Conversations in the Kitchen

Good Food, Great Friends

'What we wanted to show in this book is that there is such variety in food now"it's amazing." –Mark Latham & Alan Jones

Alan Jones and Mark Latham invite you into the kitchen to share in their world of good food and friendship. Conversations in the Kitchen covers their views on Australia as a nation, childhood, the people they've met, together with hilarious stories and " of course " some cooking too. You'll learn what makes Jones and Latham tick, discover some practical and helpful tips for preparing food and get the chance to share their fabulous recipes while enjoying a good laugh along the way!

At first glance, Alan Jones and Mark Latham are not the kind of people you would expect to become good friends. Coming at the world from different political perspectives, the two could have been said to be like chalk and cheese!

Something tied Alan Jones and Mark Latham together when they met on Jones & Co, and food was a big part of it. Mark was cooking heaps, saving his health and his family's well-being at the same time as creating sensational dishes. Fast forward to the present, combined with Alan Jones affinity for comfort foods and old fashioned Australian classics"this cookbook combines the best of both worlds for fans and their family and friends to enjoy.

Together, the two aspiring cooks take readers through family favourites, classic Indian dishes, Asian favourites, Italian pasta meals, seafood sensations as well as staple meals like hearty soups, fresh salads, puddings and sweet things"all with the odd conversation in between.

Australia's most popular talkback presenter, Alan Jones is a phenomenon. He's described by many as the nation's greatest orator and motivational speaker. Alan has the mind and capacity to make complex issues understandable to the largest Breakfast audience in Australia.

Mark Latham is a former Australian politician. He was the leader of the Australian Labor Party and Leader of the Opposition from December 2003 to January 2005. He led the party to defeat at the 2004 federal election. He has since become a prominent political commentator. Latham began co-hosting Outsiders on Sky News Live.

Conversations in the Kitchen
New Holland Publishers
Authors Alan Jones and Mark Latham
RRP: $35

 

Gnocchi with Gorgonzola

A little bit of creamy gorgonzola lifts the sometimes even taste of gnocchi into another world. Some people make their own gnocchi but I am happy to buy it from the supermarket – either fresh or frozen.

Serves 4
Prepare: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes

Ingredients
1 kg good-quality potato gnocchi
2 bunches broccolini, chopped to bitesize
120 ml chicken stock
2 tablespoons butter
200 g gorgonzola, crumbled
black pepper, freshly cracked
1/3 cup walnuts, lightly toasted, chopped
parsley, freshly chopped, to serve

Method
Cook the gnocchi in a large saucepan of lightly salted water until tender (float to the top). Drain well.
Steam broccolini until soft enough.
Place chicken stock and butter in a large pan over a medium-high heat. Stir occasionally until butter has melted, then simmer for 2–3 minutes or until reduced by half. Add the gorgonzola and stir until cheese has just melted. Toss the gnocchi with the gorgonzola sauce and add broccolini, season with pepper. Serve sprinkled with the walnuts and parsley.

 

Caramel Pecan Sundae

Kids having a few friends over? Be the dad of the day and bring out this sundae for everyone. The toasted pecans bring out the flavour of the caramel.

Serves 4-6
Prepare: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes

Ingredients

200 g brown sugar
300 ml cream
1 teaspoon natural vanilla extract
20 g unsalted butter
vanilla ice cream, to serve
toasted pecans, to serve

Method
Put the sugar, cream, vanilla and butter in a very small pan over medium heat. Stir well and bring to a gentle boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until thickened. Leave to cool a little and then pour over ice-cream in bowls and top with toasted pecans.

Conversations in the Kitchen
New Holland Publishers
Authors Alan Jones and Mark Latham
RRP: $35