Classic Chicken Liver Pate

OK – I am still waiting for a reply from blogger as to why my photos aren’t uploading properly, but in the meantime, in order to get a post up, am resorting to using screengrabs as these are closer to the photos than the actual photos – arrgghh! Anywaaaay, last weekend we were invited to […]

Te Matuku Bay Oysters with Mignonette Dressing

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 […]

Goldilocks American-Style Chocolate Chunk Cookies

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 […]

Not Your Grandma’s Orange Cake

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 […]

Espresso Your Love Chocolate Mousse with Chocolate & Hazelnut Biscotti

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 […]

Morning, Noon or Night Salad

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 […]

Ommmmm Nom Nom Brown Rice Salad with Roast Pumpkin, Avocado and Hummus

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, […]

Roast Salmon with Garlic, Dill and Lemon with Quick Cucumber Relish

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 and ho ho hope to see you again in 2014!

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 […]

Christmas Mince Pies with Dark Chocolate & Figs or White Chocolate & Cranberries

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 […]