Mike Pero’s protein-packed brekky bowl

Entrepreneur, businessman, and family man Mike Pero took his cholesterol into his own hands after a heart health scare. He eats clean and with purpose from Monday to Friday, sharing one of his favourite ‘ritual’ recipes – this chia protein breakfast bowl. INGREDIENTS 2 dessert spoons chia seeds 1 tsp pumpkin seeds 1 […]

The 5-minute feel-good bowl

Ready to nail your health goals in 2026? This superfood salad does the trick. Local holistic wellness coach and yoga teacher Alex Ballagh shares this salad recipe with a detox dressing. “I give this recipe to most of my private clients because it’s so good. The rocket and lemon support the liver and […]

Choc-dipped almond and pepita bars

A healthy pick-me-up snack for taking to work or popping in the kids’ school lunchbox, these gluten-free nutty bars deliver a fix of healthy fats and a sustained energy boost. INGREDIENTS  –  Makes: 16 | Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 30 mins 1 cup white sesame seeds 1/2 cup pepitas (pumpkin […]

NZ greenshell mussels in coconut broth

Like most seafood dishes, mussels are best prepared simply, with a flavourful broth for dipping. INGREDIENTS 20 greenshell mussels, scrubbed with beards removed 1 Tbsp oil 3 spring onions, sliced 1 large garlic clove, crushed 1/2 a red chilli, seeded and finely chopped 1 cup coconut cream 1/2 cup of water (more for […]

Pairing wine & seafood

You’ve probably heard the old saying, ‘white wine with white meat, and red wine with red meat’ but what kind of wine should you pair with fish or shellfish? Summer is the perfect time for seafood, and in New Zealand, we enjoy an incredible bounty of kaimoana from cod to crab and everything […]

Bach-cooking: pan-fried cod

What says Kiwi summer more than pan-fried cod (or any fresh catch) with courgettes and creamy baby potatoes on the side? INGREDIENTS 4 thick blue cod fillets, sustainably wild-caught 500g new baby potatoes, sliced or whole 1 litre chicken or vegetable stock 4 Tbsp olive oil 4 courgettes, thickly sliced Zest of 1 […]

Rasberry Cardamom Frozen Yoghurt

Tart raspberries blended with creamy Greek yoghurt, a whisper of rosewater, and the gentle warmth of cardamom, this frozen yoghurt from the latest book by Cantabrian Kate William, Floral Abundance, is a beautiful finish to a summer meal or a refreshing afternoon treat. INGREDIENTS – SERVES 8 2 cups frozen raspberries 2 cups […]

Christmas Meringue Wreath recipe

From North Canterbury foodie and author Angela Clifford, this Christmas Meringue Wreath from her book The Food Farm is the perfect blend of wow and yum. It serves eight to 12, Angela says – based on the size of your Christmas meal leading up to dessert. INGREDIENTS MERINGUE 6 egg whites 1 1/2 […]

Waste not, want not – Gordons Pickles

Recycle, re-use, and re-purpose with this recipe. In these tight financial times, many of us are looking for ways to eliminate waste and 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 […]

Nadia Lim’s Merry Cherry Trifle

“My Aunty Pippa makes a bloody good trifle,” Nadia writes in her latest book, Nadia’s Farm Kitchen. The key, she says, is homemade (not bought) sponge, homemade custard (made with cream), and a good dry sherry (lots of it). This recipe leans into the beauty of homemade food, and is sure to please […]