CHEF-EXPLORER

I intend to get the hang of this Blogging business, and recite a regular weekly blog. Honest! Just too busy Cooking! ok, coming up for the next few months will be a Blog with 4 short parts. 1.The History of Food 2.Chef-Explorer Events or Book development 3.A Day in the Life ( Down Under Mate!) 4.The Thinker Until then, its nearly Easter so here is my recipe for Easter Biscuits just published in my loval community paper. PS. I have just melted some real Belgium chocolate for a sauce...Yum.....! Autumn is here and in the southern hemisphere brings the Easter Holidays with it. So here is a traditional biscuit to nibble on with a cuppa! Just remember when you are making any pastry or cake, the freshness of the flour and eggs will affect the final product. So, if a dough is a little too wet, add more flour, if too stiff, soften with a little milk, to required consistency. EASTER BISCUITS 350 g plain flour Pinch of salt Pinch ground mixed spice 175 g butter 175 g sugar 1 egg 60g currants 25g...

Excuse me if I am new to this blogging business, so I will learn as I go! Since I published my first book and presented myself at a few book events to read a story, I often get the big Q, like Who, What is Chef -Explorer? Hmmnn, good question. Well to cut a long story short (and that can be hard for me, once I get going, believe me! Ask my students!), it and I am a combination of being a Traveller and a Chef. Thats the simplist definition. But its more about Exploring the Culture as well as the Food and that can open all sorts of exciting possibilities from exotic ingredients, adventure, music and even some mind boggling philosophy! Over the last 30 years I have kept diaries, and even with my first book, I have not even touched the surface of them yet. So expect many an entertaining Tale to come. Ultimately the aim of Chef-Explorer is to get families and especailly kids sat around the table But also link to local suppliers and seasons, protecting the envirionment in the process. Lets a...

COME AND JOIN THE CHEF-EXPLORER IN A TASTE OF THE WORLD! This weeks ingredient and recipe is: AVOCADO This pear shaped .tropical fruit is famed for its soft luscious and creamy flesh and is highly nutritious. It is an ideal summer salad ingredient and marries well with Shellfish. Originating in Mexico & South America, it has been part of the ancient Aztec menu before the Spanish arrived, who then introduced it to Europe. Though there are only 3 basic categories of avocado; Mexican, Guatemalan and West Indian, they have been crossed to produce over 500 varieties worldwide! It’s best to buy firm and let ripen at room temperature. To prepare, cut lengthways and gently remove the stone with a large knife then scoop out the flesh with a large service spoon. Serve simply sliced with a Vinaigerette or Mayonnaise, or make my Mexican Guacamole Dip. GUACAMOLE 2 mashed avocados 2 cloves chopped garlic 100g diced onion 1 tablespoon lime juice 2 tablespoon s olive oil Salt & pepper ...

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all you potential CHEF-EXPLORERS out there! Have you kept to your resolutions so far?! Thought about making a really important positive resolution for your kids? What about getting them...SOMEHOW.. to eat healthy?! That's my resolution too. Not just my own kids, but anybody who will listen! You know, it is so, so imperative to get REAL food into your children as they are growing, and especially for Brain development. More so NOW because of all the rubbish food around. However, I know, I know...we have to make food apt and interesting!! Interested? Then check my Nutrition and Events page and E-mail your thoughts. For example, if you are not local in Western Australia, an online cooking course could be the way to go, all I need is a committed class of parents...and kids!

I would like to thank all the great people who made my first ever Book launch a great success! It was a wonderful experience and a very tasty STARTER! I am looking forward for many more MAIN COURSE Events in 2010! Watch this space! Meanwhile, have a wonderful Festive Season and remember...EAT, DRINK and be MERRY!

Chef-Explorer Brendan Murphy has been writing for his local papers and magazines in Western Australia for over 5 years now and has at last written a book. A prolific diary writer ,Traveller, Chef and TAFE Lecturer for the last 30 years, Brendan has put together his first book of a planned Series. Under the name Chef Explorer, a whole series of books are planned including titles like ‘ Chef Down Under’, ‘Chef on the Piste’ and ‘ Chef For Starters’ all containing true stories about his experiences as a chef in different parts of the world, in a format not unlike the James Herriot Vet series of old.The first in the Series is entitled simply ‘A Taste of the World’ , a collection of true short stories, recipes and a cultural history of each country, which will hopefully act as a Taster for the whole series and is targeted for the whole family to read, enjoy and cook up a storm. For further information on Chef Explorer Events in 2010, phone or e-mail Brendan on: 0418 445508 or 9297 2804 ...