Sydney Food by Bill Granger

Australians do not realise how lucky they are. Well, yes they do but we are just jealous. They have a fabulous climate, grow some of the world's best vegetables, they catch the finest fish, rear delicious meat and are sitting on the edge of some exciting culinary cultures. When Pacific Rim was born, the rest of the world woke up and went ‘WOW'.

But back to the book by Bill Granger. For those of us not in the know, Bill is big in Australia. He owns three restaurants in Sydney and Sydney Food encapsulates all that he achieves but in the comfort of our own homes. Not bad, for the price of £14.99.

Bill's style is unpretentious, just great flavours served up with the minimum of fuss. You could easily pass over this book but it is worth closer inspection. It is a cookbook worth working through, although it'll be no hardship as all the food is just about perfect. The recipes are simple: sort out your cups (for measuring, that is), and you will have no problems. There are lots of new flavours and combinations to get you away from the norm. With recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner Sydney style, you will never be at a loss as to what to cook.

Close your eyes and turn on your imaginary taste buds. Think of ricotta and tomato tart a gooey mixture of cheese, cream and eggs, perfect for a picnic or spaghettini with crab, lime and chilli, an Asian-European mix, effortless to cook, delicious and different. Lemon soufflé cakes, light pancakes made with buttermilk and served with strawberries steeped in honey which intensifies their colour. There are some good ideas here, which are easy to copy. Pour some thick yoghurt into a glass, put a few spoonfuls of runny honey on top and then top with some berries. It looks just great. This is more summer eating although upside down cake with apple and cinnamon would go down well on a cold winter's day.

Sydney Food brings the essence of Australian cooking to our shores. It does all seem to be happening in Oz. You will be cooking Sydney style before you know where you are.

Publication Details
192 pages. £14.99
Published by Murdoch Books
ISBN 0864119917
2000

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