Christmas recipes from Julie Biuso’s “Sweet Feast.”

Do Christmas desserts and treats have to be loaded with calories or are there some which are relatively fat free and healthy but still delicious? I had a chat about this recently with Julie Biuso, food editor of Taste Magazine and author of recently published “Sweet Feast”. It’s packed full of tempting desserts and baking, [...]

Celebrating Matariki with Charles Royal

Charles Royal, well known Maori Chef, sees Matariki as “the time when the sap runs, and a good time to plant and transplant any plants that need to be attended to before the growing season”. A Feast is always part of it. But although Charles is passionate about food he feels that Matariki is more [...]

The Tin Goose Cafe Cookbook

A passion for cooking and years spent creating recipes for the family owned Tin Goose Cafes in Central Otago inspired Jeanie Watson to write her own recipe book. New recipe books by South Island chefs are as scarce as hens’ teeth. One reason for this, as Jeanie discovered is that in the current economic climate [...]

Beautiful Burgers

We’ve been told often enough that too many takeaway burgers are a foolproof recipe for obesity and a future heart attack. Best avoided! But homemade burgers can make for a delicious, economical family meal. And they’re fast! I can mix and cook them in far less time than it takes to drive to the local [...]

The New Zealand Pressure Cooker Cookbook by Lisa Loveday

Pressure cookers are right back in fashion. But luckily they are no longer the scary hissing monsters that were around in the seventies which were prone to spurt soup all over the ceiling. The new generation Pressure Cookers have several safety features that will release the pressure if it builds up too high, so no [...]

Celebration Cupcakes for a Royal Wedding Party

On the eve of the Royal wedding we’re planning a girls’ night out: bling, tiaras, champagne and a royal wedding cake. Actually it won’t be an exact replica of either of the two Royal birthday cakes being created for this very special event. The first, a regal multi-tiered brandy soaked fruitcake that Kate helped to [...]

Pizzas: Easy, Healthy and Tasty.

Right now we’re all craving comfort food so this week it’s been home made pizza. I hadn’t made one for ages. But it’s worth reviving the art as they are so easy to make and serve. Simply hand the slices out on paper towels. Pour a glass of wine and you’re done. For inspiration I [...]

The perfect cake for Valentine’s Day

I have just baked a luscious chocolate and blueberry cake, perfect for Valentine’s Day. But it would also be great for weddings, birthdays or other special occasions. It’s one of those rich, dense chocolaty cakes that are simply irresistible! The blueberries are a special surprise. Don’t let the idea of grated zucchini put you off. [...]

Healthy family, Happy family

Before the school year starts it is well worth reading Healthy Family, Happy Family by nutritionist and Mum of two Karen Fischer for some great ideas and sound advice on how to entice your kids into eating what’s good for them. For example there’s a whole month of healthy lunchbox suggestions and shopping lists to [...]

Julie Le Clerc’s new cookbook: Made By Hand

Thanks to her clever op shopping Julie Le Clerc’s Made by Hand is a very stylish book to look at. Over the years she has collected lots of charming old table ware, kitchen utensils, pre loved tablecloths and napkins and has used them to great effect in her food styling. But in my mind there [...]

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