Sample Nanjing’s Signature Dishes – They’re Some of Chinese Cuisine’s Best

Originally published on Lonely Planet.

The city of Nanjing – China’s old capital – is the home to Jinling cuisine. It’s not totally clear when the cuisine first appeared; some believe it may have been as early as 2400 years ago. The sub-cuisine has had plenty of time to evolve, and Nanjing’s regal history has made it a leading culinary city in China today.

Caterina HrysomallisSeptember 29, 2023October 8, 2024Leave a comment

Food, SBS

How to Pickle Olives at Home

Originally published on SBS.

Pickling olives is an amazingly easy and rewarding process. The main ingredient required? Patience.

Caterina HrysomallisSeptember 10, 2023January 13, 2026Leave a comment

The Sydney Morning Herald, Travel, Work

Gap Years Can be Invaluable – Let’s Not be Quick to Shun

Originally published in The Sydney Morning Herald.

Is the gap year stigma still around? Anecdotally, yes.

Caterina HrysomallisJuly 29, 2023October 30, 2024Leave a comment

Finance, Property, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald

This Simple Switch Could Help Pay Off Your Mortgage Quicker

Originally published in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.

Though most borrowers in Australia opt for monthly home loan repayments, making repayments more frequently could provide greater savings in the long run.

Caterina HrysomallisJuly 13, 2023December 5, 2023Leave a comment

International Traveller, Italy, Travel

What You Really Need to Know Before Visiting the Amalfi Coast

Originally published in International Traveller.

The Amalfi Coast is wondrous, and while it brims with plenty of beautiful surprises, other surprises can hinder your travel there. Here’s what to know before visiting.
Continue reading “What You Really Need to Know Before Visiting the Amalfi Coast”

Caterina HrysomallisJune 23, 2023November 15, 20241 Comment

Careers, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald

How to Ask Your Boss For a Career Break

Originally published in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.

An expert shares her top tips and answers a big question – is taking a sabbatical still stigmatised?

Caterina HrysomallisMay 30, 2023August 31, 2025Leave a comment

family, SBS

United by Our Name, My Bond with Grandma was Magical

Originally published on SBS.

Besides having Yiayia’s name, I have also taken on some of her mannerisms. In many ways, we turned out to be similar. “I’m stuck in a bloody Caterina sandwich!” Mum would complain, laughing.

Caterina HrysomallisMay 22, 2023August 22, 2023Leave a comment

Food, Recipes, SBS

Four Takes on Ceviche – One of the Easiest Midweek Meals Ever

Originally published on SBS.

Try curing fish for one of the most pleasant and quickly prepared meals.

Caterina HrysomallisMay 21, 2023August 20, 2023Leave a comment

Greece, Lonely Planet, Travel

How to Hike Crete’s Samaria Gorge … and End Up on a Beach

Originally published on Lonely Planet.

Here’s how to plan a vigorous 10-mile hike in Crete that leads to a spectacular beach. Continue reading “How to Hike Crete’s Samaria Gorge … and End Up on a Beach”

Caterina HrysomallisApril 26, 2023November 1, 2023Leave a comment

Finance, Property, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald

What First-Home Buyers Should Ask Mortgage Brokers

Originally published in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.

There’s a lot to wrap the head around – here’s what not to miss.

Caterina HrysomallisApril 17, 2023December 5, 2023Leave a comment

Finance, Food, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald

Six Food Hacks That Reduce Waste (and Save Money)

Originally published in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

The average Australian wastes 312kg of food every year!

Caterina HrysomallisApril 16, 2023January 13, 2026Leave a comment

Food and Drink, SBS, South Korea, Travel

12 Snacks to Eat on the Streets of Seoul

Originally published on SBS.

From mung bean pancakes to next-level corndogs, Seoul street food has it all.

Continue reading “12 Snacks to Eat on the Streets of Seoul”

Caterina HrysomallisApril 15, 2023November 15, 2024Leave a comment

Finance, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald

Could a Self-Managed Super Fund be Right For You?

Originally published in The Sydney Morning Herald.

Having full control over your superannuation sounds great in theory, but there’s much more to self-managed super than meets the eye.

Caterina HrysomallisFebruary 25, 2023June 25, 2024Leave a comment

Lonely Planet, Sri Lanka, Travel

The Best Ways to Get Around in Sri Lanka

Originally published on Lonely Planet.

Sri Lanka’s landscape is impressively varied. Grand national parks are home to safari adventures, otherworldly coastlines circle the perimeter, and hilly tea country is at its heart. With such versatility, there are many transport options. Continue reading “The Best Ways to Get Around in Sri Lanka”

Caterina HrysomallisFebruary 20, 2023October 30, 2024Leave a comment

Health + Wellbeing, Medibank

How to Help a Loved One with Dementia

Written for Medibank.

My yiayia (grandmother) Stratigoula was a total inspiration. She was clever, strong, witty and downright hilarious. Though, when dementia hit there was no stopping it. My family was put on a ride they never anticipated, trying to understand and navigate the trickiness of the disease.

Continue reading “How to Help a Loved One with Dementia”

Caterina HrysomallisFebruary 2, 2023August 20, 20231 Comment

Lonely Planet, Sri Lanka, Travel

Why I Won’t Give up on Sri Lanka and you Shouldn’t Either

Originally published on Lonely Planet.

“Welcome to Sri Lanka!” was one of the first greetings I heard in Colombo, the country’s bustling big city. A local graced me with those lovely words from across the street. Not a storekeeper, nor a hawker. Just a person who wanted to pass on a warm hello.
Continue reading “Why I Won’t Give up on Sri Lanka and you Shouldn’t Either”

Caterina HrysomallisJanuary 1, 2023April 11, 2023Leave a comment

The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, Work

Where to Start When You Don’t Know What Career You Want

Originally published in The Age.

Feeling stuck about what occupation to pursue is not reserved to one part of life, but knowing what to do next can be difficult.

Caterina HrysomallisDecember 18, 2022July 20, 2024Leave a comment

Food, melbourne, SBS

Five Quintessential Greek Goodies to try in Oakleigh

Originally published on SBS.

From breakfast to dessert, here’s what you can’t miss in Melbourne’s ‘little Athens’.

Caterina HrysomallisDecember 17, 2022December 14, 2022Leave a comment

Finance, Property

I’m a Young Homeowner with a Fixed Loan Ending. What’s Next?

Originally published in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.

If this applies to you, it might be time to make a game plan.

Caterina HrysomallisDecember 16, 2022December 5, 20231 Comment

Finance, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, Work

How to Start a Side Hustle

Originally published in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.

We read about inventive side hustles and success stories all the time. But how about what it actually takes to start one?

Caterina HrysomallisDecember 5, 2022January 16, 2024Leave a comment

Food, SBS, Travel

Opinion: The Best Way to Learn About Food While Travelling

Originally published on SBS.

No, it’s not eating at as many restaurants as possible.

Caterina HrysomallisNovember 7, 2022Leave a comment

Food, Greece, Lonely Planet, Travel

Groceries to Buy in Greece: From Filo Pastries to Oregano Chips

Written for Lonely Planet.

When I step into a grocery store or market in Greece, I’m taken back to shopping with my grandparents as a child. They were ruthless when it came to buying great produce.
Continue reading “Groceries to Buy in Greece: From Filo Pastries to Oregano Chips”

Caterina HrysomallisOctober 7, 2022October 8, 20241 Comment

Health + Wellbeing, The New York Times

Travel the World Through These Dance Tutorials

Originally published in The New York Times.

Do you have itchy feet after all these months of lockdown? Now could be the time to do a little homework on the world of dance. Continue reading “Travel the World Through These Dance Tutorials”

Caterina HrysomallisSeptember 29, 2022December 8, 2022Leave a comment

Food, Recipes, Refugees, SBS

Feels Like Home: Hamed Allahyari’s Persian Noodle Soup Recipe

Originally published on SBS.

The chef inherited a recipe for ash reshteh from his mum in Iran and it’s travelled with him across the world.

Caterina HrysomallisSeptember 21, 2022September 26, 2022Leave a comment

Finance, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald

How to Politely Turn Down Plans You Can’t Afford

Originally published in The Age.

Have you found yourself saying “yes” to something someone has suggested, even though you couldn’t really afford it?

Caterina HrysomallisSeptember 18, 2022September 19, 2024Leave a comment

Blood cancer, Health + Wellbeing, Leukaemia Foundation

There Was Never a Moment Anyone Told Me, “You Are Now Disabled”

Written for the Leukaemia Foundation.

Content warning: cancer and treatment.

Christie Yu was 18 years old and studying pharmacy when she became run down, attributing it to balancing university and her other commitments.
Continue reading “There Was Never a Moment Anyone Told Me, “You Are Now Disabled””

Caterina HrysomallisJuly 24, 2022September 12, 2024Leave a comment

Greece, The New York Times, Travel

52 Places For a Changed World: Evia, Greece

Originally published in The New York Times.

As the world has changed, so has The New York Times’ annual ’52 Places To Go’ list. This year, the piece is centred on purpose-based travel – with issues such as climate change, overtourism and loss of culture in mind.

Caterina HrysomallisJuly 19, 2022July 22, 2022Leave a comment

Features, Food and Drink, Lonely Planet, Spain

How to Eat Through Southern Spain Like it’s Your Last Week on Earth

Originally published on Lonely Planet.

A fusion of Arabic cuisines and the Mediterranean diet, Andalucian food is about the simple pleasures – affordable and unpretentious. It is Moorish food, within Moorish surrounds and it’s easy to let your stomach run wild – the food is vibrant and prices are reasonable. Continue reading “How to Eat Through Southern Spain Like it’s Your Last Week on Earth”

Caterina HrysomallisJune 17, 2022October 8, 2024Leave a comment

Finance, The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald

Want to Get Your Super Fighting Fit? Here’s Where to Start

Originally published in The Sydney Morning Herald.

It’s never too early to start thinking about your super, even if retirement feels like a long way off.

Caterina HrysomallisMay 24, 2022June 18, 2024Leave a comment

Food, Greece, Recipes

My Yiayia’s Comforting Easter Cheese Pie Recipe

Originally published on SBS.

Since I was four years old, I’ve made traditional Greek cheese pies in my grandmother’s kitchen. She recently passed away, but it wouldn’t be Greek Easter without them.

Caterina HrysomallisMarch 31, 2022August 22, 2023Leave a comment

caterina hrysomallis

editor, journalist and copywriter

Author: Caterina Hrysomallis

Sample Nanjing’s Signature Dishes – They’re Some of Chinese Cuisine’s Best

How to Pickle Olives at Home

Gap Years Can be Invaluable – Let’s Not be Quick to Shun

This Simple Switch Could Help Pay Off Your Mortgage Quicker

What You Really Need to Know Before Visiting the Amalfi Coast

How to Ask Your Boss For a Career Break

United by Our Name, My Bond with Grandma was Magical

Four Takes on Ceviche – One of the Easiest Midweek Meals Ever

How to Hike Crete’s Samaria Gorge … and End Up on a Beach

What First-Home Buyers Should Ask Mortgage Brokers

Six Food Hacks That Reduce Waste (and Save Money)

12 Snacks to Eat on the Streets of Seoul

Could a Self-Managed Super Fund be Right For You?

The Best Ways to Get Around in Sri Lanka

How to Help a Loved One with Dementia

Why I Won’t Give up on Sri Lanka and you Shouldn’t Either

Where to Start When You Don’t Know What Career You Want

Five Quintessential Greek Goodies to try in Oakleigh

I’m a Young Homeowner with a Fixed Loan Ending. What’s Next?

How to Start a Side Hustle

Opinion: The Best Way to Learn About Food While Travelling

Groceries to Buy in Greece: From Filo Pastries to Oregano Chips

Travel the World Through These Dance Tutorials

Feels Like Home: Hamed Allahyari’s Persian Noodle Soup Recipe

How to Politely Turn Down Plans You Can’t Afford

There Was Never a Moment Anyone Told Me, “You Are Now Disabled”

52 Places For a Changed World: Evia, Greece

How to Eat Through Southern Spain Like it’s Your Last Week on Earth

Want to Get Your Super Fighting Fit? Here’s Where to Start

My Yiayia’s Comforting Easter Cheese Pie Recipe