Watermelon & feta salad with mint

Watermelon and feta are a lovely balance of sweet and salty in a summer salad, with a touch of mint for an extra refreshing taste. Look for heavy watermelons in prime condition, especially the seedless varieties. Prep: 15 minutes    Servings: 10  INGREDIENTS 10 cups cubed watermelon (about 1/2 a large one) 2 […]

Christchurch’s new must-try restaurant: The Hoi Polloi

Christchurch’s dining scene has a fresh new favourite; warm, welcoming, and full of flavour. Quickly making a name for itself as one of the city’s best places to eat, drink, and connect, vibrant The Hoi Polloi is all about great food without the fuss. The menu celebrates Kiwi flavours with a modern twist, […]

Pink Martini

Cheers to a bold, flirty drink just perfect for Valentine’s Day. INGREDIENTS Makes 1 • Handful ice cubes • 40ml vodka • 20ml dry vermouth • 4 dashes orange bitters • 2 Tsp grenadine • Orange peel • Lime slices METHOD 1. Fill a shaker with ice cubes. 2. Add the vodka, dry […]

Nectarine dream

Find yourself in a five-star restaurant with just one bite of this salad, bursting with rich flavours. Beautifully presented and inviting to eat, yet surprisingly simple to make. INGREDIENTS • 2-3 nectarines, pitted and sliced • Butter and brown sugar, to caramelise • Rocket, a few handfuls • Watercress, one handful • Half […]

Sweetcorn salad

Undervalued and underutilised, sweetcorn deserves more space in our summer ingredient arsenal. Highlighting summer produce, this simple, refreshing salad makes a perfect pairing for barbecues and balmy evenings, alongside grilled meats such as chicken, steak, or fish. INGREDIENTS • 1 lime, juiced • 1/4 cup olive oil • 2 Tbsp butter • 1 […]

Fresh and best

Serving a salad with meals is a simple way to pack added nutrients and antioxidants into your diet, and eat to a feeling of satisfaction. Light on the stomach, salads are an easy option for warm evenings when after-dinner exercise remains on the radar – maybe a gentle game of tennis or walk […]

Unbeatable: D.O.T.I

Keeping food simple while delivering a delightful experience for your tastebuds is not always easy, but it has been an effective path to success for one North Canterbury-based eatery. That’s the motto for the team behind D.O.T.I. It’s in their name. ‘Don’t Over Think It’ is exactly what they do, producing deliciously unpretentious […]

Scallop skewers

Succulent, sweet, and with a hint of ginger zing, these sizzling scallop skewers with a honey ginger glaze can be done on the barbecue, hibachi, or in a frying pan inside. They are simple to make, using fresh or defrosted scallops, with or without the roe on. Cook on their own, with ham […]

Fine food to feast on: Elmwood Fine Foods

To walk into a café and immediately see a huge cabinet brimming with beautifully displayed and tempting goodies is a feast for the eyes and titillation for the taste buds. At the heart of every café are the treasures that lie inside its food cabinets. Treasures are indeed at Elmwood Fine Foods, a […]

Embrace alfresco

Summer is the season when alfresco dining comes into its own. Nice weather and long hot days mean eating outside, usually in a casual setting, is an enjoyable option for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The term comes from the Italian phrase al fresco, which means “in the fresh air”, and as a nation […]