Eatscooksreads – Getting the most out of New Zealand food and drink

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Books•Dinner ideas•Gluten Free•International•Lamb•Main Courses•Recipes

Lamb leg roast with harissa & roasted garlic

January 24, 2020 by Catherine Milford No Comments

Few foods say New Zealand more than a lamb roast, but if you’re like me, it’s all too easy to cook it the same way every time. I gave this recipe from Sai Yoganathan’s book A Kitchen Well Travelled a...

Reading time: 2 min

Events•Food News•International•Travel

Top chef’s tropical adventure

January 18, 2020 by Catherine Milford No Comments

Dreams do happen! One of my favourite chefs,, Mark Southon, is taking his culinary brilliance to Fiji later this year. Mark will be hosting Savour Niue 2020, a gastronomic adventure taking place on the stunning Pacific island of Niue from...

Reading time: 1 min

Cheese•Christmas•Cooks•Salads•Special Occasion•Summer•Vegetable sides•Vegetarian•Writes

Zucchini, asparagus and Baby Spinach Buffalo Cheese Salad with Citrus Dill

by Catherine Milford No Comments

I came up with this recipe, in today′s issue of Bite magazine, after I was sent a jar of this fantastic Marinated Buffalo Cheese from Clevedon Valley Buffalo Co to try. See what you think! Thanks to the fantastic Sol...

Reading time: 1 min

Chicken•Cooks•Family meals•For the kids

Honey Miso Chicken Nibbles

January 15, 2020 by Catherine Milford No Comments

Run out of ideas for your chicken dinners? The marinade on these yummy sticky nibbles is one of the kids’ favourites – and it consists of just three ingredients. Yup, 3. Mix 1 teaspoon each of honey, miso and Dijon...

Reading time: 1 min

Family meals•Healthy recipes•International•Love your leftovers•Main Courses•Recipes•Salads•Spring•Summer•Vegetable sides•Vegetarian

Crunchy Quinoa & Herb Salad with Cumin Yoghurt Dressing

January 6, 2020 by Catherine Milford No Comments

In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re all about the plant-based meals at the moment. While I’m not a fan of meals pretending to be meat (either be meat or be not-meat, dammit – don’t try to be both!), I do...

Reading time: 1 min

Autumn•Cooks•Dinner ideas•Healthy•Venison

Farm-raised venison salad with beetroot & feta

January 3, 2020 by Catherine Milford No Comments

There’s something really special about the pairing of venison and beetroot. This recipe by The Sugar Club’s executive chef Neil Brazier is a perfect autumn meal, pairing seasonal vegetables with tender, nutritious NZ farm raised venison medallions and a delicious ricotta...

Reading time: 2 min

Eats•Environment•Family•Food•Food thoughts•International•Restaurants and Cafes•Travel

A fondness for fair-dinkum Queensland fare

November 25, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

Australia always makes me happy. I travel with plenty of spare suitcase space, knowing I’ll shop til I drop, and I’ll have eaten my way through as many of the local delights as I possibly can. This trip was special...

Reading time: 4 min

Baking•Christmas•Desserts•Fruit•Recipes•Seasonal•Special Occasion•Sweet treats

Eton Mess

November 11, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

I’ve been in denial for a while, but now we’re six weeks in, I have to bite the bullet – Christmas is around the corner. For cooks, a successful Christmas starts and ends with having decent staples in the cupboard....

Reading time: 1 min

Christmas•Cookbooks•Desserts•International•Recipes•Restaurants•Sweet treats

Sid Sahwarat’s Carrot Halva (Gajar Halwa)

November 10, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

COMPLEXITY: MODERATE | PREP TIME: 30 MINUTES | COOK TIME: 2 HOURS 30 MINUTES | SERVES: 8 TO 10 I remember eating halva when I was in the UK – you don’t see it quite so much in New Zealand....

Reading time: 2 min

Baking•Christmas•Desserts•Food News•Sweet treats•Takeaway and delivery

Online Loafing now available

November 7, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

Let’s face it – that’s what we do when we go online. But now you can actually Loaf online – because all your favourite packaged Loaf products are now available to buy online and delivered to your door. Just in...

Reading time: 1 min

Beef•Cookbooks•Dinner ideas•Family meals•Healthy recipes•International•Low carb•Main Courses•Recipes•Seasonal•Summer

Barbecued Beef with Chimichurri Pickled Vegetables

November 1, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

Serves 4 Preparation: 15 minutes. Cooking: 10 minutes Difficulty: Low Ingredients 2 tablespoons sunflower oil 1 tablespoon sweet paprika 600 g lean beef minute steaks, seasoned with pepper 2 eggplants, cut into wedges 500 g cauliflower florets, halved Chimichurri Pickled Vegetables 1...

Reading time: 1 min

Food News•Healthy•Jams and Chutneys

It’s 1839, honey! A taste of something special

by Catherine Milford No Comments

New Zealand may be a young country, but it has a fascinating history, much of which has significant bearing on the food we enjoy today. Take Mary Bumby, for example. In 1839, Mary took a chance. Instead of packing hats...

Reading time: 3 min

Cheese•Culinary competitions/awards•Dairy•Food News

World-class win for Whitestone Farmhouse Cheese

by Catherine Milford No Comments

Not so long ago, New Zealand was a cheese desert. If you didn’t like Edam, Colby or Tasty, your choices were limited, to say the least. Now things are very different; we have some delicious cheeses of truly world-class quality...

Reading time: 2 min

Environment•Food News•Lifestyle

Packing a punch: sustainable packaging is finally here

October 26, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

When was the last time you bought something online, and despaired at all the plastic packaging it came in? We’re all very conscious of our plastic use now, but unfortunately, alternatives have been limited. Come on, Kiwi ingenuity – where...

Reading time: 3 min

alcohol•Drinks•Lifestyle•Wine

Cheers to Alpha Domus: family winery celebrates

October 25, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

I’m a great supporter of New Zealand wineries – in more ways than one! To survive in this tough industry takes dedication – so a huge congratulations to family-run Hawke’s Bay winery Alpha Domus for reaching its 30th birthday. •...

Reading time: 3 min

Uncategorised

Auckland’s Hotel Grand Windsor triumphs – again

by Catherine Milford No Comments

Tucked away towards the lower end of Queen Street in Auckland’s CBD nestles the Hotel Grand Windsor, a boutique hideaway that has been my hands-down favourite hotel since first I discovered it. It’s beautifully run, has a wonderfully luxurious feeling,...

Reading time: 3 min

alcohol•Drinks and cocktails•Events•Special Occasion

Blue Gin, baby! Bombay Sapphire opens gin gardens

by Catherine Milford No Comments

There’s nothing more delightful on a warm day than enjoying a refreshing gin and tonic, or a tasty gin cocktail. So you can bet I’ll be heading to Auckland bars The Glass Goose in the CBD and Bedford Soda &...

Reading time: 1 min

alcohol•Culinary competitions/awards•Drinks•Food News•Wine•wine and drinks

Pink the new black at 2019 New World Wine awards

October 11, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

I know this will come as a shock to some of you, but I actually quite enjoy the odd glass of a good wine. The things I do in the name of work…! I like to think I’m not too...

Reading time: 4 min

Baking•Cookbooks•Family•For the kids•Kids•Recipes•Sweet treats

Lemony Madeleines

October 4, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

If you’ve ever had young kids, you’ll know feeding them can be a minefield. They like something, so you buy it again, now they don’t like it; school shared lunches are announced at about 8.10am on the morning of the...

Reading time: 2 min

Cheese•Dinner ideas•Family meals•Main Courses•Pasta•Takeaway and delivery

Speedy Bacon & Cheese Spaghetti

by Catherine Milford No Comments

Every month has something going for it, and October is no different. Not only is it spring – my favourite season – but it’s also National Cheese Month. That’s definitely worthy of a celebration, so I’m popping up a couple...

Reading time: 2 min

Eating around New Zealand•Events•Family•International

Night Noodle markets back in Auckland, Wellington & Christchurch

October 2, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

Love me a noodle! The Night Noodle markets are very much a favourite with me. If you’ve watched episode 1 of Inside the Mind of a Chef on Netflix, you’ll know that a noodle isn’t just a noodle. It’s a...

Reading time: 1 min

Books•Cookbooks•Recipes•Seasonal•Snacks•Spring•Vegetarian

Crispy Crumbed Asparagus with Herby Mayonnaise

October 1, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

This time of year is cookbook Nirvana. It’s spring, everyone’s starting to think about Christmas gift-giving, and we’re all slowly emerging from the winter shell that’s cocooned us for the past six months. The Edible Garden, by Paul West, host...

Reading time: 3 min

Drinks•Eating around New Zealand•Events•Family•Food News•Lifestyle•Restaurants•Restaurants and Cafes

Taste of Auckland just got tastier! New lineup revealed

September 27, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

I love going to Taste of Auckland. A bit like a cookbook that’s got loads of your favourite recipes, or visiting a brilliant market that’s abundant in deliciousness, Taste of Auckland is a great way to taste tidbits of some...

Reading time: 5 min

Budget Busters•Chicken•Dairy Free•Dinner ideas•Family meals•Gluten Free•Healthy recipes•Keto•Low carb•Main Courses•Poultry•Recipes•Slow cooker

Slow-cook chicken in lemon caper broth

September 20, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

Slow cooking is always the go in winter, but I’m starting to use mine more and more no matter what the season. Whether I’m simmering a stock, braising cheaper cuts of meat or I want dinner ready when I get...

Reading time: 1 min

Dinner ideas•Eating around New Zealand•Family•Food News•For the kids•Kids•Lifestyle•Restaurants•Takeaway and delivery

Domino’s and Youthline team up against youth depression and suicide

September 10, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

As mum to teenagers, I’m deeply troubled by the latest figures around youth suicide. Nothing matters as much as our kids, and I hear way too often about kids who are really struggling, but feel there’s nowhere to go. Such...

Reading time: 2 min

12 Days of Foodie Feasts•Eats•Events•Food News

Deliciousness galore in store at 2019 Taste of Auckland

August 16, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

One of my favourite events has announced its lineup – and I think we’re in for a bit of a treat! A few years ago I was lucky enough to meet Marco Pierre White at the absolutely unforgettable Margaret River...

Reading time: 4 min

Cooks•Drinks•International•Travel

Tamarind Beverage

June 4, 2017 by Catherine Milford 1 Comment

TAMARIND BEVERAGE Tamer Hindi Makes about 10½ cups/2½ litres Preparation time: 20–30 mins; Resting time: 3 hrs Tamarind is a contraction of the Arabic term tamer hindi which means “Indian date.” It is actually the name given to the syrup,...

Reading time: 1 min

alcohol•Events•Food News•Health

Always Graze when you Liaise

March 8, 2018 by Catherine Milford 1 Comment

OK hands up – who enjoys a few light beverages when out with friends? Yep, my hand’s up too. And I’ve certainly had my times when ‘eating’s cheating’ has meant I’ve come home very much the worse for wear. It’s...

Reading time: 2 min

Dairy•Food•Food News•Sweet treats

Lewis Road Creamery commits to free range eggs

July 13, 2017 by Catherine Milford No Comments

Lewis Road announces commitment to free range eggs I’ve been a fan of Lewis Road Creamery since it began, and now this delightful Kiwi dairy brand has taken another giant step forward with the announcement that it will use only free...

Reading time: 1 min

Eats•Lifestyle•Restaurants•Restaurants and Cafes

Behind the scenes at Cassia

September 14, 2017 by Catherine Milford No Comments

To restaurant lovers, Sid and Chand Sahwarat need little introduction. The owners of two Auckland restaurants – fine dining eatery Sidart, and modern Indian cuisine Cassia – have a fistful of awards under their belt. Cassia has been named Supreme...

Reading time: 5 min

Uncategorised

Fairy Bread Macarons

February 26, 2018 by Catherine Milford No Comments

There’s something undeniably decadent and delicious about a good macaron. Until recently I’ve left the baking of a good macaron to those clever bakers in the know, but this recipe makes them very doable. Give them a go! Fairy Bread...

Reading time: 4 min

Beef•Cooks•Food News•Win

WIN! Silver Fern Farms Inspiration Prize Pack

October 12, 2017 by Catherine Milford 41 Comments

Regular readers of my blog will know that I’m passionate about supporting our local produce. Food and drink that’s grown here, made here, curated here and sold here has to be the first place we go if we want to...

Reading time: 1 min

Breakfasts and brunches•Cooks•Healthy

Keto Mexican Scramble

August 28, 2018 by Catherine Milford No Comments

One of the joys of a weekend for my family is the luxury of a cooked breakfast. This version of scrambled eggs is so tasty, and works for everyone – even the dieters! It’s taken from Luke Hines’ latest book,...

Reading time: 2 min

Cooks•Dairy Free•Family meals•Gluten Free•Healthy•Salads•Spring•Vegetable sides•Vegetarian

Asparagus, Kumara, Walnut & Parmesan Salad

September 18, 2017 by Catherine Milford No Comments

I’m a huge asparagus fan, and I’m beginning to see it in the shops again – a certain sign that spring’s on its way, even if the stormy weather doesn’t make it seem that way! This salad is super-tasty, and...

Reading time: 1 min

Beef•Cheese•Dinner ideas•Family•Family meals•For the kids•Kids•Pasta

Quick Kids’ Kransky Pasta Bake

October 18, 2018 by Catherine Milford No Comments

Last week I was sent a new sausage to try out from First Light, a company created by a group of New Zealand farmers determined to provide only the best meat. All their beef is 100% grass-fed wagyu, their steak...

Reading time: 2 min

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