I have a mild confession to make and that is that I don’t have much of a sweet tooth. It doesn’t mean that I don’t have a passion for baking but my sweet preferences lie more in those that are simple and classic rather than wickedly sweet.

To me, a lightly aired classic sponge with cream is my ideal sweet indulgence here and there. Imagine a lovely moist and airy sponge that is like marshmallows on your tongue coupled with a light fluffy Chantilly cream that will give those taste buds just that right amount of sweet.

Whilst baking can be all about measurements, precision and that odd bit of science, baking for the most part can also feel like a wonderfully creative process. The most rewarding aspect is seeing your sugary creation come to form and then instantly disappear behind satisfied devouring smiles.

Though my repertoire of cakes is pretty limited (it’s something I guess I need to work on), I can always produce a no-fail to please” Swiss Roll. My recipe here incorporates some very basic ingredients that relies on a simple technique of aeration to give the sponge a very light feel. It’s no secret that this is a foolproof way to produce a light sponge without any need for raising agents.

As I have created both a vanilla and chocolate sponge recipe, you can use a bit of your creative license to create a marble/stripe effect for either roll. In this recipe, I have simply added a chocolate stripe to the vanilla roll for that bit of contrasting look and taste.

Grab that pot of tea to enjoy and ….

Try my Vanilla Marble and Chocolate Swiss Roll recipe.

When we think of meatballs, do we automatically conjure up images of the Italian type basking in an oozy cheesy and tomato sauce?

In many ways that was how I had known of meatballs for most of my childhood years … and picturing those bite sized morsels wrapped in a layer of that comforting sauce was what I frequently craved.

When I started to cook and to take charge of a household myself, I was looking for ways to make easy (and inexpensive) meals that were more of an Asian influence… something that could typically be served with a bowl of steamed rice. In fact, most nights, rice graced our tables and our only requirement was that we had a meat dish and a vegetable dish to accompany it.

When I first made my version of meatballs, my family couldn’t get enough of these… the more they ate the more they ate!! What could be simpler than just grabbing a lot of Pork Mince, seasoning with a few herbs and spices and frying them to a golden perfection?

The secret to these is simply in the ingredients , especially incorporating some freshly chopped garlic and coriander in the mix which really enhances the taste. When frying, you will find that some of these bits will come away from the meat mixture but grab them up from the oil and add them back in as a garnish when serving. Eat with rice, salad or even as a finger food. Delicious!

Try my Asian Pork Meatballs recipe.

Inspired by Thai flavours, this stir fry dish is a simple ensemble of noodles, herbs, snake beans and eggplant that will deliciously satisfy.

Thai Basil is a wonderfully aromatic herb and fragrantly uplifting. Tossed in with any stir fry dish or curries and your taste buds are elevated to a different flavour level.

Melbourne has its wonderful share of Thai Eateries that range from the elegantly fancy to the bustling corner take-away. Long ago, to get that taste of Thai you really had to frequent these places to get your fix of Thai cuisine. Now our markets are abundantly stocked with so many great Asian herbs and ingredients, that emulating dishes and Thai flavours is an easy and achievable feat at home.

Another interesting ingredient are snake beans. Longer than normal beans, these snake beans are characterised by its longer length (hence the name) and by its purple tipped stems. With a slightly ‘pocked’ surface, they might feel taut and tough to the touch but when cooked over high heat, transforms to something sweet with a biting crinkly texture.

Wonderfully comforting, easily satisfying, a bowl of noodles with Thai flavours is an ‘easy- to- do’ meal with simple preparation and execution.

Try my Thai Basil Pork Noodles with Eggplant recipe.