Author Archives: thepaddingtonfoodie

It’s The Shatter That Matters. Old-Fashioned Homemade Honey Comb.

Remember the tag line for Hoadley’s Violet Crumble – it’s the shatter that matters? Growing up I adored Violet Crumble – tooth achingly sweet honeycomb bars smothered in chocolate. After all these years, I’m still a fiercely loyal  devotee, give me a Violet Crumble any … Continue reading

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For Grace. A Taste of the Middle East. Orange and Almond Cake.

We were sitting down to dinner last night when the phone rang. It was Grace with the news that she had just cooked a  recipe from one of my first blogs, the Karaage, aka Japanese fried chicken.  I cannot tell you the … Continue reading

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Sacre Bleu! The Not So Busy Bees of Ribeauville Alsace.

I’m very proud of this photo. It was taken in my father’s garden. The apple and cherry trees were in bloom, and masses of honeybees were pollinating the blossoms. In a moment of weakness I challenged myself to take a photo. … Continue reading

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A Taste of Summer. Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls with Seafood and a Lime Dipping Sauce

How ironic! I wrote this post last night when the weather was warm and balmy. What a difference a day makes! Temperatures have dropped, there has been a steady drizzle of rain all morning. What’s more we are  bracing for afternoon storms. … Continue reading

Posted in Salads, Seafood, To Serve with Drinks, Vegetables, What I Love to Cook | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Fresh from the Garden. Cauliflower Florets Crusted with Semolina and Polenta

And today’s spring  vegetable is… cauliflower!  No we are not a vegetarian household; we’re just still working through all those gorgeous vegetables from my father’s garden. I imagine that this is how our predecessors used to eat. No take away, no pre packaged … Continue reading

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Back to School. What to Bake? Chocolate Cake!

Holidays are over and a new school term is about to begin. Time to resurrect the weekly ritual of  baking something  for my children’s school lunches. What to bake? Chocolate Cake! This chocolate cake is a firm family favourite and ticks all the boxes. … Continue reading

Posted in Baked, Chocolate, Sweet Treats, What I Love to Cook | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

On the Grill. Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus.

Its spring and that means asparagus season is in full swing – in fact asparagus is one of the first vegetables ready to be harvested in spring. I can never get my head around the fact that such a delicious vegetable thrives … Continue reading

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Spinach and Three Cheese Pie. Not Quite Spanakopita. Not Quite Quiche

We returned from our visit to Canberra with a carload of  fresh, seasonal vegetables courtesy of my father’s garden: asparagus, beetroot, celery, cauliflower, spring onions, spinach, silverbeet, rocket, lettuce, raddicchio, snow peas and parsley. Beautiful organic produce in copious quantities. My children adore my … Continue reading

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The Perfect Egg: Freshly Laid by Pat’s Chooks. Poached by Annabel.

Poached eggs are my favourite. If they’re on the menu when I’m out for breakfast or brunch I’ll  order them. Every single time. For me, a perfectly poached egg is lovely and rounded,  with a soft,  firm white,  and a deliciously runny yolk. No stringy tendrils, and definitely … Continue reading

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Emptying the Fruit Bowl. Banana Bread with Choc Chunks and a Pecan Streusel Topping

What to do with bananas fast approaching their use by date? I glanced at the fruit bowl this morning and the bananas were looking decidedly ripe. There were no takers for smoothies, and we had a freezer stocked with  banana … Continue reading

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