Welcome to my blog

Here be monsters!
Here you will read thoughts on life, the universe and everything in between though mostly about food and travel.

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5 Recipe Green Flags: What I Look for Before I Cook Anything

There’s something magical about a good recipe. It’s more than a list of ingredients and steps. As a food writer and home cook, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what makes a recipe worth coming back to.
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someone slicing up a roast porchetta rolled pork roast

Why Texture Is the Secret Ingredient to Great Taste

When it comes to good food, most of us know when something just hits right. Maybe it’s that crunchy bite of roast potatoes, the silky spoonful of a well-made custard, or the contrast of crisp greens and creamy dressing in a salad. We say ‘it tastes amazing’ but what we’re actually loving is more than just flavour.
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Salt Smart, Pepper Wisely: The Home Cook’s Flavour Guide

For many home cooks seasoning is often rushed or left to the last minute. But with just a bit more attention to when and how we add salt and pepper, we can transform simple meals into something much more satisfying.
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Spice It Up: A Quick Guide to Buying, Storing and Cooking with Spices

Whether you’re dipping a toe into new spice territory or deep-diving into your pantry’s potential, spices are here to help you cook with more confidence, creativity, and joy.
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a wooden table with green vegetables and jars of food laid out

Prep Now, Thank Yourself Later: Flexible Meal Planning for Busy Weeks

Life’s about to get hectic. A bit of prep now means I’ll be feeding future-me well without the fuss. Read my 7 top tips so you too can be a meal prep girlie.
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photo of jars of ingredients

Pantry Plot Twist: Surprising Recipe Ideas That Flip the Script on Familiar Foods

We all have those ingredients we buy on autopilot. What if those pantry and fridge staples could do more than their usual tricks? Whether you’re trying to avoid food waste, inject some fun into your meal routine, or just impress yourself with a little creativity, these recipes give common kitchen items a delicious new identity.
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photo of a selection of cookbooks and food writing

Decoding Common Kitchen Terms

I’ve been teaching a friend some basic recipes and it strikes me that very often those in the food and hospitality industries forget that not everyone understands their language. Did you watch The Bear and now you say “Behind!” when in your own kitchen? Do you know why?
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photo os a stack of charred flatbreads

Post-Sourdough Era: Why We Love Flatbreads

Australia has entered its flatbread era and honestly, it just makes sense. These unpretentious, wildly versatile breads tick all the boxes.
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red leaves autumn

Autumn Fruits to Fall For

Autumn in Australia is bursting with some of the most flavour-packed, cook-friendly fruits of the year. Let’s take a look at six of the stars of the season—plus a few tips on picking, storing and enjoying them at their peak.
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photo of broken choclate blocks in a stack

Cheese + Chocolate: An Unexpected Love Story

Let’s talk about a duo that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves: cheese and chocolate. They have loads in common. Both are fermented, shaped by where and how they’re made, and can be rich, velvety, earthy, complex, and bold.
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photo of a glass jar full of granola muesli against a blue sky and red brick wall

DIY or buy?

Homemade vs. Store-Bought: What’s Worth the Effort? As a devoted foodie, I love cooking, but that doesn’t mean I make everything from scratch. There are some foods I always buy for convenience, while others I prefer to make because they taste better, suit my dietary needs, or help me reduce food waste.
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photo of a man standing at a cheeseboard with a red wine in hand

Autumn Brings the Best Cheese Moments

As the crisp autumn air sets in, cheese lovers are rubbing together their hands – not to keep warm but in anticipation of all the cheese they’ll soon be enjoying.
FREE RANGING FOODIE

© Copyright Amanda Kennedy 2025