Orange & cranberry spiced mulled wine

Print this storyWarm up with this deliciously festive and fruity mulled wine from local liquery Sovrano Limoncello. Ingredients 750ml full-bodied red wine 500ml water 300ml Sovrano Orangello 1/4 cup brandy (optional) 1 orange 1 tsp whole cloves 1/2 tsp mixed spice 1 star anise 2 cinnamon quills 1 cup frozen cranberries 150g brown sugar, approx […]

Mulled pear cider

Print this storyA 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

Print this storyA 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

Print this storyNeed 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

Print this storyFrom 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

Print this storyLooking 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 […]