Sharing the love with Coles Cooking Club

LYN Balfour’s ethos is straightforward: good, simple food.

Growing up in the seaside resort, Bangor, in Northern Ireland, Lyn’s family heavily influenced her cooking sensations.

“My family are all good cooks – my mum, my dad and my granny,” Lyn said.

“My granny was always cooking, and my mum was a good, plain cook but she was also a great baker with cakes and lemon meringue pies.

“It was only ever home cooking growing up.

Working Monday to Friday, Lyn’s mum would jump into the kitchen on a Saturday, Lyn at her side.

“Because she worked, Saturday and Sunday she baked and cleaned, so Saturday was my day to help her.

“I couldn’t wait (to get in the school cooking classes), I was beyond excited, then two American girls came to the school and the two youngest (I was one) never got to go.

“I used to wait outside when they come out with their cooking and whatever it was, I’d go home and cook it, my mother was at work, so I had run of the kitchen.

“One time, when mum come home, a Swiss Roll was sitting on the table.

“She couldn’t get over it – she’d never made a Swiss Roll in her life either – I was nine.”

Helping her mum by peeling potatoes and vegetables ready for dinner, Lyn was in the kitchen every opportunity she got.

“My dad would make sausage rolls and his own flaky pastry… and my grandmother was one of those who’s table was full of people – relatives, visitors…”

At the tender age of 15, Lyn and her family moved to Aberdeen, where her father was originally from.

“Then when I was 20, I came to Australia.

“Mum and Dad initially stayed in Scotland, but then missed us so much that they applied to come here – without telling me.”

Married, Lyn and Bob’s dream was to have a farm and that’s exactly what they did.

“We found a dairy at Mardan – you never had takeaway, it was nice wholesome food, we killed own our meat…

“I was invited by a friend to put some things in the Mirboo North Show, and I won the aggregate – I was doing it to support my friend, and I won a crystal bowl!

“My kids put in pikelets and cupcakes, and they won first prize.

“They’re all good cooks.”

From Irish Soda Bread and Potato Bread with her grandmother to ‘Stovies’, a Scottish stew of leftovers, taught by her dad, Lyn has been dubbed the Leftover Queen by her family.

“Nice, tasty and simple, it’s a good way of using up leftovers.

“(At the dairy) it was meat and three veg no matter what, today, I’ve cooked a Thai Chicken Curry – a regular dish.

“I sent some to my neighbours, Holly and Anges, because I always make lots and share it out – and it’s easy.”

The Sentinel-Times’ Holly is a regular taste tester and lover of Lyn’s delights.

Finding her quiche recipe and story on page 152 of the June Coles Magazine as the Coles Cooking Club Member of the Month, Lyn’s journey started over two years ago when she first joined their Facebook page.

Taking a close-up photograph of her goodies and the handwritten recipes, Lyn uploads the images to their Facebook Post, sharing her secrets with the world.

“I uploaded a Lemon Cheesecake Slice and it received 320 likes and 56 comments – all my recipes are good basic recipes.

“For the Magazine, they just contacted me and said would I like to be in it – one member gets picked every month.”

From the Grandpa in your Pocket spaceship birthday cake and mermaids, Lyn has even ticked off a minion cake!

“I can’t tell you the birthday cakes I’ve made,” Lyn smiled.

Now calling Wonthaggi home, Lyn delights in creating meals and sweets that bring a smile to the faces of those she loves and cares for, including the four grandkids regular favourite – chicken schnitzel – from scratch of course!