Whether you plan on staying in or heading out, we've rounded-up a few of our favourite recipes and reviews from the week, to help you decide on what to indulge and delight in this weekend.
If you're staying in, Sachie Nomura of Sachie's Kitchen has shared a recipe on Bitefor the perfect roast pork while Viva reveals the five ingredients you need to cook with for ultimate winter wellness.
For those of you considering a day trip out of Auckland, Jesse Mulligan's rave review of Matakana restaurant Rothka may send you north, or Dionne Christian recommends heading 40-minutes the other way out of Auckland, to Clevedon cafe Hinge & Co, where the menu includes an indulgent chocolate platter not to be missed.
Sachie Nomura's Chinese roast pork. Photo / Bite.co.nz
There's nothing better than a tasty pork belly with perfect crispy crackling. But sometimes that can be hard to achieve. This week on Bite.co.nz chef Sachie Nomura has divulged her step-by-step guide for the best outcome every time.
This walnut and garlic spread recipe is a tasty way to up your garlic intake. Photo / Babiche Martens
This week the team at Viva.co.nz have rounded up 5 power ingredients you should be cooking with that can fight the ills and chills likely to appear this season. The 5 ingedients are cheap and easy to include in recipes for ultimate winter wellness.
Annabel Langbein's oven fries. Photo / Annabel Langbein Media
Hot, salty, flavourful and crisp - these are the key components you want in your hot chips. This week in Canvas, Annabel Langbein shared her recipe and tips for the perfect oven fries. And to celebrate the 4th of July in the US, Langbein also shared her recipe for apple pie and beef burgers.
The polenta fries and salmon at Hinge & Co. Photo / Getty Images
Chocoholics, look no further: you'll more than satiate your sweet tooth with the chocolate platter at Hinge & Co in Clevedon. While the cafe is a short 40-minute drive out of Auckland, Dionne Christian says the journey is worth it. Beyond the chocolate platter is a selection of brunch items sure to satisfy all tastebuds, from polenta chips to butternut gnocchi.
After his wife's previously bad experience with Rothko, Jesse Mulligan was cautious heading in for a Saturday night meal. He dined on a "wholesome" chicken dish and was impressed by the sides so much, he said they "almost upstaged the mains".
It can feel daunting to overhaul your diet and start eating more healthily. A dietician has revealed the small, simple tweaks you can make to create meals that are much better for you.
During the year's coldest months, Kiwis across the country celebrate Matariki, also known as Māori New Year. Celebrations come with traditions, culture and of course, food.
From a gourmet hāngi to food trucks cooking with Māori ingredients, there are many chances to experience Kiwi kai this winter.
Street food vendors Puna Kai are producing international food with a Māori twist. Look out for dishes cooked with kawakawa, manuka honey and kai moana. Their food trucks can be found at Smales Farm and on the Waterfront throughout the festival.
Experience a traditional hāngi with a gourmet influence as a number of well-known Auckland chefs try their hand at the underground cooking technique.
The Veuve Clicquot x Seafarers winter pop-up bar. Photo / Luke Foley Martin
If you can't make it to down south for the Veuve Clicquot in the Snow event, fear not: the luxury champagne company is bringing a taste of Apres Ski chic to Auckland. Think faux fur, blush tones, yellow label flutes and fancy hors d'oeuvres.
A pop-up alpine chalet, hidden away on level six of Seafarers, is offering a curated menu of gourmet delights including a caviar and salmon roe duo, panna cotta and a Madame Reuben sandwich. Each dish is paired exclusively with Veuve Clicquot Rose and NV Yellow Label champagne.
When: From 6 July to 11 August, every Thursday-Saturday, 6pm-10pm Where: Level six at Seafarers, 52 Tyler Street, Auckland
• World Chocolate Day
Cadbury's nationwide Share the Taste road trip ends tomorrow in Christchurch on World Chocolate Day. The chocolate company will celebrate with a family-friendly pop-up lounge featuring plenty of chocolate to go around as well as games, giveaways and appearances from Kiwi celebs.
