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 Bite for 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.
Read on for our top weekend eating suggestions:
Dining in
• How to make perfect crackling
![Sachie Nomura's Chinese roast pork. Photo / Bite.co.nz](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/RZY2Z7T4ZN2OKKN74XBLAWNVPI.jpg?auth=1f82ef59ddc5cfbf9c23b196e82fc54053c7ca4046e9b4552b06087961f1bc97&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
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.
See Sachie Nomura's recipe for Chinese roast pork over on Bite.co.nz.
• 5 foods to keep you happy and healthy this winter
![This walnut and garlic spread recipe is a tasty way to up your garlic intake. Photo / Babiche Martens](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/XBTPUZ5R7SSOK4GRROLJQTGTB4.jpg?auth=f5fd6fbf411ffc8c61d53e090c7e8b15a25810c10a3d3843f1fb18569dc7174e&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
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.
Read the full article over on viva.co.nz.
• How to make healthy hot chips at home
![Annabel Langbein's oven fries. Photo / Annabel Langbein Media](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/N6W77PTT3RGAE7N4H25LJLQEBU.jpg?auth=3b454192d130eed6cc2a9fcdd3dbd047e88b7fcf45e591e1df8cfdc659ff3549&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)
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.
See Annabel Langbein's 4th of July recipes here.
Dining out
• Brunch spot: Hinge & Co in Clevedon
![The polenta fries and salmon at Hinge & Co. Photo / Getty Images](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/XSLWMCHA2RNA5IEYKOYG2OPEGQ.jpg?auth=435cf840dcde4e99e620ea4e000f9222c217888e1a8f665e58669ab91127c1a1&width=16&height=8&quality=70&smart=true)
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.
See Dionne's review of Hinge & Co here.
• Jesse Mulligan review: Rothko, Matakana
![Citrus millefeuille with ice cream at Rothko in Matakana. Photo / Rebecca Zephyr Thomas](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/5CPQVJZ7NWKNSVWT4535HUFHEA.jpg?auth=96ae539597c330a8d2e32c6486b741cb336222fb7768cd0fb862fd0a65439f8f&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
Jesse Mulligan visits Rothko in Matakana and finds fine food with rustic flair.
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".
See Jesse Mulligan's full restaurant review over on viva.co.nz.
Health news
• Susie Burrell: The secrets dietitians use to stay slim
It likely won't surprise you to hear that most dietitians are slim.
So how do they eat differently to the average person and what can we learn from them when it comes to keeping healthy as we get older?
See the full article here.
• Simple tweaks to make meals instantly healthier
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.
Read the article here.
Foodie events
• Auckland's Matariki Festival
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.
When: 30 June - 22 July
Where: Various locations across Auckland
• Veuve Clicquot pop-up chalet
![The Veuve Clicquot x Seafarers winter pop-up bar. Photo / Luke Foley Martin](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/TA55IYZWRLRXD5B6OZQP3RSGMU.jpg?auth=23cc758e17b0ff63211ed8420ebecb325fc61d1ef95b0d82bfacb38e07ec0f84&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)
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.
When: Saturday 7 July, 9am-6pm
Where: The Crossing: 71 Lichfield Street, Christchurch