This wonderful tart is based on a recipe from Stephanie Alexander and remains a personal favourite. When quinces are not available simply substitute pears. With quinces proceed as directed below while with pears you may simply lay the uncooked pears into the tart shell. Another option is to poach the pear slices in red wine as we did.
Recipe below the fold

3 quinces, poached in sugar syrup until rosy pink (about two hours)
1 x 26 cm unbaked tart shell
2 eggs
half a cup of sugar
50 g flour
125 g butter, cooked until golden brown
and then cooled
Drain the quinces and lay them in the tart shell. Beat the eggs and the sugar until light and fluffy, fold in the flour and lastly the browned butter. Pour over the quinces and bake in a 180C oven until golden brown and set - about forty minutes. Serve at room temperature and eat with a runcible spoon.

Posted by kate at 4:20 PM | Permalink

Spice web duties have been a little interrupted by a trip to Japan. I did, however manage to badger invite this nice okonomiyaki shop owner in Shimokitazawa to pose with our Autumn mag. Okonomiyaki is a kind of cabbage crepe cooked in a teppanyaki style and this particular shop owner was head-hunted to New York. One of the thousands of small owner-chef dozen or so seat restaurants that are an integral part of life in Tokyo.

Posted by anthony at 9:23 AM | Permalink

Posted by anthony at 9:19 PM | Permalink

Some of the best Baristas from around the WA will be gathering to compete for their place in the national AASCA (Austral-Asian Speciality Coffee Association) Australian Barista Championship on Saturday 15 April. It's open to the public if you'd like to see them in action and there's still a last minute opportunity for hopefuls to compete with the best for a chance to be flown to Sydney for the national championships.

Organiser Ben Bicknell says...

“Hosting of the heats for the national competition will be a first for WA, and will provide a fantastic opportunity for the state’s best Barista’s to show their stuff whilst enjoying the theatrics which often accompany their craft,”In a race against the clock, each competitor will be required to create four espressos, four cappuccinos and four speciality drinks of their own concoction before a panel of seven judges”

Update: A nod and a wink to Matt of Abstract Gourmet who's been mastering the art.

Posted by anthony at 5:30 PM | Permalink