Entries by Debbie Worgan

Preserved Lemons

by Georgina Adamson

Preferably use thick skinned lemons. This is another useful pantry item and great to use when cooking Middle Eastern-style food, goes well with chicken, lamb, fish, cous cous and more.

You will need large, sterilised glass jars. Prepare jars by washing and drying well and sterilising in the oven.

Wash the lemons and cut into quarters or eights, depending on size. Toss in a large basin with coarse salt and massage … Read more »

Trick with Peel

by Georgie Adamson

I learnt this idea from a dear, elderly, past resident of Bermagui who, when she had a freshly squeezed juice, would save her rinds and put them in the freezer, there to use when she made marmalade or candied peel.

The freezing seems to tenderise the peel. When required, put the halves in a saucepan, cover with water and simmer till tender. Drain and, when cool enough to handle, scrape out … Read more »

The seductive promise for wonderful winter vegetables

by Angela Marshall

We’re deep in one of the coldest winters that I have experienced in the past twenty-five years in this region. So, to acknowledge this, I want to concentrate on those winter crops that revel in cold temperatures: those whose flavours improve and sweeten when the nights are genuinely cold, not just a bit nippy. Among the best winter sweeties are Brussel sprouts, fennel bulbs, parsnips and all citrus fruit. Some of these won’t … Read more »

Frank Moorhouse: A Life

reviewed by Wendy Tucker

by Catherine Lumby

Frank Moorhouse, the celebrated Australian author, essayist, screenwriter and journalist, died in 2022, aged 83.

There are now two recent biographies of Moorhouse. He asked his friend, journalist Catherine Lumby, to be his biographer. She spent many hours interviewing Moorhouse and was granted total access to all 158 boxes of archival material. It seems Moorhouse kept everything – a great gift to any biographer. Lumby … Read more »

The green spring clean

by Mark Evans

As we move into August and pass the cross-quarter day, halfway between the winter solstice and the coming vernal equinox, the days are getting longer and brighter and the first signs of spring are beginning to appear in the garden – a reminder that it is time for some green spring cleaning.
Although we usually associate spring cleaning with housework, the same concept can be applied to the … Read more »

Pumpkin, chickpea and coconut curry

by Georgie Adamson

Ingredients:
1 kg (approx.) pumpkin peeled and cubed
1 brown onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, sliced or chopped fine
1 fresh chilli, your choice, finely chopped
1 tablespoon of finely sliced ginger
1 teaspoon each: mustard seeds, turmeric
1 bunch coriander (replace with chopped parsley and celery if you like)
20 curry leaves … or a tablespoon good curry mix with those ingredients
1 … Read more »