Classically Served

 Hear ty A s D u m pl i n g

Definition of Classic Serving as a standard of excellence; recognised value When it comes to food, many of us will hold fast to recipes, tips and ingredients that serve us well meal after meal, occasion after occasion, satisfy all ages and palettes, and prove unflappable – especially when time is not on our side. Here, local hospitality players share their foodie speak: ingredients they can’t do without, tried and true dish staples and foodie rules they stick to. Hearty As Dumplings

Poihipi Road’s food truck go-to and Taupō’s famous dumpling store serves up delicious morsels packed with fresh flavours and a whole lot of heart.

Which ingredients can’t you live without in your kitchen?

Coriander, coriander, coriander! And, also garlic and chilli – especially red chilli flakes.

Signature dish?

Without a doubt it’s our pork and spring onion dumpling, served with our Secret Hearty As sauce which we make by hand. There are nine ingredients in the sauce and it has that perfect balance of sweet, salty, spicy, smooth – and a lil kick!

Best advice for home cooks?

Go big on flavour – don’t be scared to

Finders, keepers on the food front

 Dyani Van Basten Batenburg

experiment. You don’t have to go all out at once, take it slowly. Try buying one new spice at the supermarket a week and adding it to a dish – you’ll be surprised at just how much a new addition can lift a dish.

Favourite flavour combos – dumplings and beyond?

With chicken we like thyme and onion salt – it adds that depth of flavour without being too overpowering. Also, venison with caramelised onion and blue cheese sprinkled on top – amazing! Hello Stranger Café

Favoured for its large portion sizes, fresh ingredient focus and extensive keto offerings, Hello Stranger Café has become a star player on the Rotorua food scene.

Which ingredients can’t you live without in your kitchen?

Basil, rosemary, parsley and our range of Cajun and Moroccan spices.

Signature dish?

We have two – eggs benedict and our Southern fried chicken burger. The burger stacks high – great visual appeal – and our homemade coleslaw and special ranch sauce boast fantastic flavours.

Best advice for home cooks?

Don’t overcomplicate dishes – keep it simple – and always opt for fresh ingredients where possible. And, don’t go stingy on the portion sizes – one of our selling points is that we offer flavoursome dishes that veer on the larger side. No one wants to leave a café and have to fill up at McDonald’s on the way home.

Top keto seller at Hello Stranger Café?

Our keto donuts – especially our Cookies and Cream French Toast doughnuts!

Hearty As Dumpli n g

Our House

Rotorua’s authentic Kiwi kai restaurant dishing up flavour, a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere and paying homage to all that is New Zealand-esk – think enamel bowls, fondue, Tupperware.

Which ingredients can’t you live without in your kitchen?

Horopito, beetroot, rocket.

Signature dish?

Definitely our pork belly and Jim Beam sauce. The pork is that perfect balance of crunch, salt and sweet, and the sauce

D um pl i n g

we make ourselves – no compromise on flavour.

Best advice for home cooks?

Try making your own sauces – nothing compares to homemade. Start simply with Sunday breakfast and aim for a hollandaise. You’ll be surprised at how simple it is to make and yet a huge difference in taste compared to store-bought. The Rotorua International

A sophisticated spot to while away the hours and satisfy the appetite. Tuck into a few cheeky cocktails by the fire and dine out on delicious tapas – all underneath a canopy of candelabras. Which ingredients can’t you live without in your kitchen? Coriander, peanuts and chillies – they are key players on our menu.

Signature dish?

Our Spanish prawns and potatoes – totally moreish. The paprika, garlic and oil harmonise together.

Best advice for home cooks? Perfect drink and bite pairing?

A popular go-to is ceviche tapas and a margarita cocktail, or accompany our Spanish prawns and potatoes with sangria.

Our House:

A: 1111 Tutanekai Street, Rotorua H: Open seven days Mon – Thurs 9am – 12am, Fri – Sat 9am – 1am, Sun 8am – 12am

Hello Stranger Café:

A: 1149 Pukuatua Street, Rotorua H: Open seven days a week Mon – Sat 7 – 3pm, Sun 8 – 3pm

Use olive oil in your cooking – especially extra virgin olive oil. The taste and depth of flavour a good olive oil brings to a dish is incomparable to other oils.

Hearty As Dumplings:

A: Taupō Store, Shop 4/22 Marama Arcade H: Open seven days a week 11 – 3pm and 4 – 8pm A: Food truck, Cnr Poihipi Rd and Tihoi Rd H: Open Wed – Sun 2 – 7pm

The Rotorua International:

A: 2 Monokia Street, Fairy Springs, Rotorua H: Open seven days

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