Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2019 i Gourmet Traveller

I love this time of year. As the days get longer and the sun shines brighter, November heralds the official countdown to summer and the season of endless celebration. It’s exhausting and exhilarating. By January, I’ll be sick of it, ready to retreat into a world of blissful isolation. But for now, I’m all about it, happy to embrace the chaos and Champagne in equal measure. Of course, not everyone is so inclined and when it comes to hosting an event, it’s important to cater for every guest. Too often, I find myself at events where the only non-alcoholic offering is a glass of tepid water or pulpy orange juice. In this issue, we’ve made a deliberate point of including low- and no-alcohol drinks, along with some punchier options. Increasingly,…

DARK-CHOCOLATE CREMOSO, Ostēr After a main course of scarlet-prawn spaghettoni, the standard had been set impossibly high. Rich chocolate cremoso hidden underneath an airy coconut mousse, raspberry sorbet and cacao nibs did not disappoint. 76-78 Bridge Rd, Richmond, Vic. LAURA JACOBS, ART DIRECTOR ENDIVE WITH GRATED EMU YOLK, Pipit Along with grilled greens with green-pea miso, the endive with grated emu yolk, cultured cream and black macadamia oil was one of many brilliant snacks I tried during a quick pre-airport visit to Pipit. 8 Coronation Ave, Pottsville, NSW. LEE TRAN LAM, NEWS EDITOR LEMON & PASSIONFRUIT TART, Saint Peter The timeless combination of tangy lemon custard and zippy passionfruit pulp not only provides exactly the refreshment you need after a long lunch of rock oysters, sea urchin crumpets and coral…

Imagine a sushi train – but loaded with moving plates of clothbound cheddar and Cornish gouda instead of avocado rolls. That’s the idea at London’s Pick & Cheese. The conveyor-belt approach means you can assemble your ultimate cheeseboard. Want the most picked option? It’s the Stilton with chocolate and oat cookie. You can get off-belt dishes, too, like blue-cheese soft-serve. thecheesebar.com If a 9/10 heat rating sounds right up your (spice) alley, scatter hand-crushed yellow chilli flakes into the next dish that needs some oomph. Imported from the Indian Himalayas, these chillies are a favourite with northern-Indian cooks thanks to their pack-a-punch heat, fragrant aroma and eye-popping colour. $4.25 for 30gm, herbies.com.au HOT SHOT Palisa Anderson (Boon Café, Chat Thai) will be bringing the heat to Sydney’s Gourmet Institute event…

It was a Sunday afternoon – 25 February, 2018, in fact – when Martin Spedding learnt his restaurant was on fire. The owner of Ten Minutes by Tractor was only 500 metres away at his Mornington Peninsula home. “I got a call from the restaurant and jumped in the car very quickly,” he says. He grabbed a fire extinguisher and sped towards the flagship restaurant that he runs with his wife, Karen, at their Ten Minutes by Tractor winery at Main Ridge. When he got there, he witnessed smoke and flames that had risen nearly 10 metres high. And even though he’d arrived at the scene quickly, the fire brigade was already there. “There wasn’t much else we could do,” says Spedding. The cause of the fire was a self-combusting…

Your New York restaurant, Dirt Candy, is well known for its creative plant-based dishes. Has there been a vegetable that you found really hard to work with? A swede is basically an angry sweet potato that’s really bitter unless you roast it for a ridiculously long time. But vegetables are like Pokémon and I wanted to catch them all, so I wound up roasting it, pickling it, and also turning it into a fluffy mousse to make a swede cake. It was delicious. You’ll be in Australia for the first time for the Gourmet Escape festival. What will you cook at the event? Some of our classic dishes, like the super-silky portobello mousse that I’ve been serving since Dirt Candy opened its doors. And I really want to do my…

Globe-trotting chef Benjamin Cross began his career at Rae’s on Wategos in Byron Bay before opening a restaurant in Mallorca with Julian Lennon. Then, in 2008, he settled in Bali, becoming an expert on Indonesian flavours. He is the menu mastermind for Aqua Blu, a former Royal Navy vessel now kitted out as an expedition yacht with 15 luxe sea-facing suites. When it sets off on its maiden voyage through the East Indonesian archipelago this month, its passengers will enjoy meals that incorporate Indigenous spices such as clove and nutmeg, and sustainably sourced seafood including giant Papuan prawns. aquaexpeditions.com With solo travel a strong trend, some lines are offering sweet deals for the long-marginalised lone sightseer. Ponant is ditching the dreaded single supplement on dozens of voyages, including a music-themed…

We took an excellent vacation over summer. My wife Lindsay and I took the boys to Greece for a couple of weeks. Lindsay had never been and she really wanted to go to the spots that everyone goes to – Mykonos, Santorini – so we did that. I travelled through Greece a lot when I was younger so that was fun because it was me showing her a little bit of Europe that I knew. My parents got divorced when I was really young. My dad would always take us to Batemans Bay for his annual holiday. We’d stay in the motel behind the main street, one of those typical Aussie motels with the swimming pool in the middle. We’d go to the local pub for dinner a couple of…

From pies and pasties to dumplings and pierogi, nearly every culture has its own take on stuffed and fried pastry. And with good reason – it’s delicious. But the fragrant spiced filling of a samosa sets it apart from others, making it a party favourite around the world. While most associate the samosa with Indian cuisine, variations of the crisp, golden pyramids can be found throughout Central Asia and North Africa. In fact, the name samosa is derived from the Persian word sanbosag and dates back to the 9th century. In India, the samosa was originally considered a peasant dish, before it evolved to become a beloved staple, with every region putting its own spin on the fillings and pastry ingredients. PASTRY Samosa pastry is traditionally made from flour and…

It’s an exciting time for hungry Melburnian night owls right now, with all the major food groups, from vegan ramen to aged-cheddar burgers and Bolognese jaffles, available into the wee hours. An excellent place to celebrate this good fortune is at the newest addition to the late-night mix, Bar Margaux. Brought to you by Michael and Zara Madrusan of The Everleigh and Heartbreaker fame, this basement-dwelling New York-style French bar and bistro would be cause for celebration even if it kept regular hours. That you can get access to one of the city’s best examples of soupe à l’oignon at 4am on a Saturday with a solid glass of Adelaide Hills pinot gris is an act of civic charity worthy of a citizenship award. The Madrusans’ masterstroke – aside from…

INSTAVIEW Knock knock… and see inside. The intuitive, easy-to-use Door-in-Door feature that’s built into the LG 570L is so convenient, it will change the way you use your fridge. Simply knock twice on the sleek glass door panel and the interior is illuminated so you can instantly see what’s inside – without having to open the door and let the cold air escape. A perfectly intelligent feature for today’s busy, modern family. PURE AND FRESH Designed to minimise odours throughout your fridge, LG’s clever Pure N Fresh air filtration system employs a discreet fan to actively force air through a carbon deodoriser, recirculating it across the shelves. Meanwhile, a Linear Cooling System reduces temperature fluctuations to help fresh produce look and taste its best for longer, plus a specialised Door…

Justin Hemmes is the first to admit he likes to have a good time. Everybody does, he says. It’s a basic human instinct: we want to have fun. But creating an environment in which people feel relaxed and comfortable enough to have fun is an art. One in which Hemmes is unusually gifted. “Mum and Dad had such a passion for life that when I grew up and started going out, I was like, ‘Things are quite boring.’” “Often you’ll go to places and people don’t feel comfortable and they’re looking around,” he says as we sit side-by-side on a leather banquette, sipping freshly poured cocktails (Martini with a twist for him, French 75 for me). “When you go to a place that’s brand new and everyone is talking to…

COCKTAIL PARTY “I like large parties. They’re so intimate. At small parties there isn’t any privacy.”F Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby CHAMPAGNE BREAKFAST “Pleasure without Champagne is purely artificial.”Oscar Wilde TEA TIME “There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady GARDEN PARTY “A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in – what more could he ask? A few flowers at his feet and above him the stars.”Victor Hugo, Les Misérables DINNER PARTY “I like to cook for two, or for four or six, at the most eight people. Beyond that you get into quantity cooking... I don’t consider that civilised dining.”Julia Child…

Two Good is a social enterprise that empowers survivors of domestic violence. We make meals, and sell and deliver them in Sydney and Melbourne. With every meal purchased, another is donated to a woman living in a shelter or safe house in Australia. We soon realised that when you provide a really good meal – one that you would eat yourself – it becomes about sharing the meal, rather than simply serving it. We’ve donated more than 100,000 restaurant-quality meals that were designed by many of the chefs in The Two Good Cook Book, but what we are most proud of is that we employ and train women from these shelters to make the meals. We’ve collaborated with some of the country’s top culinary figures. Chefs including Neil Perry, Kylie…

Sometimes we travel to escape other people. Sometimes we travel to feel bang in the middle of things. At the start of the year, depleted after a particularly gruelling work project, I hit upon the perfect prescription for my next trip: I needed a party. And not just any party. One of the most glamorous, hedonistic and iconic celebrations on the planet: Rio de Janeiro’s annual Carnaval. If this didn’t help me get my mojo back, nothing would. By stealing myself away to Rio, I was putting myself in the hands of the party pros. The first carnival in Rio took place in 1723, a relatively civilised date dreamed up as one final chance to gorge before the 40 frugal days of Lent began. (The word “carnaval” is derived from…

Hit the wall Angle poise Block party FORM & FASHION…

Duck-liver parfait SERVES 8 // PREP TIME 30 MINS // COOK 1 HR (PLUS COOLING, SETTING) Start this recipe a day ahead. Le Rebelle, 676 Beaufort St, Mount Lawley, WA, (08) 6161 3100 250 ml tawny port 4 golden shallots, sliced ½ garlic clove Leaves of 2 thyme sprigs 5 peppercorns 290 gm duck livers, cleaned, sinews removed, brought to room temperature 2 eggs, at room temperature 150 gm clarified butter (ghee), melted 125 gm butter, melted 20 ml Cognac Toasted brioche, to serve CUMBERLAND JELLY 2 oranges, rind peeled and finely diced 2 lemons, rind peeled and finely diced 250 ml tawny port 2 shallots, finely diced 2 tsp mustard powder 2 tsp ginger powder 500 gm redcurrant jelly Agar agar powder WALNUT BUTTER 250 gm unsalted butter 1…

Joanna Hunkin, editor Lake Hayes, New Zealand If there’s a spot more tranquil than the shores of Lake Hayes near Arrowtown, I’ve yet to find it. Follow it up with lunch at Amisfield. Perfection. @hunkies_news Georgie Meredith, writer & editorial coordinator Mount Gibraltar, Southern Highlands Beyond the pâtisseries and antique shops of the Southern Highlands lies a eucalyptus-studded backdrop, marked with bushwalking tracks and perfect picnic rocks. @georgiemeredith Emma Holland, subeditor Paris, France; With Auguste Rodin’s magnificent sculptures, views of Hôtel Biron and golden autumn leaves, the Musée Rodin sculpture garden is a calm oasis inside the heart of Paris. @_emmajholland…

One can only imagine how Tom Wilson must have felt as the first white Canadian taken by Indigenous guides to ‘the lake of little fishes’ in 1882. “As God is my judge,” he said, “I never in all my explorations saw such a matchless scene.” Since then, generations of adventurers have come to know the incomparable beauty of the emerald gem known as Lake Louise, in the heart of Banff National Park. The Rocky Mountain wilderness is one of Canada’s most spectacular destinations, especially in winter. It’s the season to be jolly, and Christmas is white magic. The pocket-sized resort town of Banff lights up like a carnival when Santa Claus comes to town. It’s impossible to ignore the adventurous spirit when forest peaks are swathed in snowy cloaks and…

SYDNEY Serge Dansereau has overseen Bathers’ Pavilion for two decades. And, like a smart showrunner of a long-running TV series, he is bringing in a new cast to reboot Balmoral’s beachfront institution. Cam Fairbairn and Jess Mead (both from Acme) will be joining the service team, while Kumiko Endo (Attica, Fujisaki) will create the elegant desserts she is known for; finish a sun-dazed meal with her yuzu savarin with yuzu gelée, mango and Champagne ice-cream (pictured) or an architecturally elaborate Époisses mousse with raspberry and juniper. Cameron Johnston (Jonah’s) returns as head chef after four years away, with dishes such as celeriac galette and seaweed, kingfish escabèche with burnt chilli, and bouillabaisse. BRISBANE When chef Valerie Frei takes to the kitchen at Fortitude Valley’s Baja, she won’t just be bringing…

Darwin’s wet season runs November to April but there’s now good reason to brave the city’s monsoonal downpours. English artist Bruce Munro, whose Field of Light installation in Uluru has attracted 250,000 people since opening in 2016 (and has been extended indefinitely), will launch Bruce Munro: Tropical Light in Darwin on 1 November. Top End tourism officials, who have rebranded the season “tropical summer”, hope the exhibition, open until 30 April 2020, will attract visitors during what’s usually a quiet time. Eight large-scale illuminated sculptures will form the centrepiece of a free, self-guided art trail through Darwin’s CBD and Waterfront precincts. Rounding out the 2.5-kilometre trail are works from six Territory artists. Aerial photographer Paul Arnold, fresh from a collaboration with kaftan queen Camilla Franks, will install printed vinyl clouds…

Climate change and the “Greta effect” will influence travel in 2020, says Intrepid Travel’s chief purpose officer, Leigh Barnes. “We predict Australians will be more inclined to reduce their footprint by choosing longer trips as opposed to travelling multiple times per year,” he says. “Once they get to a destination, they will opt for overland travel as opposed to short flights, especially in places like Europe.” Intrepid’s Asia-Pacific managing director, Brett Mitchell, says travellers will look for companies that not only carbon-offset but over-offset to be climate-positive. And as over-tourism concerns grow, attention will turn to less visited places, such as Papua New Guinea, Mongolia and Tajikistan. Even in popular destinations, travellers will look to head “into the cracks”, says Inside Japan Tours marketing manager Harry Sargant. Its new tours…

Paris is one of those places that even with a very small budget, there’s so much that you can do and enjoy. What’s something you remember eating when you were growing up in Queensland? Mangoes. We had mango trees and you could actually smell when they were ripe. You know how you associate certain fruits with the beginning of summer? For me, it was definitely mangoes. When did you first know that you could illustrate? I can’t remember not drawing. At school, I started drawing other kids, and I remember the teacher saying to my parents, “They kind of look like them.” The drawings were not great, but they were the beginnings of something. In your new book, Elegance, you write that Coco Chanel got her break in a café.…

1 BRILLIANT FOOD SMOKED OCEAN TROUT RILLETTES Not one or two, but three sources of fat – butter, yoghurt and olive oil – are responsible for the richness and smoothness of this highly addictive, brightly coloured seafood variation starring smoked Tasmanian ocean trout. Start prepping the crudités. $15.50 for 200gm.brilliantfood.com.au 2 GROLIÈRE PORK RILLETTES There’s so much to like about Grolière’s classic approach: the finely shredded pork, the softness that comes with a proper ratio of rendered fat, and more than anything, the same thrill you get when you take the first bite of a juicy roast, fresh from the oven. $14.50 for 180gm.franceathome.com.au 3 LITTLE ACRE FOODS MUSCOVY DUCK RILLETTES Sourcing ethically-reared local animals and doing everything by hand isn’t the easy way, but Kate Doyle and Jim Casey…

Leading Melbourne bar The Everleigh is selling a collection of “antique” cocktails made using rare old spirits that were bottled decades ago. There’s a Martini made with Gordon’s gin from the 1950s; a Negroni featuring Plymouth gin and Campari bottled in the ’70s; a Bobby Burns made with 1980 Aberlour Speyside single malt. But you don’t need to travel to the bar in Fitzroy’s Gertrude Street to enjoy these limited-edition cocktails: you can hop onto The Everleigh’s website and buy them by the single-serve bottle, pre-mixed by the experts and ready to drink. Welcome to the rapidly expanding world of high-quality pre-batched cocktails. Since the mid-2010s, when The Everleigh started selling its “Famous Four” cocktails – Martini, Negroni, Manhattan and Old Fashioned – in 85ml bottles, other Australian brands have…

SMART FRIDGE A truly connected fridge that lets you set schedules, play music, watch TV, browse the internet and even order your shopping – all via simple voice commands. Now you’re talking. The SAMSUNG 825L Family Hub French Door Fridge features convenient voice-activated controls to handle everything from managing schedules to leaving memos for family members, drafting shopping lists, ordering groceries online direct from Woolworths, and searching for recipes online that will automatically populate your Woolworths grocery order with the required ingredients. WHAT'S IN YOUR FRIDGE How many times have you been out on a grocery run, forgotten your shopping list and can’t quite remember how much milk is left, or whether or not you need more eggs and butter? Not a problem. The SAMSUNG 825L Family Hub French Door…

VARIABLE TEMPERATURE ZONE The highlight of the FISHER & PAYKEL 605L Quad Door Fridge is its Variable Temperature Zone compartment, with four independent food modes allowing you to personalise your storage preference. Simply select the ideal conditions – Freezer Mode for basic frozen foods; Soft-Freeze Mode for gentle freezing and quick thawing; Chill Mode for keeping drinks perfectly cool; and Fridge Mode for everyday staples such as fruit and veg – and you’ll experience a new level of cooling flexibility. ACTIVESMART The FISHER & PAYKEL 605L Quad Door Fridge uses ActiveSmart Foodcare technology to intelligently monitor daily use patterns and make micro-adjustments to temperature, humidity and airflow accordingly, so that your food stays fresher for longer. Thanks to a series of interior temperature sensors, independently controlled fans and multiple air…

Potato gaufrettes with summer-vegetable tartare “Reduce your wine low and slow to preserve the aromatic flavours without ‘cooking’ your wine,” says Luke Ashton. SERVES 10 // PREP TIME 30 MINS // COOK 20 MINS (PLUS SOAKING, DRYING) The trick to making gaufrettes is to use the right potatoes – floury varieties are best. If you don’t have a mandoline with a crinkle-cut attachment, simply prepare plain-cut chips. 500 gm small potatoes, such as Maris Piper or sebago Vegetable oil, for deep-frying Nasturtium flowers, to serve AÏOLI 1 large garlic clove, crushed 2 large egg yolks 2 tsp Dijon mustard 3 tsp white wine vinegar 250 ml (1 cup) olive oil Lemon juice (optional) SUMMER-VEGETABLE TARTARE 2 zucchini, finely diced 2 heirloom Roma tomatoes, quartered, seeds removed and finely diced 1…

The countless valleys of the tiny Himalayan kingdom are knitted together with a dizzying network of hairpin bends like a road mandala. Mount Everest spears through the cloud line like a monster from the deep. Like many good jokes, the one about Paro’s airport runway being the longest bit of straight road in Bhutan is seasoned with truth. The countless valleys of the tiny Himalayan kingdom are knitted together with a dizzying network of hairpin bends like a road mandala. Even the descent to the only international airport offers adventure worthy of Biggles. To the left, Mount Everest spears through the cloud line like a monster from the deep (the national carrier, Drukair, sits newcomers on that side for the best view), before the plane banks dramatically left, then right…

Don’t miss Portland Japanese Garden Hidden in the hills of Washington Park beneath towering Douglas fir trees, this garden (above) showcases eight different designs and is considered to be the most authentic of its kind outside the Land of the Rising Sun. (And be sure to stop and smell nearly 650 rose varieties at the International Rose Test Garden, just a short stroll away.) 611 SW Kingston Ave, japanesegarden.org SHOP Beam & Anchor (2710 N Interstate Ave, beamandanchor.com; above) is the standard-bearer for local homewares, accessories and apparel, all gracefully displayed in a converted warehouse. Home to nearly one-million new, used and out-of-print titles, Powell’s City of Books (1005 W Burnside St, powells.com) is the world’s largest independent bookshop. STAY The Benson Coffered ceilings, crystal chandeliers, sweeping staircases, stately wooden…

It’s a cool Yule in the far northern frontier of Quebec City, too. The remnants of stone ramparts in this ancient turreted town mark the foundations of the only walled city in Canada. The cross-pollination of French and English history here has evolved into a joyously unique place where tales are entwined with tinsel. The city is crowned by a French chateau – Fairmont Le Château Frontenac – a hotel that looks like a gothic wedding cake perched on the cliff top above the ice floes of the St Lawrence River. Snow wafts over silver church spires and clings to the steeply pitched roofs of the stone merchant houses that date from the 18th and 19th centuries. The cobblestoned streets of the historic district of Old Quebec (Vieux Quebec) must…

Element Melbourne, Richmond, Vic Marriott launched its longer stay, ecoconscious Element brand in Australia in June with a 168-room hotel (pictured) near the Yarra River 6km south-east of the city centre. Take the hound through nearby Burnley Park to admire the flowing waters or travel further afield on the riverside Main Yarra Trail (the hotel offers free use of bikes). Afterwards, lounge in one of five pet-friendly rooms ($80 extra per stay) kitted out with sustainably crafted dog beds and a minibar stocked with doggy snacks. elementmelbournerichmond.com Alure, Stanthorpe, Qld Show the drought-stricken Granite Belt some (puppy) love. Set out from Alure’s pet-friendly luxe villa ($50 extra per night per pet to explore the notable food and cool-climate wine region: graze at Queensland College of Wine Tourism’s Varias Restaurant, new…

PLACE: Rhône Alpes, a green and mountainous region in southeast France. TIME: The early 80s. Passionate cheese-lover Jean Claude Guilloteau and his wife retreat to a farmhouse to experiment on a new approach to cheese, combining the dairying tradition of their picturesque region with his desire for disruption. Through an innovative method, he pioneers a luscious and velvety cheese naturally richer in proteins and minerals. It sends taste-buds reeling. Rivals clamour for his secrets; connoisseurs clamour for the cheese itself. He calls it Pavé Dauphinois, after the Dauphiné area of its creation. To accommodate the skyrocketing demand, he opens a dairy in the preserved terroir of the Massif du Pilat regional park next to the Rhône river, and another nestled in the foothills of the Alps soon afterward. Guilloteau knows…

The key to making perfect honeycomb is working quickly. Once you add the bicarbonate of soda to the syrup, the mixture will foam up dramatically – make sure to transfer it quickly to a prepared o tray to cool as this will help to achieve the desired textur bubbly finish. It’s also important to heat the syrup to the right temperature (155°C as per our recipe below) to result in the signature light golden colour. This recipe comes courtesy of Tahlia Collins, a talented young chef who works with Hugh Wennerbom at The Argyle Inn in Taralga, NSW, where they serve honeycomb petits fours. Toolkit A sugar thermometer such as the Avanti Sugar and Deep Fry Thermometer from Everten ($19.95) is essential for making honeycomb. Using a thermometer will accurately…

FUNKY WHITE 2018 Wines of Merritt Chenin Blanc, Margaret River, $40 Delicious example of an underrated grape variety from an up-and-coming new winemaker. Perfect with simple fish dishes: grilled whiting, please. winesofmerritt.com.au GERMAN RIESLING 2017 Frey Trocken Riesling, Rheinhessen, $29 The 2017 vintage was a cracker in Germany, producing rieslings with uncommon vitality. This one is just gorgeously moreish. Imported by traversewines.com NUMERO UNO Tuvè Vermouth Drapò Gran Riserva, Turin, $45 All the vermouths from this top producer are good, but the barrique-aged Gran Riserva is outstanding: swirling, complex aromatics, wonderfully layered and exquisitely bitter. Imported by princewinestore.com.au GO NUTS Brookie’s Mac, Byron Bay, $65 Brilliant new macadamia and wattleseed liqueur from the ever-inventive team at Cape Byron Distillery: lovely flavours of chocolate and coffee, great over ice with a…

FLAT HANDLELESS DESIGN Engineered for elegance and sophistication, the smooth flat, handleless design of the ELECTROLUX 681L Dark Stainless Steel French Door Fridge will see it blend seamlessly into even the most modern and contemporary of kitchens. However, don’t be fooled by the uncluttered simplicity that goes into creating this stylish, minimalist look; a wealth of highly sophisticated technology lies within, complimented throughout by mark-resistant, real stainless steel of the highest quality – adding a touch of class that’s built to last. ENTERTAINER'S DRAWER Love to entertain? The ELECTROLUX 681L Dark Stainless Steel French Door Fridge does too – and features a fully-convertible entertainer’s drawer that can be quickly and easily adjusted from -23 to 7 degrees Celsius. So no matter what the occasion calls for, from whipping up delicate…

Smoky eggplant and capsicum dip with pita bread SERVES 4-6 Charring the vegetables is the key to achieving the depth of flavour in this dip, which is something of a cross between baba ghanoush and muhammara. 6 toasted pocket pita, to serve Dukkah, to serve Coarsely chopped dill, to serve EGGPLANT AND CAPSICUM DIP 2 eggplant 2 red capsicum 60 gm roasted walnuts, plus extra chopped to serve 2 tbsp fresh fine breadcrumbs 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses (see note) 1 tbsp tahini 1 tbsp white wine vinegar 60 ml (1/4 cup) olive oil 1 tsp Aleppo pepper flakes (see note) or chilli flakes ½ tsp smoked paprika 1 For dip, burn coals on a charcoal barbecue down to white embers and wait for embers to settle, or place a wire…

SOBAH The non-alcoholic beers that Clinton Schultz tried abroad in Europe inspired Sobah, as did the Indigenous flavours of the food truck he ran with wife Lozen when they first began experimenting with their brews. sobah.com.au NON You’ll find Non at top venues such as Sunda and Supernormal. The Toasted Cinnamon and Yuzu flavour is exceptional. non.world BRUNSWICK ACES As a marathon runner, co-founder Doug Cook often skipped the booze. This non-alcoholic botanical spirit (distilled in Melbourne’s north) was inspired by that experience. brunswickaces.com ALTD Made in Sydney, this range draws on native ingredients (such as bush-lemon peel, strawberry gum and cinnamon myrtle), with a portion of the proceeds going to the Jimmy Little Foundation to support Indigenous health programs. altdspirits.com SEEDLIP This non-alcoholic spirit changed the game for virgin…

Duncan Welgemoed Chef & owner, Africola, Adelaide, SA I was invited to a wedding because I happened to be at the dinner where the groom proposed. I didn’t know them at all, really, and reluctantly RSVP’d. On the day, I was extremely sick with the flu and took some antibiotics. Fast-forward to entrées, and I was contemplating how to leave because the food was terrible and I felt awkward being there, but I was encouraged to stay. I started lightly drinking. The next morning, I woke up with the worst hangover and I had no recollection of what had transpired. I had blacked out. Apparently I had become “best mates” with the newlyweds: we had shots and I even danced with both of them. Separately. My inner cringe was too…

Iced blackberry horchata “Buy in season and, where possible, directly from the producer instead of heading to the supermarket for bland, out-of-season fruit from the other side of the world,” says Shaun Byrne. “Horchata is a flavoured nut- or rice-milk drink from Mexico,” says Nick Tesar. “For this recipe, we’ve used our own macadamia milk, but if don’t have the time to make it fresh, a good-quality, shop-bought nut milk works a treat. The classic spices pair so well with blackberry – the perfect foil for the fruit’s acidity. Serve as an iced-coffee alternative for morning tea.” 1 tsp macadamia milk (see note) or other nut milk 60 ml (1/4 cup) cold-brew coffee (see note) Ice cubes, to serve Fresh nutmeg, to serve SPICED BLACKBERRY SYRUP 500 gm blackberries 250…

Getting there Thai Airways International has multiple non-stop flights from Australian cities to Bangkok, thaiairways.com. Stay overnight at an airport hotel before catching the early-morning Drukair flight to Bhutan (via Calcutta). Request a left-hand window seat to see Mount Everest on approach to Bhutan. drukair.com.bt Stay Amankora Double-occupancy suites are about $1550 per night (about $1450 single). Rates are subject to a further 20 per cent government tax and service charge, an FIT (foreign independent traveller) surcharge of about $60 (double) or $40 (single) per day, and government royalties of about $65 per person per day. There is also an additional visa application fee of about $40 and sustainable-tourism fee of $10 per person. Amankora rates include accommodation, all meals and house beverages, airport transfers to and from Amankora Paro…

Connoisseur Discover the new Connoisseur Australian Native Collection. Each flavour is crafted with local ingredients, and the limited-edition range includes lemon myrtle, wattleseed and pink hibiscus. connoisseuricecream.com.au Harvey Norman No baking challenge is too big or small for the Bosch Series 8. Baked goods are moist inside, while crusts, toppings and meringues achieve the perfect finish without drying out. harveynorman.com.au Holland America Line Voted “Best in Alaska” by Cruise Critic readers, Holland America Line has been exploring The Great Land for over 70 years by land and sea. To book your journey today visit hollandamerica.com/alaska Hunter Distillery Valli Raspberry Vodka is perfect served on ice with soda and a wedge of fresh lime, or added to your favourite summer cocktail for a hint of extra sweetness. $60, hunterdistillery.com.au Ilve With…

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