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

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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

Baking•Competitions•Culinary competitions/awards•Eating around New Zealand•Food News•Restaurants and Cafes•Takeaway and delivery

King Pie of New Zealand! Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Award winner announced

July 30, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

It’s official – Patrick Lam, of Patrick’s Pies in Tauranga, has been crowned the Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Award winner for a record-breaking seventh year in a row! Patrick has always dreamed of telling his grandchildren that he was the...

Reading time: 2 min

Breakfasts and brunches•Budget Busters•Cheese•For the kids•Gluten Free•Healthy recipes•Keto•Love your leftovers•Low carb•Recipes•Vegetarian

Spinach, feta & roast onion tortilla

July 19, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

This simple 10-minute dish is best made with leftovers – that’s what makes it so tasty! I have always been chief cook in our house (but definitely not bottle-washer; that’s someone else’s job if I can make it work!), but...

Reading time: 1 min

Blog•Culinary competitions/awards•Eating around New Zealand•Eats•International•Pork•Restaurants

A night at Nanam

June 12, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

Four years ago, Jessabel Granada, along with her partner Andrew Soriano, took a brave step and created Nanam, a small restaurant in central Auckland that sold proper Filipino food. Now based in Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, Nanam has evolved from an...

Reading time: 4 min

Blog•Breakfasts and brunches•Dairy Free•Dinner ideas•Eats•Family meals•Food News•Healthy recipes•International•Main Courses•Recipes•Soups and casseroles•Vegetarian

Shiitake Miso Ramen

June 4, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

Did you know Kiwis eat over 2kg of mushrooms each per year? I reckon I up the overall average just by myself. They are my first (and often only) ingredient on pizza, a creamy mushroom soup after a crappy day...

Reading time: 2 min

Baking•Culinary competitions/awards•Eats•Events

Gareth Stewart to judge 2019 NZ Supreme Pie Awards

May 31, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

What’s your dream job? Pilot, captain of a superyacht, rock star? What about Chief Judge of a pie competition? Step up celebrity chef and bona fide pie lover Gareth Stewart. The former MKR New Zealand judge is national executive chef...

Reading time: 2 min

Baking•Recipes•Special Occasion•Sweet treats

Three-ingredient Scones

May 29, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

Long weekend! There’s no way better to celebrate this three-day Queen’s Birthday weekend than with some good old British scones with jam and cream, paired with a really good cuppa. This recipe from the team at HelloFresh is yum –...

Reading time: 1 min

Autumn•Breakfasts and brunches•Dairy•Fruit•Healthy recipes•Low carb

Peach and Persimmon Booster Bowl

May 22, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

I made this on a crisp autumn morning, when I needed something that felt good, but was also significant enough to keep me firing on all cylinders until lunch. Today I’m going to slay it! Ready in 10 minutes. Serves...

Reading time: 1 min

Beef•Eating around New Zealand•Restaurants and Cafes•Takeaway and delivery•Win

Get some fire in ya belly at Wendy’s!

May 21, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

New Dragonator sauce spices up the popular bacon burger I LOVE bacon, and it’s no secret that I love a dirty burger! Putting a good burger together that really hits the spot can take a bit of skill – so sometimes...

Reading time: 1 min

Breakfasts and brunches•Healthy recipes•Vegetarian

Simple Scrambled Eggs

May 20, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

I know…scrambled eggs is the simplest dish of them all, right? There are a couple of little tricks that make this delicious dish even more scrumptious – and it’s cheap, and good for you too. I don’t use cream in...

Reading time: 1 min

Drinks•Environment•Lifestyle

GOT takes on single-use plastic – and it’s great!

May 17, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

SSodaStream today unveiled its newest video campaign “Say Goodbye” featuring Game Of Thrones actors Thor Bjornsson AKA “The Mountain”, Hannah Waddingham AKA “Septa” and Kristian Nairn AKA “Hodor”. In the video, the actors struggle with single-use plastic bottles in everyday...

Reading time: 1 min

Blog•Environment•Events•Food News•Food thoughts•Lifestyle

Do your bit on World Bee Day

May 10, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

Did you know it’s World Bee Day this May 20th? The number of bees across the world is declining at an alarming rate, but we need them. Humans depend on bees not only for our existence, but for our survival....

Reading time: 2 min

Blog•Breakfasts and brunches•Dairy•Food News•Healthy•Lifestyle

Insomnia’s a nightmare! 6 top simple sleep-fixers

May 9, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

Having talked to LOADS of people – often at 3am – about this, I know I’m not the only person in the world that spends much of their night tossing, turning, grumbling and punching the pillow. Insomnia is definitely a...

Reading time: 2 min

Autumn•Chicken•Healthy recipes•Low carb•Recipes•Seasonal•Soups and casseroles

Chicken and mushroom miso soup

May 2, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

Some days, you want to feel nourished and warmed from the inside, without spending hours in the kitchen. This chicken and mushroom soup came about when I needed a bit of a culinary cuddle and didn’t want to spend much...

Reading time: 1 min

Uncategorised

Caramelised orange bananas with brandy yoghurt

by Catherine Milford No Comments

Preparation: 20 minutes Cooking: 10 minutes. Difficulty: Easy. Serves 4. It’s hard to believe this recipe comes from a book about nutritious eating to match with an exercise plan, but that’s the beauty of the CSIRO concept – it’s not...

Reading time: 1 min

Budget Busters•Chicken•Dinner ideas•Family meals•Main Courses•Poultry•Recipes

Crispy Herb Chicken

April 11, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

Bored with your dull chicken recipe? This is cheap, cheerful and very tasty – and all you need is your spice drawer! Ready in 40 minutes. Serves 3. Ingredients 3 large free range chicken thighs (or 6 drumsticks) 1/2 teaspoon...

Reading time: 1 min

Autumn•Chicken•Dairy Free•Dinner ideas•Family meals•Healthy recipes•International•Low carb•Main Courses•Recipes

Marinated Chicken with Coconut Lime Dressing

April 10, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

As I write this, I’m sitting at my computer, listening to the sounds of autumnal colds and sniffles all around me… HELP! I wouldn’t go so far as to say I’m a germophobe, but every time I’m near someone spluttering...

Reading time: 1 min

Food News•Healthy•Lifestyle•Winter

Do certain foods make us happy?

April 9, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

I’m a firm believer that what you put into your body is what you get out. You put crap in? Don’t be surprised if you feel sluggish and tired. I’m also the first one to put my hand up and...

Reading time: 3 min

Dairy Free•Drinks•Healthy recipes•Recipes•Sugar free•Teas & Coffees

Yogi tea (chai)

April 8, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

I have so many tea varieties in my cupboard, they take up a whole shelf. White, black, green, scented, hibiscus…you name it, I have it! I love the variety, and they all do something to make me feel good.When I...

Reading time: 1 min

alcohol•Drinks and cocktails•Food News•International

Wild Turkey Longbranch launches in New Zealand

April 5, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

You know those ads with lovely Matthew McConaughey on TV? Turns out the drink is nearly as smooth as the actor. Wild Turkey has teamed up with Matthew McConaughey to produce Wild Turkey Longbranch, is a coming together of the...

Reading time: 1 min

Cookbooks•Dairy Free•Gluten Free•Healthy recipes•Low carb•Poultry•Soups and casseroles

Chicken Stock (white and brown)

by Catherine Milford No Comments

Adam Byatt’s Chicken Stock from The Recipe by Josh Emett, image copyright © Kieran E. Scott, design copyright © Blackwell and Ruth Ltd, 2019. Ths recipe is used in Ken Hom’s Wonton Soup , and many others from Josh Emett’s...

Reading time: 1 min

Autumn•Cookbooks•Family meals•Healthy recipes•International•Pork•Recipes•Seafood•Soups and casseroles

Wonton Soup

by Catherine Milford No Comments

I remember a few TV chefs from when I was a kid, but none with as much awe as Ken Hom. Back in the days when Chinese food was something you only got from a takeaway, Ken Hom brought via...

Reading time: 2 min

Book reviews•International

Review: The Recipe

April 4, 2019 by Catherine Milford 2 Comments

by Josh Emett with photography by Kieran E. Scott Upstart Press, $49.99 RRP I get a lot of cookbooks across my desk. (Sorry.) Not all of them are great; some of them I struggle to even find ‘good’. But this one...

Reading time: 2 min

Family•Food News•Food thoughts•Takeaway and delivery

Does your family fight over food?

March 31, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

I’m definitely the queen of my own kitchen, but everyone in my household knows how to cook. This is fantastic, most of the time – but it does lead to the occasional frisson of friction. Yes, there is enough water...

Reading time: 3 min

Beef•Blog•Budget Busters•Dinner ideas•Family meals•Main Courses•Takeaway and delivery

I got Fed…

March 22, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

There seems no doubt – ready-to-eat meals are here to stay. We’re a busy bunch, so for many who want to eat well and get some variety in their dinners, having food made to order is a lifesaver. There are...

Reading time: 2 min

Baking•Breakfasts and brunches•Cheese•Cookbooks•Low carb•Vegetarian

Low carb Bagels

March 20, 2019 by Catherine Milford No Comments

I know, right? You’re going low carb and you can have BAGELS, slurped in cheese, smoked salmon and oil? Well yes, according to the team behind What The Fat?, a book of low-carb, healthy fat recipes that I’ve been using...

Reading time: 2 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

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

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

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

Culinary competitions/awards•Eats•Food News•Restaurants and Cafes

3 Kiwi chefs in line for international award

June 19, 2017 by Catherine Milford No Comments

There’s nothing I love more than a Kiwi success story – unless of course it’s three Kiwi success stories! Two Kiwi chefs from New Zealand’s top award winning restaurants and another about to launch his own, have been selected as...

Reading time: 3 min

Cooks•For the kids•Special Occasion•Sweet treats•Video

Jess’s Mother’s Day Apple Tarts

May 11, 2017 by Catherine Milford 2 Comments

Nothing says ‘I love you Mum’ more than making her something with your own hands. My daughter Jess came up with the idea for these cute little tarts that are wonderfully tasty, but really easy to make. Jess used our...

Reading time: 2 min

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