We don't know a lot about Australian cookbook author and writer Donna Hay, but she reminds us a little bit of Ina Garten. Her recipes are simple, fresh, and comforting, and she seems like the kind of woman who'd be fun to hang out with in the kitchen.
But every time we pick up her magazine, we realize something's off. Oh, right, it's winter in Australia...
... which is why the current issue featured on her website has recipes for cozy, cold-weather desserts and mulled wine.
The photography is beautiful, though. And as much as we're looking forward to tomatoes and corn, it's kind of nice to be reminded that chefs on the other side of the world are snuggling under blankets and eating soup. In a couple of months, when the heat of the city has become oppressive and we've eaten our share of berries, these images will get us excited about the season to come.
Also, it's funny to think that Christmas is a warm-weather holiday in Australia. We'll be making egg nog and cooking cinnamon-spice cookies, and Donna will probably be whipping up holiday popsicles.
Are you a fan of Donna Hay's cookbooks? Ever pick up her magazine out of season?
Related: Not in Season: Watermelon
(Images: Chris Court; Vanessa Levis, both for Donna Hay Magazine)
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Huge fan! If only her magazine didn't cost $10...
view DanielleM's profile
I love Donna Hay's cookbooks. It is filled with great recipies and the pictures are absolutely beautiful.
view delecson's profile
Are you kidding - her stuff is FANTASTIC. Who really cares if it is off season. I use her books and buy the magazines. I am not sure I would consider her an Ina as her recipes are definitely more healthy. She could be considered more an "urban" Martha Stewart type maybe.
Regardless, if you have not tried her recipes, not sure what you are waiting for - you will LOVE them, simply, easy, tasty and using the freshest seasonal items. A must in any cooks home, in my opinion.
view ChezUS's profile
I love her. Great recipes and wonderful photography. I don't care about the season issue at all.
I wish her magazine wasn't so expensive!
view JudiAU's profile
I LOVE her magazine. The recipes are awesome and the photography is pure eye candy. It is an expensive magazine, but it only comes out 6 times a year. When you compare that to the 12 issues of other magazines that cost $4.99, it's about the same.
view rose's profile
Yay please do mention more Aussie stuff! Its great to hear you guys know we exist!
Sometimes its hard reading about all the great fresh salads and summer fruit when here we're all wanting mashed potatoes and slow cooked roasts :-D
Donna Hay is great. I don't buy her mags but I have a few of her books.
view kittymeow84's profile
I love her too! I was introduced to her awesomeness when I studied abroad in Australia about 6 years ago - her recipes were in the food section of the Aussie equivalent of Cosmo back then... I tried each one and was instantly hooked.
The recipes were simple, doable, and ridiculously delicious. I now own 5 o her cookbooks, and love them all!
view fib's profile
It's winter here in New Zealand too. I don't buy magazines for articles, but I do enjoy looking at the food porn.
view buda's profile
Pictures in her book are absolutely amazing, but the food often disappoints. Not always, but often. I used to have 5 or 6 of her books but as often as I flipped through them, I very rarely cooked from them. I got rid of half of them, keep the rest around for inspiration.
view renata's profile
Donna Hay is fantastic. Her book, Flavours, includes the most delicious recipe for breaded chicken that I have ever tasted. An instant classic!
http://stoveria.blogspot.com/2008/01/so-you-have-to-know-i-was-sold.html
view DK10's profile