Neat Places: Tea merchants paving the way in Christchurch

The number of Christchurch's tea merchants is growing. Neat Places meets three young companies leading the movement.

MIKAKU TEA BLENDS 

New Zealanders love a cuppa, there's no doubt about it, and if the taste buds are demanding a herbal variety, then Mikaku Tea Blends should be the next brand you stock in your cupboards. The creation of Banks Peninsula-based woman Leeya Warrander, the teas are completely organic and made in a small batch process so you know you're getting a quality product.

Leeya runs the 'baby' business solo, but with plans to introduce her teas to more cafes, restaurants and gift shops in the coming months, she may soon need to expand her one-woman team.

A love of gardening means many of the fruits, herbs and flowers in the blends are from Leeya's very own backyard, while the remaining ingredients are bought from local companies, ensuring your cuppa couldn't be any more NZ friendly. Some of the flavours include Lemon and Ginger White Tea, Peach Blend and Coconut Chai.

At present, you're able to enjoy a cup of the good stuff at Kadett cafe on St Asaph Street, or buy a bag of your own from Henry Trading in Lyttelton.

READ MORE:
Three of the best pizza joints in Christchurch
Three great Christchurch craft beer filleries
​
The best brunch spots in Christchurch


from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/food-news/80526069/Neat-Places-Tea-merchants-paving-the-way-in-Christchurch

The best alternatives to a traditional wedding cake

It's been decades since fruit cakes were the du jour dessert to mark matrimony. These days, the wedding cake need not be a cake at all. Here's a list of our favourite alternatives.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/weddings/80289964/The-best-alternatives-to-a-traditional-wedding-cake

New Founders steamtrain stout is right on track

The Duncan family have released a seasonal stout that has been influenced by a very old feature at Nelson's Founders Park. 

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/drinks/80600845/New-Founders-steamtrain-stout-is-right-on-track

Busty oranges and sensual carrots: Check out these hilarious mutant fruit and veg

phallic eggplant up for auction on Trade Me raised eyebrows the world over, and even fetched a pretty penny for its owner.

(Our favourite headline belonged to Huffington Post's Is That An Eggplant You're Auctioning, Or Are You Just Glad To See Me?)

But the erotic aubergine is not alone.

Trade Me has had seen all sorts of weird and wonderful fruit and veg cycling through its virtual auction house over the years. 

READ MORE:
Why you should eat ugly vegetables
* Organic erotic eggplant for sale on Trade Me
Calls for wonky fruit and veg to join the 'perfect' shapes in supermarkets
Eggplant emoji too phallic for Instagram


And while they rake up a lot of views and interest, they're not a serious road to riches for any would-be mutant gardeners, said Trade Me spokesman Logan Mudge.

"What is awesome though, is that for the most part our members sell these items for charity."

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/80601805/Busty-oranges-and-sensual-carrots-Check-out-these-hilarious-mutant-fruit-and-veg

In Season: Versatile beetroot more than something that comes out of a tin

What's growing in your garden or flooding the markets? In Season follows Witt's many chefs and journalist Virginia Winder in their quest to source the freshest fruit and vegetables, and serve them up with simple sense and inspiration.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/80577732/In-Season-Versatile-beetroot-more-than-something-that-comes-out-of-a-tin

Watch: Which milk tastes best? Soy, almond, rice, oat or good old dairy

Thinking about giving an alternative milk a whirl but don't know which to try? Can the range of alternative milks every really replace the satisfaction of a creamy latte?

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/80569804/Watch-Which-milk-tastes-best-Soy-almond-rice-oat-or-good-old-dairy

Persian hospitality with dash of Italian

The Nelson community is a wonderful melting pot of people from all corners of the globe and writing this column has given me the opportunity to meet people who have chosen to make Nelson their home.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/80531917/Persian-hospitality-with-dash-of-Italian

Sunday, 29 May 2016

Recipe: Potato and kale pizza

In the cooler days of autumn, savoury baking is just as satisfying as the usual knee-jerk baking of cakes and sweet things.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/recipes/80538396/Recipe-Potato-and-kale-pizza

Saturday, 28 May 2016

World's first wine theme park is set to open in Bordeaux, France

If you're more likely to be sitting in the cafe while everyone else runs off to ride the rollercoasters, this might be the theme park for you.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/destinations/europe/france/80507846/Worlds-first-wine-theme-park-is-set-to-open-in-Bordeaux-France

Recipes: Gin and tonic cupcakes

Cupcakes are all the rage - from savoury bacon flavoured treats to the traditional chocolate iced sweeties, there's just something charming about a little cake for one. 

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/recipes/80505771/Recipes-Gin-and-tonic-cupcakes

Hungry man gets pizza delivered to train

A UK man who got hungry during a five-hour train ride from Glasgow to Sheffield did what any reasonable person would do – he rang Domino's to send him some pizza.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/80504047/Hungry-man-gets-pizza-delivered-to-train

Us Two: Josh Emett and Fleur Caulton of Rata and Madam Woo's

Josh Emett, 42, and Fleur Caulton, 46, are the founders of Queenstown's Rata and four Madam Woo restaurants. The two share a vision, an appreciation for their business partnership, and a love of food.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/80049961/Us-Two-Josh-Emett-and-Fleur-Caulton-of-Rata-and-Madam-Woos

Recipe: Mushrooms with polenta and salsa verde

I think I've mentioned my childhood aversion to mushrooms before. I used to be borderline phobic of them, but I can't imagine what I was thinking.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/80462965/Recipe-Mushrooms-with-polenta-and-salsa-verde

Friday, 27 May 2016

Italian cheese makers sue TV show for insulting their product

Producers of the Italian hard cheese Grana Padano are taking legal action against US soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful for a scene that the cheese makers claim denigrates their product.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/80492507/Italian-cheese-makers-sue-TV-show-for-insulting-their-product

Restaurant review: Fine dining from a garden centre cafe

Saturday's eating had been a deep-fried shocker so a Sunday lunch needed to bring sanity and balance. A wholesome salad at a light, airy caffé seemed a good idea. 

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/80071419/Restaurant-review-Fine-dining-from-a-garden-centre-cafe

Peter Gordon dishes up on life and love

Peter Gordon welcomes me warmly into his kitchen at Auckland's The Sugar Club with a European style kiss on each cheek. We met briefly before, once or twice maybe, but he has the kind of familiarity you have with old friends - he's that kind of man. He's also softly spoken and kind.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/food-news/80182843/Peter-Gordon-dishes-up-on-life-and-love

Why I opted for weight loss surgery

Bring full fat back. Sugar demon driving obesity epidemic. Low-carb diets make you depressed.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/80426987/Why-I-opted-for-weight-loss-surgery

Recipe: Mussels with ponzu dressing, sesame seeds & fried shallots

Ponzu is a tangy, citrusy, soy-based sauce commonly used in Japanese cuisine. This simple, three-ingredient version teams well with the other Asian flavours in this tasty dish. 

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/recipes/80387202/Recipe-Mussels-with-ponzu-dressing-sesame-seeds-fried-shallots

Recipe: Peter Gordon's salmon sashimi, cucumber, tomato, ginger, almond and yoghurt salad

Rather like a generous sashimi assembly, this refreshing dish works a treat after a bowl of miso soup or tomato gazpacho. It can be made from most fish, but the oiliness of salmon works especially well with the cucumber. Other fish worth trying are halibut, bream (larger ones), tuna and cod, as well as scallops.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/recipes/80192632/Recipe-Peter-Gordons-salmon-sashimi-cucumber-tomato-ginger-almond-and-yoghurt-salad

Movie Review: City of Gold

City of Gold (M, 92mins) Directed by Laura Gabbert â˜…★★★★ 

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/film-reviews/80449855/Movie-Review-City-of-Gold

Wednesday, 25 May 2016

Five of the best winter warming meals in Auckland

One of the best things about winter is the excuse it provides to settle into a favourite restaurant and indulge in some seasonal, warming dishes.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/80120574/Five-of-the-best-winter-warming-meals-in-Auckland

Five of Auckland's best cocktail bars to visit in winter

Winter is usually the time to hunker down and hibernate - but there's one seasonal treat to entice you out: the winter cocktail, to warm the soul from the inside out.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/80114572/Five-of-Aucklands-best-cocktail-bars-to-visit-in-winter

Tuesday, 24 May 2016

Recipe: Star anise breakfast buns

I love a slow-rise, yeast-riddled bun but sometimes a lack of planning, time and bench space gets the better of us.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/80366135/Recipe-Star-anise-breakfast-buns

More New Zealand cafes and restaurants going totally smoke free - even outside

Ashtrays are disappearing from New Zealand cafes and restaurants, as the Cancer Society and councils come together to make dining a smoke-free occasion. 

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/80372844/More-New-Zealand-cafes-and-restaurants-going-totally-smoke-free-even-outside

Nigella Lawson on MasterChef Australia is a master stroke

Let's face it, Nigella Lawson whipped up an unexpected MasterChef creation. Her own invention test to the show's classic viewing formula. She took the audience inside the contestants' house.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/80361991/Nigella-Lawson-on-MasterChef-Australia-is-a-master-stroke

How much fun it is to get drunk? UK scientists have found out

Public health discussions about drug and alcohol use tend to be dour, humourless affairs. We talk about all sorts of terrible things associated with drug use, such as car crashes and mental illness and kids getting high and people killing themselves and others.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/80356294/How-much-fun-it-is-to-get-drunk-UK-scientists-have-found-out

Why restaurants don't want to take reservations any more

Customers assume restaurants are just in the business of selling food. However, they're also in the business of renting chairs to people who eat food. Ideally, they want all seats occupied from the beginning to the end of service with hungry and thirsty guests.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/80348408/Why-restaurants-don-t-want-to-take-reservations-any-more

T.S.A. Replaces Security Chief as Tension Grows at Airports and Age

Peter V. Neffenger, the agency’s administrator, removed Kelly Hoggan as part of an overhaul after facing a backlash over waits at airport security lines and management problems.

from HVAC Supplies New Zealand http://goo.gl/W5RDnC



from
http://hvacsuppliesnz.tumblr.com/post/144846063868

T.S.A. Replaces Security Chief as Tension Grows at Airports and Age

Peter V. Neffenger, the agency's administrator, removed Kelly Hoggan as part of an overhaul after facing a backlash over waits at airport security lines and management problems.

from
http://goo.gl/W5RDnC

Marlborough City: pros and cons with winemaker Josh Scott and National Kaikoura MP Stuart Smith

A proposal to change Blenheim's name to Marlborough City has kick-started a debate about the town's identity. Winemaker Josh Scott and National Kaikoura MP Stuart Smith weigh in on the debate. 

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/80311679/Marlborough-City-pros-and-cons-with-winemaker-Josh-Scott-and-National-Kaikoura-MP-Stuart-Smith

Kai with Soul: Ripping out a good risotto

The 2016 NPBHS version of Kai with Soul will again be focusing on our students and their favourite dish. It is well known that food excites and brings people together so hopefully by the boys sharing their favourite dishes they will open up and explain the story behind how this Kai benefits their Soul and share some tasty and convenient recipes that the young budding cooks in your house can try.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/80318215/Kai-with-Soul-Ripping-out-a-good-risotto

Sunday, 22 May 2016

Would you eat a green McDonald's burger?

Out of all the colours you could choose to make your burger, we're not sure green would be high on the list.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/80284354/Would-you-eat-a-green-McDonalds-burger

How neighbours from hell are damaging our vineyards

OPINION: During the 2015-16 growing season, a Central Otago vineyard lost 20 per cent of its crop in one afternoon. A winery which owns a large nearby vineyard estimates it lost 100 tonnes of fruit on the same day.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/80282076/How-neighbours-from-hell-are-damaging-our-vineyards

Lyttleton bar celebrates end of era

It's the end of an era for one of Lyttelton's most popular bars . . . or is it?

The Porthole container bar closed its doors for the last time in the early hours of Sunday morning, shutting up shop after the land owner decided to redevelop the site. Several hundred people packed out the premises for one last hurrah.

The bar was one of the first to open in Lyttelton after the February 2011 earthquake.

"It was a really, really lovely night," bar owner Mike Dunlay said. The dance floor was full of bubbly patrons and plastic cups had to be used to cope with demand.

Dunlay recently sold the container bar on auction website TradeMe for $26,000. In a surprising twist, the successful bidder turned out to be his landlord.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/food-news/80261445/Lyttleton-bar-celebrates-end-of-era

Saturday, 21 May 2016

Bluff Oyster and Food Festival begins in Southland

Despite the chilly temperatures and looming threat of rain, oyster lovers of all ages have braved the morning and lined up to make their way in to the 2016 Bluff Oyster and Food Festival.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/80239911/Bluff-Oyster-and-Food-Festival-begins-in-Southland

Korean convenience store launches hangover cure ice cream

South Koreans, Asia's biggest per capita alcohol consumers, can now soothe themselves after a big night out with hangover-fighting ice cream.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/80240034/Korean-convenience-store-launches-hangover-cure-ice-cream

Bluff Oyster & Food Festival: How-To Guide

The tickets are sold, the food is prepped, and the punters are on their way - it's time for the 2016 Bluff Oyster & Food Festival.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/80207252/Bluff-Oyster-Food-Festival-How-To-Guide

Social experiment: A week without ... coffee

Coffee is my closest frenemy - a crucial ally, though I resent my dependence on it.

It's such a fixture that when I collect my preschooler from daycare and we discuss our days, one of his mandatory questions is how many cups I drank (four or five, on average). In the last picture he drew of me, my distinguishing characteristics were my iPhone in one hand and a coffee cup in the other.

I won't drink instant except in emergencies but nor am I a snob who requires single-origin beans pre-digested by a civet cat and cold brewed over 12 hours. I'm a gourmand rather than a gourmet - give me a large plunger and I'm happy.

I'm expecting giving up coffee for a week to be painful, at least initially, but I'm also hoping I'll find it liberating to be freed from a substance I've come to rely on so heavily.

READ MORE:
* Social experiment: A week without ... sitting down
Social experiment: A week without ... social media
Social experiment: A week without ... washing my hair
Social experiment: A week without ...TV
Social experiment: A week without...meat


from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/79937415/Social-experiment-A-week-without-coffee

Q and A: Meet Watery Mouth head barista and Top of the South coffee champion Matthew Wright

As part of a series on hospitality providers in Marlborough, reporter Oliver Lewis sits down with Watery Mouth head barista Matthew Wright, who was named best barista in the Top of the South at the New Zealand Barista Championships this year.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/80118260/Q-and-A-Meet-Watery-Mouth-head-barista-and-Top-of-the-South-coffee-champion-Matthew-Wright

Meal monotony: What is it and how to cure it?

Dinner time is fast approaching; the kids have started asking that dreaded question, "what's for dinner?" (insert whiny undertone), and your mind resembles your pantry – empty. It's time for some quick thinking Mama, and luckily help is at hand.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/79528271/Meal-monotony-What-is-it-and-how-to-cure-it

Wednesday, 18 May 2016

Bluff Oyster & Food Festival attracts motor homes

Dozens of campervanners could descend upon Bluff from Friday, as a special spot has been assigned to them for the Bluff Oyster & Food Festival.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/80171136/Bluff-Oyster-Food-Festival-attracts-motor-homes

The Chocolate Bar is mightier than the sword when up against domestic violence

If every big change starts with a small step, then good things can come from getting your hands on some delicious artisan chocolate, as up-and-coming Wellington entrepreneur Luke Owen Smith has found.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/79836264/The-Chocolate-Bar-is-mightier-than-the-sword-when-up-against-domestic-violence

Are you going to Strawberry Fare?

Desperate dessert diners have emerged in droves to book seats at the soon-to-close Wellington restaurant Strawberry Fare.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/80144393/Are-you-going-to-Strawberry-Fare

Are you a mindless eater?

Do you find yourself wolfing down meals without noticing and eating everything in front of you just because it's there? That's mindless eating at work. Discover how to eat with more awareness…

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/80144262/Are-you-a-mindless-eater

Cafe Chat: Isaac Theatre Royal announces restaurant tenant

It's been a long road to finding the perfect tenant, but the Isaac Theatre Royal can finally release some good news on the subject. Theatre chief executive Neil Cox says the ITR is "over the moon" to confirm the ideal hospitality provider for the vacant space between the main theatre entrance and Caffeine Laboratory next door. Wanaka's famous Francesca's Italian Kitchen will be opening a pizza and pasta restaurant later this year. The Wanaka restaurant has been so popular it has been booked solid every night since it opened, with a two-week waiting time in school holidays. The Christchurch restaurant will be a replica of its southern counterpart, offering woodfired pizzas and pasta and other Italian favourites, made from scratch with high end ingredients. 

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/food-news/79599698/Cafe-Chat-Isaac-Theatre-Royal-announces-restaurant-tenant

Monday, 16 May 2016

Wellington's dessert destination Strawberry Fare set to close

Strawberry Fare – the capital's sultan of sweet – is set to close after decades in the dessert business. 

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/80081548/Wellingtons-dessert-destination-Strawberry-Fare-set-to-close

All Black Victor Vito ups his game in the kitchen

All Black Victor Vito and his wife Amber are raising their son with the same food philosophy they subscribe to - everything in moderation.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/inspire-me/80047021/All-Black-Victor-Vito-ups-his-game-in-the-kitchen

Sunday, 15 May 2016

A bite-size guide to the history of french fries

Fried or baked, sprinkled with truffle oil or flavoured with crumbled herbs, french fries are an enduring dish, fancied up or served the simple way around the globe.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/79939982/A-bite-size-guide-to-the-history-of-french-fries

Marco Pierre White's secret to the perfect risotto

"People just rush things," says Marco Pierre White, talking of course, about those times in the kitchen when we get impatient with risotto. "You don't have to ladle in the stock one by one, but you do need to give things time to settle. For example, you shouldn't immediately stir through the butter, you need to put it on and give it a minute to rest. A good risotto comes at the end of a number of steps done well." 

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/recipes/80033797/Marco-Pierre-Whites-secret-to-the-perfect-risotto

Recipe: Walnut, honey and chocolate biscotti

I love biscotti. I don't care how 90s they are. I'm one of those people who always hankers for something sweet around 3pm, and these are perfect. I've used walnuts here because they're pretty good at this time of year, but you can swap them out for almonds, hazelnuts, currants, dried figs, candied peel and so on. Biscotti do pretty well alongside coffee, and also as a sort of edible shovel for mousse or ice cream.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/recipes/79903312/Recipe-Walnut-honey-and-chocolate-biscotti

Restaurant review: Generous and genuine goes a long way

There's that old dining out joke about going to a fancy restaurant and eating a series of pretty, nouvelle-cuisine type dishes, then going to McDonald's on the way home to fill up.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/79618447/Restaurant-review-Generous-and-genuine-goes-a-long-way

Thursday, 12 May 2016

World's hottest chilies on the menu during chili eating competition

Only one person had the stomach to handle the world's hottest chili and take out the Manawatu heat of the New Zealand Chili Eating Championship.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/oddstuff/79939195/Worlds-hottest-chilies-on-the-menu-during-chili-eating-competition

Recipe: Amok-style ling, green bean and spinach curry

A traditional amok is steamed in a banana leaf basket, which can at times test your basket-making abilities more than your cooking. This version gives you all the flavour of banana-leaf cooking without the mess. It's great with steamed rice.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/recipes/79943975/Recipe-Amok-style-ling-green-bean-and-spinach-curry

Q and A: Meet Hotel d'Urville restaurant manager and Gordon Ramsay protege Nicolas Perez

As part of a new series on hospitality providers in Marlborough, reporter Oliver Lewis sat down with Hotel d'Urville restaurant manager Nicolas Perez to find out more about his passion for the job.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/79886473/Q-and-A-Meet-Hotel-d-Urville-restaurant-manager-and-Gordon-Ramsay-protege-Nicolas-Perez

Wednesday, 11 May 2016

Price of avocados highest in 11 years

Avocado prices increased 139 per cent over the past year in part due to health nuts promoting the nutritious berry on social media.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/79907663/Price-of-avocados-highest-in-11-years

Recipe: Spiced pumpkin soup with brown rice, black beans and lime-whipped feta

I am not built for cold weather. To me, chill is a fun killer. I know there is skiing and ice skating and pretty white landscapes and amazing coats and boots, but this all glosses over that very banal fact that being cold completely sucks. The main redeeming feature, other than the aforementioned, is it means long slow-cooking in the kitchen, the kind that has wafting, roasting smells escaping through your windows and floorboards.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/recipes/79896034/Recipe-Spiced-pumpkin-soup-with-brown-rice-black-beans-and-lime-whipped-feta

Banana cheesecake with toffee

It is important to have very ripe bananas for this sensational dessert, but they shouldn't be brown, as this will discolour the cheesecake.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/recipes/79881646/Banana-cheesecake-with-toffee

Chris Hemsworth bakes amazing dinosaur cake for daughter's birthday

What happens when your local bakery tells you they don't have time to bake your daughter's birthday cake? Well, if you're actor Chris Hemsworth, you bake it yourself.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/parenting/79876275/Chris-Hemsworth-bakes-amazing-dinosaur-cake-for-daughters-birthday

Pear and cardamom tarts

These are lovely devoured warm with a syrup of warm honey mixed with brandy and infused with a sprig of rosemary.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/79866960/Pear-and-cardamom-tarts

Apple fritters

Serve these moreish battered bites with small pots of melted dark chocolate for dipping.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/79867542/Apple-fritters

Sausage, pork and bacon meatloaf

Don disposable gloves and get your hands into the bowl to mix meatloaf - it's the easiest way to make sure all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/79865732/Sausage-pork-and-bacon-meatloaf

Recipe: Three-cheese ziti pasta bake

When the cold weather rolls in, there's nothing better than putting your oven to work: just put your dish in, close the door and let it do the work while you curl up on the couch. Anyone who loved The Sopranos will know all about baked ziti, the cheesy, layered Italian-American spin on pasta al forno. Here's a recipe to satisfy your inner wise guy.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/recipes/79860272/Recipe-Three-cheese-ziti-pasta-bake

Sunday, 8 May 2016

Recipe: Pumpkin, rice and dill filo pie

Time for an orange crush with this filo pie, layered richly with pumpkin and carrots. Serve with a green salad for a simple dinner or lunch.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/recipes/79779674/Recipe-Pumpkin-rice-and-dill-filo-pie

Restaurant review: Victoria Street Cafe


The Victoria Street Cafe these days feels cosy and lived-in, just as you'd expect. The wooden floors bear the patina of 16 years' wear, but the magnificent centrepiece - sculptor Dennis Berdinner's stone and steel water fountain - now works better than ever, thanks to a new tap.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/79236185/Restaurant-review-Victoria-Street-Cafe

Saturday, 7 May 2016

Not from around here? That'll be $5 extra, thank you

Extra charges for out-of-towners at a popular coastal hotel have attracted the ire of the city's mayor, who says they make visitors feel unwelcome.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/79735203/Not-from-around-here-That-ll-be-5-extra-thank-you

Recipe: Tarragon chicken

Cold weather doesn't bother me too much – I'll try and wear shorts for at least 10 months of the year. (But spend a winter in Scotland; it gets fresh, I can tell you.) One reason why I never get too upset about winter is because it means I can give in to those favourites I've been denying myself all year.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/recipes/79678579/Recipe-Tarragon-chicken

Bundaberg recalls ginger beer due to popping caps

Bundaberg is recalling bottles of its ginger beer after discovering the cap may "pop" when the bottle is being opened.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/79727784/Bundaberg-recalls-ginger-beer-due-to-popping-caps

Thursday, 5 May 2016

Inside Marco Pierre White's home kitchen

UK's "Enfant terrible" Marco Pierre White is regarded by many as the original celebrity chef. Regardless, it's clear MPW has made a lasting impression on the British dining scene with his three-Michelin-star restaurant and a training legacy that includes proteges Gordon Ramsay, Curtis Stone and Shannon Bennett.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/79691339/Inside-Marco-Pierre-Whites-home-kitchen

Plum tart with preserved lemon ice cream

Serves 8
Makes 4 larger tarts or 8 individual. You could also make 2 large tarts to cut up if you prefer.


from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/cuisine/79674009/Plum-tart-with-preserved-lemon-ice-cream

Marlborough celebrates International Sauvignon Blanc Day

The wine variety that put the New Zealand industry on the map will light up social media on Friday as people around the globe come together to celebrate sauvignon blanc.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/79640874/Marlborough-celebrates-International-Sauvignon-Blanc-Day

Wednesday, 4 May 2016

Recipe: Bananas Foster with walnuts

While many recipes for this New Orleans dessert call for firm bananas, I think ripe ones are best as they soften into a lovely, sticky mess. Add walnuts at the end for texture. This is a great finish to your Mother's Day menu and is simple enough even for novice chefs.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/recipes/79669952/Recipe-Bananas-Foster-with-walnuts

Recipe: Fish fillets with Veracruz-style sauce

Veracruz sauce traditionally accompanies red snapper, but it works well with any white-fleshed fish. Serve with warmed tortillas, or peel and cook some potatoes separately and add them to the sauce before serving.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/recipes/79638953/Recipe-Fish-fillets-with-Veracruz-style-sauce

Tuesday, 3 May 2016

Recipe: Vanilla butter birthday cake

A flat sheet cake that's perfect for when you want an even texture that cuts easily into shapes to assemble into a complex birthday cake. Like the koala-face cake that childhood dreams are made of.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/recipes/79620331/Recipe-Vanilla-butter-birthday-cake

Recipe: Minute steak with chipotle butter and lime

Head south of the border with this spicy, quick dinner that delivers maximum flavour for minimum effort. The chipotle butter can be used on fish, poultry and even pork. Just pop any remaining butter in your freezer for another time.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/recipes/79609646/Recipe-Minute-steak-with-chipotle-butter-and-lime

Celebrity chefs share childhood dishes and cooking with Mum

Annabel Langbein
My mother was the most fantastic entertainer.
She would always go and put on a beautiful dress and get glammed up and have these amazing dinners with food that was really interesting.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/79430851/Celebrity-chefs-share-childhood-dishes-and-cooking-with-Mum

Four Kiwi chefs announced as Pacific semi-finalists in 2016 Young Chef Awards

Four Kiwi chefs have been announced as semi-finalists in this year's S.Pellegrino Young Chef competition, proving New Zealand punches above its weight when it comes to culinary talent.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/food-news/79595011/Four-Kiwi-chefs-announced-as-Pacific-semi-finalists-in-2016-Young-Chef-Awards

Recipe: Bolognaise-style mushroom ragu

This is a rich and really quite sophisticated mushroom ragu, especially if you're lucky enough to have access to some pine mushrooms, but big meaty field mushrooms will do just fine.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/recipes/79598863/Recipe-Bolognaise-style-mushroom-ragu

Could meatballs made in a lab really taste like the real thing?

​Scientists and businesses working full steam to produce lab-created meat claim it will be healthier than conventional meat and more environmentally friendly. But how much can they improve on old-school pork or beef?

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/79593102/Could-meatballs-made-in-a-lab-really-taste-like-the-real-thing

Award-winning La Trappe Witte Trappist is quite a brew

One of the few foreign beers to win a gold medal at the recent New World Beer & Cider Awards is La Trappe Witte Trappist.  A unique Trappist-brewed example of a Belgian-style wheat beer, it is brewed in Holland at the Bierbrouwerij de Koningshoeven, near Tilburg, close to the Belgian border.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/drinks/79533308/Award-winning-La-Trappe-Witte-Trappist-is-quite-a-brew

Japan's KitKat game taken to a whole new cheesy level

Over the years, KitKat in Japan has dabbled with interesting flavours that straddle the narrow line between unique and weird.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/79589268/Japans-KitKat-game-taken-to-a-whole-new-cheesy-level

Monday, 2 May 2016

Wine industry forecasts growth in plantings

The New Zealand wine industry is in expansion mode, with plantings expected to rise by 2018 to 37,542 hectares, up from the current 35,463 ha.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/79576323/Wine-industry-forecasts-growth-in-plantings

Marlborough wine company Jackson Estate turns earth on long-awaited winery

A new Jackson Estate winery is a vote of confidence in Marlborough and will provide the company with a home in the region, a director says.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/79568778/Marlborough-wine-company-Jackson-Estate-turns-earth-on-long-awaited-winery

Hislops Wholefood Cafe in Kaikoura cafe branches out into raw food

Olivia Hislop was brought up on organic whole foods, so it was something of a natural progression for her to move into creating raw food treats.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/78058387/Hislops-Wholefood-Cafe-in-Kaikoura-cafe-branches-out-into-raw-food

How to make a great latte

Craig Simon is a two-time Australian Barista Champion (2014 and 2012) and the head of Research, Development and Innovation Veneziano Coffee Roasters in Melbourne. Here are his tips for making a great latte at home. 

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/79548206/How-to-make-a-great-latte

Bacteria and fungi are your food friends

As you sip a cup of coffee, enjoy a rich chocolate treat or savour the aroma of a piece of Roquefort cheese, have you ever considered the extraordinary contribution made by the microscopic creatures that have worked so hard for your pleasure?

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/79519211/Bacteria-and-fungi-are-your-food-friends

Why butter is no longer the bad guy

Those who grew up in the 70s will remember campaigns portraying butter as a nutritional villain and margarine as a saint. But last month, a study in the British Medical Journal revealed that while those who avoided butter in favour of healthy vegetable oil spreads saw their cholesterol levels drop, the result didn't translate to a lower risk of heart disease or premature death.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/79500694/Why-butter-is-no-longer-the-bad-guy