KEY POINTS:
The Elliott Stables Food Gallery behind Smith & Caughey's in the city just gets better and better. Our latest discovery is the Kapiti store cram-packed with cheeses. You can wander around and nibble from the tasting platters (be sure to check out Kapiti's Ramara, Kikorangi and Parmesan which were all champions at this year's Cheese Awards); be inspired by the selection of extras to go with the cheese (such as meat and fruit pastes) and then indulge in a Kapiti ice-cream (try the fig and honey or tamarillo sorbet). Elliot Street, ph 09 358 3830.
Lovely Lime
While you're visiting the Elliot Stables, pop into the Prenzel store and taste some of their delicious products which are made in Marlborough. We recommend the Citron Vert - a refreshing lime liqueur which owner Mike Elsom recommends is served ice cold straight or with your gin and tonic! Mike has a full licence at the store and can whip up delicious cocktails to serve alongside a selection of NZ wine and beer. Elliott Street, ph: 357 4397.
Breakfast Honeys
We all love our porridge over winter, but as the weather is warming up it's time to try something new. We recommend NZ Artisan Organics Honey Toasted Granola which is full of nuts, rolled oats, dates, seeds, figs, apricots and more. $8.99 from Farro The Fresh Food Market, 80 Lunn Ave, Mt Wellington. Also worth a try is Sanitarium's yummy new Light 'n' Tasty with Manuka Honey, Date and Nut - approximately $6.50 from most supermarkets.
Capture the Season
From Rodney Greaves, the head chef at McHugh's in Devonport, comes Summertime ($40 Penguin) - a book full of tasty ideas and recipes perfect for the long hot days that lie ahead. Auckland photographer Jacqui Blanchard mixes the food shots with quintessential summer scenes from around the countryside.
Finger Lickin
Now here's a cute idea. While we're all waiting for summer and fresh sweetcorn on the cob (....mmm with loads of butter and ground pepper!), Watties have created Cob 2 Go - individually packed pieces of corn that you can just keep in the freezer and then pop in the microwave for four minutes and then eat. Great at home or we suggest keeping them at work for a healthy snack.
$2.49 each at most supermarkets.
Add It to The List
Who said buying organics had to be more expensive? At Huckleberry Farms Health Food Supermarkets they're stocking a tasty range of products called Natural Value Organic. The pasta sauce is made in California, is gluten free and comes in a selection of flavours and the family-sized jar retails for $6.75. Also delicious, is the Natural Value Organic Stoneground Mustard which contains all organic ingredients and costs $2.95. Huckleberry Farms stores are in Epsom, Glen Innes and Grey Lynn.
www.huckleberryfarms.co.nz
Sweet Treat
The Chocolate Fudge Brownie from Popilicious has proven to be a big hit in the Viva office! It's a quick way to serve up a yummy treat. We munched on it with afternoon tea, and one staffer took it home sliced it up and served it with the suggested raspberry coulis and cream at a dinner party (and, honestly, didn't pretend she'd just made it herself!)
From $3.25-$14.50 at Farro Fresh Foods, Mt Wellington.
