Chef in a warm kitchen

Matt Crombie

Home cook, recipe collector, olive oil enthusiast

Terracotta started in the simplest way possible: I was cooking dinner, took a photo, and wrote down what I did. That was five years ago. Since then, this collection has grown into something I never planned but am incredibly proud of.

I am not a trained chef. I am a home cook who believes that the best meals come from simple ingredients treated with respect. Every recipe here has been tested in my kitchen, tasted by my family, and written so that anyone can follow along.

The name comes from the terracotta pots on my grandmother's balcony, where she grew herbs and told stories. That warmth, that generosity, that belief that food is love made tangible: that is what this site tries to capture.

Simple Ingredients

No obscure pantry items. Everything here can be found at your local shops.

Tested Recipes

Every recipe has been cooked multiple times before it reaches you.

Honest Writing

No filler. Just the story, the ingredients, and the method.

Australian Made

Written in Australia with local flavours and seasonal produce in mind.

Say Hello

Whether you have a question, want to share a recipe, or just want to chat about olive oil, I would love to hear from you.

Let's Connect

I read every message that comes through. Whether it is a recipe question, a suggestion, or just a kind word, it means the world.

hello@terracotta.recipes
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@terracotta.recipes
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Melbourne, Australia

Message Sent!

Thank you for reaching out. I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Frequently Asked

The answers to the questions I get most often, all in one place.

Absolutely! I love hearing about recipes from other home cooks. Send your recipe through the contact form above, including the ingredients, method, and a little story about why it is special to you. If it fits the Terracotta spirit, I will test it, photograph it, and publish it with full credit to you.

Most of them, yes. I write recipes with the assumption that you know how to chop an onion and boil water, but not much more. Each recipe includes time estimates, serving sizes, and clear step-by-step instructions. If something is genuinely tricky, I will warn you upfront.

Of course! Most recipes scale well. As a general rule, you can halve or double most recipes without any issues. Baking is the exception: precision matters there, so stick to the measurements and adjust the tin size instead if you need more or less.

I shop at the same places you do: supermarkets, local grocers, farmers' markets when I can. I deliberately avoid recipes that require speciality ingredients. If something is a bit unusual (like lemon myrtle), I will always suggest an accessible substitute.

I label recipes where I can (vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free), and many recipes include substitution notes. I am not a nutritionist, so always double-check ingredients if you have allergies. The nutrition information is approximate and should be used as a guide only.

I aim for one to two new recipes per week. Sometimes life gets in the way, and that is alright. Quality over quantity, always. Subscribe to the newsletter if you want to know the moment something new lands.

The recipes are shared for personal use. If you would like to republish, adapt, or use them commercially, please get in touch first. I am generally happy to work something out, but I do appreciate being asked.

From Our Kitchen
to Yours

Weekly recipes, seasonal inspiration, and the occasional story about olive oil. No spam, just good food.