One of the advantages of living in Sydney is having a friend turn up with a banana bud cut freshly from his garden. I decide to make a Burmese-style thote; a fragrant, light yet substantial salad tossed in a salty, sour and spicy dressing.

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Lunch is leftover Nyonya-style chicken curry from the day before. Rather than simply re-heat and serve with rice, I shred the chicken meat and stir-fry with crispy fluffy roti…

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There is a crisp air this morning that signals autumn is well underway (down under) and it’s time to switch from fresh, light, zingy salads to more robust, earthy and comforting dishes. For me a big flavoured chicken curry always does the trick. I decide on Nyonya-style as Christopher and I have been talking about our time in Malaysia and of course the food.

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I remember as a child, walking to the night market with my parents and eyeing the tempting sweets that lined the bustling streets of our local area. These sweets were usually bought from the street vendors as special treats rather than made at home.

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This quick and easy salad is something I rustled up the other day for a vegetarian friend. Normally I would add a spoonful of pounded dried shrimps and season with fish sauce. Still the vegetarian version worked well.

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This is a childhood favourite, a welcomed cooling treat during the hot season. Generous amount of crushed ice was added to the creamy coconut milk mixed with caramel-like sugar syrup and chewy sago pearls. This recipe is very simple and you can add additional flavours and textures to it if you wish.

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Banana blossoms are either made into salads or cooked in curries. They have a fairly neutral taste though there is a slight earthiness similar to fresh bamboo shoots. They work great with bold flavours.

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Lychee and ginger really works well together; the ginger adds a touch of heat and compliments the sweetness of the lychees. The sorbet is refreshing and I imagine would work well with a sprig of mint for decoration or if you fancy a drop of gin or vodka to create a frozen cocktail.

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After a brilliant spell of winter sunshine this weekend, the rain today calls for a slow-cooked stew with minimal effort. I remember a recipe my mother mentioned a few months back which appeals to me now. It is a matter of putting all the ingredients in the pan and letting it simmer. This kind of cooking is ideal when life becomes too busy.

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The new season Navel Oranges are fabulous at the moment; thin-skinned, juicy, sweet with a slight sharpness. After indulging in a couple, I decide to make a dessert with the simple addition of corn flour rather than using eggs or milk. It makes a refreshing treat for friends who are either vegans or dairy-intolerant.

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