Some of our favourite recipes...
Confit egg yolk on soba noodles with XO sauce
An appetiser should excite the palate. And this confit egg yolk on soba noodles with XO sauce does just that. Umami packed, sumptuous yolk, and an edge from the chilli. Delectable. …
Mushroom and spinach dumplings in a málà broth
Dumplings are a great way to package flavours and differentiate them from their surroundings. Here, umami packed mushroom and spinach dumplings sit in a spicy, lip numbing, yet very tasty broth. …
Pork tenderloin with passionfruit and mango salsa. Blackberry balsamic reduction
The tenderness and succulence of pork tenderloin cooked sous vide style is awesome. Paired with a mango-passion fruit salsa and blackberry balsamic reduction, this dish was truly delectable. …
Pork tenderloin with passionfruit and mango salsa. Blackberry balsamic reductionRead More
Duck, roast pumpkin and bean tortilla wrap. XO sauce.
Drawing on some technique from Mexico and some flavours from Hong Kong, these duck tortilla wraps are as bold as they are complex. …
Duck, roast pumpkin and bean tortilla wrap. XO sauce.Read More
Soba salad with natto, kimchi, okra, and poached egg
A salad to surprise and challenge your guests. As healthy as it is tasty, you will feel good after eating this soba salad. …
Soba salad with natto, kimchi, okra, and poached eggRead More
Udon noodles in a mushroom curry broth
Udon noodles in a curry broth is a typical combination at udon noodle bars. This recipe gives that tasty broth a whole lot more character with the addition of both fresh and dried mushrooms. …
Stromboli with red peppers, pancetta, chorizo, and camembert
If you enjoy pizza, especially making your own, then do yourself a favour and try this red pepper stromboli. Essentially thin crust pizza dough rolled up with some select ingredients and baked. …
Stromboli with red peppers, pancetta, chorizo, and camembertRead More
Crispy smashed potatoes. Mushrooms, pancetta, and wilted spinach. Poached egg.
Weekend brunches with family or friends feature heavily in “moments that matter”. A great culinary experience, such as with this crispy smashed potato recipe, really enhances those moments. As does a good coffee, a Champagne, or a Pinot Noir. …
Crispy smashed potatoes. Mushrooms, pancetta, and wilted spinach. Poached egg.Read More
Corn soup with a paprika drizzle
Based on a French influenced Japanese dish called corn potage (コーンポタージュ), this soup is rich, creamy, and naturally sweet, with a good amount of spice coming from the paprika drizzle. …
Grilled eggplant, spinach, and quail eggs on soba noodles
The luxurious, velvety texture of the grilled eggplant, spinach, and soft boiled quail eggs are a worthy accompaniment for the classic soba noodles and tsuyu broth. …
Grilled eggplant, spinach, and quail eggs on soba noodlesRead More
Corn and green onion waffles with three dips
Succulent sweet corn and umami packed green onions are encased here in crisp waffles. While delicious on their own, the three dips add their own very distinctive dimensions. …
Bacon and egg pie
Bacon and egg pie is a classic New Zealand comfort food. Every home cook has their own variation. This recreation of how I remember it did not disappoint. …
“Alcohol is a misunderstood vitamin.”
A selection of our past favorites...
Beetroot and ricotta gnocchi with a brown butter thyme sauce, walnuts and Roquefort
What really sets this dish apart is the way the beetroot and ricotta gnocchi is so perfectly complimented by the Roquefort cheese, walnuts, and brown butter sauce. …
Beetroot and ricotta gnocchi with a brown butter thyme sauce, walnuts and RoquefortRead More
Black bean, black rice, and black garlic tortillas
This dish invokes some mystery for me. Black beans, black rice, and black garlic provide a dark backdrop to colour and light of the red peppers and fresh mozzarella. …
NZ Mussels steamed in wine and garlic
The large succulent mussels that live around New Zealand’s shores are truly delicious. Steaming the New Zealand mussels in white wine is certainly one of the best ways to prepare them. …
Scallops wrapped in pancetta on a mushroom risotto
Salty sweet pancetta wrapped scallops are so delicious on their own, but when combined with the umami packed mushroom risotto, this dish exceeded all expectations. …
Fish and dill spring rolls
The first thing on the menu of a Highway 4 restaurant in Hanoi are the Fish Spring Rolls. So simple, yet so good. I haven’t tried to recreate that dish, but be inspired by it. …
Faux gras and pickled garlic on baguette
“No animals were harmed in the preparation of this pâté” – an appropriate disclaimer for Faux Gras. This mushroom, nuts, and lentil based spread is so delicious and very healthy. Top it with this pickled garlic, or drizzle on some truffle infused honey. …
Seared scallops on caramelised fennel. Black garlic drizzle.
Caramelised onions are great. Caramelised fennel is even better – the anise flavour coming through amongst that delicious sweetness. A black garlic and balsamic sauce tops the scallop, bringing some balancing sour and umami notes to that sweetness. …
Seared scallops on caramelised fennel. Black garlic drizzle.Read More
Paua Fritters
Paua is a shellfish that is found in New Zealand. It is a member of the abalone family. Unlike species of abalone found elsewhere, the surface of the paua is black, and it generally has a stronger taste. Like abalone, if not cooked correctly, it can be very tough. This traditional…
Chilli oil
This chilli oil – vegetable oil infused with spices, chilli flakes, and Sichuan pepper, is a truly wonderful condiment. It enhances everything from soups, to dumplings, to pizza. …
Crispy roast pork belly, tempura mussels, cucumber, kimchi consommé
While there is a bit of a surf’n’turf angle to this dish, there is so much more. The kimchi consommé is something very special. Disguised as a light colored broth, it is so packed with flavour. The Cantonese/Vietnamese style crispy roast pork belly is decadently delicious, and nicely complemented by…
Crispy roast pork belly, tempura mussels, cucumber, kimchi consomméRead More
Pumpernickel topped with asparagus, citrus cured salmon, and quail eggs
Pumpernickel bread is a dark sourdough whole rye bread which is delightfully moist and nutty. Paired with the citrus cured salmon, asparagus in white wine sauce, and the quail eggs, we get complex yet complimentary layers of flavours. …
Pumpernickel topped with asparagus, citrus cured salmon, and quail eggsRead More
Vegetarian Red Miso Ramen
I love the diversity of ramen. There are styles, but few rules. In keeping with that diversity, I wanted to create a vegetarian ramen the equal of its flesh and bone based counterparts. …
Tempura mussels and octopus on pickled daikon. Soy mustard drizzle. Sea grapes.
Plump and juicy New Zealand mussels in a light crispy tempura batter, on a bed of crisp white radish (crisp in both taste and texture). The sea grapes reinforce the seafood theme and add their own “bubblewrap” effect. …
Tempura mussels and octopus on pickled daikon. Soy mustard drizzle. Sea grapes.Read More
Lentil, stout, and mushroom turnovers. Mushroom Vegemite gravy
Do you crave a good meat pie and gravy, but don’t eat meat? These lentil turnovers and gravy were better than any meat version I have ever had. Big rich complex flavours. Truly delicious. …
Lentil, stout, and mushroom turnovers. Mushroom Vegemite gravyRead More
Pasta “birds nest” with soft boiled quail eggs
This delicious mushroom and pancetta fettuccine is brought to life (!) by the soft boiled quail eggs. So delicious in their own right, the quail eggs are also the perfect compliment for a mushroom pasta dish. …
Recipes by Style
Something vegetarian? Something with an Asian influence? Find a recipe from the selections below.
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