My favourite animal is steak,’ quipped American writer Fran Lebowitz.   And yes, there’s nothing quite like a perfectly grilled beef steak. It’s ‘feel good’ food and it can be dressed up in so many ways — including served with a mushroom, mustard or...

In 2005, Anthony Bourdain, in New Zealand to promote his Les Halles Cookbook, chatted to Jan Bilton, editor of the Foodtown Magazine....

Due to the huge numbers of Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani restaurants in Britain (over 9000), the UK has adopted curry as a national dish. According to the National Curry Week website, about 23 million people eat curry regularly.  In Britain the word curry was first ...

In 1980 New Zealand kiwifruit hit New York for the first time. They cost one US dollar each and were celebrated hugely “in tart after tart, fruit salads, savoury salads and sauces lending an algal tinge to beurre blanc,” according to The New York Times. It was every...

There’s a new leaf in the superfood stakes. Or is it so new? Kumara leaves are becoming popular not because of their novelty value but because recent research undertaken in the USA recognizes that the leaves have three times more vitamin B6, five times more vitamin C, and ...

Whatever it is called — suppa, zuppa, suppe, soupe— or whatever the ingredients — fruit, vegetables, cereals, meat, fish — every country has their own version. Soup is the world’s favourite treat. Historically, soups were either thick and a mea...

Little bakes such as muffins, cupcakes and friands are very popular sweet treats —especially for celebrating Mother’s Day. Over the years the difference between cupcakes and muffins has almost become non-existent. Muffins have become sweeter, more’s the pity.&...

Labna, crème fraiche, mascarpone, buttermilk and sour cream are dairy delights that have become synonymous with enticing eats. Labna is a Middle Eastern staple — a ‘cheese’ prepared from salted yoghurt. It is easily prepared at home and is a fave of mine to offer ...

One of the most appealing aromas for me is that of biscuits baking. It was often an enticing greeting when, as a child, I arrived home from school. But it is highly unlikely that this little welcome is still practised. Many homemakers are too busy.  But biscuit baking n...

Encouraging your kids to cook can be rewarding. Initially you may need to work alongside them giving little demonstrations of cutting techniques and measuring. However, allow them to enjoy working with food and eventually you could have your own personal chef on call —...