A New Chapter

Announcing my hosted tour to Adelaide, McLaren Vale & Barossa on Mornings on 7 with Larry Emdur and Kylie Gilles

Welcome,

Thank you so much those of you who answered my question about my weekly newsletters and the very lovely comments. It means a lot to me. It seems you like them weekly, though fortnightly could be OK. I will try to keep up this pace as I do like connecting with you all but some weeks it is hard to get one out when I am very busy as I do it all myself.

This week is a case in point, as we have sold Flame Media, the company my late partner, John and I started in 2010 with the filming of Lyndey & Blair’s Taste of Greece TV series. With John’s genius and hard work, it grew to be a global TV distribution business and more. It has been bought by another distribution business Abacus which has a similar ethos to us and they are taking on our UK and USA staff. However, sad times for me personally and our Australian staff.  They have responded magnificently and the outpouring of love and respect for John from all has been very moving. It is another farewell but one of our friends and colleagues in the UK wrote to me saying   ‘The world is full of chapters – it’s only by turning the next page that you can reveal the next adventure’, hence the title of this week’s newsletter.

On a more cheerful note, it was fun to be back on Mornings on 7 with Kylie Gilles and Larry Emdur to officially launch my upcoming hosted tour to Adelaide, the McLaren Vale and the Barossa. You can read more below but I am thrilled that I have been able to personalise it even further and reduce the cost by $300. I would love to host you. No need for the awful queues for the Passport Office we have seen this week to come there if you are based in Australia! I am happy to respond to any personal questions lyndey@lyndeymilan.com.

I was delighted to be able to experience a little of Vivid this week, the incredible light festival in Sydney which is on until 18 June. You need to rug up but it’s fabulous. And, I did love watching the Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations in the UK.

I also had dinner with Stephanie Alexander in Sydney and she told me about hers and Maggie Beer’s book The Tuscan Year being made into a movie. What fun.

Please eat and drink well, travel with your tastebuds if not in person, and be happy and healthy.  

Stay in the loop on  Facebook and Instagram or email me with any requests or comments. 

Lyndey

Enjoying the lights of Vivid over dinner with Annie, my friend who runs Tasty Trivia

Read on or scroll down, remember there’s something for everyone in this newsletter wherever you are in the world.

Jump ahead to see:
YouTube Video
Recipes of the Week
Last Week and Next
Things to Read, Share and Watch
South Australian Tour
Morocco Tour 2022
Puglia Tour October 2022

YouTube Video

With my son Blair on a boat in the Corinth Canal in Greece before he did his spectacular bungy jump

Here is a very quick, simple recipe with a twist to please guests as well, and a great way to transport yourself to Morocco, though you can always come with me later this year: Moroccan Chicken Breast with Almond Couscous. You can find the written recipe here. 
Subscribe to my YouTube channel here for all my videos free including some recipes in a minute. Enjoy.

Recipes of the Week

Meatloaf with Tomato Sauce

In Australia food prices have been rising alarmingly and the wet then cold weather has really affected the availability of vegetables. So I thought it a good idea to share an economical recipe this week Meatloaf with Tomato Sauce. It is a very clever recipe as the sauce is baked on top of the meatloaf making it very simple. However, I have upped the flavour by using Italian sausages out of their casings and some salami to up the flavour. Of course you could use all beef mince, or use beef and pork mince if you wished or even lamb or chicken mince. If you are in the Northern Hemisphere and thinking about picnics, this is a great recipe to have cold as it is really moist and each slice already has its own sauce on it. Try it and let me know how you get on?

More meatloaf recipes here.

Here’s a recipe for any climate Baby Chocolate Meringues with Chocolate Orange Curd.

Baby Chocolate Meringues with Chocolate Orange Curd

Last Week and Next

Fricassee of Chicken with Mushrooms

Fricassee of Chicken with Mushrooms is the recipe I cooked on Mornings on 7. I adapted the recipe from my website to include traditional Barossan flavours when I talked about my exciting trip: the oldest area in Australia for port and, of course, Maggie Beer’s verjuice – she was the first person in the world to produce it commercially. Here’s that version of the recipe. You can also watch the segment here.

I’ve also been catching up on more cultural pursuits. I really enjoyed the Archibald and Wynne Prizes thanks to a lovely invitation from Robert Oatley Wines who sponsor the awards. The finalists were much more to my taste than some of the previous years. I wasn’t that rapt in the Sulman Prize though. However, a highlight was the Young Archie, for children from 5 – 18. The standard was superb and the thought and insights behind the paintings were moving. The portrait had to be of a person special to them – someone who is known to them and who knows them and plays a significant role in their lives. Some of the comments were hilarious. Highly recommended to see it either in Sydney or when it goes on tour later in the year.

I am a big fan of musical theatre too and really enjoyed An American in Paris just loving the songs (which I know), the choreography, the integration with The Australian Ballet and the engaging leads.  Another unique show, the world premiere of Becoming Eliza was also moving and very special – and yes, I knew all the songs! Australian-grown star soprano Anna O’Byrne tells her story of stepping into the role of Eliza Doolittle and working with her icon, and Broadway’s original Eliza, Dame Julie Andrews, through some of Andrews’ most famous musical theatre songs. It’s only on in Sydney for three nights but it’s going to Perth and I’m not sure where else. You can see an interview with Anna O’Byrne and hear her sing London Pride/ Wouldn’t it be Loverley medley here. I used to watch so many Julie Andrews musical with my daughter (now a singer) when she was growing up: My Fair Lady, Mary Poppins, Sound of Music and Thoroughly Modern Millie. My friend and I were singing as we walked from the Opera House and a young  Irishman joined in, telling us he had been Eliza’s father in a school production years ago. So much fun!

I had also been pleased to be a judge of the NSW Sommelier’s Wine List Awards 2022 and you can see the results here.

Next Week
Saturday 11 June is World Gin Day so watch out for something on that.
We are also coming to the end of Australian Made Week so, if you are in Australia, it’s good to check what you are buying.

James Powditch’s portrait of journalist Laura Tingle – the fourth estate.

Things to Read, Share and Watch

Yotam Ottolenghi and Noor Murad’s Hot-Mess Curried Cauliflower Cheese Filo Pie Photography Broadsheet

To Cook
Hospitality Magazine advises Five Ways to use Italy’s beloved Grana Padano, the hard cheese known for its crumbly texture and nutty flavour.Broadsheet shares the recipe for Yotam Ottolenghi and Noor Murad’s Hot-Mess Curried Cauliflower Cheese Filo PieTo Read
My friend Amanda McInerney in her blog Lambs Ears & Honey writes about Native Australian Flavours – Edible  Reconciliation on Everyone’s Plate

To Watch
Thanks Fine Dining Lovers for showing the trailer of The Menu due out in November this year starring Anya Taylor-Joy & Ralph Fiennes it looks like it delivers on all its lavish, tense gastronomic promise.

In Adelaide and South Australia
Tasting Australia announces The Winter Series events from 1 – 31 July.

In Sydney
After cancellations the last two years, the popular Grape, Grain and Graze Festival is back on 6 August from 2 – 6pm. Wine enthusiasts can taste from an incredible range of up to 1800 wines, sample entries, including Trophy winners,  from the Sydney Royal Beer & Cider Show, and satisfy their food cravings with Sydney Royal medal-winning food. Early Bird Tickets are now on sale until 30 June 2022.

In Melbourne
From Good Food A very Melbourne weekend: the best places to eat and drink in 48 hours

In WA
From Broadsheet Alberta’s From Two Noma Alumni, is one of WA’s most anticipated Openings of 2022

In London
15 – 19 June Taste of London
is taking over their annual hopefully sun-drenched spot at Regent’s Park for five days dedicated to devouring the best food and drinks in the city. Expect 150 dishes, 36 top London restaurants, 45 superstar chefs, 150 artisan producers, and eight long sessions of deliciousness.

Tickets and information here.

South Australian Tour
 16 – 21 August

This bespoke behind-the-scenes foodie trip is one we’ll never forget. Together, over 6 unforgettable days, we’ll step beyond the ordinary to learn the intriguing stories behind the food, wine and local characters that make Adelaide, McLaren Vale and the Barossa Valley such a world-class culinary playground. Drawing on my decades of exploring Australia’s unique food and flavours, I’ve called on friends old and new to help me create this one-of-a-kind adventure. I’m thrilled to say that this selection of food, wine and cultural experiences will not only give you a unique insight into South Australia’s most outstanding producers, but also into the vibrant traditions, rich histories and passion that make each experience so special.

Meeting, greeting and feasting with Maggie Beer at The Pheasant Farm
Learn about Chinese tea and wine at Bai Long Store with the tea master and me
Cooking dem and tapas-style feast at SiSea in the Central Market Adelaide with Mark Gleeson and me
Kitchen garden tour with chef/owner Karena Armstrong and lunch at the Salopian Inn in McLaren Vale
Taste and learn abut Barossa  smallgoods and wines with David Franz Lehmann
Hear a private recital of the Baroque Organ
Meet former Young Chef of the Year Jake Kellie at the newly opened Arkhe Restaurant
Visit Barossa Farmers Market with owner/chef of Vinters, Peter Clarke and me, followed by a cooking dem and lunch with Torbreck wine tasting
Also dinner at Seppeltsfield Winery, interactive gin tasting at Seppeltsfield Road Distillery, and much, much more with some surprises along the way.

More information here or  email  Groupsaustralia@ttc.com or ring: 1300 780 283 – Monday to Friday 9am – 12 noon.
6 days/5 nights, only 15 – 20 people. 3 cooking dems, 6 lunches, 2 dinners

We’ve reduced the price by $300 to $4195 (twin share) and $985 single supplement.

Morocco Tour 23 Sept – 4 Oct 2022

Spices on sale in the medina in Morocco

This trip will see us travel from Rabat the capital, to spiritual Meknes and Fes, and to Marrakech the red city. On the way you will explore the archaeological site of Volubilis, visit a Berber village in the Atlas Mountains, and relax by the coast in tranquil Essaouira. You’ll discover the delicacies of Moroccan and French food, dine in local eateries through to upmarket restaurants, and experience the making and flavours of Moroccan dishes during cooking classes. Luxury accommodation is in charming, authentic riads, sometimes in exclusivity. Only 10 – 12 guests.
Details of the adventure include:

  • Meals as per itinerary: breakfast daily, 9 lunches, 11 dinners with ½ bottle of wine per person at dinner or sometimes lunch
  • Transportation throughout in luxury air-conditioned vehicles with professional experienced English-speaking driver, including related expenses and allowing for physical distancing
  • English-speaking escort
  • English-speaking local licensed guides in Rabat, Volubilis, Meknes, Fes, Marrakech and Essaouira with all entrance fees included to the sites visited with the guides
  • Atlas excursion including mules and the specialist trek guide
  • 3 cooking classes

You can enjoy this experience from AUD $9600 per person twin share (flights from Australia not included). Cost for single travellers is AUD$10,700.

By Prior Arrangement is highly experienced and well-known in Morocco as Principal, Carol Prior lived there for 13 years and has been arranging tours there for over 30. I have confidence in working with them to bring this very special tour into being. Talk to them about the trip, or feel free to email me with any queries. I am excited!
Read Where to Eat Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in Rabat.

To enjoy the taste of Morocco at home, try my Chicken, Preserved Lemon & Green Olive Tagine.

Puglia Tour 8 – 14 October 2022

Hands on cooking class in Puglia

Puglia in the boot of the heel of Italy is still relatively unspoiled. A secret Italians tend to keep to themselves, it is a wonderful place to visit and so much less crowded than Tuscany. Join me and share an unforgettable week of culinary and cultural exploration. Think hands-on bread, cheese making and cooking class; visits to wineries, olive farm, tours of UNESCO sites Alberobello & Matera & other cultural centres with local guides. All sensational meals and wines included. You only need money for the very inexpensive shopping you will find there.

Group size: an intimate 8-16 places only
Lodging in authentic, family-run noble estates and palaces
Operated by: Local Puglia specialist Southern Visions Travel: the leading experiential travel company in Southern Italy
Full brochure
 here

Read more about my adventures in Puglia
Explore Puglia in House & Garden Magazine
Seven dishes you must try in Puglia, Italy in the Sydney Morning Herald
Puglia, the undiscovered heart in Selector Magazine

Stay safe, healthy and happy. Keep up to date  on all my social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter Pinterest and my YouTube channel.

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Lyndey

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