selection of things that you can do in the comfort of your own home or neighbourhood.
Grab a sketch pad and go for a winter ramble, drawing what you see.
The Winter Solstice is here again and I certainly noticed it this morning.
Winter Solstice is marked on the shortest day of the year for the Southern Hemisphere.
Technically this would make it a perfect opportunity to catch a late sunrise, but in reality, Melbourne is pretty cold and overcast and it just ends up making it harder to get out of a warm, snuggly bed.
At my house it meant I got to lay there in the dark a little longer ignoring my alarm to a non stop chitter chatter of “are you still awake Mum?”
But what are some other ways to celebrate Winter Solstice?
Make a hot lunch or supper. Soup is always a lovely idea at this time of year.
Bake a delicious, luscious cake and share it with someone as a surprise.
Light some candles this evening and do away with the electricity.
Pull your favourite board game out from the back of the cupboard and go crazy.
Write a letter. The recipient will love it, guaranteed.
Make a cup my delicious and very decadent white hot chocolate for supper. Bonus points for drinking it around a fire.
Pull on your winter woolies and head out for a walk.
Fuel your warm weather fantasies by planning a weekend away.
Watch your shadow. You will have the longest shadow of the year at midday.
Bundle up with a rug, coat and beanie and watch the stars tonight.
Create a little ski lodge ambiance. Turn on some moody lighting, light your indoor fireplace, drape wooly blankets with abandon, brew some mulled wine and play some vintage tunes.
Read you favourite book in your most comfortable chair. Bring snacks.
Enjoy a pot of tea.
Make a fresh loaf of your very own bread.
Make an arrangement out of whatever you have growing in your garden. Winter provides us with some beautiful textures, scent and colours here in Melbourne. Lavender and rosemary would be a great place to start.
I am back in the kitchen this week cooking one of the never ending variations of one of my favourite recipes.
And the average of edible farm at the “has to be seen to be believed ” produce garden at Cardi Farm from the team at 
I was pleased to be invited along to the launch in Australia of Pinkster Gin.
World Chocolate Day, the celebration we had to have because what would life be without chocolate?
Winter Solstice is marked on the shortest day of the year for the Southern Hemisphere.
