Chinese New Year of the Horse

Happy Chinese New Year!

January 31, 2014, marks the start of the year of the Wooden Horse.

According to the Chinese horoscope, people born in the year of the horse are clever, kind, animated and energetic.

Although they sometimes talk too much, they are cheerful, perceptive, talented and love to be the centre of attentioni in a crowd. Maybe that's why they talk too much. To be noticed?

They are popular among friends, active at work and have a great sense of humour.

Holiday reading

Whether you are taking a break from preparing for the festive season, relaxing at your holiday house or travelling to some exotic destination, holidays are for reading and here are some books that will fit the bill.

All prices in Australian dollars.

Recipes for a good time by Ben Milgate and Elvis Abrahanowicz.

Murdoch Books. RRP$59.99.

This makes a stunning gift at any time.

Chinese New Year when I was a child always meant chicken curry, cooked only by my Dad.

Dad had some friends who lived in a Malay kampung (village) and who reared chickens.

Every Chinese New Year’s Eve, his friends would visit our house with a couple of live chickens and for their trouble Dad rewarded them with a fat ang pow (red envelope of money for good luck).

Take a wok on the wild side with Ida as she shows you how to care for and fully utilise your Wok, while showcasing some fabulous dishes and various cooking techniques, including stir fry, steaming and boiling. Ida creates stir fried beef and snow peas, deep fried prawn fritters with wasabi sauce, chicken curry (using wok to boil), steamed fish Chinese style and vegetarian fried rice with tempeh.

Course details: http://www.cae.edu.au/web/?course=DHY647

Electrolux Appetite for Excellence 2013

For the first time since its inauguration the Electrolux Appetite for Excellence 2013 winners were announced tonight in Melbourne.

On August 12, 2013, at an awards celebration held at Hilton on the Park, food industry professionals and food lovers joined in to recognise and celebrate young talent and the future of the industry.

Established in 2005, the awards attract the highest profile members of the food industry each year.