Recipe: Spanakopita (season finale)

The recipe for this delectable pie comes from years of research (read: eating a piece of every spanakopita I came across) and months of recipe testing. It’s not a wholly authentic recipe, as I have zero Greek heritage or cultural connections, but it is as close as I felt I could get to the perfect genuine Greek spanakopita. It’s the perfect balance of a golden, flaky, buttery crust, that is sturdy enough to hold its own against a rich, robust and flavoursome filling of spinach, herbs and cheese.… Read More Recipe: Spanakopita (season finale)

January 8, 2022January 17, 2022 ShahedahLeave a comment

Bridging the gap

Another season of MasterChef Australia has come and gone, and here I am. Relieved. Relieved to have my evenings back. Relieved to have space to breathe and focus on my own cooking. Relieved to no longer feel just a little bit envious and inadequate every time I watch these ‘home cooks’ churn out complex, flavour-layered consommés and Michelin-starred desserts at every turn. Though I’ve been cooking for years, MasterChef constantly reminds me how early on I am in my cooking journey—how much more I have to learn: my Cooking Knowledge Gaps.… Read More Bridging the gap

July 26, 2021July 26, 2021 Shahedah1 Comment

An Ode to the Savoury Loaf

An idle scroll through my Instagram account will show you that I tend to bake loaves a lot. I usually bake my sweet cakes in loaf form too, but the savoury loaf sits in pride of place on my breakfast bar and in my heart.

I’ve gathered here my favourite recipes (and tasting notes) for your reading and drooling pleasure, along with links if you so feel inclined to whip out your own loaf tins. Some of the recipes listed below call for baking in a round or square cake tin, and I do occasionally oblige. When baking for communal grazing purposes (office morning teas, picnics, socially distanced events), the muffin tin also works wonders and has the benefits of a high crust-to-inner ratio.

But I always return to the savoury loaf.… Read More An Ode to the Savoury Loaf

September 25, 2020April 15, 2021 Shahedah6 Comments

Chronicles of a pomelo

We were gifted a pomelo this week by one of my husband’s closest friends, whose mother has a tree. I was thrilled! I’ve never even seen a pomelo outside the mythical universe that is the Masterchef Open Pantry. Most people, I imagine, would respond by cutting it and eating it. End scene.

I, on the other hand, was determined to bake with it.… Read More Chronicles of a pomelo

August 18, 2020September 11, 2020 Shahedah2 Comments

Recipe: Olive you (aka. that olive haloumi loaf)

It would be remiss of me to write a blog about food without sharing the story of my signature Olive, Haloumi and Rosemary Loaf.

But I was not always an olive fiend. It was years before I came to fully appreciate olives.

This is the tale of the lovely loaf that kicked off my journey.… Read More Recipe: Olive you (aka. that olive haloumi loaf)

August 14, 2020April 26, 2021 Shahedah3 Comments

The Foodiarist

My pantry is my happy place

Tag: baking