Lamb ribs with kawakawa pesto; a quick herby sauté of asparagus, broccolini, peas, garlic and chilli and a good hummus recipe to go with it…

I’m BACK!

Sep 30 • 

Sam Mannering

5

August 2025

Spring beckons. A Victoria sponge with tamarillo and mascarpone, a light herby prawn risotto, and prawn, ginger and coriander fritters.

With spring arriving tomorrow, we can stop whinging about the weather and grizzle about the bloody pollen instead…down here in Canterbury, it’s…

Aug 31 • 

Sam Mannering

6

A roasted cauliflower 'steak' with harissa, walnuts and parsley, a quick prawn curry, and an audacious sugar pie

I often worry that my writing veers towards reductive, weekly rants about the weather.

Aug 18 • 

Sam Mannering

2

Apple and almond pinwheel scones, Mughali chicken, and the BEST Russian fudge recipe I've found

Growing up on a farm, things were always busy.

Aug 6 • 

Sam Mannering

4

July 2025

Comfort food - brown rice congee, Irish champ, and THAT chocolate, oat and walnut slice which everyone keeps asking for

Crisp, clear days down here in Canterbury. Roaring fires, oversized homespun jerseys, vigorous morning walks under bright blue skies, with frozen cheeks…

Jul 23 • 

Sam Mannering

7

Double helpings. Herby, parmesany, garlicky potato focaccia. Greek ricotta and honey cheesecake. Ham hock and barley soup.

I’ve been off the radar for the last fortnight, so this week is double helpings!

Jul 14 • 

Sam Mannering

1

June 2025

Momo, or Nepalese dumplings - lamb, cumin and chilli, and shiitake, carrot and ginger

Momo (I love that word, it just oozes cute comfort) are hearty dumplings that hail from the Himalayas.

Jun 28 • 

Sam Mannering

4

Pasta with mussels, guanciale, mascarpone and herbs, and a walnut and honey tart

It is Matariki down in Aotearoa, the Māori New Year, which is marked by the appearance of the Matariki or Pleiades star cluster.

Jun 19 • 

Sam Mannering

2

A Massaman curry of beef short rib, pumpkin and tamarind, Brinjal (aubergine chutney), a spiced pear shortcake, and some herby, cheesy Irish…

Massaman is one of the original fusion dishes, long before things like wasabi mashed potato and spam sushi.

Jun 7 • 

Sam Mannering

2

May 2025

Chicken with silverbeet, white beans and marsala, a handy sauce Béarnaise, and coconut rice pudding with persimmon

Warming. Comforting. Autumnal.

May 28 • 

Sam Mannering

2

A pâté en croûte (or, a deliciously glorified, swaddled up meatloaf) and the lemon slice to end all lemon slices

Do not be daunted.

May 21 • 

Sam Mannering

3

Quinces this week - an oaty shortcake with poached quince and walnut, and quince jelly. And, as an extra treat for Mother's Day - lemon and…

I often rabbit on about my love for quinces.

May 10 • 

Sam Mannering

4