Mulled pear cider

A perfect warming cocktail for winter, mulled pear cider is ideal for guests. You can make it ‘hard’ by adding rum or keep it alcohol-free; either way, it’s a lovely tipple. Ingredients 7 pears 2 lemons 3 Tbsp maple syrup or honey (optional) 10 cups water 5 cinnamon sticks 3 star anise pods […]

Peached pears with salted caramel drizzle

A divine dessert in winter weather, poached pears are as elegant as they are effortless. Sweet salted caramel balances out the fruit’s healthy edge to become your favourite thing to serve at mid-winter Christmas parties and beyond. Ingredients 6 large pears 1L water 2-3 Tbsp honey or golden syrup, depending on preferred sweetness […]

Daytime delicacies: Easteat

Is lunch the new dinner? This time of year can see us leaving for work before the sun rises and returning home after it has set. It stands to reason that the middle of the day needs to be the highlight. Lunch should be a delicious interlude that jolts us out of our […]

Bowls of comfort: Tanoshi

Finding an inner-city sanctuary that offers a cosy, homey feeling is a great way to press pause on the hustle and find your zen again. Located in Christchurch’s city centre, Tanoshi is a Japanese restaurant offering an authentic Osaka-style dining experience. The range of traditional meals includes donburi and ramen to bento boxes […]

Instant pick-me-up: Chocolate mug cake

Need instant indulgence? This microwave chocolate mug cake steps in to serve our sugar cravings when we need a quick lift. INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup flour 1/8 cup sugar 2 Tbsp cocoa powder 1/8 tsp baking powder 3 Tbsp milk 2 Tbsp oil (such as avocado, rice bran or coconut). 1/2 tsp vanilla 1-2 […]

Gingerbread cookies: Good Bitches Baking cookbook recipe

From the Good Bitches Baking cookbook, local baker Judith Varga shares her recipe for Mézeskalács – often translated as ‘gingerbread’ but directly translating to ‘honey cake’. INGREDIENTS | Makes 100 250g honey 300g butter 300g light brown sugar 3+1 eggs (keep the last egg for glazing, optional) 1kg flour 2 tsp baking soda […]

A batch a day: Good Bitches Baking

Baking is a mechanism in spreading kindness – and one Canterbury charity celebrating their 10th birthday has delivered more than 20,000 batches of made-with-love treats to communities in need. “The purpose of Good Bitches Baking is to bring a slice of sweetness into someone’s day who is having a difficulty,” Sally Clarke says. […]

Serving culture and connection: Manila Grill

Filled with wonderful flavours and colours, Filipino food is known for crafting dining experiences that delight the senses. Christchurch is lucky enough to host an authentic restaurant – one that began as a family-run labour of love. Today, it has expanded to bring the joy of this cuisine to those who enjoy soul […]

Your favourite fare: Rustic Cafe & Tapas Bar Hanmer Springs

Well-known for its variety, Hanmer Springs attracts both thrill seekers and active relaxers. One Spanish-style tapas bar caters to the energy of every visitor. Under the new ownership of Ravi Sharma and Raj Singh, both highly experienced in hospitality, this Hanmer Springs destination on Conical Hill Rd is set to expand on its […]

Food. Friends. Feeling: Insitu Cafe

A truly local café has a charm that invites customers to stay for more than just a short time. In Hillsborough lies a perfect such retreat. Bright and open, INSITU Cafe offers plenty of eclectic sofas, chairs and tables to perch at surrounded by a modern mix of décor and artwork. Owner Rohit […]