Cheat's Carbonara

Posted 10:46am Sunday 22nd July 2012

From a young age I was mesmerised by spaghetti carbonara. My mother is in no way Italian, but she had a knack for producing the most lip-smacking bowls of pasta, overflowing with everything from olives, capers, and feta to the tongue-tickling saltiness of anchovies. It has remained a favourite Read more...

Totally Boss Steak Sammies

Posted 5:14pm Sunday 15th July 2012

With more grunt than a humble ham sandwich but requiring little in the way of preparation, these steak sammies will quell that gnawing hunger. Flash-fried schnitzel simply flavoured with garlic and salt is the foundation of this stomach satisfier. It’s ideal because it’s relatively cheap and cooks Read more...

Pulled Pork

Posted 5:13pm Sunday 8th July 2012

This heady, sticky, and rich slow cooked pork has been trending in the food world for some time now, and for good reason. Throw it together at midday and it will be ready to devour by dinnertime. This recipe is a cheat’s version, which I have adapted from a blog called “The Londoner”. Full of Read more...

French Onion Soup

Posted 7:58pm Sunday 20th May 2012

Here we go with another recipe from the eloquent, food-loving madame that is Sophie Dahl. The soup itself has a mere four ingredients, but lacks nothing when it comes to flavour. Rich and earthy, with a gentle tang creeping through from the balsamic vinegar, it is one for the cooler nights. The Read more...

Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Posted 7:08pm Sunday 13th May 2012

These easily prepared stuffed potatoes are the ultimate comfort food. The potatoes take at least an hour to cook, but little other preparation is required. Go Mexican and fill ’em up with chilli beans (I like the hot varieties because I’m a sucker for spice), cheese and fresh chilli. Or play it a Read more...

Sophie’s Granola

Posted 12:51am Monday 7th May 2012

Critic Food this year has been centred around hearty dinners, savoury dishes and a whole lot of olive oil. So now it’s time for something a little sweeter, something to rouse the tastebuds of the sugar-lovers among you. Delving into the land of breakfast, my dream of daily poached eggs on toast with Read more...

Coq au Vin

Posted 4:56pm Sunday 29th April 2012

Arich, wine-based sauce slowly tenderises chicken drumsticks as it bubbles away with garlic, thyme, bacon and mushrooms. As you may deduct from the name, the dish is of French origin, translated as “rooster with wine”. The name has been subject to numerous “coq” jokes in our flat, a sign of the Read more...

Vietnamese Salad

Posted 3:53pm Sunday 15th April 2012

This colourful, crunchy and tangy salad is of Vietnamese inspiration. A piquant dressing coats finely sliced vegetables, poached chicken (if you so wish), honey-roasted peanuts and fresh mint. You can substitute the lemons for limes for a more authentic flavour, though they will set you back a few Read more...

Caramelised Onion Flatbread

Posted 7:07pm Sunday 1st April 2012

Bouncy flatbread adorned with a blanket of sticky, sweet red onions and rosemary? Yes please. Making bread from scratch is a simple pleasure that contrary to popular opinion is remarkably easy. You don’t need to possess a bread maker, nor do you need to slave away in the kitchen for hours with flour Read more...

Summery Fettucine

Posted 4:27pm Sunday 18th March 2012

This pasta dish is a simple combination of vivid ingredients that will trick you into thinking summer is still in full swing. As Dunedin’s sunshine-filled days become a rarity, a colourful meal brings joy into the ritual of dinner. Rather than being coated in a heavy sauce, fettucine is nestled Read more...