Zhajiang Mian (AKA Chinese Spag Bol)

This is one of the dishes I HAVE to order whenever Mr Black and I go for dumplings in Ashfield. The noodles are chewy, the pork mince fragrant and rich, and the cucumber – even though I usually detest it – offers the perfect coolness and crunch in contrast. It’s also dead simple to make at home, bonus!

Crisp salt and chilli tofu

I find this dish so comforting. Perfect for a Valentines night dinner with yourself! ❤

It’s usually made with spring onions too, which are a delicious addition. If using chuck them in towards the end along with the chilli and garlic.

Easy egg-based breakfast bites

For me, the hardest time eating low-carb/low-GI is at breakfast. My usual breakfast involves leftovers of some kind, but occasionally I need something a bit more traditional. These little breakfast ‘bites’ are really simple to make and keep well for a few days once cooked.

A ‘recipe’ as such isn’t really needed. You just need a non-stick muffin/cupcake tin, one egg per hole, and something to make them taste delicious…

Japanese spinach with sesame

Ok, this is not authentic, but it’s a very quick and easy approximation to the delicious horenso no goma ae I always have to order at Japanese restaurants. The classic recipe calls for boiled sake and hand-ground sesame seeds, but hello, it’s Tuesday.

Chinese twice-cooked pork

When I was growing up, my mum often used to make this dish for a weeknight dinner. As a child I was never quite sure why it was called twice-cooked, and I’m still not sure if she actually did both steps of the cooking, but I find it the perfect way to use up any leftover pork belly. The other night I made dinner of pork belly stewed in orange, soy and spices but there was loads leftover, so tonight I used the it to make this delicious stir-fry.

Pork belly & ribs stewed in orange, soy and spices

This is my mum’s best classic, comforting winter dinner dish and a firm family favourite. It fills the house with an incredibly enticing, warming fragrance from the star anise, cinnamon and orange, and reminds me of the happiest moments of my childhood. The pork is stewed until incredibly tender, so that the fat just melts in the mouth and the meat is worthy of ‘pulling’ pork status. The ribs are a treat for those who aren’t into pork fat (i.e. crazy people, and my sister).

Spaghetti Pollanaise – a recipe inspired by Michael Pollan

Recently, we saw Michael Pollan talk at the Opera House. He was awesome.

The things he spoke of were not new to me. Ideas about eating locally grown produce; not eating too many refined “white” foods; avoiding foods so artificial that our grandmothers wouldn’t recognise them as food… But there was one line which stuck with me above all others:

Moroccan lamb mince, egg and feta ‘breakfast’ tagine

There are few things more delicious than the fragrance of simmering lamb and cinnamon. This breakfast tagine, inspired by the amazeballs one at Kazbah in Balmain (also in Darling Harbour and Top Ryde), makes breakfast worth getting out of bed for.

Cereal? Pah! Toast? Pish! 

Pork and eggplant adobo

This is one of my absolute favourite comfort dishes. It’s perfect for when you have no fresh vegies, and are feeling unwell or tired, and need something warming and hearty. (Tick, tick and tick!) The ingredients might not sound exciting, but trust me, this dish is more than the sum of its parts! 

Lamb shanks braised with pomegranate, balsamic, tomato and bay

I got some lovely lamb shanks at the Addison Road Markets today and was feeling indecisive about how to flavour them. Preserved lemon? Red wine and bay leaves? Lemongrass and star anise?