Cutting the mustard

New Zealand is a nation of DIYers, and many people like to make their own sauces, pickles, and condiments, such as mustard. Here’s a quick and easy recipe for making wholegrain mustard, ready in three days. Ingredients (makes one cup) 30g black mustard seeds 40g white mustard seeds 2 Tbsp honey 1 Tbsp white wine […]

Meet the brew crew: House of Hop

At a picturesque spot just outside of Geraldine, great food and fantastic beer go hand in hand, spilling over into an epic afternoon chill. PS you’re invited. Enjoy a deliciously refreshing ‘home away from home’ experience with the charm of family-owned-and-run restaurant and brewery, The House of Hop. This welcoming environment makes its own phenomenal […]

Easy Crayfish Bisque

Crayfish Bisque is an excellent way to get the most out of your Christmas crays, using the leftover shells for a homemade stock. Try it as an entrée, or showcase it as the main meal. Ingredients 6 Tbsp butter 6 Tbsp flour 1/2 Tsp salt 1/2 Tsp celery salt 1/4 Tsp ground black pepper 2 […]

Feasting on Crayfish

Crayfish is a classic crowd-pleaser. Fresh is best, and the same is especially true for all food from the sea. When it comes to crayfish, you can’t go wrong with a rich herb and garlic butter that enhances and preserves the natural deliciousness, while adding an extra layer. Smothered in the savoury flavour of garlic […]

Fish en papillote

Fish cooked en papillote (which is French for ‘in paper’ and is pronounced ahn-pa-pee-yawt) means to bake fish inside a pouch made of folded parchment paper. Despite its fancy French name, this dish is one of the easiest methods to cook fish, sure to wow at any barbecue. Ingredients 1 fillet of firm white fish, […]

From vine to table with Clare Giffard

A love of wine and food took Clare Giffard all around New Zealand, and internationally for years, until she made Canterbury her permanent home. Metropol writer Neville Idour looks back at her journey. W ine, followed closely by food, has frequently been top of the list for Canterbury café owner Clare Giffard. Known for two […]

Fast & fab

When your visitors walk through your door early, or completely unannounced, you need to have a few tricks in the kitchen up your sleeve. Putting together a deliciously enchanting plate of food in just a few moments sounds daunting, but it can be easy, and can utilise the fruit and vegetables of the season. Cucumbers, […]

Great dining, daytime into evening: Phat Duck Brew, Bar & Kitchen

Fancy a sit down meal with family and friends, or perhaps a refreshing cold beer after work in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere? At Phat Duck Brew Bar and Kitchen, everyone’s invited. Featuring a restaurant at one end, a vibrant bar at the other, and a cool bean bag area for chilling out, you’ll be spoilt […]

Calling on cucumbers

Refreshing, buildable, rich, and easy, a Greek salad is simply made for balmy summer nights. With cucumbers aplenty in Christchurch pantries currently, put them to good use with this tasty feature dish. Canterbury is home to many olive farms too, so buy local ingredients where you can. Crunchy cucumbers, tangy feta, briny olives, sweet cherry […]

Great tastes and good spaces combine: The One Next Door

Wine and cheese, rugby and beer, some things simply work better together. Good pairing is where one part brings out the best in the other. This sentiment holds true for people and spaces. When a commercial space in need of a culinary make-over became available, the owners of Little River Café, Cam Gordon, Jessica Morrison, […]