Author: Bunny Eats Design

Bastille Day Cheese Tasting

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At our Bastille Day Cheese and Wine Tasting, there were ten cheese enthusiasts and six cheeses. Coincidentally, there were three French cheeses in honour of Bastille Day and three New Zealand cheese. I did a cheese and wine tasting back in 2011 which was a lot of fun. I can’t believe it’s been 2 years already. It’s a delicious, fun and good value entertainment. I asked each guest to bring either  cheese or a red wine that they hadn’t tried before, with a price limit of $20. Political discussions and strong opinions on gardening Being the slightly crazy foodie that I am, everyone was encouraged to take notes on the wines based on some key points. Strong opinions and poetic license were held in high regard. Our rating system from 0 to 10: 0 = yuck 5 = yeah-nah 10 = yum The scores have been averaged out and presented at the end of each set of notes below. Check back tomorrow for some entertaining reading on the wines we consumed. IMPORTANT: These tasting notes …

Tofu Tuesday: Monsieur Tofu

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We celebrated Bastille Day on Sunday with a cheese and wine party at home and I’ll be posting the reviews later this week. The cheese and wine party was lot of fun and there were more moustaches than there were people. Although Tofu already sports a moustache, he couldn’t help but get into the spirit with this stick on moustache too. p.s. if you are a long time follower of this blog, you may be sick to death of my one and only tablecloth. I bought a blue gingham one for Bastille Day and even though it’s a little too small for our table, it makes a nice change.

Monday Bunday: Suerte Tequila

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Tequila and I have a mutual respect. Really good tequila, the stuff that is classier than me, has my respect. The trashy stuff that needs a wince and a chaser, I can do without. The tattooed rabbits on these bottles of tequila from Suerte were designed by tattoo artist Adam Jackson. Suerte means “luck” in Spanish and what is luckier that a tattooed rabbit? Visit Adamamnts.wordpress.com for more Adam’s goodies. Design company Swig Studio are responsible for this beauty. See more of their work here: http://www.swigstudio.com Love bunny things? Check out more editions of Monday Bunday here.   

Smoked Salmon and Urenika

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If you like colourful, accessible food, this one is for you. This recipes shows off the lovely purple Urenika potato but you can substitute any good quality potato and the flavours will be the similar. Coloured potatoes contrast beautifully with smoked salmon and lemon so if you can, opt for colour potatoes. The deep purple Urenika or Maori potato is precious here in New Zealand. They are pretty boring looking the outside, and their secret is within. The small knobbly spuds can be found at most farmers markets but are absent from supermarket chains and as there is no mass farming of these potatoes. It’s as shame as they are quite beautiful to look at and taste earthy. I guess their rarity makes them more special. I’ve heard these potatoes can be quite easy to grow. In any case, at the end of summer, I poked a few sprouting potatoes into a planter box. The tomatoes were finished so I figured I had nothing to lose. A plant that looked liked nightshade sprouted up and …

Make Risotto

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I go weak in the knees for smoked salmon risotto. If it’s on the menu at a restaurant, it is what I’m going to order. Still, I always did feel a little naive paying $20 for a rice dish. After I ordered some Aoraki Hot Smoked Salmon from Naturally Organic, I figured it was finally time to attempt risotto. I used the stainless steel sauté pan that Mum gave me and it was perfect for the job. You need something with decent sides but also plenty room for the rice to absorb liquid in. While it might be possible to use a skillet, you would have to be extra careful while stirring. In hindsight, I could have added a little more stock at the end. While the rice was cooked, it absorbed even more liquid on standing. Some sources say to stop just before the rice is cooked. Once upon a time, you could only get cold smoked salmon but now you can find both in equal abundance. I prefer hot smoked salmon but I …

Tofu Tuesday: Tiny White Carrot

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At the start of February, we planted a row of purple carrots and a row of white carrots. Now, five months on, still no adult sized carrots. The purple carrots turned out orange, round and the size of a grape. The white carrots did turn out white, but resemble pencil stubs. I could eat eat both rows for a snack. The carrots have been in the ground for twice the amount of time it should take to grow carrots. I would consider this a complete failure except for the fact they happen to be the perfect size snack for a rabbit.

Monday Bunday: Jackalope

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A jackalope is a mythical creature, not to be confused with this or this creature. As a fan of bunny things, naturally, jackalope things also make me squeal. Jackalope Glacier Blue Wall Hook and Jackalope Glacier Blue Jewelry Holder by imm Living and available at Pure Home. Both wonderful but I’m loving the wall hook a little more due to the necklace factor and it wouldn’t take up any space on my dresser. I do have a bunny wall hook gifted to me by my sister but I have no place to put my rings. Yes, my rings can be found in a myriad of random places. If only I had a jackalope to guard my jewels. Love bunny things? Check out more editions of Monday Bunday here.

Bunny Eats Design at Ang Sarap

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When Raymund from Ang Sarap invited me to write a guest post for him, first I felt honoured and then a little petrified. What could I possibly write that he hadn’t already covered? Raymund is an accomplished home cook right here in Auckland, New Zealand and has a huge following. His posts are frequent and expert and always with gorgeous photos. He cooks many kinds of Asian dishes and makes challenging ingredients accessible. I wanted to cook something original and inspired by Cantonese cuisine but relevant to what I like to eat. I considered a few things but in the end went with something I’m comfortable cooking with a new twist. Visit Ang Sarap for my write and and recipe for Pork and Apple Wontons with Balsamic Reduction.  

Naturally Organic Menu 2

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We had one of those weekends where you divide up your day into two-hour slots so you can get everything done. I attended Creative Mornings last Friday and witnessed the entertaining magic of Otis and Sarah Frizzell’s taco truck adventure. Inspirational stuff. When you look upon their setbacks, I think most sane people would have quit long ago. I learned that sheep scrotums taste like bacon. Considering how many sheep we have in this country, perhaps this is a largely untapped market? On Saturday The Koala and I happened to chance upon The Lucky Taco in Ponsonby so we shared four tacos and their flagship rice milk drink. I tried not to fan-girl too hard, I popped my head in the side door and maybe I gushed. Hopefully, Sarah and Otis were too busy to notice. I met up with my friend Vanessa to help her set up a blog and she sent me home with a gang of lemons from her tree. I’m super excited this week to play with the lovely delivery from …

Naturally Organic box 2

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This winter, I’m testing out a few CSA and produce delivery companies in Auckland. I have already tried Foodbox.co.nz and the next one on my list is Naturally Organic. Naturally Organic is a market based in Albany, Auckland and their produce boxes are only a small part of what they offer. Since our last order was a little overwhelming, this round I went for the smallest box and added some fun extras. I ordered the One Person Organic Fruit and Vege Box for $19 plus $7.98 delivery and also added some Māori potatoes (urenika) and onions to bump up the produce to $26.25 to be comparative. The $19 produce weighed 5.4kg (vegetables 2.4g, fruit 3kg) and the onion and potatoes an extra 1kg. Unlike other companies that have a set delivery day, Naturally Organic offer 6 day delivery. Check their website out for specific details for your area, but I can order up to 7 days in advance and get same day delivery Monday to Friday if I order by 9.30am. First impression Even though we …

Monday Bunday: Pollop by Leslie Murard

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Happy Monday and happy first of July! Can’t believe we’re over halfway through 2013. The second half of the year typically flies by. I’ve already had clients talk to me about Christmas card design. Kind of disconcerting but super grateful for organised clients. Shameless plug: If you or someone you know is looking for a designer for Christmas cards or anything really, contact me. Anyway, here’s a cool video to cheer up your Monday. Love these humping bunnies from this smooth animation by Leslie Murard. Warning: Contains sexual themes and cooked rabbits.   Love bunny things? Check out more editions of Monday Bunday here.

Tofu Tuesday: Weigh In

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No one enjoys being weighed and Tofu the bunny is no exception. Turns out, Tofu weighs the same as he did six months ago. I guess that’s what he was trying to tell me, only I wouldn’t listen.   Edit: I should add that Tofu is still on a diet though we are more relaxed about it. He’s eating a mixture of half diet pellets and regular pellets and fresh food and hay. So no change in weight is fine. Better than weight gain!

Monday Bunday: Wine-O

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Completely predictable in winter, my number one tipple in cold weather is a glass of red. We usually buy screw tops for convenience, but this wine stopper would see some use in our house. “Good fortune is in your design future. Crafted from resin, this whimsical wine stopper is inspired by the Chinese zodiac with a rabbit head on top. Gift to a vino-loving friend, or use to store an open bottle in chic style. Available in black or plum Cork bottom with resin top Made in Canada Ships in 1-2 weeks”  Grab one for yourself for $13 at Pure Home. Love bunny things? Check out more editions of Monday Bunday here.

Naturally Organic Menu 1

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This winter, I’m testing out a few CSA and produce delivery companies in Auckland. Currently our delivery is from Naturally Organic. Naturally Organic is a market based in Albany, Auckland and you can view the contents of the box on my post here. A brief menu this week. Plenty of leftovers for lunch though. Naturally Organic Menu 1 Items in bold are from our Naturally Organic box. Spiced pumpkin soup with garlic toast Orange roast chicken with beetroot, pumpkin and carrot Chili bean chicken with kale yellow rice Minted lamb chops with sauteed kale, mushrooms and The Koalas fried potato Cheesy kale and mushroom macaroni with breadcrumb and parmesan topping Grilled pork chops with caramalised pear, sauteed cabbage and potato mash. Beef and bean nachos with cheese Maple French toast with banana and bacon Porridge with banana Hong Kong style breakfast: macaroni soup with ham, fried egg and sliced cabbage. Chinese tea egg salad with spring onion, sesame, bean sprouts, red cabbage, grated carrot and orange   (pictured) Ham sandwich with cheese, red cabbage, bean sprouts and pickle Prawn, red cabbage, carrot and spring onion …

Monday Bunday: Shoes shoes shoes

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There are lots of cute bunny shoes for babies and little girls. But here is a collection of bunny shoes for grown ass women. Minna Parikka bunny flats: Bugs black, Minna Parikka bunny heels: Angora grey. These and a many more at http://www.minnaparikka.com. BC Shoes Hop To It Wedge. Looks a little mousey but look at that tell-tale bunny tail. Sold out over at Modcloth. Le Bunny Bleu Bunny Motive flats. Comes in mint, pink or black with stars. Synthetics and only $49 and $69 a pair from http://www.lebunnybleu.com. Also special mention to these Onitsuka Tigers I’ve blogged about before and these sweet needlepoint loafers. Love bunny things? Check out more editions of Monday Bunday here.

The Shanghai Chicken Project

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The premise I’ve followed the blog Sybaritica for a while and I enjoy John’s experimental and honest love of Asian cuisine. It was there I found out about The Shanghai Chicken Project and his buddy Stefan’s Gourmet Blog. The Shanghai Chicken Project is based on a mysterious chili chicken dish of dubious origin with pine nuts and broccoli leaves. If you have been following my blog for a while, you’ll know I love a good foodie challenge. I also happened to have some premium New Zealand pine nuts and a fermented chili paste I was hoping to play with so it like it was meant to be. The Shanghai Chicken Project rules: Prepare a dish inspired by Bamboo Restaurant’s Shanghai Chicken. It has to include chicken, chiles of some sort, vegetable greens, and nuts. It could be a known recipe or one of your own — traditional or newly invented. Blog about your dish or send Stefan photos and a description of what you did. Lee Kum Kee’s Chili bean sauce (Toban Djan) Toban Djan …

Naturally Organic box 1

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This winter, I’m testing out a few CSA and produce delivery companies in Auckland. I have already tried Foodbox.co.nz and the next one on my list is Naturally Organic. Naturally Organic is a market based in Albany, Auckland and their produce boxes are only a small part of what they offer. Their products are marked organic, spray-free, gluten-free, vegan, sugar-free and local where appropriate, so if that kind of thing is important, you can shop online with ease. They have a huge catalogue of products like baby products, cleaning products, drinks, pantry items and you can get even get Aoraki salmon and Harmony/Freedom Farm pork delivered with your product box. This week I ordered the Two Person Organic Fruit and Vege Box for $30 plus $7.98 delivery. Unlike other companies that have a set delivery day, Naturally Organic offer 6 day delivery. Check their website out for specific details for your area, but I can order up to 7 days in advance and get same day delivery Monday to Friday if I order by 9.30am. First …

Tofu Tuesday: Bunny shaming

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You may have seen dog shaming or cat shaming, but have you seen bunny shaming? When The Koala and I went out of town for a few days last week, Tofu found his way up onto a chair to a chest of drawers and to this grass bunny gifted to us by Cassie and Flatpac of Food My Friend. Shame bunny, shame. It’s hard to shame a bunny though. They don’t have the same sense of guilt that dogs have. Sorry Cassie and Flatpac.