http://www.janbilton.co.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.janbilton.co.nz en-us Sun, 26 Jul 2026 19:38:21 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.janbilton.co.nz/blog/post/167309/mid-winter-merry-making/ Throwing a midwinter Christmas/Matariki party is high on my celebration calendar this year. It will be a great antidote for the winter blues. I love a cheerful get-together with family and friends. And the cooler temperatures are more suited to indulgent dishes.Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades. It rises in midwinter and for many Māori it heralds the start of a new year. Iwi across New Zealand understand and celebrate Matariki in different ways and ... Thu, 09 Jul 2026 09:28:25 +1200 http://www.janbilton.co.nz/blog/#post167309 http://www.janbilton.co.nz/blog/post/166483/going-gluten-free/ Being gluten-intolerant was once an almost unheard-of health complication. But over the years, navigating the world without gluten has become an extreme sport for millions. Enjoy Caesar Salad? Just watch out for that rogue, gluten-filled crouton because you might end up with those classic Coeliac symptoms of bloating, stomach pains, fatigue and headaches. Studies show that about 10 per cent of the population are wheat and gluten sensitive, but four out of five don't know it. Coeliac disease... Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:37:10 +1200 http://www.janbilton.co.nz/blog/#post166483 http://www.janbilton.co.nz/blog/post/42048/GO-WINTER-GREENS/ My son’s fave joke for many winters was: “What’s green and goes to summer camp? A Brussel scout.” He had a distinct dislike of sprouts probably because they grew in abundance in our garden. However, after I began halving Brussels sprouts and roasting them with bacon and also thinly shredding them for a slaw, they won him over. Brassicas — which include Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauli, cabbage, kale and boy choy — are a good source of vitamin C, potassium and dietary fibre a... Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +1200 http://www.janbilton.co.nz/blog/#post42048 http://www.janbilton.co.nz/blog/post/164114/dishes-with-love/ Mother’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to show Mum your appreciation with delicious food. Preparing a meal at home adds a personal touch that a restaurant meal can’t quite capture. Breakfast in bed remains a timeless favourite — think eggs benedict, or fluffy pancakes, fresh fruit and maple syrup — a caring and comforting start to her day.And don’t forget the card. Handmade is perfect; it doesn’t need to be flawless. Trust me, I keep a box of cards from my children that I open once ... Sun, 03 May 2026 14:47:21 +1200 http://www.janbilton.co.nz/blog/#post164114 http://www.janbilton.co.nz/blog/post/81363/easter-entertainers/ Around the world, Easter is a time when traditional treats take pride of place on the menu. Dried fruits and nuts feature in numerous Easter bakes. Hot Cross Buns, generally considered an English custom, combine spices with currants, peel and raisins. They were originally made to honour an Anglo-Saxon goddess 'Eastre'. With the advent of Christianity, goddesses went out of favour, but the bun remained and was decorated with a cross. Lamb — a symbol of spring in the northern hemisphere &mda... Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.janbilton.co.nz/blog/#post81363 http://www.janbilton.co.nz/blog/post/75997/hello-agaricus-bisporus/ There's not 'mushroom' for argument when is comes to the popularity of this fungi.  ... Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.janbilton.co.nz/blog/#post75997 http://www.janbilton.co.nz/blog/post/42963/LARGELY-LENTILS/ Lentils are a nutritious versatile food. A key ingredient in soups, salads, sides, casseroles and savoury bakes, they’re ridiculously cheap and can be stored in airtight containers for months. Lentils are high in protein and fibre and low in fat making them a healthy substitute for meat. They're also packed with folate, iron, phosphorus and potassium. However, the protein in lentils is incomplete. For proper nutritional balance other protein foods such as grains, nuts, seeds, eggs or dairy pro... Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.janbilton.co.nz/blog/#post42963 http://www.janbilton.co.nz/blog/post/46311/BAKES-YULE-LOVE/ The festive fruitcake as we know it today dates back to the Middle Ages. In the 13th century, dried fruits were transported to Britain from the eastern Mediterranean. As a result, breads became light fruit breads then morphed into rich fruit cakes to be enjoyed on special occasions.  For years, making a rich fruit cake was a labour of love. Dried fruits needed to be washed, dried and pitted if necessary. Sugar came in loaves and had to be cut, pounded and sieved. Butter was rinsed in water ... Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.janbilton.co.nz/blog/#post46311 http://www.janbilton.co.nz/blog/post/60482/potato-salad-on-sticks/ 1kg small waxy (boiling) potatoes Vinaigrette: 2 tablespoons cider vinegar 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Topping: 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed 2 tablespoons diced gherkins 1/4 cup each: chopped chives, flat-leaf parsley, fennel fronds flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste Ensure the potatoes are about the same size. Halve any large ones. Boil in salted water until just tender. Meanwhile, whisk the ingredients together for the vinaigrette. Combi... Thu, 30 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.janbilton.co.nz/blog/#post60482 http://www.janbilton.co.nz/blog/post/29143/SAVOUR-THE-SIZZLE/ 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 red wine sauce.  Grilling steak lends itself to numerous dishes including ethnic favourites such as Greek kebabs, Asian stir-fries, Italian pizzaiola, Spanish tapas and Mexican chillis. Carpetbag steak — a scotch ... Thu, 30 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.janbilton.co.nz/blog/#post29143