Tiramisu

Has been ages since we entertained, but now that I’m back in the country it’s time to be a bit more hospitable. So, friends for dinner on the weekend and as usual going for an Italian-themed meal. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about Italian food that I like. Actually, I do …

Pork chops, Modena style

Waikanae was a surprise. I’d imagined Zimmer frames and mobility scooters, but nary a one in sight. The resident population’s more retirement village than rest home, it seems, and the place much more attractive than I’d imagined. Leafy, quiet, affluent streets. And, of course, if you drive to the coast there’s the black sand beach …

Vegetarian lasagne

Seduced by their glossy skins, I brought a couple of aubergine back from the supermarket with me. And feeling a little tired of meat, thought a vegetarian lasagne might be a pleasant change. Sliced one aubergine & sprinkled with salt (I never think this makes any difference, but the cookbooks usually recommend it) while I …

Caffe Italiano (again)

Mother-in-law to stay, so a change to our evening routine. Earlier meals, desserts … and more traditional fare. Meat loaf, rhubarb crumble. Nothing wrong with those of course. But one night out to Caffe Italiano in Cuba Street. Where they had a very good, but rather loud, trio of musicians to entertain the diners. Fine …

Eating for the recession

The media has certainly picked up on this whole recession thing.  TV, the newspapers are carrying stories about eating cheaply but well. As someone who’s always been drawn to the weekly specials in the meat section of the supermarket, I don’t really see what all the fuss is about. After all, it’s always been possible …

Simply Paris

It was a weekend for brunches, and on Sunday, for a change, to Simply Paris, also in Cuba Street. They catered a book launch when Stephanie de Montalk published her novel, that’s how I first discovered them, and the food was stunningly good. So I pop in from time to time, but very infrequently. It’s …

Italian brunch

It’s been a while since we’ve been to Caffe Italiano in Cuba Street … less inclination to go out, I suppose, as the days shorten & the weather worsens, and (I confess) I discovered it’s a bit of a chain with (I think) three locations in Wellington … but anyway, arranged to meet friends there …

La Casa Pasta

There was a fairly harsh review of La Casa Pasta, in Dixon Street, in the paper recently. It was accurate enough, no doubt, but wasn’t it missing the point about the restaurant?  We eat there occasionally, for something quick & inexpensive on the way to somewhere else. Like, the other night, grabbing a meal in …

Fresh basil pesto

The wilting look of the basil plants on the window sill as winter starts to bite has been bothering me for days, so before heading off to work this morning I decided to put them out of their misery. Stripped the leaves, put them in the food processor with a thinly sliced clove of garlic, …

Roasted basil peppers

Well, no-one noticed the re-moulding of the pear & ginger cake at dinner the other night … candlelight disguises many failings! So that was a success, and so, I think, was the entrée. We began the meal with yet another seasonal favourite, roasted basil peppers. Great vibrant colour, great summer flavours (even in autumn). Take …