Table of contents for March 2022 in Taste.com.au

Let’s go retro! When it comes to food, old is definitely the new new. Maybe we’re just reminiscing over simpler times, but it seems like we’re all really digging the retro wave we’ve been riding, and what a fun ride it’s been! This is our second retro issue, and it feels so good to be back in the land of funkadelic colours, disco glam and over-the-top party food. Speaking of funkadelic, you’ll want to hitch a retro ride to the golden age of jelly (p86), where you’ll find our most hypercoloured creations yet. Or check out our newest cob-smacking cobs (p80) – so much more than just a spinach and cheese dip! While we’re on finger food, have a stab at our epic pineapple hedgehog on p36 – the last…

TIPPLE ME PINK! This pretty gin really caught our eye! It’s a small batch, locally made spirit that tastes as good as it looks. With a classic juniper berry hit, Baby Pink Gin has floral and berry notes. Brilliantly blushing thanks to rose petals, it won’t lose its colour when stirred into your fave mixer. $79 at babypinkgin.com. suave to sip Feel like you’re at a cocktail bar without leaving the house with Tipple Toppers. Made from dehydrated Aussie fruit (and nothing artificial), these impressive garnishes come in four fancy varieties, including Salted Lime Wheels and Chilli & Lime Spiced Pineapple Wedges. Buy a pouch for $8. Go to strangelove.com.au. Ready, set, bake! The Great Australian Bake Off is here! Under the watchful eyes of Maggie Beer and Matt Moran,…

the most affordable way to eat is also the best way! Eating plants is not only great for your pocket, it’s also super healthy for your body and great for the planet too. The fruit and veg that are the building blocks of vegan cuisine are just plain delicious, with the added bonus of being cheap too. We will show you how to take these building blocks and use them to create incredibly delicious, affordable plant-based meals. How can you save money and cook good food? What does ‘budget’ actually mean? The answer is different for everybody. Whatever budget means to you, we’ve got you covered. Convenience costs money, so we’ve gone back to basics in a way that we never have before. Making some staples yourself, instead of buying…

passionfruit sorbet shots Passionfruit skins make cute cups! Halve 4 large passionfruit crossways. Scoop pulp into a bowl. Place each half in a hole of a mini muffin tray. Pour 30ml vodka into each half. Fold half the pulp through softened slightly frozen vanila bean yoghurt. Scoop into each half. Freeze for 30 minutes. Top with remaining pulp. BEST OF MARCH fruit custard apple fig grapefruit kiwifruit persimmon quince vegies artichoke daikon green beans watercress zucchini herbs basil chives coriander kaffir lime leaf mint PLUMS KNOW-HOW Plums are an incredibly versatile stone fruit, with more than 200 varieties grown in Australia alone! Available in a broad range of colours, from blush pink to deep purple, bright yellow to blood red, they’re an excellent source of vitamins A, C and K.…

This is fair dinkum fare at its very best… introducing our first-ever meat pie cob. Yeah, baby! cheese shard cob loaf dip serves 8 | prep 25 mins (+ cooling) | cooking 40 mins E 155g (1½ cups) pre-grated 3 cheese blend 3 rindless bacon rashers, finely chopped 300g sour cream 250g cream cheese, at room temperature, chopped 80g (⅓ cup) mayonnaise 80ml (⅓ cup) bought ranch dressing 2 green shallots, thinly sliced, plus extra, to serve 1½ tsp smoked paprika ½ tsp garlic powder 1 large cob loaf Assorted vegetables, to serve 1 Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan forced. Line a large baking tray with baking paper. Scatter half of the cheese blend over prepared tray. Bake for 6-8 minutes or until melted and golden. Transfer the cheese on…

Turn the childhood treat into fully loaded cupcakes – fluffy chocolate cake, minty buttercream and choc drizzle! red ripperz lamingtons makes 8 | prep 30 mins (+ 35 mins cooling & 3 hours 20 mins chilling) | cooking 10 mins 200ml thickened cream, plus 2 tbs, extra 14 Allen’s Red Ripperz lollies 450g pkt double unfilled slab sponge cakes 450g (3 cups) icing sugar mixture 50g butter, at room temperature 125ml (½ cup) hot water 130g (1½ cups) desiccated coconut 1 Place the cream and 6 Red Ripperz in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (make sure the bowl doesn’t touch the water). Cook, stirring often, for 8 minutes or until the lollies have completely melted. Pour the cream mixture into a separate bowl. Set aside for…

SCAN THE QR CODE TO WATCH THE RECIPE VIDEO. air fryer burrito-stuffed chicken serves 4 | prep 20 mins (+ 20 mins chilling) | cooking 20 mins 2 chicken breast fillets 80ml (⅓ cup) chipotle sauce, plus extra, to serve 125g (¾ cup) cooked rice 125g can black beans, rinsed, drained 100g (1 cup) coarsely grated mozzarella 1 green shallot, thinly sliced 170g pkt cheese-flavoured corn chips 2 eggs 40g (¼ cup) plain flour Avocado dip, sliced fresh jalapeño chilli, fresh coriander leaves and lime wedges, to serve 1 Use a sharp knife to slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally. Use a meat mallet to pound out the chicken to about 5mm thick. 2 Spread 1 tbs chipotle sauce over 1 piece of chicken. Top with one-quarter of…

the CHIP BUTTY The ultimate crunchy comfort food just got bigger! Devour as a triple-layered stack, or mix and match combos in a single sambo. Try one (or all) of these fillings: hot chips with tomato sauce; sweet potato hot chips with sour cream and sweet chilli; or potato crisps. Use white bread and don’t forget to butter up! Those middle layers of bread will need butter on both sides. The real challenge? Getting your hands around this beast!…

Leek’s tender, fleshy white stems have a delicious mild onion flavour and can be used instead of onions in mouth-watering dishes like frittatas, pastas, casseroles, tarts and pies. An added benefit is that leeks are rich in inulin, which is a prebiotic fibre that’s wonderful for promoting gut health. So many tasty reasons to include leeks in your vegie patch this autumn! Here’s how to grow your very own. step-by-step leeks ✻ Sow leek seeds directly where the plants are to grow, or in trays or punnets of seed raising mix. Sow seeds 6mm deep, keep moist then transplant seedlings when they’re large enough to handle. ✻ Grow leeks in a vegie patch that receives at least six hours of sunshine a day. Enrich the soil before planting by digging…

CRISPY PRAWN COCKTAIL SUSHI Become a master host with easy sushi rice cake canapés! Top with prawns and a drizzle of old-school cocktail sauce. SCAN THE QR CODE TO WATCH THE RECIPE VIDEO. AIR FRYER OKONOMIYAKI Japanese savoury pancakes are possible in the air fryer! These ones are mini, so they’re party ready! SCAN THE QR CODE TO WATCH THE RECIPE VIDEO. CARAMILK MELTING MOMENTS Eureka moment! Upgrade the classic sandwiched biscuits with Caramilk filling, then douse in melted Caramilk. Mmm… SCAN THE QR CODE TO WATCH THE RECIPE VIDEO.…

This retro cherry-red stand mixer might look straight out of the fabulous ‘50s, but it will never go out of style! Not just a pretty face, the Smeg SMF01RDAU is super nifty and durable; a powerful 800W motor and a 10-speed control make all kinds of beating, whisking and mixing a breeze. It also builds up speed gradually, so you can prevent splashing (or a face full of flour) when you’re mixing away. And for the bakers: it comes with a flat beater, whisk and dough hook attachment, so you can bake to your heart’s content. To win your very own, worth $799, just cook our cover and send us a pic. Good luck! “Wow me with a neat filo crust and golden filling. Beautifully arranged toppings will catch my…

SCAN THE QR CODE FOR MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES. top air fryers Check out our pick of the air fryers in our new section, Test Kitchen, page 119. This lamb glaze is as simple as brushing on mint jelly before air-frying, with a quick baste halfway through cooking. air fryer chicken cordon bleu serves 2 | prep 20 mins | cooking 15 mins 1 large (about 300g) chicken breast fillet 4 slices ham 4 slices Swiss cheese 50g (⅓ cup) plain flour 1 egg 25g (½ cup) panko breadcrumbs 2 small bunches cherry truss tomatoes (about 5 on each) Steamed green beans and bought garlic and herb butter, to serve 1 Cut the chicken in half horizontally. Place 1 chicken piece on a piece of plastic wrap and enclose…

fibre-licious Pasta salad can be a nutritious Lunch with just a few healthy tweaks. The legumes add a fibre fix, a hit of protein and even an extra serve of veg to this bowl. Choose wholemeal or spelt pasta over regular pasta for up to three times the dietary fibre. And skip the mayo (which is high in saturated fat) and opt for a dressing made with extra virgin olive oil – full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids. perky turkey Upgrade the humble rissoles by loading them with veg! Throw in sweet potato and capsicum for betacarotene and vitamin C (essential nutrients for healthy immune function), and spinach – it’s rich in several minerals, including calcium and iron. Go for turkey breast mince over beef or chicken, as it is…

lemon flummery cake serves 16 | prep 35 mins (+15 mins cooling & 4 hours 15 mins) 1 Line a 20cm square cake pan with baking paper, allowing the paper to overhang 2 sides. Place another piece of baking paper across the first, allowing it to overhang the remaining 2 sides. 2 Place the jelly crystals in a heatproof bowl. Pour over the boiling water and stir until dissolved. Set aside, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until cooled slightly. Place in the fridge, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minutes or until the mixture is thick and syrupy. 3 Meanwhile, use a Large serrated knife to cut cakes in half horizontally. Trim 1 half to fit neatly into prepared pan (there will be a gap along 1 side). Cut a piece…

PANCAKE MIXES With a bottle of pancake mix in your kitchen cupboard, there’s really no limit to what you can whip up for brekky or dessert! From a classic stack drenched in maple syrup, to dump cakes and soft cookies, it’s a handy kitchen cheat when you want to shake things up. Here are the best mixes out there right now. The Pancake Parlour Buttermilk Pancake Mix, $6.60 Inside this vibrant retro box, you’ll find the makings of classic pancakes, just like the ones we grew up eating. Light and fluffy, the buttermilk gives your pancakes that delightful tang. Green’s Temptations Choc Chip Buttermilk Pancake Shake, $4 With a hint of nutty flavour thanks to the oat flour base, this choc-loaded blend creates soft, indulgent pancakes. Top with cream and…

For all advertising enquiries, call (02) 8045 4734. RAY OF SUNSHINE Savour the unmistakably sweet, tropical taste of fresh Australian pineapple. Loaded with nutrients and antioxidants, it’s a tasty addition to smoothies, fruit salad or a tropical cocktail. For more, head to australianpineapples.com.au. CREAM OF THE CROP Made with fresh Aussie ingredients, Bulla Light Sour Cream has a smooth, velvety texture that is delicious in both sweet and savoury dishes. A lighter option that doesn’t compromise on taste, it’s a feel-good way to take baked potatoes, wedges and nachos to the next level. Visit bulla.com.au. YOUR BEST SIDE Bring the essence of Korean cooking to your home kitchen with kimchi. Versatile, healthy and delicious, it’s so much more than a condiment. Give it a try the next time you’re having…

Ravioli pizza p48 Cheeky chow mein p57 Baked ratatouille rice p58 Chicken Diane rissoles p35 Air fryer chicken cordon bleu p64 Low-cal vego bean pasta salad p75 Hoisin-glazed turkey rissoles p76 Apricot chicken meatloaf p44 Air fryer nachos jacket sweet potatoes p64 Sweet chilli honey prawns p45 Air fryer glazed rack of lamb p65 Air fryer beef Wellington p65 One-pan French onion strog p47 Hash brown breakfast pizza p57 Fish & chips pie p34 10-minute tuna mornay bake p32 Better-for-you zucchini slice p76 Crispy mushie parmi salad p46…

Sticky Japanese salmon tray bake Hello easy weeknight winner! ***** A new family favourite. I swapped white rice for brown rice. Delicious – even my children ate it! @JO LOU So easy. Lovely fresh flavours. Served with rice and miso soup. @BLYMER I throw in a bunch of different veg. It’s always a hit. 10/10! @STARSAN19 Baileys melting moments You won’t forget this sweet moment. ***** Realty, really yummy. @CLEVERK The biscuit was an excellent texture. My Baileys-loving friend said they tasted amazing! @PAULAMOSES Delicious. I might add some grated chocolate to the filling next time for extra yumminess. @S JOHNSON Korean fried cauliflower It’s vegan comfort food with a kick. ***** This recipe was great. Both my partner and I loved it! It’s so easy and tastes amazing. @HMRG-95…

RAVIOLI pizza Step into the Dinner Revolution time machine and pull up a seat at your childhood dinner table – meatloaf, parmi, Stroganoff and more are back on the menu! We’re bringing these nostalgic dishes back, but this time, they’re made even more delicious with clever new ingredients and shortcuts. Whip them up with next-to-no effort after a busy day. You’ll want to phone home about this ingenious cheesy pizza. Yes, you can make the base out of ravioli! apricot chicken meatloaf serves 4 | prep 20 mins (+10 mins soaking) | cooking 30 mins 70g (⅓ cup) dried apricots, coarsely chopped 90g (¼ cup) apricot jam 1 egg 500g chicken mince 70g (1 cup) fresh breadcrumbs 40g pkt French onion soup mix 2 tbs chopped fresh continental parsley leaves…

The appliance trend is showing no signs of slowing down, so we’ve rounded up what we think are the best air fryers on the market right now to help you find (and buy) the one for you. We took into account the following factors: positive reviews from consumers, good price point, speed, ease, cleaning, crispiness of food, health, aesthetics, versatility and capacity. Kitchen Couture 14L Digital Air Fryer BEST FOR: cooking for Large crowds, gadget Lovers This 14L whopper has 10 cooking presets, manual time and temperature controls, and six bonus accessories, including an oil tray, rotating cage and rotisserie fork. This makes it the most fun-to-use air fryer! $129 from Catch. Advwin 6.5L Air Fryer BEST FOR: vaLue for money, families, ease of use This large capacity air fryer…

Jacob’s Creek 2020 A. J. Chardonnay, $30 This brand-new Chardonnay from one of Australia’s oldest and best-known brands has the creaminess and generous flavour of the chardonnays from yesteryear, but in a more modern, Less-is-more style. DRINK IT WITH chicken salad, creamy pasta. Chicken Diane rissoles p35 Majella 2018 The Musician Cabernet Shiraz,$19 Back in the day, cab shiraz blends were all the rage. While less sought after these days, they still have a loyal following. This one has hallmark minty and eucalypt flavours, balanced by the juiciness of berries. DRINK IT WITH beef Stroganoff, parmigiana. Crispy mushroom parmigiana salad p46 Mr. Riggs 2021 Ein Riese Riesling. $25 Remember sweet rieslings? They haven’t all disappeared, because a modern, crisper ‘off dry’ style of riesling still deserves a future in our…

Elisa Q If I can’t use gelatine, can I set jelly with something else? You certainly can! Agar-agar is a great substitute for gelatine, because you can use it as a replacement in most sweets and desserts. It’s been popular in Asian cooking for centuries, and is made from red algae (don’t worry – it doesn’t have a flavour, odour or colour), so it’s totally vego and vegan friendly. In terms of prep, agar-agar needs to be dissolved in boiling liquid, then simmered until thickened. (This will take about five minutes.) It sets more firmly than gelatine – and can even set at room temperature – but it’s best to do so in the fridge. Look for agar-agar flakes or powder in Asian supermarkets, health food stores or online. If…

layered neenish slice serves 20 | prep 40 mins (+ cooling) | cooking 25 mins 100g unsalted butter, at room temperature, chopped 100g (½ cup) caster sugar 1 egg 100g (⅔ cup) plain flour 50g ⅓ cup) self-raising flour 155g (½ cup) raspberry jam mock cream 140g (⅔ cup) caster sugar 2 tbs milk ½ tsp gelatine powder 185g unsalted butter, at room temperature, chopped 2 tsp vanilla extract glacé icing 450g (3 cups) pure icing sugar 25g unsalted butter, melted 1 tsp vanilla extract 80ml (⅓ cup) milk, plus extra, to thin Pink food colouring, to tint 3 tsp cocoa powder 1 Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan forced. Line the base of a 19 x 29cm (base size) slice pan with baking paper, allowing the paper…