from the heart

Amira Georgy

Coming home from school, I always knew when my mum was cooking up a batch of koshari – I could smell the fried onions from the top of the driveway!

Marina Karris

This is a simple, delicious tray bake with tender eggplant and a fresh tomato sauce. We make this village recipe for the vegetarians in our family. The eggplant is salted, grilled, then slowly baked in the sauce.

Michelle Southan

I grew up going to my Scottish nanna’s house every Sunday for family gatherings. She would always end a big roast Lunch with baked rice pudding!

Magna Chan

After a Long day, there’s nothing better than a bowl of my mum’s beef brisket noodle soup. It’s still the best I’ve tried so far and the ultimate comfort food.

Daniela Bertollo

My nonna’s sister, Zia Alma, used to make harissa (aka basbousa) as a birthday treat or for family gatherings. Although Italian, they had grown up in Egypt, so I was Lucky to be exposed to cultural delicacies like this.

Julia Tanevski

When my grandmother, Baba Lena, asks me what I want for dessert, I always say tulumbi. These sweet, fluffy bites are totally irresistible.

mapo tofu

serves 4 | prep 15 mins | cooking 20 mins E

600g silken tofu
80ml (⅓ cup) vegetable oil
250g pork mince
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tbs finely grated fresh ginger
2 tsp ground Sichuan pepper
2 tbs Toban Djan (chilli bean sauce, see tip)
160ml (⅔ cup) Massel Organic
Chicken Liquid Stock
1 tsp cornflour
Pinch of caster sugar
¼ tsp sesame oil
3 green shallots, thinly sliced diagonally

Drain the tofu and cut into 3cm squares. Place in a large dish and cover with boiling water. Set aside for 5 minutes. (This helps the