Kitty Williams’ Alla Vodka pasta bake

This pasta is “right up there” as one of cook Kitty Williams’ favourite recipes in her new book Just a Little Bit Naughty. Her advice is not to be put off by the vodka in this dish, as it gives the sauce an incredible depth. Ingredients 500ml cream 2 shallots, finely diced 1 garlic clove, […]

Well pickle me

Autumn is a time of bountiful fruit and vegetable harvests, and stocking up for winter. One age-old method of doing this is pickling. Pickling with vinegar likely originated in ancient Mesopotamia around 2400 BCE. Archaeological evidence points to cucumbers being pickled in the Tigris Valley in 2030 BCE. Throughout history, pickling vegetables in vinegar continued […]

Host with the most: Cashmere Club

When searching for a venue to host an event, a long established and well-renowned venue cannot be overlooked. If the venue holds a proud record of serving its community well, the search ends here. Cashmere Club boasts a rich history of over 45 years hosting weddings, private and corporate functions, fundraisers and seminars. With four […]

Addictive whole foods: Whole Harry Wholefoods

It all began only a few years ago with maple syrup—the very best quality organic-certified maple syrup from family farms in Canada and Vermont, imported into New Zealand. It’s now stocked by the major New Zealand supermarket chains. Entrepreneur Isaac Firestone of Whole Harry Wholefoods wanted more. He wanted a way of utilising the maple […]

Cabbage kimchi

Anyone who loves Korean food will be familiar with kimchi. Mild or fiery, it’s your choice depending on how much chilli you add. This is a basic recipe using cabbage, although other vegetables—such as carrots, capsicum, cucumber—may also be added. Ingredients: (makes 4 cups), Prep Time: 30-40 minutes 1 medium cabbage 1/4 cup sea salt […]

The richness of rumtopf

Numerous recipes exist for rumtopf (or rumpot as many call it). Mostly this fruity offering is made with fresh fruit, however I have found it superb for turning dried fruits, especially strawberries, into delicious dessert toppings. Use only first grade fruit, and if fresh wash and dry thoroughly as any water will cause fermentation. Ceramic […]

Rhapsody in blueberry

At their peak, and in subsequent abundance, you might have noticed blueberries adorning the many fruit stalls of Canterbury this season. Small but mighty, blueberries offer powerful health benefits. Antioxidant-rich, and filled with vitamins and fibre, they’re a healthy fruit to add to your five-plus-a-day diet. The versatility of blueberries means now is a great […]

A smooth start

Blueberry smoothie Ingredients: (makes 2-4 glasses) 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk 1 1/2 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen) 1 banana (frozen) 1 Tbsp honey 1/2 Tsp vanilla essence 2 Tbsp vanilla protein powder (optional) 1 cup spinach (optional) Method Add the milk to your blender, then the rest of the ingredients. Blend, starting on […]

Abundant apricot pie

As the apricot season nears its end, stock up on these delightful orange fruits and indulge in that tart stone-fruit flavour, in pie form. Ingredients 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 Tsp salt 1 cup butter 6 Tbsp water, or as needed Filling 1 cup white sugar 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 Tsp ground cinnamon […]

Enjoy February’s finest: Crowne Plaza

Christchurch is a hub of celebration, love, and indulgence this February. Joining the celebrations is the Crowne Plaza Christchurch, kicking off festivities as a sponsor of the Lexus Urban Polo, with a Champagne Brunch on 10 February. “Enjoy a delightful morning feast and glass of opulence for a luxurious start to the day,” says marketing […]