WINTER IN ALL ITS GLORY

Isn’t winter glorious in Australia? Our vast country has so much to offer in terms of climates and landscapes, so we all experience something different, according to where we live. What remains common to all Australians – of every colourful culture – is that winter is a time when food is about comfort and warmth. Big bowls of nourishing soup, hearty serves of stew or curry, hot chocolate held in a mug between two hands, and satisfying oven-roasted dishes all jostle for favour.

At Latasha’s Kitchen, I’m always looking to provide nourishing, satisfying solutions to that age-old question: “What am I going to cook tonight?” But more on that later. Let me tell you what else has been going on.

Finding work/life balance

As it did for many others, the Covid pandemic and all its uncertainty and restrictions led me to prioritise my work/life balance. I discovered that I no longer wanted to extend myself unnecessarily. I realised that cooking, teaching, and developing new recipes for my customers’ enjoyment were highest on my priorities and brought me the greatest joy. Today, those are my focuses, and I couldn’t be happier.

I’m still working hard, but these days, I’m enjoying every minute. I’ve been paying a lot of attention to our online space, which has included having fun working with collaborators. It’s tremendously rewarding sharing knowledge with others, and it brings me so much inspiration. We’ve been working on making videos that help people get more of a feel for how to use my products, making mealtime so much more interesting for all.

While there are a small number of stockists in WA, you can always purchase your favourite Latasha’s Kitchen products in the online shop.

What this all amounts to is a renewed, invigorated love for my business, my products and, of course, my wonderful customers who are so loyal and appreciative that it warms my heart. If you’d like to watch the growing library of videos, connect with Latasha’s Kitchen on Instagram or Facebook.

Cooking class gift vouchers

Did you know that I run cooking classes in my own Perth home for small groups of two, three or four people? We have a lovely time with lots of laughs and plenty of hands-on fun. You’ll learn how to cook tasty meals quickly and efficiently and classes can be customised according to dietary intolerances and preferences. All classes feature the Latasha’s Kitchen range of ready-to-use, concentrated pastes and sauces.

You’ll get to cook 6-7 dishes in the cooking class, all the while tasting and learning about the ingredients and how they come together to create a nutritious, delicious dish.

My cooking class gift vouchers mean you can give a wonderful gift to someone you care about or as a corporate reward for colleagues or employees. This is gifting made super easy for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, engagement and wedding gifts, or as congratulations for any special occasion. They must be pre-booked in advance so I can have everything ready and perfect for your class.

Meet me at markets and events

I always love to meet new customers and reconnect with old ones at markets and other events. It’s such a pleasure to talk food with people and exchange ideas and stories. Listening to customers is how I learn how to fulfil their needs.

Some are looking to save money and prepare meals more economically, using cheaper cuts. Others are changing their diets to suit their lifestyle or new dietary requirements. They may have decided to go vegetarian or have found they are now Coeliac or need to add more protein to their diet.

To discover where and when I’ll be at markets and other events, keep an eye on the Latasha’s Kitchen socials for updates.

Recipes inspired by a fusion of East-meets-West

At Latasha’s Kitchen, we love experimenting with recipes that celebrate the bold, complex flavours of the East while embracing the familiarity and comfort of Western culinary traditions. Our East-meets-West creations are perfect for adventurous home cooks who enjoy taking classic dishes in exciting new directions.

Start with my Spicy Baked Lamb Moussaka, where the richness of lamb is elevated by aromatic spices and layered with creamy béchamel. For seafood lovers, the Turmeric Spiced Barramundi with Beetroot Horseradish Relish delivers a striking combination of earthy and zesty notes in every bite. Craving pasta? My Chilli Pasta with Garlicky Prawns & Spicy Chorizo brings fire and flair to your favourite Italian staple. My Persian-Style Chicken Stew with Pomegranate is a vibrant, comforting dish that balances sweetness, acidity and depth with every spoonful. For something lighter and incredibly simple, try my Tasty Thai Red Pumpkin Soup, infused with bold curry flavours and the natural sweetness of pumpkin. A moreish vegetarian option, my Madras Cauliflower with Mustard Truffle surprises with its earthy heat and indulgent twist. And finally, my Ruby Red Chicken Makhani is a luscious take on butter chicken, deeply spiced and velvety with a rich tomato and cream base.

These fusion recipes are a delicious way to explore global flavours while staying rooted in the comfort of your home kitchen.

Spicy love from Latasha xx