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Norah’s shortbread

This was filmed in 2006 when mum was healthy and living an independent life.

She loved baking. I have strong memories of our house smelling of apple pies, shortbread and other treats. I was never interested in learning how to bake but now that I am older and wiser (?) I am enjoying the opportunity of reflecting on and attempting some of the recipes.

2025 Update – I have re worked the original video and made it a manageable 10 mins. Here is the link – https://youtu.be/9bTSOdS_xW4

Beryl’s scones

This was filmed in 2020 just before lockdown in Melbourne.

Somehow my friend Di and I have never mastered the art of baking. This is great to capture Di with her mum.

Norah’s Vanilla Dutch cake

This short clip was filmed when I started caring for Norah. She loved baking this cake and I think I actually cooked the one in the clip. She was given the recipe by Clazien Pleban and it became a family favourite.

Nonna Caterina’s Ragu and Meatballs

These two videos were filmed with Nonna Caterina and her daughter Elena at Nonna’s house. I have made several videos featuring Nonna and Elena and I am sure you will enjoy watching and learning from both of them. You will notice that Nonna doesn’t follow a written recipe. This is exactly why I am so pleased to have made these recordings.

Helen’s Spanakopita

Mother’s day 2019 was when we made this video of Helen and Baia making Spanakopita. Like Nonna Caterina, Helen doesn’t use a written recipe so this can be a challenge for many of use who don’t really have “the feel” for cooking or baking. This dish needs quite a bit of preparation, time and effort. Another example to show the work and love required to create something that we scoff down in a couple of minutes.

Norah’s short pastry

While living with Norah I was lucky to film her instructing me on how to make pastry. She wasn’t in great health but I am so pleased we made this short video. Another great thing is to see the yellow scales star in this video. She bought those scales early on in her baking life and she trusted them. So, forget about PUFF PASTRY and give this simple recipe a go. Enjoy.

Beryl’s lemon slice

Beryl is from my mum’s generation. Women learnt how to bake and have maintained those skills. They are the mums that are called on to bring the dessert to a gathering. Or they are asked to whip up scones and slices for the grand children’s birthday parties. I know that I have always loved Beryl’s lemon slice. A great favourite amongst many. Here is the recipe.

Nonna Caterina’s Gnocchi

I love spending time with Nonna Caterina, Elena and Elena’s daughters. The videos are never just cooking. Instead I gain insights into her early days in Melbourne, her family life and of course her views on many current issues. It’s superb catching these moments in time. Grazie.

Norah’s florentines

This is a really easy recipe to follow. I started making florentines while living with Norah. Of course she always supervised my efforts. The video clip was made in Nov 2017. She doesn’t look great in this clip due to a recent hospital stay to remove a facial melanoma. On good days when we went out and had a “cappuccino” she would always say “go and see how much those florentines cost”. She loved knowing that we could make about 40 for half the price……..funny.

Nonna Caterina’s cotelette

This was such a great day of cooking and reminiscing – Feb 19th 2020. On this day, 66 years ago, Nonna Caterina was off to church to get married. During our day of cooking, Nonna told us the whole story of how she met her husband and how she knew that he was the man for her. I’m sad to report that I didn’t have her microphone plugged in correctly and so the audio quality is quite poor. This is why the story doesn’t appear in the whole video of Nonna’s cotelette.

Beryl’s Yo yos

So pleased to be back filming mums. This is the first video for 2021. Everyone loves a yo yo and I couldn’t think of anyone better than Beryl to make them for me. Here in the video she is joined by her grand daughter – Alana and daughter Di. Please watch the whole video for a special appearance by Beryl’s husband Max. Great day. I am attaching Beryl’s hand written recipe too.