Latest Articles

Batch-cook this Italian-style ragu to use as a base for other delicious mince dishes This is not as simple as the mince and tatties – mince and potatoes – that I grew up on, but it’s still kept plain for batch-cooking purposes, so that ingredients can be added afterwards to flavour each portion differently. It’s basically an Italian-style ragu but without the herbs that would be used in Italy. Ingredients - 2 tbsp olive oil - 1kg…

It’s amazing what mushrooms – and dried mushrooms – can do. The meat becomes more beefy, rich in umami flavours. This dish uses a simple batch of cooked minceas its base. **Requires soaking time.** Ingredients - 10g dried porcini mushrooms - 1 tbsp olive oil - 500g chestnut mushrooms, sliced - 1 garlic clove, grated to a purée - 5g butter - leaves from 1 thyme sprig (optional) - 75ml dry Marsala - ⅓ simple mince recipe, defrosted recipe…

We are currently hearing much commentary from some Maori in relation to ownership of land in New Zealand. The fact is that land in New Zealand held under Māori Title is now approximately 6 per cent of the total land mass. The commentary seems to be making the inference that this has come about because the land was taken from their ancestors and there was something untoward in the fact that Maori have ended up with only 6 percent of the land in…

**PC1 Why Bother Complying** You may well ask what he is on about. Under Plan Change 1 the agricultural industries are going to be hit with a raft of new regulations and rules for compliance; the aim being to improve the water quality in the region. Even though only 15 of the sub-catchments in the Waikato and Waipa catchments were exceeding the standards proposed to be introduced through the enactment of PC1 at the time it was proposed. The…

Hobson’s Pledge says Auckland Council is allowing iwi to use heritage laws to claim parts of privately owned land as “culturally significant,” sparking fresh debate over property rights. In a post online, spokesperson Elliot Ikilei said the group has received complaints from residents who discovered that portions of their freehold property were being flagged by iwi for cultural or historic value, often without explanation. One North Shore…

Encased in a blanket of blubber that is nearly half a metre thick, and with a habit of smashing head-first through Arctic ice, the 80,000-kilogram bowhead whale does not, at first glance, seem a natural poster child for health and longevity. What’s the secret to living to 100? Centenarian stem cells could offer clues But one of the cetacean’s most impressive stats turns out to be its lifespan: sometimes living for more than 200 years, the…

A showstopping pudding for your Hallowe'en feast  Turn the lights down low as you bring this in – and for added effect decorate with an indoor sparkler. INGREDIENTS - 295g slab of ready-made madeira cake - 4-5 tbsp jam (I like blackcurrant) - A 460ml cardboard tub of ice cream – your choice of flavour, but not soft-scoop - 2 lolly sticks - 2-4 chocolate mini rolls - 1 chocolate marshmallow tea cake (eg Tunnock’s) - 3 large egg whites - 200g…

The new Cardo Beyond isn’t just another Bluetooth add-on; it’s the company’s first fully integrated helmet with its acclaimed comms tech baked right into the shell. But it’s not just for comms, Cardo has included a host of features, including active noise cancellation, damage sensors, and a rear brake light. There are two models you can choose from: Beyond GTS and Beyond GT. These helmets are the culmination of two decades of making…

Nobody likes to see the view being spoiled by power lines, but they're often a necessary part of modern infrastructure. Perhaps if they could be turned from an eyesore into a focal point, even the staunchest opponents could accept them. Such is the thinking behind this creative project that transforms power line pylons into giant animal sculptures. The concept, called Austrian Power Giants, comes from the Austrian Power Grid and is developed…

This hearty pie with a decadent, creamy sauce is perfect for the unpredictable cooler weather that spring can bring. A dinner so good that whoever you make it for will propose. Don’t worry if you don’t have a heart-shaped cutter (I found these at the back of the drawer!). You can either cut them into squares or just use a whole sheet of pastry. Ingredients - 10 pork sausages - 1 onion, finely sliced - 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped -…