Not Quite NigellaThe cooking, eating and travel blog of a hungry blogger from Sydney, Australia featuring original recipes, interviews and articles on all things food @

Little Creek Cheese, Wyong, Central Coast

Not Quite Nigella — Fri, 24 May 2013 18:00:12 +0000

All images taken using a Pentax Q Once upon a time, there was an extended family that visited the Central Coast. Most members of this family loved to do outdoor activities but the gothicky sister in law only loved food so she would join this family when they were having lunch. One place that they [...]

Lazy, Luscious Spiced Beetroot Relish

Not Quite Nigella — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:00:04 +0000

A common thread among most teenagers, at least the ones that I knew, was that you wanted everyone else’s parents except your own. In my circle of friends, one friend yearned for parents that were still married and filthy rich, I yearned for parents that would allow me more freedom while another friend yearned for [...]

From Farm, To Market To Restaurant, Honolulu, Hawaii

Not Quite Nigella — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:00:15 +0000

All images taken on a Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS lens It must at least cross every visitor’s mind at some stage during a visit to Hawaii that they could really live here. It was a few days in when it hit me. Yes, I could really live here. It’s a laid back state [...]

Lamb Rack With Figs & Caramelised Onion

Not Quite Nigella — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:00:03 +0000

Many moons ago I was having dinner with a friend of mine. He was an ambitious corporate consultant and I had just started a job as the General Manager of a series of shoe stores. He was good at offering advice on all matters business and knowing that I was coming into a family business [...]

The Park Pop Up Restaurant, Centennial Park

Not Quite Nigella — Mon, 20 May 2013 18:00:44 +0000

When Mr NQN and I moved back to the Eastern Suburbs from Mosman a few years ago, we moved right near to Centennial Park. People used to say to us “Oh that’s wonderful, you must use the park all the time” and we’d smile back and nod and murmur “Well sometimes…” not wanting to admit [...]

Triple Decker Neapolitan Chiffon Cake!

Not Quite Nigella — Sun, 19 May 2013 18:00:10 +0000

This year for Mother’s Day, we had our annual Mother’s Day picnic in Centennial Park. It is the one time in the year that all of the mums and families of Mr NQN’s extended family get together and it’s always a good excuse for cake and a bit of motherly pride. On that day Mr [...]

A Quick Escape To The Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Not Quite Nigella — Sat, 18 May 2013 18:00:33 +0000

It was the quickest of trips. I would be barely more than 24 hours on the Sunshine Coast where I was booked to speaking for half an hour. The rest of the time would be spent in transit or doing work and catching up with friends. The view from the deck and the painting by [...]

Easy Baked Whole Snapper With Wine

Not Quite Nigella — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:00:51 +0000

I was talking to my personal trainer the other day. “You know I’ve always dreamt about running…” If you have seen me training, you know that running is my least favourite thing to do. She looked at me so puzzlingly that I had to clarify “I don’t mean that I’ve actually aspired to run or [...]

A Houseboat on the Murray, Mildura

Not Quite Nigella — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:00:40 +0000

“Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?” says the man from the SES who is on the plane across the row from me on the small aircraft. He’s just waiting to get home to nearby Broken Hill but Mr NQN and I are excited for another reason. For our anniversary weekend, [...]

Condensed Milk Travelling Cookies

Not Quite Nigella — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:00:25 +0000

I have a gorgeous friend called Amanda who has a cat. Her cat however is not your ordinary cat. You see he has an adventurous life of his own. A few months ago he was was the victim of a recent attempted catnapping. It all started when Amanda’s cat went missing for a few days. [...]