Try this delicious frozen fish for a weeknight meal
Looking for a delicious weeknight meal?
Try the new Birds Eye frozen fish fillets to ramp-out your dinner table.
See recipe below:
Crispy Fish Burgers with Homemade Tartar Sauce Golden fish, crunchy lettuce, soft buns and a zingy tartar – this one's a weeknight winner.Ingredients:4 air baked Birdseye frozen fish fillets4 burger buns (wholemeal or brioche work well)2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce or baby cos1 lebanese cucumber, sliced into thin roundsHomemade Tartar Sauce:1/2 cup kewpie mayonnaise1/2 cup Greek yoghurt1/2 cup cornichons, finely diced1 tablespoons cornichon juice1/4 red onion, very finely diced2 tablespoons dill, finely chopped2 tablespoons lemon juiceZest 1/2 lemonMethod:1. Bake the fish until golden and crisp.2. Toast the buns lightly if you like a bit of crunch.3. Mix the tartar sauce ingredients together in a bowl. Taste and adjust lemon or seasoning.4. Assemble the burgers: Spread tartar sauce on both bun halves, add the fish to the bottom of the bun, then the cucumber and finish with the shredded lettuce.
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The Age
4 days ago
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Nineteen witnesses will be called to give evidence over the alleged stabbing murder of two young women in their home almost five decades ago. Suzanne Armstrong, 28, and Susan Bartlett, 27, were found dead with more than two dozen stab wounds at their Easey Street property in Collingwood, in Melbourne's inner-north, while Armstrong's 16-month-old son, Gregory, was left unharmed in his cot. Perry Kouroumblis, 65, is facing charges that he murdered the pair and raped Armstrong between January 10 and January 13, 1977 in the infamous cold case dubbed the 'Easey Street murders'. Kouroumblis faced Melbourne Magistrates' Court on Tuesday via a video link. 'Yeah I can,' he responded when Magistrate Brett Sonnet asked if he could see and hear the courtroom. Kouroumblis is yet to enter a plea to the charges. He will return to the court on October 27 for a committal hearing over six days, when he will hear the evidence of 19 witnesses, which will be tested. Kouroumblis, a dual Greek-Australian national, had been living in Greece since 2017, but a 20-year statute of limitation on the initiation of murder charges prevented him from being arrested.
The Advertiser
4 days ago
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This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to It was a simple wish. A panini from my favourite deli in Sydney. I'd been looking forward to it for weeks. When the day came, I picked the one with salami, mozzarella, arugula and tomato. As it was wrapped, I told the man behind the counter: "I dream of your panini. I make a special trip up from the South Coast to get one." His face beamed and an instant connection was made. "What is it about Italian bread?" I asked. "It's always so good." In Italy, he said, no meal is complete without bread. He'd moved to Australia as a child and one of the things he missed most was the smell of freshly baked bread. "Here, you walk past a bakery and you wouldn't know it," he said. "There's hardly any smell at all. It Italy you can smell the bakery from a block away." We went deeper into the conversation. I wanted to know about pecorino, the salty sheep cheese from Sardinia. I'd recently read that Sardinia was a blue zone, famed for the longevity of its people. "Ah, yes, everyone lives for a long time in Sardegna," he told me as he explained the difference between pecorino for grating and pecorino for slicing. "This one is from Sardegna, perfect for eating on its own." We then talked about Italy and how I was desperate to get there. "You must go to Sicily," he said. "That's where I'm from. It's cheaper than the rest of Italy, warmer and the food is better. Here, you might drive all the way to Wollongong to see a beautiful beach. There, you drive 10 minutes to a great beach and 10 minutes the other way to see ancient Greek ruins." As he spoke, there was a wistfulness about him, the hint of a tear in his eye. I assured him Sicilia would be a top priority. He put a hand on my shoulder and we exchanged names. I know the next time I'm in Sydney, I'll drop in to say hello to Giuseppe and make off with one of his crusty, delicious paninis and another hunk of pecorino. But it's not just the food I'll be after. The spontaneous human connection over a simple transaction which is so often lost in our hurried lives will sate another form of hunger: for good, old-fashioned service. How different from the supermarket deli counter, where you take a ticket and are served hurriedly so the line behind you keeps moving. It's convenient but joyless. "Anything else?" is about all the conversation you can expect. Over lunch the next day, we talked about the encounter with Giuseppe and the demise of the delicatessen. My mother-in-law recalled how as a child she'd be taken to Kings Cross before it was sleazy to be enthralled by the offerings of the delicatessens, the smell of freshly baked bread and coffee - still an exotic novelty in Menzian Australia. I remembered the little Italian corner store in Annandale, where Michael would proudly offer his homemade cacciatore and sprigs of dried oregano grown in his backyard. Just as tasty as the food was the conversation we'd have. About politics, sport, family, the latest cars. The store closed years ago, replaced by yet another soulless cafe, its customers wrapped in headphones, focused on the screen in one hand and the flat white in the other. The corner store and the delicatessen have been in decline for years, swallowed up by the big supermarket chains and it's unlikely that will change. But one deli, attached to inner Sydney's most famous greengrocer, appears to be resisting that tide. Which means I'll be back every time I'm in Sydney. For the panini, for a chat with Giuseppe, for a taste of how life should be when you shop for food. HAVE YOUR SAY: Has shopping for food become a soulless undertaking? Did you grow up with a corner store or delicatessen nearby? Is there still a deli or a greengrocer in your neighbourhood? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - Home prices have hit new highs and will likely continue to grow as lower interest rates send buyers piling back into the property market amid a lack of new housing supply. - Migrant workers who have lost limbs or been blinded in Australian workplaces fear they will be deported if they seek medical treatment, an inquiry into modern slavery has been told. - Pinks, purples, oranges and greens danced across the skies on Sunday night, with the Aurora Australis visible from many parts of southern Australia. THEY SAID IT: "You have to enjoy life. Always be surrounded by people that you like, people who have a nice conversation. There are so many positive things to think about." - Sophia Loren YOU SAID IT: Tony Abbott's like turmeric. Impossible to get out of the fabric of the Liberal Party. "I have the utmost respect for former PMs who ride off into the sunset," writes Helen. "Julia Gillard is the best example so far, followed by Malcolm Fraser and Gough Whitlam. I have been voting since 1967, so I have seen a few PMs come and go. Some go with dignity and grace, some you can see the drag marks as they are pulled kicking and screaming out of the way, and some (Malcolm Fraser is one I particularly remember) who admitted that losing hurts. The former PMs who must give advice should at least do it privately, not in front of journalists so their name is in the paper again. Or should that be still?" Mark writes: "He is entitled to an opinion, whether you listen to it or not. Paul Keating and John Howard say their piece on regular occasions. It just so happens as former PMs the media still listen to them and report what they say. Often they are far funnier than the latest crop of pollies." Sue writes: "Political parties seem to be like those big family gatherings where that weird uncle or aunt you haven't seen for ages tries to organise your life for you. We can't choose our relatives, but we can choose the politicians we want to be relevant to our lives. And we don't choose Tony Abbott! Let's hope the Liberal Party can find the Exit Mould and get rid of him!" Murray writes: "Old prime ministers never die, they just do 'elder statesman' impersonations, with varying degrees of success. So the correct response to ol' Tony is to totally ignore him, then the impact on your life is zero. People keep describing Sussan Ley as a 'moderate'. That sends shivers down my spine. Moderate in this sense can mean wet, woke, certainly not a confirmed conservative. It was that sort of approach to leading the Liberal Party that has caused it to become a cheap imitation of the Labor Party. What this country does not need is two major leftist political parties. I have doubts Ms Ley has the cojones to turn the Liberals back into an opposition, a party that opposes. However she deserves a chance." "Tony Abbott has become the Liberal Party's humourless version of Corporal Jones from Dad's Army," writes Grant. "He's behind the times, wallows in past glories and advocates extreme-right policies as the antidote to all the country's woes." "Julia Gillard is the standard that all former PMs (and ex-pollies generally) should look to about quietly and graciously stepping away from the political scene with her credibility intact," writes Alan. "That's how it is done, folks." Anita writes: "Andrew Hastie and James Paterson at least present a viable alternative as they don't come across as 'unhinged' like many of their political brethren. I still would not vote for them because conservative policies are the antithesis of my progressive mindset, but to many they'd pass muster. Let's face it; Abbott is a political pariah! He should desist; bow out; remove himself from the commentariat for the benefit of his party." Arthur writes: "I agree, former prime ministers, especially those who have lost an election like Tony, should ride off into the sunset." "My letter published in The Canberra Times some years back still resonates, it said simply. 'Why does Tony Abbott go all the way to Tasmania to munch on onions when he can stay here in Canberra and suck eggs?'" writes Linus. Rosemary writes: "Monday's Echidna is so correct - thanks, John. A dose of Polliegone! If only but I suspect it will take so much we'll all be washed away!" "The biggest failure of the LNP was shafting Malcolm Turnbull," writes Geoff. "Tony Abbott and Peta Credlin are a perpetual gift to the ALP." This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to It was a simple wish. A panini from my favourite deli in Sydney. I'd been looking forward to it for weeks. When the day came, I picked the one with salami, mozzarella, arugula and tomato. As it was wrapped, I told the man behind the counter: "I dream of your panini. I make a special trip up from the South Coast to get one." His face beamed and an instant connection was made. "What is it about Italian bread?" I asked. "It's always so good." In Italy, he said, no meal is complete without bread. He'd moved to Australia as a child and one of the things he missed most was the smell of freshly baked bread. "Here, you walk past a bakery and you wouldn't know it," he said. "There's hardly any smell at all. It Italy you can smell the bakery from a block away." We went deeper into the conversation. I wanted to know about pecorino, the salty sheep cheese from Sardinia. I'd recently read that Sardinia was a blue zone, famed for the longevity of its people. "Ah, yes, everyone lives for a long time in Sardegna," he told me as he explained the difference between pecorino for grating and pecorino for slicing. "This one is from Sardegna, perfect for eating on its own." We then talked about Italy and how I was desperate to get there. "You must go to Sicily," he said. "That's where I'm from. It's cheaper than the rest of Italy, warmer and the food is better. Here, you might drive all the way to Wollongong to see a beautiful beach. There, you drive 10 minutes to a great beach and 10 minutes the other way to see ancient Greek ruins." As he spoke, there was a wistfulness about him, the hint of a tear in his eye. I assured him Sicilia would be a top priority. He put a hand on my shoulder and we exchanged names. I know the next time I'm in Sydney, I'll drop in to say hello to Giuseppe and make off with one of his crusty, delicious paninis and another hunk of pecorino. But it's not just the food I'll be after. The spontaneous human connection over a simple transaction which is so often lost in our hurried lives will sate another form of hunger: for good, old-fashioned service. How different from the supermarket deli counter, where you take a ticket and are served hurriedly so the line behind you keeps moving. It's convenient but joyless. "Anything else?" is about all the conversation you can expect. Over lunch the next day, we talked about the encounter with Giuseppe and the demise of the delicatessen. My mother-in-law recalled how as a child she'd be taken to Kings Cross before it was sleazy to be enthralled by the offerings of the delicatessens, the smell of freshly baked bread and coffee - still an exotic novelty in Menzian Australia. I remembered the little Italian corner store in Annandale, where Michael would proudly offer his homemade cacciatore and sprigs of dried oregano grown in his backyard. Just as tasty as the food was the conversation we'd have. About politics, sport, family, the latest cars. The store closed years ago, replaced by yet another soulless cafe, its customers wrapped in headphones, focused on the screen in one hand and the flat white in the other. The corner store and the delicatessen have been in decline for years, swallowed up by the big supermarket chains and it's unlikely that will change. But one deli, attached to inner Sydney's most famous greengrocer, appears to be resisting that tide. Which means I'll be back every time I'm in Sydney. For the panini, for a chat with Giuseppe, for a taste of how life should be when you shop for food. HAVE YOUR SAY: Has shopping for food become a soulless undertaking? Did you grow up with a corner store or delicatessen nearby? Is there still a deli or a greengrocer in your neighbourhood? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - Home prices have hit new highs and will likely continue to grow as lower interest rates send buyers piling back into the property market amid a lack of new housing supply. - Migrant workers who have lost limbs or been blinded in Australian workplaces fear they will be deported if they seek medical treatment, an inquiry into modern slavery has been told. - Pinks, purples, oranges and greens danced across the skies on Sunday night, with the Aurora Australis visible from many parts of southern Australia. THEY SAID IT: "You have to enjoy life. Always be surrounded by people that you like, people who have a nice conversation. There are so many positive things to think about." - Sophia Loren YOU SAID IT: Tony Abbott's like turmeric. Impossible to get out of the fabric of the Liberal Party. "I have the utmost respect for former PMs who ride off into the sunset," writes Helen. "Julia Gillard is the best example so far, followed by Malcolm Fraser and Gough Whitlam. I have been voting since 1967, so I have seen a few PMs come and go. Some go with dignity and grace, some you can see the drag marks as they are pulled kicking and screaming out of the way, and some (Malcolm Fraser is one I particularly remember) who admitted that losing hurts. The former PMs who must give advice should at least do it privately, not in front of journalists so their name is in the paper again. Or should that be still?" Mark writes: "He is entitled to an opinion, whether you listen to it or not. Paul Keating and John Howard say their piece on regular occasions. It just so happens as former PMs the media still listen to them and report what they say. Often they are far funnier than the latest crop of pollies." Sue writes: "Political parties seem to be like those big family gatherings where that weird uncle or aunt you haven't seen for ages tries to organise your life for you. We can't choose our relatives, but we can choose the politicians we want to be relevant to our lives. And we don't choose Tony Abbott! Let's hope the Liberal Party can find the Exit Mould and get rid of him!" Murray writes: "Old prime ministers never die, they just do 'elder statesman' impersonations, with varying degrees of success. So the correct response to ol' Tony is to totally ignore him, then the impact on your life is zero. People keep describing Sussan Ley as a 'moderate'. That sends shivers down my spine. Moderate in this sense can mean wet, woke, certainly not a confirmed conservative. It was that sort of approach to leading the Liberal Party that has caused it to become a cheap imitation of the Labor Party. What this country does not need is two major leftist political parties. I have doubts Ms Ley has the cojones to turn the Liberals back into an opposition, a party that opposes. However she deserves a chance." "Tony Abbott has become the Liberal Party's humourless version of Corporal Jones from Dad's Army," writes Grant. "He's behind the times, wallows in past glories and advocates extreme-right policies as the antidote to all the country's woes." "Julia Gillard is the standard that all former PMs (and ex-pollies generally) should look to about quietly and graciously stepping away from the political scene with her credibility intact," writes Alan. "That's how it is done, folks." Anita writes: "Andrew Hastie and James Paterson at least present a viable alternative as they don't come across as 'unhinged' like many of their political brethren. I still would not vote for them because conservative policies are the antithesis of my progressive mindset, but to many they'd pass muster. Let's face it; Abbott is a political pariah! He should desist; bow out; remove himself from the commentariat for the benefit of his party." Arthur writes: "I agree, former prime ministers, especially those who have lost an election like Tony, should ride off into the sunset." "My letter published in The Canberra Times some years back still resonates, it said simply. 'Why does Tony Abbott go all the way to Tasmania to munch on onions when he can stay here in Canberra and suck eggs?'" writes Linus. Rosemary writes: "Monday's Echidna is so correct - thanks, John. A dose of Polliegone! If only but I suspect it will take so much we'll all be washed away!" "The biggest failure of the LNP was shafting Malcolm Turnbull," writes Geoff. "Tony Abbott and Peta Credlin are a perpetual gift to the ALP." This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to It was a simple wish. A panini from my favourite deli in Sydney. I'd been looking forward to it for weeks. When the day came, I picked the one with salami, mozzarella, arugula and tomato. As it was wrapped, I told the man behind the counter: "I dream of your panini. I make a special trip up from the South Coast to get one." His face beamed and an instant connection was made. "What is it about Italian bread?" I asked. "It's always so good." In Italy, he said, no meal is complete without bread. He'd moved to Australia as a child and one of the things he missed most was the smell of freshly baked bread. "Here, you walk past a bakery and you wouldn't know it," he said. "There's hardly any smell at all. It Italy you can smell the bakery from a block away." We went deeper into the conversation. I wanted to know about pecorino, the salty sheep cheese from Sardinia. I'd recently read that Sardinia was a blue zone, famed for the longevity of its people. "Ah, yes, everyone lives for a long time in Sardegna," he told me as he explained the difference between pecorino for grating and pecorino for slicing. "This one is from Sardegna, perfect for eating on its own." We then talked about Italy and how I was desperate to get there. "You must go to Sicily," he said. "That's where I'm from. It's cheaper than the rest of Italy, warmer and the food is better. Here, you might drive all the way to Wollongong to see a beautiful beach. There, you drive 10 minutes to a great beach and 10 minutes the other way to see ancient Greek ruins." As he spoke, there was a wistfulness about him, the hint of a tear in his eye. I assured him Sicilia would be a top priority. He put a hand on my shoulder and we exchanged names. I know the next time I'm in Sydney, I'll drop in to say hello to Giuseppe and make off with one of his crusty, delicious paninis and another hunk of pecorino. But it's not just the food I'll be after. The spontaneous human connection over a simple transaction which is so often lost in our hurried lives will sate another form of hunger: for good, old-fashioned service. How different from the supermarket deli counter, where you take a ticket and are served hurriedly so the line behind you keeps moving. It's convenient but joyless. "Anything else?" is about all the conversation you can expect. Over lunch the next day, we talked about the encounter with Giuseppe and the demise of the delicatessen. My mother-in-law recalled how as a child she'd be taken to Kings Cross before it was sleazy to be enthralled by the offerings of the delicatessens, the smell of freshly baked bread and coffee - still an exotic novelty in Menzian Australia. I remembered the little Italian corner store in Annandale, where Michael would proudly offer his homemade cacciatore and sprigs of dried oregano grown in his backyard. Just as tasty as the food was the conversation we'd have. About politics, sport, family, the latest cars. The store closed years ago, replaced by yet another soulless cafe, its customers wrapped in headphones, focused on the screen in one hand and the flat white in the other. The corner store and the delicatessen have been in decline for years, swallowed up by the big supermarket chains and it's unlikely that will change. But one deli, attached to inner Sydney's most famous greengrocer, appears to be resisting that tide. Which means I'll be back every time I'm in Sydney. For the panini, for a chat with Giuseppe, for a taste of how life should be when you shop for food. HAVE YOUR SAY: Has shopping for food become a soulless undertaking? Did you grow up with a corner store or delicatessen nearby? Is there still a deli or a greengrocer in your neighbourhood? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - Home prices have hit new highs and will likely continue to grow as lower interest rates send buyers piling back into the property market amid a lack of new housing supply. - Migrant workers who have lost limbs or been blinded in Australian workplaces fear they will be deported if they seek medical treatment, an inquiry into modern slavery has been told. - Pinks, purples, oranges and greens danced across the skies on Sunday night, with the Aurora Australis visible from many parts of southern Australia. THEY SAID IT: "You have to enjoy life. Always be surrounded by people that you like, people who have a nice conversation. There are so many positive things to think about." - Sophia Loren YOU SAID IT: Tony Abbott's like turmeric. Impossible to get out of the fabric of the Liberal Party. "I have the utmost respect for former PMs who ride off into the sunset," writes Helen. "Julia Gillard is the best example so far, followed by Malcolm Fraser and Gough Whitlam. I have been voting since 1967, so I have seen a few PMs come and go. Some go with dignity and grace, some you can see the drag marks as they are pulled kicking and screaming out of the way, and some (Malcolm Fraser is one I particularly remember) who admitted that losing hurts. The former PMs who must give advice should at least do it privately, not in front of journalists so their name is in the paper again. Or should that be still?" Mark writes: "He is entitled to an opinion, whether you listen to it or not. Paul Keating and John Howard say their piece on regular occasions. It just so happens as former PMs the media still listen to them and report what they say. Often they are far funnier than the latest crop of pollies." Sue writes: "Political parties seem to be like those big family gatherings where that weird uncle or aunt you haven't seen for ages tries to organise your life for you. We can't choose our relatives, but we can choose the politicians we want to be relevant to our lives. And we don't choose Tony Abbott! Let's hope the Liberal Party can find the Exit Mould and get rid of him!" Murray writes: "Old prime ministers never die, they just do 'elder statesman' impersonations, with varying degrees of success. So the correct response to ol' Tony is to totally ignore him, then the impact on your life is zero. People keep describing Sussan Ley as a 'moderate'. That sends shivers down my spine. Moderate in this sense can mean wet, woke, certainly not a confirmed conservative. It was that sort of approach to leading the Liberal Party that has caused it to become a cheap imitation of the Labor Party. What this country does not need is two major leftist political parties. I have doubts Ms Ley has the cojones to turn the Liberals back into an opposition, a party that opposes. However she deserves a chance." "Tony Abbott has become the Liberal Party's humourless version of Corporal Jones from Dad's Army," writes Grant. "He's behind the times, wallows in past glories and advocates extreme-right policies as the antidote to all the country's woes." "Julia Gillard is the standard that all former PMs (and ex-pollies generally) should look to about quietly and graciously stepping away from the political scene with her credibility intact," writes Alan. "That's how it is done, folks." Anita writes: "Andrew Hastie and James Paterson at least present a viable alternative as they don't come across as 'unhinged' like many of their political brethren. I still would not vote for them because conservative policies are the antithesis of my progressive mindset, but to many they'd pass muster. Let's face it; Abbott is a political pariah! He should desist; bow out; remove himself from the commentariat for the benefit of his party." Arthur writes: "I agree, former prime ministers, especially those who have lost an election like Tony, should ride off into the sunset." "My letter published in The Canberra Times some years back still resonates, it said simply. 'Why does Tony Abbott go all the way to Tasmania to munch on onions when he can stay here in Canberra and suck eggs?'" writes Linus. Rosemary writes: "Monday's Echidna is so correct - thanks, John. A dose of Polliegone! If only but I suspect it will take so much we'll all be washed away!" "The biggest failure of the LNP was shafting Malcolm Turnbull," writes Geoff. "Tony Abbott and Peta Credlin are a perpetual gift to the ALP." This is a sample of The Echidna newsletter sent out each weekday morning. To sign up for FREE, go to It was a simple wish. A panini from my favourite deli in Sydney. I'd been looking forward to it for weeks. When the day came, I picked the one with salami, mozzarella, arugula and tomato. As it was wrapped, I told the man behind the counter: "I dream of your panini. I make a special trip up from the South Coast to get one." His face beamed and an instant connection was made. "What is it about Italian bread?" I asked. "It's always so good." In Italy, he said, no meal is complete without bread. He'd moved to Australia as a child and one of the things he missed most was the smell of freshly baked bread. "Here, you walk past a bakery and you wouldn't know it," he said. "There's hardly any smell at all. It Italy you can smell the bakery from a block away." We went deeper into the conversation. I wanted to know about pecorino, the salty sheep cheese from Sardinia. I'd recently read that Sardinia was a blue zone, famed for the longevity of its people. "Ah, yes, everyone lives for a long time in Sardegna," he told me as he explained the difference between pecorino for grating and pecorino for slicing. "This one is from Sardegna, perfect for eating on its own." We then talked about Italy and how I was desperate to get there. "You must go to Sicily," he said. "That's where I'm from. It's cheaper than the rest of Italy, warmer and the food is better. Here, you might drive all the way to Wollongong to see a beautiful beach. There, you drive 10 minutes to a great beach and 10 minutes the other way to see ancient Greek ruins." As he spoke, there was a wistfulness about him, the hint of a tear in his eye. I assured him Sicilia would be a top priority. He put a hand on my shoulder and we exchanged names. I know the next time I'm in Sydney, I'll drop in to say hello to Giuseppe and make off with one of his crusty, delicious paninis and another hunk of pecorino. But it's not just the food I'll be after. The spontaneous human connection over a simple transaction which is so often lost in our hurried lives will sate another form of hunger: for good, old-fashioned service. How different from the supermarket deli counter, where you take a ticket and are served hurriedly so the line behind you keeps moving. It's convenient but joyless. "Anything else?" is about all the conversation you can expect. Over lunch the next day, we talked about the encounter with Giuseppe and the demise of the delicatessen. My mother-in-law recalled how as a child she'd be taken to Kings Cross before it was sleazy to be enthralled by the offerings of the delicatessens, the smell of freshly baked bread and coffee - still an exotic novelty in Menzian Australia. I remembered the little Italian corner store in Annandale, where Michael would proudly offer his homemade cacciatore and sprigs of dried oregano grown in his backyard. Just as tasty as the food was the conversation we'd have. About politics, sport, family, the latest cars. The store closed years ago, replaced by yet another soulless cafe, its customers wrapped in headphones, focused on the screen in one hand and the flat white in the other. The corner store and the delicatessen have been in decline for years, swallowed up by the big supermarket chains and it's unlikely that will change. But one deli, attached to inner Sydney's most famous greengrocer, appears to be resisting that tide. Which means I'll be back every time I'm in Sydney. For the panini, for a chat with Giuseppe, for a taste of how life should be when you shop for food. HAVE YOUR SAY: Has shopping for food become a soulless undertaking? Did you grow up with a corner store or delicatessen nearby? Is there still a deli or a greengrocer in your neighbourhood? Email us: echidna@ SHARE THE LOVE: If you enjoy The Echidna, forward it to a friend so they can sign up, too. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: - Home prices have hit new highs and will likely continue to grow as lower interest rates send buyers piling back into the property market amid a lack of new housing supply. - Migrant workers who have lost limbs or been blinded in Australian workplaces fear they will be deported if they seek medical treatment, an inquiry into modern slavery has been told. - Pinks, purples, oranges and greens danced across the skies on Sunday night, with the Aurora Australis visible from many parts of southern Australia. THEY SAID IT: "You have to enjoy life. Always be surrounded by people that you like, people who have a nice conversation. There are so many positive things to think about." - Sophia Loren YOU SAID IT: Tony Abbott's like turmeric. Impossible to get out of the fabric of the Liberal Party. "I have the utmost respect for former PMs who ride off into the sunset," writes Helen. "Julia Gillard is the best example so far, followed by Malcolm Fraser and Gough Whitlam. I have been voting since 1967, so I have seen a few PMs come and go. Some go with dignity and grace, some you can see the drag marks as they are pulled kicking and screaming out of the way, and some (Malcolm Fraser is one I particularly remember) who admitted that losing hurts. The former PMs who must give advice should at least do it privately, not in front of journalists so their name is in the paper again. Or should that be still?" Mark writes: "He is entitled to an opinion, whether you listen to it or not. Paul Keating and John Howard say their piece on regular occasions. It just so happens as former PMs the media still listen to them and report what they say. Often they are far funnier than the latest crop of pollies." Sue writes: "Political parties seem to be like those big family gatherings where that weird uncle or aunt you haven't seen for ages tries to organise your life for you. We can't choose our relatives, but we can choose the politicians we want to be relevant to our lives. And we don't choose Tony Abbott! Let's hope the Liberal Party can find the Exit Mould and get rid of him!" Murray writes: "Old prime ministers never die, they just do 'elder statesman' impersonations, with varying degrees of success. So the correct response to ol' Tony is to totally ignore him, then the impact on your life is zero. People keep describing Sussan Ley as a 'moderate'. That sends shivers down my spine. Moderate in this sense can mean wet, woke, certainly not a confirmed conservative. It was that sort of approach to leading the Liberal Party that has caused it to become a cheap imitation of the Labor Party. What this country does not need is two major leftist political parties. I have doubts Ms Ley has the cojones to turn the Liberals back into an opposition, a party that opposes. However she deserves a chance." "Tony Abbott has become the Liberal Party's humourless version of Corporal Jones from Dad's Army," writes Grant. "He's behind the times, wallows in past glories and advocates extreme-right policies as the antidote to all the country's woes." "Julia Gillard is the standard that all former PMs (and ex-pollies generally) should look to about quietly and graciously stepping away from the political scene with her credibility intact," writes Alan. "That's how it is done, folks." Anita writes: "Andrew Hastie and James Paterson at least present a viable alternative as they don't come across as 'unhinged' like many of their political brethren. I still would not vote for them because conservative policies are the antithesis of my progressive mindset, but to many they'd pass muster. Let's face it; Abbott is a political pariah! He should desist; bow out; remove himself from the commentariat for the benefit of his party." Arthur writes: "I agree, former prime ministers, especially those who have lost an election like Tony, should ride off into the sunset." "My letter published in The Canberra Times some years back still resonates, it said simply. 'Why does Tony Abbott go all the way to Tasmania to munch on onions when he can stay here in Canberra and suck eggs?'" writes Linus. Rosemary writes: "Monday's Echidna is so correct - thanks, John. A dose of Polliegone! If only but I suspect it will take so much we'll all be washed away!" "The biggest failure of the LNP was shafting Malcolm Turnbull," writes Geoff. "Tony Abbott and Peta Credlin are a perpetual gift to the ALP."
