Country Cooking

Ingredients: 500g button mushrooms, sliced 2 Tbsp butter or olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tsp thyme, fresh or dried 2 Tbsp of plain flour 3 cups vegetable or chicken stock 1 cup whole milk or cream Salt and pepper, to taste Garnish: chopped parsley METHOD: In a large...

Ingredients: 1 kg fresh apricots, pitted and chopped 600g granulated sugar 2 Tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp vanilla extract or a cinnamon stick for extra flavour (Optional) METHOD: Wash, pit, and chop the apricots. (You can leave the skins on if you wish). In a large pot, mix the apricots, sugar, and lemon...

Ingredients: 320g sheet of ready-rolled puff pastry 800g stewing beef, chuck or braising steak, cut into cubes 2 Tbsp plain flour 2 Tbsp vegetable oil 1 onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 500ml beef stock 1 tsp worcestershire sauce 1 tsp dried thyme Salt and pepper, to taste 1 egg, beaten (for...

Ingredients: Sponge Cake: 150g self-raising flour, sifted 1 cup caster sugar 4 large eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract 125ml milk 30g unsalted butter, melted Chocolate Icing: 450g icing sugar, sifted 30g cocoa powder, sifted 45g unsalted butter, melted 125ml milk To Coat: 180g desiccated coconut METHOD...

Ingredients: 1 rack of pork belly ribs, or baby back ribs Marinade: 3 cloves of garlic, crushed 2 fresh red chillies, finely chopped 2 tsp smoked paprika ½ tsp dried chilli flakes Sea salt & black pepper, freshly ground 4 Tbsp olive oil Glaze: 2 Tbsp honey Zest & juice of 1 orange Zest & juice of 1...

Ingredients: 250g plain flour 1 Tbsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 50g granulated sugar 115g unsalted butter, cold & cubed 180 ml milk 150g fresh or frozen blueberries METHOD: Preheat oven to 220°C. Line a baking tray with baking paper. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and...

Ingredients: 1 brought pizza base or your own dough mixture 1 cup cooked chicken – sliced 1 cup button mushrooms – sliced 1 red bell pepper, cleaned & sliced 1/2 cup pizza sauce, tomato-based or white garlic sauce 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese – shredded 1/2 tsp dried oregano 1/2 tsp garlic powder...

Ingredients: 400g diced tomatoes 1 Tbsp olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated 1–2 Tbsp curry powder, to your taste 1 tsp ground coriander 1/4 tsp chili flakes (optional) 1 cup red lentils, rinsed 400ml coconut milk 3 cups vegetable stock Salt and...

Ingredients: 115g unsalted butter 1 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract 40g cocoa powder 1/2 cup plain flour 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp baking powder 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional) 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional) METHOD: Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease a 20cm (8-inch) square baking...

Ingredients: 2 cups of raw chicken breast, diced 6 cups chicken stock or broth 1 Tbsp olive oil or butter 1 onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced 2 celery stalks, sliced 1 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning 1 bay leaf 150g egg noodles or pasta of choice Salt...

Ingredients: 6 cups sliced cucumbers (peeled and seeded if large) 2 cups sliced onions 1 red bell pepper, chopped 1 cup pickling salt or kosher salt 8 cups cold water (for soaking) Mustard Brine: 2½ cups white or apple cider vinegar (5% acidity) 2½ cups sugar 2 Tbsp dry mustard powder 1 Tbsp...

Ingredients: 500g ground beef or lamb (or a mixture) 1 small onion, finely grated 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 slice of bread, soaked in milk 1 egg 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley 1 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp ground cumin Salt and pepper, to taste Olive oil for frying METHOD: In a large bowl, combine ground...

‘Matariki is a time of Transition and Remembrance’ Ingredients: 2 salmon fillets (about 180–200g each) 1 bunch of asparagus, trimmed 2 Tbsp olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 lemon, zest & juice Salt and pepper to taste Fresh dill, parsley, or thyme for garnish Bowl of Rice (Optional) METHOD...

‘Matariki Fact – Matariki is one of the closest star clusters to Earth’ Ingredients: 1.5 to 2 kgs eye of round roast beef (or top sirloin, bottom round) 2 Tbsp olive oil 2 tsp salt 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp dried thyme 1 tsp dried rosemary Chives...

‘Side Dish to go with any Matariki Feast’ Ingredients: 4 cups frozen sweet corn, don’t need to thaw 2 Tbsp butter 1 Tbsp sugar or honey ½ cup cream cheese, cubed Salt and black pepper to taste 2 Tbsp cream METHOD: Preheat your pan over medium heat. This helps sauté the corn instead of steaming it...

‘Sweet Matariki Moments with Cinnamon Rolls’ Ingredients: 2 cups plain flour 2 Tbsp granulated sugar 1 tbsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 3 Tbsp butter, melted 3/4 cup milk Filling: 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon 2 Tbsp butter, melted Icing: 1/2 cup icing sugar 1–2 Tbsp milk 1/2 tsp vanilla...

‘Celebrate Matariki Whanau with Hot Kumara Soup’ Ingredients: 1 large kumara, peeled, diced 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 1 tsp minced garlic ½ tsp chilli powder (optional) 2 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp turmeric 4 cups vegetable or chicken stock ¾ cup red lentils 2...

‘Delicious Maori Fried Bread a Treat During Matariki Ingredients: ½ cup milk 1 cup hot water 2 Tbsp sugar or honey/maple syrup 2 tsp instant yeast 3⅓ cups high-grade flour 30g melted butter 1½ tsp salt 750ml oil for frying (rice bran or similar) METHOD: In a large bowl, mix the milk, hot water, and...