CATEGORIES

Hunter Valley NEW SOUTH WALES

This established wine region offers a few surprises with its new spirit of innovation

Cooking with KELP

Kelp and other seaweeds bring a salty, metallic taste to your cooking at the same time as packing a nutritious punch. Kelp is rich in healing antioxidants and iodine but as far as cooking goes, it really depends on what form you are using. Dried seaweed makes wonderful stocks while fresh seaweed can be cooked and served alongside a seafood dish or in a soup. In Australia we are not accustomed to cooking with kelp and other seaweeds, so here are some tasty ideas to bring the healing power of these foods into your diet such as our: kelp power bowl; kelp noodle salad; seafood spaghetti with kombu; kelp super snacks; kelp bread; kelp vegan pad thai; and miso honey baked salmon topped with seaweed salad.

BELGIAN-STYLE

Belgian cuisine is saucy and always satisfying. It is always tasty and offers a unique blend of stimulating ingredients. Soups, stews and tarts are a feature as are sweet specialities such as speculaas. Bring a bit of Belgium to your cooking with our: stoemp; Belgian curry mussels with frites; chicken waterzooi; Belgian braised stew; Belgium tea loaf; and specula as biscuits.

5 HEALTHY WORK SNACKS

It's easy to reach for sugary, fat-loaded snacks to get you through the workday, but with a little planning you can still snack, get your mood boost, and stay heal while it.

A CULTURE OF BETTER butter

Butter is synonymous with good food, but cultured butter offers a deliciously sustainable, artisanal take on the popular spread. We chat to two butter connoisseurs to find out more.

5 SUGAR ALTERNATIVES

If you want to have your cake and eat it too, you need to make it with some healthy sweetener choices. Here, Lisa Holmen outlines her top five sweeteners you can use for guilt-free baking.

BREAKFAST sandwiches

With a range of breads and fillings to choose from, breakfast sandwiches can be catered to any taste and need. They offer you a chance to start your day with lean protein, fibre, valuable nutrition and wondrous tastes. The added bonus is that while you would ideally like to sit and savour every meal, sometimes breakfast in particular can be rushed so something healthy that you can have on the go is a great way to start your day. The possibilities for breakfast sandwiches are really only limited by your imagination but to get you started try our: tortilla BLAT; bacon benny bagel; curried egg toast; turkey meatball banh mi; omelette, sundried tomato pesto and rocket sandwich; avocado, halloumi and rocket on rye; baked beans, cheese and spinach toastie; or some spicy Mexican breakfast wraps.

Postbiotics

You've heard all about probiotics and prebiotics, but the new research on the biotic block is going into postbiotics and they are proving to be health-giving stars.

IN CONVERSATION WITH Paul Iskov

With a background at world-class restaurants such as Noma and DOM, Paul Iskov's creations fuse fine-dining with native Australian ingredients. Iskov is renowned for bringing his colourful flair and flavours to the menu at his WA-based roaming restaurant, Fervor, where sustainability meets a spectacular dining experience.

CREAMY, VEGAN & delicious

Choosing vegan food means you can't eat dairy but that does not mean you can't have dishes with that beautiful, comforting creamy consistency. Avocado, pureed cashews and coconut milk are just some of the options that can give your healthy, sustainable vegan meal a lovely creamy feel. Bring some creamy consistency to your vegan cooking with our: sweet potato, chickpea and coconut curry; lemony creamy pasta with sundried tomatoes, broccoli and asparagus; roasted cauliflower and chickpea salad with creamy tahini dressing; creamy spinach and artichoke risoni; Massaman cauliflower; creamy tomato and basic penne; and lemon posset.

TRAYBAKE dinners

Traybakes make a quick and easy dinner for a busy weeknight or even a weekend evening when you don't want to have to think too hard about getting food ready. The added bonus with a traybake is that it really lends itself to the communal nature of eating as you can place it on the table and let people serve themselves. Traybakes can also be a delicious blend of flavours and be healthy too, especially if you try our: eggplant, chickpea and pomegranate; gluten-free zucchini and corn; pork, fennel and apple; haloumi and roasted vegetable; chicken gnocchi; Thai red curry salmon; or marinated garlic and lime chicken.

THE KITCHEN GARDENER :Quince

More than just a paste on a cheese board, these golden fruits have their roots in ancient history.

VENICES NEXT RENAISSANCE

After the pause, the ancient lagoon city reconsiders its future and paves its way forward.

ITALIAN PRESERVES

In Italy, safeguarding the season's harvest is a way of life. For Australia's Italian community, rituals of smoking, salting, drying and bottling are acts of connecting to the motherland.

ISABELLA MANFREDI

Kylie Kwong celebrates the individuals helping to grow a stronger community. This month, we meet musician and music industry advocate Isabella Manfredi.

VINO PER AMICI

Eat, drink and be merry with this Italian feast made to share. Recipes, wines and good times courtesy of the team at Paski Vineria Popolare.

NO PLACE Like ROME

Big flavours, colossal culture, monumental architecture and extravagant experiences…Rome is a blockbuster European city break.

NOT MADE in ITALY

JORDAN KRETCHMER meets the producers that draw on Italian food-making traditions, but with an Australian edge.

SOMETHING FISHY

It was the ancient Romans who first made garum fashionable. Now this alchemical flavour booster is again achieving star ingredient status – and its fans are some of our most progressive chefs.

Gnudi

Simple to prepare, these spinach and ricotta dumplings make a quick and delicious alternative to gnocchi.

A CHEF'S GUIDE TO… Trapani, Italy

Food and life are entwined in this humble port region. After a decade in her adopted home town, chef ANISSA HELOU shares her best finds.

Luscious PASTAS

There's nothing quite like a hearty bowl of pasta, especially midweek. These delectable recipes are guaranteed to soothe your ravenous soul.

PLENTY OF FISH IN THE SEA

You won't need to fish for compliments with these tasty recipes that are perfect for all occasions.

COOK THE COVER

Mediterranean quiches

Weekend AIR FRYER ROASTS

Make your weekends easy and tasty with these delicious roasts, taking full advantage of an air fryer to deliver a meal with all the trimmings.

Modern Mexican fiesta

Send your tastebuds to Mexico with these clever twists on family favourites. Comamos – let's eat!

WAFFLES four ways

Test Kitchen notes Waffle irons are available from kitchenware stores and some department stores. Pure maple syrup is best to use on waffles rather than maple-flavoured syrup, which is made from sugar cane.

Speedy sweet treats

Whip up these delightful desserts in no time.

In season citrus

Revel in the delicious brightness of oranges, lemons, mandarins and grapefruits with these stunning sweet and savoury dishes.

Fast & the flavourful

Fresh, delicious dinners on the table in less time it takes to order out.