Cooking Tips

Spectacular Paella

Jul 8, 2019 | Chef Mel Global Foodie, Recipes, Tips, What's Been Cooking, Your Kitchen Challenge

SPECTACULAR SPANISH…WHO WANTS TO MAKE LAZY BUT PERFECT PAELLA. Spectacular Paella made easy (Serves 6-8) 1 large onion finely sliced 3-6 cloves garlic 3 tablespoons olive oil pinch saffron threads, soak in 30ml boiling hot water, allow to seep 1 teaspoon turmeric 1...

The Inspired Chef – My journey with truffles. My journey with food.

Jun 18, 2019 | Chef Mel Global Foodie, Tips, Vanilla Zulu Travel, What's Been Cooking, Your Kitchen Challenge

The inspired Chef I am so terribly excited. I am so terribly inspired. Which is why I was awake at 4am eager to get typing! How to feel alive again There is nothing like a little trip away to reset the buttons and make you feel alive again. It doesn't have to be a...

Who wants to live happily ever after? Beautiful Blueberry Pancakes – Keto or traditional

Feb 6, 2019 | Chef Mel Global Foodie, Recipes, Tips, Vanilla Zulu Travel, What's Been Cooking, Your Kitchen Challenge

Greetings everyone! It's good to be back at home. No matter how much I love to travel, there is nothing like walking through your own door and sleeping in your own bed. What a fantastic trip I had. I was really besotted with what England had to offer...

Mozambique Cuisine…Africa on fire

Jan 14, 2019 | Chef Mel Global Foodie, Recipes, Tips, Vanilla Zulu Travel, What's Been Cooking

Mozambique Cuisine...Africa on fire This weekend I was fortunate enough to be one of the presenters on stage at the Gold Coast Food and Wine Expo. Who would have thought that a little blond haired Zimbabwean, growing up in the most remote corners of Africa,...

Vanilla Zulu’s Orange, Pistachio and Vanilla Christmas Mince Pie with spun sugar bling

Dec 18, 2018 | Chef Mel Global Foodie, Recipes, Tips, What's Been Cooking

Vanilla Zulu Orange, Pistachio and Vanilla Christmas Mince Pie with spun sugar bling Tart shell 1 ½ cups / 180g plain flour 60g almond meal, toasted ½ cup / 110g sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 140g cold butter, chopped Zest of 1...

Dirty Black Beef with biltong, chilli and coriander bling

Sep 21, 2018 | Chef Mel Global Foodie, Recipes, Tips, Your Kitchen Challenge

Dirty Black Beef with biltong, chilli, pistachio and coriander bling Anyone that knows me also knows that I'm the worlds laziest chef. If there is a shortcut or if I can shave some time off and still get my beautiful result, I'm just all for it. Which is...

The Queen of Culinary Bling hunts for black diamonds

Jul 4, 2018 | Tips

Hello fellow foodies This weekend was an amazing celebration of foodie fabulousness. Not only is Canberra studded with beautiful wineries and smokehouses full of amazing products, it's also the perfect spot to grow truffles. Imagine my excitement when arriving on The...

Happy Yellow Butterbean Mash – the newest and latest craze at Vanilla Zulu…and here’s why!

Oct 30, 2017 | Chef Mel Global Foodie, Recipes, Tips, Vanilla Zulu Travel, What's Been Cooking, Your Kitchen Challenge

We all love mash. Its comforting deliciousness is not only the cause of many an eye-closing tastebud-bursting 'ah' moments, its also the perfect platform for the rest of the meal you are serving with it. Potato mash is respectable. Not only has it stood the time but...

Have you got 12 minutes and a tea bag?

Mar 4, 2016 | Tips

Have you got 12 minutes and a tea bag? Fabulous! Then you can home-smoke salmon (or chicken). Yes, delicious, moist, tender and juicy smoked salmon made fresh at home in your kitchen in only 12 minutes. No items found. It's easier and quicker than you think and you...