Historical Eating

Historical Eating

Summerfields A while ago while perusing the cooking section of the library we  found some interesting books about historical recipes. Some of these recipes went right back to Biblical times! We decided to attempt some of the recipes and have … Read more »

You say pawpaw, I say papaya...

You say pawpaw, I say papaya…

Virgil Evetts It’s that time of year when seasonal fruit are all but absent from the garden and fruit shop unless you count citrus, which I’ve now had my fill of well and truly. And don’t insult me with  mention … Read more »

A Sow-er taste in my mouth...

A Sow-er taste in my mouth…

Virgil Evetts Have I learnt nothing from my various philosophical run-ins with religious zealots? Extremists of all persuasions issue decrees and dogma, not reason and sound debate. They are best avoided. Despite knowing this only too well, I was recently drawn … Read more »

But it looked so good in the picture!

But it looked so good in the picture!

Debbie Byrom I don’t often eat ice cream. Especially the fat-laden sugary behemoth that is a Memphis Meltdown – I’m afraid I may be afraid of big nuts as the advertising suggested. There was however a moment of weakness on … Read more »

The curse of the night owl

The curse of the night owl

Virgil Evetts From my mid-teens through to my late twenties I was a consummate late nighter.  Lights-out at 2am was quite the norm on weekdays, and weekends were much, much worse. I don’t know how I did it. But then … Read more »

When the durians fall down the sarongs go up...

When the durians fall down the sarongs go up…

Virgil Evetts …Or so says a rather pervy old Malay saying about the apparent aphrodisiac properties of the world’s most polarising fruit.  Well, the durian are down right now (meaning it’s Durian season in South East Asia) and my sarong … Read more »

There's a fly in my soup... if I'm lucky.

There’s a fly in my soup… if I’m lucky.

Virgil Evetts Let’s be honest now, nothing ever really happens in New Zealand, so the most trivial things attract media attention. Remember how long that escaped otter led the evening news? Last week saw another instalment of that perennial favourite … Read more »

Fair Suck of the Sav

Fair Suck of the Sav

Debbie Byrom Seems to me the Sav has had its day. We’ve been drinking Sauvignon Blanc like it’s going out of fashion for the last 10 years or so, and now, well now it is going out of fashion. While … Read more »

Peppers, peppers burning bright...

Peppers, peppers burning bright…

Virgil Evetts It might seem a funny time of year to be talking about preserving sweet peppers, but it’s been such a strange season. My plants (Spanish Pequillo) gave up what will probably be their last major crop for the … Read more »

Micro-eggs and the winter garden

Micro-eggs and the winter garden

Virgil Evetts We’ve finally past that much-anticipated seasonal tipping point, the winter solstice, meaning the days will start to draw out again.  And somewhere down the track – well alright, quite a long way down the track – the nation’s … Read more »

The setting of the babymoon...

The setting of the babymoon…

Virgil Evetts I’ve learnt to ignore guide books when it comes to eating out abroad. They date quickly and I suspect kick-backs are often involved.  A more reliable method is to stalk the average Joe and Josephine on the street. … Read more »

Lunch At Claridges

Lunch At Claridges

Alison Here is my blow by blow account of Claridges London… We arrived early at Bond Street and went into the hotel entrance (revolving door). Huge marbled reception and they directed us to the Gordon Ramsey restaurant and 1920s style … Read more »

By the light of the babymoon...

By the light of the babymoon…

Virgil Evetts With a baby on the way, and the local weather growing ever more wintery, we decided to take a wee break abroad – but not too far mind – a sort of sun-soaked swansong to our freedom if … Read more »