Here's to Winter

As I write this it is raining outside. Not exactly groundbreaking news, I know, as it has felt like it has been raining since last spring. The consolation, as I am warming myself beside the fire with a coffee, is I am also scoffing my face with cake. It was a cake I dug out of the freezer and slapped some chocolate ganache on. I really wasn’t that excited about the cake, as it had been slowly dying in the freezer for over six months, a leftover from one of the many shoots we had in spring for our cookbook. Food waste is always on our minds, as recipe testing and shoots all produce a lot of food. Much is given away, some is put in the freezer and anything that can’t be eaten is either sent to the worm farm or put out to be picked up by the council food scrap collection. On page 17 you can read what happens to the food waste that is collected each week by Tauranga City Council.

Back to my neglected pre-frozen cake, which turns out is delicious! I know I shouldn’t be surprised, it’s the basic vanilla cake in our latest cookbook. It’s a recipe, like many in the book, we love to cook; a foundation recipe you can turn into so many more. But it turns out it is just as good after many months in the freezer with little more than a bit of chocky icing.

This quarter has been an exciting one here at Nourish HQ, with the cookbook arriving. I also jetted off to Mexico for a couple of weeks. You can read more about this and a tour we are taking next year in the spring issue.

Harriet’s been testing beef bourguignon recipes which is possibly why my freezer is overflowing. Read her story and discover the end results on page 40. On page 36 we highlight cauliflower, including some tasty morsels which may even please the nugget loving kids in your household.

Back to cake, on page 59 Emma Galloway has a beauty made with kūmara. And on page 49 Fiona Hugues praises parsnips.

The sun was shining when we headed up to beautiful Opito Bay earlier this year to meet Perry and Erin from Opito Bay Salt. Read about their journey to create award winning New Zealand sea salt on page 8. On page 67 we also meet the ladies from the Heritage Trading Company, a new space in Cambridge that you have to check out!

This winter we are running the Matariki Dish Challenge in Rotorua for the second year. This is a great excuse to rediscover Rotorua and some of its great eateries, including last year’s winners –Ambrosia. Read more about them on page 14.

Happy reading and here’s hoping the rain stops. And if not, can it at least be filled with cake!

Vicki Ravlich-Horan Editor

March 2024

Keen to join us for two weeks in Mexico discovering there is more to this vast country than tequila and tacos?

Email vicki@nourishmagazine.co.nz to be the first to get all the details.

Quick Picks

If you’re looking for an excuse to visit Picnicka in Downtown Tauranga again, mark Tuesday night in your diary for their $29 Steak and Chips deal. I also hear their Family Sunday Roast beats doing the dishes on the weekend.

Also on a Sunday night, July 9 to be exact is Solera’s innovative quiz night. This quiz is the type of quiz I can get excited about. Forget the sports or geography questions, this one’s all about the wine. While you enjoy a six-course dinner, you will be asked to guess the paired masked wines. Check out their social for more details and how to book.

Rotorua Matariki Dish Challenge

Back for its second year in Rotorua, the Matariki Dish Challenge celebrates local while highlighting this wonderful time of year. It’s also the perfect opportunity to visit Rotorua and discover some of their wonderful eateries.

Follow the action on social @matarikidishchallenge or go to the website for details on the eateries.

www.matarikidishchallenge.co.nz

Thorne Group Show Home

If you are contemplating building a new home then the Thorne Group show home is a must-see.

Located at 15 Montiicola Drive, Papamoa, this home has wow-factor! In a nod to its Palm Springs location, the home exudes a mid-century, California vibe. Featuring multiple glass stacker doors, soft curved walls with cedar panelling and a central atrium garden – the home welcomes the outdoors in.

Use of eco-friendly materials combined with solar generation with battery storage and a design that optimises passive solar gain, ensures energy efficiency all year round.

www.thornegroup.co.nz

News Bites

The team at The General Mount Maunganui recently took over what was Maude at The Lakes, creating The General Lakes. The Trading Post in Paengaroa also have new owners and has been transformed from a French bistro to The Trading Post Osteria Italiana.

NOURISH THE COOKBOOK, VOL 2 – OUT NOW

It’s out and we are so excited! This is the book we know will stay in your kitchen, as it is filled with the recipes we love to cook. Available on our website and some wonderful local stockists, we are also working on a few events. We will be at the Tauranga Farmers Market on the 24th of June and Falls Retreat on the 30th of July. Check out the Events page on p. 74 for more details on these.

We also think the cookbook will make a great fundraiser, so if you have a school, charity or group looking to raise some money, email vicki@ nourishmagazine.co.nz for details.

RRP$59 | www.nourishmagazine.co.nz

Read Bros Hardware Go Online

Read Bros Hardware in Thames is legendary. From its humble beginnings in 1867, the store continues to evolve and move with the times. Their new in-store department called Forage features an eclectic hand selected kitchenware range as well as renowned brands Bakemaster and Bodum. The upcoming launch of their refreshed website and online store means now you no longer need to visit Thames to enjoy Read Bros magic. Nicola Read says there is something for everyone on their new online store. “We have a select range of products available, whether cooking, DIY or gardening is your thing.” www.readbros.co.nz

Falls Retreat Paddock To Plate Dining Experience

This winter experience an intimate dinner at Falls Retreat. Imagine it! With the fire roaring you’ll take your seat at the table to enjoy a carefully crafted four-course meal using seasonal, organic produce from Falls’ very own veggie gardens and local artisan suppliers. If you like, choose the wine pairing with each course (75ml serves ensuring driving home won’t be a problem). What better way to spend a winter’s night with friends?

For a limited time only. 6.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays from Friday 21 July to Saturday 26 August.

$125pp includes welcome drink and four courses. Wine matches available to buy on the night for $49pp.

With just 20 spaces each night bookings are essential!

fallsretreat.co.nz