At last we’ve finally made it to Day 1 of my Christmas Countdown! And for the pièce de résistance I’ve made a Watermelon & Citrus Punch for the big day. Living in the southern hemisphere, a summery Chrismas isn’t the same without lots of fresh fruit to eat and drink. Plus this punch can be served with or without the Vodka, if the kids want to have a taste. Equally good either way.
Well this is my last day posting for awhile, so I just wanted to say thanks for following along on my Christmas Countdown - it’s been a blast. I also wanted to say a big thank you to all my clients who made 2019 an epic year for my business. Looking forward to doing some more fantastic work in 2020.
Enjoy your Christmas break - and from me it’s over and out for 2019!
Read MoreOn Day 2 of my Christmas Countdown and we have a very chilled Mango & Coconut Daiquiri for you all to test drive. One of these is never enough, and if you’re like me trying to wrangle your Christmas To Do list a little Daiquiri definitely helps the process!
Enjoy!
Read MoreChristmas is just around the corner with only a few days to go of my christmas countdown, and today we have a recipe for a Peach & Elderflower Cooler. You know summer is definitely here when the stone fruit appears in the shops. Peaches are a favourite of mine and they’re fantastic cooked in savoury or sweet dishes, and of course drinks!
Enjoy!
Read MoreWe’re definitely getting into the holiday spirit on Day 4 of my christmas countdown with a recipe for Sparkling Rose with Cherry Granita. I can never say “no” to a glass of champagne or sparkling wine, and this one with the addition of a cherry granita is bellissimo! Christmas prep is stressful don’t ya know - I need a couple of these to make it to Christmas Day in one piece.
Enjoy!
Read MoreDay 5 of my christmas countdown is really getting into the Christmas spirit with a Harvest Apple Spritz. I love cocktail recipes like this where you can pre-prepare everything, and just throw it all in a jug ready to serve.
I’ve been doing a fair bit of quality taste testing this week just to make sure all the cocktails are as good as they look. Should probably think about a dry week or two after the holidays to recover!
Enjoy!
Read MoreDay 6 of my christmas countdown is for all those lemonade fanatics out there, with a fragrant Lavender Basil Lemonade. Being non alcoholic this recipe is perfect for the whole family, and hits the sweet spot on a hot summers day. You can play around with the quantities of lemon juice, lavender, basil and honey to find the combination you like. Some people like it tart, others a bit sweeter, or more fragrant with additional lavender and basil.
Enjoy!
Read MoreDay 7 of my christmas countdown is a recipe for a Strawberry Pomegranate Cocktail - talk about looking like Christmas in a Glass!
Such a simple recipe with only a few ingredients, but maximum impact for a Christmas tipple.
Enjoy!
Read MoreDay 8 of my christmas countdown is a bit healthier with this bright green Cucumber Elderflower Spritzer. The colour is fabulous and could almost be Kermit the Frog inspired!
It’s very refreshing on a hot summer’s day, and you can make it non alcoholic by replacing the wine with soda or tonic.
Enjoy!
Read MoreWell here we are for Day 9 of my Christmas Countdown. Today’s drink recipe is a Spiced Apple Cocktail, just the treat as a pre dinner aperitif.
The mix of juniper and star anise gives this cocktail a spicy hit, along with the alcohol of course. One is definitely enough. Two is downright dangerous!
Enjoy!
Read MoreApologies for the extended radio silence on the blog recently, work & life has been getting in the way of my personal work and blog. But I’m back now ready to rock n roll in the lead up to Christmas.
For everyone out there in blog land who are keen to partake of some Christmas cheer, I’m here to help. Repeating last year’s 10 day Christmas Countdown I’ve decide to put together a few of my favourite cocktail recipes in the run up to Christmas. So starting today at Day 10 we have a Blackberry Plum Margarita. Beautiful colour and the perfect tipple for those unexpected visitors.
Enjoy!
Read MoreEveryone who knows me well, knows that I like simple recipes with lots of flavour. Who wants to be slaving away in the kitchen making a masterpiece, when everyone else is having fun. This super quick recipe for Corn & Herb Fritters with Hot Smoked Salmon & Aioli is my go to recipe for bite sized appetisers or a brunch/lunch dish, made with slightly bigger fritters. Most of the recipe can be prepared before hand and then doesn’t take long to serve up when needed. It also scales well to make more serves. Give it a go this spring/summer when the hordes need feeding.
Enjoy!
Read MoreWinter is nearly over, which means it’s coming to the end of the tamarillo season here in New Zealand. So this week I have another recipe from fellow foodie Jen Pomeroy (www.themodernmess.com), using roast tamarillos with a Lime & Coconut Rice Pudding. I love the combination of the smooth creamy rice pudding with the slight tartness of the tamarillos. A perfect combination for comfort food if you ask me, and a tasty winter dessert. I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t like this dish.
Enjoy!
Read MoreLoving the abundance of citrus at this time of year, with so many options for recipes - both sweet & savoury. Last weekend’s brunch is one of my favourites recipe for combining a few different citrus flavours together. You don’t have to stick with orange, grapefruit, and mandarin, but mix it up with what ever is available. I’ve also used blood oranges, limes, tangelos and cumquats in this recipe. But just make sure the syrup balances out the tartness of the citrus.
There’s only ever clean plates after serving this dish to the hungry hordes, so you can’t go wrong!
Enjoy!
Read MoreThis week I have another recipe from fellow foodie Jen Pomeroy (www.themodernmess.com).
It’s a middle eastern Vegetable Tajine with a couple of extra sides of Spiced Chickpeas and a Roast Cauliflower & Grain Salad, which makes a fantastic winter meal to have with friends or family. Plus it’s totally meat free, so will suit lots of people.
Enjoy!
Read MoreI’m all for quick and simple dishes, especially when the hordes descend and you have to feed them toot suite! This tasty tart fits the bill, and you can mix up the flavours a bit with different vegetable and cheeses. Just remember to make sure the vegetables are very finely sliced to ensure they cook through in the time it takes for the pastry to cook. Best kitchen tool ever invented is the mandolin, which makes this job so quick and easy.
Serve with a salad or two and you’re done. Time to put your feet up with a glass of vino. Plus the hordes will be happy too.
Enjoy!
Read MoreThis week I have another recipe from fellow foodie Jen Pomeroy (www.themodernmess.com).
For something a bit special you can’t go past Jen’s slow roast leg of lamb with lots of chinese spices and herbs. Go easy on the Sichuan pepper and chilli flakes if kids are going to eat it, and just serve with good quality chilli sauce on the side for the adults. Jen is a fan of crisp chilli sauce, which you can find at Asian supermarkets.
The key for perfect slow cooked meat, is to let it rest well after it’s finished cooking. It will hold its heat for a good hour if it’s covered with foil, so make sure you include that time when planning a start time for cooking the lamb.
Serve with freshly cooked greens (what ever is in season), and rice or noodles - both are delicious!
Enjoy!
Read MoreThis week I have another recipe from fellow foodie Jen Pomeroy (www.themodernmess.com).
This Soba Noodle Salad is a family favourite in Jen’s house. The recipe works well year round, and you can use whatever vegetables are seasonally available. It’s super quick to put together, and parts of it can be made in advance for an easy lunch or light dinner.
Now that avocados have returned to an affordable price and don’t cost the earth, they provide a nice contrast to the crisp vegetables. The egg noodles and edamame beans can be subbed for other ingredients like a roast chicken (Jen does a mean Miso Roast Chicken), soft boiled eggs, or other meat, fish or tofu.
Other vegetable options to try are ..... blanched broccoli, asparagus, pal choi, beans, baby spinach, shredded carrot, capsicum, roast eggplant, courgette noodles etc. Test drive your own combinations!
Enjoy!
Read MoreThe racket in the garden at present is getting ridiculous, with birdie visitors squabbling over the last of the figs on a daily basis. Anyone would think they were eating their last meal for awhile, as the Waxeyes, Thrush, Starlings and the occasional Fantail duke it out in my fig tree!
I managed to rescue a few figs that didn’t have any beak holes, and baked in this Fig Frangipane dessert. Great flavours in this autumn dessert and really quick to make.
No figs available, no probs. Just swop the figs with thinly sliced apples, pears or quince.
Enjoy!
Read MoreThis week I have another recipe from fellow foodie Jen Pomeroy (www.themodernmess.com).
Jen’s created a lovely brunch option for special mothers on Mothers Day, you can’t beat this Crispy Agria & Chorizo with Eggs, Smokey Tomato Sauce, Labne & Herb Salad. This recipe is equally good as a weekend brunch option for a crowd. With a little bit of prep before hand brunch can be ready in no time at all. I’ve also made this recipe for a light Sunday supper kind of meal, when you don’t want a big meal!
The labne and tomato sauce can be made the day before along with cooking the potatoes. Then simply crispy up the potatoes, warm the sauce and poach the eggs to serve. Omit the chorizo for meatfree and perhaps season the potatoes with smoked salt or add a little smoked paprika
Enjoy!
Read MoreThis week I have another recipe from fellow foodie Jen Pomeroy (www.themodernmess.com).
This Smokey Braised Beef is a fantastic winter dish, and Jen originally made it to use up excess turnips and pumpkin. It does take a bit of time in the oven, but makes a lot and freezes well. Its also good cooked in a slow cooker. (see Note below). Could be good for a weekend dinner when you have extra time for cooking, and just reheat any leftovers during the week for a quick meal.
The Cornbread is a bit of fun, and you can mix up the flavours to your taste. Leftovers are delicious toasted and topped with butter!
Enjoy!
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