TP cuisine: Aotearoa New Zealand
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Rom’s Christmas Pudding
A traditional New Zealand Christmas plum pudding from Rom’s family notebook — made weeks in advance, soaked generously with brandy, and finished with a properly reckless table-side flambé. Served hot with Edmonds custard, it’s as much ritual as dessert.
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Rom’s Christmas Cake
A dense, dark Christmas cake handed down from my mother Rom — deeply moist, quietly rich, and made to last. Perfect with custard on Christmas Day, or enjoyed later with a cup of tea, a glass of sherry, or a wee dram on a quiet evening.
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Nikau Kedgeree
A smoky, gently spiced kedgeree inspired by Nikau’s café classic — comforting, nourishing and perfect for a lazy weekend brunch.
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Ginger Gems
Ginger gems are hard to describe to those who have never tried them. Think of small ginger flavoured sponges served with cream and a dab of raspberry jam and you are on the right track. Or butter, or vanilla ice-cream. This recipe makes enough to fill two gem irons.
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Pork and Cider Stew
This is one of my favourite dish for cold winter nights. A slow-cooked stew of pork, mushrooms, garlic, apples and woody spices. It’s full of umami and fills the kitchen with a wonderfully nurturing and warming smell.
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GV’s Espresso Pavlova
Some would suggest that GV is in a committed relationship with coffee. I cannot possibly comment on this. His decadent interpretation of the classic Edmonds Pavlova is stunning.
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Digby Law’s Plum Sauce
My mother started following this recipe in the early 80s. This spicy plum sauce is simply the best thing to put on good pork sausages, or to add colour and depth to a stew.
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The Edmonds’ Pavlova
This is the classic Edmonds pavlova recipe. For decades the Edmonds Cookbook was the biggest selling book in New Zealand. Every household had at least one copy. You knew you were really leaving home when mum gave you your own copy.