Food Archive
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Babushka Bar/Restaurant in Hawthorn, Melbourne
There’s a great new bar/restaurant called Babushka that has opened up in Hawthorn in Melbourne. This casual watering hole Babushka was created by David Christianson (Upfront Concepts), Grant Smilie (Ponyfish Island, 360 Agency) and Mark Douglass (Mark Douglass Design). The venue has a main room with a rich assortment of chairs, pews, stools and tables of [...] -
KGB Restaurant Las Vegas
I’ve got to say, Las Vegas is not really my kind of place. However, I was interested to recently read about the KGB gourmet burger and vodka bar at Harrah’s that opened last summer. Vision 360, a Dallas-based architecture and interior design firm, were the guys behind making celebrity chef, Kerry Simon’s vision a reality. Simon [...] -
Recipe: Balkan Ćevapčići Served with Ajvar
I can’t lie, ćevapčići is probably one of my favourite finds from Eastern Europe. The ground beef sausage shaped burgers are popular across Yugoslavia and are traditionally served with flat breads, kajmak and ajvar (more of my favourites!). The kind people at Cox & Kings recently sent me a jar of ajvar (an aubergine and red pepper [...] -
Recipe: Adriatic Mussels in White Wine & Parsley
The winter is the best time to indulge in mussels on the Adriatic coast of Slovenia and Croatia. This is a very simple recipe for steamed mussels and ensures the taste of the fabulous, succulent mussels shines through and is not dominated by any other ingredient. Here’s my foolproof recipe… Ingredients 1kg mussels, with the beards and any [...] -
Russian Zakuski / закуски Recipe: Baked Cauliflower Cheese
While the Russians may not have created signature cauliflower cheese they do indeed have their version and enjoy it with gusto. It’s a great side dish or one for their zakuski board. It’s by far one of my favourite ways to eat cauliflower, only perhaps overshadowed by fried cauliflower in breadcrumbs. Here’s my recipe… Ingredients Cauliflower florets 3 tbsp [...] -
Recipe: Balkan Rack of Lamb in Sour Cream
There are parts of the Balkans that lamb just isn’t popular, however, there are regions in which dishes such as rack of lamb are simply adored. As with most cultural traditions and traits related to this region, food can be highly polarised. Now lamb is in season this foolproof recipe should provide you with a [...] -
5th Lošinj Cuisine Festival in Croatia
If you happen to find yourself in Croatia this April, make sure you head down to the 5th Lošinj Cuisine Festival held from 8th to 22nd April. This year’s festival is marked by a project entitled “Around the World with Lošinj Sails” which aims to revive and recall the historical and cultural heritage of Lošinj’s [...] -
Russian Zakuski / закуски Recipe: Marinated Sardines
Talk to most people about Russian cuisine and the likelihood is they’ll say, “Don’t they just eat meat and potatoes; or eat caviar and drink vodka?” I’m hoping to try and change people’s attitudes as there is so much more to this nation’s cuisine. One of my favourite Russian zakuski dishes (though I realise they [...] -
Slovene Orehove Rezine / Walnut Syrup Cake Recipe
There is something about delicious, moist, cake which makes me reminisce of summer holidays spent in Kranjska Gora. The first time I arrived, Mira, the Grandmother, had created possibly the most intricate and exquisite cake in honour of my arrival. I was quite blown away but I was soon to realise that cake is a [...] -
Russian Zakuski / закуски Recipe: Tomatoes Stuffed with Mushrooms
There are many Russian zakuski dishes (small, introductory dishes usually part of a welcome board serves to guests on arrival) that also double as impressive, party-piece starters. These tomatoes are no exception. The large tomatoes are stuffed with a mushroom and sour cream sauce which can all be prepared before baking for just 30 minutes [...]
