tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49911442671528214102024-03-13T23:08:27.657+11:00EATspeakobservations from a roving foodieJane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.comBlogger443125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-42236957743742655322017-08-18T13:55:00.002+10:002017-08-18T13:55:52.097+10:00Baked Brown Sugar Custard
Make this rich, silky baked custard this weekend. Thank me later.
Baked brown sugar custard with dates
10 fresh dates, pitted and cut in half - See Note
1 vanilla bean, split lengthways & seeds scraped
500 ml (17 fl oz/2 cups) pouring (whipping) cream
375 ml (13 fl oz/11/2 cups) milk
10 large egg yolks
140 g (5 oz/3/4 cup) soft brown sugar
fresh nutmeg, for Jane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-16822632087075062222017-06-10T10:17:00.000+10:002017-06-10T10:17:27.251+10:002018 ZENBU TOURS
Our 3 scheduled Zenbu Tours for 2018 are filling up fast!
You'd best be quick not to miss the Earlybird Specials! They end in early July 2017.
In fact they've already been snapped up for the Spring Tour in May - which is almost full! There are a couple of spots left on this gorgeous tour if you'd care to join us!
There are still spaces on both the ever-popular 12 dayJane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-10932796114713969512017-06-10T09:45:00.000+10:002017-06-10T09:45:28.722+10:00Naoshima Art Island - Japan
Attention Art Lovers !
Curious about the wonderful Naoshima?
Hop over to Zenbu Tours to read about how to get the most from your travel experience.
Jane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-55669003771462289362016-06-15T11:29:00.001+10:002016-08-07T08:53:41.397+10:00ZENBU TOURS 2017
Just a quick head's up for those of you interested in Jane Lawson's cuisine and culture tours of Japan - our popular ZENBU ZEN TOUR for early 2017 SOLD OUT in record time!!!
* 7/8 update - just quietly - one couple has had to cancel so two spaces have just become available on the above tour - but don't dilly dally!
BUT - the good news is that we've just announced Jane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-63182122396356769202016-03-23T15:29:00.000+11:002016-03-23T17:26:24.079+11:00MILKBAR MEMORIES
BUY NOW!!
Excited & Nervous....
These are the two standard emotions which face off with against each other whenever I have a new book about to hit the shelves!
In just one short month my newest 'baby' MILKBAR MEMORIES will land and you'll have the opportunity to take a peek! And hopefully be more on the excited side and less nervous than me!
I reckon those of Jane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-65778701773150828422015-10-23T13:42:00.002+11:002015-10-23T13:43:23.364+11:00Polverone Tartlets with Caramelised Apple and Cider Custard
Polvorone Tartlets with Apple and Cider Custard
cider custard
375 ml (13 fl oz/1 1/2 cups) cream (whipping)
125 ml (4 fl oz/ 1/2 cup) milk
8 egg yolks
60 ml (2 fl oz /1/4 cup) sweet Spanish sidra , or other sweet alcoholic apple cider
80 g (2 3/4 oz /1/3 cup) caster (superfine) sugar
11/2 teaspoons Jane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-86546508516159501032015-10-17T11:12:00.001+11:002015-10-17T11:12:58.687+11:00Macadamia Cake with Lime Syrup
I swear everyone who cooks this recipe falls in love with it.
Toasty, buttery macadamia with sweet lime. Perfect for a beautiful sunshine-filled day.
A little goes a long way and it keeps well - check it out and let me know how you go!
Macadamia cake with lime syrup
CAKE
200 g (7 oz/11/4 cups) Jane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-20059306747276987222015-09-14T09:41:00.000+10:002015-09-14T09:41:01.357+10:00St Ives Medieval Faire
Last year a friend invited me to some 'do' he was putting on... a Medieval Faire. A what?
I'd heard him correctly.
It was the last thing I could imagine myself enjoying on one of my few days off but the other half was keen and you have to let them think they are making some decisions sometimes right? Plus anything that took me close to a place in my head whichJane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-541305529312623872015-09-13T17:13:00.001+10:002015-09-13T17:13:56.914+10:00Cooking, Drinking and Feeding My Face in Fair Melbourne Town
I recently had the pleasure of teaching a class on Japanese Winter Comfort Foods at Melbourne's fabulous Essential Ingredient Prahran ! Thanks so much for having me Essential peeps - and to everyone for coming. It was a hands on class with a lot to get through and each attendee of the eclectic bunch did such an amazing job! Made me proud they did!
Plus I got to meet Jane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-27736143997654476982015-08-09T11:45:00.001+10:002015-08-09T11:45:52.270+10:00Cook this: TAPAS
Last week's response to my recipe for chicken croquettes or Croquetas de pollo put me in a Spanish mood for days. I must apologise to the neighbours for my thunderous Flamenco fumblings...
Here are a few more great Tapas recipes from my book Cocina Nueva - the new Spanish Kitchen. Published by Murdoch Books.
An oldie but a goodie - even if I do say so myself!
Combine Jane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-6354322182643122832015-08-07T18:52:00.001+10:002015-08-07T18:52:38.237+10:00Cook this. Meat Pies with Beer and Vegemite.
Football, meatpies, Kangaroos and ..... beer ... and Vegemite.
Actually I'm happy to leave the footy and Kangaroos to themselves. Aussies watching football - you need these. Get baking.
Meat pies
2 tablespoons olive oil 1 brown onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons plain (all-purpose) flour
600 g (1 lb 5 oz) chuck steak, cut into 1.5 cm (5/8 inch) dice
10 g (1/4 Jane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-40761359008796040252015-08-05T16:15:00.002+10:002015-08-05T16:15:53.679+10:00Cook this. Croquetas de Pollo
Croquetas de pollo
Chicken Croquettes with Smoked Paprika Salt
béchamel sauce
90 g (3 1/4 oz) butter
90 g (3 1/4 oz /3/4 cup) plain (all-purpose) flour
1 tablespoon fino (dry) sherry
125 ml (4 fl oz /1/2 cup) home-made or low-salt chicken stock
1 fresh bay leaf
185 ml (6 fl oz /3/4 cup) milk
60 ml (2 fl oz /1/4 cup) cream (whipping)
Filling
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/Jane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-78874783850082014182015-08-05T15:49:00.001+10:002015-08-05T16:05:16.107+10:00Cook this: Raisin Torrijas with Honey and Walnuts
Super-easy yet impressive Spanish dessert. Gluten-phobes look away.
Raisin torrijas with honey and walnuts
4 thick slices day-old raisin brioche, or other good-quality raisin bread
2 eggs 125 ml (4 fl oz /1/2 cup) cream (whipping)
2 teaspoons caster (superfine) sugar
1/2 teaspoon natural vanilla extract
mild vegetable oil, for pan-frying
20 g ( 3/4 oz) butter
Jane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-62557038570714626402015-07-23T17:48:00.000+10:002015-07-23T17:55:36.441+10:00Creamy Fish Pie
This simple fish pie is perfect on a cool evening with a glass of white wine - something with enough acid to cut through the richness.
I have cravings for this baby. Give it a whirl - you won't be disappointed.
60 g (21/4 oz) butter 2 leeks, white part only, sliced
1 large fennel bulb (about 500 g/1 lb 2 oz), finely sliced
(reserve the fennel tips for the sauce)
1 Jane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-12014925903466999522015-05-08T09:34:00.001+10:002015-05-08T09:36:10.738+10:00Quick and Easy Spicy Baked Beans Recipe
My dad used to sing a little ditty about baked beans but it isn’t appropriate for print — well not in a cookbook anyway! The baked beans we eat today are believed to draw upon Native American as well as French or Italian origins. Baked beans were first produced commercially by the Americans in the late 1800s, with the British following close behind. Although the tinned form is very Jane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-64184569572765141982015-05-05T10:55:00.004+10:002016-03-25T13:42:14.589+11:00Homemade Crumpets
Australians have a fond attachment to this bubbly, yeast-leavened version of the pancake. Crumpets are (or were) commonly eaten toasted for breakfast - smothered with butter and honey or Vegemite!
Thank you dear Simon Marnie (ABC Radio) for sharing your love of this recipe with your audience. It makes me smile to think of you whipping these up at home for the family! I agree - the Jane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-14681229140937235112015-05-05T10:13:00.001+10:002015-05-05T10:13:39.340+10:00Bacon and Egg Rolls with Homemade BBQ Sauce
While I'm feeling generous .... Here's another recipe from my cookbook 'Grub - Favourite Food Memories'. It is easy to make excellent Bacon and Egg sangers at home when you know how to make your own quick and easy BBQ sauce !
serves 4
BARBECUE SAUCE
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 small brown onion, chopped
11/2 tablespoons tomato paste (concentrated purée)
1 tablespoon golden syrupJane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-59767871323779087132015-05-05T10:02:00.001+10:002015-05-05T10:55:03.053+10:00Banana Bread with Brown Sugar Butter
For those who asked for the Banana Bread recipe from my book Grub - here 'tis!
It's similar to the banana bread you have in Australian cafes and is great toasted with or without the brown sugar butter! Plain good quality butter works just as well.
BANANA BREAD RECIPE from GRUB by Jane Lawson
makes 1 loaf (serves 6–8)
150 g (51/2 oz) unsalted butter, chopped & slightly softened
Jane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-57769050171167493062015-05-04T11:09:00.001+10:002015-05-04T11:14:02.253+10:00WIN a copy of ZENBU ZEN - Finding Food, Culture and Balance in Kyoto by Jane Lawson
Zenbu Zen takes you on a very personal 'armchair' escape to Kyoto, Japan with food and travel writer Jane Lawson. This book includes an informative, easy to read narrative with details about Japanese ingredients and plenty of authentic recipes.
Plus the book is so beautifully designed and illustrated you won't be able to stop running your hands all over it!
If you are Jane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-33688415925569206382015-04-24T13:10:00.000+10:002015-04-24T20:29:48.498+10:00Win a copy of Snowflakes and Schnapps
Hello people of excellent taste who like to cook great food!
I'm giving you the chance to win a copy of my cookbook Snowflakes and Schnapps - the only book you need to get you through winter in style!
Just ask foodie Ann Brady who is currently cooking her way through the entire book, a HUGE effort and slightly crazy if I do say so myself - even I wouldn't attempt such a thing!  Jane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-84736125353405919912014-12-31T17:42:00.000+11:002015-04-02T20:02:49.724+11:00ZENBU TOURS
Dear All,
Please note that I have now relocated all new tour information to my brand-spanking-new
Zenbu Tours Page
If you'd like to be kept in the loop please head on over there and follow me for all tour-related stuff and that way you'll be the first to know when new tours are announced.
Speaking of which - I've just released THREE NEW tours - one for Autumn/FallJane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-24270885985184159982014-12-03T08:35:00.001+11:002014-12-03T08:37:55.020+11:00Japanese Winter Hotpot Cooking Class at Essential Ingredient Prahran
It seems a long way off I know and it is rather hot and humid right now in Australia to be thinking about such things but come July 18th 2015 you will surely be needing to warm your hearts and bellies with a little Japanese style winter comfort food?
The friendly people at The Essential Ingredient in Prahran have invited me to teach a hands-on class on Japanese winter hotpots and the Jane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-31190042802371571712014-11-28T18:18:00.001+11:002014-11-28T18:18:43.398+11:00Turning Japanese I really think so...
This week SBS Food Online features a story I wrote for them on the rise and rise of Japanese cuisine. I spoke with many enthusiastic chefs and restaurateurs including Noma's Rene Redzepi and Peter Gilmore of Quay - wanna know what they had to say ? well take a lookie HERE!
Jane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-12024736409080738272014-11-16T14:15:00.000+11:002015-05-08T10:07:04.367+10:00Tempura Matsu
Hello, we are in the process of moving all Japan related content over to the ZENBU TOURS site and this page has already been transferred. You will find the page link HERE.
Thanks for your patience. Cheers, Jane
Jane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4991144267152821410.post-5184400713717166862014-11-15T11:35:00.000+11:002014-11-15T11:35:14.001+11:00Beauty is my neighbour
One of the things I learnt when living in Japan was to be far more appreciative of the everyday stuff, to find the beauty in the unexpected. To really look around you, noticing the slightest changes to the seasons, what plants are growing, whether a particular flower has blossomed early or later than usual, whether that lady has switched to her autumn themed Kimono yet. Is the river more Jane Lawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14486798711099181605noreply@blogger.com0