Kitchen skills
How to care for your knives
It may surprise you, but blunt knives are dangerous. Why? Dull knives require more pressure to cut and are far more likely to slip and end up cutting you. Keeping your knives sharp is important, and so is investing in a sharpener to keep them in top condition.
How to stock your pantry
A well-stocked pantry is a key element that can help turn boring weeknight meals into something special.
Kitchen essentials
I’d like to think that I’ve moved along my cooking learning curve enough to offer some advice around what a good kitchen should have in it.
Working with kale
Kale is a very popular at the moment which is a good thing as it is packed with beneficial nutrients. Kale is easy to grow and a versatile leaf, it grows year round in Auckland and is available in many varieties.
How to make a quenelle
What is a quenelle? The term is also used to describe the decorative shape of the portions – a neat, three-sided oval (resembling a mini rugby ball).
How to make meatballs
Here is another quick, easy and practical post to add to your kitchen skill toolbox. Meatballs are an easy weeknight option, they are easy to make, and each one can be made into a little flavour bomb.
What items should you invest in for the kitchen?
When you start to spend more time in your kitchen, you start to realise that high-quality equipment makes a big difference to the effort required from you. I’ve found that spending a little bit more on some things has a huge benefit; the key is knowing what to buy and what you get out of…
How to poach the perfect egg
When you talk about making poached eggs lots of people think poaching eggs is impossible to get right; some count it in the same category as higher-level mathematics.
How to stir-fry
Using high heat to quickly cook meat and vegetables using oil in a wok or large pan. No fancy skills, tools or knowledge needed.
Why cast iron is king
Cast iron pans are fantastic but they take a little bit of care and take some getting used to when you start cooking with them. That being said when you find your feet with cast iron you never want a non-stick frying pan again.
Boiled eggs
Don’t you just hate it when you get a hard-boiled egg with that green ring inside; I think it has to be the most off-putting thing. Getting the perfectly boiled egg is not difficult, the secret is that it is just about timing.
How to roast peppers
As with most ingredients how you prepare them can enhance the flavour. This holds very true for roasting peppers. The roasting process brings out their sweetness.
How to steam vegetables
Steaming vegetables is a quick and easy option for getting vegetables onto your plate.Steaming your vegetables is a great way of keeping some of the crunch in your vegetables, none of us likes soggy broccoli with dinner.
Working with peppers
Working with peppers doesn’t have to be difficult, and you don’t need to spend your time scraping seeds from the inside of the peppers. Here is the best method I have found for preparing peppers.
How to Care for a Chopping Board
While taking good care of your knives is important, taking good care of your chopping boards and surfaces are just as important.
Can you live without a slow cooker?
My slow cooker is one of the key pieces of gear that I rely on and use every week without fail. I think that a slow cooker is a must have item for anyone wanting to make real food a part of their life, here are my reasons why.
Self care
Back to doing what I love
A lot has happened in the last year, I took some time out to rediscover what makes me happy and focus on what is important to me. One year on my life is simple, but it is enough for me. I’ve relearned to find pleasure in the small things and put myself first again. Being…
Alternative ingredients
One of the key things missing that I found important when removing ‘standard’ foods from our diets was knowing an alternative I could use. Many of the alternatives I discovered, that were suitable for how we wanted to eat.
Simple steps for eating clean
Strong seems to be the new skinny; actually, I think that lean is the new skinny, but strong is in the mix so woo hoo! Getting lean doesn’t happen because you get strong, being lean has very little to do with what you are doing in the gym, it is about what you do in…
General blogs
Working with avocado
Probably the most recognisable fruit and by far the most versatile. You can find it in guacamole, salsas, brownies, cookies, smoothies and salads. The perfect avocado is a little food gift that I find great joy is opening. Knowing how to liberate the beautiful flesh from the stone and skin is now always an easy…
Egg wraps
Egg wraps are a great option for breakfast lunch and dinner; you get to replace your standard wrap which is made with grains and chemicals with something that is just protein and healthy fats.
Curry chicken wraps
Not long ago, I was working on this recipe. I mixed up a batch of the curried chicken ready for the wraps when a not so little head popped around my elbow and asked ‘What’s that? It smells nice’
Easy Clean Eats 