Pavlova

It is well known that Kiwis and Aussies have a rich history of gentle ribbing. For decades, we have argued over who invented the pavlova.

The answer, we thought, came in 2008 when Professor Helen Leach wrote The Pavlova Story: A Slice of New Zealand’s Culinary History, saying the first true pavlova recipe was Pavlova Cake from New Zealand in 1929. While a dessert named after the famous Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova was a four-layered jelly from a book published in 1926.

However, Dr Andrew Paul Wood, a New Zealander, and Annabelle Utrecht, an Australian, have been tracing the origins of the dish for two years. They can “categorically state” the modern pavlova began life as a German torte, eventually travelling to the US where it evolved into its final form.

They have found more than 150 pavlova-like meringue cakes served with cream and fruit prior to 1926. They have also found more than 50 dishes named after Pavlova occurring before 1927.pavlova Continue reading “Pavlova”

Caramelised Roast Vegetables

When the days are getting shorter and the mornings are beginning to bite – autumn is well and truly here. Autumn is traditionally a time of abundance, when vegetables that have been ripening throughout the summer can be harvested and enjoyed throughout the winter months. Take advantage of autumn’s bounty of mushrooms, pumpkins, capsicums, garlic, kumara, tomatoes, eggplant, beetroot, watercress, parsnips and carrots with this easy and satisfying recipe.caramelised_roast_vegetables Continue reading “Caramelised Roast Vegetables”