Our Food

Outstanding medal-winning food and beverages to enjoy this year

We raise a glass, and a tasty morsel or two, to the winners of the 2024 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards

Recipe: Lemon & Basil Gnocchi

Light and fluffy gnocchi, each little piece flavoured with lemon and basil.

A spiced kasundi for using the last of the summer tomatoes

Nicola caps off tomato season with a hearty spiced chutney.

The woman encouraging New Zealanders to eat more seaweed

A marketer has never felt anything like the excitement she feels for the humble weeds of the sea.

Recipe: Real Chocolate Eggs

Have some fun with your little ‘bunnies’ by teaching them to make homemade chocolate eggs.

Recipe: Quinoa-Stuffed Red Capsicums

These capsicums are first roasted, then stuffed with cherry tomatoes, feta and herby quinoa.

Thsese summery custard tarts are perfect picnic fare

Bite-sized, vanilla-scented and piled high with purple blueberries.

 

Keeping up with the cucumbers

Harvest time can be demanding and hectic – especially when you get into a pickle with certain prolific vegetables.

An unexpectedly delicious method for making vegan bacon

Reduce waste by turning your banana skins into a vegan, sugar-free snack

Recipe: Blushing Rhubarb Syrup

This rhubarb syrup blushes the prettiest pink and adds flavour and colour to any drink.

Recipe: Blueberry Yoghurt Tart

Dot sweet blueberries on top of a gooey yoghurt filling.

Nicola Galloway’s summer plum cobbler

Plum season is here, delivering its assortment in different shapes, sizes and flavours.

What to do with a basket of apricots

Enchanted by the nostalgia of apricots, Jenny Garing shares some delectable recipes – including one passed down by her mother.

Nicola Galloway's summer-worthy zucchini spaghetti

A simple yet delicious way to tackle a zucchini glut.

The Bay of Plenty woman putting a fizz into kefir

The link between gut and mental health is a recent advance in medical knowledge. It sent a psychology student into a ferment.

Recipe: Baked Cheesecake with Rosewater Strawberries

A showstopping dessert topped with ruby-red strawberries and pomegranates.

Recipe: Pea & Mint Fritters with Caper Crème Fraîche

These fritters deliver a bold burst of flavour, especially when paired with a tangy accompaniment.

Recipe: Lemon Pistachio Loaf

Add a little honey on top of this smooth loaf for the ultimate treat.

Recipe: Golden Smoothie Bowl

Start a summer morning right with a refreshing smoothie bowl.

The delights of cherry season

Easy ways to turn the summer cherry glut into Christmas decadence.

The endless bounty of corn cobs

Few vegetables evoke sunny summer days more than crisp, sweet corn on the cob.

Why this local Greytown gin company is one to look out for

A gin, owned and made by locals in one of the country’s most go-ahead villages, is the first distilled beverage off the block.

Recipe: Chilli Jam Bacon & Egg Pie

Notch a picnic favourite up a level by adding soft herbs, chilli jam and red onion rings.

Q&A: Master caterer Tina Duncan' culinary wisdom

Renowned foodie Tina Duncan distils her 60 years of cooking (thus far) in a new cookbook.

Recipe: Harissa & Almond Stuffed Rolled Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs stuffed with aromatic harissa, almond and apricot, rolled and wrapped in bacon, result in a succulent, full-flavoured festive showstopper.

Nicola Galloway: Deliciously edible gifts for Christmas

Because nothing says Christmas cheer quite like chocolate.

A summer of berries on The Food Farm

It just wouldn’t be Christmas without fresh berries adorning the desserts on the table.

Recipe: Slow-Roasted Vine Tomatoes

Kick off a celebratory meal with an easy yet impressive starter.

7 ways to create abundant food

Rebecca Stewart explores the best ways to maximise food production on the block.

Nicola Galloway's summer-worthy scone recipe

Nicola harvests treasures from her own garden as well as her sister's to make this summer picnic-perfect afternoon tea.

The joys of asparagus season

Easy and timeless ways to get the best out of your asparagus crop.

Don't waste your carrot tops

Green carrot tops (sometimes called carrot greens or carrot fronds) are full of flavour and nutrition and very easy to use.

Recipe: Garlic, Lime and Coriander rice

Jane Bellerby's zingy side perfect for any savoury dish.

Recipe: Peanut Butter, Banana, Chocolate & Raspberry Loaf

This loaf makes a fantastic breakfast, lunch box filler or afternoon snack.

Nicola Galloway: Broad Bean, Avocado and Feta Dip

Nicola welcomes broad bean season with a delicious spring snack.

Recipe: New Potato Salad with Crispy Chorizo, Olives, Green Beans & Lemon Mayo

Chock-full of good stuff, this salad is a potluck winner.

Recipe: Smash Burgers with the Best Burger Sauce

This is the only way to make burger patties.

This farm has a passion for pulses

In celebration of legume season, Angela Clifford shares the ins and outs of growing these fantastic crops.

Recipe: Mushroom & Caramelised Onion Paté

Earthy mushrooms combine with sweet, caramelised onions to make a moreish dip.

Scoop’d: Where to find the best ice cream and gelato around New Zealand this summer

You've got all summer to make your way through the best ice creams the country has to offer.

The Westport woman putting an award-winning twist on the classic Kiwi pie

Her business has outgrown its original pandemic-proof online-only model into bricks and mortar retail, with a commercial kitchen and 17 staff.

Recipe: Sauerkraut with Spring Onion, Radish, Chilli & Ginger

A staple sauerkraut loosely inspired by kimchi.

Recipe: Moroccan Preserved Lemons

When you have an abundance of lemons, preserve them in salt and add a versatile burst of flavour to many dishes all year round.

Recipe: Keto Christmas Cake

Embrace the festive season with this keto take on a Christmas staple.

Martini magic: The key elements to making a truly excellent gin martini

The gin experts at Blackwell & Sons answer our pressing questions on martini-making

Four New Zealanders reflect on the treasured pavlova

Because as a group of New Zealand writers and creatives discovered, we all have a pavlova tale to tell.

Recipe: Apple Mint Kombucha

A refreshing summery kombucha that can be turned into delicious ice blocks.

Nicola Galloway: Flash-Cooked Asparagus and One-Jar Aioli

Nicola makes the most of the short and sweet asparagus season.

Why strawberry season is a favourite on The Food Farm

For Angela Clifford and her family, living on The Food Farm has been about appreciating the wonders of food and nature. Strawberries have been a key part of the journey.

Recipe: Ethiopian Carrot and Peanut Soup

This warming, nutritious soup is cheap, cheerful and easy to make.

Recipe: Honey Roasted kūmara

Grant Allen shares his roast kūmara recipe, which is topped with dollops of a sour cream dressing.

The classic American candy taking Christchuch by storm

One woman’s bid to replicate the old-fashioned nut brittle of her American youth has landed her a faithful Kiwi following.

The vibrant versatility of carrots

There’s not much you can’t do with this beloved orange vegetable.

Nicola Galloway: Slow-Roasted Hazelnut Milk

Nicola talks about the importance of shopping local and the deliciousness that comes with it.

Recipe: Kiwi Red Quinoa & Chickpea Salad

A wholesome salad that combines good-for-you greens with nutty quinoa and a zesty dressing, perfect with roasted game.

Nicola Galloway: Whole-Egg Lemon Honey

Our resident food blogger Nicola Galloway has penned a lemon honey recipe that bucks tradition — using whole eggs and actual honey as sweetener.

This Grapefruit & Campari Sour is fit for a celebration

This cheerfully coloured aperitivo is the ideal appetite-sharpener.

Recipe: Italian Lemon Yoghurt Cake

Adding Limoncello to the syrup makes this cake ultra-decadent.

New Zealand’s top cheese stores for 2023 have been crowned

From bustling supermarkets to cosy rural delis

Two friends are creating a buzz with their ancient tipple

A honey obsession led a Canterbury beekeeper and his childhood friend to create an unorthodox golden libation picking up plenty of glittering gongs.

Recipe: Slow Roasted Lamb with Black Olives and Red Onion

Take roast lamb to new heights with a black olive, red onion and date crust.

Spring inspiration for using up a garden lemon glut

How to take advantage of the abundance of spring lemons.

Recipe: Keto Sticky Asian Pork Belly

Serve this moreish sticky pork with rice or greens.

Recipe: Ham & Cheese Scrolls

A keto-friendly take on a bakery classic.

Recipe: Limoncello Spritz

Limoncello mixed with Prosecco and soda water, garnished with a sprig of honey-spiked rosemary — sunshine in a glass.

The many pros of supporting the local grain economy

Why purchasing from other local growers will help your community food systems become as sufficient and diverse as possible.

Recipe: Turkish Leek Fritters

Even the kids will eat their leeks with this one.

And the winners of the NZ Ice Cream and Gelato Awards are....

From boutique stores to commercial ventures, ice creameries from around the country have taken out the top gongs at this year's awards.

Lazy loaf: The ultimate no-knead bread

Because nobody has time for kneading.

Tohutohu tao kai (Recipe): He pihikete whetū (Star biscuits)

Learning a little more te reo Māori just got easier (and more delicious).

Recipe: Ginger-Macerated Orange Salad with Brown Sugar Vanilla Labneh

An easy yet surprisingly sophisticated dessert that can be adapted to any soft fruit.

Recipe: Greek Yoghurt with Granola, Fresh Fruit, Honey and Cinnamon

Making your own granola is always worth it.

Recipe: Indulgent white wine butter mussels with French fries

A deliciously indulgent take on a European classic.

Recipe: The Best Vegetarian Lasagne

Although lasagne recipes can be fiddly, there is a reason this cheesy delight is called ‘the best’.

Recipe: Tomato & Garlic Confit Soup with a Cheese Toastie

There is nothing more comforting than a big bowl of soup with some carbs on the side.

Grab a scoop: NZ ice cream and gelato award-winners announced for 2023

Recipe: Premium Game Pulled Wild Goat Shoulder on Rye

Thick slices of rye bread support this tender, slow-cooked goat shoulder.

The 10 key principles of the Mediterranean diet

The ins-and-outs of one of the most popular culinary lifestyles in the world.

Recipe: Whitestone Cheese Windsor Blue Dip

The ultimate starter for the cheese-lovers in your life.

Recipe: Pastel de Pastor (Mexican-Style Shepherd's Pie)

When it’s cold outside, we always crave a shepherd’s pie — but with a bit of extra kick, right?

Nicola Galloway: Chocolate Almond Butter

Nicola makes her version of a decadent classic - chocolate spread.

Recipe: Two delicious warming hot sauces

It's always helpful to have a couple of hot sauces on hand.

Recipe: Passionfruit Lamingtons

A modern, zingy take on the iconic Kiwi bakery treat.

Recipe: Fried Kina on Toast

Al Brown reimagines the classic kaimoana.

Recipe: Larb-Stuffed Kūmara with Crispy Shallots & Sticky Rice

Larb is traditionally made with ground meat, but this version uses tofu, and stuffing the larb into roasted whole kūmara makes it a filling main.

Recipe: Cilbir Eggs with Curry Leaves & Saffron Yoghurt

The combination of creamy yoghurt, spiced butter and runny yolks is simple yet oh-so satisfying.

Dunedin cook Alby Hailes on mastering good vibes

We talk to Great Kiwi Bake Off champion Alby Hailes about his latest cookbook, Good Vibes.

Recipe: Lime, Apple & Poppy Seed Cake with Caramelised Coconut Topping

This cake is best served on the day of baking, but is still very delicious on all the days after.

For the love of the leek

While the leek is celebrated and valued overseas, it's often underrated in traditional New Zealand cuisine. Here’s how you can give it the respect it deserves.

Nicola Galloway: Warming breakfasts for chilly mornings

Nicola Galloway shares her go-to porridge recipe, as well as a delicious grab-and-go breakfast snack

Two Blenheim brothers are changing the world of game

An award-winning peak-to-plate business run by two Marlborough brothers turns pests into prized cuisine, providing healthy protein for gourmets.

Recipe: Mussels with Turmeric & Ginger Coconut Broth

Turmeric root provides a delicious earthy flavour; ginger adds warming heat in this aromatic broth.

Nicola Galloway: Mandarin & beetroot slaw

Zingy citrus flavours brighten winter days and this delicious slaw.

Do you know the 'three sisters'?

They may grow into a tangled mess, but planting these “three sisters” together can yield an abundance of nutritious, storable food.

Recipe: Pete’s Natural Currant Crush Cocktail

A blackcurrant spritzer described as “tasting like childhood” gets a grown-up twist with the addition of white spirits.

Recipe: Jam and Cream Doughnuts

Another old-school bakery vibe classic, but done so much better!

'Feed the stars': A feast suited to Matariki celebrations

The Food Farm celebrate Matariki with an offering of food to the stars.

In defense of the mighty cabbage

It may have a reputation for its limp texture and rank odour, but cabbage is a punchy superfood if prepared the right way.

The Christchurch family going nuts for sustainable plant mylk

A Christchurch family is grinding away at a fresh solution to the plastic waste caused by plant-milk containers.

Outstanding medal-winning food and beverages to enjoy this year

We raise a glass to those who grow and craft New Zealand’s outstanding food and beverage products

Make your own masa flour tortillas!

Growing your own maize makes this flour taste even more delicious.

How to make Edam cheese

Great Edam is lean, smooth and mellow, just how we'd all like to be.

Recipe: A Tiramisu Layer Cake fit for a celebration

Coffee and chocolate are the most delicious combination – add some booze and you can’t beat it.

Recipe: Roasted Mushrooms with Prosciutto, Blue Cheese & Thyme

Little mouthfuls of joy that can be prepared in advance, ready to flash under the grill at the last moment.

The delicious power of cauliflower

No boiling is needed – ever. How to get the best taste and texture from cauliflower.

Eight Kiwi chefs reflect on the Edmonds legacy

Al Brown, Nadia Lim, Monique Fiso and more reflect on the role the iconic Edmonds cookbook had in their kitchens

Nicola Galloway: An abundance of persimmons

The underrated fruit with an abundance of delicious uses.

Recipe: Beef Cheeks with Eggplant (& Coriander Salsa Verde)

Cooked the right way, beef cheeks are so sticky and full of meaty deliciousness.

Recipe: Dried Citrus Slices

Too much citrus? Dried citrus chips are delicious and store well.

Recipe: Green Pea & Orzo Soup

This delicious hearty green pea and orzo soup is perfect for lunches and dinners this winter.

Recipe: Green Thai Chicken Filos

Layers of crisp filo encase a creamy curry filling.

Nicola Galloway: Caramel Baked Apples

Nicola makes the epitome of a cosy autumn dessert.

Recipe: Winter Greens with Creamy Citrus Dressing

Bitter, crunchy greens are an excellent foil to a risotto’s richness.

Recipe: Roasted Vegetable Stack

This makes a great vegetarian evening meal.

Dinner party tips from author Sue Heazlewood

The author of A Table at Tangleby and A Table at Tangleby II talks to us about her love for her kitchen and garden.

Recipe: Fig & Hazelnut Salami

Watch the people who usually decline dessert reach for another slice.

A foraged garden herb and wild weed pesto

Basil isn't the only key herb for a delicious green pesto - try finding unexpected edibles in the garden as well.

The power of the pumpkin

Pumpkins tend to be either soup or roasted, but they're also fabulous in scones and pie.

Recipe: Oven-Baked Risotto with Red Wine & Roasted Beetroot

A risotto designed for hosts who prefer not to stand at the stove — the oven does nearly all the work.

One Palmerston North butchery produces two champion-worthy products

Sustainability drives the butchery business of these patty-makers from Palmy.

Why the crayfish should be a celebrated cuisine

A passionate duo from Tora Bay is serving up kaimoana fit for king.

Nicola Galloway: How to make beetroot Kvass

A simple and straightforward beetroot fermentation technique results in a digestive aid full of healthy bacteria

This couple knows how to make the perfect soda

A berry good drink made from Nelson’s finest crops is also giving local growers a sweet deal.

Recipe: Pumpkin, Parmesan & Thyme Scones

If you struggle to get light, fluffy scones, this is the recipe for you – it always works.

Weird science took this blue cheese to the next level

Whitestone Cheese struck gold when going deep into cheesemaking.

A sweet treat by a qualified gelato fanatic won the judges’ hearts

A boutique gelato business has scooped a win for its creamy dessert made without cream

Meet the champions of the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards…

The country's finest food producers have been crowned.

Recipe: Pinoli Lemon & Pine Nut Tart

The combination of lemon and pine nuts in this sweet tart is a classic.

Pinoli Pine Nuts crowned ONZFPA supreme champion

Results are in and congratulations are in order for the local growers.

A Kaitake distillery never short of brilliant ideas

A rum maker’s entrepreneurial spirit extends to giving others a hand-up.

Recipe: Feijoa and Hempseed Cake

An indulgent way to enjoy feijoa season.

Recipe: Challah

A classic loaf best eaten on the day it's made.

Why Petra Galler calls herself a kitchen 'cowboy'

thisNZlife talks to the renowned pastry chef about her latest book.

Recipe: Butternut Cappellacci

A cosy yet gourmet autumn pasta dish.

A Q&A with Nostrana author Bri DiMattina

We ask home gardener and trained chef Bri DiMattina about her colourful new cookbook.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Easter Buns with Lemon Icing Drizzle

Please a crowd these holidays with buns packed with spices, dried apricots, raisins and sultanas.

Recipe: Blood Orange Afghans with Smoked Chocolate Icing

This version of the popular Kiwi bikkie has a zesty twist.

Recipe: Uber Crispy Chicken with Fennel Slaw

Takeaways will be a thing of the past once you master this chicken.

Recipe: Smoked Chilli Kūmara Chips

Smoked chilli flakes are the secret ingredient for these delish chips.

The local makers who won big at this year's cheese awards

Brie, bocconcini, burrata and everything in between.

In praise of the pomegranate

Why the beautiful, easy-to-grow, health-giving pomegranate deserves its place in the garden.

Recipe: Maman’s Fesenjoon

A festive dish for days when indulgence is the key.

Recipe: Zeytoon parvardeh

The electric-operated Cromwell orchard changing the game

After proving he could run a cherry orchard without burning a single fossil fuel, Mike Casey is keen to move other growers towards electric tech.

6 warming recipes we'll be making this autumn

The season of cuddling up with a comforting dish is finally upon us.

Recipe: Spiced Pears & Figs in Red Wine

Easy to make in advance, the cooked pears can be chilled in the spiced red wine until just before serving.

Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards 2023: Congratulations to this year’s medal winners

It’s time to celebrate great New Zealand food products.

Recipe: Peach Cobbler

Celebrate the last days of summer and whip up this homemade cobbler with fresh or preserved peaches.

Recipe: Pear & Prosecco Cocktails

Welcome guests at your next dinner party with this warming winter cocktail.

Recipe: Easy Oven-Baked Polenta

Love polenta but hate standing and stirring it over a hot stove? This hands-free method is the answer.

Recipe: Toasted Walnut & Blue Cheese Crostini

A light and creamy (yet moreish) snack.

Award-winning Northland salt is so good you only need a pinch

Seawater and sun are all James Moore needs to create his mineral-rich products.

An expert's secret to the best dried fruit

When the harvest is big, but you’re not a fan of making jam or chomping fruit leathers, try this method for the perfect bite.

4 recipes to utilise your summer capsicum bounty

Turn a glut of capsicums into a selection of addictive spicy sauces that will add flavour to your meals all year.

The secret behind this delicious liquid gold

A weekend hobby led a couple to create an award-winning range of drinking chocolates from minimal ingredients.

A beginner's guide to foraging in New Zealand

There are plenty of edible wild plant foods in the NZ countryside, if you know where to look and what to look for.

"We removed the cow": The high protein vegan jerky catering to flexitarians

Off-Piste founder Jade Gray says its products are 100 per cent plants, 45 per cent protein and zero per cent “BS”.

Why the tomato is this small-scale farmer’s greatest success

Angela Clifford shares wisdom from her family's organic, permaculture-based, self-sufficient small farm.

Recipe: Chocolate, Rosemary & Blueberry Cake

A no-fuss, easy-to-make, blueberry-chia seed jam fills this unique cake.

Why your cooked chicken may not be done

Research into home cooking chicken shows you need to dig deeper to ensure it's safe to eat.

Recipe: Celia’s Ciabatta

This classic loaf will always be a hit.

Recipe: Celia's Portuguese Chicken with Roast Lemons

A homely dish that can be enjoyed on warmer or colder nights.

Recipe: Mixed Mushroom Ragù with Parmesan & Parsley Gremolata

Use a combination of mushrooms — from cute baby buttons to meaty portobellos.

Recipe: Blueberry Sorbet

Sorbet is a simple, healthier version of ice cream and works really well with berries.

Recipe: A pomegranate-packed Mediterranean-inspired salad

A Mediterranean-inspired salad packed full of herbs and root veggies.

Recipe: Thick & Creamy Corn Chowder with a hint of Thai

This is a corn chowder like no other.

Recipe: Savoury Breakfast Platter

This is a great breakfast combination for sharing.

Recipe: Gado Gado Baked Kūmara with Peanut Satay

This is an excellent fusion of a traditional baked kūmara and a lovely Indonesian dish.

Dunedin Craft Distillers: From discarded bread to premium gin

Two Dunedin women found a clever and tasty solution to help combat food waste: they raise spirits from bread.

Recipe: Mulled-Wine Preserved Omega Plums

Pair these decadent poached plums with custard or ice cream.

Recipe: Pearl Couscous Salad

Make this crowd-pleasing, bring-a-plate salad in advance.

Recipe: Raspberry Lamington Cake

This lamington cake recipe takes the Kiwi baking classic to the next level.

Recipe: Blackberry Daiquiris

Celebrate a successful blackberry-foraging mission with these vibrant cocktails.

9 spices and herbs that could (naturally) boost your mood

Adding herbs and spices lift a dish's taste and can help improve your mood.

Recipe: Spiced Chicken Skewers

If the weather turns sour, cook these spiced kebabs in the oven under the grill.

How three Whakatāne invented mānuka honey-infused liquid sunshine

Mix some Māori boys with mānuka honey and sparkling water and the result is a young business showing effervescent results.

Recipe: Tropical Ice Cream Sandwiches

A deceptively easy dessert with cheat's ice cream and four-ingredient coconut biscuits.

Recipe: Plum, Blueberry and Walnut Tart

Scattered walnuts beneath the plums adds a lovely crunch to this tart.

Recipe: Avocado Caesar Salad in a Jar

Freshen up your next lunch or picnic with this simple salad-in-a-jar.

How to grow good corn (from a self-confessed corn addict)

There’s very sweet corn and then there’s good corn.

Prickly business: Growing finger limes in Gisborne

All the limes grown by this Gisborne family have prickly personalities but that doesn’t stop them from being in great demand.

On the BBQ: Sesame-Crusted Beef Fillet Steaks with Barbecued Zucchini and Chilli Butter

The difference between a good steak and a great steak is the marinade.

Recipe: Harissa-baked Eggplant with Herby Lentil Salad

Tender baked eggplant pairs beautifully with a fresh, protein-packed summer salad.

Recipe: Lemon, Raspberry & Poppy Seed Friands

Pack these for a picnic, serve them for afternoon tea or enjoy them for dessert.

Recipe: No-Churn Strawberry & Fresh Mint Ice Cream

This is a cheat’s ice cream that uses condensed milk and whipped cream instead of a traditional custard base.

Recipe: Creamy Roast Capsicum, Sunflower & Feta Dip

Wait until you try this gorgeous (and very moreish) dip; it’s always a hit.

Recipe: Cheesy Focaccia

Heavenly focaccia dotted with rosemary, fresh tomatoes and double-cream brie.

Three recipes for an outstanding summer platter

Add these dips and pickled asparagus bites to your next summer platter.

Recipe: Brown Sugar Panna Cotta with Blueberry Compote

Panna cotta is easy to make, can be made in advance and is very refreshing after a heavy meal.

Recipe: Elderflower Fritters (Pancakes)

A sweet and crispy way to enjoy your harvested elderflower.

Recipe: Roasted Beans with Toasted Seeds

A super-simple and super-delicious addition to your Christmas lunch.

Recipe: Barbecued Lamb Neck Fillet on a Rye Baguette

This recipe serves 4, but it's so good you'll want to eat it all yourself.

Recipe: Hot Rainbow Chard Salad with Crispy Roasted Garlic Skins

A colourful and warm salad to enjoy for a light lunch, or as a delicious side.

Recipe: Confetti Salad

Chop, chop! Making this salad is a meditative task for busy minds.

13 showstopping desserts for your Christmas table

Stumped on your Christmas centrepiece? Try one of these decadent treats.

Recipe: Elote

This simple Mexican street food dish transforms basic BBQ corn cobs into a delicious delight.

Why we need odd crops to save our food

Genetically diverse crops, though inefficient economically, are like insurance when environmental changes or disease strikes.

Recipe: Elderflower Marmalade

Elderflower cordial and lemons make a mean marmalade.

Recipe: Lemon Cake with White Chocolate Elderflower Ganache

A light and lovely cake perfect for morning tea.

Recipe: Jude’s Chocky Rocky Road

This gourmet version of a classic sweet makes a great homemade Christmas present.

Recipe: Roast Baby Vegetable & Ricotta Tart

By making the crust and veggies the day before, this stunning tart can be easily thrown together before a shared lunch or dinner.

Recipe: Pavlova Roulade with Apricot Curd & Grilled Stonefruit

Bursting with summer stonefruit and cream, a good roulade is a thing of beauty.

Recipe: Strawberry, Baby Basil & Whipped Goat Cheese Crostini

These canapés are little bursts of red, white and green.

How to forage, harvest and use elderflower

Large, lacy, creamy white clusters of elderberry flowers are a pretty sight and a delicious find.

Recipe: Black Forest Cheesecake / Keke Tīhi Tiakarete Me Te Tieri

The chocolate biscuit base, a creamy chocolate centre and glossy boysenberry jelly will be a winner with your whānau.

Recipe: Buffalo Yoghurt Cheesecake

If you love a rich, silky-smooth cheesecake, then this is the dessert for you.

Recipe: Lemon & Raspberry Zuccotto

Here’s a tangy, fruity take on the Italian classic, designed to keep the cook stress-free.

Sweet chestnuts are one of the secrets behind Poaka's cured meats

It’s no wonder Josh Hill’s pigs produce melt-in-the-mouth cured meats, feasting as they do on a diet of Canterbury sunshine and homegrown chestnuts.

Recipe: Garden Green Hummus

This is a lovely way to sneak some more greens into your diet, especially if you have kids who aren’t so keen on salads.

Recipe: Strawberry, Ginger & Thyme Shrub

A beautiful, fizzy mocktail you can make with frozen or fresh strawberries.

Recipe: Curry Butter Snails with Spinach and Feta

Buttery filo snails filled with crumbled feta, paneer and spinach.

Recipe: Louise Slice (Keke Rahipere Me Te Kokonati)

The raspberry chia jam is a game-changer in this classic slice.

How to make coffee liqueur at home

Make a smooth, rich coffee liqueur at home with only five ingredients.

Award-winning salmon farmers aim to rear happy fish in Akaroa Harbour

Akaroa Salmon wins NZ Life & Leisure's Spirit of NZ Award for its three decades of high-quality food production and careful stewardship of fish stock.

Recipe: Pineapple, Lime & Coconut Slab Cake

A tropical showstopper to whip up for a celebration or a crowd.

Recipe: End-of-Summer Chow Chow

Anything goes in this versatile chow cow, as long as you get the base right.

Recipe: Feijoa Ice Cream

Celebrate a feijoa glut by making this seasonally delicious ice cream — you'll make it year after year.

Recipe: Roast Pumpkin & Couscous Salad

Fresh mint, zesty lemon and salty feta complement this hearty pumpkin salad.

Recipe: Elderflower Cordial

This has to be the most divine cordial ever. I can never make enough of it. You just need a small amount in a glass topped up with water and you'll be in heaven. This is how one writer describes it.

Recipe: Lamb Skewers with Peanut Butter Baba Ganoush

Barbecued skewers should always be served with this outrageously good baba ganoush.

Recipe: Roasted Baby Carrots & Radishes

Impossibly cute, ridiculously easy, impressively tasty.

Recipe: Spinach Crêpes with Creamy Mushrooms

Get your brunch on with plant-based creamy crêpes.

Recipe: Rosemary & Cinnamon-Rubbed Lamb Chops

Bright baby beetroot glow like Christmas baubles in this simple all-in-one dish.

7 ways to add spices and homemade curry blends to your diet

Spices provide a range of essential vitamins and minerals beyond polyphenols that affect health and wellbeing, including mental health.

10 dishes to put a spring in your step

Nothing beats fresh goods and the many dishes you can conjure up with them.

Recipe: Raspberry Chocolate Crumble Slice

If you can’t decide whether you want something fruity or chocolatey, this is a delicious solution.

Recipe: Pea & Bacon Pies

These rustic-looking little parcels are excellent for picnics – portable, satisfying and delicious.

Recipe: Lemon, Almond & Thyme Bars

Use either lemon thyme or classic thyme for the pretty (and flavourful) garnish.

Recipe: Fennel-Poached Salmon

This is a fool-proof way to cook salmon; the results can be eaten warm from the pan or cold.

The winners and losers of the homegrown flour trials

Can you grow and process good alternatives to wheat flour? Homesteader Rebecca Stewart shares the results of her tests, using only homegrown and foraged ingredients.

8 recipes to make the most of asparagus season

Enjoy the brief joy of readily-available asparagus with these eight different dishes.

Recipe: Asparagus Rolls

Here's the "right" way to make an asparagus roll.

Recipe: Grilled Asparagus with Halloumi, Mandarin Dressing & Honeyed Almonds

Asparagus and halloumi are a match made in heaven.

It took three generations to break this family's cream-liqueur curse

An infatuation with cream liqueur has resulted in a remarkable family saga — one starting with failure and ending in sweet, sweet victory.

Recipe: Warm Roasted Cauliflower Salad

Salty chickpeas sing with sweet roasted cauliflower in this hearty vegetarian dish.

Recipe: Oat and Zucchini Pantry Cookies

Chances are you already have most of these ingredients in your kitchen.

Recipe: Kristina's Rhubarb "Roo" Bars

One bite, and like Kristina and her dad, you'll be forever in love with rhubarb.

5 ways to cook with shiso

This herb is both easy to grow and a delicious addition to your cooking roster.

Recipe: Topsy-Turvy Rhubarb & Almond Cake

Make the most of the last of the rhubarb with this fragrant cake, perfect with a cup of coffee.

Recipe: Ginger Syrup

This ginger syrup is a staple that can be used in an abundance of delicious ways.

Recipe: Banoffee Pie

One of the easiest desserts to whip up — and devour — in a flash.

Recipe: Milk & Cookies

A whisky-spiked, coffee-flavoured version of milk to pair with cookies.

Recipe: Spring Salad of Quinoa, Green Lentils, Broad Beans, Lemon & Greens

This protein-packed salad is packed full of all the good stuff.

The must-have herb for your edible garden

This gorgeous herb can revolutionise the flavour of the simplest salad, and is a staple ingredient if you love Japanese and Korean dishes.

Recipe: Broccoli & Pumpkin-Seed Pesto Pasta

A cheesy, garlicky, herby pasta that makes the most of an entire head of broccoli, stalk and all.

Recipe: Rhubarb, Orange & Cardamom Custard Tart

While technically a vegetable, rhubarb has found its match with sweet, wobbly custard.

The 10 most cost-effective edibles to grow

Food is the biggest household expense after accommodation, and the cost of it seems to be skyrocketing year after year, so what are the most high value things you can grow to save money?

And the winners of the NZ Ice Cream and Gelato Awards are....

This year a gelato scooped up Supreme Boutique Champion title — the first time a gelato has taken out one of the top accolades.

Recipe: Shaved Pumpkin, Pink Pickled Onions, Celery & Spinach Salad

This bright, punchy salad is an excellent counterpart to any heavy dish.

Recipe: Crispy Tofu Soba Noodle Salad

A light vegetarian dish that's as breezy as it is delicious.

16 recipes that let winter veggies shine

Don't let the final days of winter prevent you from tasting all the season has to offer.

Recipe: Lynda Hallinan's Marmalade Mulled Wine

The end-of-season abundance of citrus is ideal for this mulled wine.

3 tasty ways to serve NZ halloumi

This squeaky, grillable cheese is even better when made right here in New Zealand.

Recipe: Chocolate Puddings with Smoked Salt

Chocolate lovers will adore this silky yet simple chocolate pudding.

How to grow microgreens (PLUS how to avoid these common problems when growing them)

Easy to grow and nutritious, microgreens are a winter garden goer.

Recipe: Backyard Grapefruit Spritzer

Pretend it's summer for a fleeting moment with this refreshing spritzer.

Recipe: Yolly's Lemon Slice

This quick, easy recipe is a great way to use up lots of lemons.

Recipe: Roasted Butternut & Orange Soup with Feta

Ordinary pumpkin can be substituted for butternut in this soup, depending on availability.

A Hawke's Bay couple's marinated goat cheese wins again

Annie and Geoff Nieuwenhuis have their hands in the clouds and their hearts on the farm. The love for their goat cheese is so true, it earned them the title of 2022 Dairy Champion.

Recipe: Kūmara Bacon Fritters with Yoghurt Parsley Sauce

Kūmara and bacon were made for each other, and putting them together is quintessentially Kiwi.

The Bostock Brothers know what they're doing when it comes to chooks

Doing things differently is paying off — again — for a Hawke’s Bay chicken farm.

All about Meyer lemons PLUS lemon ice cream

Learn how to look after your citrus - and treat yourself with this yummy ice cream recipe.

Recipe: Blueberry and Apple Crumble Slice

Softness, fruit and crunch on top — this treat has everything one needs in a slice.

Recipe: Lemon & Coconut Delicious

This easy, dairy-free, and intensely lemony dessert whips up in a flash.

A Canterbury producer brings raw honeycomb to the masses

No two versions of this untouched honey will be the same — and that’s just how the makers like it. J. Friend & Co is the 2022 champion of the 'Earth' Category.

Recipe: Orange & Cinnamon Tart

A warm, zesty dessert that your dinner party will eat in one go.

Recipe: Almond Cheesecake in a Jar

Once you try this delicious almond cheesecake, there's no going back.

Family is Middlehurst Delivered's secret ingredient

The McDonald clan of Middlehurst Delivered is devoted to bringing a taste of their home to your place.

How to preserve lemons

Preserving lemons requires lots of lemon juice so do it when you have a surplus of lemons on your tree, or they are in season and on special at your local shops.

This Gisborne orchard's award-winning orange juice is summer in a bottle

Squeezy does it for this family-owned Gisborne orchard, who took home the 2022 Drink Champion award for their orange juice.

Recipe: Homemade Kimchi

Forget about buying an overpriced jar at the supermarket. Homemade kimchi is easier than you think.

Tips for your best broccoli crop

Broccoli is in short supply in supermarkets - so why not try growing your own?

Recipe: Crispy Bacon and Pesto Potato Salad

Take this moreish dish to a potluck and someone will no doubt ask for the recipe.

Recipe: Mushroom-Glazed Rump Steak

Steak and mushrooms are a winning combo anytime. Michael Van de Elzen's take on them is the ultimate winter warmer.

The winner of the 2022 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards is...

A far-flung fishmonger takes top honours in the 2022 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards.

Recipe: Coriander & Lime Pesto with Noodles and Greens

Coriander-lime pesto sings in this veggie noodle dish.

Recipe: Goat Cheese Gnocchi with Broccoli Pesto

Blessed are Aotearoa’s goat-cheese makers and goat milkers, for their products turn this rustic Italian dish (inspired by the great Marcella Hazan) into something extraordinary.

Recipe: Baked White Beans with Herbed Breadcrumbs

If you’re planning a warming winter dinner for people who don’t eat meat, this multi-textured bake is a great option, served with something green on the side.

From orchardist to organic vinegar maker

From organic apples to apple cider vinegar, an Ōtaki business has had a common-sense evolution. The progression from vinegar-maker father to daughter is just as logical.

Recipe: Guinness Brownies with Baileys Buttercream

Guiness and Baileys sing in this elevated iteration of the classic brownie.

Recipe: Chicken Salad with Tomato Kasundi

This chicken dish is perfect for summer gatherings, plus the leftovers are just as delicious in a sandwich.

How to grow beautiful broad beans

Broad beans are an excellent crop for the cooler seasons when not much else will grow.

Freeze-dried honey: Spinning liquid gold into meringue-like chunks

Ancient trees and modern technology are a winning combination for Chatham Island apiculturists Kaai Silbery and Francesca Bonventre.

Recipe: Mandarin, Almond & Chocolate Blitz Cake

Whole mandarins are blitzed into this tasty cake from Nadia: A Seasonal Journal — skin, pith and all.

Recipe: Chocolate Pots with Coffee-Banana Biscotti

The best thing about this dessert recipe? It can be as elaborate or as simple as you like.

Recipe: Mac and 3 Cheese

This comfort-food classic uses a mix of three cheeses — cheddar, gruyère and parmesan.

Recipe: Date and Orange Scones

These fluffy scones are best served with homemade jam and lashings of whipped cream.

500g of veggies go into each bag of this plant-based mince

Seeking a plant-based mince to serve at their café, a Whangārei couple came up with a just-add-water version that tastes as good as it looks.

9 tasty wild-game and fish recipes

Make the most of your wild game and fish with these nine recipes.

Recipe: Rabbit, Leek & Mushroom Pie

This moreish pie can use rabbit or chicken, but is a sensation either way.

How to cook quail eggs and meat

Writer Sheryn Dean holds a controversial opinion — she thinks that quail eggs and meat are superior to chickens.

Recipe: Roast Venison Rack

A rack of venison is a true showstopper, and it’s easier to cook than you might think.

Recipe: Glazed Pheasant with Fragrant Basmati Rice

Pheasant is best with a simple glaze and hearty sauce.

Recipe: Mint Bounty Pistachio Slice

Three layers create a heavenly mouthful of minty, coconutty and chocolatey goodness.

Recipe: Salmon Pastry Parcel

This is an absolutely moreish take on fresh salmon.

Recipe: Maggie Beer’s Pot Roasted Quinces

Enjoy these ruby-red beauties as a dessert or put them on breakfast cereal.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Apple Crumble Cake

This classic crowd-pleaser is all about the harmony between warm spices and granny smiths.

Recipe: Jerusalem Artichoke Tarte Tatin

Impress dinner guests with this simple yet timeless artichoke dish and homemade dressing.

Recipe: Sumac-Roasted Chickpeas

These are a crunchy alternative to chips and nuts. Nibble on them with pre-dinner drinks or toss through a salad.

Recipe: Feijoa & Mascarpone Ice Cream

Nothing says autumn like a homemade, feijoa-rippled treat.

Recipe: Anchovy Twists

Even people who say they loathe anchovies will love these cheesy, crunchy snacks. They’re great with a pre-dinner drink.

Recipe: Raw Chewy Gingerbread Cookie Dough Balls

Add these delish gingery chews to your sweet-snack repertoire.

Why you should add cavolo nero to your garden

It’s hearty, homegrown, and sounds as good as it tastes (if you say it in Italian).

Recipe: Spiced Date & Walnut Torte

This spiced torte is very rich but almost impossible to resist.

Recipe: Pork Sausage Rolls with Apple Pickle

This is a great dish to make when you have a couple of people coming over to watch a big game or for a bite of lunch at the weekend.

Recipe: Cardamom and Rosewater Dessert Feijoas

Celebrate the colours of autumn with this delectable treat.

Broccoli Tart with Red Onion Jam & Walnut Pesto

Feel free to experiment with this tart and use other veggies, it will taste just as good.

Recipe: Surrendered Pumpkin & Tomatoes

“Surrendered” is the term given to vegetables that are cooked long enough to allow them to break down to golden deliciousness.

Recipe: Spiced Ginger Cookie Sandwiches

These are reminiscent of the flavours of the Caribbean – a little like a tropical cocktail captured in a soft cookie.

Recipe: Honey Caramel Topsy Turvy Pear Cake

The autumnal flavour of pears in a rich butter caramel, topped with a drizzle of honey, makes this a most delicious cake.

Recipe: Courgette, Basil and Parmesan Soup

This creamy courgette soup is one you'll want to make again and again.

From hobby cheesemaker to a top-selling cheese brand

A Gisborne couple spent many years building a farm-to-plate business, now one of New Zealand’s most significant independent brands.

Make this spicy sauce with your homegrown chillies

Drizzle this homemade sauce on anything from skewers, roasts, and burgers — or use as a spiced up marinade.

Recipe: Sticky Pear & Walnut Scrolls

These sticky, caramel-coated scrolls fill the house with such a lovely aroma, you’ll be salivating in anticipation by the time they are done.

Recipe: Apple and Pumpkin Leather

Pumpkin, cinnamon and apple are blitzed together into a sweet, flavourful purée, then dried to form a chewy, sweet leather.

Recipe: Parmesan Crusted Chicken and Rocket Salad

This savoury chicken dish is freshened up with a tart salad on the side.

Recipe: Yoghurt Roulade with Roasted Plums

Celebrate your harvest with this delicious plum dessert.

Recipe: Middle Eastern Meatballs

Everyone loves meatballs — Lucy Corry is sure they’re due a comeback sometime soon.

15 recipes to make the most of end-of-summer produce

Make the most warm-weather veggies and fruits before the weather cools and autumn is in full swing.

Recipe: Easy Peasy Courgette Cheese Bake

Who says that courgettes can't become absolutely moreish?

Recipe: Roasted Tomato & Courgette Harvest Sauce

This roasted vegetable sauce can be tossed through pasta or used as a savoury dipping sauce.

Recipe: Feijoa, Mint & Chilli Salsa

Fresh feijoas sing in this piquant, easy-to-make salsa.

22 sorbet flavours to make with berries and herbs

Sorbet is an easy and delicious way to make the most of fresh berries and herbs.

3 irresistible plum recipes

When plums go crazy, these recipes will help you use them all up in the most delicious ways possible.

 

Recipe: Summer Beans & Greens with Honey & Cumin Vinaigrette

This crunchy summer salad comes together in a tick.

Recipe: Smoky Blue Cheese Dip

This creamy, smoky blue-cheese dip tends to disappear quickly.

Recipe: Omelette Arnold Bennett

A chef named this smoked fish omelette after prolific English author, Arnold Bennett.

Recipe: Elderberry, Rhubarb and Cinnamon Tea Cake

When elderberries begin to ripen, Kristina Jensen knows it's time to get baking.

How to make damson gin

It’s a funny-looking cousin of the plum, and it can tarten up your gin too.

Recipe: Grilled Marshmallows with Rockmelon

Making marshmallows from scratch is a fun way to get kids in the kitchen.

Recipe: Upside-Down Plum Cake

It's impossible not to flip for this sticky, scrumptious summer cake.

How to make acorn flour

Oak is a popular timber, but the trees also produce a nutritious baking flour.

Recipe: Low-Sugar Berry, Prune & Bay Leaf Fruit Spread

Chia seeds and prunes keep this jam-like spread naturally sweet.

Recipe: Kūmara Flatbreads

These versatile flatbreads can be topped with salsa or used to mop up soups and curries.

Recipe: Kohlrabi, Fennel & Apple Slaw with Lemon Maple Dressing

A fresh matchstick salad made with raw kohlrabi, apple and fennel.

Recipe: Roasted Cherry Tomato Salad

This caprese-like salad is rounded out with lentils, peppery rocket and a balsamic marinade.

Recipe: Michael Van de Elzen’s Pumpkin Cupcakes

These pretty little cupcakes call for lots of grated pumpkin.

10 ways to help make cut flowers last

These simple steps will keep your cut flowers looking fresh for longer.

 

Recipe: Peach Tarte Tatin

This three-ingredient dessert is one of Michael Van de Elzen's favourites.

Recipe: Simple Honey Ice Cream

A smooth and creamy ice cream sweetened with honey — a perfect pairing with fresh fruit.

Recipe: Michael Van de Elzen's Clams with Spaghetti

This recipe uses clams but feel free to swap them for any other shellfish, including mussels. Resist the temptation to eat them for every meal!

Meet the couple behind Aotearoa’s first botanical rum

Rum is the 'wild west of spirits', according to the man behind New Zealand’s first botanical rum. But Matt Bridge has tamed it into a bottle, and it drinks as beautifully as it looks.

Recipe: Beetroot Falafels

Whip up homemade falafel with roasted beetroot for a punch of colour and flavour.

Recipe: Cucumber Canapés with Dill Mascarpone & Smoked Fish

These fool-proof canapés are easy to whip up, but look impressively fancy.

Recipe: Blueberry Frozen Yoghurt

This easy-peasy recipe allows you to make a creamy frozen dessert at home without any fancy equipment.

Recipe: Lucy Corry's Ribbon Salad

This salad is loosely built around ingredients that can be scavenged in the garden or fridge.

Recipe: Rosti with Creamed Spinach

This rosti is sure to soak up all the creamy goodness of the spinach.

Recipe: Nadia Lim's Cherry & Blackcurrant Friand Cake

Make the most of summer fruit while it’s fresh with this jewel-like cake.

4 delicious summer dips to make

Food writer Kristina Jensen shares her favourite summer dips.

Recipe: Nadia Lim's Barbecue Lamb Seekh Kebabs

Nothing says summer like barbecued kebabs drizzled in a fresh, homemade sauce.

4 not-so-sweet treats to make this Christmas

Homemade Christmas treats are a great gift idea, and these are four of Kristina's favourites.

Recipe: Roast Carrot Salad with Avocado Crème Fraiche

This salad is the perfect for those days when you're feeling like something light and fresh.

Turn leftover new potatoes into "smashies"

Any leftover boiled new potatoes? This is what to do with them.

3 stonefruit hybrids to grow

Apricots, peaches, plums and nectarines are some of our favourite stone fruits. Mix them together and you get super fruit.

Recipe: Mushroom & Hazelnut Pâté

Wild mushrooms create a stronger flavoured pâté, but a mix of mushrooms works well too.

Recipe: Barbecued Skirt Steak with Tomato, Gherkin & Red Onion Salsa

Skirt steak — cut from the flank of the animal — is underrated. Not keen on steak? Try barbecued eggplant steaks instead.

Recipe: Christmas Rolled Pork with Coriander Crust

Hear Michael Van de Elzen out — switch up Christmas dinner this year with a herby pork belly.

Recipe: Anj’s Lemon & Ginger Crunch Pie

An easy, crowd-pleasing treat to whip up for a spring or summer barbecue.

Recipe: Beetroot Red Velvet Cake

No need to add red food colouring — the beetroot does it for you.

Recipe: Poppy-Crumbed Chicken Arms and Red Slaw

Forget Kentucky Fried Chicken, here's a healthier and even tastier twist with red wine and poppyseeds.

Recipe: Nurse Gathergood’s Sponge Cake

There’s no mistake — this delightful sponge goes into a cold oven.

Recipe: Angela’s Elderflower Cordial

This delightful cordial can be made into a refreshing beverage or added to other recipes, such as marmalade.

Recipe: Bloody Marys with Oysters

Wash a freshly shucked oyster down with a spicy classic.

Recipe: Burnt Cauliflower, Caramelised Onions and Shiitake Mushrooms

Nearly-burnt cauliflower florets are the star in this hearty vegetable dish.

Recipe: Nadia Lim's Honeyed Blueberry & Mascarpone Tart

A spring-fresh tart for anyone with a sweet tooth.

A vision to reinstate hemp in Aotearoa

These three young men are cultivating a future in which more New Zealanders embrace the plant-based protein in hemp.

Recipe: Pork Koftas

This light, breezy meal is easy to throw together on a warm summer's evening.

Recipe: Apricot, Ginger & Oat Slice

This oaty slice combines wholesome goodness with peanut butter-chocolate icing.

Recipe: The Grater Good's Lemon Tart

This vegan twist on a classic uses almond flour, coconut cream and lots of lemons.

Recipe: Spicy Baked Beans with Chorizo

This hearty baked dish is a great side to serve with tacos or enchiladas.

Recipe: Black Pepper & Sumac Strawberries with Honey Crème Fraiche

Take fresh strawberries to new heights with a homemade syrup and honeyed crème fraîche.

The art of the homegrown salad bowl

A salad is the celebration of home-grown, leafy vegetables but there’s an art to mixing the perfect salad.

Recipe: Orange, Chilli & Chocolate Bark

Pop a couple shards in a reusable jar for a sweet gift idea.

Recipe: Spicy Orange, Mint and Beetroot Salad

You can use cooked or raw beetroot in this salad. The last three ingredients give the salad a unique, delicate look and different textures.

Recipe: Basque-Style Cheesecake

Baking this cheesecake at a high temperature results in a dark-brown crust and creamy filling.

Catching crayfish and pāua to order in South Wairarapa

This couple hit the water, rain or shine, in a new venture bringing fresh kaimoana to plates while respecting the ocean’s resources.

18 fuss-free recipes for your next picnic

Finger foods, sandwiches, breezy tarts and fresh salads are all fool-proof picnic classics.

Recipe: Lemon Marjoram Chicken Tacos

Tacos are the ultimate in interactive eating – once you’ve prepared and cooked all the elements, put them on the table and let your guests assemble their own.

Why runner beans should be a staple in your garden

There’s one non-negotiable, flavoursome, highly productive vegetable in Jenny’s summer garden, and it saves her money.

Recipe: Beetroot Avo Mud Cake, Peanut Butter and Raspberries

This sweet treat has rolled oats, beetroot and avocado hidden inside.

Recipe: Roasted Cauliflower, Lentil Tabbouleh and Cumin Yoghurt

This hearty salad can be served as is, or with your choice of protein.

Recipe: Potato, Fennel, Mozzarella & Anchovy Tart

Potatoes are the anchor ingredient in this flavourful tart.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Chocolate Caramel Custards

These pretty little custards are made with dark chocolate and a touch of cinnamon.

Recipe: Gingerbread Breakfast Loaf

Cut a thick slice of this breakfast loaf and top with nut butter, jam or fresh fruit.

Recipe: Nadia Lim's Spring Risotto

This fresh risotto is bursting with veggies and herbs that can be plucked straight from the garden.

What is umami? How to add umami to your cooking

We're biologically programmed to crave a hearty steak, but there are also meat-free ways to add or enhance that same sense of 'yummy'.

5 ways use up your lemons

Have too much of a good thing? Try baking a zingy treat, preserving lemon peel or making your own limoncello.

Recipe: Soft Lemon Biscuits

These tasty biscuits are a great way to use up lemons.

15 tasty ideas for comfort food at home

Whip up these warming, oh-so-cosy recipes in the comfort of your home.

This spiced-up classic is heating up the drinks scene

Fresh apples and creativity are at the core of this reinvention of a spicy classic.

Recipe: Crumbed Fish Tacos with Coleslaw & Tangy Avocado Sauce

Let fresh fish shine with light coleslaw, zingy avocado sauce and soft tortillas.

Recipe: Michael Van de Elzen's Butterbean Hummus

This may be the easiest hummus you'll ever make.

Recipe: Garlic Chive Scrambled Eggs

Top with smoked salmon, a touch of sour cream and little snips of garlic chives.

Recipe: Breakfast Eggs, Grilled Asparagus and Pancetta

A feast of a breakfast to whip up when you're feeling fancy.

Recipe: Mike's Oaty Slice with Avocado Butter

Spread avocado over this wholesome slice for brekkie or delicious snack.

Recipe: Rustic Goat Roast

Kerry Kelly-Drought keeps food rustic, hearty, and absolutely delicious at her bush hut near the Forgotten World Highway.

Recipe: Rhubarb and Ginger Muffins with Lemon Syrup

Pieces of rhubarb shine like pink jewels hidden in each golden muffin.

Recipe: How to create and nurture a sourdough starter

A beginner’s guide to getting start-ed with sourdough — how to create, feed and nurture the starter.

Pan-fried and vegetable scones

One of New Zealand’s best-loved children’s authors shares the secret to his childhood scone recipe.

Recipe: Chargrilled Cauliflower Tarts

If you need a finger food, a light starter, or even a tasty lunch, cauliflower tarts are the ticket.

Why polenta is perfect for winter comfort

The Italians know how to create comforting winter food, but writer Kristina Jensen takes it one step further.

Recipe: Beetroot Cured Salmon

This is a perfect light and tasty, make-ahead opener to a winter dinner.

Recipe: Chorizo Sausage & Prawns with Roasted Red Peppers

This one-pan rice dish is one of Michael Van de Elzen's favourites to whip up.

Recipe: Spiced Parsnip Hash Browns

Craving some fried food? Give in and avoid the guilt with this healthy spin on the classic hash brown.

Recipe: Spinach & Honeyed Pear Salad

Whip up this pretty winter salad in a flash.

A Nelson couple's mascarpone wins over taste buds

An Italian couple recreates favourite cheeses from home.

Recipe: Nadia Lim's Mushroom Potato Gnocchi

There's nothing quite like plump gnocchi tossed in a beautiful, rustic sauce.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Braised Lamb Shank Pie

Waiting for the lamb to work its magic in the oven requires patience, but the end result is completely worth it.

Meet the couple behind this dairy-free coconut kefir

A Raglan couple developed an alternative idea over six years — and now they’ve fermented it.

Recipe: Rhubarb Crumble

Always be ready for a mid-week treat by making the crumble mix in advance.

Recipe: Homemade Citrus Curds

All citrus can be turned into curd, which is a delicious addition to cakes, pies and pancakes, or can be swirled in yoghurt or ice cream.

The secret behind this award-winning Central Otago preserve

Central Otago plums and pinot noir prove to be the winning combination for a young chef with a passion for preserving fruit.

How to grow finger limes — the new foodie favourite

Tagged “citrus caviar”, finger limes are a fresh take on a standard citrus.

Recipe: Candied Citrus

Any citrus can be whipped up into a sweet snack or pretty garnish.

4 simple Japanese seasonings to make at home

Traditional Japanese spice mixes are easy to make, and add sparkle to dishes from any culture.

Recipe: Chilli Kiwi Hot Sauce

This recipe has been tried-and-tested to perfection since Kristina Jensen's university days.

Sustainable principles rule at this award-winning pāua company

Tora Bay on the South Wairarapa coast is home to a new venture and top-notch kaimoana.

Recipe: Lentil & Kumara Curry

This is a great vegetarian substitute for butter chicken and the best part is, it can also be made gluten and dairy free.

Wairarapa butchery wins at 2021 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards

Dion Kilminster produces top-quality beef and lamb — but the road to success constantly challenges him.

Little & Friday's Lemon Coconut Slice

This lemony slice features zingy passionfruit and a heap of fluffy meringue.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Grapefruit Cheesecake

There's nothing more heartwarming than a hand-me-down recipe.

Recipe: Potato & Black Bean Enchiladas

This recipe is a firm family favourite because it's big enough to feed a crew, but you can halve the amounts.

Little & Friday's Chicken, Leek & Bacon Pie

Bacon and cheese in this winter classic makes this pie extra hearty and rich.

Homemade Meatballs with Soft Parmesan Polenta

Michael Van de Elzen serves these easy-to-make moreish meatballs over a bed of creamy parmesan polenta.

Recipe: Dutch Pea and Ham Soup

Smoked pork hock adds incredible flavour to this warming pea soup.

Recipe: Pāua Fritters

Let the pāua shine by using just enough batter to bind the fritters.

Ārepa founders on changing the mood of the drinks industry

The founders of beverage company Ārepa are aiming high with the twin goals of creating the world’s smartest drink and building New Zealand’s first billion-dollar beverage company.

Recipe: Broccoli with Black Olives & Parmesan

Broccoli is one of those vegetables which work well with almost anything — take advantage of its versatility with this recipe.

Recipe: Little & Friday's Caramel Slice

Everything from the hazelnut-studded caramel to the dark chocolate ganache is pure decadence.

Recipe: Cavolo Nero, Lemon & Ricotta Pizza

This is pizza made simple: crispy cavolo nero, lemon zest and a medley of cheeses.

Recipe: Crispy Veggie Chips

Forget splurging on a bag of gourmet chips at the store, try making your own (hint: it's easier than you think).

Four Ginger Parsnip Sticky Date Pudding

Parsnip makes this gooey pudding a real show-stopper.

Onion talk: Tips for planting alliums

The onion family make a pretty and tasty addition to your garden.

Recipe: Fish with Brown Butter Sauce & Popped Capers 

This is a great way to cook lower-priced fish species such as blue moki, gurnard, hoki, monkfish and trevally.

Recipe: Beetroot Hummus

This is a vibrant dip or you can use it as a spread.

Fragrant Vegetable Pho Soup

This fragrant Vietnamese noodle soup is a great way to use up garden greens such as kale or spinach.

Recipe: Persimmon & Turmeric Chutney

NZ Lifestyle Block writer Kristina Jensen celebrates preserving, persimmons, and her favourite Pip.

Recipe: Curried Pumpkin, Bacon & Feta Muffins

You may find you need to make two batches of these tangy, moist, melt-in-the-mouth muffins as they won’t last long.

The Easiest Curried Pumpkin Soup

This is NZ Lifestyle Block columnist Kristina Jensen's favourite way to use her pumpkin harvest.

Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards 2021: Medal winners revealed

Exciting news in the food world. It's time to celebrate great New Zealand food products with the announcement of 2021 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards medal winners.

Recipe: Leek, Mushroom & Cottage Cheese Flan

The secret to a tasty flan or quiche? Sautéed leeks.

Recipe: Pulled Ham Hock Soup with White Beans

This soup is light, brothy and loaded full of nutritious vegetables.

8 things to know before you try growing hazelnuts

Hazelnuts are still a niche product in New Zealand but they have the potential to be the country’s main nut crop. You won’t meet anyone who loves them more than hazel researcher and grower Murray Redpath.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Criss-Cross Agrias with Rocket

When buying, look for potatoes that still have dirt on them — the soil is a protective layer.

How to make apple cider vinegar

There's no need for any part of an apple to go to waste.

9 tips for starting a local food co-op

For more than 25 years, the locals of a small rural Southland community have co-operated to provide themselves with mostly locally-grown, organic food.

Recipe: Nadia Lim's Mulled-Wine Poached Pears

Any pear variety can be poached, but Beurre Bosc, Packham, Winter Nellis, or Taylor’s Gold hold their shape the best.

Recipe: Homely Rosemary & Lemon Cake

Breadcrumbs and almonds form the base for this unusual Italian cake, which is delicate in texture and big on flavour.

Recipe: Persimmon Salad

Pomegranate seeds, sliced persimmon and goat cheese take this salad to the next level.

Recipe: Ribolita Soup with Garlic Avocado Oil Toasts

This warming dish is also known as Tuscan white bean soup.

Recipe: Blackberry Cake

This easy cake, studded with frozen blackberries, is topped with icing sugar and sliced stonefruit.

Recipe: Lynda Hallinan's Marmalade

Lynda's twist on her grandmother's marmalade involves a generous slosh of Cointreau or whiskey.

Recipe: Feijoa & Rhubarb Relish

Pair this relish with cold meats and cheeses.

Recipe: Feijoa, Pear & Walnut Galette

Celebrate your feijoa and pear harvest with this tart-like dessert.

Recipe: Roasted Moroccan Cauliflower with Capers and Almonds

Cauliflower gets spiced up with tangy capers, crunchy almonds, and warming Moroccan spices.

Recipe: Blueberry and Lemon Mascarpone Cake

No need for icing on this cake-in-a-skillet. The richness is all inside from the delicious mascarpone.

6 easy-peasy ways to preserve herbs

The options are endless when it comes to preserving herbs.

The best NZ cheeses of 2021

This year’s New Zealand Champions of Cheese Awards has recognised long-term favourites as well as newcomers among its 27 trophy recipients.

15 delicious feijoa recipes to make the most of a bumper crop

Make the remainder of those feijoas shine with these simple chutneys, baked treats and tangy dips.

Recipe: Nadia Lim's Carrot, Tamarind & Coconut Soup

Carrots give sweetness, red lentils add body, coconut enriches, and tamarind gives a palate-lifting sour note to this warming soup.

Recipe: Fig Sponge Cake

A medley of seeds and nuts gives this upside-down cake an earthy flavour.

Recipe: Sweet Risotto with Poached Tamarillos

This rice pudding is anything but boring, it brings a fruity twist to a family classic.

feijoa upside down cake

Is this the feijoa cake of your dreams?

Kristina Jensen's gooey upside down feijoa caramel cake is the autumn cake you've been waiting for.

Recipe: Butterflied Chicken with Red Pepper Salad

Ease into the evening with roast chicken tossed with hearty veg and crusty sourdough.

What you need to make 'gin' in a jar

You can use a few key spices, homegrown herbs, and fruit to transform plain vodka into your own 'gin'.

Want to distil your own gin? Here's what to know

Here's what you need if you want to join the 'ginaissance.

Your go-to guide to freezing fresh produce

Freezing your favourite summer produce is a simple, fast, and economical way (if you do it right) to preserve the best in your crops.

Recipe: Quince Jelly

Aromatic autumn quinces make for the most delicious jelly.

8 tasty dishes (and treats) to make with pumpkin

Arguably one of our favourite vegetables, pumpkin is a versatile star in both sweet and savoury dishes.

Recipe: Molten Chocolate Cakes with Salted Caramel

This chocolate molten cake is not only the perfect sweet treat but also fail-proof.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Pumpkin & Courgette Salad

This salad makes a tasty vegetarian main course, especially with the addition of toasted walnuts and barbecued cherry tomatoes.

Recipe: Nadia Lim's Apple Rum Raisin Tarte Tatin

Crisp apples are paired perfectly with this indulgent rum-and-raisin sauce.

2 quince recipes: Quince paste and quince chutney

It’s completely inedible when raw and dangerous to cut up, with a heady, perfumed scent that is completely at odds with its appearance. Sound like your kind of fruit?

Recipe: Cheese Toasts with Salmon & Tarragon

Save a few cheesy loaves in the freezer for when you need a breezy-but-beautiful canapé.

Recipe: Potato & Green Bean Tuna Salad

A fresh salad with capers, olives and a simple vinaigrette.

Recipe: Barbecued Whole Snapper with Peperonata

Cooking the snapper on the bone creates even more flavour in this dinner dish.

Recipe: Michael Van de Elzen's Salsa Verde

This sauce is simple yet addicting, perfect for summertime.

Recipe: Roasted Mushroom and Garlic Rigatoni

This pasta recipe will convert even the most passionate of mushroom-haters into lovers.

Recipe: Salted Caramel Macadamia Slice

Impress at your next work morning tea with this paleo vegan slice from Buffy Ellen at Be Good Organics

Recipe: Poached Figs with Verjuice and Sugar

A quick yet delicious dessert sure to satisfy any cravings for a sweet treat.

Recipe: Pesto Puffs with Cherry Tomatoes

These babies push all the right buttons when you want a tasty savoury bite.

How to make homemade extracts

Turn fruit and herbs into flavours you can use all year round.

Recipe: Blackcurrant & White Chocolate Crème Brûlée

There's no need to save this silky smooth dessert for only special occasions, it's simply too irresistible.

Recipe: Cherry Tomato Puttanesca Sauce

Tomatoes are the taste of summer, especially if still sun-warmed.

Recipe: Plum Frangipane Puff Tart

A delicious dessert full of nostalgia for chef Michael Van de Elzen.

Recipe: Fresh Pineapple Salsa

A chunky, dip-worthy salsa made with fresh pineapple and red bell pepper.

Recipe: Blueberry Muffin Cake with Almond Topping

This dessert is simple to make with a good crunchy topping — just mix and stir!

Recipe: Fried Chermoula Cauliflower with Bean Dip

These spiced cauliflower steaks on green dip steal the show at any dinner party but are super simple for a mid-week dinner too.

Ruth Pretty's Chocolate Cheesecake Brownies

Cheesecake and brownies rolled into one ultra-decadent treat.

Recipe: Blueberry Hot Sauce

The fermentation in this hot sauce not only increases the shelf life, but makes it more delicious.

Recipe: Pumpkin & Red Pepper Tart

This easy vegetarian tart is practically begging to be shown off at your next gathering.

Recipe: Spiced Plum Crumble Cake 

This cake’s tender crumb and crunchy topping partner perfectly with slightly tart and juicy plums.

Recipe: Jammy Pear Cocktail

This rum-based cocktail is made with fresh pair, maple syrup and a cinnamon stick.

Recipe: Mum's Pasta & Pizza Sauce

Savour the taste of summer for the colder months ahead with this freezer tomato pasta and pizza sauce.

Recipe: Pear and Beetroot Salad

This salad is a dreamy companion to any showstopping dish, with earthy beetroot flavour enhanced with soft pear.

plum dessert, meringue

Stewed Plums, Yoghurt and Cinnamon Meringues

Make a decadent version of an eton mess using summer plums and cinnamon.

These neighbours joined forces in the name of ice cream

Two Nelson farmers are keeping things local, churning their A2 milk into ice cream produced just minutes down the road from their milking sheds.

Recipe: Nadia Lim's Panzanella di Melanzane

Crispy croutons soak up the flavours of summer in this simple Italian dish.

Recipe: Twisted Courgette Wholemeal Pizza

This fresh, homemade pizza is topped with courgette, rocket and soft goat cheese.

5 weird but really tasty things to make using basil

If you only think pesto when you think of basil, Jenny has some recipes to tickle your tastebuds.

Recipe: Chicken & Tarragon Sandwiches

French tarragon, a perennial herb that appears late spring to early summer, is perfect with chicken.

11 tomato recipes to make the most of the summer harvest

Got tomato glut? Try making gazpacho, a green tomato jam, or cheesy tomato fritters.

Recipe: No-Sugar Chia Seed Berry Spread

This berry jam-like spread is super easy. The chia seeds thicken this tasty spread without using sugar and gives it a healthy twist.

How to make the most of a cucumber glut

When you’re knee-deep in cucumbers and zucchini, it’s time to make a mouth-watering preserve that has stood the test of generations.

Recipe: Sticky Ribs with House Rub

Take pork ribs to the next level with Mike's house rub and sticky glaze.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Zippy Butter Bean Salad

The secret to Ruth Pretty’s zippy butter bean salad? Preserved lemon peel.

The secret to great no-sugar jam (it's possible)

You might think sugar is vital for good jam, but food writer Kristina Jensen's experiments show it's not.

An expert's guide to cooking mushrooms

It's time to join the great shroom-boom and learn how to cook this highly controversial vegetable the right way.

5 delicious ways to use up a courgette glut

Courgettes make a great base for sauces, salty snacks and even sweet treats.

Recipe: Courgette Fries

These baked courgette fries make an excellent side dish, or hot nibbles for when you have guests.

Recipe: Courgette Butter

This ‘butter’ will keep in the fridge for a few days, or you can freeze it.

Recipe: Rhubarb & Courgette Chutney

This homemade chutney is delicious with crackers and strong cheese.

Recipe: Crustless Courgette & Bacon Quiche

Tasty cheese and shredded bacon take this simple quiche to new heights.

Recipe: Beetroot Cashew Dip and Seed Crackers

This vibrant dip will be a hit at any picnic, afternoon tea or party.

Recipe: Kate’s Easy Toasted Muesli

NZ Life & Leisure editor Kate Coughlan makes a batch of this muesli once a fortnight.

Recipe: Cam's Ginger Slice (Dairy-Free)

This spicy ginger slice uses coconut cream instead of butter — and honey instead of sugar.

Recipe: Priscilla's Bliss Balls

These little morsels are as wholesome as delicious.

Recipe: Kristina's Walnut Crunch

This super simple bar is packed with walnuts and oaty goodness.

Recipe: Nancy's Birdseed Bar

A wholesome treat packed with coconut, seeds, and dried fruit.

Recipe: Kath's Fodder Beet Salad

Fodder beet doesn't have to reserved for animal feed. Kath Fox tosses sliced fodder beet with veggies, rice noodles and a zippy dressing.

9 edible gifts to make for friends and family

Nothing says love or friendship like a sweet little treat made at home.

Recipe: Paul's Plum Sauce

This writer has a rich plum heritage, and a secret ingredient in her family's favourite sauce recipe.

Recipe: Nadia's Eggplant Parmigiana

Nadia Lim loves this simple dish of grilled eggplant, tomato passata, mozzarella and basil — it’s Italy on a plate.

Recipe: Easy Peasy Perfect Pavlova

A perfect pav topped with pomegranate-coloured whipped cream.

The four young Kiwis behind a sparkling drink empire

Four young entrepreneurs want to promote and protect the country's native environment while growing their sparkling drink empire.

5 simple ways to use fresh broad beans

These tender legumes are quite versatile — try them in salads, tarts and as a substitute for chickpeas.

Recipe: Moroccan Broad Bean Dip

This creamy Middle Eastern dip doesn't have a hint of broad bean flavour.

Recipe: Courgette & Banana Loaf

When life gives you courgettes, make a courgette loaf.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Summer Salad

Consider this salad another way to add more avocado and watermelon into your life.

6 quick-and-tasty ways to use fresh dill

Dill is a summer herb you can play with – it’s hard to overdo it.

Recipe: Mike's Rubbed Beef Skirt Steak

This is Mike Van de Elzen's favourite kind of recipe. Simple and quick, but packs a real flavour punch.

Recipe: Raspberry Jelly-Tip Pavlova Roll

Ruth Pretty's raspberry jelly-tip pavlova roll is pure Kiwiana goodness.

Recipe: Heavenly Chocolate & Coconut Raw Slice

A decadent no-bake slice to pair with a cup of tea.

Ruth Pretty's joyful Christmas feast

Celebrate the festive season with friends and family and share this easy, elegant feast.

7 easy and festive nibbles to make for Christmas

After one frustrating cheese board fail, Nadene Hall breaks down seven festive appetisers that are practically foolproof.

This architecture graduate found structure in jelly

A jolly delicious business born from an art project is reinventing a Kiwi classic.

Recipe: Kristina's Marrow Chutney

No need to peel the marrow or apples in this easy recipe.

Recipe: ‘Any Kind of Onion’ Tarte Tatin

Leeks, red onions and shallots will all work in this versatile vegetarian dish.

Recipe: Mustard & Mint Pesto

Fresh mint mellows mustard’s spice in this easy pesto.

Recipe: Roasted Turkey with Red Rice Stuffing (GF)

The roasted turkey of your dreams is guaranteed to impress (and satisfy) a crowd.

How to grow your own bath sponge

There aren’t many mouth-watering veggies that can also be a bath sponge and a dishcloth.

Recipe: Asparagus & Strawberry Salad with Feta

A simple five-ingredient salad to make fresh asparagus shine.

Recipe: Ceviche with Kūmara, Chilli & Coriander

This ceviche recipe is super simple, yet the taste is beyond fresh and delicious.

7 delicious ways to use up rhubarb

Rhubarb is a time-honoured favourite food, for sweet and tart reasons.

Recipe: Eric's Roasted Rhubarb

Take your rhubarb to the next level by popping it in the oven.

Recipe: Garlic & Caper Chicken with Braised Spring Vegetables

This easy-to-make main course has all the flavours of classic roast chicken, with minimal fuss.

Recipe: Broad Bean Salad

A quick and elegant salad to make those fresh broad beans shine.

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

These little cupcakes are moist and tasty and are just the right size to enjoy with tea or coffee.

Recipe: Broccolini, Buckwheat & Herb Salad

If the vegetable gods are smiling, use fresh broad beans instead of frozen and swap out the broccolini for asparagus.

Recipe: Mikes's Mini Lamb Puff Pies

Go ahead and double the recipe — these bite-sized morsels are guaranteed to be a hit.

Why you're having problems growing shiitake

These gourmet mushrooms can cost you around $60 per kilogram, or you can grab your chainsaw and grow them yourself.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Doughnuts with Dulce de Leche

These oven-baked doughnuts, with sticky caramel, are surprisingly simple to make — no deep-frying necessary.

How to grow delicious courgettes

Sow your courgette seeds now for a fruitful summer harvest.

Recipe: Pickled Red Cabbage with Carrot Flowers

Can't seem to find a use for that excess cabbage? Make a deliciously tangy (and pretty) cabbage preserve.

Recipe: Broad Bean Tart

Fresh broad beans are hidden in a creamy mascarpone filling.

Recipe: Raw Passionfruit Slice

Passionfruit and honey live harmoniously together in this easy-to-make raw slice.

Meet the duo behind NZ's first homegrown oat milk

Two old mates with a shared goal are shaking up New Zealand’s plant-based milk market.

9 quick-and-easy nibbles and dips to feed a crowd

Feeding a crowd this weekend? There's nothing more satisfying than presenting nibbles and dips fresh from the kitchen.

Recipe: Honeyed Gin Sours

Serve this sophisticated but simple drink as an aperitif or refreshing cocktail.

Recipe: Jamie Oliver's Avocado Pastry Quiche

Sweet pea, Cheddar & basil filling, mixed garden leaves.

Recipe: Spiced Roast Chicken with Citrus Slaw

Give your Sunday roast a kick with this flavour-packed spice rub.

International cheese expert's food and wine tours in the Hawke's Bay

Global cheese aficionado Juliet Harbutt hosts foodie tours from her home with vineyard views.

Recipe: Lamb and Pumpkin Arancini Balls

These golden, risotto-filled morsels can be served as an entrée or a light lunch.

Recipe: Chocolate Banana Strudel with Butterscotch Sauce

Not your average strudel — this easy, kid-friendly banana dessert with gooey caramel sauce is as tasty as it is fun to make.

Homemade Oat Biscuits (for your next cheese board)

Whip up these crunchy biscuits in a pinch for your next cheese platter.

Recipe: Chocolate Tart with Tahini Salted Caramel

A decadent vegan tart made with a walnut base and silky chocolate-and-coconut filling.

Caramelized Onion and Gruyere Cheese Scones

Raise your scone game with the nutty gruyere cheese and sweet caramelized onion.

Recipe: Jamie Oliver's Easiest Broccoli Quiche

Red pesto-layered filo, Cheddar & cottage cheese.

Recipe: Jamie Oliver's Easy Peri Peri Chicken

Garlic, smoked paprika, harissa, mint & chunky potato wedges.

Make your own honey granola

This granola recipe from Karly Polaschek of Greytown Honey replaces refined sugar with delicious kāmahi honey.

Meet the fifth generation of Wairarapa beekeepers

The fifth generation of a Wairarapa beekeeping family is producing high-grade honey fit for the breakfast table and the medicine cabinet.

Recipe: Whipped Feta with Lemon Zest & Pink Peppercorns

This silky dip will complement just about anything on a grazing platter.

Recipe: Braised Lamb Shoulder with Beetroot Sauce

On these long dark nights, treat yourself to braised lamb drizzled with a flavourful alternative to gravy.

A vegan chocolate mousse that hits the spot

A silky, vegan chocolate mousse that hits all the right spots.

Recipe: Diana’s Cheese Puffs

These savoury puffs are frozen before baked a fool-proof party snack with minimal prep time.

Recipe: Lavender lemonade cordial or cocktail mixer

This refreshing cordial also makes a terrific base for a cocktail – just pour with gin over ice, then top up with soda water.

Recipe: The best marmalade ever

Marmalade is easy to make if you get organised in advance. This is a great recipe which produces a wonderful, bright yellow marmalade that keeps well.

Learn to make your own feta

Making salty feta at home is both easy and satisfying for first-time cheesemakers.

Recipe: Beetroot & Goat Cheese Tarte Tatin

This upside-down tart is traditionally made with apples, but the use of sweet, caramelized beetroot and tart goat cheese results in a delicious savoury dish.

This herb is the best substitute for cucumber

If you need cucumber but don’t have any, this leafy herb is here to help.

Recipe: Cauliflower Fritters with Fried Halloumi and Lime Emulsion

A zingy lime emulsion is the perfect dressing for these scrummy cauli fritters.

How to grow wasabi in New Zealand

Fresh wasabi is a hot pick for the patient gardener.

Recipe: Kate's Spelt Flour Beetroot Bread

Beetroot adds a little purple magic to this easy-to-make spelt flour loaf.

Recipe: Mike's Lamb Burgers with Tzatziki and Hummus

Mike Van de Elzen creates the ultimate lamb burger with a flavoursome lamb patty and lashings of fennel tzatziki and hummus.

Recipe: Tangy Lime Possets with Coconut Wafers

This creamy dessert is easy to whip up and never fails to impress. Note the posset takes at least three hours to set.

Individual Date, Blueberry, and Apple Crumbles

This twist on a classic fruit crumble has a nutty oaty topping which is baked separately for extra crunch.

How to make homemade natural yoghurt

Homemade yoghurt is a great way to introduce beneficial bacteria to help keep the digestive system healthy.

Make your own orange wine liqueur

This is delicious in winter, but you can also keep it for a summer drink. It makes a lovely gift.

Recipe: Chicken Dumpling Soup with Bok Choy

The simple, warming broth is the star of this wholesome dumpling soup.

A harvest in 7- 14 days: A step-by-step guide to growing microgreens

Microgreens provide fast-growing, highly nutritious mouthfuls of goodness.

Recipe: Mulligatawny with Coriander Bread

This South Indian-inspired chicken soup tastes even better the next day.

Recipe: Oma’s Dutch Apple Tart (appeltaart)

A deliciously Dutch recipe that's been passed down the Van De Elzen family.

Why growing a food forest can be trickier than you think

Imitating nature to grow food seems like a good idea but creating a thriving food forest can be tricky.

Recipe: Chicken Florentine

Creamy white wine sauce is the hero of this classic main dish.

Recipe: Homemade 100's & 1000's Biscuits

Laura MacDonald from thekiwicountrygirl.com shares her homemade version of  this New Zealand kids' favourite.

Recipe: How to make pizza dough from scratch

Take notes from pastry chef Clinton Davies and learn how to make the perfect pizza base.

How to pickle cauliflower

A sweet and tangy way to use cauliflower that is anything but bland.

Recipe: Warm Green Olives, Carrots & Fennel Bulb with Roasted Smoked Paprika Almonds

On colder nights, this warming salad is the perfect accompaniment to a savoury roast.

Recipe: Bee's Ginger Pistachio Slice

This gingery treat never fails to impress at Michael Van de Elzen's house.

11 things to use for perfect sourdough

Take your sourdough from adequate to artisan with these tools of the trade.

5 delicious ways to use kumquats

This tiny citrus is tart at heart but comes wrapped in a sweet surprise. Here are five ways to use a kumquat crop.

15 delicious citrus recipes

An abundant citrus tree means it's time to whip up some treats in the kitchen.

Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Brownie

A chocolaty twist on a classic American dessert.

Recipe: Mandarin Curd

This sweet curd is a great way to use up overripe mandarins.

Explore the edible jungle in the middle of dairy country

Thirty-three years ago, Hawi and Susann Winter decided to create a jungle of the most delicious kind.

Recipe: Flourless Mandarin Cake

This gluten-free syrup cake is made with seeds and nuts and is bursting with tangy mandarin flavour.

Recipe: Chilli Chocolate Cakes

Chilli and chocolate is an ancient pairing that does wonders for the taste buds.

Recipe: Silverbeet Gnudi

These green-speckled ricotta dumplings are like gnocchi’s rustic cousins.

6 common sourdough mistakes to avoid

Baking sourdough took off during lockdown, but along with all the crusty goodness were the bad bakes. Expert organic sourdough baker Neville Chun reveals what it takes to create a perfect sourdough and how to avoid baking a frisbee.

Recipe: Cheese and Onion Pie

A savoury, vegetarian pie worthy of a weekend feast.

Recipe: Pickled Lemons or Limes

Preserved citrus can be added to marinades, stews and Moroccan and Middle Eastern dishes.

Make your own water kefir

This fizzy beverage contains probiotics similar to kombucha and switchel.

Recipe: Easy Orange Chutney

A great way to use up excess oranges — make sure to save the peels for orange wine liqueur.

Recipe: Portobello Mushrooms with Butter Bean Mash, Macadamia Nut Crumble & Rustic Pesto

This rustic vegetarian side dish is packed with flavour and texture.

How Clevedon Herbs & Produce nourished NZ during the lockdown

A family in its fourth generation of growing vegetables not only flourishes during the lockdown but also wins an award.

Recipe: Baked Pears in Verjuice with Dark Chocolate Sauce

This sophisticated dessert is steeped in fragrant verjuice before served with a decadent chocolate sauce.

Learn to bake crusty ciabatta at home

This flattish crusty bread means ‘slipper’ in Italian, a reference to its shape. Its hole-filled structure is excellent for soaking up delicious juices on a plate without falling apart.

Recipe: Gooey Ginger Self-Saucing Pudding

There's nothing quite like self-saucing ginger goodness on a cold evening.

How to get a berry patch started this winter

It's a berry good time of year to plant these varieties in the backyard.

4 delicious ways to use yuzu

This lesser known citrus is easier to use in cooking than you may think.

How to grow yuzu in New Zealand

This lip-puckering chef favourite can easily be grown at home.

Recipe: Homemade Soy Milk

Store in a glass jar for a dairy- and package-free milk that lasts a week.

Recipe: Jeni Pearce's Mini Meatloaves

These hearty meatloaves are as easy to prepare as they are tasty.

Recipe: Chianti Duck with Grove Avocado Oil Mash 

A wonderfully filling meal worthy of a cold winter evening.

Recipe: Chipotle Crab Apple & Rhubarb Ketchup

Crab apples give this tomato-free ketchup a robust character.

Recipe: Pickled Beetroot

Beetroot is a pickling favourite that has stood the test of time.

How to whip up a delicious soup — sans recipe

The secret to a soul-nourishing soup is knowing how to craft it from scratch.

Recipe: Piccalilli

Make this flavourful relish with whatever veggies are in season.

Recipe: Banana Bread in a Mug

Satisfy your sweet tooth in less than 10 minutes.

Clevedon Herbs & Produce win big at the 2020 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards

An Auckland family is producing a vegetable box that looks and tastes better than homegrown — and is this year's Spirit of New Zealand winner at the the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards of 2020.

Recipe: Wholesome Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Everyone knows carrot cake is just a vehicle for cream cheese frosting.

Recipe: Quick Coconut Butter Chicken

This dairy-free version of the classic Indian takeaway can be made at home in under 30 minutes.

Recipe: Soup of Israel

A filling and nourishing chickpea soup that will quickly become a family favourite.

Recipe: Serena's Spiced Apple Punch

This recipe comes from Ruth Pretty's good friend Serena Bass, a cooking-school teacher and caterer based in New York.

This couple ditched their jobs to grow mushrooms

The Krummenacher family business is based on an ancient and dynamic natural system that is going about its important business silently beneath their feet.

How to reap the many health benefits from mushrooms

Mushrooms are so much more than their tasty flavour.

Mike's Super-Delicious Smoked Fish Pâté

The secret to this simple-to-make smoked fish pâté is soaking the bread in milk.

Recipe: Broccoli & Parmesan Morsels

These miniature morsels get their cute shape from a mini muffin tin.

Wellington nuttery Fix & Fogg combine nuts and seeds in their award-winning spread

Another winning seed and nut mix from a small Wellington nuttery, which has big ideas on how to take great flavours to the world.

Recipe: Smoked Salmon, Asparagus and Dill Risotto

This classic Italian dish is taken to new heights with smoked salmon and fresh asparagus.

Recipe: Potato Tortilla

Serve this savoury Spanish omelette with a generous dollop of garlic aioli.

emoyeni chilli sauce

Tokomaru firm's ghost chilli hot sauce wins big in international awards

A mild-mannered couple are producing red hot, award-winning chilli products and running a sustainable business on their Horowhenua block.

Recipe: Feijoa Salsa

The feijoa originates from South America and the flavours work well with a classic salsa. If tomatillos aren't avaialble, use cherry tomatoes.

Recipe: Smoked Fish & Feijoa Salad

This unusual combination of tangy feijoa, smoked fish and the flavours of south east asia will suprise and delight the taste buds.

Recipe: Sticky Pork Ribs with Feijoa Marinade

This feijoa twist on rib marinade is finger lickin' good.

Recipe: Garden Greens Pesto

This versatile pesto can be made with silverbeet, kale, or any other garden green.

Meet the probiotic-rich (and award-winning) health drink on the block

Clevedon’s queen of fermentation has brewed a natural, low-sugar beverage that packs a probiotic punch — and won the Drink category at the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards of 2020.

16 feijoa varieties to plant for your ideal harvest time

Plan your feijoa season ahead of time by selecting the ideal variety for your garden.

Recipe: Sticky Date Pudding

Nothing spells comfort food quite like warm sticky date pudding.

NZ Champions of Cheese Awards trophy winners announced

New Zealand Specialist Cheesemakers Association urges New Zealanders to support NZ-made cheese.

Make mum this Coconut Chocolate Bounty Cake for Mother's Day

This coconut cake is layered with whipped chocolate ganache and topped with a decadent cream-cheese frosting.

The Wānaka ice-cream makers churning out award-winning boysenberry ice cream

A Wānaka freezery lives up to its name with handcrafted ice cream with pure, homegrown flavour that won the Dairy category at the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards of 2020.

Recipe: Quinoa Cakes with Chimichurri Yoghurt

Cooked too much quinoa? Make these tasty vegetarian cakes with the leftovers and pair it with an simple herbaceous yoghurt sauce.

Recipe: Pear and Ginger Shortcake

Spiced pears and ginger are sandwiched between two layers of buttery shortcake in this delectable treat.

A Gisborne company give the underrated kahawai a new smokey treatment

A new way of treating a former by-product catch is tickling taste buds — and winning at the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards of 2020.

Recipe: Cranberry Anzac Biscuits

Studded with rich crimson-coloured dried cranberries, these Anzac biscuits are simply delicious.

14 comfort food recipes to keep you warm you in autumn

Colder weather calls for fragrant curries, nourishing soups, savoury pies and lots of roasties.

Recipe: Anzac Crumble

Turn the Anzac biscuit recipe into the topping for a dessert with a difference.

Recipe: Make sourdough crumpets from excess sourdough starter

Feeding a young sourdough starter often results in waste. Make the most of your excess starter for a quick breakfast or snack.

Recipe: Oven-Baked Lentil Soup with Greens

This warming soup is a tasty way to use up seasonal garden greens.

Recipe: Pumpkin and Chickpea Coconut Curry

Roasting the pumpkin first makes this curry flavourful and naturally sweet. Like many curries, this one tastes better the next day.

Bostock Brothers named Supreme Champion at 2020 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards

A family-run business producing premium poultry is the Supreme Champion in the 2020 Outstanding New Zealand Food Producer Awards.

Recipe: Smoked Kahawai Pie with Dutch Babies

A hearty smoked fish pie using one of New Zealand's most sustainable fish, kahawai.

4 delicious ways to eat chestnuts

This quintessential autumn nut can be used in cake, snack balls and even a Nutella-like spread.

How to make feijoa wine

Make the perfect autumn tipple with your excess feijoas.

Recipe: Golden Kūmara Cheesecake

An easy baked cheesecake that tastes as good as it looks.

9 ways to add nutrition to your meals with microgreens

Microgreens are an easy way to add homegrown nutrition to breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Recipe: Fridge-Raid Frittata

Let whatever is in your fridge take centre stage in this easy-to-make frittata.

Recipe: Swans with Strawberry Cream

These choux pastry swans make a sweet addition to a sumptuous afternoon spread.

Recipe: Adorable Easter Bunny Cake

This cute Easter bunny cake is easy to assemble and made with a basic butter cake recipe.

4 delicious ways to use feijoa skins

Make the most of feijoa season by using every bit of them.

How to make ginger beer at home

The secret to good ginger beer is in the bug, says Sheryn Dean.

10 garden-to-table recipes to make the most of produce

Is there such thing as too much autumn produce? Not with these tasty snacks and recipes.

Recipe: Unicorn Noodles (with natural colouring)

Colourful cabbage leaves and a squeeze of lemon can take Asian dishes to a magical level.

This cabbage variety is the secret to tasty sauerkraut

Simple ferments can do wonders for your gut. Even better, the very best vegetables to use are the ones you grow yourself.

Recipe: Citrus Prawn Noodle Salad

Toss herbs and garden produce into this versatile salad for a filling, plant-to-plate meal.

Recipe: Lemon Syrup Cake

This moist lemon cake has the perfect amount of lemony zing.

Feijoa chutney, three ways

A feijoa glut doesn't have to mean a predictable chutney. Add some warm spices, keep it classic, or try a skins-on variety.

How to make rosehip syrup

Save autumn rosehips and make this vitamin-C rich syrup

Recipe: Silverbeet Gratin

Silverbeet has never tasted more delicious.

Two delicious sourdough bread variations to try

Advanced sourdough makers can try these delicious sourdough variations.

Free Downloadable Meal Planner

Reduce food waste and make the supermarket trip easier with this downloadable weekly meal planner.

12 delicious boredom-busting baking ideas

Maybe you've watched The Great British Bake Off one too many times. Maybe you just need some sugar. Whatever the reason, it's time to bake.

Recipe: Feijoa & Walnut Chocolate Cake

A layer of dark chocolate frosting gives this moist feijoa cake a touch of indulgence.

how to make oat milk at home

Run out of milk? Make oat milk using water and 1 Cup of rolled oats

Almond, coconut, soy and rice are all popular dairy-free milk alternatives, but there are easier options you can grow and make yourself.

Recipe: Beetroot & Blackcurrant Kvass Tonic

This easy-to-make fermented beverage is a great digestive aid and source of vitamin C.

Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards 2020 medal winners revealed

In a world that’s a little topsy-turvy it’s wonderful to celebrate great New Zealand produce with the announcement of 2020 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards medal winners.

Recipe: Spiced Apple or Pear Sauce

This simple preserve sings with natural sweetness from seasonal apples or pears.

10 recipes that make the most of pantry staples or leftovers

Pantry staples such as flour, tinned beans and garlic are the unsung heroes in many tasty dishes.

Recipe: Kate’s Rustic Crusty Bread

Kate's secret to getting that covetable crusty finish is using a heavy casserole dish.

Recipe: Sourdough Focaccia

Top this focaccia with figs or olives for a tasty garnish.

Recipe: Michael Van de Elzen's Sausage Rolls

Nothing brings the family together like a plate of hot sausage rolls.

This Linzer Torte is a simple jam slice with a gourmet twist

These pretty slices are flavoured with plum jam, ground walnuts and a pinch of cinnamon.

Recipe: Spiced Roast Feijoa Chutney

Cardamom adds a touch of smokiness to this feijoa chutney.

Recipe: Buffalo Yoghurt Pannacotta with Rhubarb Compote & Praline

This silky Italian dessert is elevated with buffalo yoghurt and fresh rhubarb.

Recipe: Apricot (or peach) Clafoutis

This flan-like dessert can be made with any firm stonefruit, such as plums, peaches or cherries.

Recipe: Red-Fleshed Peach & Rhubarb Chutney

Transform this prized peach variety into a dark, flavourful chutney.

Recipe: Green Bean & Potato Salad

This garden-to-table salad is drizzled with a zesty herb vinaigrette.

Recipe: Avocado, Pecan and Feijoa Guacamole

Fresh feijoa adds a hint of tang to this flavour-packed guacamole.

8+ tasty ways to use up your courgette glut

These prolific vegetables can get tiresome, but all you need is a little creativity.

A Lady Butcher revives old-school charcuterie with free-range, local meats

A charcutier returns to the forgotten days of butchery – plucking free-range livestock from the paddock and using every last jowl, shoulder and trotter.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Chicken Curry Puffs

These baked golden parcels can impress on their own as a spicy entrée or make a tasty addition to an afternoon spread.

Behemoth's rise to making politically infused craft brews

Andrew Child’s first award-winning beer was named after a Wellington mayor. Then came Dump The Trump IPA.

Recipe: Little Fish Pies with Parmesan Crumble

These pretty little pies have seriously big flavour.

A feijoa lovin' journalist blazes the feijoa trail in South America

Obsessed with a fruit many New Zealanders think of as their own, an award-winning journalist traveled the world to search for its roots.

Recipe: Warm Autumnal Salad

This simple salad pairs well with lamb or fish, or can stand alone as a healthy main.

Recipe: Elote (Mexican Grilled Corn)

Elote (Spanish for ‘corn cob, ’ pronounced eh-loh-teh) is Mexican street food, usually served on a stick or skewer.

Recipe: Gingerbread Kisses

These little individual cakes are very, VERY good. You can keep a stash of unfilled cakes in the freezer for emergencies.

 

Forager's Jam: Elderberry, Kawakawa and Plum preserves

Use wild fruit to make this sweet and slightly peppery favourite to add to your pantry.

Recipe: Zesty Sweetcorn Pickle

Make the most of fresh corn by giving it a zippy fermentation.

Easy sauerkraut for beginners

Tip no. 4: You don't need fancy salt to make delicious kraut.

Recipe: Barbecued Fish with Watermelon & Black Olive Salad

Pair the catch of the day with a sweet twist on a summer salad.

Recipe: Courgette and Coriander Salad with a Lemon Tahini Dressing

This salad works really well at this time of the year with BBQ chicken, fish and grilled pork chops.

Lucy Corry: The city dweller's guide to foraging

Even city dwellers can forage for edible finds with a few rudimentary guidelines to keep the tummy happy and the neighbours sweet, says Lucy Corry

Recipe: Chocolate Plum Slice

This dark chocolate brownie is topped with a baked plum purée filling.

How to deal with an abundant elderberry harvest

The problem with this invasive weed is that it's so delicious.

Preserves 101: How to sterilize jars and preserve fruit safely

Make summer fruit and veggies last through winter with these simple preserving techniques, including low-sugar options for fruit bottling and jams.

Recipe: Lamb Tacos with Corn Salsa and Chipotle Lime Mayo

There's nothing better than homemade tacos made with fresh ingredients (and a generous sprinkling of smoky chilli)

Recipe: Blackberry Crumble Slice

Any berry will work in this seasonally delicious slice.

A Greytown couple's sweet life making juice and cider

Mela has been keeping New Zealanders sweet since 2004. Now a second generation of makers is forecasting great things for the Wairarapa brand’s cider and single-variety apple juices.

Why you should harvest fennel pollen (and how to do it)

One foodie describes it as the spice an angel would sprinkle from its wings.

How to deal with runner bean glut

It's time to get creative when the beans are running rampant.

Recipe: Grilled Haloumi, Spiced Courgette, Eggplant & Red Pepper Salad with Cashew & Tomato Cream

This Mediterranean-inspired salad is packed with barbecued flavour.

Recipe: Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes

These pretty little desserts don't need any baking.

How Polly Greeks uses a pizza oven for off-grid living (plus her time-tested oven tips)

NZ Life & Leisure columnist Polly Greeks is building an off-grid mudbrick home in the Far North. The family of four’s pizza oven is not just a luxury, it’s an essential part of life.

Growing asparagus and strawberries on a fourth generation farm

This farming family grows asparagus and strawberries — the food manifestations of spring and summer. But Horowhenua’s Lewis Farms is a year-round operation.

Recipe: Fiorentina-Style T-Bone Steak with Lima Bean Salad

This juicy steak and a zippy salad are guaranteed to impress at your next barbecue.

How to make dehydrated strawberries

Don't let excess berries go to waste this season.

11 refreshing salads to make over summer

These fresh salads will add colour, nutrition and flavour to any meal.

Recipe: Nadia Lim's Turkish Salad with Watermelon

Add pan-fried haloumi to make this fresh summer salad a meal.

Recipe: Blueberry Cornmeal Pancakes

This pancake recipe is designed especially for campside cooking.  The dry ingredients can be combined ahead of time, for easy preparation while on holiday.

Recipe: Chocolate Cherry Tarts with Walnut Pastry

Make the most of cherry season with these festive treats.

Ruth Pretty's handy baking tips

Ever wondered why some people seem to have a knack for baking? Ruth Pretty shares some pro-tips.

Recipe: Chocolate Strawberry Brandy Balls

These decadent nibbles are not your average snack ball.

Recipe: Strawberry and Champagne Jam

The perfect gift – homegrown strawberry jam with a slosh of bubbles.

Recipe: Barbecued Figs with Burrata, Ginger Syrup & Honeyed Almonds

Who says dessert can't be made on the barbie?

Kiwis need to be more adventurous with their campside cooking, say authors

Campside cooking shouldn’t be limited to scroggin and dehydrated meals. So say the authors of a new illustrated cookbook that encourages trampers to try more adventurous fireside recipes such as fondue and sangria.

Full menu: Ruth Pretty's traditional Christmas feast

Eat, drink and be merry with this show-stopping, fuss-free feast designed to delight family and friends.

Q&A: Michael Barker on making elderberry wine at age 11

The man behind Barker's of Geraldine reflects on five decades of being in the sticky business of syrups, preserves and savoury spreads.

Recipe: Constance Barker's Christmas Trifle

This showstopper celebrates the delicious union of sponge, homemade custard and fruit preserve.

Recipe: Fish Cakes with Herbaceous Green Sauce

These delicious fish cakes with herbaceous green sauce are perfect for a lunch or light summer dinner.

8 Christmas favourites that can make your pet sick

The parties and chaos over summer are a lot of fun, but also include tempting danger foods for your pets.

Canapé cooking tips from the Akaroa Cooking School

Ant and Lou Bentley from the Akaroa Cooking School share tips on creating canapés for summer entertaining.

Three crowd-pleasing (and easy) canapés

Ant and Lou Bentley from the Akaroa Cooking School share three easy canapés to serve guests over the holidays.

Recipe: A Pretty Prosecco Cocktail

You'll be the toast of the town with this pretty and pink cocktail.

Recipe: Roast Salmon with Caramelized Balsamic Onions & Citrus Crème Fraiche

Flaky salmon over rich caramelized onions is a guaranteed Christmas show-stopper.

This gin-lovin' couple drink guilt-free with their botanical brews

An entrepreneurial couple has an answer for anyone wanting to cut down on booze — a sugar-free, alcohol-free gin.

Recipe: Mango & Ginger Syllabub with Ginger Cookie Crumble

This mango-flavoured pudding is as festive as it is fresh.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Eat-Your-Heart-Out Quinoa Salad

Keep Christmas fresh with this nutrient-packed, flavourful quinoa salad

Is this the super berry of the future?

They’re the colour of a blueberry, have the sweetest name, and some of NZ’s most experienced croppers are hoping they’ll be an exciting new superfood for NZ gardeners and growers.

Recipe: Tomato Tarte Tatin

A classic vegetarian dish that celebrates the flavour of fresh tomatoes.

Q&A: Peta Mathias on love, aphrodisiacs and travel

Kiwi chef Peta Mathias shares her favourite love stories from around the world in her latest book Eat Your Heart Out. NZ Life & Leisure writer Emma Rawson gets the scoop straight from the foodie herself.

Recipe: Broad Bean Falafel

Swap fresh broad beans for chickpeas for a garden-to-table version of this Middle Eastern staple.

Recipe: Cambodian Black Pepper Prawns

Kampot pepper, considered exceptional among chefs worldwide, is the key ingredient in this Cambodian dish.

The lowdown on loquats (hint: they're great in cobbler)

Often unappreciated, loquats are pure gold and make delicious jam.

Recipe: Cheesy Vegan Zucchini & Corn Fritters

These easy vegetable fritters get a savoury kick from the grated dairy-free cheddar.

Recipe: Honey & Whiskey-Glazed Ham on the Bone

Be merry with this show-stopping ham designed to delight (and satiate) family and friends.

Three pesto recipes for summer (no basil necessary)

It's time to get creative with those herbs and garden greens.

Sausage-making 101

Homemade sausages will give you and your cooking credentials the wow-factor, as well as add plenty of savoire fair to your barbecue fare.

Recipe: Greens and Feta Pancakes

This quick and versatile recipe from Catherine Bell and Garden to Table Trust can be made using any garden green such as silverbeet, rocket or spinach.

Recipe: Kindness Kisses

How to spread kindness, do good and eat well – all at the same time.

Recipe: Elderflower vinegar

Elderflower can be used to make vinegar, jelly and wine.

7 tips to growing gluten-free amaranth flour

It’s your last chance to plant amaranth for seeds, and grow a low-maintenance, protein-rich food.

Recipe: Creamy Asparagus, Spinach, Herb and Goat's Cheese Tart

Pair this savoury meal with a dollop of tomato relish and a glass of pinot gris.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Warm Potato & Pea Salad

This fresh spin on potato salad will brighten any meal.

Recipe: Vegan No-Bake Fruity Cheesecake with Marshmallow Fluff Base

Making a pretty vegan dessert has never been easier.

This vegan cheese brand crowd-funded $385,000 in nine days

An environmentalist's heavenly range of vegan dairy producers is flying off the shelves.

Recipe: Simon Gault's Christmas Berry Pudding

This scrumptious alternative to traditional trifle is made with mascarpone, limoncello, brandy sauce and heaps of berries.

Third-generation charcutier says sausage-making is an artform

Philippe Arregui is winning the hearts of New Zealanders one gourmet sausage at a time.

Recipe: Vanilla Chiffon Cake

This airy dessert is part pavlova and part cake – the best of both worlds.

10 most nutrient-rich leafy greens you can grow

If you’re going to grow your salads, here are the 10 greens that make every bite as nutrient-rich as possible.

Recipe: Crispy Cauliflower Salad with Satay Dipping Sauce

Creamy satay sauce gives this healthy cauliflower dish a flavourful kick.

Recipe: Nadia Lim's Avocado Mint Choc Chip Ice Cream

This beautiful mint-green ice cream is a real decadent treat.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Spring Greens Salad with Koi Dressing

A simple salad bursting with herbs and Japanese flavour.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Boxing Day Ham Sliders

Make the most of Christmas leftovers with these easy-to-make ham sliders.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Fruit Sandwiches

These colourful sandwiches, known as shokupan in Japan, make a sweet breakfast or satisfying snack.

How to grow this alien-looking fruit in NZ

It’s a highly nutritious, star-shaped melon with a pineapple, pawpaw, banana and strawberry-like tang – and odds are, you’ve never heard of it.

How to make aquafaba PLUS vegan chocolate mousse

Does the chickpea cooking liquid live up to its hype? Food editor Lucy Corry does some digging.

Ruth Pretty's: Rockhopper Rocky Road

Ruth Pretty's rocky road is a delicious way to celebrate Bird of the Year.

Recipe: Chickpea Cauliflower Burgers

This flavour-packed vegetarian patty is anything but boring.

Red Leicester Cheese and Pesto Tarts

This is a take on a Jo Seagar recipe and a favourite with the Whalley family for Christmas pre-dinner nibbles. They use a 12-muffin tin but you could also make them mini-muffin size.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Japanese-Style Crème Caramel Custard

This Japanese version of the French classic is exceptionally creamy, with a generous amount of dark caramel.

What is switchel? Meet the Kiwi couple brewing kombucha's switched-on cousin

Chantel and Mike Priddy are quenching a thirst for living well with a traditional fermented drink.

This farmer's secret to award-winning cheese? Sheep milk

It took some persuading to get this humble Northland farmer to enter her sheep cheese in the NZ Champions of Cheese Awards.

The couple behind Forty Thieves share three ways to prepare hummus

Traditional hummus is a staple for Shyr and Brent Godfrey. Here's how they do it.

Recipe: Everyday Multigrain Sourdough Sandwich Bread

This no-knead sourdough bread is perfect for beginners.

Recipe: Danish Red Beet Soup with Ribs (Rødbedesuppe)

Kristina honours her Danish ancestry with a rub-red bowl of hearty rødbedesuppe.

13 great party food ideas for the Rugby World Cup

Planning a viewing party for the All Blacks during the Rugby World Cup? We've found our 13 favourite party dishes to feed  support crews around New Zealand.

Recipe: Vegan Banoffee Pie

This decadent dessert is not only easy to make, but equally easy on the eyes.

Recipe: Triple Chocolate Cookies

A medley of white, milk and dark chocolate make these cookies the ultimate crowd-pleaser.

Recipe: Coriander cake

Take any plain cake recipe and finely grind 1-2 tbsp of coriander seed and add to the mix, or use this upside- down apple cake.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Chicken & Asparagus Yakitori

Kick off the first rays of sunshine with these Japanese-inspired skewers on the barbie.

Why colostrum shouldn't go to waste (and how you can benefit from it)

Colostrum is essential for newborn calves, very beneficial to humans, and – as Sheryn has discovered – simple to cook and delicious to eat.

How Kiwi innovators are tackling food fraud in New Zealand

Science is at the forefront of detecting and prosecuting food fraud.

Recipe: Low-Sugar Orange Kumara Brownies

This sweet little brownie uses sweet potato and maple syrup as alternatives to refined sugar.

30+ of the best tomato varieties to grow this summer

There are hundreds of varieties to try but these ones get top reviews.

Yeshi Taye's homemade Ethiopian sauce is stirring up Wellington's food scene

A former refugee cooks up a taste of Sudanese culture in memory of her mum.

Are organic apples the secret to good gut health?

An apple carries about 100 million bacteria. Good luck washing them off.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Chirashi-Sushi

This deconstructed sushi bowl tastes as good as it looks.

Ruth Pretty's Ricotta and Pesto Torte

Impress your guests with this delicious dip from Ruth Pretty. One of the top cook’s most sought-after recipes, it’s great to have when entertaining.

The artisan tonic water from a once-secret colonial recipe

A once-secret family recipe that saved lives in Kenya’s colonial days has become available to New Zealand G&T lovers.

Tasting the future of sausage...

Emma Rawson encounters a strange new world of flavours while dining on sausages of the future.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Lemon Frippery

This tart mousse is a great way to use up extra lemons this season.

8+ ways to cook with shungiku

This humble little green is a hero in Japanese cuisine.

Recipe: Fresh Lactic Cheese

This soft cheese, traditionally made with goat's milk, has a delightfully light texture.

An easy recipe to reduce food waste

Thirty percent of all food produced on the planet is not eaten, and Kristina has a recipe for that.

Recipe: Cacao Almond and Fudge Slice

An easy no-bake slice that's a crowd favourite.

How to use thyme to combat winter ills

Kristina finds her garden has the cure for what ails her.

Recipe: Make your own kombucha

Brewing this popular fermented drink at home is easy, cheap and oh-so-satisfying.

Recipe: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Saffron Almond Cake

This cake is gluten and dairy-free - and delicious. It’s a beautiful saffron-gold colour, and has a delicious orange flavour and moist texture, plus it’s easy to make.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Grapefruit Cheesecake

When the trees are laden with those wonderfully sweet/bitter orbs we call the grapefruit, there’s only one thing to do – make cake.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Marmalade Baklava with Chocolate Crème

Orange marmalade and a side of rich chocolate crème make this Mediterranean classic truly sing.

5 non-edible uses for grapefruit

Grapefruit seem to be one of those contentious, love-it-or-loathe-it kind-of fruit. Here are some easy DIY ways to use up grapefruit that don’t involving eating them.

Recipe: Garden Greens & Feta Filo Pie

A simple tart to use up excess garden greens, heavy on the fresh herbs and complemented with briny feta.

Omaka marae 'aunties' say their preserves are 'Maori culture in a jar'

Manaaki condiments, made in Blenheim with traditional Māori ingredients, aren’t just delicious. They also spread hospitality and generosity.

Topp Secret Gingernut recipe

The Topp Twins had to beg their mum Jean to share their nana’s famous Gingernut Biscuit recipe for their new cookbook Topp Country: A Culinary Journey.

Recipe: Blackcurrant Muffins

Put a fresh and healthy twist on muffins by swapping out blueberries for antioxidant-rich blackcurrants.

This chrysanthemum is pretty and tasty

Chrysanthemums are a florist favourite, but one type makes a great dish too.

Recipe: Fresh pasta with truffle

Truffle flavour marries perfectly with butter, cream and eggs and  exceptionally well with food that is white: potato, rice, bread or pizza dough, cauliflower, pasta and fish.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Brussels Sprouts with Honey & Toasted Pepitas

Fresh brussels sprouts are the star of the show in this healthy-yet-tasty side dish.

Recipe: Lemon Meringue Cake

A cake on a grand scale that tastes as good as it looks. Make it from scratch or buy the best sponge cake, meringues and lemon curd you can and proceed to assembly. Use a cardboard cake round if possible. The cake is lovely to eat the day after making.

Two ways to get into a cauliflower pickle

If you are struggling to eat up your cauliflower, Kristina Jensen can get you into a pickle.

Why you need to grow this ancient herb

It’s always exciting to find a new herb, even if it’s one that has been around for thousands of years.

3 warming apple recipes for a chilly day

A glut of apples is easily transformed with a little brown sugar and pinch of nutmeg.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Winter Salad with Pomegranate Dressing

This hearty salad combines sweet, savoury and tangy flavours for a refreshing dinner accompaniment.

Three zesty recipes to celebrate Meyer lemon season

It's lemon season, and in celebration of this New Zealand backyard stalwart we've created three tangy, citrus recipes to add some zest to your winter menu.

29 delicious NZ products that should be on every foodie's radar

Here’s a list of some fantastic New Zealand artisan food producers you should be adding to your shopping cart.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Lamb with Lemon & Oregano, Hummus & Lamb Jus

Make merry with this chill-beating med-inspired feast to warm a cold night.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Baked Chocolate and Amaretto Cheesecake

This indulgent cheesecake is not only pretty, but worth every single calorie.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Cabbage, Pear & Fennel Slaw

Cider vinegar, mustard and caraway punch up this simple, elegant slaw.

Recipe: Go-to Ginger and Walnut Tan Slice

Ruth Pretty's chewy, buttery, ginger slice will soon become your go-to-recipe for morning teas and special occasions.

Recipe: Turkish Baked Cauliflower with Spiced Lamb Sauce

The bed of spiced lamb mince sauce packs some serious flavour in this hearty winter dish.

Recipe: Green Leek & Potato Soup

Celebrate cold weather with sweet leeks and hearty potatoes.

8 warming soup recipes

Warm up from the cold weather with these hearty and easy soup recipes.

kiwifruit dessert

Kiwifruit, Passionfruit and Mint Salad with Amaretto Dressing

A refreshing and simple dessert.  Green or gold kiwifruit, or a mixture of both can be used.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Rugelach with Apricot, Walnuts and Chocolate

Pair a few of these sweet Jewish scrolls with your morning coffee.

watercress soup

Recipe: Cream of Watercress Soup

Our make your own Cream of Watercress Soup from this easy to grow green.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Devils on Horseback

This classic party-favourite is dressed up with almonds, honey and lemon zest.

Putting Gisborne oranges on the map

A delivery business with a twist boosts returns for a Gisborne orchard.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Perfect Garlic Bread

Ruth Pretty shares the secret to creating restaurant-quality garlic bread.

Homegrown Farm Fresh Meats' lamb hot in demand

Wairarapa sheep and beef farmers Dion Kilmister and Ali Scott of Homegrown Farm Fresh Meats are focused on ensuring what their customers eat is as good as what they eat at home.

How to tell when a persimmon is ripe

The softer and squishier persimmons get, the better they are.

Walnuts 101: How to grow, store and cook walnuts

It’s technically not a nut, but Kristina is nuts for this nut.

Recipe: Quick and Easy Walnut Tart

Walnut tart is a favourite in France, known as tarte aux noix.

7 creative ways to celebrate mum's special day

Mother’s Day is almost here (it’s this Sunday, May 12th) so get sorted with these fresh ideas for activities, gestures and gifts to show you care.

Why mustard is a garden must-have

Mustards are the most feared of leafy greens, but they’re now essential in Jenny Somervell's kitchen.

Recipe: Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Smoked Mussels

Celebrate the earthy jerusalem artichoke with this warming, potato-based soup.

Lassi three ways

My Indian Kitchen author Ashia Ismail-Singer shares three variations of this classic Indian drink.

Recipe: Spicy Peppers in Tomato Sauce

A  mid-week vegetarian option from My Indian Kitchen author Ashia Ismail-Singer.

Guest Blog: Ashia Ismail-Singer’s journey to My Indian Kitchen

It was a bout of homesickness that prompted Malawi-born New Zealander Ashia Ismail-Singer to start her blog.

Magnolia Kitchen Recipe: Chewy Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Bernadette Gee's cookbook Magnolia Kitchen is an internet sensation. These chewy delights were named after Bernadette's one-and-only light-of-her-life daughter Charlotte.

Recipe: Kristina Jensen’s Crab Apple & Walnut Streusel Cake

It takes a little more work than the average cake, but this streusel-topped treat is well worth it.

Recipe: Red Wine Poached Pears

An elegant yet simple dessert, perfect for autumn evenings.

Oamaru's Whitestone Cheese rakes in medals for top-notch cheeses

Whitestone Cheese may not be reinventing the wheel, but it is certainly giving it a twist — one that earned them the Spirit of New Zealand award at the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards for 2019.

Provenance Meat owner says healthy soil is behind award-winning lamb

Bio-farmed and ethically raised, the lambs grown for Provenance Meat are owner David Crutchley’s pride and joy — and reason for winning the paddock category of the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards for 2019.

A Gisborne fishery delivers transparency and sustainability

In Gisborne, two men are delivering fish that’s not only wharf-side fresh but traceable and sustainable — and are much deserving of winning the water category at the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards of 2019.

The Chia Sisters reach new heights for award-winning, solar-powered juicery

The success of a South Island soft-drinks company has its owners juiced — and selected as winner of the earth category in the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards for 2019.

Wooden Spoon Freezery's ice-cream makers get playful with flavour

A scoopful of fun is included in every tub made by these award-winning, boutique ice-cream makers.

Wooden Spoon Freezery named Supreme Champion at 2019 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards

The ice-cream makers at Wooden Spoon Freezery are proof that business and pleasure can be mixed.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Feijoa, Date and Ginger Loaf

This flavour-packed loaf makes the perfect afternoon snack with a cup of tea.

4 recipes to help use up an apple glut

It’s difficult to use every apple you grow, but Jane has the recipes if you want to give it a go.

13 tricks to increase the storage life of seasonal produce

Give excess fruit and veg a long shelf life with some simple storage and harvesting tricks.

Recipe: Venison Shepherd's Pie

Venison brings an extra level of luxury to this humble classic.

9 tips for growing big, juicy grapes

Grapes are easy to grow and nothing has to go to waste.

Recipe: Chunky Monkey Feijoa Chutney (the best-ever feijoa recipe)

Kristina reluctantly shares one of her best-ever chutneys.

A Marlborough distiller is putting New Zealand bitters on the map

Marlborough-made bitters are making waves in the cocktail world, and their creator is just getting started.

Seaweed 101: How to forage, harvest and use seaweed

There’s a great source of free greens in the sea, if you know the ones to look out for.

How to bake lighter, fluffier cakes with duck eggs

You can use duck eggs for any recipe that uses chicken eggs if you take a few things into account.

Fresh As° a global freeze-dried success

Take fresh produce, freeze it, remove the moisture and wow professional chefs and home cooks alike with a range of exciting new ingredients.

Recipe: Chicken and Vegetable Bake with Tarragon Butter

Take roasties and savoury chicken to new heights with fragrant tarragon butter.

The best NZ cheeses of 2019

Over 200 medals have been handed out to NZ’s top specialty cheese makers.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Oven-Baked Quinces with Vanilla Whipped Coconut Cream

Recipe: Baked Quinces with Vanilla Whipped Coconut Cream

An old-fashioned fruit is transformed with a little heat and a lot of airy coconut cream.

Kate's Favourite Broad Bean Salad

Kate Coughlan shares a simple zesty recipe using fresh broad beans.

Self-sufficiency with sweet chestnuts

It's easy to process, stores for a long time and is incredibly versatile. There’s no other fruit or nut that makes a great baking flour, a lovely soup, or a great-tasting pesto.

Recipe: Apple, Fennel and Pork Sausage Rolls

These gourmet sausage rolls are hearty enough for morning tea, lunch or dinner.

Tips to the perfect grazing platter

Learn how to turn cheese and crackers into a work of art to impress your guests.

Recipe: Feijoa and Apple Sorbet

This simple sorbet is tangy, refreshing and delicious, with a lot fewer calories than ice cream. The key is to use very ripe feijoas.

ONZFPA Awards: Medal winners revealed

Foodies have a slew of top-quality products to look out for when they are shopping following today’s announcement of the 2019 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards medal winners.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Iceberg Salad with Cucumber, Beans, Mint and Buttermilk Dressing

Cucumber Salad with Buttermilk Dressing

Stay cool as a cucumber by pairing this simple salad with any main dish.

12 sweet treats to make for anyone who loves butter

Grab a slab a butter and get baking with these butter-laden recipes, perfect for an indulgent weekend treat.

Recipe: Hokey Pokey Melting Moments

This classic biscuit is taken up a notch with crunchy hokey pokey.

How to grow a good roast chicken

Chicken is the cheapest meat you can buy, but a home-grown roast can be well worth the effort.

Recipe: Parmesan-Crumbed Eggplant with Red Pepper Mayo

Late summer calls for lovely finger food that celebrates fresh ingredients, like eggplant and red pepper.

elderberry cordial

Recipe: Kristina's Elderberry Cordial

Make the most of ripe elderberries with this lovely homemade cordial that will last up to two years.

How to make luscious, lemony limoncello

Whether you sip it straight over ice or dilute it with soda to make a spritz, this sweet sensation tastes of southern Italy.

Classic baking: Yoyo recipe

These Yoyos are guaranteed to melt-in-the-mouth. This classic sweet treat is quick to make and will no doubt be an absolute crowd pleaser.

beeswax food wrap

Make your own beeswax food wraps: updated recipe

This environmentally friendly alternative to plastic cling film is easy to make at home.

Francesca Voza's Baked Sardines

If you’re not in the mood for pasta with your sardines, another great use for these tasty fish is to bake them instead, as Francesca's Italian Kitchen does. This is their version of a dish they found all over Sicily.

3 delicious ways to use up a peach glut

Make the most of a late summer peach glut with three quick (and tasty) recipes.

Recipe: Chilled Gazpacho with Avocado and Soft Goat Cheese

Start a simple yet sensational late summer lunch with some autumn flavour.

Nicola Kawana's Tomato and Horopito Chutney

NZ actor Nicola Kawana is also a talented gardener.  She shares her favourite chutney recipe, perfect for using up a tomato glut.

feijoa turnover pastry

Recipe: Feijoa and Almond Turnover Pastries

These delicious feijoa pastries will be a hit at your next morning tea.

Eleanor Ozich's recipes for the simple life

Could making your own larder staples, cleaning products and beauty creams really be a simpler, healthier way of life?

Recipe: Courgette, Apple and Orange Mini Cakes

A recipe that is both indulgent and virtuous, these courgette, apple and orange-scented mini cakes are irresistibly moist and beautiful to eat.

Cooking with capers: 3 recipes to try

You don’t need a lot of capers, but they can give a dish a real flavour punch.

On the BBQ: Grilled Flatbread with Spiced Yoghurt

Add some Mediterranean spice to your summer BBQ with homemade flatbreads and yoghurt dip.

The lazy gardener’s way to save garlic

How to save time by sorting your seed garlic during the harvesting process.

Recipe: Ginger and Green Tomato Jam

Tomatoes won't ripen? This green tomato jam might be the solution to the green tomato glut.

Why you need to give kale another chance

Kale is a trendy healthy option but it can be tough and chewy if not handled with care. Jenny Somervell shares her tips on when to plant and harvest kale and how to cook it properly.

Coffee and a “brewmance"

What Tom and Benita Ormond knew about business when they took over a prominent Hawke’s Bay coffee roastery could have been written on one of those nuggety brown beans. Now they are winning awards.

Recipe: Ginger, Lime and Peppermint Rock Melon with Mango Sorbet

An easy-to-make fruity dessert that epitomizes the taste of summer.

Recipe: Soba Noodle, Wakame and Cucumber Salad

Ruth Pretty's fresh take on a refreshing summer salad— the perfect plate to bring.

Iced Watermelon Smoothies and Lotus Root Crisps

Iced watermelon is a refreshing summertime treat that can be made into a mocktail or served with a dash of gin for a cocktail.

Recipe: Panzanella with Nectarine

This is a non-traditional panzanella (bread salad) with the addition of nectarine.

On the BBQ: Ginger and Soy Salmon

Grilling on the barbecue one of the easiest ways to cook salmon.

Tasty ways to use avocados

The smooth, creamy texture of avocados makes them a great ally in baking. Give these delicious recipes a try.

10 delicious vinaigrettes for salads

Whether you like to dress up or dress down, there is an analogy here for salad creators.

10 hard-to-find edibles (that you can easily grow at home)

These are tasty foods you typically can’t get in supermarkets but are easy to grow on your property.

Recipe: Ukrainian Fermented Tomatoes

Make the most of a tomato glut with this simple fermenting technique.

Recipe: Mussels with chilli, ginger and garlic

Deeane Sara from Stewart Island's Church Hill Restaurant serves local mussels steamed in the shell.

Recipe: Lavender Ice Cream

Lavender goes beautifully in dessert recipes. Just add to any liquids in a recipe that require gentle heat, then strain the flowers out.

Cooking camp-out style

Potatoes, s'mores and sausages: Campfire cooking is caveman stuff but even burnt the food tastes better.

Recipe: Rhubarb Frosé Ice Blocks

For a refreshing twist on the popular frosé cocktail, try these adult ice blocks with stewed rhubarb.

On the BBQ: Pork and Lemongrass Fritters

Let these bold flavours and colourful combinations brighten up summer barbecues.

Recipe: Sugar-cured venison

This luscious dish makes good use of seasonal produce. You need to make the red pepper relish at least a day ahead.

Turkey

12 tips to cooking the perfect Christmas turkey

Don't end up with a dried out bird on Christmas Day.  Here's 12 tips to ensure your turkey is cooked to perfection.

Full menu: Ruth Pretty's Make-ahead Christmas Feast

With a little planning, a touch of prep and — voila — a make-ahead Christmas lunch menu that leaves plenty of time for hosts to spend with guests.

Recipe: Perfumed punch

A fruity non-alcoholic drink, fit for a festive feast.

Recipe: Green Bean Salad with Cranberries

Green beans with a tangy cranberry twist, a delicious side from Ruth Pretty's make-ahead Christmas lunch menu.

Recipe: Honey-Glazed Pork Loin with Guava & Raisins

A pork roast with a fruity filling, fit for Christmas Day.

Recipe: Tropical Eton Mess

A fresh and tangy twist on a classic summer dessert with passionfruit curd and bananas.

Jo Seagar's BBQ St Clements Lamb

‘Oranges and lemons say the bells of St Clements.’ This is the inspiration for this easy but fabulous way to cook lamb on the BBQ. What more perfect choice for our New Zealand Christmas feast than lamb.

Recipe: Spicy Korean-Style Meatballs

These tasty meatballs will be a hit at your next barbecue.

Recipe: Strawberry and Peppermint Cocktail

This summer strawberry cocktail can be made with soda water or dry sparkling wine.

Recipe: Easy tamarind glazed ham

This is the easiest ham glaze you will ever make, and the tamarind flavour works beautifully with the ham.

Career change: entering the ice age

A mid-life career change is just what the doctor ordered for Auckland film editor Jacks Jackson

Why you should plant round cucumber varieties

If you like the long green cucumbers, you're going to love these extraordinary orbs.

How to infuse vodka

Vodka infusions are surprisingly simple to create and are hugely rewarding. Plus, they can make a great gift.

Recipe: Pepparkakor Gingerbread Biscuits

These delicious little spice biscuits are not too sweet, easy to roll out and quick to bake.

Recipe: Beetroot Salad with Horseradish Dressing

Horseradish dressing gives this beetroot salad the x-factor.

Recipe: Cheesy Eggplant Bake

This moreish dish is best served with a fresh summer salad.

A comprehensive guide to growing, using and cooking with daylilies

If you love daylilies, you’ll be delighted to know they’re a delicious option in the kitchen too.

Recipe: New Potatoes with George’s Guacamole

Give new potatoes a Caribbean twist with a healthy dollop of  zesty Cuban guacamole.

Recipe: Blackcurrant Ice Cream

You don't need a fancy machine to make this berry delicious ice cream.

Recipe: Cheese Christmas Tree Shortbreads

These are perfect with drinks and easy to make with a Christmas-tree cookie cutter.

From forbidden fruit to superfood

In South Canterbury, Tony and Afsaneh Howey are building the reputation of a remarkable but oft-overlooked berry.

Nelson gardener brewing strong tea business

A herbal tea hobby has brewed into a strong cup of business for a Nelson gardener.

Have you done enough for a chocolatum rotunda?

The humble New Zealand biscuit is celebrated in a new tea towel and poster.

thisNZlife Farmers' Market Recipe: Spicy Tamarind Ribs

This pork rib recipe from Jenny's Kitchen is so delicious and easy-to-make it will become your summer go-to. Make them in the barbecue or the oven and order  Jenny's Kitchen Tamarind Chutney direct from the thisNZlife Farmers' Market .

Recipe: Tomato Cashew Soup

This tomato soup with carrots, celery and cashew cream is a local favourite.

Recipe: Raw vegan coconut yoghurt tarts

Breakfast for a sweet-tooth doesn't get much better than this.

Recipe: Pineapple sage tisane

A tisane or infusion is a drink made by steeping fresh or dried herbs in hot water.

Recipe: Moroccan Honey and Mint Syrup Cake

This cake from East End Café in Wairoa is delicious served with a dollop of cream or unsweetened Greek yoghurt.

DIY Project: Build your own Pizza Oven

A comprehensive step-by-step guide to building a pizza oven for your backyard.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's Christmas Fruit Mince Croissants

Get Christmas morning off to a cracker start with coffee, perhaps a glass of champagne and this festive take on filled croissants.

Recipe: Chilli Prawn, Roasted Kūmara, Yellow Pepper & Pistachio Salad

A little planning, a touch of prep and — voilà — a  make-ahead Christmas lunch menu that leaves plenty of time for hosts to spend with guests.

Kingsland brewery's Champagne pilsner

A brewery and tasting room in Kingsland is planning to convert as many as possible to craft beer. It’s fermenting a potent name for itself, including with thirsty international visitors, fresh off the plane.

Three Asian-inspired sides to try

The season's fresh flavours are celebrated with recipes that use local favourites (think roasted lamb and kumara mash) and are given a touch of Japanese elegance.

Recipe: Frenched Lamb Racks with Ponzu Sauce

Jazz up new season lamb with this classic Japanese citrus-based sauce and pink-peppercorn rub.

BeetrootChocolateMudCake

Dr Libby's Beetroot Chocolate Mud Cake

This cake packs all the divine flavor of a traditional chocolate cake but is so much more beneficial for your health.

Recipe: Homemade cultured salted butter

Add some local flavour to the traditionally homemade staple.

This cheese sold out before the cheesemaker cut the curd

Kirsty Silvester and Dave Chapman are true DIY cheese producers,  from pasture to pecorino.

Recipe: Lavender & Lentil Lamb Pie

Lavender and lamb may not be the most obvious flavour combination, but a Moutere lifestyle block owner swears by it.

Know and grow your grains

When you start reading about what goes into making the daily loaf, you realise what a luxury item bread is.

Recipe: Bird of the Year Rockhopper Cocktail

Feel the spirit of the Eastern Rockhopper Penguin with this salty, zesty cocktail, a great way to celebrate Bird of the Year.

Recipe: Salted Caramel Sauce

This delicious sauce keeps in a container in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Anthony Hoy Fong's big bites in the Big Apple

From deep-fried chicken to fine-dining foams, and from family man to food warrior, this New York-based New Zealand chef loves his kai – in more ways than one.

Artisan sea salt created with buckets of ingenuity

With a custom-made vacuum chamber Greg Beattie turns seawater from the Hauraki Gulf into New Zealand’s first truly artisanal sea salt.

My day as a chocolate judge

From “bottom leakage” to “fat bloom”, Emma Rawson brushes up on her chocolate lingo to join the world of bonbon judging.

Recipe: Tropical Grilled Salmon

A sweet and savory glaze gives grilled salmon big flavor.

Ruth Pretty's top tips for setting a beautiful table

Ruth Pretty 'the host with the most' shares tips for how to create a dinner party to remember.

Make your tempeh without using plastic

Once you’ve got the hang of fermenting tempeh in plastic bags, you can move onto the real deal by producing it in leaves, with a Kiwi twist.

Recipe: Coconut Panna Cotta served with Citrus Salad

This is a very satisfying dessert and should be enjoyed with a wee glass of late harvest riesling.

Bolt-resistant coriander varieties to grow

Coriander can be a little bit fussy to grow, but with the right care you can prolong leaf growth.

Recipe: Slow-Cooked Korean Pork in Lettuce Wraps (Bo Ssam)

Anthony Hoy Fong shares one of his favourites – pork wraps Korean style. Don’t be scared off by the eight or so hours this meal takes to prepare: most of that time, the pork is just roasting slowly slowly in the oven, so it’s fall-off-the-bone succulent.

Which tomatoes are the healthiest to grow?

Studies have shown that high lycopene intake is associated with decreased risk of heart disease and cancer, especially prostate cancer. But it’s not the red tomatoes that score the highest for tetra-cis-lycopene.

Recipe: Salt and Pepper Taro with Szechuan Pepper Salt

Think you've tasted taro, wait until you try Ruth Pretty's tasty take on this Pacific Island staple, a sneak peek from the upcoming September/ October issue of NZ Life & Leisure, on sale August 24.

How to grow mustard greens

Mustards are an easy-to-grow, cool season crop — follow these quick tips to grow them in your garden.

The benefits of yacons and how to grow them in your backyard

It's and ugly veggie with a fruit flavour and perfect for winter. Here's how to grow yacons in your backyard.

Recipe: Award-winning Moolander burger

Mouth-watering burgers are the stars of the Visa Wellington on a Plate festival this month. But for those who will miss out on this burger-mad feast, we present the award-winning Moolander.

Sauvignon blanc jelly with lemon verbena & baked rhubarb

This is a light, cleansing dessert, however it’s also lovely served with softly whipped cream. Remember, only cook with wine you would be delighted to drink.

Make your own lavender mint tea

For the best tea, pick flowers first thing in the morning, after any dew has evaporated – the fresher the flower, the better the flavour.

How to cook with culinary lavender

You can cook with lavender in sweet and savoury dishes, but there is an art to it.

Recipe: Truffle pizza

Truffle adds its unique aroma and umami savouriness to any ingredient with which it comes in contact.

Garden tasks for August

It’s still officially winter, but there’s plenty to do before the days get longer and warmer.

Recipe: Stecca Bread with Roasted Butternut Dip

This all-time favourite bread is exceptionally easy to make. The dip can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to three days.

 

The best leafy green you can grow this winter

If you are missing summer’s salad greens, this is the plant for you.

Recipe: Crumbed Terakihi with Creamed Mushrooms

You can also try this dish out with gurnard or blue cod (although, these will take a little longer to cook than terakihi).

Recipe: Cauliflower and truffle soup

Cauliflower never had it so good. This is a fabulous starter for an evening meal or serve in espresso cups or shot glasses as an amuse-bouche.

The most ambitious (and delicious) Lemon Meringue Pie

Looking for something special to bake? Why not try Simon Wright's Lemon Meringue Pie.

Is it time for mead to make a comeback?

By rejuvenating an ancient tipple, Oren Dalton hopes to breathe new life into our regions.

Vegan probiotic caramel slice

A sweet no-bake made with coconut yoghurt and raw cashews.

Recipe: Ruth Pretty's pommes purées

Reserve this decadent potato mash for special occasions.

The high-protein, low-fat fermented food you can make yourself

If you’re interested in eating more plant protein, a little fermentation can go a long way.

Roasted beetroot with sorrel

An earthy salad to warm up any winter gathering.

How the Coromandel environment inspired Cathedral Cove Naturals

Wholesome ingredients and happy memories of childhood holidays on the Coromandel form the DNA of  coconut yoghurt and cereal business Cathedral Cove Naturals.

12 things you didn't know about salad burnet

This backyard herb has a colourful history, it was prized by Roman soldiers for its medicinal qualities and used in the 16th Century as a wine additive.

chocolate cake stevia

Have your chocolate cake and eat it without sugar

Unlike sugar, stevia doesn't add calories or carbs. So you can afford to have an extra slice or two of this chocolate cake delight.

Recipe: Tamarillo & Cranberry Chutney 

Put a New Zealand spin on cranberry sauce with this tangy tree tomato chutney.

Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Pork Meatballs with Buttery Apple Sauce and Make-Ahead Gravy

Many food cultures claim meatballs, albeit in different guises, as one of their specialities but Scandinavia happens to take the crown. 

Pumpkin and Sunflower Seed Rye Crackers

These grainy crackers can be stored in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 3 weeks.

Recipe: Cos leaves with pear, walnuts, mozzarella

These cos leaves make a delicious, healthy nibble. Use the best of fresh seasonal pears to really bring out the flavour.

Such sweet sorrel – how to grow the perennial lemony herb

Sorrel is a robust and persistent sort that grows like a weed (which it’s not) and can be used to tart up your tastebuds in a variety of dishes.

tamarillo cheesecake

Recipe: Tamarillo Cheesecake

The rosy blush of tree tomato lifts this delectable dessert to luscious new heights.

Recipe: Soy and Honey Chicken Nibbles

This classic flavour combination is always a party favourite.

From posie to plate: How to cook with scented geraniums

From garden to posie to plate, scented geraniums are a delight to the senses and fabulous fodder for the experimental gardener/cook.

Banana Peel Sticky Toffee Upside Down Cake

Part sticky toffee pudding, part banana cake, this sticky, gooey and surprisingly light and easy recipe takes dessert to a whole new level.

Recipe: Roasted Potato Wedges

Give classic potato wedges a gourmet twist with Ruth Pretty's turmeric, almond and fenugreek aromatic salt blend.

Why you should grow ginger in your garden

Posh, Sporty and Scary have nothing on Ginger spice. Brush up on your planting and harvesting skills for this winter.

Recipe: Thai Fish Pie

An Asian spin on a winter Kiwi classic from Japanese-born cooking tutor Sachie Noumura.

A culinary journey through Wellington's Cuba Street

The flavours of Cuba Street are celebrated in a new book Cuba Street: A Cookbook. We meet the passionate foodies behind three colourful Wellington businesses.

 

step-by-step dumplings

Fish Dumplings with Garlic Shallot Dipping Sauce

The powerhouse behind House of Dumplings shares her recipe for this Wellington Night Markets favourite.

Recipe: Tamarillo Pillow Cake

Get ready to sink your teeth into this billowy tamarillo cake.

Make a lemon verbena herbal tea

Take good care of lemon verbena in your garden and its herbal tea will take care of you.

Recipe: Cheese Shortbreads and Cauliflower Mousse

Why serve plain old cheese and crackers when you can dish up these simple cheese shortbreads topped with cauliflower mousse?  Place a tablespoon of cauliflower mousse in the centre of each shortbread and garnish with tomato.

Growing, dividing and harvesting garlic chives

This chive is not meant to be eaten raw, but cook it properly and your dishes will dance.

 

Recipe: Decadent chocolate-stuffed dates

Serve up this decadent, fruity finger food at your next party.

A Pink Ribbon Mocktail

The clever team at the Cocktail Collective have put on their mixing aprons to create a pink mocktail worthy of the Breast Cancer Foundation's Pink Ribbon Breakfast.

2 apple stevia recipes

Serve up stevia instead of sugar in your autumn baking for a diabetic-friendly dessert.

Recipe: sticky pork ribs

This recipe uses 3 kilos of pork spare ribs - and you'll never have enough.

Recipe: Jess Daniell's Breakfast Burrito

Here’s a breakfast burrito worth waking up for! Easy to eat on the run and enjoyed fresh or toasted, these wraps are packed with all of your early morning essentials, plus they’re delicious to boot.

Trading London life for paddock-to-plate

Getting to grips with the grassroots of growing, and of a community, Lloyd Rooney and Michael Fraser found contentment by leaving the glamour of London for the quiet backwaters of the Waikato.

feijoa crumble cake

Recipe: Feijoa Cake with Crumble Topping

This recipe takes the cake for the simplest feijoa dessert.

2 vegetables to spice up this winter

Plant salsify and scorzonera soon and they'll be ready in time for all your winter soup and steamed veggie needs.

sourdough

How to make the perfect sourdough bread

Pandoro co-founder turned viticulturist Richard Tollenaar shares a video on the secrets of baking a perfect sourdough loaf.

Ruth Pretty's Mother's Day menu

Stir the love and mix happy memories into Ruth Pretty’s autumnal three-course Mother’s Day menu

NZ's finest food producers revealed

We raise a glass, and a tasty morsel or two, to the winners of this year’s Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards.

Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards Supreme Winner announced

Richard and Helen Dorresteyn are committed cheesemakers, inadvertent buffalo farmers and deserving Supreme Winner of the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards for 2018.

How to substitute stevia in baking and preserves

If you take sugar out of baking and use stevia as the  sweetener, you need to replace the 'bulk.' Test out these stevia baking tips with a hazelnut shortbread recipe.

Cocktail delivery service? Sign us up

Cocktails look and taste great, but are tricky to do at home. Meet the NZ entrepreneurs making them easy. Plus 2 bonus cocktail recipes.

What to do with unripe tomatoes

You may be left with a bumper crop of green tomatoes but pick them anyway.

cute baby goat

25 producers in the running for Outstanding NZ Food Producer Supreme Award

 After judging more than 180 of the country’s finest food products, 25 New Zealand food producers have been named as Gold Medal winners in the 2018 Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards.

Whitestone wins big at the world’s largest cheese comp

Oamaru's Whitestone Cheese Co. is riding a wave of international critical acclaim after recent achievements at the world’s biggest cheese competition in Wisconsin USA.

Two great feijoa recipes: feijoa chutney and feijoa loaf

It's feijoa season - prepare for the onslaught of delicious fruit with these two recipes - plus fruit storage tips.

18 baking ideas for the long weekend

Having guests around for the long weekend? We're serving up some baking inspiration.

5 easy forage food recipes

Additional foraging recipes from our special edition In Your Backyard: Urban Harvest.

A beginner's guide to goat's cheese

Goat's cheese is a hot culinary trend - but do you know which flavours to match with it? Take a course in goat's cheese 101 with two new cheeses from Whitestone.

Recipe: Roasted Baby Turnips

A simple turnip recipe that makes a great addition to a weekend roast.

Recipe: 20-vegetable salad with cucumber dressing

Ruth Pretty's recipe is based on a salad she loved eating in Tokyo. Change the veggies depending on what is in your fridge or the garden.

 

Tips to growing and preserving great capers

They’re small but pack a piquant punch to a dish, and it is possible to grow them in NZ, if you know what they like.

Why vermouth is enjoying a revival

Otago winemaker Duncan Forsyth agrees it's almost counter-intuitive a top pinot noir producer should start making vermouth.

Bonus recipe: Tuna Ceviche with Charred Sweetcorn Salsa

Chef Josh Emett introduced Ruth Pretty to the beauty of this style of ceviche. Ruth uses tuna but kingfish, trevally, snapper or salmon would all be great substitutes.

 

Final call for entries for Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards

Entries close Friday 2 March  for the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards.

5 steps to the perfect cup of tea

Mindfulness is a key ingredient in the preparation of your daily cuppa, explains Tea Master Anna Kydd.

Recipe: The ultimate vanilla marshmallow recipe

Squares of gooey marshmallow are a delight to eat, easy to make and can be given a gourmet touch.

Recipe: Honey-Roasted Pork Belly

Use strong honey, such as manuka, so the flavour permeates this rich and sticky pork dish. To make it easier to carve, ask your butcher to remove the bone from the pork.

11 tips to marketing a successful food business

Three experts share their wisdom on how to create a profitable food product.

Recipe: Citrus Cooler

You can use any mix of citrus to make this perfect evening drink, and dress it up with mint and borage flowers.

Recipe: Peach and Ginger Jam

For this recipe, the peaches don’t have to be super-ripe. In fact, the jam turns out nice and chunky if you choose slightly harder fruit.

4 kid-friendly summer campfire recipes

Keep it simple and get the kids on board to gather around the fire and get cooking.

Tried and tested bottled Sanguine peaches

Blackboy peach fan Kristina Jensen shares her overflow method for bottling with her favourite peach.

 

Truffle growing experiments

It’s an underground treasure whose production is unpredictable, but a delight chefs will pay $3500 per kilogram to shave over a dish.

How to get your preserves on supermarket shelves

Havelock North's Margie Chambers understands the importance of knowing your market when pitching preserves nationwide.

Recipe: Beer-can chicken

A Kiwi-summer favourite has been given a tasty upgrade with a spicy rub.

Watercress, the king of superfoods

Watercress is the most nutritious plant you can grow in your garden.

Recipe: Coconut Sago with Malibu Custard

With creamy coconut, pearls of sago and a hit of fresh fruit, this summery dessert is inspired by the Pacific flavours of South Auckland.

Recipe: Holiday braised leg of lamb

This dish can be cooked at a leisurely pace in a lidded barbecue or pizza oven.

Villa Maria founder's Waipu Cove escape

A bach at the beach yields vintage holidays for one of New Zealand’s best-known wine-making families.

How to make a living from preserving

If you’re a dab hand at making jams and preserves, you could consider selling your homemade goods.

Recipe: Campfire couscous

A couscous perfect for summer with spring onions, dates and feta.

Why scientists are researching health benefits of Moonglow tomatoes

There are tomatoes, and then there is this great-tasting heritage variety with a very special secret.

Watch: How to make wild sauerkraut

The founder of Forage & Ferment demonstrates gives a lesson in fermenting 101, demonstrating how to make her wild sauerkraut with turmeric, ginger and marigold.

9 secrets to turning your artisan product into a supermarket star

Food product developer Martyn Atack looks at why you need to start with pen and paper in your office, not the kitchen.

Video: The buzz about Kelli Walker's booming business

Kelli Walker felt a business was brewing inside her, and found one that can’t stop bubbling, burbling and babbling about itself.

 

lemon tart recipe

Recipe: Kiri's lemon tart

An easy lemon tart from the ladies behind the Tora Coastal Walk in the Wairarapa.

Top tips for a thriving watercress plant

Watercress can be grown in pots, is surprisingly hardy and tolerates being frozen.

Recipe: Tomato Fritters with Feta

These little fritters are a treat to eat, especially when made with late-season, sun-ripened tomatoes.

Debra Cruickshank named supreme winner of Enterprising Rural Women Awards

A boutique winemaker has taken out the top prize at the Enterprising Rural Women Awards.

Nelson family growing capri tomatoes since the 40's

Thanks to one very determined grower, Nelson’s favourite tomato is still growing strong after 60 years.

11 ways to use edible flowers

A dish isn’t complete without a little petal power.

From derelict barn to award-winning berry business

A Wairarapa couple have transformed a derelict wee barn and rundown lifestyle block into a successful fruit and berry business.

Imake's 50M home brewing success story

A NZ home-brew company has doubled its turnover after launching an electric brewing machine called The Grainfather.

Recipe: Southland Cheese Rolls

The best cheese rolls are found in Southland – and don’t dare suggest otherwise.

Video: Watch Amelia Ferrier transform a cake into a work of art

Cakes are a blank canvas for a talented baker and author of Melie's Kitchen.

Sawmill Brewery scales up to 1M capacity

A Matakana couple find that brewing beer, staying creative and living in the country is the best medicine for what ails you.

How to make lemon balm and rosemary-infused olive oil

This oil makes a great dip for bread with dukkah, or it can be used as a salad dressing, or drizzled over new potatoes and barbecued meat.

A Southern treat: Black-eyed peas recipe

Christmas on the barbie menu

Have yourself a very merry Christmas barbecue with these show-stopping recipes by Anthony Hoy Fong

barbecue turkey

Recipe: Spatchcocked Turkey with Sage Chimichurri

Take Christmas dinner outdoors this year with this delicious spatchcocked turkey.

Recipe: Market Vegetables with Buttermilk Ranch & Bagna Càuda

Recipe: Market Vegetables with Buttermilk Ranch

Get the barbecue started with these delicious grilled veggies with ranch dressing and bagna càuda, an Italian anchovy dip.

Recipe: Shrimp & Corn Fritters with Sriracha Aioli

These barbecue corn fritters might be the best corn fritters you've ever tried.

Recipe: Smoked Kumara with Peas & Parma Ham

Recipe: Smoked Kumara with Peas & Parma Ham

Use this simple smoking technique to add oodles of flavour to kumara. Part of our Christmas Barbecue Menu.

Recipe: Toasted farro salad with blistered red grapes & feta

Recipe: Toasted Farro Salad with Blistered Red Grapes & Feta

Blister grapes on the barbecue to turn up the flavour on a summer salad. This recipe is part of our Christmas Barbecue Menu.

 

bourbon peach cobbler

Recipe: Barbecued bourbon peach cobbler

Use a cast-iron skillet to cook this delicious dessert directly on the barbecue. Part of our Christmas Barbecue Menu.

Recipe: Moonshine cocktail with boysenberries & mint

Kate tries her hand at cheesemaking

NZ Life & Leisure editor Kate Coughlan, aka Little Miss Muffet, takes a voyage around her great-grandfather and makes cheese.

Tickets available to the Outstanding Food Producer Dinners

Readers in Blenheim, Christchurch and Dunedin can sample the award-winning cuisine at the Outstanding Food Producer Dinners.

The veggie that helps break the sugar habit

Kristina is trying to break her addiction to sugar and she's found there's a veggie on her side.

The 10 best lettuces for a 365-day salad supply

Jenny Somervell selects the best lettuces to grow this summer (and the rest of the year).

Water Cooler: We cook like Chelsea

As a nod to NZ Life & Leisure’s cover star Chelsea Winter, the team put some recipes from the MasterChef winner’s new cookbook Eat to the taste test. It wasn't really a bake-odd just a really good week in the office.

Behind the scenes at the NZ Chocolate Awards

Being a chocolate judge would be many children’s dream. thisNZlife goes behind the scenes at the NZ Chocolate Awards to discover how to taste chocolate like a pro.

Game on for Lumsden salami business

A passion for hunting and a taste for cured meat prompted Chris and Sally Thorn to start their own artisan business in Lumsden.

Recipe: Roast Leg of Lamb with Broad Beans with Easy Gravy

Mint enhances the flavour of both the lamb and the broad beans, bringing a freshness to this dish.

steamed fennel

Recipe: Steamed fennel

This fennel dish makes a lovely addition to a traditional roast meal, or is a good accompaniment to fish and chicken.

blackberryfool

Recipe: Blackberry Fool

This quick-and-easy summer treat can also be made with raspberries.

The case for planting manuka

It can be expensive to plant manuka as a crop, up over $1000 per hectare so it’s not for everyone.

Maori herbal tonic business in growth mode

A young entrepreneur from Great Barrier Island is tasting success from his own bitter medicine

Simon Gault from plot to plate

Former MasterChef judge Simon Gault’s diabetes diagnosis is a 'sauce' of inspiration for a new food venture and at his restaurant Giraffe where he serves veggies grown in his own garden .

Water cooler: fun with soap, why NZ avocados are very special, and chicks for Ag Day

Recipe: 2 tasty avocado ideas

NZ avocados are particularly special, with double the amount of vitamin B6 and 20 per cent more folate than those grown in other parts of the world.

Recipe: Okroshka soup

This cold summer soup, made with kvas, is Russia’s answer to gazpacho.

The Russian fermented drink, brewed in Christchurch

A Christchurch-based couple who met in Russia had a gut feeling a tasty new probiotic would be a hit in New Zealand. They were right

Recipe: Berry yoghurt smoothie

A fruity breakfast treat for when you want to impress.

Recipe: Red Onion Marmalade

Take your cheese board to the next level with this onion marmalade recipe.

Sustainable crayfish venture wins accolades

A flagship venture in the forests of Southland and Otago aligns commercial interests with conservation ideals

Recipe: Koura in a spicy coconut sauce

This recipe is from Luke Adams at Caffe L’affare in Auckland

Recipe: Quinoa fried chicken with coriander salsa

Switch breadcrumbs for quinoa for a gluten-free version of fried chicken.

5 tips for growing in a tunnel house

Whether home-made or custom-designed, having a large covered area in our climate enables us to extend our range of growing times and species.

Recipe: Poor Man's Orange marmalade

Kelly Farrimond's Poor Man's Orange marmalade is a reduced sugar version of a family favourite.

Recipe: Maureen-Ann Farrimond's Pineapple Fruitcake

Maureen-Ann Farrimond's Pineapple Fruitcake is a family favourite.

Andean superfood quinoa grown in Taihape

A little experiment with a superfood has turned into a win-win business for a young farming couple.

KIMCHI

Recipe: How to make kimchi

This Korean fermented cabbage dish has many health benefits.

Recipe: Fermented beetroot

Try fermenting beetroot to add to your next burger or salad rather than opening a can of the sliced stuff.

A beginner's guide to fermenting veggies

From kombucha to kimchi, sauerkraut to sourdough, kefir to kashk, the fermentation bug is catching because it’s tasty, easy and good for you.

Mixed Berry & Apple Yoghurt Cake

This yummy berry and apple cake can be served warm like a pudding, or cold with lashings of yoghurt.

Recipe: No-Fail Pumpkin and Coconut Soup

This easy-to-make pumpkin soup is packed with flavour.

Water cooler: In praise of persimmons

This week in the water cooler: We wage a fruit war with Lynda Hallinan over persimmons explore a handy travel photo app, and mow our support for Emirates Team New Zealand.

How to make pumpkin pie in NZ

How to make the classic North American dessert using New Zealand produce.

3 easy ways to share pears

How to preserve pears and two pear chutney recipes to try.

Water cooler: long weekend movies and wild Waikato roads

This week in the water cooler: we review McLaren and Wonder Woman, avoid some nasty slips in the Waikato and put porridge to the test.

Port for duck hunting season

Boutique winemaker Debra Cruickshank has produced a port especially for duck hunting season.

Recipe: Windsor Blue Cheese, Pear and Walnut Pizza

This pizza recipe is for the ultimate cheese lover.

Is eco-friendly Mangarara Station the future of NZ farming?

Greg and Rachel Hart share a mission: to connect New Zealanders with what they eat, how they live and with the planet itself.

Recipe: Gluten-free quinoa tart

This easy-to-make quinoa tart is a tasty and filling dish to serve to guests on a gluten-free diet.

Rigatoni con Salsiccia Siciliana e zucchine

This is a simple dish, yet to do it well you need to concentrate.

Recipe: Spanish cream

This recipe comes from  Jersey Girl Organics, winner of the Dairy Primary category of the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards.

Wild Mushroom Risotto with Prawns and Hot-Smoked Guanciale

This recipe by The Prodigal Daughter founder, Rachel Priestly showcases her own Italian- styled cured meats.

And the winner is...

Meet Sean and Jodi Brosnahan – East Coast farmers, breeders of supreme Angus beef and winners of the inaugural Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards 2017.

Full list of winners for the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards

NZ Life & Leisure proudly supports the annual Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards. With 150 entries, from the Catlins to Kaitaia, the judges were spoilt for choice.

Judges’ kitchen cupboard secrets

It’s almost time for the announcement of the winner of the Outstanding NZ Food Producer Awards 2017 so thisNZlife asked the award judges to reveal their kitchen secrets.

Recipe: Vanilla Pear, Parma Ham and Blue Cheese Salad

This recipe by The Mountain Cafe's Kirsten Gilmour is perfect for a light, fresh,  lunch or evening salad.

NZ chef wins over Scottish food critics

Kirsten Gilmour is winning the hearts and stomachs of Scottish food critics one sweetcorn fritter at a time in her cafe in the Scottish Highlands.

Recipe: The Mountain Cafe's Ginger Crunch

This buttery ginger crunch will be a crowd favourite at morning tea.

The brewery that uses wild yeast from Kapiti Island

The wild yeasts of Kapiti Island star in a new brew from a Waikanae company known for its barrel-fermented sour beers.

boiling water to sanitise

How to sanitise water

If water is contaminated after a disaster, there are several ways to purify it.

A healthy food plan for post-emergency power cuts

Food in a refrigerator won’t last long without power so plan your food usage carefully to avoid contamination.

Scientists explore cancer-fighting properties of heritage apples

An everyday accountant is working with New Zealand scientists to explore the disease-fighting properties of heritage apples and orange tomatoes.

The return of the community fridge

Zero-waste blogger Amanda Chapman discusses the community fridge project and her eco heroes.

The mischievous goats behind an award-winning cheese

Naughty yet loveable, the Goodman family’s goats are not just pets but the raw and rather vocal talent in a cheesemaking success story.

Make your own old-fashioned apple jelly

Getting wobbly at the knees about apple jelly.

Gluten-free bread business on the rise

An Auckland entrepreneur is earning a crust with a clever bread mix business.

How your kitchen can go pro

If you think selling food you’ve made in your home kitchen can’t be done legally, you could be in for a delicious surprise. We meet some small-time home-based business people with a passion for food who show how they work within the rules.

How to make herb vinegars

These vinegars look fantastic, taste great, and are very easy to make.

Recipe: Peanut Butter Burgers

Spice up your homemade burgers with a good dollop of peanut butter relish.

Annabel Langbein’s flash-roasted chilli lime salmon

Feeding a crowd?  Annabel Langbein's zesty salmon dish with Nam Prik sauce is ready in 20 minutes.

Water cooler: lettuce soup and pumpkin growing tips

It's a garden harvest special in this week's water cooler as we share tips for growing pumpkins, harvesting fruit and transforming mature lettuce into a delicious soup.

The ultimate self-sufficiency nut

If you love flour and want to be self-sufficient, go nuts.

We try NZ's top artisan cheese

Nadene Hall samples New Zealand's top artisan cheese and comes away smiling.

Pic's Peanut Butter's $50m success story

Serial entrepreneur Pic Picot has learned that nothing pays better than peanuts.

cheese

Why this artisan cheesemaker doesn't get paid

The award-winning owners of Lonely Goat say the costs of compliance are nothing to yodel about, and explain why they are working for love, not money.

How to make fruit leather

The ultimate guide to the do's and don'ts of fruit leather.

Recipe: Esther's Gluten-Free Gingerbread

A favourite gluten-free recipe from Mary Bigg's Country Cooking School.

Berry Frozen Yoghurt

During our March/April 2017 issue, all subscribers (new, current and renewing) will be in the draw to win one of two Vitamix Professional Series 750, valued at $1595 each. Here is something delicious the winners will be able to create.

Recipe: Freshly minted berry smoothie

During our March/April 2017 issue, all NZ subscribers (new, current and renewing) will be in the draw to win one of two Vitamix Professional Series 750, valued at $1595 each. Here is a delicious smoothie recipe the winners will be able to create.

Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies with Salted Date Filling

These chewy and gooey bite-size sweet treats are not only delicious, but gluten-free.

Behind the scenes on the March/April NZ Life & Leisure cover shoot

We share the apple and date cake recipe which appears on the cover of NZ Life & Leisure.

Two fab fig recipes

Kristina Jensen shares two fab fig recipes and the secrets for ensuring they always taste delicious.

'Why I eat with the seasons'

When Loveday Why discovered she had chronic fatigue syndrome, she found the answer to good health was in her garden.

How to choose the right fruit species

You probably shouldn't try growing mangoes if you live in the South Island but don't give up on dreams of citrus, tamarilloes and nashi pears.

Yes, this cow is made of cake

Kim Donker has turned a baking hobby into a thriving home business. She shares tips for getting started without breaking the bank.

The colourful history of carrots

The carrot might seem like one of those boring but reliable veges, but they have a colourful past and a much brighter future in terms of health and organic growing.

Monique Fiso

How Monique Fiso is raising the bar on Maori cuisine

Monique Fiso is one of the most innovative young chefs in Maori and Pacific cuisine, but it took a job halfway around the world for her to discover her true passion.

Kate's classic tomato recipes

Kate Coughlan shares her great-great-grandmother Elizabeth Parsons'  tomato recipes (converted from pounds and ounces, of course).

Recipe: Honey Rice Crisps

Use a mild-flavoured honey, such as blue borage, in this toasted sesame version of the classic treat.

When is a peach a plum?

Peacherines and nectarines are peach-plum crosses, but there's some debate as to whether they are the same thing.

3 fantastic green bean recipes

Turn a bean overload into three fantastic summer dishes.

Garden pesto

A garden lover's pesto

Basil, parsley, rocket - use whatever greens you have growing in your garden to make this zesty pesto.

How to make a great beetroot juice

It's bright, bold, very red and packs a powerhouse of nutrients. Beetroot's distinguished, rich, purple-crimson colour alone should be a clue to its natural potency.

How to start small in the cheese business

Many people have a dream to become artisan cheesemakers. It was 20 years in the making for Adrian and Jill Walcroft of Cartwheel Creamery, but they’re maturing nicely.

Couple switch corporate life for barrels of rum

An Anglo-American couple find their adventurous spirit by swapping international careers for a Golden Bay distillery and its stock of barrel-aged rum.

Recipe: Chilled Cucumber Soup

Do you have borage growing in your garden? Try using the petals in this refreshing summer soup.

Recipe: Chilli Lime Prawn Burrito with Coriander Slaw

This burrito recipe is fast, low fuss and delicious. It is ideal for feeding a crowd at the family bach.

Martinborough firm riding Mexican wave

Surf-loving foodies Jason and Melissa Philips downsized and relocated to the Wairarapa to give their hand-rolled burrito business the best chance of catching a big break.

Date and almond balls

Recipe: Date and Almond Bliss Balls

These date & almond balls are super easy-to-make recipe and are one of my favourites. They are delicious, bite sized, healthy snacks that I can whip up, freeze and grab when needed, and my kids love them!

chiapudding

Recipe: Creamy Coconut Chia Seed Pudding

Carine Claudepierre shares a dairy-free, egg-free breakfast option inspired by tapioca.

How to make cashew cream

Cashew cream is an easy to make dairy-free alternative to whipped cream.

Recipe: Balsamic Strawberry Bruschetta

If you're looking for something fresh and fancy for Christmas lunch this year, give this balsamic strawberry bruschetta a go.

seared scallops and microgreens.

Zesty scallop and microgreen salad

These zesty summer flavours are the perfect partner for microgreens.

Why pumpkins are the new superfood

Pumpkins are frost tender and need a long, warm growing season (at least 14 weeks) in a sunny sheltered site.

Recipe: Strawberry and Rocket Salad

Don't reserve strawberries just for  pavlova - liven up your salads with a few colourful berries.

Gluten-free, dairy-free blueberry Christmas tart

French-born New Zealander Carine Claudepierre shares a  dairy-free, gluten-free version of a classic Alsace Christmas recipe.

Why you should give nashi pears another chance

You’ll never know the joy of a truly magical-tasting pear until you grow your own.

Why the Beer Baroness misses beer

She may have named her first craft beer after a famous lipstick, but brewer Ava Nakagawa is certainly not making beer just for the girls.

How to make Green Tea Smoked Beef

The Pitches Store chef shares his award-winning recipe for Green Tea Smoked Silver Fern Farms Reserve Beef with Beetroot Mustard.

Recipe: Danish Crackers

We shared lunch this week, celebrating yet-another milestone, but we would never need a reason to sit down to Rebecca’s crackers.

Recipe: Peanut Butter Chocolate Bites

These peanut butter bites are an easy sweet treat to store in the freezer.

Recipe: Chocolate Cranberry Oat Biscuits

These biscuits were described as 'the best biscuits ever'.

The quick and slow of Christmas cakes

There is always an easy way and a hard way to do something, and Christmas cake is no different.

Harvesting a culinary profit

Starting a backyard herbal enterprise can be a viable means of earning extra cash. Donna Lee of Cottage Hill Herbs spills her secrets to success.

How to make almond milk

Kristina Jensen talks about the health benefits of almonds, how to make milk from almonds, and what to do with the leftover pulp.

Recipe: Coriander and Coconut Chutney

This refreshing chutney makes a delicious filling for vegetarian sandwiches. It can also be used as a dipping sauce for meatballs, kebabs or crudités.

Recipe: Fish Caldine Curry

Seafood is found in abundance in Goan cuisine. The curry gets its colour from turmeric, one of the stars of the spice world, and has a hint of sweetness from the coconut.

From tragedy to red hot business

Jen Viegas is bringing the rich and evocative flavours of Goa to New Zealand gourmets, one spoonful at a time.

Recipe: Bolo de coco coconut and semolina cake

Bolo de Coco is a favourite Goan  sweet treat.

Spiced Roast Potatoes and Cauliflower

This is a simple roast potato and cauliflower dish with a Goan twist.

Recipe: Salted Caramel + Chocolate Chip Cookie

Salted caramel is all the rage at the moment. Yet to be converted? These cookies from Bluebells Cakery and Karla Goodwin may just tempt you over the line.

New Zealand sake scoops international award

New Zealand-made Zenkuro sake is ranked among the world's best.

bakedapple with cheese

Recipe: Blue cheese stuffed apples

This is a gorgeous and simple alternative to the traditional after-dinner cheese board.

The tweet that transformed a cheese business

Mt Eliza raw milk cheese has been described by one foodie as like watching colour television after years of black and white.

A guide to wheat-free pizza bases

Try these gluten-free alternatives to a standard wheat-based pizza crust.

How a coffee addiction led to a tea business

Wellington tea maker’s three herbal blends are led by gut instinct, ensuring what’s tasty also nurtures body and mind.

How to reduce food waste

More than half the food thrown out by Kiwi households could be eaten.

Recipe: Cacao nib bliss balls

These cacao bliss balls are a yummy sweet treat - without the guilt.

How a 100kg bag of cacao beans changed lives in two countries

A Havelock North's desire to support  Pacific Island farmers has led to sweet business success.

A beginner's foray into pickled onions

Urban eco warrior, DIY enthusiast and experimental cook, Jessica Rose finds herself in a pickle.

Sheep hard at work at organic winery

Going organic was a pragmatic decision for the owners of Bellbird Winery.

banana bread waffles

Recipe: Banana bread waffles

For organic month, Kiwi firm, All Good Organics shares with us a recipe for delicious banana bread waffles and whipped coconut cream

Finding work/life balance

A personal quest for work/life balance is at the core of a new restaurant and wellness centre run by a top chef and his yogi wife.

Recipe: 5 Seed Sourdough

This delicious wheat free bread takes a little planning but is easy to make.

How to bake with leeks

Leeks are a vegetable that Kristina loves and hates, and then she gets baking.

10 things to know about growing walnuts

The fabulous walnut is a tasty treat for the home orchard owner, or a potential future crop with New Zealand’s climate meaning we can produce high quality nuts.

Gingko tree

Grow your own ginkgo tea

This tree species survived the annihilation of dinosaurs and is still a garden favourite and makes a good cuppa too.

SALAD

The 100 mile diet

In 2005, a city-living couple from Canada decided to try eating only food grown locally within a 100 mile radius of their home.

Brendan Seal of Urbn Vino

Winemaking in the city

A canny Central Otago winemaker gives Pinot Noir some good city legs.

giant pumpkin

Grow a giant pumpkin

If you've ever wondered how people win pumpkin-growing competitions, get ready for some seriously strange gardening.

chocolate stout cake

Recipe: Chocolate Stout Cake

Kristina  Jenson brews up some great beer-based recipes, including a fabulously decadent chocolate cake.

parsnip

Three amazing parsnip recipes

Don't overlook this gourmet low calorie vegetable. Jenny Somervell shares three tasty parsnip recipes.

Using herbs to aid stress

When she began she thought $100 was a good day's takings, now Brownwyn Lowe is helping hundreds of people cure the symptoms of stress.

Turn this banana peel into cake

Turn this peel into a cake

Don't throw away your banana peels, they are the secret ingredient in this cake.

chocolate chilli sauce

Chilli facts for the chilly weather

What happens to your body when you eat chilli and how do you put out a chilli fire in your mouth? Jenny Somervell answers these burning questions.

Recipe: Deconstructed Cheesecake

This edible flower cheesecake tastes as good as it looks.

Auckland edible flower business blooming

A South Auckland grower shares the secrets of her edible garden.

CUP OF TEA

The perfect cup of tea

New Zealand has a good climate for growing tea. Here's our guide to making the perfect cuppa from garden to table.

baguette making

How to make a baguette

This simple no-knead baguette is perfect for beginners.

Recipe: Rhubarb and Rosehip Jam

Gather rosehips and rhubarb to make this yummy winter jam.

mallard ducks

How to pluck a duck

Brush up on your plucking skills for duck shooting season.

Passionfruit macadamia truffles.

Macadamia passionfruit truffles

Make these truffles even when passionfruit is out of season.

Gluten-free spiced apple cake.

Spiced Apple Cake (GF)

Pantry adventurer Duncan White shares this gluten-free alternative to this afternoon tea classic.

9 tips for growing beetroot plus 3 easy beetroot recipes

Easy to grow and delicious, beetroot are a versatile vegetable in the kitchen.

Does a cup of tea taste better with Jersey cow milk?

A Waikato farming family takes the cow by the teats and markets its own jersey milk.

Macademia

Maori macadamia industry tough to crack

Vanessa Hayes, aka the Nut Lady, is on a mission to establish a nut industry for Maori on the East Coast.

8 must-try microgreens

There isn’t anything else you could grow this easily that tastes this good.

Tagines in Morocco,

How to cook with a tagine

The accidental inheritance of a tagine has meant more food experiments for Jenny Somervell and Chef Ken.

Leaderbrand

From a crop of potatoes to a booming enterprise

Starting with a single crop of potatoes, a Gisborne farmer has created one of New Zealand's largest and most innovative horticultural businesses.

Norfolk fruit chutney recipe

Kate's Favourite Norfolk Fruit Chutney

NZ Life & Leisure editor Kate Coughlan has been making this delicious chutney for more than 30 years.

New Zealand's first sake brewery.

Turning Japanese: brewing sake in Queenstown

There's a new sake brewery in Queenstown. How it got there involves three middle-aged men, helicopter honeymoon flights, rugby and karate all knitted together.

Recipe: Roasted Carrot Salad with Goat's Cheese Cream

This recipe from Little Poms is made with a kaleidoscope of vegetables from Cultivate Christchurch’s gardens.

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