Beef Bourguignon
A classic French stew, the secret to a good Beef Bourguignon (also called Beef Burgundy), is a rich red wine marinade, homemade beef stock, and a slow braise. This recipe takes time, but is worth the effort. Prep: 40 minutes Cook: 2 Hours 30 minutes Marinate: 1 day Serves 5 INGREDIENTS • BEEF […]
Comfort food like grandma’s: The Purple Weka Café
As autumn moves inexorably towards winter, we become creatures in need of comfort and warmth, both in our environment and in the food we crave. It’s now we seek out local hospitality spots that will satisfy these needs. The Purple Weka Café dishes up warmth and comfort in spades along with a big […]
Eyes on the fries: Makikihi Fries
Kiwis love their hot chips. From a classic fish and chip dinner to a late-night hot chip run, they are a staple across New Zealand. Consumers and businesses are always on the hunt for the perfect crunch and salty flavour to top the lists and satisfy that inevitable craving. The team at Canterbury’s […]
Waste not, want not: Gordon’s Pickles
Recycle, re-use, re-purpose. In these tight financial times many of us are looking for ways to eliminate waste and to repurpose materials. It is also surprising just what can be put to another use. How many of us are guilty of throwing away the juice or brine from a jar of pickled onions […]
Taste & trust: Aroy Thai
Opening a restaurant in difficult times might seem a risky undertaking. With a proven formula, loyal following, and a well-known brand, that risk is considerably reduced. This is the case for Rolleston’s latest eatery, Aroy Thai. The branch becomes the 13th in the chain across the country, in Wellington, Auckland, Napier, and Christchurch. […]
Delicious dining in a natural setting: Gatehouse Café
Much can happen in 18 months, and so it has at one Templeton café where new owners took over in late 2022. Set among mature trees, with spacious outdoor decking, the Gatehouse Café is a delightful discovery, where coffee, meals, and birdsong blend harmoniously in a special urban environment. On the menu are […]
Easy ways to improve your homemade cupcakes
Sydney bakery owner Gabriela Oporto shot to fame after supplying singer/songwriter Taylor Swift with cake on the international star’s recent visit to Australia. Here’s her advice, and recipe, for making the “fluffiest cupcakes” at home. Where do people go wrong when making cupcakes? • They don’t mix the butter and sugar long enough. […]
Supreme winning chocolate
A locally made plant-based chocolate so delicious that it doesn’t taste vegan is New Zealand’s supreme champion outstanding food product. Mind Your Temper’s vegan Black Forest Bonbon, described by judges as ‘faultless’, was named Leefield Station Supreme Champion and Bonbon Champion at this year’s Outstanding Food Producer Awards earlier this month. Crafted from […]
Venison Wellington
For colder nights, try this classic Venison Wellington, using a seared tenderloin covered with a mushroom mix, wrapped in prosciutto and pastry and baked to perfection. Cook time: 75 minutes, Serves 6 Ingredients 1kg farm raised venison tenderloin 1 Tbsp olive oil Salt and pepper 1/4 cup Dijon mustard 10–12 slices prosciutto 4 […]
In wonderland: The White Rabbit Garden Café
You might feel you have fallen through the looking glass and ended up in wonderland with The White Rabbit and the Mad March Hare, when you take a drive on the Akaroa Highway out to Gebbies Valley. There you will find The White Rabbit Garden Café, as quirky and delightful a café as […]
