Julia Busuttil Nishimura is a Melbourne-based cook, author and teacher, and creator of Ostro, an online space where she shares her food, photographs and stories. Her book A Year of Simple Food (Plum, $39.99) is a treasure trove of recipes your whole family will love, seasonal treats, easy midweek meals, dinners that bubble away on the stove all afternoon.
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The book also offers several tips and techniques that help put the simple into simple food.
I especially love her discussion of her essential kitchen items.
"My kitchen is tiny. There is no room for unnecessary gadgets cluttering up precious bench space," she writes.
"But regardless of the size, I see no point in accruing items that are only used occasionally (with two exceptions: my ice cream maker and cherry pitter).
"I don't like having too many of the one thing either. A few sturdy pots, utensils and a good knife are really all you need to make a delicious meal.
"Too many kitchen items complicates things, and nobody needs over complication in their kitchen."
She lists her go-to items, the ones she uses the most:
- balloon whisk
- colander and fine-mesh sieve
- digital scales
- electric stand mixer
- food processor (not essential but definitely handy)
- food thermometer for deep frying
- good quality kitchen and paring knives
- heavy based frying pan
- measuring jug
- microplane zester
- mixing bowls
- mortar and pestle
- pastry brush
- spatulas
- sturdy cast-iron pot
- wire rack for draining deep fried foods and cooling cakes
- wooden spoons
Could you name your essential items?
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A few things I would find hard to let go are:
Sandwich press: For toasties and all sorts of other things.
Rice cooker: Mine has a timer and was a life-saver when the kids were little.
Ice cream scoop: Not only for icing but for dolling out muffin mix in even qualities.
Measuring spoons: Again, for even tablespoons of meatball mix, or biscuit dough.
Mandoline: I have a fancy Tupperware one that can do all sorts of things, be careful, but I love using it, time-saving and therapeutic.
Karen Hardy
I've covered a few things here at The Canberra Times over the years, from sport to education. But now I get to write about the fun stuff - where to eat, what to do, places to go, people to see. Let me know about your favourite things. Email: karen.hardy@canberratimes.com.au
I've covered a few things here at The Canberra Times over the years, from sport to education. But now I get to write about the fun stuff - where to eat, what to do, places to go, people to see. Let me know about your favourite things. Email: karen.hardy@canberratimes.com.au
