market to table

Finding Spring Fare: All-new ‘market to table’ cooking demonstrations

At the beginning of this month, the Farmers Market Spring Festival launched all-new ‘market to table’ cooking demonstrations. Jax Hamilton introduced the first of these with her usual enthusiasm and flair from the kitchen verandah at Riccarton House.     The demonstrations will continue from 10-10:30am every Saturday during the warmer months, […]

A golden elixir

A golden elixir: Recipe

You’ve probably been told at least once or twice to drink a glass of warm milk before bed. Now this advice has been given the Midas touch, with the golden sheen of turmeric. Turmeric has gone seriously mainstream this year, based on the powerful medicinal properties of curcumin, which research suggests contains strong […]

choc cheesecake brownie

Raspberry choc cheesecake brownie: Recipe

Raspberries, chocolate, cheesecake and brownie are some of the best things in life, so why not put them all together for a decadent winter treat? Makes about 24 brownies ingredients: CHOCOLATE BATTER 1 cup unsalted butter 2 1/4 cups sugar 1 1/4 cups baking cocoa 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 […]

Creamy Butternut Squash Soup

Creamy Butternut Squash Soup with blue cheese & thyme: Recipe

Nothing soothes the soul and fills the tummy quite like a soup in winter. Here’s one of our favourites.     Ingredients: 6 cups peeled, seeded and diced butternut squash 1/4 cup olive oil 1 tbs salt 1 tsp freshly ground pepper 3 tbs butter 3 cups chopped onions 1/2 cup chopped carrots […]

The Flower Night Cocktail

The flower night cocktail: this Dilmah tea-based temptation is just the thing for the Queen’s Birthday Weekend

Whether hot toddies or iced tea are your thing, tea-infused cocktails are a tasty tipple that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Cam Timmins shares his recipe for a Night Flower Cocktail infused with Elderflower Syrup, lemon and Dilmah’s Jasmine Green Tea that gives a whole new meaning to ‘teatime’. Ingredients 45ml Beefeater […]

The Villas

Feijoa paste: The Villas recipe series

Feijoa season is here and if you know of a pair of healthy and productive feijoa trees, why not make the most of nature’s bounty? Delicious with cold meats and cheeses, it will keep for months once bottled. Makes 800g. Ingredients 10 ripe medium sized feijoas (about 1kg) 3 cooking apples 600mls water […]

earl grey tea truffles

Tea inspired truffles: this recipe for Dilmah earl grey tea truffles is divine

Tea is on the rise and not just to be consumed in the most traditional of ways, with tea ‘bars’ popping up globally, the increasing profile of tea cocktails and now it seems we have an increasing appetite for tea as an ingredient, adding a new dimension of taste, texture and flavour to […]

Feijoas

A feijoa fixation: nine ideas for what to do with all those feijoas

There’s great excitement in the autumnal air, with feijoa season upon us. Generally available from about mid-March until early June, the small, green, egg-shaped fruit is pretty unique to New Zealand – although not native. A distinctive flavour and culinary versatility sees feijoa making their mark on an exceptional range of cakes, salsas, […]

The Villas braised beef cheeks

Braised beef cheeks in red wine: The Villas recipe series

When cooked slowly, beef cheeks are delicious paired with chunky, forked potato mash or with silky, smooth polenta. Look out for The Villas’ take on this delicious dish on its new dinner menu. Ingredients 4 beef cheeks 3 tbs seasoned flour 2 stalks celery, 1 carrot, 1 onion, all finely diced 3 cloves […]

Crispy roasted chickpeas

Crispy roasted chickpeas: liven up your lunchbox with this easy tasty recipe

The humble chickpea is packed full of goodness and when roasted makes a tast snack to munch on while enjoying a beer, or as a healthy lunchbox treat. Ingredients • 2 cans chickpeas • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon salt • 2 to 4 teaspoons spices or finely chopped […]