Stories

This mousse is easy to make, and is a great way to prevent wasting aquafaba when you use chickpeas in your dinner. Serves: 4 | Prep. time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 10 minutes | Dish deets: Gluten free, vegan Ingredients 120g 56% dark chocolate125ml aquafaba (chickpea water)2 Tbsp icing sugar Making it happen 1. Melt the chocolate over a bain-marie gently. Let cool. 2. Whip the aquafaba until it makes medium peaks. Add the icing sugar and whip into stiff peaks. 3. Fold the chocolate into the meringue. 4. Put in a piping bag. Divide between 4 glasses. 5. Set for about 4 hours in the fridge. Chef Darrell van der Sluys “The cuisine I create is classical with a modern twist. My career started in Christchurch at the Millennium hotel, then off to Scotland to Gleneagles, The Stamford Hotel Auckland then seven years of alternating northern hemisphere and New...

By now, most of us have heard about the skin-boosting benefits of collagen powder. Collagen (the protein that provides strength, elasticity and structure to our bones and skin) naturally depletes as we age, causing lines and wrinkles. Collagen supplements are everywhere now, but how do we pick the best one? Probeauty runs through some things to look for. Marine Collagen vs Bovine Collagen If it’s youthful skin you’re after, marine (fish) collagen has higher digestibility than animal collagen, and has been known to effectively repress skin damage caused by UV rays. Research shows that fish collagen peptides also yield greater bioavailability in the body than other collagen sources, and are free from more pathogen risks. Research the source and how it’s made Where is your marine collagen actually coming from? Well, we know it’s from fish, although most collagen brands use farmed fish, with practices that can be harmful to both...

Cityscape gets a lesson in digital promotion from its own publisher, SOMO Creative. Remarketing is the latest buzzword in digital advertising, and it’s a good way to put your business in front of people who are very likely to buy from you. Cool, so what is it? The concept is simple: market to people who have already bought your stuff. The theory is, if they’ve spent with you before they’re probably keen to do it again. The execution is a little more complicated, but with a bit of some savvy settings-tweaking and straightforward data collection, you can be advertising directly to this high-value market. The first thing you’ll be needing is a list of people who have interacted with you before. If you use Shopify or a similar platform, your digital customers might already be saved in a database, and if you’re collecting sales info through a membership system at your...

With the rat race ramping up stress levels, many of us are forgoing a little income and taking a wellness sabbatical: grind-avoiding getaways in beautiful retreats with plinky-plonky soundscapes and morning meditations. It’s like a self-imposed lockdown, but somewhere pretty, and with yoga. Here are our five picks for a wellness sabbatical. Mana Retreat Centre – Coromandel Walk out your downward dog in an equality circle in the bush-covered Coromandel Range. This non-profit residential retreat is a haven for self-compassion, awakening the consciousness, and vegetarian food. manaretreat.com Aro Hā – Queenstown Don’t give up on your dreams of a Balinese yoga retreat – Aro Hā runs yoga and wellness getaways just out of Glenorchy. You’ll have trouble shutting your eyes for savasana when you see the view across Lake Wakatipu from the yoga studio – but the whole retreat is caffeine-free, so that might help. aro-ha.com Anahata Yoga Retreat – Takaka Make...

Fashionistas! New Zealand has an epic shopping destination all our own, and it’s nestled among turquoise blue glacial lakes and surrounded by the snowy Southern Alps. Wānaka hosts a hub of showcase stores from homegrown world-class designers, and it comes at fashion from a few different angles. It’s been the launching pad for outdoor brands developed by entrepreneurial powder hounds on white-out days, like world-renowned Mons Royale. It’s attracted hardy and high-class fashion borne out of Central Otago station workwear. And it’s welcomed an influx of luxury high-fashion stores seeking a refined respite from its more raucous and rambling neighbour Queenstown. These days, Wānaka is home to a dense, rich fashion scene, with destination boutiques to keep even the most dedicated shoppers going all holiday long. To start, wander into Devál Boutique. This Otago fashion store specialises in personal styling, with a tailor that can suss you out with hand-selected items...

As our city continues to grow upwards and outwards we need to balance the need for housing with impacts on the environment. Paul Roper-Gee of Canopy Landscape Architects tells us about bringing back the plants (and the birds). Restoring urban areas with native planting is one way to address our impact. More and more people are taking action individually and collectively to make this happen. Piece by piece through appropriate native plantings in private gardens, commercial properties, along roads, rivers and in public spaces, we can establish a network of plant communities that will provide a link between the urban environment and the native remnants on the Canterbury Plains and Banks Peninsula. This will increase the area that native birds, invertebrates and lizards can live in. If you are undertaking your own restoration project at home or on a bare site, consider starting with ‘colonising plants’ like silver tussock, flax, kānuka...

This award-winning dish is completely plant based. With a balance of colours, and smooth and sharp flavours, it makes a great visual and sensory impression. Serves: 6 | Prep. time: 4 days | Cook time: 20 minutes | Dish deets: Gluten free, vegan Ingredients Pickled raspberry 1 cup red wine vinegar¼ cup sugar2g cinnamon flakes½ a star anise1 pinch salt½ cup sweet wine100g fresh raspberries Foie gras 4 Tbsp olive oil2 medium-sized shallots1 pinch salt3 cloves garlic, peeled2 tsp rosemary2 tsp thyme2 tsp sage2 Tbsp Cognac200g shiitake mushrooms500g portobello mushrooms300g macadamia nuts150g walnuts2 tsp tamari2 tsp beetroot puréeDairy-free butter Kawakawa cashew butter 4 cups cashew nuts3 Tbsp avocado oil1 pinch beetroot powder1 pinch dried kawakawa flakesSalt, to season Shiitake jus 1 cup dried shiitake1 cup water2 cups tamari1 cup red wine1 clove garlic, chopped1 pinch thyme1 pinch rosemary making it happen Pickled raspberry 1. Boil all the ingredients except for the...

If you’ve got access to a cold-smoker or smoking gun, here’s a great excuse to bust it out for a creative meal. Serves: 1 | Prep. time: 1 hour | Cook time: 15 minutes | Dish deets: Gluten free Ingredients Ōra King salmon crudo 30g Marlborough sea salt30g caster sugar90g Ōra King salmon, skinned Smoked sesame cream 60g crème fraîche1 tsp black sesame seeds, toasted1 tsp lemon juice, freshly squeezedZest of 1 lemonSalt, to taste Chilli maple 30ml quality olive oil40ml maple syrup1 tsp smoked paprika½ tsp red chilli powderSalt, to taste To serve 1 avocado, thinly sliced1 golden baby beetroot, sliced1 corn cobŌra King salmon caviarEdamame beans, shelledSunflower and pumpkin seeds, toasted Garnishes Pea feathersCoriander edible flowers making it happen 1. To begin, make the crudo. Mix the salt with the sugar and sprinkle over the salmon in a bowl. Set aside for 20 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, cold-smoke the crème...

This traditional Italian mushroom risotto recipe is a rich flavour hit – perfect autumnal comfort food. Serves: 4 | Prep. time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 35-40 minutes Ingredients 30g dried porcini mushrooms200ml waterExtra virgin olive oil, for cooking4 shallots, finely chopped400g champignon mushrooms240g carnaroli rice50g white wineSalt, to taste1 litre vegetable stock80g butter1 cup Italian parsley, chopped3 cloves garlic, finely chopped80g Parmigiano-Reggiano (Parmesan cheese), grated making it happen 1. Put the dried porcini and water in a small pot, bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes. Pour contents of pot into a blender and blend to a smooth paste. 2. In a separate pot, heat some olive oil. Add shallots and quartered champignon mushrooms. 3. Cook until mushrooms are almost tender then add the rice. 4. Allow the rice to heat up before adding the white wine to deglaze the pot, (this will help remove the small bits...

This decadent parfait takes a couple of days to prepare, but it will be well worth it when you whip it out in front of your friends. Serves: 4 | Prep time: 2 days | Cook time: 50 minutes | Dish deets: Gluten free, vegetarian, dairy-free option Ingredients Base 1 block milk chocolate, melted (or dairy-free chocolate)900g coconut cream240g water420g sugar330g egg whites30g Malibu Coconut sponge 3 eggs1 tsp vanilla essence65g coconut milk1 tsp baking powder200g gluten free flour140g sugar½ tsp saltAdditional coconut milkDesiccated coconut Coconut milk crumb 110g coconut milk powder62g gluten free flour30g sugar10g cornflour85g coconut oil Rum caramel pineapple 2 pineapples400g caster sugar80ml dark rumPassionfruit syrup, to garnish making it happen Base 1. Line the inside of some half-sphere moulds (or bowls – about the size of half a coconut shell) with chocolate and chill. 2. Chill coconut cream overnight in the fridge. 3. The next day, whip...

Resene consultant Rebecca Long tells Cityscape how to bring some fire into your kitchen – and dining area – with a lick of colour. Kitchen and dining spaces are gaining more warmth as they rebel against the cool, steely greys of previous years. Subtle nuances are being celebrated and rooms are beginning to beam with dimension and character. While these spaces are commonly used to cook up a storm or catch up with friends and family, many are also using them as a temporary home office. With an increase in use and desire for comfort, we are seeking warmer hues to keep us energised and upbeat. Layer contemporary, desert hues such as Resene Cashmere with smoked terracottas such as Resene Sunbaked for a tonal, sunset effect. Introduce washed timbers, burnished coppers, moss greens and textured rugs to create a natural sanctuary. Experiment with rosy, earth hues such as Resene Blanc and...

Do it. Yes, you. It’s time to shape up, and Cityscape has some ideas that will have you thinking about fitness in a whole new way. Make a change As well as pumping iron and hitting the treadmills, you need to take care of your nutritional and fitness education for an optimal lifestyle balance. The philosophy at Flex Fitness Riccarton is ‘change begins here’ – and the team go the extra mile to make sure it doesn’t feel like a big commercial gym. The facility has all the gear you’d expect; top-of-the-line equipment; and spaces for cardio, weights, functional movement, stretching, rehabilitation and group fitness. The big difference here is Flex Fitness is managed so it’s never overcrowded and you won’t have to wait ages for the equipment you need. It’s got a relaxed atmosphere and green plants throughout to match the friendly vibe of the team and gym members. And...

Bespoke is the order of the day at Roccabella, designing tokens of love and breathing new life into items from the past. Cityscape gleans some gems from designer Vikki George on the process of creating jewellery. Perhaps you’re after the perfect Hearts on Fire diamond engagement ring that encapsulates your love story. Maybe you’ve got a meaningful brooch you don’t wear, or perhaps you’ve inherited a ring with a beautiful stone, but the design is dated or the metal doesn’t suit you. Vikki George from Roccabella says whether you’re creating a piece from scratch with new gems and metal, or using elements of an existing item, jewellery design should be friendly and personal, and most importantly it should involve you at every step so you get the perfect piece. Talk it out First, you meet the designer for a consultation. Vikki sits down to chat and get to know you so...

Estère takes a break from touring her new album to talk psychology and inspiration with Cityscape. Your new album Archetypes is influenced by Jungian theory – how did that come to be? I was interested in making a concept album and around that time I had been introduced to the idea of archetypes through talking with my grandmother. She used to read Jung, and introduced me to his philosophies and his ideas. I search for meaning most profoundly when I am writing music; Archetypes is about looking for universal ideas regarding human nature, and how we have shared patterns in our lives. I related it to myself and used my own experience to express those more universal ideas. What have you learned through the experience of writing and recording this album? I feel like I’ve learned a lot about my own subconscious through writing the album. I did a lot of...

Anna Dick from Anna Margaret Interiors tiles up some kitchen design ideas fit for the 2021 mood. Whether you’re a foodie or not, a good kitchen designer will design with your particular circumstances, lifestyle, and style desires in mind. This attention to detail is what helps create your dream kitchen, whether it’s an entertainer’s delight with working scullery, or a sophisticated elegant family kitchen. Being the central gathering place in the home, it’s a space you want to feel easy being in, no matter who you’re cooking for. So, what makes a great kitchen great? Function and form work side by side in kitchen design, and are both equally important to get right. Layout is the first important aspect to discuss. You’ll have heard the term ‘working triangle’ before, and while it still holds true, what we now talk about is ‘zones’. How close is the preparation zone to the cooking...

Back in 1877 when Canterbury Museum founder Julius von Haast was looking to add some mounted animals to the collection, an Austrian taxidermist named Andreas Reischek rose to the task, filling the then-expanding museum with big cats, a grizzly bear, antelope and even an elephant. This eye-bogglingly international parade of animals was a hit with Christchurch locals, many of whom would have never seen anything like them before. Among the collection that Andreas mounted for the museum was this Javan rhinoceros, a smaller one-horned rhinoceros that is now critically endangered. Is it estimated that only about 74 individuals remain, all confined to a protected area in Indonesia. Poignantly, DNA taken from Canterbury Museum’s rhinoceros was used to confirm the extinction of the Vietnamese population of its species. You can see the Javan rhinoceros in Canterbury Museum’s Victorian Museum exhibition. canterburymuseum.com

If you’re not living in a lush indoor jungle then you’re not really living. Who’s got the time to go to an actual jungle? At Cityscape we recommend filling your home, office, car or whatever else with Japanese peace lilies (to oxygenate the room, help you think, relieve stress) or get on board with the monstera trend. We’ve recently discovered that Moffatt’s Flower Co. has repurposed an entire giant greenhouse to grow a range of hard-to-find indoor plants – you can get them at supermarkets around the country, online and at Moffatt's on-site shop. Grab a ficus or a calathea and think green thoughts! moffatts.co.nz

Three Boys Brewery’s Ralph Bungard walks us through some of the ‘culinary’ tradition of brewing a fine beer. At its most basic, beer is four ingredients: malt, hops, yeast, and water. In Germany, there is a series of regulations known as the Reinheitsgebot which largely limits beer to containing those four basic ingredients – drop any one of those ‘fab four’ or add anything much more and it is not considered beer. Certainly though, those tight regulations are not worldwide. Brewers from other countries legitimately add many ingredients on top of the basic four. There are fine examples from New Zealand microbrewers that contain anything from fruit, vegetables, flavourings and even shellfish, dairy products, and bacteria – to name just a few. As an aside, there is some heated debate amongst brewers and beer nerds on whether seltzers – the latest trend appearing on brewers’ horizons – should be considered alongside...