A few days in Napier has shown me just what it is that people love about “the Bay”.  The weather was glorious, trees were laden with sweet juicy and oranges and the cafes we frequented with nothing short of fabulous.
F.G. Smith Eatery in Ahuriri quickly became my most favourite place for coffee, dinner and everything in between and the kids were very keen on the donuts at Mister D.
Watching dolphins play from our motel balcony at Ahuriri was also a highlight and I just wish we had more time to explore our surrounds. We spent most of our time in a gym watching competitors bounce their way through the trampoline nationals.  I must clarify that it is my daughter Daisy who bounces and not me!
Love cooking as I do it was a treat to have a few days out of the kitchen but we are now back home to reality.
Happy Cooking!

A week in the south last week reminded me of the beauty of NZ.  We travelled from Christchurch to Wanaka with some play time in Tekapo which included Alpine Springs ice skating and hot pools.
Cardrona continue to do fabulous cafe food and Federal Diner in town do gorgeous cheese scones, great coffee and pretty fine ginger crunch as well.  I think it is possibly the Takaka Oaty Ginger Crunch recipe.  Always a good one.
Now it is back to work and back into recipe writing!

Happy Cooking!

Last week we filmed some new videos for foodlovers TV so are now waiting to see how they turn out.  Lance the Butcher put his skills to good use and I had fun cooking in a gorgeous Fisher and Paykel Kitchen.  There were definitely some blooper moments such as the pavlova that collapsed as soon as I started to spoon cream over it!  Thank goodness for back ups!
This week is all about Dads with Father’s Day this Sunday.
I am still planning what we will cook for Ed, what is on the menu at your place?

Happy Cooking!

Our school holiday snow plans changed somewhat with our 8 year old breaking his clavicle.  An energetic boy who is restricted in what he can do is testing all of our patience so I am trying to direct it to something positive and heading him into the kitchen.
While baking is his first choice I am trying to encourage some savoury options as well, our favourite sausage rolls for lunch, chicken satay and chicken drumsticks coated in chippies are all on the menu this week, for the rest of the day I am giving in to technology!

Happy Cooking!

This week it has been barley that is keeping me warm from the inside.  This grain is a powerhouse of goodness and well worth incorporating into your diet.  Our winter warm barley salad is delicious as is prosciutto and mushroom barley risotto.
A negotiated price from my publisher means I can pass on my book to you at a much better price.  I have Helen Jackson’s Kitchen at $25 and if you visit the link you will see what some of the reviewers have said.
Pizza is on the menu tonight at ours although my best smoked fish pie was the winner last night.  It really is a delicious recipe and one that I think is hard to beat.

Have a lovely long weekend.

This weekend I am lucky enough to be at Noosa Wine and Food and I am really looking forward to a flavour filled time with hopefully some time to run it all off as well!
Some new Mexican inspired recipes on foodlovers this week including Mexican barbecue style chicken, very delicious Black Beans with Leeks and Chorizo and these Spicy Pumpkin Seeds.  They can all go together or alone if you would rather.
Oh and don’t forget to try our delicious muesli biscuits either!

Happy Cooking!

Has anyone else noticed just how many cookbooks have suddenly arrived on the market? This season there seems to be more than ever before and we have a selection of reviews and opportunities to enter into prize draws to win copies.  Check out our blog pages where you will find Lauraine Jacobs, Nici Wickes, Natalie Oldfield and also a review of one of my new favourite books – Where Chef’s Eat, a guide to eating out around the world.
Our win pages are also looking good this week with a food processor from Kenwood up for grabs and best of all if you win you get to choose your colour from their gorgeous new range.

Happy Cooking!

Thanks to the input on our forums I now have 7 meals in the freezer to hopefully keep stress levels for the family to a minimum  while I am away in San Francisco.
I am heading away to IACP conference – not the Chief of Police IACP but one for culinary professionals  ie food writers.  When I first went searching for it I almost booked myself into the wrong conference – could have been very interesting!
I will be eating my way around San Francisco and hopefully coming home with some wonderful inspiration for recipes and foodlovers.
Hopefully I will get time to post some updates here but if not I will fill you in on details next week.

Happy Cooking!

Having just spent a few days in Norfolk island I feel a wonderful sense of calm.  It was a lovely, albeit quick trip, but a place I know I will go back to.  Watch for my upcoming travel feature here in the next week.
With Easter on the horizon, how many of you are already planning a special meal?
We always have a roasted leg of lamb at Easter, a tradition set by my parents or perhaps grandparents, many years ago.  The kids will have their fill of chocolate whereas I think a feijoa sponge pudding will be my dessert of choice.  The feijoas are falling off our trees daily and I am almost ready to sacrifice some to puddings and cakes as opposed to just scooping them onto breakfast each morning.  This feijoa loaf is also a lovely recipe.

Happy Cooking!

My 8 year old went off to school today with jam sandwiches in his lunchbox, wrapped in plastic clingfilm.  While I cringed as I did it, the world didn’t stop and tomorrow once the shopping is done, life will return to healthier fillings and sandwiches wrapped in paper.
Sometimes it pays not to sweat the small stuff and to see life in balance and not an isolated lunch box.
With moderation in mind, our fresh peach cake is the most splendid afternoon tea or pudding.  Nicest the day it is made and even better when almost warm from the oven, the February golden peaches are simply gorgeous in this light and fluffy cake.
To keep things in balance do try this deliciously healthy sesame chicken salad.

Happy Cooking,

The kids are almost back to school – well some are some aren’t, we have a mixture in our house and are counting down until next Thursday when peace will be restored for set hours each day.
After some time away enjoying the summer, I have returned with loads of new ideas for foodlovers.  I am also very happy to hear any suggestions so do feel free to email me.
In the meantime you can nourish your summer holiday dreams with our Tahiti travel feature,  and also do try some very easy and delicious smoked chicken salad recipes.

Happy Cooking,

Happy New Year,

I hope the holiday season has been kind to you and like me, you are enjoying the beautiful berries and stonefruit.  We had a week in Hawkes Bay which was a vivid reminder of just how good tree ripened fruit is, I have never tasted apricots quite that good before!
Now it is time to get into a new foodlovers year so over the next few days new competitions will be loaded with a quiz and summer feature.
Please do come and follow us on facebook too.

Happy Cooking!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas with hopefully plenty of time for relaxation with friends and family!
My youngest are so excited about Christmas that thankfully they have gone to bed early,  being awake and waiting was way too exciting!  I am taking this rare, peaceful moment to finish off some bits and pieces and make sure presents are wrapped and ready.
Thank you for all your support with foodlovers this year and we look forward to 2013.
Happy Cooking and Happy Christmas,