All posts tagged: food

Everything you need to know about Graze and Feast

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Auckland has a new food event called Graze and Feast. Graze and Feast will be held every Friday in July from 5pm at Shed 10 on Queen’s Wharf. Opening night is Friday 3 July. Entry is free and dishes range from $5 to $14. There will be plenty of food trucks and vendors to choose from. I freakin’ LOVE that there are so many other Aucklanders this keen on food events in Auckland. The hype is very real. My friend Miss A pointed me to the event page which I followed with interest. Within 24 hours of posting there were almost 10,000 Aucklanders interested in attending the event. At last count, with well over 16,000 interested in the event, we can be confident that events like these can continue to flourish in our city. Graze and Feast quick facts: Every Friday during the month of July. Edit : canceled after 2 events From 5pm at Shed 10 on Queen’s Wharf Free entry opening night. $5 subsequent nights. Seating for 400+ Aims to be a zero waste …

#BirdOnAWireIsComing #WineIsComing

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Game of Rhones, it’s on Saturday 4 July at Shed 10 on Queens Wharf. Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney have had their events and now it’s Auckland left. Over 100 wines by 20 producers, it’s going to be a hell of an afternoon. Check out my intro post here. The great thing about being last in a series of events is you get to see all the photos of the earlier events on Instagram as they happen…and get ideas for costumes. Game of Thrones attire is encouraged. If you feel silly dressing up in Game of Thrones gear, just know that after a few wines, you’ll be glad you did. Early Raven tickets were $40 and regular tickets are $50. The ticket price includes all tastings and a wine glass. Food (provided by Bird and Wire) is extra. For more information see the Game of Rhones website or their Facebook page here. I will be there in costume, with a prepped liver, an appetite and a camera. Will you? All men must dine Auckland’s event will be catered for by Bird …

Deli Man and For Grace – Documentary Edge

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I love food documentaries, don’t you? Documentary Edge is an international documentary festival and has just started in Auckland. The festival runs in Auckland from 20 May to 1 of June and in Wellington from 3 June to 14 June. There are a range of movies to suit different tastes. There are two food documentaries in the festival: Deli Man and For Grace. If you’re interested in one or both, also check out the free event held at The Vault, Q Theatre where directors from both films will discuss food and film. Food Talk Sat 30 May, 4.30 – 5.30pm The Vault, Q Theatre In Conversation with Erik Greenberg Anjou and Mark Helenowski Director of Deli Man, Erik Greenberg Anjou, and director of For Grace, Mark Helenowski, talk food and film in this discussion of their respective documentaries. Free event. Deli Man (USA, 2014) Directed by Erik Greenberg Anjou, Deli Man is a look into the history and the food in Jewish delicatessens. Rated a very healthy 7.6 on IMDB, this story follows Ziggy Gruber, a third-generation deli man …

Edible Type

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#NZbloggers are hosting a weekly blog post challenge. This week’s theme is Type and you can check out other posts on this theme here. I am a typography geek. I’m the kind of typography geek who yells out font names during the opening credits of movies. It’s a annoying weird habit. When I saw this week’s Type theme, I knew it had to be something to do with my obsession with typography. Here’s a round up of edible type from around the inter webs. Sugar for Stefan Sagmeister “If I want to explore a new direction professionally, it is helpful to try it out for myself first” Credit: Marian Bantjes http://www.bantjes.com Salt to taste Credit: Kim Vu http://www.posttypography.com Type Is Sweet Credit: Danielle Evans http://www.marmaladebleue.com Humble Pie Credit: Danielle Evans http://www.marmaladebleue.com I Love You More Than… Credit: Danielle Evans http://www.marmaladebleue.com Hungry For Adventure Credit: Danielle Evans http://www.marmaladebleue.com I’m Just A Little Bit Chili Credit: Becca Classon http://www.beccaclasson.com Fresh Credit: Becca Classon http://www.beccaclasson.com Oats Credit: Becca Classon http://www.beccaclasson.com 3D type: Toasted Credit: Yani Arabena and Guille Vizzari (font) and The Six & Five Studio http://www.yaniguille.com, www.sixnfive.com Shit …

Our Growing Edge – May Intro post

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It’s May already? As I type this, I can hear the rain pounding on the roof. Outside is dark and gloomy like night. The rabbit is inside today, there is nothing for us outdoors. This week I’ve been making soups and curries but those of you in spring are enjoying salads and lighter dishes. I can see them in my blog feed and on Instagram. April’s round up of Our Growing Edge is now live over on Everyday Life Mom. We have some gorgeous entries including dishes I’ve never heard of before. Perfect for Our Growing Edge! Check it out here. For those who are just joining, Our Growing Edge is a monthly link up that aims to connect and inspire us to try new things and to compile a monthly snapshot of what food bloggers are getting up to. Time to tick off some foodie bucket list items. More info here. This month is hosted is hosted by Jordan and Cindy from My Daughter and I. To join, click on the submission button below:  

Tasting Menu with Matching Wines

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I was stoked to be invited to a Zomato Foodie Meetup at One Tree Grill last week. As much as I love food and wine (like, HEAPS), I have never experienced a tasting menu with matched wines. I was in for a treat. I was annoyingly early for our 6.30pm start. When I arrived I was greeted by Charlotte who I know from what feels like another era. About 8 years back we lived and breathed a restaurant and bar in Parnell called Blowfish. It was a funny time. Charlotte took my coat and set me up with a delicious Xanadu Shiraz on a comfy couch. We chatted about old times and One Tree Grill. There were 8 of us and it was a pleasure to dine with other foodies and we had plenty to talk about food-wise and about our experience. Bloggers at the dinner were Cecilia from Ultimate Om Noms, Amy from My Dining Journey, Tiffany from Heartshrooms, Jen from Mango and Beans. The decor is inviting with dark wood furniture, white tablecloths, neutral colours, a large …

A Lime Free $29 Challenge

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A few years back I fundraised $635 for Live Below The Line by cooking and eating $2.25 a day worth of food for 5 days. $2.25 per day is considered the extreme poverty line in New Zealand. I came up with a bunch of simple recipes based on $11.25 worth of groceries and blogged about my experience. I won’t lie, it was miserable. I experienced hunger and deficiencies. While I made sure I ate 3+ times a day, I felt foggy and light headed. Most days, I came home from work, ate a small, unsatisfying meal and went straight to bed. This really highlighted for me, the struggles the poor have to face daily. How can someone possibly get ahead if they feel like that constantly? Yesterday I saw the fury of the internet unleashed on Gwyneth Paltrow when she posted her $29 SNAP challenge. If you missed it, here it is again. I also got swept up in the fury and I reposted it to my Facebook page. 7 limes? What planet do you live on? …

Splore Food 2015

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This time last week, we were elbow deep in Splore. Splore is an extremely well run, three day festival of music and art. This was easily my favourite festival and it was over too quick. I’m a little ashamed to say I only ate 4 meals over 3 days because the food on offer is incredible. I did have plenty to drink…don’t worry, it wasn’t all Jägermeister and cider, I also managed a banana-berry smoothie and a green juice . Here’s a run down on some of the food we ate. Aloisio Brazilian BBQ Halloumi and Free range Harmony chorizo breakfast bun. Brazilian Churrasco. Chicken, beef and Brazilian sausage served with rice, black beans and vinaigrette topped with farofa (seasoned cassava flour). I only had a single meal during Day One and this plate of barbecued goodness from Aloisio kept me going for the whole the day (and night). Most people we saw shared a plate but The Koala and I had one each. No regrets! I loved the help yourself farofa which is a seasoned cassava flour and naturally …

10 tips for charcoal barbecue noobs

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The Koala doesn’t spend much time in my kitchen our kitchen, but like most red-blooded kiwi males, The Koala is happy behind a barbecue (with beer in hand). We haven’t had a barbecue for a few years so The Koala and I bought ourselves a charcoal barbecue for Christmas. Introducing our Charmate 57cm Premium Charcoal BBQ. There were 3 options for this size which we dubbed the cheapie ($80), the middle of the road ($200) and the Weber ($400). We went for the $200 option and also picked up a cover, a barbecue tool set, a lighter, Manuka wood chips and 2 bags of hardwood lump coal. Yes, we got ourselves coal for Christmas! We must have been bad this year.   Gas barbecues are super popular here in New Zealand because they are quick, convenient and cheap to run. But we figure, we cook with gas in our kitchen every day. We know what gas cooking tastes like. We would like a new experience please!   Charcoal is different to gas (no shit). You get a …

A guide to Splore food

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Splore starts tomorrow! Splore is a 3-day music and art astival at Tapapakanga Regional Park on the outskirts of Auckland, New Zealand. Originally held every two years, last year, Splore decided to become an annual event. As Splore also happens to land on The Koala’s birthday, we’ve pretty much got his birthday party sorted for all of time. Splore is now celebrating its 11th festival and this year will be The Koala and my 7th Splore. They have a great sustainable green ethos and the arty atmosphere and beachy location make it unique. You can float in the sea or lie on the beach while watching international and kiwi artists on the main stage. Up on the hills and scattered throughout the site are never seen before artworks to keen you entertained and amused. There are various workshops and markets if you want to broaden your mind or wardrobe. If you like music, art and the beach, this is a winner.  Home The theme this year’s theme is “Home”. Home isn’t a place, it is where …

Heart Shaped food for Valentines Day

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So, it’s Valentines Day tomorrow and I look at every celebration as an excuse to eat. Don’t you? Here are a couple of easy recipes with puff pastry that I’ve made in the past: Strawberry Heart Puffs and Lemon Sugar Palmiers. Seriously easy stuff. Get the recipes here and here. These two got me curious about other heart shaped foods for your Valentines. There are heaps out there so I leaned towards ones that The Koala and I would actually enjoy eating. Heart Shaped Foods for Valentines Day 1. Heart shaped pizza with heart shaped pepperoni Originally made by Dominos, but there’s no reason why you couldn’t make this yourself. Image found via Rebloggy. This would be an easy ticket into The Koala’s heart. I don’t know why I’m telling you this. Hands off my husband. 2. Heart shaped Toad in a Hole. Got a heart shaped cookie cutter a slice of bread and an egg? You’ve got breakfast. Found via Neatarama, made by Petite Kitchenesse. You could even make heart-shaped nutella sandwiches or heart-shaped french toast …

Favourite Seafood Recipes

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Summer in New Zealand is all about gorging on simply prepared seafood. This summer has been particularly seafood filled. Here is a collection of five my favourite seafood recipes. Just click on the images to view the recipes. Enjoy!   1. Steamed Garlic Prawns Super easy recipe for Steamed Garlic Prawns, a very popular dish at Kingsland’s Canton Cafe. Includes a handy guide to prawn sizing in New Zealand.   2. Pan Fried Flounder The most popular recipe on my blog by miles, this buttery golden pan fried flounder makes use of a whole flounder. You’ll need a flounder (or two) butter, more butter, flour, salt and pepper. 3. Raw Fish Salad I fell in love with Ika Mata (raw fish salad) in Rarotonga. Here’s my version of it using fresh tuna fillets, though you can also use any firm white fish. 4. Oysters Kilpatrick Oysters Kilpatrick are an easy crowd pleaser. Oystes, bacon, tasty sauce and cheese. What could go wrong? 5. All-in-one Seafood Stew I test out Adie McClelland’s all-in-one seafood stew from her …

Snacks for the win!

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Forget what you thought you knew about bulk food bins, this stuff is is gourmet. Over the summer, I got to sample a few Alison’s Pantry goodies which I shared with anyone who would eat them with me. Funny enough, it’s not so hard to find friends to sample sweet and savoury tidbits. I even roped in a few strangers. Equally at home in your snack drawer or on platters for entertaining over summer. Thanks to Alison’s Pantry, one of you will win a prize pack containing eight different platter products including both sweet and savoury options (Valued at $120). Due to logistics, this prize is only open to New Zealand locals and actual products may vary from samples pictured. To enter, fill in the form at the bottom of this post, including a skill question. Alison’s Pantry offer a bulk food range in New Zealand supermarkets. Great if you just want raw ingredients without the fancy packaging. Endorsed by Dame Alison Holst, the “Mother of New Zealand Cooking”, the range can be found in in …

Auckland Seafood Festival 2015 – food porn and review

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My seafood gobbling friends and I descended on the Auckland Seafood Festival at midday today with hunger in our bellies and a readiness to partake. Being the middle of Auckland Anniversary weekend, the city was BUSY. There was plenty of atmosphere and things to do. There still are. The layout of the venue at Halsey Wharf was quite different this year and the areas felt a little less marked out. No restaurant alley this year, but it was easy to navigate. There was plenty of seating, though the limited shade was snapped up quickly. The lines were short all except for the line for the Oceanz’s crayfish (from $25 for half) which was so long (about 40 bellies deep) we didn’t bother. My favourite dish was one from NSIA a school for hospo students. Pulpo in honey and balsamic, gazpacho caviar, Spanish olive soil, capsicum sofrito ($8). Pulpo is spanish for octopus and this dish was filled with bite size octopi. Quite an adventurous and sophisticated dish, it really paid off. We also tried their …

Bacon Jam

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The Koala and I spent Christmas in Christchurch. Our first meal off the plane was at Terra Viva Cafe with The Koala’s parents. When I saw Hot smoked salmon and bacon jam salad on their menu, I didn’t look any further. I didn’t have to. Nothing could beat that combo for me. The salad was both tasty and light, the perfect meal for a “just got off the plane and I’m going to have an epic dinner later”. You can read my review and photos over here. Since then, I’ve been dreaming about bacon jam. “But Genie, what the hell is bacon jam?” I hear you cry. Well, bacon jam is bacon (of course) cooked down with onion, garlic and sweet gummy goodness until it is caramelised and crazy good. I had to make it. I had a browse at some recipes and decided on this one from Dinner With Julie. I’ve simplified an already simple recipe. Seriously, if you are a fan of bacon, you need this in your life. This recipe will make your house smell …

Mr Fancy Cabbage Pants

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The Koala enjoys cabbage boiled, I prefer it cooked quickly on high heat. We both eat cabbage either way. Sometimes, I tease The Koala about how white people smell like milk and cabbages. It’s not true. I love milk and cabbages just as much as the next girl, maybe even more than the next girl. We don’t smell like milk and cabbages (unless we’re immune to the smell). Kale was fashionable in a big way, then came brussels sprouts. I think cauliflower tried to knuckle in (particularly with cauli rice and cauli crust pizza) but it’s time for the humble cabbage to make a comeback. Of all the brassicas, cabbage is the most affordable by weight. A dependable, good value vegetable. It’s time to get creative with cabbage. Very Pinteresting I kept seeing grilled cabbages on Pinterest. To be more precise, cabbage wedges with a special dressing. I browse Pinterest quite a lot and grilled cabbage food porn kept popping up as different bloggers posted variations of the recipe. It came with glowing reviews like: “I don’t really like cabbage, but I fixed this recipe …

Fragrances for Foodies

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Was duty free shopping an all-ages field trip in your family? As a kid, I spent a lot of time at duty free stores. My uncle worked in duty free and we always had family or friends going to or coming back from Hong Kong. My sister, cousin and I spent hours browsing the displays, snacking on beef jerky or kiwifruit lolly samples, and reviewing all the perfumes. We collected all the paper test strips in our teeny-tiny handbags to enjoy later. We never noted the names of the perfumes and of course, the strips marinaded together in our bags and smelled sickly sweet, but it kept us amused. Gourmand fragrances I have always been always drawn to gourmand fragrances. A gourmand fragrance has notes like candy/fruit, honey, chocolate or vanilla and are also known as foodie fragrances. Gourmand fragrances appeared in the early ‘90s and were descendants of Oriental fragrances which were made with exotic notes from the Middle East and India. There are gourmand fragrances for both women and men. Sugary sweet The …

Fruity Philanderer

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Two months ago, The Honesty Box announced they would no longer be offering their home delivery service. The Honesty Box was my jams. We got their small fruit and vege box regularly, but they wanted to focus on their commercial service. Our little run was over. It was a little bit like, “It’s not you, it’s me”.

Smoked salmon sushi bowl

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A bowl of yum For those who don’t know what a sushi bowl is, it’s just a bunch of chopped sushi and salad ingredients served on a bowl of rice. You have a mouthful of this, a mouthful of that and in the end, it pretty much tastes like sushi in your mouth. This recipe is great for either lunch and dinner. I should know, I’ve eaten this for lunch and dinner this week. Thanks to Sealord, I’ve got a summer prize pack to give away. The pack includes a Sealord chilly bag, a stainless steel lunch box, a picnic blanket and Sealord’s Manuka Hot Smoked Salmon vouchers. To enter, fill in the form at the bottom of the giveaway post here. Sealord recently won the Supreme Award at the New Zealand Food Awards for their Manuka Hot Smoked Salmon. The flavours in their Manuka Hot Smoked Salmon range: Natural, Peri Peri (bird’s eye chili) and Tuscan. Au Natural I usually buy unflavoured smoked salmon. I find it to be more versatile and I enjoy adding my own flavourings …