Category: Special occasions

Autumn Salad – as pretty as a picture

Pears and beetroot, walnuts and blue cheese, edible flowers and salad leaves …mmmm

Fig & Radicchio Salad with Goat’s Cheese & Hazelnuts

Don’t add anything else to this salad, nor leave anything out. Just make it and eat it and let yourself be seduced.

More ideas for pears – bring them on!

There’s plenty to write about pears, and I’ve already done it, so click the link if you want to find out about choosing, storing and preparing them. And check out the different varieties. What I’m showing off here are some great ideas of what to do with pears. I love them with blue cheese and […]

Grab the last of the strawberries before they’re gone!

Pretty, summery, fresh and so moreish, a Rosé spritzer will see you drink less alcohol but have double the fun!

Cool times – chill down with iced mint & lemon water

Chill out with a jug of icy mint & lemon water

Stuff your face with flowers? Yes! Zucchini Blossoms!

Here’s what to do with those male flowers – you know the ones that don’t produce a vegetable, just a flower. Stuff them with goodness, then stuff them in (your mouth!!!).

Holy Guacamole – keep it simple or fancy it up

Yep, avo and lime will do, but some times you want the whole kit and caboodle!

Smoked Fish & Caper Dip

Make this a ‘go to’ for those times when you want something super tasty, but easy to prepare, to serve as a nibble with drinks.

Feta & Char-grilled Red Pepper Dip

Salty, sweet, tangy and creamy, but not rich … dunk away and feel good about it!

Zucchini & Feta Fritters

A little blob of yoghurt and mint leaf keeps the fritter flavour clean and bright. You’ll be back for more!

Pork Balls in Lettuce Cups – Mid-week munch up!

Looking for something easy enough to do mid-week that packs plenty of flavour? Here you go, pork balls with ginger, lime, lemongrass and a smattering of red chilli.

Oysters Citrine – Crisp & Crunchy

Seal a little chopped preserved lemon inside oysters, dunk them in tempura batter and deep-fry until golden … oh so good!

Oysters with Pickled Cucumber

Yes, a squirt of lemon is all a fresh oyster needs, but a quick cucumber pickle spooned on top lifts freshly shucked oysters to another level.

Almond Milk with Turmeric – What a tonic!

There are plenty of reasons to try this drink (no, not just because it’s yellow!) …

Avocados with Gazpacho Dressing

Gazpacho is one of the glories of summer – tip it over avocados, dot with olives & basil, sprinkle with toasted cumin and m’whaaaaaaa! Delicious.

Te Matuku Oyster Festival next weekend!

Saturday 15th October at Waiheke’s Rangihoua Estate, Te Matuku oysters will be king for the day, served up freshly shucked among a festival atmosphere of live music, cooking …

Strawberry Hearts

Oh so cute! And, surprisingly tasty to eat! Pour the bubbly and enjoy.

Lamb Stuffed with Olives

Here’s your answer for a quick roast that’s easy to prepare and cook … and that’s also scrumptious!

Hummus – Best-ever!

I love smooth and creamy hummus but loathe commercial brands that stink of processed garlic and repeat on you later with an acrid throat burn. Making it from scratch is easy.

Persimmon & Feta Salad

This is a stunner, and a great way to get more antioxidants in your diet. Fresh and tangy, salty and crunchy, the perfect foil to a rich meal to follow.