With a cyclone warning to be heeded we caught the ferry back to the mainland from Waiheke yesterday. It was sad to say goodbye, especially with a blue-sky day thumbing it’s nose at the forecast and the first of the Merlot grapes being picked. However, as the set up is more camping there than anything […]
Every once in a while I have a hankering for something earthy, earnest and comforting like this loaf. Rich, dense and moist (apart from possibly the end slice…Nick!!!) it is the perfect late Sunday morning treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee, but also packs well for lunchboxes and keeps well ‘in the tin’ […]
It’s a weird old thing that people like their biscuits as we would call them, (or bikkies) with different textures. (Americans use the term ‘biscuits’ for what we would call ‘scones’ – such craziness!) Traditionally in New Zealand they are made hard and crunchy – ‘short’ that is. In America they are often perfectly chewy […]
Straight on the heels of my Old-Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup, it’s another one! This hearty (yet not heavy) soup is one that I first posted way back in August last year – it had been hanging around in the back of my head for ages, and when I finally posted it, it seemed to hit […]
Just recently it seems like half of the family have been suffering from a lurgy of some kind – Nick flew back into the country with a sick bag in his lap, Rich has a bog standard, crappy cold and my mother-in-law Jill is getting over a wee bout of pneumonia. For me there are […]
It seems like ages ago now that we had a lovely farewell dinner at Mum’s, for the 18-year old Henry – before he headed off for two weeks in Dubai staying with a friend, as you do, then had one day in Auckland before moving down to university in Wellington. (Yesterday!!!) Sniff. Mum made a […]
This is a super-simple but beautifully moist and dense gluten-free cake, packed with whole oranges and almonds, with a mellow chocolate flavour thanks to the addition of Dutch cocoa. Topped with candied oranges and a drizzle of orange syrup it makes for a perfect dessert or late afternoon treat. If you would like to make […]
Well it’s that time of year again – red roses triple in price, tender hearts hope for anonymous notes, young romantics stress about buying the perfect token of their affection, and old-marrieds get to raise a glass to each other in satisfaction for having made it this far! Valentine’s Day. In typical fashion my valentine […]
The other night just before heading to Dubai, Henry was asking for something light for dinner, and Nick concurred (the lovely 16 year-old Richard would never request a salad, he’s more your sausage and mash kind of guy). So, can’t quite remember what Rich had (!) but this is what I put together for the […]
Crazy name, yes, but it suits my start to the year which has seen some very healthy eating (and some not-so-healthy eating), interspersed with introductory yoga sessions around about Auckland, seeing which ones will take my fancy for my new year’s yoga resolution (so far Naam and Vinyasa, next up Hot Yoga). Do not fear, […]
Well what’s that saying about ‘the best laid plans of mice and men’ often going awry? My original plan for Christmas dinner was to have roast chooks with a festive cranberry stuffing wrapped in prosciutto, but having had a beautiful side of salmon at a pre-Christmas Christmas at my mother-in-law’s the week before, I completely […]
Merry Christmas everyone – thank you so much for visiting my blog this year! I’m looking forward to seeing you here again next year, with more recipes, a new, improved layout (watch out for that late February) and lots more from my kitchen. I really appreciate your taking the time to pop in, and for […]
OK here’s the deal. Usually I don’t give much of a spiel when posting recipes, but on this occasion with Christmas around the corner, I am going to go wild for a change! First off – Christmas. We all know that it is the time of giving, family, good cheer etc etc…falalalala…but it is often […]
Several years ago now we spent 2 1/2 very happy years living in beautiful Sydney. It was a totally idyllic time – the boys had just started school, Nick was working his butt off, and I was exercising like a mad thing – and completing my course in personal training. In Sydney everything seems like […]