Our Food

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.

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.

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: 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: 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.