New Kitchen Triggers Biscuit Shortage

Lois Davey

Following almost 2 weeks of intensive labour my house has given birth to a new kitchen. It’s not the flashest new kitchen in Godzone but it’s my new kitchen and I’m suitably thrilled. It posed something of a challenge for the “Kitchens For Less” man, the space available being only a tad larger than the average family’s bathroom. But he came up with an ingenious plan that involved moving the back door and knocking through to the laundry/loo. This would enable me to actually have a pantry, as previously I’d made do with a narrow wall-mounted cupboard, the upper shelves of which could only be reached by a step-ladder that I kept handy just around the corner in the lounge. The new plan would also allow me considerably more than the 2 foot square bench space I have made-do with for several years.

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The Joys of food in the United States

Summerfields

It is easy to make jokes about the food of the USA. We love visiting the supermarkets to marvel at the rows of sweet breakfast cereals, the enormous muffins caked in frosting and the butter flavoured sprinkles. I’ve read “The Omnivores Dilemma” and been glad I live in New Zealand. I’ve watched “Supersize Me” and I’ve marveled at just what you can put high fructose corn syrup into. We’ve bought back peanut butter chocolate easter eggs and have made it a challenge among our friends to eat a whole one. Continue reading

A taste of Malaysia

The KL wet markets are amazing with an  abundance of tropical fruits, herbs and vegetables.  I buy myself a sizeable bag of mangosteen, learn how to succesfully open them and then trawl through the 30 degree morning peeling off snow white petals of delicate tropical sweetness.

Tray after tray of prawns, baby octopus and other exotic seafood are interspersed with trays of chickens – all basking unrefrigerated in the 30 degree heat.   With this in mind I think I would prefer the chickens that are hauled from cages and decapitated to order.

 

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Foodlovers May

Hi there,

My highlight on Mothers Day was a box of Petal Cupcakes – these arrived at the door mid afternoon Sunday, perfect timing for afternoon tea.   One bite and you can tell these are made with the best ingredients and by a seriously good baker!  The flagship store is due to open in Teed St Auckland so watch this space.
As well as making cupcakes Laurel is also finding time to blog on foodlovers – love her easy pastry recipe and I am defnitely planning to try that one.
Our WIN pages are loaded with great prizes so don’t forget to scroll through the pages in case you have missed any.  Some finish at the end of May.

Happy Cooking,

 

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

These muffins are great for school lunch boxes and for morning tea.
If you like the flavour of banana and chocolate together then do try our hugely popular chocolate banana cake recipe.

Ingredients

2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 egg, lightly whisked
1 tsp vanilla extract
100g butter, melted
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup milk
1 cup (2 large bananas)  mashed banana

 

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