Humble Crumble

After almost a month’s absence, Humble Crumble is back with the first post of 2012. My time has been occupied with learning to sail, ultimately this will culminate (with some years of practise) in completion of one of my bucket list goals; to take part in the Sydney Hobart offshore sailing race. (more…)

Perhaps it’s the cynic in me, but I have already noticed the well intended New Years resolutions are beginning to flag like a pair of well worn undies on the washing line. These are the declarations of healthy living usually made on January one, when people aren’t sober enough to think clearly or are feeling sorry for themselves for over indulging only hours before. It’s nothing to be ashamed about; we’ve all been there at some point…haven’t we?? (more…)

There are few vegetables that form the basic foundation of so many dishes and stocks across such a range of cuisine styles as the innocent onion. It seldom enjoys the limelight but brown, white and red onions form the base flavour in British, European and Australian cuisine.  If the understated onion was playing in the rugby world cup it wouldn’t be a glamorous All Blacks winger or an Irish drop goal ace. The onion would be a Georgian prop forward – in the engine room doing the hard work and making you cry. (more…)

We recently had family staying with us which is always nice, one of the guests however presented me with a food challenge in that they are vegetarian. Now being an out and out appreciator of carnivorous delights I
sometimes struggle to understand the point of vegetarianism, perhaps I subconsciously associate it with liberal lefties who are out of touch with reality and enjoy living in trees and wearing scratchy hemp underpants.  (more…)

After a weekend of over indulgence, something healthy and ‘mind cleansing’ was needed (mind cleansing because by eating this I can feel virtuous again .  Here is a quick fire recipe to make vegetable soup, with some of those favourite Thai flavours. (more…)

There are few soups, (apart from maybe chicken) that have such broad appeal as tomato soup. It has a familiarity like a favourite old jumper that is soft and comforting.  It has the advantage or perhaps disadvantage of not containing any meat, so it’s perfect for those occasions when you have to tax the recipe archive for ‘that’ vege friend.  What’s more even the fussy, bratty kids seem to like it. (more…)

The good old sausage sizzle is an antipodean icon, crucial to so many fundraisers for clubs, girl guides, rugby clubs and schools. For those of you back in the old country who maybe wondering what a sausage sizzle is….basically it’s a barbeque with just two things dancing on the hotplate; sausages and onions. (more…)

As a family we seldom participated in the great British tradition of Sunday roast (I don’t think mum was too keen on the extra washing up to be honest).  Instead we swapped such feasts for a big hike in the countryside during the autumn and winter months. (more…)

Today I would like to share something that is enjoyed all over Australia and New Zealand at this time of year. (more…)