There is a new kind of baking on the block that would make your grandmother drop a stitch. That new kind of baking chiefly involves using healthier alternatives in some of the old favourite baked recipes. One might surreptitiously slip pureed black beans or canned apples in chocolate brownie for example, or courgette and beetroot in chocolate cake, or replace the staples with ingredients such as

Happy New Year readers! Welcome to 2012; a year full of possibilities. If the end of ‘11’ was gluttony and sloth, the beginning of ‘12’ should be a little bit of pride and vanity. Taketh away the turkey with all ye trimmings and dessert after each meal and in its place layeth fruit, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains. This month’s recipes will detoxify and cleanse; transform your body into a temple and prepare your mind for new beginnings.

Merry Christmas blog readers! I say it every year but this year I really mean it – Christmas has snuck up on me and I really cannot think of anything I would rather do for this auspicious day than sit down with my favourite people and eat this meal.

Cooking and eating baby octopus does seem awfully cruel however it was trumps over tackling a great big mummy or daddy.  My imagination sometimes gets away on me but I was truly frightened that while tackling a big octopus it could miraculously come back to life,

The time I realised what all the fuss is about with regards to whitebait was like a “lightbulb moment” (I hope I didn’t just use a Dr Phil idiom).  Its sweet, delicate flavour marries perfectly with lemon and not much else; less is definitely more in the case of this tiny, translucent fish.  While the [...]

My love for Halloween stems from my older sister; born on the 30th of October she hosted an annual Halloween party throughout her teenage years and I can remember anticipation and excitement for the event building from about August. In recent years I have been lucky to befriend a little lady with a passion for black magic and entertaining, the perfect combination for throwing Halloween parties.

Rugby has been kind of a universal language for the past few months. On numerous occasions I have found myself talking to strangers about such topics as Dan Carter’s groin injury, a non-regulation mouth guard, the strength of backs or the speed of forwards

If you haven’t tried pulled pork before, you must and ideally as soon as possible.

I used a Jamaican Jerk paste and massaged it into the pork before slow cooking it for over 12 hours – and when I say “used” I don’t mean “made”, I mean

This year little NZ is playing host to the Rugby World Cup which has inspired this month’s theme of Blokes Food. In less than one week we are going to be bombarded with a movement of potentially over-zealous and certainly hugely passionate rugby fans. Auckland is looking prettier than ever and I have been declaring my new-found lust for this city to anyone who will listen.

Dinner parties don’t have to be stressful and some careful planning can ensure your dinner party is successful. It’s nice to put on an impressive show and wow your guests with your culinary talents but it’s more important that you

Growing up, I can remember Mum’s dinners often comprising of a side of coleslaw, rich and creamy from the condensed milk dressing. I can remember my sister and I offering to make it and sneaking cheese into it…I think we had just discovered that everything tasted better with cheese.

I have just finished compiling a list of tips and tricks; suggestions which I hope will make your next dinner party all the more successful. At the risk of sounding like know-it-all when it comes to this subject, I would like to share a series of unfortunate events