The Farmers’ Market, a Tauranga Institution, Turns Twenty!

Words Liz French The Tauranga Farmers market began with a dream … and two decades on, it’s very much a permanent reality and a regular shopping and social event for many in the BOP. It celebrates its 20th birthday on Saturday 4 February, 2023. The market was the brainchild of Olive Caddie. She and her […]
Homemade Gnocchi

Recipe Bar Centrale, Images Brydie Thompson Light and fluffy, gnocchi is a delicious, inexpensive crowd pleaser for any Italian lunch you have planned. With ripe tomatoes bursting with flavour, in season my pick would be to cook some fresh tomatoes up with garlic, basil and olive oil and simply season with some fresh chili, […]
Chermoula Mushrooms with Baba Ganoush

Recipe and Images Amber Bremner Chermoula is a North African oil-based sauce that is ideal for marinating anything that’s going on the heat. Packed with herbs, spices, garlic and lemon, it’s both bright, smoky and a little fiery, packing a real flavour punch. Here I’ve used it to marinate whole swiss brown mushrooms before grilling. […]
Alfresco Dining

Words and Images Fiona Hugues In Italian, the expression al fresco usually refers to spending time in jail, and to be perfectly honest there’s always a few types about that aren’t as keen as I to dine outdoors on a balmy day. Unfortunately, the karma wrapped around their dire party pooping attitude almost immediately summons […]
Black Bean Burger Patties

Recipe and Images Amber Bremner Home made veggie burger patties can be a challenge to get right, without them falling apart during cooking. These patties are tried and true, and just as happy cooked on the barbecue as a in a frying pan. Chia seeds help bind the mixture, which is full of flavour and […]
Asian Herb Slaw with Crispy Noodles and Tangy Dressing

Recipe Harriet Boucher, Images Ashlee Decaires Serves 4 This zingy fresh slaw will summon summer. Serve with grilled rump steak or chicken and a cheeky roti bread on the side. (I love the Silk Road ones from the supermarket, fried in butter and oil – drool.) Slaw ¼ of a green cabbage, shredded on a […]
Satay Tofu Soba Noodles

Serves 3–4 Jasmin Johnson Wellington, New Zealand Jasmin can usually be found creating digital content, working in sustainability, drinking coffee or at the beach. Instagram: @thislifeasjasmin INGREDIENTS SATAY TOFU AND MARINADE ½ block firm tofu ½ tbsp Pic’s Smooth Peanut Butter 1 tbsp soy sauce (GF if needed) ½ tbsp brown sugar 1 tsp minced […]
Chargrilled Purple Asparagus with Pine Nut Dressing

Recipes and Images Emma Galloway Purple asparagus is one of those spring treats which comes and goes in the blink of an eye, so make the most of it while you can! During the season you can find it at selected supermarkets or order online from Naked Harvest. Purple asparagus has a slightly higher sugar […]
Herbed Asparagus and Brown Rice Salad

Recipe and Images by Emma Galloway This herb-forward brown rice salad is just as nice eaten fresh as it is eaten as leftovers the next day. If you eat feta, a little crumbling of that would also be a great addition. Serve 6–8 3 cups cooked, cooled medium-grain brown rice 500g asparagus 3–4 radishes, finely […]
Value Added Shopping at the Farmers Market

Words Liz French, Images Brydie Thompson Eating is a pleasure and shopping for food should be too. When rising prices and supermarket monopolies dim your enthusiasm, the Tauranga Farmers Market can inspire you again. Spring is the most prolific season at the farmers market. As Trixie, the market manager, points out, “Growth starts four weeks […]