With my friend, Sally Evans who succeeded me and has done a truly magnificent job as Chair of the KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show. I was honoured to pay tribute to her as she is stepping down and surprise her with beautiful flowers.
Getting Into Gear
Welcome,
The weather is improving in Sydney and as things are warming up outside, they are also for me as I get organised for my big trip coming up, including my tours to Puglia and Morocco. I will also be returning to the UK and visiting friends in Greece and France, before attending the Parabere Forumin Palma Majorca, somewhere I have never been before. I was last able to attend Parabere in Oslo in 2019and I just loved the opportunity to meet women from around the world, as well as the camaraderie of a small but committed Australian contingent. It is an annual event that gathers thought-leaders in the field of gastronomy, food and nutrition with a focus on supporting women in the food sector.
Naturally, there is lots to do, being careful with bookings and trying to allow as much time as possible between them in case of any delays, planning carry-on luggage and buying a GPS tag for what I check-in. It will also be my first trip back to the UK without John, so wish me luck.
Meanwhile, I’m developing and shooting some new recipes to be posting while I am away and generally trying to get everything in order. I’m also fitting in lots of dinners with family and friends as I know the time will fly between now and September 1st.
It was a great night last night when we announced the results and awarded trophies for the KPMG Sydney Royal Wine Show. The first dinner since Covid hit, it was a fun, relaxed yet important evening of delicious food, superb wine, great speeches and some wonderful results. I loved the De Bortoli 2021 Rutherglen Arneis, which was awarded the International Judge Annual Prize and I’m always interested in the Value Award (for a wine under $20) which went to Shingleback, 2021 Red Knot Classified Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre. The big winners were Hardy’s 2021 Eileen Hardy Pinot Noir for Best Red and, for both the Best White and the Best Wine of Show, Penfolds 2021 Bin A Chardonnay. Look out for those when you’re wine shopping next.
You can keep up-to-date with me onFacebookand Instagramor email me with any requests or comments.
Please eat and drink well, travel with your tastebuds if not in person, and be happy and healthy – Lyndey x
L: Three of the top trophy award-winning wines of the Sydney Royal Wine Show. R: The stunning appetiser: Salad of roasted baby beetroot, prosciutto, walnut granola, goat milk puree and a honey mustard dressing.
Recipes of the week
CORIANDER CHICKEN TRAYBAKE Traybakes are super easy and this one packs a punch with flavour. Simply serve with steamed Asian greens. GET MY RECIPE HERE
CHOCOLATE SOUR CREAM CAKE WITH SPICED DATES Here’s an incredibly easy, but impressive cake to satisfy all your weekend chocolate cravings. GET MY RECIPE HERE
In the kitchen with Lyndey
Rhubarb Tart Tatin
The printed recipe is here.If you would like to see more of my videos, subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE.
How to store wine
I know not everyone has the luxury of a wine cabinet or wine cellar at home, yet I encourage everyone to store some wine. It’s good to always have something on hand, and screw caps have made wine storage much easier. Here are some basic do’s and dont’s when storing wine:
Avoid storing where there are rapid and frequent changes in temperature.
Ideally store between 12’C and 14’C
Store in a cool place away from direct light or any vibration – above your fridge is NOT a good option.
If you have any wines under cork, a humidity of around 70% will prevent corks from drying.
Avoid a wet environment which encourages mould to grow and labels to loosen.
Store wines under cork on their side to keep the cork wet and avoid it shrinking.
Wine breathes, so don’t store it with anything with a strong smell which could permeate through the cork and taint the wine. Not a problem with a screw cap.
Only store good wine for any length of time. A poor wine will not improve with age it will just become an even poorer old wine.
Heat rises, so store your wine lower to the ground, rather than up high.
Chill white and sparkling wines before serving but don’t leave them in the fridge for months on end.
Bring your wine to the correct drinking temperature before serving.
I’ve been recipe developing this week and this rosé has been an excellent match with several dishes, including my Coriander Chicken Traybake (pictured above). At $18 RRP, this wine is a great everyday drinking option.
All grown at Bremerton, it is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz grapes, pressed minimally to get very light colour extraction and flavour from the skins, before cold vinification in much the same way as a white wine. It is savoury fruit, with great mouthfeel and a dry finish, making it a versatile food wine.
Things to read, share and experience
Classic Ham Hock Soup. Photo Mark Roper.
– SYDNEY – Eternityland
OK so this is nothing to do with food or wine, but I’m pretty proud of my friend (and my late son Blair’s) Dan Harvey who is putting this on. Broadsheet writes “Escapism meets circus in this immersive theatre experience, with over 20 colourful sets and an eclectic cast with a cowboy, a villainous clown, a confused royal and some unexpected sidekicks.” Read the whole review here. More info and tickets here.
– ONLINE – Learn more about citrus, in season now, it’s wonderful variety and health benefits thanks to Eativity In season: Australian citrus.
MOROCCAN TOUR – ONLY 7 WEEKS AWAY! 23 September – 4 October 2022
If you’re keen to join me for an authentic, gastronomic tour of Morocco’s best culinary experiences and marvel at the ancient palaces and medinas that make this exotic country so exciting, you need to be quick!
There are only a few spots left for this very special tour and bookings close very soon, so click below to find out more now!
This truly authentic wine and gastronomic experience takes in the best of what beautiful Puglia has to offer. Spend an unforgettable week learning the secrets of a deeply passionate and relatively undiscovered region of Southern Italy.ALMOST SOLD OUT – Book Now!
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