FRIDAY: Mama Mia's Pizzeria

Ever since my FABULOUS trip to Roma, Italy, i've been craving pizza, which suits my fiancee down to the bone as he adores Pizza. With a bit of spare time on my hands yesterday I was able to spend the time making the bases and a quick trip to the deli gave me a selection of toppings.

The finished products:

Pizza #1

Tomato base with courgette, mushroom, chorizo, semi-dried tomato, mozzerella and parmesan.

Pizza #2 (not so italian, but a fave in our house)

Sweet Chilli, Cream Cheese and Chicken

Tomato base with baby spinach, red onion, chicken, sweet chilli sauce, cajun spice, cream cheese, mozzerella and parmesan.

Mmm yummy pizza, posting about it now is making me want it ALL over again.

Tamara xx

THURSDAY: The Healthier Option

Home Made Fish & Chips




Pan fried Hoki Fillet (unfortunately the only thing avaliable at the supermarket yesterday, I would have prefered Terakihi or Snapper), Crispy Baked Chips, a well dressed Salad, served with lemon wedges and aioli (garlic mayo).

I always thought it was terribly French to eat mayo with your chips, but after my recent trip to England, I now realise that it is almost a British Institution.....a scrummy one though.

I find the secret to crispy chips that aren't deep fried, is to par boil them first, rough them up a bit then bake them at a high heat.

Tamara xx

WEDNESDAY: Munching Curry

I absolutely adore curry! Just over a year ago I refused to eat it, until some friends made me try it.....and ever since then i've been a full blown curry adict!

So dinner tonight was curry. I've had a go at making my own, buts it is never as good as the real deal, so it was takeaways from my fave curry restaurant, Tulsi.



Saag Aloo (Potatoes cooked in a spinach sauce). Its another case of not the prettiest thing, but damn tasty. Its rather healthy too as it contains no dairy products (so no cream) and its no oily, yet it tastes creamy and delicious.

Accompanied by Basmati Rice and Garlic Naan.

Tamara xx

TUESDAY: Creamy, Indulgent Pasta

Salmon & Pea Pasta

Piles of spaghetti in a sundried tomato and cream sauce, dotted with salmon and fresh peas.

Tamara xx

MONDAY: Not the prettiest dinner.....

.....but it was damn tasty.

Puy Lentils with Sausages and Mushrooms



Imagine a delicate lentil casserole, with a mushroom aroma, dotted with chunky pork sausage and wilted spinach. A squeeze of lemon juice really lifts the flavours.

This meal would also be a great vegetarian main if you omitted the sausages.

Tamara xx

SUNDAY: A twist on two old classics

Take a comforting British Classic, Fish Cakes and my most favouritist breakfast of all time, Eggs Benedict, play around with them a bit and you've got yourself one yummy dinner!



Smoked FishCakes with Wilted Spinach, Poached Egg and Hollandaise.

The fishcake was kumara (sweet potato) based with smoked Snapper, flavoured with lemon, garlic, parsley and cumin.

Would you believe it, last night was the first time ever that I have managed to make perfect poached eggs! Normally I overcook them or break them, so I generally avoid them. I know, what type of experienced cook cannot poach eggs? Well now I can!

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend!
Tamara xxx

SATURDAY: Weekend Brunch and an Indulgent Dessert

Saturday Morning Brunch:



A tasty affair of grilled bacon (from here), grilled tomato, scrambled eggs with spinach and toasted baguette.



I wasn't in the best of moods last night, so it was takeaways for dinner. And they really weren't that photogenic, thus we shall skip straight to the indulgent dessert that my fiancee made for me: Double Choc Self-Saucing Pud





Chocolate sponge-like pudding, dotted with chunks of dark chocolate, in a rich chocolate sauce. Mmm Mmm.

Tamara xxx

FRIDAY: The simple things in life.

I love grocery day. Stocking up on food is one of my favourite things to do. And I especially love eating a simple lunch of fresh produce when I get home from shopping.





Crusty french baguette, garlic mayonaise, salad leaves, thinly sliced tomato, shredded chicken breast and a soft goats cheese. Accompanied by a glass of freshly squeezed Orange Juice.

Sometimes its the simple things that can give you the most pleasure......
Tamara xxx

THURSDAY: Bob and Fred

As usual, the last question emailed to me by my lovely fiancee before I left work was "Whats for Dinner (honey)?" My reply quickly sent off before I picked up my bag and walked out the door..... Braised Duck Tagliatelle.

When darling fiancee got home a few hours after me and I set dinner in front of him, he sat there for a few minutes just starring. Then the comment "I can't eat duck, not when we have Bob and Fred sitting out on our front lawn." You see, we have a group of ducks who frequent our neighbourhood and enjoy sitting out on our front lawn (whenever our cats are inside) and we named a pair of them who often come to say hello, Bob and Fred.

However, after a few mouthfuls he declared it delicious, and obviously got over eating duck!

Meltingly tender duck braised in a rich red wine sauce, tossed through fresh pasta and sprinkled with fresh parsley and the 'grand cru' of all cheeses, Parmigiano Reggiano.

Eat Well, Drink Well, Live Well.

Tamara xxx

WEDNESDAY: On the American Continent and Heading South

Dinner tonight was of the mexican theme:




A big bowl of chilli mince, rice, toasted tortillas finished off with sour cream and a smattering of corriander (cilantro).

Just the thing to warm our insides on a CHILLI night.

Sorry about the lack of Tuesday update. I got a bit distracted and forgot to take pics because we had friends round for tea, but for those interested, heres what we had:
Steak with roasted vege (potato, kumara, pumpkin, carrot, parsnip and onion), accompanied by traditional Yorkshire puds and gravy.
Dessert was a delicious Double Choc Self Saucing Pudding (which was v. yummy and I will make again soon and post the recipe).

Off for now, a night in front of the box awaits...or maybe just crawling into bed.
Tamara xxx

MONDAY: Italian Mama Style....

Chickpea and Leek Soup



A sofrito of onion, celery, leeks and garlic, slowly and lovingly cooked till translucent. Chickpeas and stock added and simmers until chickpeas are meltingly tender. Partially pureed, seasoned well and finished off with the addition of wilted spinach.

Drizzled with the best NZ extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkled with smoked paprika (after reading too many middle eastern cookbooks, where this is often the garnish)

Served with toasted Sourdough and 2006 Seifried Gewurztraminer (Nelson, New Zealand)

Recipe from Cuisine Magazine