A Letter From Amanda

Usually around about now, I start longing for a winter wonderland – yearning and burning for the cooler weather, landscape shades of brown and orange to adorn my wardrobe, and a good soul-warming mug of hearty soup (just like our inviting cover recipe, page 27). To me, June is one of those stepping-stone months, a time to join forces with a mug of hot chocolate and head towards transitional change, pulling out the extra-cuddly blanket and simmering up batches of gravy to smother rich Sunday roasts. For some inspiration (if you need it) to turn on the oven and get ready for serious therapy, turn to page 110 for a roast to boast about – chicken with a variety of stuffings to suit everyone! It’s a time to start daydreaming about cranking up the oven in awe of filling the house with enticing home-baked goodies. And, if you’re a hoarder like myself, it’s a time to make use of all of those fabulous cake, slice and roasting pans you just had to have and bought over the last six months. I must admit, I love a good slice pan! To make up a few sensational slices of your own, turn to our tray delights on page 58. Now, just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean it’s time to hibernate – it’s the perfect time to get out in the backyard with the kids. Our spotlight on kids in the garden – growing potatoes – is a great place to start thinking about a vegie patch so the kids can watch their food grow.

Turn to page 36. Then, to balance out the tastebuds and for a good sugar fix, our express apple pie will have dessert delivered in minutes – see page 142. When I’m not cooking or thinking about food, I’m often daydreaming about a country life, my own little place of happiness. For those of you who live and work in the city, catching your breath between the juggling acts of life, escape to the country with some farmhouse cooking – preserves (page 12) and soups (page 22). ’ Til next month,