Kurma

M and L (above, far left) attended a cookery class with me a year or so ago, and when their 30th Wedding Anniversary came around they decided they'd invite me to their home in Perth's Hamilton Hill to cater for the event. On Sunday, despite the blisteringly hot conditions outside - well over 40 degrees celcius - the 24 guests had a near riotous time in the kitchen.

It was a surprise event for the guests, who just expected lunch. They hadn't counted on having to cook it themselves.

Our menu was specially selected for the day:

The Vegetarian Feast

BBQ Asparagus with Balsamic-scented Semi-dried Tomato & Macadamia Chutney, and Shaved Grana Padano

Hot ‘n’ Bitey Deep South Cheddar & Jalapeno Chili Biscuits

Sicilian Eggplant Appetiser (Caponata) with Toasted Ciabatta Bread

Orange, Currant and Pecan-studded Canadian Wild Rice & Basmati Pilaf

Lemon-infused Dubai-style Salad of Fresh Dates, Toasted Turkish Bread, Hazelnuts, Bitter Greens, Fresh Herbs & Feta

Crispy Battered Fillets of Fresh Panir Cheese (Panir Pakoras)

Hot & Sweet Apple Chutney

Oven Roasted Potatoes, Cauliflower & Stir-fried Snow Peas with Cashews

North Indian Puffed Fried Breads (Poories)

Indonesian Fruit Skewers with Hot, Sour and Sweet Peanut, Lime & Tamarind Dipping Sauce (Rujak Manis)

Creamy Cardamom-infused Condensed Yogurt Dessert with Pistachios and Saffron Syrup (Shrikhand)

Everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. I was laughing so much my hands were shaking. Hence the blurry picture.

Natalie Degiorgio from Preston, Victoria asks: "Hi Kurma, wondering if any of your books have ben translated into Italian?"

My reply: "Yes Natalie. My first cookbook, 'Great Vegetarian Dishes', was translated and published in Italy in 1996, and entitled 'Alta Cucina Vegetariana Da Tutto Il Mondo.