Luxe Lunch Board

A Mouse Called Bean

Meeting people for coffee/tea chats is essential to one's social life. The coffee date serves as a safe place to sip and share stories with a loved one or friend. These disposal cups were our caffeine infused conduits and we found them to be a conversation piece in their own right. A Mouse Called Bean uses the adorable little face of a mouse as the logo on their stylishly stark black cups. It's pretty unforgettable and so were our drinks. Served quickly and, thankfully, extra hot considering the chilly weather, we were able to get ample chats in all because of a little mouse called Bean.

Huevos Rancheros NZ Style

Sweet & Natural

We usually do just a fruit platter but on sluggish days, throw in some cookies for an extra sugar kick. Oven-warmed Cookie Time Original Chocolate Chip.

Coffee as well?
Oh! Yes, please.

Your Midday Margarita

Let your eyes sip and enjoy.

#eatdrinkandbemerry

Instapost: Midnight Mac n' Cheese

Beautiful Bottles

A friend of mine recently posted this photo on Instagram. They prefer to remain anonymous but it's simply a beautiful bottle lineup.

Candy Bar Beauty

Here is a shot from a recent wedding we photographed featuring this gorgeous candy bar.

Oh...Okra

They are known internationally as Bhindi, ladies' fingers, or bamia among other names, but the mucilaginous nature of the okra plant is unmistakable. That slimy goo tells keen palettes that okra has permeated the premises.

It's not for everyone. In doing a bit of street research, it's a love/hate relationship with okra in this world. This finding is surprising considering it's a cultigen. That means people, over the course of time in Ethiopia and South Asia, chose to cultivate this plant for their own domestic and, in this case, digestive purposes.

We enjoyed this shared okra salad plate at The Bodhi Tree. Yonba dedi they call it. Burmese cuisine. Or is it Myanmar now? Whatever the case, this healthy dinner addition was divine. As a Texas family, we normally enjoy the more unhealthy potion: Southern Fried. Those are yum, y'all.

However you enjoy okra, please do. It's so good and good for you.

Note: History even recorded the slimy little delicacy dating back to the time of Moors. I suppose, one must be healthy to pillage and plunder.

Peter Timbs Is Our Favorite Dinner Party Guest

Recently I hosted a dinner party where I fed nine guests. I served round steaks and admittedly I'm not very good at cooking steak. Despite my originating from Texas, my kitchen confidence when it comes to steaks is low. The solution to that is to use very high quality meat to start off with. We chose Peter Timbs as we often do, and not surprisingly, all the guests were very pleased.
I marinated them for about an hour with a simple concoction of fresh garlic, salt and pepper before grilling them. They came out juicy and delicious. I was very proud of myself but I truly give all the credit to Peter making him the best guest of the evening.
Choose a top butcher for your meat needs because quality cannot be masked and you literally can taste all the difference!

Simple Soup Does The Job

It is getting cold. The chill you to the bones kind of cold. I have been finding smart ways to warm up but if your body needs a full-on jolt of heat, then soup is the easiest way to go. I enjoyed this delicious carrot and potato soup for brunch a few weeks back from The Beach Cafe. It was perfectly seasoned and portioned with just a bit of heat to wake up the palette as well as warm the soul. A smooth soup texture paired well with the crusty bread I used to dip and taste. No crumbly bits and no leftover soup either. This was absolutely the cure for my coldness.

 Soup is simple but it has to be good in order to do the job. This one did. 

Stay warm out there!

Simple Eggs on Toast

The perfect plate of eggs on toast must be shared with you all. Is it the whole grain bread that was locally made? The free-range eggs? Perhaps it's the stylish sprout garnish? Whatever the case, this was our breakfast from Black Betty and we hope it inspires your next morning meal. Keep it simple, healthy and delicious.

From Ice Cream to Nice Cream

There are those transitions into adulthood that are sometimes very hard to swallow. Except in this case it was the exact opposite reaction. Not being able to swallow dairy is now the reality of a few members of our team. We are talking former cereal lovers, cheese snobs and milkshake guzzlers who are now acutely aware that their bodies are rejecting milk and some, if not all, its by-products. There are palpable feelings of devastation in the air as if some chapter in our very dairy decadent lives is over and will be missed forever. But in one area, the Lactose Lot (what I've termed this unfortunate group) are not to be completely deprived. From ice cream to Nice Cream we go. This New Zealand made treat below is created using highly nutritious coconut milk which boasts lauric acid that aids in supporting the immune system. So dessert can make you feel better? Well it can definitely elevate your moods and it is lactose, gluten, soy, nut and cholesterol free so allergy sufferers can rejoice and enjoy the goodness. Nice Cream contains WAY less sugar and half the fat of standard ice cream which also lessens that personal guilt factor. 

Select artisan grocers carry the gourmet cool treat which we saw came in these flavors: Banana Bean, Chocolate, Vanilla and Mango. 

It's getting late now and just about that time for a Nice Cream indulgence.

#midnightsnack

Margaritas & More at Mexicano's

Last month the world celebrated National Margarita Day as they do each year on February 22.  I had a belated celebration but the libations, and more, were just as delicious. Blood orange, mango and pineapple were a few of our top choices plus a sneaky Sangria Tinte featuring pomegranate and Merlot that we had to try while out at Mexicano's. Boasting authentic cuisine the likes of which New Zealand's South Island has not seen in reportedly a while, Mexicano's has broken a stale mold of less than substantial Mexican food in the city. This ethnic eatery is the latest restaurant on trendy Victoria Street to bring the foodies out in droves for a very different culinary experience. Think Dia de Los muertos as the theme with calaveras and beautiful, vibrant Mexican decor attributing to the cultural ambience. Modern lighting and full tables have established Mexicano's as a top spot in the city. As native Texans cilantro, chile, and comino were a part of our normal diet. Must admit, we were dubious about our first Mexican dining experience in New Zealand but indulged in real guacamole, fresh salsa and what we would consider pretty fancy tacos. Shown below, we played it safe by ordering the chicken and beef choices that were both cooked to perfection and seasoned as such, too.The food was really very good and I was pleasantly surprised to see the New Zealand quality standard of food carried throughout each dish. I've booked in for next week though I'm currently scouring the menu for exactly what we will be sampling. Maybe the pulled pork or perhaps ceviche? All are sure to be table pleasers. Click here for more info and enjoy the gallery below.

Food Review: Fiddlesticks Restaurant & Bar

48 Worcester Blvd

03 365 0533

Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch & Dinner
M-F 8-late (2ish)

Weekends 9-late

Fiddlesticksbar.co.nz

Last week we dined at Fiddlesticks Restaurant & Bar in Christchurch. Previously the location of Le Bon Bolli then Art Restaurant, Fiddlesticks is the new Christchurch. Where the story of many a location has been battered and then bettered.

This sophisticated eatery is located in the Art Precinct of the CBD located directly across from the Christchurch Art Gallery. You can dine outside on a covered veranda or enjoy peace and relaxing ambience inside. Featuring recycled tables and richly colored décor in a cool atmosphere, Fiddlesticks is putting their unique signature on the ever changing city.

It was a great treat to see the FFC “Famous Fried Chicken” on the menu. As a native Texan I pride myself on this dish and the restaurants we have visited all over the world are beginning to serve this either as an entree and the starter we enjoyed. Featuring green tomato chutney, our fried chicken tasting plate was the perfect balance of crispy saltiness. Highly recommended and the perfect start to our meal.

Choosing the soup of the moment which featured tofu and the catch of the day which was grouper proved to be smart choices as seasonal fare is usually the best option. The Saffron linguini was served with cherry tomato ragout and sautéed tiger prawns. We learned early in the food game not to waste money on pasta when eating out unless it was really good. This was freshly made and perfectly cooked so well worth stepping outside of my comfort zone.

We indulged and ordered duck fat rosemary potatoes. We have only been served this dish by our best Parisian friend and that was a one of a kind dining experience. Our side for the evening did not disappoint and we finished the entire generous portion.

Highs:

• Customer Service: this was exceptional and the staff did not miss a beat.
• Food quality & selection was seasonal and top-notch.
• Location is excellent.

Lows:

• Dessert menu was a bit complicated but featured fresh ingredients.
• Price point is high so expect to spend a bit more for a night though drink specials are offered.

Dining Tip: As always, we recommend making a reservation as this place filled up fast and turned away at least a dozen people.

Bananas: Fair and Delicious

We have been doing some serious sampling in the kitchen recently and especially delving into the world of children's food. As we explore the essentials of a child's diet one worldwide essential keeps coming back to the table. Bananas. Being that they are the 4th largest food staple in the world* bananas are a very smart way to shop and feed your family on a budget while giving them mega benefits. Unlike most fruits, they are available year round. We opt for the Fairtrade variety due to the ethical principles involved in their growth. We have never been so pleased with the flavor of a banana either. These above were delicious and we are frying them up for morning tea. See recipe we plan to use below!

Fried Green Bananas Recipe

Ingredients:

Green bananas

Oil for frying (a healthy oil, of course!)

Cinnamon, Salt or powered sugar for dusting (optional)

Instructions

1. Peel your green bananas. This may be a little hard to do as the skin doesn't separate easily from the fruit when it is not yet ripe. If you need to, use a knife to remove whatever skin remains behind.

2. Cut the bananas into thin, quarter inch slices.

3. Heat the oil in a frying pan until it is very hot. Add the banana slices, making sure they're all flat against the bottom of the pan.

Original recipe from Penniless Parenting

Grilled Bananas from Salt on the Pier in New Zealand.

Here is proof that the banana trend is catching. We dined on these at Salt on the Pier and the chef chose to grill these. We tried to verify if that were Fairtrade to no avail but were well received at our table by adults and children alike.

Just to name a few banana benefits...
combat nausea in pregnant women, aide in digestion, curb depression, shine your shoes, treat mosquito bites,protects the entire bowel system, sharpen awareness, and aide in the fight against osteoporosis, diabetes, kidney cancer and blindness.

The nutritional benefits of a banana are truly helpful in all stages of life development and growth with a delicious makeup that is rich in fibre, magnesium, calcium, potassium and Vitamin B6.

Click here for more banana benefits from Food Matters online.

Why buy Fairtrade?

Not all locations have Fairtrade Bananas available. We consider ourselves lucky that we are able to get them and have them as part of our diet. They promote small farms, equitable distribution and no forced labour. You wouldn't think that all of these issues take a toll on the quality of your food and its price but they do.

Bananas bearing the FAIRTRADE Certification Mark have been produced by small farmer organizations or in plantations that meet high social and environmental standards.  Farmers who produce Fairtrade certified bananas are guaranteed a Fairtrade minimum price to cover the costs of sustainable production and a Fairtrade Premium of US$ 1 per 18.14kg-box of bananas to invest in projects in their communities.

*According to the Fair Trade Website (http://fairtrade.org.nz/farmers/fairtrade-bananas). Updated 2012. New Zealand.

The Food Show 2012

We took the family & single size portions were fun for all!

Last weekend we attended The Food Show in Christchurch. We made it a family affair and it was quite the savory event. There was so much to see and sample that we were exhausted after exploring the events offerings for over two hours. 

We were literally stuffed full when we left and only ate dessert when we got home. The $20 ticket got you access to the latest in kitchen gadgets and deals on store bought goods. From ultra high end appliances and gourmet sauces to Vegetarian booths and co-op grocers, there was something for all food lovers to enjoy. Here is our first Food Show experience in photo format. Enjoy! 

Show perk: Sample packets of seasonings.

This fizzy drink is made from elderberry. Snapped up a large bottle at the discounted show price.

Who could resist a candy bar like this? We are still snacking on huge, salty/sweet strings.

These chocolates were displayed beautifully.

Wines abounded & samples, too! So many local vineyards to choose from. 

Avocado oil samples were infused with lime and garlic.

Fair Trade bananas in bins.

Pic's: Best peanut butter I've tasted. So fresh

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Chardonnay Wine Jelly

Just a quick photo share story. Today, I had tea at a friends house. This was one of those rare afternoons that was just pretty perfect. All six, yes 6 children ranging ages 18 months to 8 years played joyously while 3 mothers chatted. The hostess had set all the details and this was mainly why it all worked and also why I am writing this post. In her attention to detail, separate tables were bountifully set. One low table for all the children to reach and one high table for just the mums. It was all very lovely but the stand out for me was this Chardonnay Wine Jelly from New Zealand's Herb & Spice Mill. It was so refreshing and full of flavor. It was a light luxury treat We did as the label said and enjoyed with cheese. Pretty sure it was brie. But it didn't matter, After tasting the Wine Jelly, that is all that we wanted to savor.

Our hostess knew all about the product as her pharmacy shop carries the brand. She raved about it and also shared that there was also a Pinot Noir variety. I bet it is dark and delicious. I am totally sold on both. Read about the history of this specialty food company and their natural and healthy approach to menu planning.You will love it.

Story & Photo: K. Rodriguez

Chowder is Choice at Monteith's Brewery Bar

This weekend was a family affair as we headed to the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spas in New Zealand which I have written all about right here. But after we took in the scenery & all-natural relaxation with a day at the pools, two families dined in first-class style at Monteith's Brewery Bar where between the almost dozen of us, we had everything from chicken kabobs to steamed vegetables. My choice today was also my own personal choice in the snapshot seen here of some of the most delicious seafood chowder that I have had. It was rich broth with full-on mussels, clams, fish and scallops. It was drizzled beautifully & seasoned to perfection and the last ladles-full were being fought over by my husband and youngest child. They did manage to share, however.


When I go out I suffer from serious plate envy where I usually sit at the table looking around at how delicious and smart everyone else's entrees look compared to mine but today was special. It was all me & my savory chowder. 

Now I am a bit of a chowder snob having spent plenty of time in New York and then being a Seattle Citizen for over a decade and both of these locales boasts heaps of creamy chowder that is fit for the most refined palette. While visiting paradise this weekend, I also tasted it in this divine soup. The close-up is trying to lure you in and if you are experiencing chilly weather, this would be the perfect antidote. 

This close-up bread snapshot is supposed to signify my infatuation with all things bread. It is my weakness and this dark grain bread was the perfect addition to my lunch. No butter needed. Just the absolutely improper dip into my soup bowl and it was perfection.


We will be returning on our next trip up and recommend eating here to anyone visiting Hanmer Springs. The service was laid back yet we were really looked after. There were a lot of us dining that afternoon but our food all came out at the same time, cooked perfectly & the prices were very fair for the quality of food we ate. It is a posh little town with top notch dining and spirits at Monteith's Brewery which our entire crew experienced first hand. There wasn't one plate that wasn't emptied.

All photos & thoughts expressed are solely ours and are property of Savory Salvations & The Salvation Blogs Series. All rights reserved

ABC: Apples, Bok Choy & Corn

NZ's Crush Market offerings

The importance of fruit and vegetables cannot be overstated. Their all-natural goodness is highlighted by no unhealthy fats or cholesterol and they are extremely low in calories. Here's a debatable argument: Studies have shown that serious illnesses such as cancer and cardiovascular disease could be easily averted with the heavy inclusion of fruits and vegetables in the diet. 


I don't believe that there is one miracle cure for diseases that plague us but giving our bodies a fighting chance through food is probably worth a go. There are so many delicious varieties that truly the possibilities are endless when it comes to re-inventing your diet. You can eat mounds of any of them a day to meet *nutritional guidelines and there is no guilt involved. Everything in moderation of course.


Now that I am blogging from New Zealand, I must point out that the food culture is pretty spot on when it comes to food. They try to avoid huge factory farming and chemicals which interfere with the natural deliciousness of fruits and vegetables. These practices may also compromise the nutritional value. Organic, local & savory fruits and veggies are available at markets and natural food stores worldwide. More and more mainstream grocers in many countries are offering organic and chemical free options in the produce sections. Be sure to stock up just a little bit on each trip to keep a good flow of variety.


One of the best age old foodie practices is eating right along with your local growing seasons. Let what is available at specific times in your area be a guide for what to eat. It's also usually cheaper to buy the in season items which avoid additional transport and gas costs. Let the local stuff be the guide for your menu planning. If it is readily available at the local market in the morning, then it may just end up on your plate that night. This is how it should be.

A wee little hand is so tempted by these oranges which are chocked full of Vitamin C

Here are some of my yummy market choices from this past week:

"An apple a day" pretty much says it all. These babies are nutritious, delicious and come in a multitude of varieties. Their nutritional value is the highest when they are savored in their most pure form. Skin on and raw. Most commercially grown apples end up as sauces or ciders with less than 50% of the fiber and mineral stores. What a waste if you are looking more than a fast fruit fix. There is nothing quite like crunching into a juicy apple. 

Quick & Savory Recipe

Looking for a dessert that will wow tonight? Served alone or a la mode, Baked Apples are simple and can be made with just: 

Apples, Butter, Cinnamon & Sugar

Cut apples into wedges & place in bowl. Generously sprinkle cinnamon/sugar & stir.

Pour seasoned mixture into baking dish.

Cut butter pats & place 1-2in. across (2 rows).

Cover, Bake 20 min & stir half way through.

(*Contains: fiber, lutein, beta-carotene, calcium & flouride)

My family is seriously multi-cultural and that includes a rich Asian element which serves as the foundation for many of our meals. Here is bok choy. It is a member of the cabbage family and we use it in stir-fry because it's absolutely delicious. 


(*Contains: Vitamin C, magnesium, Omega-3 & 6, folate and potassium)

Everyone is familiar with fresh corn. Summer is coming upon the United States and since we just finished ours down unda', we are passing the goodness on to them. Native to the Americas, it serves as an excellent carbohydrate just the way it is. Though its versatility yields it in many directions, I feel it's best enjoyed alone. Oh! And with butter...

(*Contains: B1, B5, folate, calcium, fiber and thiamine)

Think about your day today and if you've not yet savored a fruit or veggie, I must ask,

 "What are you waiting for?"




*All of these foods contain at least the ones listed and many more. Be sure to check the dietary guide for your own personal daily requirements. We found Planet Pace where you can input your stats and get a report on what you need to keep your own body fueled each day.