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FUN FOOD

Offer me a selection of interesting finger foods at five o'clock and I'm in heaven. At this time of the year, these delicious little morsels sometimes replace my traditional dinner.  Tapas — the fashionable small plates of delicacies — were first created to suit the Spanish lifestyle. The trend towards enjoying nibbles while sipping a drink with friends after work is civilised socialising. Tapas are intended to whet the appetite not gratify it fully. However, the idea of serving...

JINGE BELL BAKES

It's time to fire up your festive baking skills. A rich fruit cake will keep for years and like wine, it often improves with age. Prepare traditional cakes at least one month before cutting. During this time, the flavours mellow and the texture improves making the cake easier to cut.This year I experimented with two new (to me) cake pans. A friend made me a wooden cake box with sides but no base. You sit it on top of sheets of newspaper and baking paper, fill it with the cake mixture then cook i...

LAID BACK LUNCHES

Last weekend I enjoyed a relaxed lunch on a friend’s patio. The sun gods were obliging, the slight breeze was balmy and I realised that summer was just around the corner. Hurray! Laid back lunches are great for catching up with friends and family. They don’t need to be exotic — just good food served simply. My friend dished up a crisp and colourful salad topped with an award-winning, Kiwi-produced burrata — mozzarella-like on the outside but gloriously gooey on the inside. The ro...

KIDS’ KITCHEN

1 slice wholemeal breadbutter or table spread2 cheese slices2 thin slices luncheon sausage or salami2 capers1 black olivesprig dill or fennel Place the bread on a plate. Lightly spread with butter or table spread. Top with 1 cheese slice. Using a small biscuit cutter or top of a jar, cut 2 rounds from the luncheon sausage to make a head and body. Place on the cheese. Use the trimming to make ears, arms and feet. Cut ovals of cheese to make a nose and the base of the feet. Place the capers above ...

BURGER BONANZA

Despite its name, the first hamburger as we know it today, did not originate in Hamburg. In the early 19th century Hamburg butchers did, however, chop steak very finely, combine it with onions and seasonings and form it into ‘steaks’ or patties. As there was no refrigeration these steaks required almost immediate cooking.When later in the century German immigrants arrived in America, many opened restaurants. A version of the Hamburg steak appeared on menus — as the most expensive item.But ...

THE HUNTER’S GOOD LIFE

An easy two-hour drive north of Sydney, the Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine-producing region, but it is certainly no museum piece. The Hunter is a dynamic wine, food and cultural destination with over 100 wineries, 50 restaurants, numerous art and craft galleries and outdoor concerts in summer.There are so many opportunities for wining and dining in the 29,000 square kilometres of the Valley that it requires a week or more to explore. Most wineries are situated south of the Hunter Riv...

Gone To Pot

Although we tend to think of slow cookers as a relatively new ‘best friend’ to the home chef, the first one appeared in 1940 introduced by an American, Irving Naxon. He was inspired by his mother’s stories of preparing a Jewish bean-based stew in her home country of Lithuania. She would start the cooking on the Friday, and at the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath that night — a time of rest — the ovens would be turned off and the residual heat would continue to cook the beans for hours u...

CURRIED VEG VIM

I remember the day I discovered one of the secrets of a successful French chef in Melbourne. Standing next to him as he cooked, I noticed a tiny pinch of curry powder being added to a sauce. (Very non Cordon Bleu!) The taste wasn’t obvious in the sauce at all — it just made it intriguing. I’m sure he wouldn’t admit to his fellow countrymen that he used curry powder. Powder was the only type of curry in my mother’s pantry. Today we are spoilt for choice. There are Thai green and red...

CANNED DELIGHTS

Health professionals encourage us to eat more fruit and using canned varieties is an economical way to bump up your daily intake. However, where possible, choose canned fruits in juice rather than syrup to prevent adding excess sugar to your diet.  The advantages of using canned fruit in meals include: they’re a time-savers as they are already prepared; any fruit leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container without loss of nutrients; they are sometimes cheaper than seasonal fres...

Gluten-free Japanese Cheesecake

I decorated the cheesecake with some whipped cream and freeze-dried strawberries.3 eggs, separated150g plain cream cheese50g butter1/4 cup milk70g gluten-free self-raising flour1 teaspoon vanilla essencefinely grated rind 1 lemon1 tablespoon lemon juice1/4 cup sugarPreheat the oven to 125°C. Lightly grease an 18-20cm round cake pan. Line the base with baking paper. If using a springform pan, wrap the outside base and sides with foil as the cheesecake is baked in a bain marie.Place the egg yolks...

MOCHA & HONEY ROASTED PEANUT PAVS

The peanuts add a salty sweetness. Special occasion treats.3 egg whites1 1/4 cups caster sugar2 teaspoons cornflour1 teaspoon each: white vinegar, vanilla essence4 tablespoons boiling water50g dark chocolate, meltedToffee Shards: 1/2 cup sugar1/2 cup boiling waterTopping: 2 teaspoons instant coffee granules1 tablespoon boiling water 1 cup cream1 tablespoon icing sugar1/2-3/4 cup honey roasted (salted) peanutsPreheat the oven to 190°C. Line one or two oven trays with baking paper. Lightly mark s...

LARGELY LENTILS

Lentils are a nutritious versatile food. A key ingredient in soups, salads, sides, casseroles and savoury bakes, they’re ridiculously cheap and can be stored in airtight containers for months. Lentils are high in protein and fibre and low in fat making them a healthy substitute for meat. They're also packed with folate, iron, phosphorus and potassium. However, the protein in lentils is incomplete. For proper nutritional balance other protein foods such as grains, nuts, seeds, eggs or dairy pro...

Sideways New Zealand by Rex Pickett

Have you viewed the film Sideways (adapted from Rex Pickett’s book of the same name) where the lead character Miles Raymond introduces his about-to-be-married actor friend Jack Manse to Pinot Noir during a trip to northern California wine country? There are high jinks galore, Jack not being the most faithful fiancé. The popularity of the film launched Pinot Noir into orbit around the world. Winemakers in the region call it the Sideways effect. I love the movie. A huge laugh with a dash of poi...

POSITIVELY PRUNES

The other day I noticed that America’s Sunsweet Prunes is running a promotional campaign on social media and it brought back memories of my early career.A few years ago, when I was finishing my marketing degree, I was shoulder-tapped by the management of Sunsweet Prunes to help improve their NZ sales. To me, prunes were an old-fashioned breakfast food that my grandmother enjoyed.However, prunes are much more. They are nuggets of nutritional goodness: rich in soluble and insoluble fibre, a good...

AUTUMN APPEALS

Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits.Samuel Butler, English author. So let’s enjoy these seasonal treats: apples, nashi and eggplants plus pumpkin. Eggplant — commonly thought of as a vegetable — is actually a fruit, or more specifically, a berry. Also known as aubergine it is popular around the world. It originated in India but was introduced to Europe over 1500 years ago where it is now a staple. Eggplant belongs to the nightshade...

PETAL PIZZAZ

The creative use of flowers and herbs in cookery was a feature of Roman banquets. They were also popular (and still are) in medicines and Chinese and Indian recipes, and plates gaily decorated with flowers were particularly prevalent during Queen Victoria’s reign. It is important that all the flowers and herbs you serve are pesticide free. They should also be allergy-free, non-toxic and preferably organically grown. Check a good garden reference book or a reliable web site for information...

Arbour

It’s earned two hats from the prestigious Cuisine magazine’s Good Food Awards; Best Regional Restaurant NZ, Cuisine Good Food Awards; and a five star rating on TripAdvisor. It must be good. Arbour restaurant is nestled in Marlborough wine country about a 20-minute drive from the Blenheim CBD. Business partners, Bradley Hornby and Liz Buttimore spent two decades in five-star hotels, resorts and award-winning restaurants before settling in Marlborough with their respective partners. They estab...

SUMMER SEAFOOD WINNERS

When it comes to fishing, I’m an unsuccessful angler. Fish must know what I have in store for them and dart away. It’s most frustrating. But I love a fish fuelled summer. Most seafood is low in calories but high in protein, omega-3, a variety of B vitamins and many minerals. However, the number of calories in a fish dish will, of course, depend on the cookery method. Deep-fried fish contains at least twice the calories of baked fish. The microwave oven is excellent for fish cookery...

FAVOUR SUMMER FLAVOURS

Preserving abundant summer fruits and veg provides sun-kissed flavours to enjoy in cooler months. But if you are a family of just two then it’s best to make small amounts. When jams, pickles and chutneys are left forgotten for months on pantry shelves they lose their summer flavour and colour. Hints:• Jams and jellies need pectin to set. To test if a fruit has sufficient pectin, cook a small portion in a little water. When soft, take one teaspoon of the juice and combine it with one tablespo...

SIZZLE SEASON

Tantalising smells are wafting across my backyard — it must be time to rev up the barbecue and compete with the neighbours in our annual competition for the best summer aromas. Whatever the type of cooker or fuel used, the secret to successful barbecues is the quality of the heat. You don’t need a mountain of coals on a charcoal barbecue — under normal circumstances, about 25 coals are sufficient. Allow 30 minutes between lighting up and cooking. The coals should be glowing under a...

CHRISTMAS CRACKERS

If there was ever a year when Christmas celebrations are particularly welcome then this is the one. But every year there are more whims and wishes to cater for. Vegans, vegetarians, coeliacs, meat lovers and ketogenic dieters will gather round the family festive table this year to enjoy good food and friendship. Coeliacs are relatively easy to cater for: if you usually toss your spuds in flour before roasting, swap it for gluten-free cornflour — and also use it as a thickener in sauces. Ve...

SAVOUR THE SIZZLE

My favourite animal is steak,’ quipped American writer Fran Lebowitz.   And yes, there’s nothing quite like a perfectly grilled beef steak. It’s ‘feel good’ food and it can be dressed up in so many ways — including served with a mushroom, mustard or red wine sauce.  Grilling steak lends itself to numerous dishes including ethnic favourites such as Greek kebabs, Asian stir-fries, Italian pizzaiola, Spanish tapas and Mexican chillis. Carpetbag steak — a scotch ...

OBLIX, OBLIIX & NZ FOREST FLOWER

Sir George Fistonich, 83, founder of Villa Maria in the early 1960s, has been developing three new brands made from Hawke’s Bay and Marlborough grapes on family-owned vineyards in both areas: Oblix, Obliix and New Zealand Forest Flower.At present production of the new wines is boutique, with the vines producing around 3500 bottles in the last year. But, Fistonich says, potential output could be big.For George, wine is a passion. “If you want to be successful in life, do what you love doing.â...

MICROWAVE CHRISTMAS PUDDING

1/2 cup flour1 tablespoon powdered cocoa1 1/2 teaspoons mixed spice1 cup fresh breadcrumbs1/3 cup brown sugar2 1/2 cups dried fruit mixl00g shredded suet1 tablespoon marmalade1 large egg, lightly beaten1 tablespoon treacle2 1/2 tablespoons milk1 1/2 tablespoons port Sift the flour, cocoa and mixed spice into a bowl. Add the crumbs, sugar, fruit, suet and marmalade. Mix well with a fork. Stir in remaining ingredients. Mix well. Spoon the mixture into a medium-sized greased pudding basin. Cover w...

COUNT YOUR CHICKENS

Chicken is the most universally popular of all meats. And deservedly so. A singularly versatile meal-maker, it features in such national or regional dishes as Arabian couscous, Hungarian chicken paprika, Florentine polla alla diavola, Indonesian sambal hati hati, Indian vindaloo, Japanese oyako donburi, Chinese beggar’s chicken, Spanish olla podrida, Malayan satay, Russian kurnik and South African peri peri to name but a few. The blandness of chicken gets the creative juices flowing in mo...