Quick bites: the latest food news and kitchen products
Xanthe Roberts gives you the inside track on all things foodie and scours the country for great new tastes. SWEET DREAMS ARE MADE OF THIS If you had to imagine the ultimate ice-cream flavour, Maggie Beer’s Salted Honey & Roasted Almond would be it ... the sweet aroma of Australian honey, a few salt flakes and the crunch of freshly roasted almonds folded through velvety ice-cream made from fresh ingredients. Maggie’s ice-cream range has developed a cult following for good reason. Try her latest offering spooned from the tub or served with a special dessert. $9.49 from supermarkets and gourmet food stores.
Hipster chips
Our snack du jour are the super crunchy Cobs Hip Chips.
They are a delicious gluten-free combo of rice, potato and corn. We love the Salt Of The Sea flavour topped with basil pesto, oven-roasted cherry tomatoes and a crumble of fetta. RRP $3.45. Available from supermarkets. Visit cobspopcorn.com.au. O fnorliangei ng A fabulous new website, RipeNear.Me, allows you to find fresh food growers in your neighbourhood who are happy to share their surplus produce and also solves the age-old gardener’s problem of having too much of a good thing when your garden is bursting with fruit and vegies. Growers can swap, sell or give away their spoils – their produce gets pinned on a map, then you make contact to arrange a pick-up. Visit ripenear.me.
Going green
A staple in Mexican and Asian recipes, green chilli powder is difficult to find in Australia. Now, premium spice merchant Herbie’s Spices has started producing green chilli powder. The chillies are harvested while still green, maintaining their distinctive flavour and aroma. Great in guacamole! $5.75 from herbies.com.au and select grocers.
AUSSIE WINE MONTH
Celebrate the exceptional and diverse wines we produce at a series of events held right across Australia, from intimate showcases with winemakers to food and wine matching dinners, festivals, tastings and even specials on your favourite Aussie wines. From May 1 to 31. Visit aussiewinemonth.com.