This recipe is from NZ’s Matriarch of home cooking, Dame Alison Holst. I was first introduced to this recipe fifteen years ago when my friend Kitrina cooked it for me. Watching her prep dinner, I was flabbergasted when she mixed raw mince in with most of the other ingredients to form the base of the dish: No pre-cooking required! Anyhow, the result is a really good family style lasagne that takes 10 minutes (tops) to prepare. Best thing is that this recipe is always popular with kids, including my fussy little monkey, who can’t get enough of it. What’s not to like?! In my circle of friends we all thrash this recipe, it’ll definitely change the way you think about making lasanga from now on! (more…)
Your brows. Do them. Please.
I’ve embarked on a new mission in life: To encourage Kiwi woman to do their brows… Why? A picture often speaks a thousand words. Check out these photos of well-known celebrities. This is what a lot of women with neglected, pale eyebrows actually look like. I rest my case. Kiwi women, we need to up our game, the rest of the world has been onto this for years.
Simple Luscious Lemon Slice
Yes, another slice recipe…! I found this little gem on the Chelsea Sugar website. I love lemon flavours like some people enjoy chocolate. Hmmmmm. This is a simple recipe – absolutely easy enough to make with a little person ‘helping out!’ I’ve made it as a lunchbox filler, when we’ve got people calling over for morning or afternoon tea on the weekend, or just ‘coz. It’s always enjoyed. 
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Honey & Pistachio Lamb Koftas with Courgette Salad
This is (apparently) a Jamie Oliver inspired recipe that a colleague gave to me, which she’d put her own spin on. Well, I’ve bastardized it even further… So you could almost say it’s unique. Almost. It’s amazing. Another rare dish the whole family likes, though you’ll see from the photo our fussy Small Child prefers his kofta without the honey and nuts! I platter this main meal up with a few extras: Diced feta, a simple green salad, diced cucumber with chopped up tomato and a quick drizzle of lime infused olive oil. One of the reasons I love this meal is you can prepare it ahead of time, all you need to do is do the koftas at the last minute. This is quick enough to do for a extra-special week night dinner, or fancy enough to wow visitors. You choose.
Chocolate Weetbix Slice
I love baking slices, they take less time to make than biscuits… I find all that rolling of mixture into little balls a bit tedious: Slices are (often) faster to make! This is another family favourite that’s regularly in our home baking tins. I got this recipe out of the ‘Baking for Blokes’ recipe book by Steve Joll that some well-meaning person bought for my Hot Hubby one Christmas. He’s yet to be inspired, but it’s a cookbook I regularly reach for: It’s got a delightful Kiwi feel to it, the baking recipes in are simple, the ingredients mostly require pantry basics and, critically, damn the food is good! (more…)
Mila Kunis Inspired Eye Tutorial
I’ve got a massive girl crush on the actress Mila Kunis, mainly, I confess, as I think her makeup is perfection. I love the sultry sexy smokey eye that is her trademark look, so I thought I’d have a bash at re-creating it. This is my ‘toned down’ day version. For a more evening appropriate look I ramp this up with a dark grey eyeshadow applied thickly along my upper lashline, black eyeliner on my waterline as well as smoked out on my lower lashline and, of course, lashings of mascara. This is my favourite look right now and – BONUS… It’s pretty quick to do! (more…)
Ole! Amazing Layered Mexican Dip
Part of this amazing recipe is from my lovely American friend Mel (of Mel’s Mac Daddy Salad fame), it also combines my Gorgeous Guacamole recipe that I’ve been making since I fell in love with Avocados when I was at high school! My Gorgeous Guacamole combined with Mel’s recipe, well, it’s simply the best dip I’ve ever had. I love taking this dip to parties, like I did on the weekend (to a Mexican Party, how appropriate!) along with a big bag of cheese Doritos (because they are the best corn chips ever). It’s a dip with serious Wow Factor and guys, in particular, enjoy this and can’t get enough of it. Thanks for sharing your recipes Mel. Got anymore? (more…)
Navy Smokey Eye Tutorial
Looking for a smokey eye that isn’t brown or grey? Here’s a smokey eye with a twist, using navy on the lid, a matt brown in the crease and white on the inner eye corner. It’s pretty easy, have a go! The great thing about this look is that you can easily copy the technique and substitute the navy eyeshadow for any dark colour (brown, grey, green, etc). Have fun and get creative! (more…)
