Innholdsfortegnelse for October - November 2016 i Nadia

Woohoo, it’s finally here! I can’t tell you how stoked I am to see this magazine come to life. Within these pages, I’m excited to be able to share with you lots of inspiration for enjoying the simple pleasures that each season brings. Naturally, we’ll have loads of scrumptious food and recipes (I mean, how could we not!), but we will also be focusing on other areas such as wellbeing (what we like to call being ‘well-thy’), entrepreneurs and cool people doing great things, travel both near and far, and my awesome community. That’s right, a big part of NADIA is driven and inspired by YOU and what you share with me via social media. These glimpses into your amazing, creative and busy lives always really inspire me and I…

1 Mug, $8.95, from Freedom. 2 Maraca sevillian neroli candle, $74.99. 3 Bowl, $14.90, from Citta, and Remarkable Chocolate Co. chocolate, $8.95. 4  Waffle throw, $139.99, from Alex & Corban. 5 Russell Hobbs waffle bowl maker, $99.99. 6 Studio Ceramics jug, $72, from themarketnz.com. 7 Mug, $25.90, from Citta. 8 Salad servers, $89.99, from Alex & Corban. 9 Wooden coasters (set of 4), $19.95, from Freedom. 10 Ecoya sweet fruits mini candle, $29.95. 11 Flora n Fauna hanging plant holder, $134. 12 Cushion, $112.80, from Citta. 13 Tea pot, $39.95, from Freedom. 14 Mor basil & geranium candle, $54.99. 15 Obaku watch, $295, gmbwatch.co.nz for stockists. 16 Ceramic container, $69.99, from Alex & Corban. 17 Living & Co toaster, $45, from The Warehouse.…

1 Olive brightening face moisturiser, $39.95. 2 Trilogy very gentle calming serum, $44.99. 3 The Body Shop olive shower gel, $17.50. 4 Linden Leaves Herbalist hand and nail treatment, $29.99. 5 Matakana Botanicals lime & olive bath & massage oil, $25. 6 Kiehl’s Baby nurturing baby cream for face and body, $48. 7 Olive all purpose balm, $24.95. 8 Burt’s Bees Res-Q ointment, $13.90. 9 Olive facial booster oil, $29.95. 10 The Body Shop olive cream body scrub, $37.50. 11 Oil Arganic multi-use dry oil, $59.90. 12 Matakana Botanicals lime & olive soap, $15. 13 Time Bomb youth juice secret oil, $90. 14 Living Nature sensitive cleanser, $38. 15 Linden Leaves Herbalist olive leaf & cypress flowing soap, $24.99. 16 L’Occitane rebalancing black soap, $42.…

90 DAY MIND HOLIDAY “Every few months (roughly 90 days) Carlos and I like to take a little ‘mind break’ – a short break from our norm, without our phones or computers, and have a rest from the everyday chaos. It doesn’t have to be a flash holiday. In fact, it’s preferable that it’s somewhere low-key and close to nature, such as a weekend camping or staying in a cabin in the bush. It gives you a chance to reconnect with nature, enjoy the simple things and think creatively without distractions. Some of our favourite places are camping up North and in the Coromandel, Raglan and Hanmer Springs.” – Nadia Clear your mind as often as possible Write things down Writing a to-do list can help you get a grip…

“There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy”Ralph H. Blum, screenwriter Congratulate your self “I believe gratitude is an attitude – you can be grateful for almost anything if you choose to look at it that way. So always take the ‘glass is half full’ view. If you keep saying to yourself, ‘Gosh I’m/we’re lucky to have x’, you will keep reminding yourself, and if you keep reminding yourself, you will believe it! The awesome thing is positivity creates positivity. At the end of each day I like to say, ‘Thanks, Carlos, for x’ – it’s a nice way to remind yourself to be grateful for what others do for you, no matter how big or small the act.” 5 ways to practise gratitude 1…

ONE day at a time WITH NADIA, MUM TO BODHI, 6 MONTHS Those first few months are tough, but one thing that helped me to get through it was to remember, ‘This is just temporary.’ Everything with babies is just a temporary stage! When you’re having to get up in the middle of the night (sometimes several times) to soothe or feed, try to think that there will be a time in the future when you will actually miss this. When I was so exhausted, I would make myself think that one day, when it’s just the two of us, I won’t be able to cuddle newborn Bodhi in the middle of the night. So cherish those moments, even when you’re exhausted. TWO-CHILDREN JUGGLE WITH RENEE LEONARD-STAINTON, NATUROPATH AND NUTRITIONIST…

“The light, fresh and spicy flavours of this traditional Mexican salsa pair perfectly with the crunch of the Oat Thins and cooling dollops of ricotta.” Spicy pico de gallo with ricotta Served with Huntley & Palmers Pumpkin, Sunflower & Chia Oat Thins. Picnic weather is coming, and what goes better with sunshine and blue sky than crackers and salsa washed down with an icy drink! The light, fresh and spicy flavours of this traditional Mexican salsa pair perfectly with the crunch of the Pumpkin, Sunflower & Chia Oat Thins and cooling dollops of ricotta. 500g vine tomatoes, seeded, chopped 1 cup chopped shallots ½ cup coriander, roughly chopped ¼ cup fresh lime juice 2 small cloves garlic, minced 1-2 red chillies, deseeded and chopped 1 small tub ricotta, to serve…

With citrus trees weighed down with juicy fruit, now is the time to make the most of spring’s abundant produce, whether it’s sweet, savoury or sour flavours that tickle your taste buds. Tangelos – the delicious result of some clever match-making between a grapefruit and a tangerine – are fun for the whole family when cut into segments and eaten safely over the sink. Grapefruit, when picked at the perfect time, are sweet and juicy enough to be consumed without even a sprinkling of sugar. Take your foray into these slightly more exotic citrus fruits to the next level with our simple breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert recipes. Grapefruit marmalade with cardamom, turmeric & ginger Ready in 40 minutes | Makes 4 medium jars | GF 6 grapefruit, wiped clean…

If you’re in the habit of shelling out your hard-earned money for a salad, sandwich or soup at work each day, it might be time for a menu change-up. Getting into the routine of prepping your lunch the night before means you have no excuse to hit the bakery at midday – and you’ll know exactly what ingredients you’re putting into your body. These simple, healthy recipes will take you through the working week, so stock up on jars and containers, hit the supermarket and get chopping! Miso bowl Ready in 15 minutes (including home prep) | Serves 1 | GF 1 cup broccoli florets 1 cup shredded bok choy ½ cup shredded red cabbage 1 cup frozen shrimps or small prawns 2 sachets (40g total) instant miso paste (check…

Nasturtium Nasturtium grows abundantly along the roadside and is wild in many gardens. Both its vibrant flowers and flat green leaves are edible. The leaves give a peppery punch similar to watercress or rocket in salads and pasta dishes, and the flowers add stunning colour to a bowl of salad greens. A small bunch mixed into a jar of spring flowers will give off a soft sweet scent. Nasturtium salad Ready in 15 minutes | Serves 2 as a side or light meal | GF 1 bunch asparagus 2 oranges ½ cup toasted almonds 100g feta cheese, crumbled ¼ red onion, finely sliced 1 large bunch nasturtium leaves with short stems Small handful borage flowers EASY DRESSING ½ tsp Dijon mustard (check label if eating gluten free) ¼ tsp sugar…

@noneedforscales Guess what’s featuring on the blog tonight? @nadialimcooks chermoula paste. This tastes amazing and can be used for meat or veges. Definitely worth keeping some in the fridge. @healthysio Black bean brownie recipe by @nadialimcooks. Tastes delicious! @wendyswaytohealth Apple strudel #porridge. l cooked the apple in honey, cinnamon and vanilla, then added oats and water. I swirled through a couple of spoonfuls of #chiajam and topped it with chopped nuts, sunflower and pumpkin seeds. @kerynskitchen These are orange, carrot, honey and pumpkin seed muffins ready to bake by the incredible @nadialimcooks! Gotta love a guilt-free snack.…

I pack my lunch for work each day with a frozen water bottle – it keeps my food chilled and I have cold water ready for work! – Sarah, Hawke’s Bay I used to focus my food shop around dinners – now I plan out my lunches and buy for them at the same time, too. I try to pack them the night before – it’s saved me time and, more importantly, money! – Jo, Christchurch My 5-year-old wasn’t eating his lunch and I was at my wit’s end. In frustration I told him to pack his own one evening and he happily gave it a go. Turns out part of the problem was him preferring his sandwich cut another way! I guess the lesson is that getting them involved…

Whether it’s an adventurous day trip to catch dinner, a long weekend road trip or a once-in-a-lifetime overseas getaway, there’s nothing like a spot of travel to expand the mind and take a break from everyday life. This issue, Nadia's husband Carlos (left) and his mate Kevin (right) went on a roadie along Auckland's west coast and took us along for the ride. Find out what they caught – and cooked! – on page 137.…

In 2014 Ben Bostock saw an opportunity to create a product where he controlled the whole process from pasture to plate. He researched international poultry practices to see how he could produce the best organic chicken in the world. Ben could grow the feed, grow the chickens, get them to market and - best of all - give his organic chickens the best life possible. Chicks are nurtured and housed in clean, state of the art, solar powered ‘French Chalets’ allowing them to roam free, enjoying the fresh green grass and home grown organic barley and corn, in an environment protected from cold weather and predators. And that’s why the chicken crossed the road. Read the full story at ~ greatthingsgrowhere.co.nz…

1 Aotea Native Tonics Kumarahou drink, $5. 2  Ti Ora breakfast tea with manuka leaf, $6.49. 3 Huntley & Palmers baked flat bread minis roast garlic & herb, $3.49. 4 Stir it Up! Almond milk powder, $15.99. 5 Health Lab D-Tox lemon protein balls, $19.95. 6 Nutra Organics turmeric beef bone broth, $32.95. 7 The Remarkable Chocolate Co. dark chocolate ginger and salted caramel chocolate, $8.95. 8 The Collective Cream on Top pot set yoghurt, $5.99. 9 Pana Chocolate sour cherry & vanilla chocolate, $8.50. 10 Devonport Chocolates Samoan 80% dark chocolate, $14.90. 11 Pana Chocolate coconut & goji and mint, $8.50 each. 12 Lewis Road Bakery sourdough bread, $6.99. 13  Three Peaks pure honeycomb, $62. 14  Huntley & Palmers baked flat bread minis olive & rock salt, $3.49. 15…

Got a lounge, kitchen, dining area or bedroom needing a fresh new look? We’re teaming up with Dulux to give one lucky reader a fabulous, new-season colour update for their home, using the stunning new Dulux Colours of New Zealand› range! A Dulux colour consultant will help the winner select their Dulux Colours of New Zealand› colour scheme (this could take a while as there are so many beautiful colours to choose from!) and then a professional painter will transform your chosen space. We’ll send along one of our photographers, too, so we can feature the new look in an issue of NADIA. Exciting! I can’t wait to see all your entries and pick the winner. TO ENTER head to nadialim.com/winwithdulux and tell us, in 50 words or less, which…

“You can’t buy happiness but you can buy plants and that’s pretty much the same thing” A dose of nature when we’re feeling highly strung helps the body and mind recharge. Being in nature or even looking at beautiful scenery can reduce blood pressure and the production of stress hormones, ease muscle tension and slow the heart rate. A 1984 study published in Science magazine showed those recovering from surgery with a window view of a forest healed faster and were in less distress than those recovering in a room without a view. LIFE’S A GARDEN Create a sanctuary of calm in your own backyard with these tips from Jared Lockhart, landscape designer and owner of Garden Objects in Kohimarama, Auckland. A sense of privacy is important, whether through structure or…

Dukkah-crusted Chicken with Just Hummus aubergine & roasted red pepper Serves 4 Prep Time (mins) 20 Cook time (mins) 20 Dukkah ¾ cup whole almonds ½ cup hazelnuts ¼ cup sesame seeds 2 tbsp cumin seeds 1 tbsp coriander seeds 1 tsp fennel seeds Chicken 4 boneless chicken breasts, skinless 4 Tbsp Just Hummus with aubergine & roasted red pepper To serve Just Hummus with aubergine & roasted red pepper Lemon wedges Rocket 1. Preheat the oven to 180°C fan bake. 2. Place the almonds and hazelnuts into separate oven proof dishes and cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until they are golden. Place the sesame seeds, cumin seeds, coriander seeds and fennel seeds into another oven proof dish and cook for 6 to 8 minutes or until golden.…

“The creamy, smoked salmon contrasts perfectly with the sharp Champagne vinaigrette & shallot flavoured chips.” Chips and dip go hand-in-hand with a glass or two of bubbles, but if you’re after something with a touch of sophistication, this winning combination will stand you in good stead for the evening ahead. Designed to take your al fresco dining to the next level, you’ll spend more time with friends and less time in the kitchen with this easy, no-fuss dish. HOT-SMOKED SALMON & HERB DIP SERVES 4 PAIR IT WITH COPPER KETTLE SPECIAL RESERVE CHAMPAGNE VINAIGRETTE & SHALLOT These sharp and tangy chips are the perfect vessel for a scoop of this creamy, smoky and earthy dip. The richness of the cream cheese and salmon are offset with plenty of lemon and…

It’s hard to beat a succulent roast chicken with all the trimmings for a weekend feast with family or friends. If the tasty chook doesn’t get devoured in one fell swoop, using the remaining meat in another meal and the carcass for a flavourful stock means nothing will go to waste. Here we roast a chicken using a traditional Greek method and, the next day, put the leftovers to good use in tasty pot pies and a delicious homemade stock. Greek lemon-roasted chicken & vegetables Ready in 2 hours | Serves 4 | GF 1 large free-range chicken 1 lemon 4 medium-sized potatoes, scrubbed 8 baby kumara sweeties, scrubbed 6 baby beetroot, scrubbed (see Tips) 1 bunch baby carrots, scrubbed, green tops trimmed 6 small red or white onions Juice…

KATSU SAUCE Ready in 5 minutes | Makes ½ cup In a jar, combine 1 Tbsp tomato sauce, 3 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 Tbsp oyster sauce and 1 Tbsp sugar and stir until the sauce is smooth. BASIL PESTO Ready in 10 minutes | Makes 1 cup | GF Place 1½ cups packed basil leaves, ½ cup packed flat-leaf parsley, chopped ½ clove garlic, ¼ cup toasted pine nuts and ¼ cup grated parmesan in a food processor and blitz to combine while slowly drizzling in ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil. Season to taste with salt, pepper and 1-2 Tbsp lemon juice. SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO Ready in 10 minutes | Makes 1 cup | GF Place ¾ cup drained, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, ¼ cup pitted black kalamata olives, chopped…

The Canadian geese have got it right. They arrived at Motiti Island many years ago and then bucked the migratory norm by never leaving. Home is an irrigation pond on the Sunchaser avocado orchard on Motiti, a Bay of Plenty island the same size as Venice but with a permanent human population just shy of 40. Sunchaser’s on-site manager, Greg Prince, and wife Lynn understand the birds’ compulsion to stay. They are recent arrivals on this 700-hectare island 12km off the Papamoa coast, where Greg manages one of New Zealand’s largest avocado orchards. They’re smitten with the place, waking to a cacophony of warbling turkeys and trilling tui and falling asleep under vibrant stars. The ocean is a mere stroll away. Leisure activities include beachcombing and feeding the stingrays that…

Animal practice WITH DR KV VEERASAMY, HEAD VETERINARIAN AT PETSTOCK VET I have two beautiful 1-year-old British Shorthair cats and one of them has just taken to doing her business in our indoor pot plants. It’s very out of character so could this be a sign of a bigger problem? – Lily, Auckland Hi Nadia, You probably get a ton of mail just like the one I'm about to send you but I have to tell you how thankful I am to you for your business and how it has changed my life. My mother always told me I'd never get a husband if I didn't know how to cook, so I pretty much set out to prove her wrong. It worked well for me, but after 18 years of…

@kiahfitnz HEALTHY CARAMEL SLICE GET IN ME. @nadialimcooks this is hands down fave recipe IN HISTORY OF EVER. @ zoemcbridenz Had a play round with @nadialimcooks raw caramel slice and, yeah, it’s pretty blimming good. @simonemccallum Trying out the healthy version of Nadia’s caramel chocolate slice. USE THE #NADIAMAGAZINE SO WE CAN FOLLOW YOUR FAVE FOOD MOMENTS…

“It was about five years ago, not long after I’d won MasterChef. A friend asked me to cook for a group of 10 doctors (her and her colleagues) for their annual meeting. It was held at a very flash house in the city and I remember thinking at the time that it must have cost millions. “One of the courses I was cooking was five-spice duck breast with kumara purée and bok choy. If you’ve ever cooked duck, you’ll know it has a very thick layer of fat. So here I was, cooking 10 duck breasts, and all this fat was rendering out from the duck, so there was a thick layer of sizzling fat in the pan. I got distracted for a couple of seconds and moved the pan…

Hi Nadia, Is it possible for you to explain how to season food correctly? It’s something I have never really understood. When do you know you have the balance right? On cooking programmes, chefs are always saying “season, season, season!” Love your recipes. – Glennis, via Facebook Hi Glennis, I like to say: add just enough salt until the flavours of the food ‘bloom’. Just add a bit, then taste, before adding a bit more. Remember, you can always add, but you can’t take it out! Hi Nadia, I am fructose intolerant and can’t have dates or honey. Would dried cranberries be a good substitute for dates? I can’t have honey either, so would real maple syrup be a good substitute? – Jo, via email Hi Jo, Dates are a…

The Hawke’s Bay is famed for its food, wine and incredible weather and, for the past four years, it has toasted its culinary prowess by bringing the best producers together for the Food and Wine Classic (aka F.A.W.C!). Kicking off on 4 November, the 10-day festival gives you the chance to taste the region’s finest food, wine, art, shopping and culture plus mix and mingle with celebrated chefs, vintners, growers, makers and the gastronomically adventurous. With 80 events cramming the calendar, there really is something for everyone, but how the F.A.W.C! will you decide which ones to F.A.W.C! out for? Okay, enough with the puns. To save you the trouble, we’ve narrowed down a few of our favourites to give you some delicious food for thought. Cheers to that! Say…

1 The Jungle Book, $13.99, from Father Rabbit. 2 Joseph Bentley hand cultivator, $18, from Mildred & Co. 3 Flora n Fauna concrete planter, $18.90. 4 Tea light holder, $24.95, from Freedom. 5 Joseph Bentley garden gloves, $25, from Mildred & Co. 6 The Body Shop hemp hard-working hand protector, $25.50. 7 L’Occitane one-minute hand scrub, $39. 8 George & Co wall planter, $18.40, from themarketnz.com. 9 Seletti garden lights, $218, from Mildred & Co. 10 Door mat, $149, from Father Rabbit. 11 Earth Botanics Gardeners refreshing herbal hand wash, $20. 12 The Thoughtful Gardener hand trowel and fork set, $55, from Mildred & Co. 13 Robert Gordon garden bell, $65, from Father Rabbit. 14 Moss bunny, $7.95, from Freedom. 15 Hat, $239, from Citta.…

The phrase ‘Keep calm and carry on’ was first used by the British Government to boost morale during the Second World War and, after fading into obscurity for decades, the adage has come back into the mainstream with a vengeance. It’s now emblazoned on everything from mugs to tea towels and T-shirts. The catchphrase is a good reminder of the importance of cultivating calm in all areas of life, from the way we deal with situations at work, to our health, our home environment, and the messages we receive from that inner voice – you know, the one that doesn’t always tell us what we need to hear. To get into a zone of relaxation, turn the page and immerse yourself in the world of calm. We’ve compiled a comprehensive…

COFFEE BUZZ “The big three foods to avoid if you have an anxious personality are coffee, alcohol and sugar,” says Nic Watt, chef and co-founder of True Food & Yoga. “All of these boost your cortisol levels, create havoc with your blood sugar levels and increase your heart rate.” Try to limit yourself to one coffee a day or, if that’s not easy straight off the bat, switch at least one of your caffeine hits to a green tea. Alcohol, too, is a stimulant. You may think it helps you relax but it’s actually preventing you from reaching your most restful, deep cycle of sleep, so you’ll often wake up feeling tired. Get regular Get enough fibre to keep you, erm, regular. “When you don’t do your number twos regularly,…

Scent your space Sprinkle, diffuse, burn or spritz these essential oils Bedroom – Lavender for relaxation, sleep and restoration. Office – Vanilla, ylang ylang, lemon, orange, chamomile or bergamot for when you are feeling stressed, over-worked or run down. Lounge – Orange, jasmine, grapefruit, rosemary, sandalwood, peppermint, lemon, ginger, basil and frankincense for counteracting fatigue or a lack of focus. Dining room – Chamomile, lavender, mandarin and sandalwood all help with conflict and forgiveness (sometimes needed at a family dinner table). Bathroom – Jasmine, orange, rosemary, cypress and bergamot help with all things to do with self-love and confidence. Colour me calm Soft-blue tones are said to calm the mind and aid concentration and green is the colour that represents balance. Try displaying a blue-hued image on your computer desktop,…

The joys of spring! Finally the temperature is rising, blue skies abound and we’re starting to come out of hibernation. But for many of us this new-found enthusiasm can be knocked back down by a change-of-season cold or flu. Just when you think you’ve said goodbye to the winter lurgies, you get laid low by a real doozy. This is because the viruses that cause the common cold replicate more easily in spring weather – it’s still cold but not too cold. Also, by this time of year we’re often getting a bit run-down, which can lead to higher levels of stress hormones and, consequently, lowered immune function. Good nutrition is your best ally in the fight against these springtime viruses and bacteria. The more nutrient-dense your diet, the better…

With more sunlight hours filling the day, there’s no better excuse to revel in the joy of a warm evening than an al fresco meal for family and friends at your place. As the host, it’s essential you make it easy on yourself so you don’t end up slaving over a hot stove and missing all the fun outside. One-pot meals, such as my Italian herb chicken and pumpkin bake and meatball bake with crunchy topping, can be prepared in advance then popped in the oven to cook through once your guests have settled in. A trio of dips will satisfy hungry tums while the mains are cooking, and having a delicious cake ready to serve as the sun goes down is the perfect nightcap. Spring platter of bread, dips…

Fish ’n’ chips at our local Rocket Park was our Friday night treat when my brother, sister and I were growing up in Auckland. A few hours after getting home from school, we’d walk down the road to the park and burn off some energy on the swings, see-saw and climbing the mighty, towering rocket the park was famous for. We’d then order some fish ’n’ chips from the local takeaway just across the road and wait very patiently with hungry tummies. When our number was called out, we’d pick up the big, hot, newspaper-wrapped bundle and head back across the road to park up on one of the picnic tables. Most weeks I’d get to invite a friend from school or the neighbour’s kids. There is nothing better than…

Potting your own spring herbs makes for a fun DIY project and you’ll continue to reap the rewards if you keep them well watered and in moderate sunlight. You will need: Mason jars Drainage pebbles Potting mix Herb plant (already sprouting) Water 1 Fill the bottom 2-3cm of your jar with pebbles for drainage. 2 Fill your jar two-thirds full with potting mix. 3 Remove your herb from the container and loosen the roots with your fingers. 4 Gently plant the herb in your jar and add extra potting mix if needed. 5 Add enough water to seep down into the pebbles.…

Making your relish is a lovely way to use up seasonal fruit and veges, but if you just don’t have the time (or the inclination), there’s nothing wrong with going ready-made! Here, we’ve used a quality, shop-bought beetroot relish to take a savoury tart, a vinaigrette and a luscious baked cheese to the next level. 1 Caramelised onion, feta & beetroot tart Ready in 45 minutes | Serves 4 2 sheets (300g) savoury short pastry 1 Tbsp butter 2 large onions, finely sliced 1 Tbsp thyme leaves 3 eggs 100ml cream or milk ½ tsp salt 1 pinch ground nutmeg 200g soft sheep or goat’s feta ¼ cup good-quality beetroot relish (we used Maison Therese) Fresh rocket leaves, to serve 1 Preheat oven to 200°C. 2 Grease a 16cm square…

Individuality, creativity and passion are the building blocks for successful businesses and a fulfilling life in general. Meet some of the makers, growers, creators and all-round good people inspiring us this issue, like Dunedin baker – and surfer – Matt Cross. Every Saturday, Matt sells his baked treats from a caravan at the Otago Farmers’ Market. Turn the page to find out how he prepares for his busiest day of the week.…

“Give your mind a break by doing whatever makes you spark – you might be surprised what you dream up. ” Creativity is at the heart of every business – for some it’s writing, composing, photography or styling, and for others it is product innovation, research and business planning. When you’re busy, there’s a risk you’ll find yourself bogged down in day-to-day admin – emails, accounting and meetings, frantically rushing from task to task while juggling family, too. You can find yourself lacking inspiration and motivation, to the detriment of the bigger picture. How do you get back into the groove and find your inner creative genius? A huge aspect of my job is recipe-writing, testing, styling and photography – it’s a creative process that absorbs a large amount of…

My mum came home with something really cool the other day… a high chair! Yay, I can finally sit up at the table in my own chair, and eat with everyone else! I’m really loving all the yummy purées and bits of soft food Mum is giving me at the moment. I’d have to say my favourite is butternut – wow, I get quite excited when I have anything butternut. It’s really yummy puréed up with pear (which helps keep me regular, if you know what I mean). Sometimes I’ll just have whole pieces of cooked soft pumpkin or butternut, too. Mum is trying out this thing called baby-led weaning where I’m allowed to pick up and try eating whole pieces of soft foods by myself. My other favourite is…

We’re pretty sure Nadia fan and artist Erin-Monique O’Brien couldn’t have dreamed her illustration of Nadia’s banana pancake recipe would end up printed on a bed! The recipe (which can also be found framed on Nadia’s kitchen bench) has found its way here thanks to Nadia’s participation in Sealy’s Designer Bed campaign. The bed will be auctioned on Trade Me over a two-week period from 17 October and all proceeds will be donated to the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation. Check out Erin-Monique’s illustrated recipe of Nadia’s Nut Butter Choc Chip Cookies on page 126.…

It all starts with the egg itself – the fresher the egg, the nicer your poached eggs will be because the white of the egg will cling more easily around the yolk. You want to bring your water to a gentle boil or a simmer. By salting the water, you lower the water’s density, which helps the egg to float. Crack egg into a teacup and gently tip it into the water. Repeat if you want to cook two at a time. Cook 1½ minutes for runny yolks and 2-2½ minutes for firmer. Then all you need to do is grab a slotted spoon and carefully scoop the eggs out, draining them on a paper towel if you like. And there you have it, perfect poached eggs. Serve on wholegrain toast with a smear of…