I have the most enormous pile of egg cartons ready for recycyling and a reminder of the pavlovas and meringues made over the last few weeks.  Our gorgeous chewy chocolate meringue recipe is the first of the recipes ready for you but the rest will appear very soon.  I seem to have been on a sweet path as today was spent making salted caramel sauce and brownie – yum!
With all that sugar I definitely need a health kick so have picked some beetroot from the garden to make raw energy salad for dinner.
Happy Cooking,

Today is National Nut Day and to help you get excited about incorporating nuts into your diet we have a nut quiz and also the chance of winning yourself a nutty prize pack.

I can’t believe how many of you are well and truly planning for Christmas with puddings and cakes already in the making.  We have a great selection of pudding and Christmas cake recipes and  here so don’t forget to get some tips from us.

Meanwhile asparagus is in peak supply and this salad of asparagus, halloumi and cherry tomato is perfect for spring entertaining.

Happy Cooking!

School holidays combined with iffy weather can be a challenge but it is a great time to find the patience and enthusiasm to let the kids loose in the kitchen.  Children need to learn about cooking – even if there is a huge mess afterwards!
Mine had the fun of cooking on Good Morning for the last two Mondays.  With me last week and Simon Holst this week.  We have videos of our favourite butter chicken, mango lassi ice cream and naan recipe on foodlovers tv and also in our recipe bank.  All are easy for kids to make and good enough for them to eat!

We now have a foodlovers quiz that will be refreshed each week – a fun place to check out your food trivia knowledge!

Happy Cooking,

Hi there,
This week I have been cooking and eating lentils – inspired both by their health benefits and also from a hearty lentil and vegetable soup eaten at Federal Diner in Wanaka.  Recipes have been tested and photography completed so next week we will have bean and lentil recipes to share!
There is something about the south island and good hearty cafe food – or maybe it is being on holiday and getting the chance to eat at cafes!  Whatever it is, I had some really good fare while away.
I have also been experimenting with sambal beans – a favourite dish at KK Malaysian, while I certainly won’t be forgoing dinner out, I had no idea how easy they were to make so another new favourite once photos are back next week.

Happy Cooking,
Helen

It is all about pies this week, just as I was putting together our pie recipe feature out comes the book Pie by Dean Brettschneider, of which we have a copy to give away, it is also the month for the Bakels NZ pie awards and it seems that everyone is talking pies.

Bake Me a Pie, celebrates the best pie recipes here on foodlovers and there are some fabulous recipes that are perfect for mid winter.  Mince and Cheese Pie, Chicken Pies, Beef Pies and a couple of sweet Berry Pies plus the chance to win with Edmonds.
As of Monday the kids are back to school and so there will be more time for more recipes and new features.
Happy Cooking!

Hi there,
Brrr the winter chill is really and truly here and while I would like to be escaping to warmer climates, unfortunately it is not to be and instead I need to think creatively on keeping us warm at home!
Winter of course is a perfect time to indulge in some hearty dishes and this beef and ale pie recipe is one of my favourites.  We have a selection of new pie recipes ready to share over the next week or so along with some fabulous pie related giveaways!
Sandwiches in winter are always cosier when toasted, here is a list of your favourite toasted sandwich fillings which of course you are welcome to elaborate on.
Puddings are also a winter favourite and this family style chocolate self saucing pudding recipe is sure to please everyone.

Hi there,
Well it is definitely cooling down and time for some cosy winter cooking.
I have just discovered the Golden Scone Toast and aside from toasting it and slathering with butter it actually works really well in puddings.  Caramelised apple bread pudding is to me the ultimate in comfort whereas my kids would probably pick the chocolate bread pudding (recipe to come in a day or two…).
For those resisting winter or wanting a little spice in their life I can highly recommend our Green Papaya Salad (well cucumber actually).  It sings with spice and is a perfect starter or a light meal.
For more on spice and warmth check out our lastest travel feature from my recent trip to Phuket.

Happy Cooking!

Well the kids are back to school and I am back into the kitchen working out some good autumn fare to stock the fridge and also the freezer.
A new favourite in our house is smoked chicken and we have some fabulous tasting smoked chicken recipes to share.   You may have seen me making the pie on Good Morning this week, it is full of flavour and great for these cooler nights.
We took a trip down memory lane in the holidays with instant puddings!  I haven’t had one for years and it certainly didn’t have cream and crunchie bar in it – no wonder the kids love it.
Our no knead bread recipe is another favourite – try it alongside this smoked chicken and corn chowder.
Happy Cooking,
Helen

Hi there,
For those of you with school aged children then I do hope you are enjoying some holiday time with them.  We have stayed at home and I have been busy planting a new garden and also picking vast amounts of limes, feijoas and figs.
Last weekend I was lucky enough to go the opening of Jersey Boys – and it really was oh what a night! the cast are so amazingly talented and the show went by in one big wonderful bIink. I am now keen to go back and see it again!
This delicious feijoa loaf recipe is being made repeatedly around here – icing is optional but the loaf is oh so good.
Happy Cooking,
Helen

Autumn in the kitchen is a special time quinces gently cooking in the oven and figs and feijoas almost ripe for the picking.  My blackberry has had a little more attention this year and has rewarded us with sweet plump berries, not enough for a pie just yet but lovely for sprinkling over breakfast cereal.
So much to harvest makes the job of pulling out straggly tomatoes and courgettes a whole lot easier!

Hi there,
This summer for me is all about delicious salads and I have a few new favourites. As we are out of town and have very slow internet access I am finding it difficult to link them here so instead will have to ask you to use our recipe search. Corn salad with avocado and red onion is divine and I suggest you add bulk with rocket leaves. Beetroot salad with roasted pistachio nuts is another favorite and orzo salad is always great for barbecues.
Happy cooking!

Hi there,

Wishing you all a very merry and peaceful Christmas!  I know that I for one am looking forward to a few weeks of relaxation and have a line up of books waiting to be read.
Cooking will be simple but tasty with a few new recipes thrown into the mix of old favourites. Once Santa duties are over and done with I will share the recipe for homemade tortillas with beer battered fish and slaw – yum!  I am also a big fan of roasted beetroot salad with cumin, yoghurt dip and pistachio nuts.    The peppermint bark is a great way of using up candy canes and caramel chocolate crackers is too good to ever make again!

Merry Christmas

Helen