Lemon Drizzle Financiers
“Home, for me, is the act of baking itself. Browning butter, the nutty scent of toasted almond, the magic of whipping egg whites. Every bite of these simple lemony loaves conveys tangy love. The memory – what was baked into me – is the thing that has stayed. ”
Dad’s Corned Beef Soup
For me, Dad’s Corned Beef Soup is the taste of home. Growing up in the Torres Strait, food was never just about eating – it was about family, connection and making the most of what we had. This soup brings back memories of sitting around the table with my father, sharing stories and laughing; he would always make sure there was enough for everyone.
Banana Milk Flan
I’ve always had a soft spot for banana‑flavoured treats, especially banana milk. There’s something about its sweet, slightly artificial taste that feels deeply nostalgic to me. It instantly brings me back to childhood – those simpler moments when a cold bottle of banana milk felt like the best thing in the world.
Fried Crispy Eggplant (Batanjan Makli)
“This eggplant is one of those recipes that instantly takes me back to our family floor gatherings. It’s simple, humble and made from ingredients many people overlook, yet it proves that the most memorable meals don’t come from restaurants but from a home filled with love, fresh produce and people gathered around the same table…or, in our case, the same newspaper on the floor. ” – Fatimah Omran
Fairy Bread Marshmallow Cupcakes
“The moist vanilla cake reminds me of the buttery bread, but it’s the homemade marshmallow frosting that makes these cupcakes something truly special. “
Baechu Jeon (Wombok Pancake)
My favourite was their baechu jeon, which consists of a fresh, juicy wombok leaf coated in the lightest chewy batter. It was forever moreish, until you were too full to eat any more.
30th Birthday Dinner Party
Who would you choose to cook for your dream birthday dinner? To celebrate our 30th birthday, we invited a handful of celebrity chefs you’ll likely recognise – along with someone who’s a bit of a local celebrity in our eyes – to help us throw a dinner party to remember.
Sticky Date Pudding with Caramel Sauce by Big Issue vendor MBK
Tastes Like Home “Everybody likes sticky date pudding, and, if you don’t, you can stop reading now. ” – The Big Issue Vendor MBK. MBK shares his secret recipe for The Big Issue’s “30th Birthday Dinner Party” menu.
Spinach and Ricotta Gnocchi by Stephanie Alexander
Tastes Like Home “My message to young learner cooks has not changed… Always try a new food with an open mind…” – Stephanie Alexander.
Mee Kari Penang (Penang White Curry Laksa)
Tastes like home “Mee Kari Penang, or what many know as Penang White Curry Laksa, is the bowl we turn to when we need comfort. It is our reset button, like an edible exhale.”