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Fresh Fig, Pancetta and Baby Rocket Salad with Goat Cheese

28 Feb, 2021

I’m guessing that there won’t be much interest in this recipe as not many Kiwis have tried or eaten fresh figs and that’s fine…but if you haven’t, do give this recipe a go as the end “product” is so yummy. “Tis the season” right now (Mar/Apr) and it’s a short season, so enjoy them over the coming weeks. Fresh sweet figs with crisp pancetta and soft goat cheese over baby rocket...

Lockdown/ “leftovers” pasta salad

15 Feb, 2021

I actually made this dish a couple of weeks ago but the concept of using leftovers in your house applies even more strongly during Lockdown if you can’t be bothered going to the supermarket and joining all the loo paper hoarders!! In our fridge, freezer and pantry, we had the following “end” bits and pieces that needed eating very soon…..baby potatoes, rocket, half a capsicum, half a packet of prosciutto, frozen...

Why 2021 will be a good year for Kiwis

07 Jan, 2021

Every year Kiwis keenly anticipate the Christmas and New Year break and the chance to enjoy summer with family and friends. However, many of us feel as though we staggered to the finish line of 2020 after a year that often felt exhausting and never-ending. Covid-19 has caused massive upheaval - to our lives and livelihoods. But I'm optimistic about 2021. You need only talk to colleagues, friends or family overseas to realise how...

Prosciutto, Nectarine and Rocket Salad

29 Dec, 2020

During this peak summertime of the year, this salad enjoys two of our favourite summer fruit, the lovely saltiness of Italian dry cured ham (prosciutto), together with rocket and a yummy dressing – it is a “to-die-for” summer lunch Just ten minutes max to prepare and you’re ready to enjoy, ideally outside for lunch on a sunny summer’s day. If you prefer you could use peaches and you could substitute the...

The “forgotten” mature aged workers and their plight - Nov 2020

11 Nov, 2020

The Labour Market Statistics for the quarter end September 2020 were recently released. Tracking the 55+ underutilisation rate, i.e. the number unemployed or underemployed , the total for the 55+ is now 60,700 or 16% of all people available for work – this is up from 57,000 in June 2020. As we work our way through these challenging times, one segment of New Zealanders that needs support now more than ever is our pool of mature aged...

Asparagus and pancetta (or bacon) pasta

08 Nov, 2020

It’s November and the height of asparagus season, so for many of us we really indulge eating and enjoying asparagus until, maybe, we’ve overdone eating asparagus until next spring! If you don’t enjoy asparagus, please don’t read on! If you do and you like the idea of a “think about it to start eating” in 15 minutes (legit 15 mins unlike some of Jamie Oliver’s 15 min meals!), this is a very tasty...

Beef Rendang

02 Oct, 2020

This is one of my “cheat” curries! Beef Rendang is a Malaysian curry and is considered by many to be the king of all curries! To say it’s extravagantly delicious is an understatement. There are very few curries in this world with such amazingly complex flavours. Originally from Indonesia, the sauce is made with aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom and star anise as well as fresh aromatics including...

“Sicilian” Anchovy, Tomato and Feta Tart

29 Aug, 2020

I asked my good wife, Sally, to make a tart for a Sunday lunch using some amazing anchovies that we had in our fridge – it happened to be at the time our daughter Anna and her partner Haydo were in Sicily and the anchovies “happened” to be from Sicily. They are easily the best anchovies we have bought in New Zealand – we bought them at a market in Waiheke. The owner is a lovely guy, Danilo, who is passionate...

Sicilian Sausage Soup

29 Aug, 2020

I googled Sicilian soups when our daughter Anna and her partner Haydo were in Sicily and here is the result and what I cooked. It doesn’t sound amazing and is not a “to die for” dish but very easy and quick to cook, healthy, hearty and tasty, improving with age each day. Worth a cook for lunches or easily substantial enough for dinner as, in addition to the vegetables, it also has pasta Basically onions, carrots, celery,...

Warm Lamb, Beetroot and Chickpea Salad

16 Aug, 2020

I saw this recipe in the Herald a few weeks ago and decided to try it. Tweaked it a tad and had it for dinner It was so easy to cook and had real flavour, so much so that we cooked it again for lunch that weekend but without the lamb. It is the combo of beetroot and chickpeas roasted with spices, feta and salad that make the dish…along of course with the lamb as an extra, but not essential ingredient if you get the drift!...

The Power of Friendship

28 Jul, 2020

Good friends do us a power of good. We know they are important so why do we struggle to make time for friends in our busy lives? Friendships develop from the individual connections we weave over a lifetime. Friends make us healthier especially when they encourage good habits, like going for regular walks or bike rides together. The best friendships make us feel valued and are reciprocated. These are the...

Pasta e Fagioli (Italian pasta and beans)

17 Jul, 2020

I saw this dish on MasterChef, liked the sound of it, so looked up a recipe, tweaked it a tad, cooked it, loved it and here it is! It is a simple, quick, inexpensive and tasty pasta stew which makes such a lovely dinner or lunch during the winter months. If you like the sound of it, follow the recipe and you will have 6-8 meals. If you want to include some meat in addition to the vegetables, beans and pasta, fry off some pancetta or bacon...

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