Growing up, my Aunty Jen (AKA hippy aunty) made the best spag bol. I remember she used to always have that grated parmesan cheese in a plastic shaker, container thingy. The one with a green label and yellow lid from memory? Oh how I used to love that stuff. Mum mustn’t of bought it because […]
Author: locorcoran
nigella’s victoria sponge cake | with strawberry jam + whipped cream
I saw something on Insta today. I saw this clip of master baker, Claire Ptak making the Royal Wedding cake for H + M. (Which brings me to think – why haven’t fashion power house H&M been milking it for the royal wedding)? They probably have. Anyway, the royal wedding cake is reportedly a three […]
butterfly cakes | with jam + whipped cream
Mum’s butterfly cakes sat in pride of place at every birthday party we ever had growing up. I have lots of memories making these too when I’d go out to Mim and Pa’s farm in the school holidays. My job was always to line the muffin tins with the patty cases and as the years […]
shepherds pie | a winter warmer | comforting + delicious + can easily feed a crowd
If you’ve ever been to England, chances are, you’ve enjoyed a shepherd’s pie in a nice warm pub. Or if you’re like me – enjoyed one too many shepherd’s pies in too many pubs. Talk about the Heathrow injection. When I lived in England on my gap year, it was served at the school for both […]
chinese pork + vegetable stir fry | tasty + quick + the perfect midweek meal
The ultimate trick to cooking a good stir fry is all in the pan and the high heat. I would love to get my hands on a commercial wok like they use in restaurants. I’ve always loved watching the chefs toss the ingredients high in the air and adding in the oil and sauces using […]
spinach + cheese triangles | perfect meat free monday meal | terrific party food
Growing up, one of my favourite meals was Mum’s ‘mince in pastry’. Hands down. Basically, Mum would make her bolognese mince and instead of serving it with the usual suspect – spaghetti, (which she used to add some chopped parsley and a dash of cream to) she would wrap it in puff pastry instead. Served […]
jamie’s roast tikka chicken
The word on the street is that Prince Harry proposed to Meghan Markle over a home cooked roast chook. So with the royal wedding fast approaching I thought it fitting to cook some dinners inspired by some of my favourite British chefs, starting with a chicken. Everyone knows I’m a fan of Jamie (haven’t forgotten […]
minestrone soup | the ultimate winter warmer
I make this soup often. I make it when it’s freezing cold or when we’ve got friends or family staying for the weekend. It’s delicious, easy to make, freezes well and is really filling. It’s also Cork Daddy’s favourite. A good reason if ever there was one. If you make this minestrone, please leave your […]
calling all dad’s out there! | how to earn brownie points this mother’s day | a must read
A good friend of mine, who I mustn’t name, is always banging on about the ‘points system’. You cook dinner – you get points. You stay out too late at the pub and mope around the house all day – you’re in the red. Your wife goes on a girls weekend away and you look […]
potato + bacon soup | comforting + delicious + the nicest soup I know how to make
9℃ in Wagga. You couldn’t get better soup weather if you tried. I’m sharing this recipe for the nicest soup I know how to make. Based on a recipe that my mother in law uses, it’s a delicious potato soup cooked with bacon, loads of onion and is so luscious and comforting. Make a batch […]
beef curry w apples + bananas
I’m on a bit of an ‘old school recipe’ roll at the moment. I’ve made three batches of jam drops in the last week trying to perfect my recipe before posting it (they taste out of this world but can’t get the jam to sit still in the middle). I’ve been scouring through the old […]
beef chow mein | old school cooking at it’s best
My mother-in-law Anne Corcoran is a wonderful home cook and has taught me a lot over the past 12 years since I’ve known her. It’s quite fitting that I write this post this week, considering Mother’s Day is this Sunday. Anne (or ‘Nee’ as my girls call her) cooks good, hearty, no-fuss, country style meals […]
warm cous cous salad w roasted carrots + haloumi + broccolini + pine nuts
How about a delicious warm salad for a healthy meat free Monday night meal? This cous cous salad is filling and delicious. Meat free Monday for me is really about playing around with ingredients and flavours. We’re constantly told to ditch the red meat for more veggies, (now please don’t get me wrong – I […]
the best tuna + corn sandwiches | the perfect thing to make when asked to “bring a plate”
I caught up with a good friend Jim for a few beers on the weekend. We were in Boorowa for the picnic races where Cork Daddy and I helped put some food together for the rugby tent. I was delighted to hear that he’d had a go at making my slow cooked honey, mustard and […]
strawberries + ice cream | strawberries soaked in liquor | a delicious + simple dessert
This dish is inspired by a lovely dessert Mim used to make using homegrown peaches and oranges from her trees on the farm. She used to cover the freshly picked peaches with a sprinkling of sugar, some freshly squeezed orange juice and a generous amount of Cointreau. Oh my gosh- talk about heaven on a […]
honey + mustard + garlic chicken | made in the slow cooker
I love a good recipe for the slow cooker. Especially when the weather is starting to get cool and you’re looking for something comforting to warm you up. This chicken recipe is so easy to make, tastes delicious and can be served with rice, salad, mashed potato or steamed vege. It’s so versatile, a must […]
big breakie | mushroom + rocket omelette w cherry tomatoes + haloumi
Everyone should know how to make a killer omelette. Once you get the basics right, you can add absolutely anything you want, think bacon, feta, capsicum, parmesan cheese, chilli flakes, asparagus, smoked salmon or spinach. An omelette will take you from breakfast to brunch to lunch to dinner and can be made to feed an […]
mushroom risotto | oozy + delicious
When my sister Elles lived in Sydney, she used to always have Chinese containers full of leftover risotto in her freezer. Whenever I’d head to the big smoke to go out for a night on the town, Jez and Elle would kindly let me crash at theirs. Oh how good was a steaming hot serve […]
chicken caesar salad
Am I even allowed to call this Caesar salad a salad? With the deliciously salty prosciutto, toasted to perfection crunchy sourdough crumbs, freshly shaved parmesan and the delightfully anchovey-ie dressing – it seems too good to be called a salad. It’s a complete meal in itself, perfect for a weekend lunch or for a midweek […]
anzac biscuits
The iconic Anzac biscuit. Named after the ANZAC’s in World War I, they’re a deliciously sweet biscuit, going perfectly with a hot cup of tea. Made from flour, rolled oats and golden syrup, there are many different versions of Anzac biscuits, although the ingredients generally remain the same. I prefer the thin Anzac biccies that […]
