Mulled pear cider

A perfect warming cocktail for winter, mulled pear cider is ideal for guests. You can make it ‘hard’ by adding rum or keep it alcohol-free; either way, it’s a lovely tipple. Ingredients 7 pears 2 lemons 3 Tbsp maple syrup or honey (optional) 10 cups water 5 cinnamon sticks 3 star anise pods […]

Peached pears with salted caramel drizzle

A divine dessert in winter weather, poached pears are as elegant as they are effortless. Sweet salted caramel balances out the fruit’s healthy edge to become your favourite thing to serve at mid-winter Christmas parties and beyond. Ingredients 6 large pears 1L water 2-3 Tbsp honey or golden syrup, depending on preferred sweetness […]

Instant pick-me-up: Chocolate mug cake

Need instant indulgence? This microwave chocolate mug cake steps in to serve our sugar cravings when we need a quick lift. INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup flour 1/8 cup sugar 2 Tbsp cocoa powder 1/8 tsp baking powder 3 Tbsp milk 2 Tbsp oil (such as avocado, rice bran or coconut). 1/2 tsp vanilla 1-2 […]

Gingerbread cookies: Good Bitches Baking cookbook recipe

From the Good Bitches Baking cookbook, local baker Judith Varga shares her recipe for Mézeskalács – often translated as ‘gingerbread’ but directly translating to ‘honey cake’. INGREDIENTS | Makes 100 250g honey 300g butter 300g light brown sugar 3+1 eggs (keep the last egg for glazing, optional) 1kg flour 2 tsp baking soda […]

Fisherman’s hash recipe

Looking for something a bit special to eat with loved ones for a Matariki brunch? You can’t go wrong with this delicious dish. Reflecting this year’s Matariki theme of celebrating the waters and oceans, this fish dish is also a great weekend lunch or light dinner. A poached egg on top is a […]

Yotti’s easy oven-baked poached fish

The secret to a great fish dish is simplicity, so says Yotti Ioannou, co-owner of Theo’s Fisheries, a Christchurch favourite for quality fish. How does Yotti like his fish? Fresh fish doesn’t need a load of bells and whistles, he says. The most important thing is to buy the best. Here he shares […]

Potato gnocchi with mushroom cream

Christchurch’s hospitality scene is known for delectable dishes filled with flavour and premium ingredients — from Market Place’s executive chef Ritvik Saini, this vegan and gluten-free creation on their Prix Fixe menu is no exception. Gnocchi 690g mashed potato 153g gluten-free flour 10g table salt 16.9g olive oil Peel and steam the potatoes […]

Mulled wine NZ pork with red cabbage casserole

Mulled wine NZ pork melts in your mouth in this hearty and spicy slow-cooker dish. INGREDIENTS 1.4kg boneless NZ pork shoulder, rind removed (look for the PigCare™ and 100% New Zealand Pork, Bacon and Ham labels) 3 star anise 2 cinnamon sticks 2 teaspoons caraway seeds 6 whole cloves 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, […]

Classic apple pie

With an elegant lattice top, this apple pie is classic comfort food at its finest. Sweet buttery pastry complements a spiced apple filling for a delicious rustic treat. INGREDIENTS | Serves 8 6 large apples, peeled and diced 3 Tbsp butter 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup white sugar, plus extra for sprinkling […]

This calls for comfort food: Potato Top Sausage Bake

Comfort food comes second nature to Kiwis – even more so at this time of year. No, comfort food isn’t usually a healthy, nutritious meal. It’s a treat that collects and contains memories. A bite of baking that transports you back to your grandmother’s kitchen, or a spoonful of crispy potato bake that […]