Syrup and Tang

Beprickled stinkpots: My only-moderately-helpful guide to durian

Duncan — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:58:19 +0000

Imagine surviving thirteen nights of durian pong, collecting valuable fruit identification info from a durian seller, and then discovering you failed to write it all down for one's readers' pleasure! I bring you tales of stinkiness with added (incomplete) interesting information, plus news of mangosteen and jackfruit.

Soulless food: My Kitchen Rules

Duncan — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 13:04:10 +0000

Yet another unreality food show has hit our Australian telly screens. My Kitchen Rules, where teams representing five states vie for the title of most-self-confident but not-quite-expert home entertaining maestros. People showing off to each other isn't exactly my idea of fun cooking viewing, but hey, maybe there's something to enjoy in it.

Book giveaway – Momofuku

Duncan — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:28:30 +0000

The Gastronomer's Bookshelf is giving away a copy of Momofuku (which looks like a swear word but is in fact a popular New York restaurant).

Security: protect your PayPal account

Duncan — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 03:21:46 +0000

My internet security is pretty good, both technical and in my cautious behaviour, but I almost got phished today, so I'm warning readers what to look out for.

Canelés de Bordeaux (or: my love of copper moulds)

Duncan — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 12:05:12 +0000

I feel myself drawn inexorably to baking projects that have no end, just a rocky path of discoveries, flops, experiments, successes, flops... Not content with macarons and pasteis de nata to add girth and grey hairs to my existence, I started playing with canelés de Bordeaux about a year ago. Why? Why? The lure of something that absolutely required expensive copper moulds and beeswax must have clinched the deal.

Technical note

Duncan — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:54:52 +0000

I've had to make some technical changes to the site because my bandwidth quota is being consumed too quickly. If you notice any images that aren't loading, please drop me a line or leave a message here. (But I hope everything is going smoothly.)

Imported pastries at Woolworths/Safeway

Duncan — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 06:37:51 +0000

Woolworths clearly weren't satisfied with selling imported "artisan" bread all the way from the other side of the Pacific, but also have a diverse range of pastries from Europe. They've been selling them for at least a few months, but I've been slow to write about it.

The Larousse Gastronomique, plus a pile of Christmas book gift ideas

Duncan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:27:39 +0000

For lovers of food knowledge, the Larousse Gastronomique is an indispensable book... and I recently slaved over a feature for The Gastronomer's Bookshelf about the new edition and the history of the various versions. Meanwhile, co-editor Mark has prepared a Year-end Countdown with a pile of interesting books you might like to know about, starting with baking and Christmas.

Confessions of a Rice Bubbles (Rice Krispies) addict

Duncan — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:24:48 +0000

Everyone who knows me well enough to welcome me into their home on my travels knows that I eat one thing for breakfast. It verges on religion. If I stray from the one true breakfast, I am punished with bad moods and heavy stomach (or growling hunger). What's more, perhaps unusually for something so mundane, I'm quite faithful to one brand...

Wrap hazelnut shortbread around a whole hazelnut. Swoon.

Duncan — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 01:33:31 +0000

A delicious pairing of whole roasted hazelnuts with sweet, buttery hazelnut shortbread and the lovely tingle of salt crystals. Even people who aren't enthusiastic about hazelnuts might find themselves longing for more. It's just a pity these sablés noisette are a bit tricky to make.