Welcome to my blog

Some days cooking feels like a slog and you need a little something extra to make your meal sing. The good news is you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen – or restaurant-grade equipment – to create that sense of “oof, that’s special.”

The weekly grocery shop seems to creep higher every time, yet most of us still want dinners that feel comforting, nourishing, and satisfying. When budgets are tight, the temptation is to think of “cutting back” as a joyless exercise. But there’s another way to approach it.

If you’ve ever gone looking for one ingredient and instead uncovered culinary archaeology, it might be time to give your pantry a proper spring clean. Here’s how I tackled mine.

Winter’s hanging on with both hands, but the market is starting to tell a different story. Between the beetroot and borlotti, I’m spotting the first shy hints of spring – spears of asparagus, tropical perfume, and produce that whispers of warmer days ahead. Here’s what I’ve been finding (and cooking) while we wait for summer tomatoes to make their grand return.

There’s something magical about a good recipe. It’s more than a list of ingredients and steps. As a food writer and home cook, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what makes a recipe worth coming back to.

When it comes to good food, most of us know when something just hits right. Maybe it’s that crunchy bite of roast potatoes, the silky spoonful of a well-made custard, or the contrast of crisp greens and creamy dressing in a salad. We say ‘it tastes amazing’ but what we’re actually loving is more than just flavour.

For many home cooks seasoning is often rushed or left to the last minute. But with just a bit more attention to when and how we add salt and pepper, we can transform simple meals into something much more satisfying.

Whether you’re dipping a toe into new spice territory or deep-diving into your pantry’s potential, spices are here to help you cook with more confidence, creativity, and joy.

Life’s about to get hectic. A bit of prep now means I’ll be feeding future-me well without the fuss. Read my 7 top tips so you too can be a meal prep girlie.

We all have those ingredients we buy on autopilot. What if those pantry and fridge staples could do more than their usual tricks? Whether you’re trying to avoid food waste, inject some fun into your meal routine, or just impress yourself with a little creativity, these recipes give common kitchen items a delicious new identity.

I’ve been teaching a friend some basic recipes and it strikes me that very often those in the food and hospitality industries forget that not everyone understands their language. Did you watch The Bear and now you say “Behind!” when in your own kitchen? Do you know why?

Australia has entered its flatbread era and honestly, it just makes sense. These unpretentious, wildly versatile breads tick all the boxes.