After a whirlwind tour through Europe, I’m back home in the hills of Perth! We all know how much I love dinner parties and the one held on Friday night at the home of Jarrod and Teresa McKenna was one I looked forward to all week – and there is always an open invitation to anyone! everyone is invited!

A few years ago they started The First Home Project which helps those who are new to Australia, and who are seeking a place of safety, find their first home and connect into community.

The Friday night dinner’s here are all about sharing, getting to know each other, playing some music…. and all this happens all over a home cooked meal.

These values are at the core of Ceire’s Kitchen and so I couldn’t wait to get involved in a project like this. Tonight I cooked dinner for about 50 people! Inspired by my Mediterranean roots, I cooked a Jamie Oliver pasta recipe – all in one giant pot!

(see recipe: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/pasta-recipes/gennaro-s-spaghetti-alla-puttanesca/#qkB3jqkGpsJDZfAs.97 )

It’s always a good idea to cook with whatever’s in season. There are is heaps of pumpkin and potatoes at the moment and so as a winter warmer, to accompany the pasta, we grilled these veggies in the oven until they were golden and crispy and then drizzled over a homemade kale pesto made out of fresh chilli and basil.

SUPER COOL SAVER HINT: Use sunflower seeds instead of pine-nuts. It makes this recipe a lot more affordable, and it’s just as tasty.

Kale and Basil Pesto:

• Large handful of kale
• Bunch of basil
• 200g pecorino cheese
• 1 cup of sunflower seeds
• juice of one lemon
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• seasoning to taste

Whizz it all up in a food processor and there we go!

For more information about The First Home Project, and if you live in Perth and would like to get involved, visit: www.facebook.com/thefirsthomeproject

More stories and cultural recipe exchanges to come!