Recipe

CHOCOLATE, FIG & HAZELNUT MERINGUE TORTE

(Gluten free)

With a crisp outer and decadent rich interior, this dessert will add definite dazzle to your Christmas table.

INGREDIENTS

6 large free range egg whites room temp - we use local Manuka Hill FR eggs 225g caster sugar 200g Belgian dark chocolate - min 70% (chopped or budlets) we use the Belcolade brand

Finely grated zest of 1 orange 1 tsp pure vanilla essence 250gm dried figs chopped or sliced 150gm toasted local Uncle Joes or Nutt Ranch Hazelnuts - chopped (or use toasted local walnuts or almonds) 1 cup natural Greek yoghurt - we use Zany Zeus brand Date syrup, balsamic glaze or pomegranate molasses METHOD

Set your oven to 180°C. Grease a 23-25cm spring form tin and line the base with baking paper.

Combine together the chopped nuts with the chocolate, figs and zest.

Whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form, then add the sugar slowly while still beating.

Whisk until thick and glossy and sugar is dissolved.

Fold in nut/chocolate mix, and vanilla essence.

Spoon into prepared tin and bake until golden brown on top.

When ready to serve spread the top with yoghurt and drizzle with either date syrup, balsamic glaze or pomegranate.

Delicious served with fresh local berries in season.

If you wish to make this a dairy free dessert then serve with coconut yoghurt or coconut whipping cream (we recommend the Natures Charm brand).

Vines Village Cafe & Deli

Escape to Lochmara! You may never want to leave! At Thai9 we provide fresh, authentic, and delicious food.

Marlborough’s award-winning favourite casual dining destination with a fresh and wholesome cafe specialising in nourishing breakfasts, fresh Supreme coffee, tasty lunches and afternoon drinks. Pour your own Taylor Pass Honey or try an Appleby Farms A2 ice-cream waffle cone or craft beer and gin tasting in the new GMB Taproom. Open 7 days 8.30am–5pm. 193 Rapaura Rd, Marlborough Ph: 03 572 7170

Enjoy our healthy and meticulously prepared dishes, served by our friendly staff while you take in the outstanding surroundings of the Marlborough Sounds. Restaurant or beach dining options available overlooking our safe swimming beach. All dietary requests are welcome. Lochmara is just a 15-minute boat ride from Picton. Reservations: 03 573 4554 We offer many diet options including gluten free, vegan, vegetarian and delicious Ketogenic options. We offer pre-order if you’re after a quick, keto lunch! Come in and try some of our homemade ice-cream or one of our many varieties of drinks including the famous bubble tea and Thai herb tea. Download the thai9 app for all takeaway orders. 31 Scott Street, Blenheim | Ph: 03 972 2799

www.vinesvillagecafe.co.nz

Harvest Restaurant

Nestled amongst the beautiful gardens of The Marlborough Lodge, Harvest Restaurant has a strong focus on fresh, local and seasonal produce. The Head chef and his team masterfully let the hand selected ingredients speak for themselves. Paired with warm service and an idyllic setting, come and experience it for yourself. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

776 Rapaura Road, Marlborough (The Marlborough Lodge) Ph: 03 570 5700 harvestrestaurant.co.nz

Friday Night Greek Tapas & Bubbles

Come and experience the unforgettable flavors of Greece, with our platters bursting with flavour! First Friday of each month we are open until 8pm for Greek tapas and bubbles. Do you have an event that needs catering? Enquire with us for all your catering needs. Wanting a Christmas function different to the rest? We can host your function of up to 50 guests in our café! 1C Main Street, Blenheim | Ph: 021 902 770

Eleni-café-kafenio

The GOODHOME. There is a place like HOME.

Welcome to the GOODHOME, come on in, put your feet up, stay awhile... Spaces to relax; hang with a bunch of friends or the GOOD crew from the office. It’s about lunch with no plans for the afternoon; it’s a cocktail or two after five; an easy dinner with the family or a beer while watching the code. Open 7 days from 11.30am till late.

70 Queen Street, Blenheim | Ph: 03 577 6495

Lochie the Lochmara doggie was upside-down. He stretched his four, fury legs up towards the blue sky and yawned loudly. Lochie liked being upsidedown and looking up at the Punga trees as they gently swayed in the wind. Lochie had

been asleep for almost an hour and he now felt somewhat more refreshed and relaxed. Above his head and just a little to his left was a big Manuka tree and on a slender branch sat a huge Kereru.

‘I don’t mean to trouble you or disturb you from your slumber,’ mused the Kereru, ‘but your mate Wicky Weka looks rather troubled and he’s sprinting up the hill in quite a fluster!’ ‘Oh dear!’ sighed Lochie, rolling over and realising that as much as he liked it, he could no longer remain in his upsidedown world.

‘I wonder what has happened now?’ he asked. ‘Goats!’ shouted Wicky the Weka. ‘There’s goats, baby goats!’ he yelled whilst puffing and panting. ‘What are you talking about?’ demanded Lochie.

‘They’re everywhere, dozens of them – small goats and they’re fast and they chase people and they do silly stuff. I had to run for fear I’d get run over,’ he muttered whilst shaking his head and straightening his feathers.

‘I think they’re just kidding around!’ laughed the Kereru. ‘I think someone should remind those goats that I’m a protected species!’ spluttered Wicky who was not at all amused.

‘If only you could fly like a Kereru,’ offered Lochie.

‘Ha! You’d need to take off fast!’ replied Wicky. ‘Run and hide, that’s my advice!’ ‘Well then, I guess I had better go and investigate,’ concluded Lochie. ‘You’ll never survive! They jump up and down, spin around and climb on everything,’ warned Wicky. ‘I think I’m going to have to see this for myself,’ exclaimed the Kereru who continued to look more amused than cautious. Wicky scarpered into the bush as Lochie casually pottered down the hill towards the beach. Much to his amazement he found two very small baby goats. It was feeding time and each goat was being fed with a bottle of warm milk. They looked very happy and drank very quickly. ‘They don’t look very dangerous to me!’ laughed Lochie. ‘I tend to agree, but just in case you need more time to confirm your opinion, I think I’ll stay up here on top of the sun umbrella,’ replied the Kereru. Lochie slowly approached the two little goats. ‘Good morning, my name is Lochie the Lochmara doggie and I’d like to officially welcome you to…’ ‘Bahhhhhhhhh!’ said one of the goats suddenly. Lochie was a bit startled and taken aback. He’d met baby goats before but these goats were different and rather funny. The other goat then finished drinking, ran towards the beach, jumped over a wall, landed on top of a kayak, looked up and said, ‘Bahhhhhhhhh!’

‘My goodness!’ said Lochie. ‘Perhaps Wicky the Weka was right, they are a little bit silly!’