Beetroot Chocolate Cake

Posted 4:26pm Sunday 6th October 2013

This cake is gorgeous. It comes out a rich cocoa-burgundy colour, has a moist but light texture, and tastes great – it’s not too sweet. If, however, you want to up the ante on the sugar count, I’d ice the top (adding a little berry jam to regular icing makes a nice change and turns it a lovely pink Read more...

Fried Rice

Posted 2:29pm Sunday 29th September 2013

Good old fried rice. Whilst it’s a simple takeaway staple, it can be surprisingly hard to adequately replicate at home. Therefore, I now impart to you my own tried and true recipe, inspired by my Mama’s version. It’s another great way to use up bits and pieces in the fridge and freezer – I often use Read more...

Fruit Bread

Posted 1:47pm Sunday 22nd September 2013

This recipe is really an anything-goes kinda deal; it’s a great way to make use of those icky brown bananas you’ve been avoiding, the ripening apples sitting alone in the fruit bowl, the dregs of forgotten dried fruit mixes in the pantry, and those various other bits and pieces you’ve got crammed at Read more...

Stuffed Focaccia Bread

Posted 2:39pm Sunday 15th September 2013

Dissatisfied with Pak ‘n’ Save’s colourless and inadequately topped pizza bread offerings? Unhappy with your regular, run-of-the-mill, unexciting toasted sandwich? Hankering after a more sophisticated savoury treat that you can customise? Then this delish stuffed focaccia recipe is for you, Read more...

Sticky Date Muffins

Posted 1:51pm Sunday 8th September 2013

I really don’t have much to say about these, except a) they are so freaking good, and b) you’d be a fool, A FOOL I TELL YOU, not to whip some up on a lazy Sunday and revel in their (and your) greatness. (Also you feel less like a fatty eating a muffin than scoffing down a bowl full of the pudding Read more...

Moroccan Stew & Minted Couscous

Posted 3:48pm Sunday 1st September 2013

Couscous is the wonder-kid of the meal-accompaniment world. I mean, sure, rice is nice (until you have to clean the pot or dish you cooked it in), and pasta is fab (yet can be a little stodgy on the odd occasion), but couscous, on the other hand, is light and fluffy, easy to make, and super-duper Read more...

Mull It

Posted 4:47pm Sunday 18th August 2013

Even though spring is almost upon us, I figure Dunedin still has a few chilly nights up its sleeve during which a bit of mulled action will go down a treat. If you haven’t had a go at making your own (or worse yet, if you’ve never even sampled the stuff – tsk tsk), now’s the time; have a farewell Read more...

Cheat’s Tiramisu

Posted 2:29pm Sunday 11th August 2013

Tiramisu is Italian for “pick me up” – and after one mere spoonful of this delectable dessert it’s no wonder the creators dubbed it so. Tiramisu contains four of the most awesome ingredients known to humankind: coffee, chocolate, cheese, and alcohol. Boom! (Which, coincidentally, is the cry your Read more...

Pumpkin Pesto Risotto

Posted 3:50pm Sunday 4th August 2013

Tis the season for pumpkiny goodness. I picked up a fine, fresh looking specimen from the Dunedin Farmer’s Market last weekend for just $2 and managed to make this, a few servings of soup, and even had a little left over to go with the roast last night. Cooking with seasonal produce requires a bit Read more...

Self-Crusting Tomato and Brown Lentil Quiche

Posted 4:45pm Sunday 28th July 2013

Halt! Before you freak out at the presence of the “L” word and let memories of bland bygone quiches prompt you to move on to the next column, let me assure you that this is, hand on heart, the tastiest, most flavoursome quiche I’ve ever had; maybe even the best of all egg-based savoury dishes ever. Read more...