As the Year Races Away

 

At Taste of Turf at Royal Randwick Racecourse. The Everest Trophy in front and a replica of King Charles 3 crown, a reference to the new $5 million King Charles III Stakes also taking place on Saturday. The Everest  is the richest horse race in Australia

Hello,
Thank you so much for all the lovely messages you sent in response to last week’s newsletter. Very sweet of you all.

Pardon the pun (which was not intended) as the year really is racing away. Then I realised, as the photo is with two of my friends, Di and Antoinette (from my fabulous pilates group) who came with me to Taste of Turf at Royal Randwick on Wednesday night. A fabulous concept from Karen Scott Happer, we feasted on a diverse range of sample size serves of signature dishes from 25 of Sydney’s chefs and restaurants, accompanied by a sensational array of cocktails, premium wines, beers and spirits while the MC, Channel 7’s James Tobin,  DJ and mixologists kept the vibe going. It was so much fun, catching up with many old friends and chefs, chatting with lovely people. I hope it will be repeated next year.

Great news too, that thanks to Carol Prior and the rest of the team, we raised an incredible $41,600  to send as aid to the wonderful people of Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains. Soufiane, our incredible tour guide in Morocco had explained that though many Morroccans do not have much, they share what they have so it was not food which they urgently need, but with winter coming tents and blankets. Something we may not think of if in the Southern hemisphere and going into summer. Anyway, the funds will be well distributed. Thanks so all who supported and donated.

Please stay in touch with me on Facebook and Instagram or email me with your requests or comments. 

Happy cooking, eating, drinking and travelling– Lyndey x

Recipes of the week

SARDINES WITH HERBED PARMESAN CRUST
This is a brand new recipe on my website, adapted from one of my books. It’s really fast & fabulous.
GET MY RECIPE HERE
BLOOD ORANGE CROSTATA
I had a response on Instagram from Redbelly Citrus to say mother nature has bestowed upon us an extended season this year. If you cut blood orange now they still have that orange/red variation from earlier in the season. Its usually gone by October. Looks like we will be supplying blood oranges for at least another month.
GET MY RECIPE HERE

Fun with Wine

 

The figure of wine – white 

Here’s another in my series, Fun with Wine. Following on from a  fortnight ago, this time we look at what the shape of a white wine bottle tells you about the wine inside.  Find out more in this video. If you would like to see more of my videos on both food and wine, subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE or follow me on Instagram.

Things to Read,  Cook & Attend

Peanut Butter Cheesecake

– TO READ –
Kerry Heaney explores the dark side of food fraud in What’s Really on Your Plate?

The Gold Medals have been announced in the 2023 ICC Sydney NSW Wine Awards. You might want to try some before the Awards are announced on 10 November.

– TO COOK –
Hospitality shares How to make a peanut butter cheesecake

October 13 is World Egg Day (see my post on Instagram and Facebook) and Australian Eggs shares some recipes 

Fine Dining Lovers offer a free download of their Why Waste? The Cookbook 2023. This is a collection of the best recipes, shared by readers using the tags #whywasterecipes and #everyplatecounts, which utilised at least one discarded or leftover ingredient, transforming it into something delicious. The recipes accepted into this book were judged by a panel of chefs from Food for Soul and the organisation’s Refettorios around the world. and includes recipes from Refettorio chefs.

– IN MELBOURNE –
 Byrdi,
the experimental cocktail den from Luke Whearty and Aki Nishikura, ex-Singapore’s Operation Dagger is back in The List for The World’s 50 Best Bars at No 61. Yes this list extends to 51 – 100. Their cocktails may be $30 but they are complex, carefully crafted and conceived months in advance.

– IN THE YARRA VALLEY –
Chandon Australia offers a hands-on Behind the Bubbles experience for $85 per person on Saturdays. This immersive experience provides a behind-the-scenes look into the traditional method of sparkling wine. You’ll learn about the skillful process behind bringing exceptional bubbles to life, and step into the shoes of a winemaker to try and recreate the Vintage Brut blend. I did this along with other wine writers many years ago in another winery and it is great fun. When we reassembled another year to taste our finished products, my blend was the most popular!

– IN SYDNEY –
The Time Out Food & Drink Awards have been announced and make for some interesting reading.  I need to get out and try some on the list.

One of the oldest traditions observed by fishing communities across the globe is the annual blessing of local fishing fleets. It’s a time-honoured ritual that safeguards the fisherfolk doing the hard yards on the high-seas as they bring the ocean’s bounty to our tables. Sydney Fish Market is holding its annual Blessing of the Fleet on Sunday, October 15 from 10am-3pm. 

Moroccan Culinary Tour



Crockery painted by hand

Join my next culinary tour to Morocco from Saturday 27 April – Wednesday 8 May 2024 organised with Carol Prior from By Prior Arrangement who has 40 years experience and peerless contacts there.
Testimonial: 
“I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful trip you organised to Morocco with Lyndey!
I found everything absolutely wonderful. The group was amazing as we all had the same likes in life – food and wine and adventure!
Thanks again”

Anne, September/October 2022

Taking in the best Morocco has to offer, this authentic gastronomic experience will see you visiting ancient palaces and medinas and enjoying exclusive dining experiences.

We will travel from Rabat the capital, to spiritual Meknes and Fes, and then onto intoxicating Marrakech, the red city. On the way, we will explore the archaeological site of Volubilis, visit a Berber village in the Atlas Mountains and relax by the coast in tranquil Essaouira. Together, we will discover the delicacies of Moroccan and French food, dine in humble local eateries and upmarket restaurants, and experience the making and flavours of Moroccan dishes during cooking classes. Luxury accommodation is in charming, authentic riads.
Inclusions

  • Personal hosting by me
  • 11 nights accommodation
  • Meals as per itinerary: breakfast daily, 7 lunches, 11 dinners with ½ bottle of wine per person
  • Transportation throughout in luxury air-conditioned vehicles with professional experienced English-speaking driver, including related expenses and allowing for physical distancing
  • 4×4 pick up and drop off to and from the desert camp
  • Bottled mineral water and hand sanitiser in the vehicle daily
  • English-speaking local licensed guides in Rabat, Volubilis, 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
  • 2 cooking classes
  • Local tourist taxes
  • Porterage
  • Restaurant tips
  • Drivers and guides gratuities
  • Bank transfer and currency fluctuation fees

Cost $10,000 per person (twin share).
More information HERE, full itinerary HERE or email me or travel@bypriorarrangement.com with any questions.

The souks are full of wonderful herbs, spices, medicinal herbs and crockery in Morocco

Puglia Culinary Adventure – May 2024



Beautiful Monopoli

Culinary Adventures in Puglia and Basilicata
Spend an unforgettable week with me learning the secrets of a deeply passionate and undiscovered region of Southern Italy. Puglia is the sun-drenched heel of the boot that spans two seas, the Adriatic and the Ionian. Basilicata is its neighbour to the West. Both agricultural regions are abundant with healthy soil, over 50 million olive trees and a tradition of wine growing that has seen a fabulous dynamism in the last ten years. This area produces some of the most exciting food and wines on the planet. With award-winning Southern Visions Travel.

Trip Highlights 

  • An in-depth visit to the UNESCO site of Matera, with free time to explore and shop
  • Bakery visit in Altamura at a DOP bakery
  • Visit to the Trullo Capital, UNESCO Heritage Site, Alberobello
  • A hands-on cooking class with a Nonna and me 
  • Insider’s look at burrata cheese making from cow to table 
  • Salsa di Pomodoro tomato experience
  • Olive grove tour and oil tasting at an ancient olive oil estate
  • Private lunch at Li Veli Winery
  • Visits to Lecce and Ostuni (the White City)
  • A half day on the water from Polignano a Mare followed by a seafood lunch

Cost $7439 per person (twin share).
Full itinerary and enquiries here or email me.

L: a traditional dish of orecchiette with broccoli raab and R: sea urchins fresh from the sea