Happy Easter, everyone.

Here's recipe for a leisurely Easter lunch or dinner from Australian Pork.

Pesto crusted pork rack

5 or 6 cutlet pork loin rack roast, rind removed

1 cup basil pesto

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 cup fresh breadcrumbs

1 tbsp olive oil

To serve

crisp roast potatoes

rocket salad

fresh basil leaves to garnish

Pre-heat oven to 190 deg C.

Wrap the cutlet bones in foil to prevent burning.

Now that autumn is here in Melbourne and the weather is cooling down a bit, why not head indoors and check out some interesting exhibitions?

Whistler's Mother

25 March to 19June 2016

National Gallery of Victoria

NGV International

180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne

03 8260 2222

www.ngv.vic.gov.au

Mad March in Melbourne

March is all about festivals in Melbourne and what better way to start than with the 24th Melbourne food and wine festival?

Celebrate everything gourmet, gustatory and gorgeous at the festival, which is now on at various locations in Melbourne until Sunday, 13 March.

I well remember the first World's Longest Lunch, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1992 where 500 of us lucky diners were treated to delectable dishes created by the talented team from Peter Rowland Catering.

Chinese New Year of the Monkey starts on Monday, February 8, this year.

Traditionally, Chinese New Year is celebrated for 15 days, but since most of us have to go back to work, New Year's Eve is considered most important for families, who make an effort to turn up for the reunion dinner and herald in a year of health, good luck and prosperity.

Try these pork money bags, as a symbol of the money you hope will come rolling in this year and every year.

Recipe from Australian Pork.

Chinese pork money bags

Summer Daze

Summer time and the living is easy .........

Well, I hope it is for you and if you want some ideas on how to spend the beautiful days of summer in Melbourne, here are some suggestions.

Read these

Six Square Metres – reflections from a small garden

By Margaret Simons

Published by Scribe Publications. RRP$24.99

I have fond memories of being tutored by acclaimed journalist and author Margaret Simons when I was working at News.

Foodie fun

As the saying goes: laughter is the best medicine, so here's some foodie fun.

I was at a supermarket recently and came across this sign which proclaimed that the manager's special that week was "insane washed potatoes at $3.49 a kg."

Did they mean insanely cheap or that the potatoes were crazy?

We all know how peeling and slicing onions can sometimes make you cry.

This Christmas, 2015, A Wok on the Wild Side is pleased to present a message from

Reverend Jacqui Smith of St George's Anglican Church, Malvern:

When I see newborn babies, I am always struck by how vulnerable they are.

Which, inevitably at Christmas, makes me think of baby Jesus, the King of

kings and Son of God, according to many.

And I ask God, “Why take such risks in sending one so special to poor

people of little consequence and resources?

"Why not to rich parents in a palace to assure the security of one so precious?”

Cholula Hot Sauce

I love hot and spicy flavours and my recent discovery of Cholula Hot Sauce does appeal to my heat-seeking palate.

It is one of the fastest growing hot sauces on the market and is gluten-free, which is a bonus.

This spicy sauce is made from a tantalising blend of Mexican Arbol chillies, Piquin peppers and spices, delicately ground into a pepper paste and combined with seasonings and natural ingredients.

Dandelion

I love the clean, fresh flavours of Vietnamese cuisine, with its liberal use of fresh herbs and spices.

What could be more enjoyable than plucking fresh mint leaves and dunking them into your steaming bowl of pho?

Owners of Dandelion in Elwood, Geoff and Jane Lindsay, chose the rich and diverse cuisine of Vietnam for their stylish restaurant.

Fancy tiffin at a picturesque winery?
Go to Nazaaray Estate and enjoy a leisurely lunch in beautiful surroundings.

TIFFIN TIME@ NAZAARAY ESTATE
266 Meakins Road
Flinders 3929

Sunday lunch on 4th October 2015, from 11.45am to 2pm.

Enjoy taste sensations from Pankaj, the Tandoor Man.

$40 per person for food buffet (all you can eat, excludes dessert)

(Children under 12yrs $ 20; 12-18yrs $25).

Seating is limited, so book now.