Meet Your New Favourite Dessert

Deconstructed Tropical Tropical Banoffee

Trythis deconstructed version of a banoffee,with layers of toffee, banana and cream. Thisrecipe is extra decadent and uses chocolate digestives in thebase. Any sweet biscuit will do though. Makingyourown toffee is not only satisfying but absolutely delicious.Keep an eye on it in betweengazing into your amore’s eyes, soyou don’t have burnttoffee.

TROPICAL BANOFFEE RECIPEServes 4 250gpacketof digestives 150g butter,melted • Toffee 1 cupcaster sugar ¼ cupwater 80g butter ½ cup cream Generous pinch salt • Topping 4 slices pineapple 2 bananas, sliced lengthways 200ml cream, whipped Cherries,to top ¼ cup grated chocolate • Methed 1. Linea 20cmx 20cm tin withbakingpaper. 2. Process the biscuits to resemble fine breadcrumbs. Add the butter,mixing through. Press the mixture into thebase ofyour tin andrefrigeratewhileyou make thetoffee. 3. For thetoffee, ina potheatthe sugar and water slowly until the sugar dissolves.

Bringtoa simmerfor around 8-10 minutes or until the sugar turnsa golden colour. Add the butter,cream and salt, stirring until smooth. Bringbackto a simmerfor 5 minutes or until the mixture has thickened. Spread over the biscuit base andrefrigerate toset. 4. Char the pineapple ina pan or on a barbecuetobring out the sweetness.You could fry thebanana also. 5. Whenreadytoserve, cut thetoffeebase into squares. Place onto your serving plates.Usinga pipingbag,top with cream, chocolateand cherries. Serve pineapple andbanana on the side.

On January 2, 2023, Matapouri Hall Society will hold its 40th New Year’s Gala. The annual communitygala has grown from a fewsmall stalls,towhat it is today. A funfamilyevent atbeautiful Matapouri with music, 80 artisan stalls,foodstands, kidsgames,facepainting, cakedecorating, epicraffles, sausage sizzle and great coffee.

Leah McKerrow, a memberofthe Matapouri Hallcommittee, is spearheading thegala, along witha team of volunteers, in the hopesofraising fundsfor Matapouri Hall and its grounds, which has been an integral partofthecommunity and hosting events since 1912.

Thegala isa well-knowncoastal community tradition that has only been postponed twice since it began; once because ofinclementweather, and again in 2022 becauseofCovid. Now back again in 2023, holiday-makers from around thecountry,and locals from the Northland district cancome alongtosoak up the sun andpartake in the galafestivities. It is estimated that around 4000 peopleattendwith somestall holders coming from asfar as Auckland.

Ifyou’d like tobepartofthis Matapouri tradition, asa galavolunteer orstall holder, contact Leah McKerrowon021 304 123orby emailatmatapourihallsociety@gmail.com.

What: Annual Matapouri New Year’s Gala When: January 2, 2023, 9am-1pm Where: Matapouri Hall, Matapouri Rd, RD3, Whangārei Who: Matapouri Hall Society Incorporated