Current favourite cake. French apple cake. Been doing a lot of baking in a 1.2L loaf tin lately because it’s the most convenient size for small baking. Thinking of writing a whole cookbook of different recipes – sweet and savoury – all made in just the one tin. Thoughts?
Proud dad today. And a bit of a story about why.
Yesterday was the NSW junior karate championships.
Three years ago this kid entered this same tournament – his first. He went in full of hope, but was beaten badly in every one of his fights.
He was crushed, and barely spoke the whole way home. When we got home he just said, “I’m going to train harder.”
A lot of kids quit after their first tournament when they realise fighting is scary, hard and painful.
But instead of quitting, this kid started going to karate 5 nights a week (!) and has been doing that ever since.
His little sister has been by his side the whole time. They train so hard. They come home bleeding and bruised nearly every night. They encourage each other. They cheer for each other.
They were brilliant at the tournament. Fearless. Anna came second in kata and first in kumite. Christopher took home first place in ALL THREE of his events. They fought bigger opponents. Neither lost a single fight. They won every one by ippon (karate equivalent of a KO). Christopher won his final fight in just 6 seconds.
They made it look easy. But it wasn’t easy. They ground it out over years of hard work, which is a weird thing to say for kids so young.
And it wasn’t anything we taught them. We never pushed them to do this. They taught themselves, and pushed themselves.
Of course I’m happy they won, but the thing that makes me far, far more proud than trophies is the respect for their opponents, the friendships they’ve made, and the character they showed to get themselves here. They’re gonna be alright.
Proud dad today. And a bit of a story about why.
Yesterday was the NSW junior karate championships.
Three years ago this kid entered this same tournament – his first. He went in full of hope, but was beaten badly in every one of his fights.
He was crushed, and barely spoke the whole way home. When we got home he just said, “I’m going to train harder.”
A lot of kids quit after their first tournament when they realise fighting is scary, hard and painful.
But instead of quitting, this kid started going to karate 5 nights a week (!) and has been doing that ever since.
His little sister has been by his side the whole time. They train so hard. They come home bleeding and bruised nearly every night. They encourage each other. They cheer for each other.
They were brilliant at the tournament. Fearless. Anna came second in kata and first in kumite. Christopher took home first place in ALL THREE of his events. They fought bigger opponents. Neither lost a single fight. They won every one by ippon (karate equivalent of a KO). Christopher won his final fight in just 6 seconds.
They made it look easy. But it wasn’t easy. They ground it out over years of hard work, which is a weird thing to say for kids so young.
And it wasn’t anything we taught them. We never pushed them to do this. They taught themselves, and pushed themselves.
Of course I’m happy they won, but the thing that makes me far, far more proud than trophies is the respect for their opponents, the friendships they’ve made, and the character they showed to get themselves here. They’re gonna be alright.
Proud dad today. And a bit of a story about why.
Yesterday was the NSW junior karate championships.
Three years ago this kid entered this same tournament – his first. He went in full of hope, but was beaten badly in every one of his fights.
He was crushed, and barely spoke the whole way home. When we got home he just said, “I’m going to train harder.”
A lot of kids quit after their first tournament when they realise fighting is scary, hard and painful.
But instead of quitting, this kid started going to karate 5 nights a week (!) and has been doing that ever since.
His little sister has been by his side the whole time. They train so hard. They come home bleeding and bruised nearly every night. They encourage each other. They cheer for each other.
They were brilliant at the tournament. Fearless. Anna came second in kata and first in kumite. Christopher took home first place in ALL THREE of his events. They fought bigger opponents. Neither lost a single fight. They won every one by ippon (karate equivalent of a KO). Christopher won his final fight in just 6 seconds.
They made it look easy. But it wasn’t easy. They ground it out over years of hard work, which is a weird thing to say for kids so young.
And it wasn’t anything we taught them. We never pushed them to do this. They taught themselves, and pushed themselves.
Of course I’m happy they won, but the thing that makes me far, far more proud than trophies is the respect for their opponents, the friendships they’ve made, and the character they showed to get themselves here. They’re gonna be alright.
Proud dad today. And a bit of a story about why.
Yesterday was the NSW junior karate championships.
Three years ago this kid entered this same tournament – his first. He went in full of hope, but was beaten badly in every one of his fights.
He was crushed, and barely spoke the whole way home. When we got home he just said, “I’m going to train harder.”
A lot of kids quit after their first tournament when they realise fighting is scary, hard and painful.
But instead of quitting, this kid started going to karate 5 nights a week (!) and has been doing that ever since.
His little sister has been by his side the whole time. They train so hard. They come home bleeding and bruised nearly every night. They encourage each other. They cheer for each other.
They were brilliant at the tournament. Fearless. Anna came second in kata and first in kumite. Christopher took home first place in ALL THREE of his events. They fought bigger opponents. Neither lost a single fight. They won every one by ippon (karate equivalent of a KO). Christopher won his final fight in just 6 seconds.
They made it look easy. But it wasn’t easy. They ground it out over years of hard work, which is a weird thing to say for kids so young.
And it wasn’t anything we taught them. We never pushed them to do this. They taught themselves, and pushed themselves.
Of course I’m happy they won, but the thing that makes me far, far more proud than trophies is the respect for their opponents, the friendships they’ve made, and the character they showed to get themselves here. They’re gonna be alright.
Proud dad today. And a bit of a story about why.
Yesterday was the NSW junior karate championships.
Three years ago this kid entered this same tournament – his first. He went in full of hope, but was beaten badly in every one of his fights.
He was crushed, and barely spoke the whole way home. When we got home he just said, “I’m going to train harder.”
A lot of kids quit after their first tournament when they realise fighting is scary, hard and painful.
But instead of quitting, this kid started going to karate 5 nights a week (!) and has been doing that ever since.
His little sister has been by his side the whole time. They train so hard. They come home bleeding and bruised nearly every night. They encourage each other. They cheer for each other.
They were brilliant at the tournament. Fearless. Anna came second in kata and first in kumite. Christopher took home first place in ALL THREE of his events. They fought bigger opponents. Neither lost a single fight. They won every one by ippon (karate equivalent of a KO). Christopher won his final fight in just 6 seconds.
They made it look easy. But it wasn’t easy. They ground it out over years of hard work, which is a weird thing to say for kids so young.
And it wasn’t anything we taught them. We never pushed them to do this. They taught themselves, and pushed themselves.
Of course I’m happy they won, but the thing that makes me far, far more proud than trophies is the respect for their opponents, the friendships they’ve made, and the character they showed to get themselves here. They’re gonna be alright.
Proud dad today. And a bit of a story about why.
Yesterday was the NSW junior karate championships.
Three years ago this kid entered this same tournament – his first. He went in full of hope, but was beaten badly in every one of his fights.
He was crushed, and barely spoke the whole way home. When we got home he just said, “I’m going to train harder.”
A lot of kids quit after their first tournament when they realise fighting is scary, hard and painful.
But instead of quitting, this kid started going to karate 5 nights a week (!) and has been doing that ever since.
His little sister has been by his side the whole time. They train so hard. They come home bleeding and bruised nearly every night. They encourage each other. They cheer for each other.
They were brilliant at the tournament. Fearless. Anna came second in kata and first in kumite. Christopher took home first place in ALL THREE of his events. They fought bigger opponents. Neither lost a single fight. They won every one by ippon (karate equivalent of a KO). Christopher won his final fight in just 6 seconds.
They made it look easy. But it wasn’t easy. They ground it out over years of hard work, which is a weird thing to say for kids so young.
And it wasn’t anything we taught them. We never pushed them to do this. They taught themselves, and pushed themselves.
Of course I’m happy they won, but the thing that makes me far, far more proud than trophies is the respect for their opponents, the friendships they’ve made, and the character they showed to get themselves here. They’re gonna be alright.
Proud dad today. And a bit of a story about why.
Yesterday was the NSW junior karate championships.
Three years ago this kid entered this same tournament – his first. He went in full of hope, but was beaten badly in every one of his fights.
He was crushed, and barely spoke the whole way home. When we got home he just said, “I’m going to train harder.”
A lot of kids quit after their first tournament when they realise fighting is scary, hard and painful.
But instead of quitting, this kid started going to karate 5 nights a week (!) and has been doing that ever since.
His little sister has been by his side the whole time. They train so hard. They come home bleeding and bruised nearly every night. They encourage each other. They cheer for each other.
They were brilliant at the tournament. Fearless. Anna came second in kata and first in kumite. Christopher took home first place in ALL THREE of his events. They fought bigger opponents. Neither lost a single fight. They won every one by ippon (karate equivalent of a KO). Christopher won his final fight in just 6 seconds.
They made it look easy. But it wasn’t easy. They ground it out over years of hard work, which is a weird thing to say for kids so young.
And it wasn’t anything we taught them. We never pushed them to do this. They taught themselves, and pushed themselves.
Of course I’m happy they won, but the thing that makes me far, far more proud than trophies is the respect for their opponents, the friendships they’ve made, and the character they showed to get themselves here. They’re gonna be alright.
Aaaaand that’s a wrap! Another season of #TheCookUpSBS coming your way. This season has pushed us past 500 episodes making us the most commissioned show EVER in @sbsaustralia history!!! (The previous record holder was Letters & Numbers with 496 episodes.)
Get ready for appearances from the likes of @alisoneroman, @osher_gunsberg, @michaelmosely_official, @andyhearnden, @gigiamazonia, @cheftomwalton, @asmakhanlondon, @daenskitchen and many more… and of course fabulous food from some of the best cooks and chefs in Australia.
I can’t thank our incredible crew enough for their joyous and tireless efforts to keep making this show better and better, and of course our guests for being so generous with their time, recipes and honesty – which is really what it is all about.
This season is rolling out now on @sbsfood and @sbsondemand!
📸 @jiwonkaeshoots
Tonight’s dinner. Fried garlic chicken wings and brussels sprouts. So good.
Tonight’s dinner. Sunday roast. Lamb leg, gravy, mint sauce with rosé vinegar, exceptionally good potatoes and green beans.
It’s been a while since I roasted a leg of lamb, as shoulders tend to be the roast of choice for most people these days. But there’s still life in the old legs yet.
Tonight’s dinner. Butter chicken, hot and sour eggplant curry, paratha, spinach puri and chutneys. Butter chicken is the kids favourite, but I always try to make a hotter, more sour or bitter curry to offset the sweet, creamy and mild butter chicken. Paratha from the freezer, spinach puri and chutneys from @flyover_fritterie, everything else homemade.
Thanks to all who cans along to my @sydwritersfest events on the weekend. It was truly a blast! And extra special thanks to @maggie_beer, @growcookeat, @annabelcrabb, @samneilltheprop, @jenniferwongcomedian, @asmakhanlondon, @grannyskills, @nats_what_i_reckon, @rosheen_, @aliceinframes, @shaunchristiedavid, @fat_pig_farm and @damiencoulthard for being generous, hilarious, thought-provoking and generally amazing!
Thanks to all who cans along to my @sydwritersfest events on the weekend. It was truly a blast! And extra special thanks to @maggie_beer, @growcookeat, @annabelcrabb, @samneilltheprop, @jenniferwongcomedian, @asmakhanlondon, @grannyskills, @nats_what_i_reckon, @rosheen_, @aliceinframes, @shaunchristiedavid, @fat_pig_farm and @damiencoulthard for being generous, hilarious, thought-provoking and generally amazing!
Tonight’s dinner. Scotch fillet with caramelised onion and portobello mushroom sauce. Creamed spinach. One very simple but very effective trick for pan sauces like this is that if you’re using commercial beef stock (which most of us are at home) rather than home made, commercial stocks have a lot of the gelatine removed so that it doesn’t clump in the packet at room temperature or in the fridge. The problem is that this gelatine is important for the mouthfeel of a reduced pan jus. Who hasn’t wondered why their pan sauce isn’t thickening the way it’s supposed to. Thankfully the answer is very simple, I add a half teaspoon of powdered gelatine to the sauce to improve the thickening and mouthfeel. It works wonders. 👍
Tonight’s dinner. Pumpkin and cauliflower with garlic yoghurt and smoked paprika butter. This honestly couldn’t be easier and you don’t even need to pick up a knife.
Heat an oven to as hot as it will go. Buy a half butternut and half cauliflower. Microwave the butternut for 5 minutes then place both the butternut and cauliflower cut-side down on an oiled piece of baking paper and bake for 30 minutes (you can leave all the leaves on the cauliflower).
Grate some garlic into some yoghurt and season with salt. Spread it on a plate and put the vegetables on top. Season with salt again. Heat a little butter or olive oil in a saucepan and add a bit of smoked paprika. Pour it over. Tear over a bit of parsley.
Tonight’s dinner. Danish-ish meatloaf. Recipe similar to the Danish meatloaf I published in @goodfoodau a few weeks ago (link in my profile) but with a few changes. Added a bit more breadcrumbs because I was using up some sourdough, added some grated carrot and celery. Ground cinnamon and allspice instead of fresh dill. Baked heaped up in my favourite small loaf tin covered with foil and without wrapping in bacon (I didn’t have any). I fried off the slices in brown butter before covering them with the sauce made from the leftover gravy from a roast a couple of weeks ago mixed with thickened cream. This was really, really good.
Tonight’s dinner. Nimono. Pork belly, daikon and eggs braised in soy sauce, sake and dashi with ginger and onion. Simple and delicious.
Excited to announce that the full range of Everyday crockery is now in @petersofkensington stores!
This is the medium bowl and it’s easily our most used bowl in the range. Perfect for soup, cereal, donburi (rice bowls) etc. Actually we keep 12 of these at home and 8 of every other piece because our kids eat from this bowl almost every night.
(Second pic is the full range fitting in one drawer at home. I designed the footprints of each piece to be smaller so that instead of giant oversized plates taking up all the space in your drawers – and encouraging you to eat too much – the range stores far more practically.)
Link in my profile if you want more information about the range.
Excited to announce that the full range of Everyday crockery is now in @petersofkensington stores!
This is the medium bowl and it’s easily our most used bowl in the range. Perfect for soup, cereal, donburi (rice bowls) etc. Actually we keep 12 of these at home and 8 of every other piece because our kids eat from this bowl almost every night.
(Second pic is the full range fitting in one drawer at home. I designed the footprints of each piece to be smaller so that instead of giant oversized plates taking up all the space in your drawers – and encouraging you to eat too much – the range stores far more practically.)
Link in my profile if you want more information about the range.
Tonight’s dinner. Pork and octopus braised Hokkien noodles. If you stir-fry noodles you can only really do so in batches for 1 or 2, which makes braised noodles so much easier for family cooking. This is a kilo of noodles cooked all at once to serve 5, and by “braised” I mean they only “braise” for about 2 minutes and they absorb the sauce so they come out quite dry. I rendered pork fat to fry the noodles Malaysian-style in lard (and to make the chu yau char – crispy pork fat) but if you didn’t do that this is a 10 minute start to finish dish.
Tonight’s dinner. Flathead rice. Flathead tail grilled over flame and then steamed on top of rice in kombu stock with ginger, spring onion and toasted sesame seeds. A classic Japanese dish usually made with snapper, but works amazingly well with flatties. #鯛めし
This one’s for all the parents who feel more like a taxi service most days of the week. Rehearsals, trainings, performances, matches, competitions and tournaments. Standing on the sidelines on freezing cold mornings. Late nights waiting for them to finish. Hours and hours in cars shuttling back and forth and back and forth. It’s worth it.
UNIQLO’s LifeWear range makes the early mornings and endless nights easier providing function, practicality and most importantly endless warmth for the entire family. Stay warm this winter with UNIQLO.
In partnership with @uniqloau #ad #LifeWearAU #uniqloau
