Channel your inner MasterChef.
Channel your inner MasterChef.
If your weekly cooking schedule is on a three-meal rotation (guilty), allow us to introduce the concept of cooking classes, which will both broaden your skillset and allow you to impress your significant other (or dog, no judgment).
From pizza to cupcakes, here are three Gold Coast classes you should book into right now, so you never need to eat meat and three veg again.
Salt Meats Cheese
The people at Salt Meats Cheese know what’s up when it comes to pizza and pasta and (hooray) they’re willing to share their knowledge with you! There are an array of classes to choose from including a Pizza Masterclass, The Italian Vegan Masterclass and a Pasta Masterclass involves step-by-step learning on how to create fresh pasta from scratch so you can blow the minds of all your pals. Tickets include the class, pizza and a glass of wine or beer. Sounds good to us!
Where: The 4218, Beach Road, Surfers Paradise
Icon the Cookery School
Cooking classes for everyone. Choose your own adventure at Icon the Cookery School. From classes specialising in international cuisine, to seafood, cocktails, beer and wine and sweet treats, you can learn to cook almost anything. Cupcake baking and decorating? Yes please. How about soft cheese making? So many sweet classes to try, you’ll be cooking for the rest of time. Classes change monthly and there’s even specific nights for couples if you’re keen.
Where: The Kitchens, Robina Town Centre, Robina
Double Zero
Another opportunity to make delicious, delicious pizza from the absolute masters. Double Zero, in Broadbeach, run a masterclass on the first and third Saturday of every month. In three hours, head pizza chef Nicola will share all the secrets behind the true Pizza Napoletana and will teach you how to make the absolute perfect pizza and it’s only $79 per person. Once you’re done, you’re invited to sit ‘Italian Style’ and eat your creation. Course notes and a glass of Italian wine to compliment your pizza are also included. Belissimo.
Where: 2/2715 Gold Coast Highway, Broadbeach
Words by Kirra Smith
Life is busy, we get it. That’s why simple, tasty dinners are the name of the game and these meatballs are extra delicious and oh so easy to whip up.
INGREDIENTS
1 medium carrot
2 small apple’s
1cm knob fresh ginger
1 cup of shredded coconut
2 table spoons of coconut amino
500g of ground pork mince
1 lightly beaten egg
Chilli flakes to taste
Pinch of salt
Coconut oil for cooking the meatballs
INSTRUCTIONS
Grate the carrot, apples and ginger, place in a bowl and combine. Add the shredded coconut and combine. Add the mince, coconut aminos, chilli and pinch of salt to the mixture. Beat the egg in a small bowl and add to the mixture, combine ingredients. Use a teaspoon to roll the mixture int o meatballs. Heat a pan over a medium heat on the stove with the coconut oil, when the pan is hot place the meat balls in in the pan. Be careful not to over crowd the pan and do a couple of separate batches. Gently turn the meat balls individually in the pan until they are brown and cooked through. You will be able to see that they are cooked because the apple will start to caramelise in the pan and they will look and smell delishimo! Serve with your favourite dipping sauce and a side of steamed vegetables or on a bed of cauliflower mash.
For more great recipes by Gold Coast local Caralee Caldwell, check out her page here.
There’s nothing better than a sweet, mid-morning treat to boost your spirits. These muffins are absolutely delicious, healthy and so easy to whip up.
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup dried dates
2 ripe bananas
1⁄2 cup coconut flour
2 teaspoons of cinnamon
1 teaspoon of baking soda
Pinch of salt
5 eggs
2 tablespoons of coconut oil
1⁄2 cup of water
1 teaspoon of coconut oil (for greasing muffin pans)
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius and grease a medium sized 12-hole muf n pan with coconut oil. In the food processor, process the dates and coconut our until it is nely blended. Add the bananas, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; process until combined. Then add the eggs, coconut oil and water, and process until well combined. Pour the batter into the muffin pans and place in the oven. Bake for 20 minutes or until they spring back when you press on the top of them. Top with fresh banana or serve plain.
MAKES 12 MUFFINS
For more great recipes by Gold Coast local Caralee Fontenele, check out her page here.
By Nathan Hay – Sous Chef at Carmody’s (Southport Sharks) and menu designer at Aviary Rooftop Bar and Cabana Bar.
Ingredients:
Brownie base
300 grams dark choc buttons
250 grams brown sugar
180 ml canola/ vegetable oil
5 eggs
8 ml vanilla essence
50 grams cocoa powder
130 grams self raising flour
Cheesecake
300 grams cream cheese
40 grams caster sugar
2 each eggs
7 ml vanilla essence
15 ml lemon juice
1/2 packet Oreo cookies
Method:
Brownie
Cheesecake
1. Blend all ingredients (except Oreos)
Assembly
1.Swirl cheesecake mix into brownie batter and garnish with crumbled Oreo biscuits
2. Pour into lined brownie tray and bake at 150c for 25-30 mins (centre will still be moist, allow to chill before portioning)
