Tripe is controversial. Let’s face it, there’s no hiding the fact that it’s one of the four stomachs found in a cow. And stinks. Its strange looks, pale color and texture aren’t for everyone. Basically, it’s ugly to say the least. And many of us will have been scarred by poorly prepared tripe from our distant youth. The Abomasum or Reed tripe is rarely eaten as it contains a lot of glandular material. But the smooth and flat Rumen tripe, […]
Recent posts
Thai-riffic
As his latest ode to Thai food walks off the shelves, David Thompson talks to SBS Food about the evolution of Thai cooking in Australia. If you want to eat Thai food in Australia the place to do it has traditionally been Sydney. For a sit down meal you’ll find the food even better than Thailand where the best food is really served on the streets and in people’s home’s rather than restaurants. But now there is evidence of excellent […]
What makes an award winning food blog?
A While back Stewart White from the The Food Media Club, which is renaming itself Australian Association of Food Professionals, called me to talk about launching an award for food blogs as an addition to the Food Media Club Awards. And finally he’s made it happen with the sponsorship of Australian Pork, and I attended the last a few weeks back to a packed house of mostly Sydney bloggers. Initially, I was skeptical. For as long as anyone can remember […]
Demystifying Beef
Do you know the difference between grain- and grass-fed beef? Is organic beef better? And what about how the animal is killed? Read on to find out what it all means. The range of meat supermarkets today is bewildering. At an upmarket Coles in Melbourne it is difficult to know what steak to buy let alone mince, with six different types costing from $9.50/kg for three star up to $12/kg for five star and premium veal mince and $15/kg for […]
How to make yoghurt the simple way
Making yoghurt at home is really simple and doesn’t take much science. Here we make two different styles of yoghurt using both cows’ and goats’ milk.
Survival guide to eating alfresco
Outdoor dining has its perils but picnicking can be a great social leveller, writes Ed Charles. VICTORIANS love to gamble. And when the horses are out to pasture and cricket at the MCG is a distant memory, there’s nothing better than a side bet on a picnic. On the face of it, picnics are a one-sided bet vulnerable to Victoria’s erratic weather – not to mention attacks from ants, flies and European wasps. Plus some goof like me will splash […]
Thai master David Thompson in conversation
One of the most exciting chefs to be in town for the Sydney International Food Festival was the witty and erudite David Thompson. If you aren’t familiar with Thompson, the caffeine-fuelled chef is the father of Thai food in Australia and one of the main reasons that Sydneysiders have a taste for good spicy Thai food rather than creamy bland green curries. He is consultant to the one Michelin star Namh in london and is about to move to Thailand […]
Word to the wise on vinous sins
With a little imagination, a less than wonderful bottle can be given an impressive makeover, writes Ed Charles. NOW the party season is over, it’s time to count the leftovers as well as the empties. If you have so-called friends like mine you’ll be wondering what to do with all those crappy bottles of wine left behind – the same ones you left at their places the previous summer. With interest rates on the rise and economists yet to decide […]
Menu for Hope extended until 31st December
Thought you missed out on your chance of winning the Menu of Hope. You still have a chance to buy into the Menu for Hope draw as Pim has extended the deadline for buying tickets until 31st December (US time). Here I’ve listed the Asia Pacific prizes with the odds of winning from the best chance of winning (top) to the least chance bottom). Check out my previous post for more details on each prize. And go to the automated […]