All the Way to Mexico
By Vicki Ravlich-Horan For me, one of the best things about travel is what you learn. This was very evident on a recent trip to Mexico, where I was also reminded about how little I know about this part of the world. It’s a destination that has long been on my wish list, but when […]
The Mandarin Tree Continues to Grow
Words Vicki Ravlich-Horan, Images Ashlee DeCaires The Mandarin Tree, run by dynamic mother and daughter duo, Claudia and Isa Aalderink, just got a lot bigger. What started with a chance detour to the dairy has grown into one of Waikato’s largest art galleries. Their original space was what caught Claudia’s attention nine years ago […]
Za’atar Roasted Carrots
Roasted baby carrots, which you can pick up at the farmers market, are a favourite dish of mine. My go to is tossing them in a little olive oil and then serving with dukkha on a bed of labneh. This recipe is a twist on this but taking more Middle Eastern flavours with the za’atar […]
Opito Bay Salt
Salt has been a vital part of human civilization throughout history, valued as a means of preserving food and enhancing flavour. Like wine, it has long been associated with a sense of place. Solnitsata, the oldest known town in Europe, was built around a salt producing facility. The port of Liverpool grew from a sleepy […]
Winter Parsnip Cake with Maple Toasted Almonds
Two decades of being a mother and I am very well experienced in hiding vegetables in all manner of disguises. Even with a house full of teenage kids these days, I’m still fairly apt at getting them all to unwittingly eat their veggies. This cake is no exception and successfully brings me the win I […]
Take Two
It is said imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and this could not be truer for a job Treetown Kitchens just completed for Sue Hodgson in Maungatautari. We’re standing in Sue’s brand-new kitchen, an almost exact replica of the kitchen Treetown Kitchens created for Sue 15 years ago. “We work with a lot of […]
Buckwheat Pancakes with Tamarillo
Buckwheat is a gluten free seed that’s packed with nutrition. I love to incorporate it in our breakfasts, and this simple pancake recipe would have to be one of the easiest ways. Whole buckwheat (referred to as buckwheat groats) is soaked overnight, before being rinsed and blended with a few more ingredients to make pancake […]
Rustic Tamarillo and Apple Tart
Apple balances the intense flavour of tamarillos with the citrus zest adding subtle fragrance. Served with a scoop of ice cream or dollops of whipped cream makes this tart simply irresistible. I like to prepare the tamarillos ahead so they have plenty of time to sweeten up a bit. You can leave them in the […]
Hamilton CBD Fried Chicken Trail
Cauliflower Nuggets
If you’ve been looking for a way to get the kids to eat cauliflower, this is it. These cauliflower nuggets are easy to whip up and go with almost any dipping sauce you can imagine. If serving as a canapé for adults, try a blue cheese sauce or a herby mayo. 450–500g of cauliflower vegetable […]