Summer essentials
With the festive season behind us and several weeks still to enjoy summer, it’s a terrific time to stock up on some essentials that are great in the outdoors while adding a touch of luxury to outings and activities. The great outdoors, doesn’t mean you have to forgo great coffee too. Aeropress Go […]
Lemongrass mussels: Everdure by Heston
Ingredients Coconut reduction • 2g cardamom pods • 40g lemongrass • 1 kaffir lime leaves • 2g coriander seeds • 400g coconut milk • 160g coconut cream Mussels and mussel juice • 500g mussels • 100g white wine Mussel ‘stew’ • 1 Tbsp olive oil • 1 garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped […]
Vodka & Italian blood orange: Fever-Tree
This simple drink embraces the well-rounded natural flavours of rich, juicy oranges and aromatic herbs. Together, the combination creates a sweetness even the zesty lemon garnish can’t take away. • 50ml Vodka • Fever-Tree Italian Blood Orange Soda, to top up • Twist of lemon peel, to garnish Add the vodka to a […]
Fish Nicoise Salad with Crispy White Beans and Mustard Mayo
Courtesy of My Food Bag Ingredients Salad 1 can cannellini beans, drained & rinsed 2 tsp oil 2 eggs 200g green beans 1 lettuce, roughly chopped 4 tomatoes cut into wedges 2 tsp white wine vinegar Fish 600g market fish French seasoning (1 tsp lemon pepper, 1/2 tsp dried tarragon, 1/4 tsp ground […]
Gingerbread goodness
Gingerbread houses are the epitome of Christmas nostalgia for many and are a festive way for families to spend time together and creating these holidays. For me, it is a family tradition to build a gingerbread house with my mum and sister and even though we are all apart this year, it is […]
Creamy lemon bars with browned butter raspberries
Courtesy of Half Baked Harvest Ingredients 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, finely crushed into crumbs (about 1 1/2 to 2 cups crushed crackers) 6 Tbsp salted butter, melted 2 Tbsp brown sugar 1 large egg + 2 large egg yolks 1 can sweetened condensed milk 2 tsp lemon zest 1 cup freshly squeeze lemon […]
Liquorice allsorts
One of the lovely recipes in ‘Harbour Kitchens Another Helping’ cookbook, published by the Lyttelton Education Charitable Trust as a fundraiser for Lyttelton Primary School. This recipe came from Ann Stanaway through a Christmas workshop in the late 1990s run by the Well Women’s Group. It has become a family tradition to make […]
Hop along to Gebbies Valley: The White Rabbit Garden Cafe
Follow the three lop eared rabbits to a place just far enough away and still close enough for an easy day trip in the school holidays. The White Rabbit Garden Cafe is adored by children. It is home to Carrot, Blue and Basil who live in their own cottage, at the bottom of […]
Food, glorious food: Mandeville Street Kitchen
Grandma’s cooking left a lasting impression on Sarah-Jane Garden, so much so that now she runs her own Riccarton-based café and catering business. A foodie since age three helping her innovative grandmother make all sorts of delicious goodies, Sarah-Jane and the team at Mandeville Street Kitchen create mouth-watering options for breakfast, brunch, lunch […]
Awesome views and food: Little River Cafe
Spontaneous day trips around Banks Peninsula are one of the joys of summer. With azure blue bays, art in unexpected places and lovely cafes dotted around the harbour, there is so much to see and do. Thanks to Little River Cafe and Store, those on the keto diet can take off spontaneously as […]












