Table of contents for October 2018 in Taste.com.au

Back in January when we launched Eat Real we had no idea how big it would become. It all started with a simple idea – to make healthy eating easy, to cut through the hype and get to what’s real. The science was clear. Healthy eating isn’t about fads or strange foods. In fact, Grandma was right. It really IS about veg, fruit and wholefoods – all of which are right at our fingertips. Now, thanks to your support, Eat Real is a cookbook series, a dedicated section in taste.com.au magazine, a Healthy Hacks video series, as well as our most popular ever section on the taste.com.au website. On a personal level, as a food-loving working mum and wife who tries to be healthy, Eat Real has given me a…

I’m a huge fan of Mexican food and this is a fun way to eat it: a crispy taco bowl filled with classic flavours, like chipotle chicken, black beans, charred vegies, avocado and tomato salsa. Michelle Southan let’s go! taco salad bowl with green goddess dressing  serves 4 | prep 30 mins (+ 15 mins cooling & 30 mins marinating time) | cooking 1 hour 8 (about 500g) chicken tenderloins 60ml ( 1 /4 cup) Old El Paso Fajita Smoky Chipotle Cooking Sauce 4 jumbo flour tortillas 35g pkt One Night In Mexico Smokey Chipotle Seasoning 2 corncobs, husks and silk removed 1 red capsicum, quartered, deseeded 1 yellow capsicum, quartered, deseeded 4 baby cos lettuces, thickly shredded 1 cup fresh coriander sprigs 400g can black beans, rinsed, drained 1…

THE HIGH LIFE Taste contributor James Viles, of Biota Dining, shares his love of NSW’s Southern Highlands and his commitment to seasonal eating at an intimate cooking demonstration as part of a three-day retreat hosted by Mumma’s Country Kitchen from October 11-14. There’s also a lunch at Biota, plus visits to local producers and wineries, as well as beautiful accommodation on a 100-acre farm in Kangaloon. Get in quick, as places are limited. For details, visit mummascountrykitchen.com.au Glitterbugs Sipping pretty takes on new meaning with the Avanti ‘Luxe’ 500ml Hydration Bottle, $99.95. With 6000 hand-applied crystals, it’s like drinking from a disco ball! If you’re after a little less bling, there’s the metallic ‘Glitter’ and ‘Glimmer’ ranges, $28.95 (500ml). Find them at major retailers and kitchenware stores. break an egg!…

thai salad with crispy asian chicken serves 4 | prep & cooking 40 mins 165g (1 cup) potato flour 60ml ( 1 /4 cup) honey soy marinade, plus extra, to serve (optional) 2 tbs gochujang or sriracha sauce 3 tsp apple cider vinegar 500g chicken thigh fillets, cut into 5 pieces each Vegetable oil, to deep-fry Thinly sliced fresh red chilli, to serve (optional) salad 150g thin rice noodles 2 baby cos lettuces, cut into wedges 200g cherry tomatoes, halved 2 Lebanese cucumbers, halved lengthways, thinly sliced 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 1 cup fresh mint or Thai basil leaves 1 tbs fresh lime juice 3 tsp fish sauce 1 tsp brown sugar 1 Place the flour on a large plate and season. Combine marinade, gochujang, vinegar and 1…

Slice a whole pineapple into 2cm-thick rounds. Dollop 160g Greek-style or thick vanilla yoghurt onto the pineapple slices, spreading it almost to the edges. Top with a mixture of sliced and whole seasonal fruit, such as fresh raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, pomegranate seeds and kiwifruit. Scatter over 1 /4 cup fresh mint leaves, toasted coconut chips and edible flowers, if you like. Cut each slice into wedges to serve. BEST OF OCTOBER fruit  honeydew melon pawpaw pineapple rhubarb rockmelon strawberries valencia oranges watermelon vegies  asparagus avocado capsicum leeks peas tomatoes watercress zucchini flowers herbs  basil lemongrass marjoram mint…

Enjoy an indulgent brunch (or dessert) in minutes. Combine 250g hulled, chopped strawberries, 3 tsp icing sugar and 1 tsp vanilla extract in a bowl. Set aside to macerate. Meanwhile, combine 250g room-temperature cream cheese, 1 /4 cup icing sugar and 2 tsp finely grated lemon rind in another bowl. Toast 4 slices of brioche until lightly golden. Spread with cream cheese mixture. Spoon over strawberry mixture. Top with small fresh mint leaves and chopped pistachios. For an indulgent dessert, swap brioche for toasted slices of Madeira cake. The topping is also great on pancakes or waffles.…

“Chicken (or rabbit), green beans and rosemary are key ingredients in a traditional paella valenciana. The trick with paella is to avoid stirring it, so you get a crispy golden crust on the base, called a socarrat.” Michelle Southan you’ll need… let’s go! paella valenciana  serves 4 | prep 20 mins (+ 5 mins resting time) | cooking 1 hour 1L (4 cups) salt-reduced chicken stock 1 /2 tsp saffron threads 2 tbs olive oil 6 chicken thigh cutlets, skin on 1 brown onion, finely chopped 2 small red capsicums, deseeded, cut into 2.5cm pieces 2 garlic cloves, crushed 400g can diced tomatoes 2 tsp smoked paprika 1 fresh rosemary sprig, plus extra, to serve 440g (2 cups) arborio rice 200g green beans, trimmed, halved diagonally 1 Place the stock…

Michelle Q How do I store nuts so they stay fresh? Nuts contain a lot of oil and, over time, it becomes rancid and tastes nasty and bitter. To keep your nuts fresh for longer, store them in separate airtight containers or sealable plastic bags in the freezer. Label and date them – they’ll keep for up to 6 months. The best part is there’s no need to thaw them before cooking – just use them straight from the freezer. Katrina Q Organic and free-range chicken – what’s the difference? While both free-range and organic chickens have outdoor access to forage, there are a few key differences. Certified organic chickens generally have higher animal welfare conditions, in order to foster natural behaviours, and a focus on environmental sustainability. There’s no…

Poppy the Frenchie 2017 Grenache Rosé, $19 Named after Poppy, the beloved French bulldog at this boutique family vineyard, this is a delightfully pale, crisp, dry rosé with loads of tart strawberry. DRINK IT WITH: Hearty salads, charcuterie, grilled chicken, vegetable tarts and quiches. Calneggia Asolo Prosecco NV, $26.99 From northern Italy comes this fresh and vibrant bubbly, which is also naturally lower in alcohol. Citrus, pear and a nutty edge make it great for sweet and savoury dishes. DRINK IT WITH: Canapes, finger foods, seafood, biscuits, iced cakes, fruit platters. Battle of Bosworth 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, $20 This 100 per cent organic sauvignon blanc, made from single-vineyard fruit from the Bosworth family vineyards in McLaren Vale, is a herbal, citrussy, thirst-quenching drop. DRINK IT WITH: Potatoes, prawns, sushi, salads,…

Get involved in our new food movement! Make spring the time to shake up your repertoire and shine in the kitchen Easy dishes you’ll love to cook All your favourite recipes and ours Discover your state’s top dishes PLUS, win amazing prizes! Go to taste.com.au/getcookingaus “There’s no food, no meal, no sweet more satisfying, and so good for the soul, as the one you’ve cooked yourself from scratch.” FOR ALL THE LATEST FOOD AT YOUR FINGERTIPS…

“ I’ll be looking for well–shaped taco bowls and vibrant salads.” matt preston CELEBRITY JUDGE Sleek design meets revolutionary technology in the Vitamix® Ascent Series High-Performance Blender. From hot soups to frozen desserts, it can make your meal in minutes. Plus, with Bluetooth connectivity, it’s ready to connect and is built to last with a full 10-year warranty. prizes 1st prize: Vitamix® A3500i Ascent Series High-Performance Blender, valued at $1495 2nd prize: Vitamix® A2500i Ascent Series High-Performance Blender, valued at $1195 SEND IN YOUR ENTRIES BY 10 OCTOBER Terms and conditions: Entries open 00:01 (AEST) 13/09/18 and close 23:59 (AEDT) 10/10/18. Open to Australian residents only. Winners determined 14:00 (AEDT) 15/10/18 at NewsLifeMedia Pty Ltd, 2 Holt Street, Surry Hills, NSW 2010. Winners’ names published in Taste.com.au magazine December 2018.…

Staking what little reputation I have left on 2018 being the year of the chow mein resurgence, I declare households will be clamouring for an updated version of this daggy takeaway meal. The story of chow mein is inextricably linked to another old 1970s favourite, chop suey. In Australia, chow mein is basically just chop suey with soft noodles. The original name tsap seui means ‘miscellaneous leftovers or scraps’; while choa mein translates as ‘fried noodles’. While the US favours crispy noodles in their chow mein, the chow mein here in Oz tends towards a stewed-soft mix of hard vegies, like cabbage, celery, carrot, onion, of course, bean shoots and soft noodles, flavoured with anything from Chinese cooking wine and questionable homemade soy sauce to a packet of chicken noodle…

choose These babies are best when their skins are bright, shiny and firm with no soft spots. With few seeds, cook they’re easy to prep. Stuff and bake them, barbecue them whole until charred, slice and deseed them to add to salads or stir-fries. store Wrap in a damp tea towel and keep in your fridge’s crisper for up to 7 days. eat with anchovies • corn • eggplant • fish • garlic • goat’s cheese • olive oil • olives • tomato…

there are many paths that may lead us to choosing to eat more plants and less meat – health reasons, the environmental impact of animal agriculture or perhaps the desire to not harm animals. Or maybe it’s because you know that vegie meals can be complete and delicious as a stand alone. Simple as that. Whatever your path, eating this way can be creative, tasty and filling, and we hope this book makes eating a plant-based diet, whether for a meal or for life, enjoyable – and easy! These recipes celebrate Asian flavours and spices, inspired by our recent and past adventures there. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do. Often, we associate Asian meals with convenient takeaway that is high in artificial flavours or preservatives, and…

chocolate almonds vs fruit & nut chocolate block Gram for gram, almonds covered in milk chocolate typically have 10 per cent more cals than fruit and nut milk choc block, thanks to their higher fat content – over 50 per cent more. But this includes double the protein, less than half the sugar, eight times the vitamin E and over twice the zinc, as well as more fibre, iron and magnesium. Go for dark-choc almonds, which generally have less sugar. winner: chocolate almonds wheat bran pellets vs wheat cereal biscuit Wheat cereal biscuits typically have about 10 per cent more cals than wheat bran pellets, thanks to their higher carb content. They also have less than half the fibre and calcium. However, bran pellets have around twice the fat and…

“Onion jam adds a rich flavour.” “Boost your vegie intake at brunch.” Mortadella and a chilli kick lift my eggs benny to new heights. the city of New York claims this brunch favourite as its own, sometimes crediting yachtsman Commodore E.C. Benedict, sometimes a Wall Street stockbroker or sometimes the famous Delmonico’s restaurant. There are so many variations on the ingredients that perhaps it doesn’t really matter who came up with the idea first. In my version, I’ve upped the sweetness with homemade onion jam to contrast with the spicy mortadella. Use thin slices of this Italian sausage or slice it thickly and quickly pan-fry it for a more bacon-like texture. If you have the time and inclination, make your own muffins to add a special touch; it’s worth the…

All the goodness of a green smoothie, in muffin form! Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan forced. Line twelve 80ml ( 1 /3 cup) muffin holes with paper cases. Place 1 /2 cup milk, 1 /3 cup melted coconut oil, 1 /4 cup pure maple syrup, 1 chopped over-ripe banana, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 /2 tsp ground cinnamon and 100g baby spinach in a blender. Blend until mixture is smooth. Add 1 1 /3 cups wholemeal self-raising flour and pulse very briefly, until just combined. Spoon into paper cases and top each with a halved strawberry (hulled if you prefer). Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of a muffin comes out clean. Serve warm or cooled, drizzled with melted chocolate, if…

Here’s what you’ll find... HERO RECIPES Whether you’re a novice in the kitchen or fancy yourself as a master chef, we’ve got the perfect step-by-step hero recipe to make cooking easy. From show-stopping cakes to super-easy snacks and everything in between, our Hero Recipe ideas have you covered. HEALTHY HACKS Make healthy eating easier than ever with our all-new Healthy Hack videos! Go to www.taste.TV every Saturday at 9am* for NEW shows, just in time for your weekly grocery shopping. WATCH EVERY SATURDAY 9am* EMERGENCY DINNERS Take the struggle out of midweek cooking with our Emergency Dinners Facebook Live videos. Follow Food Editor Kim Coverdale as she beats the clock to have a delicious dinner on the table in 10 minutes! Tune into our Facebook page every Thursday at 4pm*.…

freshly picked sweet corn, devoured soon after harvest, is incredibly sweet and tender. In fact, it’s so tender you can eat it raw. Whether you add the kernels to salads, use them to make a delicious creamy corn soup, grill the cobs on the barbecue or whip up some more-ish corn fritters, sweet corn is a fantastic and versatile vegie. It’s easy to grow in your backyard, too, and mid-spring is a fantastic time to get started. step-by-step sweet corn Out in the vegie patch, find a warm spot that receives at least 6 hours of sunshine a day and enrich the soil by digging in some organic soil improver. Sow seeds directly into moist soil, 25mm deep. It’s best to grow sweet corn in blocks of short rows, rather…

MAY THE SAUCE BE WITH YOU No barbecue is complete without tomato sauce: it’s Australia’s national condiment. MasterFoods uses a traditional blend of tasty sun-ripened tomatoes and specially selected spices in its recipe. A single squirt from the squeeze bottle is a sure-fire way to liven up your steak and sausages. Visit masterfoods.com.au DOUBLE AGENT Keep your stroganoff hot and your gazpacho chilled with the 470ml Thermos Stainless King Vacuum Insulated Food Jar. The nifty product comes with a foldable spoon that sits in the lid, which also serves as a bowl. It keeps contents hot for 9 hours and cold for 14 hours, perfect for when you’re on the road, in the office or at a picnic. Visit thermos.com.au PERFECT MATCH There’s no need to worry about wine pairing…

Healthy chocolate peanut bar Make your own healthier snack following our step-by-step video. 20-minute healthy bolognese Bolognese just got quicker and better-for-you with these tricks. Spelt margherita pizza with ‘pepperoni’ chickpeas  Learn how to make this flavourful vego pizza. How to: deseed chillies Watch our quick and easy ways to remove chilli seeds. How to: poach eggs Expert tips and tricks to get perfectly poached eggs. How to: make vegetable stock Find out how to cook a rich stock from scratch with our handy tips.…

Lentil & vegie dhal For a healthy meal that’s packed with flavour, try this easy dhal. “A delicious and easy mid-week meal for the family. I halved the spices to accommodate some sensitive stomachs and it was still full of flavour.” TASH46 “I cooked this in the slow cooker on High for 3 hours and it was delicious. Very easy and quite healthy.” KATE585 Caramel slice (vegan) Impress vegan (and non-vegan) friends with this decadent slice! “I am a sugar addict, who doesn’t normally like vegan desserts, but this is actually delicious! Absolutely worth the cost and effort and will definitely be making it again.” ERINJANE30 “Made this for work colleagues and got a very positive response!” RUBYJOCO Fish tacos Pile your fish taco high with fresh cabbage, corn and…

“I adore the fresh lemongrass flavour and soft texture of these meatballs. Chia seeds add a protein punch and help bind the meatballs without eggs or breadcrumbs.” Marion Grasby chia chicken meatball lettuce cups serves 4 | prep 20 mins | cooking 15 mins 40g ( 1 /4 cup) chia seeds 500g chicken mince 75g ( 3 /4 cup) rolled oats 2 green shallots, thinly sliced 1 stem lemongrass, pale section only, finely chopped 1 tsp salt 1 tbs vegetable oil Baby cos lettuce leaves, to serve 1 Lebanese cucumber, peeled into ribbons 1 cup fresh mint leaves Sliced fresh red chilli, to serve (optional) Lime wedges, to serve tangy peanut dressing 2 tbs crunchy peanut butter 60ml ( 1 /4 cup) fresh lime juice 1 /2 tsp finely chopped…

Start the evening right with this perfect party platter. Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan forced. Wrap 1 beetroot in foil. Bake for 1 hour, until tender. Cool. Combine zucchini ribbons with 1 tbs olive oil, 1 crushed garlic clove and 2 tsp chopped fresh mint. Set aside. Peel and chop beetroot. Process with 200g hummus until smooth. Sprinkle with dukkah. Combine mashed avocado, lemon juice, cayenne pepper and salt. Wrap blanched asparagus with zucchini ribbons. Arrange everything, including 225g warmed felafel, chopped vegan cheese, olives, raw seasonal vegies and tamari almonds on a platter.…

rainbow power salad serves 4 | prep 20 mins | cooking 15 mins 400g can chickpeas, rinsed, drained 70g ( 1 /3 cup) tri-colour quinoa, rinsed, drained 60g ( 1 /3 cup) cracked freekeh 350g broccoli, trimmed, cut into florets 145g (1 cup) frozen shelled edamame 200g tomato medley mix, halved 4 radishes, thinly sliced 1 /2 cup fresh mint leaves, plus extra, to serve 2 tbs pepitas 1 tbs apple cider vinegar 1 tbs extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp pure maple syrup 70g ( 1 /2 cup) blueberries 1 Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan forced. Grease a baking tray and line with baking paper. Spread chickpeas over prepared tray. Spray lightly with oil. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden and crisp. 2 Meanwhile, cook the quinoa and…

Good fats: Healthy fats help boost metabolism and keep you feeling full for longer. Water: One of the easiest ways to get glowing skin is to drink 2L of water a day, ideally filtered. Sleep: While we sleep, our skin makes new collagen, part of the repair process that helps reduce wrinkles and dryness. Whole foods: Remember, less food out of a packet and more out of the ground; the nearer the food is to its natural state, the better. Gut health: Fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut and miso help rebalance the bacteria that colonise our digestive system.…

“You can help fight off disease by having these fruits and vegies in your corner.” When it comes to disease, prevention is our best defence. Poor nutrition plays a big role in the development of many modern-day diseases, so tweaking your diet is a smart move. Lots of foods have protective qualities, and they’re not hard to find or expensive. Here, we look at eight everyday superstars you can find in the fresh produce section of the supermarket. lemons Blood vessels: Lemon peel is packed with rutin, which helps improve blood circulation by strengthening the walls of your arteries and capillaries. Add grated rind or zest to baking, sauces, salad dressings and curries. Energy fix: Iron is essential for energy, and you can significantly increase your absorption of this essential…

Planning a long leisurely lunch? Make the cheesecake to the end of Step 3 up to 3 days ahead and keep in the fridge. Continue from Step 4 on day of serving. neenish cheesecake  serves 10 | prep 1 hour (+ 5 hours 45 mins chilling time) 250g shortbread biscuits 100g unsalted butter, melted, plus 1 tsp, extra, for icing 90g ( 1 /4 cup) raspberry jam 250g cream cheese, at room temperature 70g ( 1 /3 cup) caster sugar 2 tsp vanilla extract 600ml thickened cream 3 tsp gelatine powder 1 tbs icing sugar, plus extra, to serve 60g white chocolate, chopped 125g fresh raspberries, to serve icing 300g (2 cups) icing sugar, sifted 2 tsp cocoa powder, sifted 2 tbs boiling water Pink food colouring, to tint 1…

“Break the cob apart with your hands to get at the delicious cheesy goodness inside.” Michelle Southan pan pizza cob  serves 8 | prep 15 mins | cooking 20 mins 1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan forced. Place an ovenproof frying pan in the oven to heat. Spray another frying pan with olive oil and place over medium heat. Add the onion and capsicum and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until softened. Set aside to cool. 2 Use a sharp bread knife to deeply score the bread, making cuts about 3-4cm apart in a cross-hatch pattern (don’t cut all the way through the bread). Spread the cut surfaces with the dip. 3 Stuff the onion mixture, twiggy sticks, olives and cheese between the bread cuts. Carefully transfer…

These cocoa pops get their sweetness from a dash of natural maple syrup. healthier cocoa pops  makes 6 cups | prep 10 mins | cooking 10 mins 120g (6 cups) puffed brown rice 60g ( 1 /4 cup) solidified coconut oil 2 tbs pure maple syrup 2 tbs organic cacao powder or cocoa powder 1 Preheat the oven to 150°C/130°C fan forced. Line 2 large baking trays with baking paper. 2 Place the rice in a large bowl. Place the oil, maple syrup and cacao or cocoa powder in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on Medium for 15 seconds or until the coconut oil is melted. Stir until smooth and combined. Pour over the rice. Use your hands to mix until all the ingredients are well combined. 3 Spread the rice…

give peas a chance Move over almond and soy milk. Pea protein is the big trend in the health food world, and now it’s landed in Australia as the latest milk alternative. One serve of dairy-free Like Milk Original, $4 for 1L, provides zero fat, only 0.2g sugar and 8.8g protein. Try using this plant-based powerhouse in cereals, smoothies, and to replace milk in recipes. And no, it’s not green! SUGAR, BUT BETTER Satisfy your sweet cravings with a lighter conscience, thanks to CSR Lite Reduced Calorie Sugar, $4.49. With 45 per cent fewer calories than cane sugar, it’s made with regular CSR Caster Sugar and natural sweeteners erythritol and stevia. Plus, CSR Lite can be substituted for regular sugar spoon for spoon or cup for cup, so it’s an…

in honour of the most important meal of the day, we’ve swung our trolley past the gluten-free breakfast shelves (with strict supervision from our resident coeliac) to bring you our favourite gluten-free options, packed with goodness. Lowan Cocoa Bombs, 350g, $4 Craving a cheeky chocolate breakfast? This one reminded us of early mornings watching cartoons on the telly. The chocolate flavours shine through, without being overly sweet, and it was a fave among the team. Food for Health Fruit Free Clusters with Chia & Cinnamon, 425g, $8 Full of goodness, like buckwheat (for plant protein), sunflower seeds (hello, vitamin E), chia seeds (omega-3s) and more, this one packs a healthy punch. Freedom Foods Active Balance Multigrain & Cranberry, 350g, $6 With almost double the dietary fibre of the others here,…

chocolate witches’ hats  makes 18 | prep 25 mins (+ setting time) | cooking 5 mins 150g dark chocolate melts 50g Copha, chopped 18 ice-cream cones Silver sugar, to decorate 18 chocolate cupcakes (see tip) 250g ready-made fondant icing Wilton Orange Gel Paste, to tint Pure icing sugar, to dust Melted chocolate, to attach Black writing icing, to decorate orange buttercream 250g unsalted butter, at room temperature, chopped 300g (2 cups) icing sugar, sifted 60ml ( 1 /4 cup) milk Wilton Orange Gel Paste, to tint 1 Line a baking tray with baking paper. Place a wire rack on top. Combine the chocolate and Copha in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on High, in 30-second bursts, until melted. Hold cones over the bowl and spoon chocolate over cones, allowing excess…