Category: Special occasions

Pavlova Perfection – all the tricks revealed!

This is everything a pav should be: crisp shell, marshmallowy centre, mountains of whipped velvety cream and loads of gorgeous berries. Second slice? Why not!

Chocolate Cherry Mince Pies

Chocolate and cherries, cherries and chocolate. Mmmm …

Roast Fillet of Beef Stuffed with Mortadella & Pistachio Nuts

This is a go-to dish for me when I want a knock-your-socks-off impressive dish. Works every time.

Kumara & Pumpkin Christmas Salad

Give you Christmas day roasties a shake up with thyme, preserved lemon and a tangy dressing!

Christmas Labna

Forget cream cheese, sour cream or fiddly dips, just opt for labna over summer.

This is the stuff of dreams – a mountain of crisp meringue with a marshmallowy centre, filled with dollops of rich and velvety limoncello cream, dripping with tangy raspberry juice, stuffed with fresh raspberries, then finished with a generous shake of icing sugar and raspberry powder.

Roasted Chicken Thigh Cutlets

Delicious anytime, but special enough for a festive meal.

Build a plate of berries

A little creative plating can help expensive berries feed many mouths … and it looks so festive!

Pavarotti’s Ham

Pavarotti loved this so much, he asked me for the recipe. True!

Carving A Ham

Easy when you know how – try this method and produce lovely even slices, all edged with glaze.

Peach & Mozzarella Salad

Look at the picture. Don’t even think about it. Just make it.

Roast Pork & Crunchiest Crackling Ever!

Crunchy crackling is a gift from the gods. Don’t think about it as being naughty – I mean, how can it be when it gives you so much pleasure!

Bruschetta with Grilled Zucchini & Buffalo Mozzarella

That whiff of barbecue smoke brings them running … though these succulent treats can be prepared indoors in a grill pan any time of year.

Spicy Pepitas

Zizz up your next drinks gathering with a bowl of these spicy little beauties.

Crispy Chicken Wings

Puts the finger-licking into, um, er, finger-licking!

Chorizo & Baby Potato Tapas

Scrumptious little morsels to add to a tapas feast.

Pineapple Sage

Sweet pineapple sage – it truly does taste of pineapple!

Mini Lamb Koftas

Oh joy! Spicy little balls – and lots of them!

Adobo Peanut & Lime Salsa

Watch out! She kicks like a mule!

Coopers Creek Vineyard – still family owned after 38 years

And still producing award-winning wines.

Kumara Crisps

Golden and crisp, hard to resist! Just the ticket to go with drinks (and, YES, you can make them ahead).

Cashew Nut Curry

Cashew nuts bathed in a rich coconutty sauce is utterly delicious!

Seedlip’s come to town …

Full of the scent of sun-warmed carnations, a scrape of orange peel and a sprinkle of spice … Seedlip’s come to town.

Pork Belly with Cider

Oh yes, once or twice a winter, a little crispy nugget of pork belly pleases my soul.

All you need to know about roast pork and perfect crackling

Crackling. CRUNCHY crackling. Gorgeously golden, so fingerlickin’ salty, and so perfectly crackled you hear it shatter in your ears, and all lined with a layer of sweet creamy fat that melts on your tongue. OMG! Died and gone to heaven with this one.

Bahn Mi

Pickles and pork and pâté … an a pint. What’s not to like?