Against the breathtaking backdrop of the southern mountains of New Zealand, and surrounded by abundant fresh produce, artisan foods and world-class wines, Annabel reveals the pleasures of her free range cooking style.
From the simplest of kitchens in her family’s lakeside cabin retreat, Annabel shows how easy it is to bring good food into today’s fast-paced world. Her fresh, free-spirited approach and the gorgeous natural location embraces the growing desire to live a simpler, less harried way of life. Along the way, Annabel shares the secrets to creating sensational home-cooked food for very little effort – and promises to make every viewer a star in their own kitchen.
Episode 13 – High Country
Each year, as the weather cools, Central Otago high country farmers round up their sheep to bring them to lower and less exposed ground. This is an exhausting task so when Annabel visits a nearby farm during the annual muster she takes along some well earned baking and makes the workers a cuppa in her trusty thermette.
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Episode 12: White Gold
Carol and Charlie Boulton have been whitebaiting every season for the past 13 years. This year they show Annabel the art to catching the delicacy known in New Zealand as ‘white gold.’
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Episode 11: Annabel’s Choice
Agricultural and Pastoral Shows are a New Zealand tradition. This year Annabel attends the Wanaka event as a guest judge and makes her pick of the best homemade relish using local produce.
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Episode 10: Boutique Brewers
Annabel catches up with her friend Darryl, a boutique beer brewer beside the clear waters of the ArrowRiver. In true Annabel style, she has prepared a picnic of home made sausage rolls and asks Darryl to bring with him an appropriate beer match. As they enjoy their picnic, they discuss beer matching and the benefits of cooking with beer.
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Episode 9: Fisherman’s Luck
Annabel tries her hand at salmon fishing on stunning Lake Wanaka with local fishing guide and chef Rick Shaw.
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Episode 8: The Big Cheese
Annabel picnics with Simon Berry from local cheese making company Whitestone. En route she witnesses the landscape that inspires their business and learns how regional difference – climate, soil and water conditions determine local flavours – no matter where you are in the world.
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Episode 7: Green Grapes for Verjuice
All hands are on deck at Annabel’s neighbouring Rippon Vineyard at Lake Wanaka. It’s time to cull the slower growing grapes to give the survivors a better chance. For Annabel, this is an opportunity not to be missed. Green grapes are the vital ingredient in her culinary favourite verjuice.
Recipes:
- Pears in Verjuice [13]
- Sesame and Oregano Lavosh [14]
Episode 6: The Garlic Harvest
Annabel’s neighbouring friends, Colin and Kirsty Sutherland are keen garlic growers, and Annabel can’t resist the invitation to collect enough to see her through the coming months. Later back at her lakeside cabin she prepares a dinner for her teenage children and their friends.
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Episode 5: Girlfriends go Fishing in Dusky Sound
When Annabel is offered a weekend on a charter boat in remote Dusky Sound, she invites a couple of girlfriends to join her. After a day of fishing they all relax and celebrate their catch.
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Episode 4: A Good Egg
Annabel travels to Waimate to gather eggs from mad keen poultry enthusiast John Davies. But – it is not only John’s eggs that interest Annabel. She has another mission in mind. She has always fancied having a hen house with chooks in it, providing her with a daily basket of fresh eggs. Perhaps John can help make her dream come true?
Recipes:
- Chilli Jam [19]
- Green Bean and Peanut Noodles [20]
Episode 3: Show me the Honey
Annabel needs to replenish one of her pantry essentials – Honey. So she travels to stunning Alexandra for her favourite organic honey and on the way learns a few tips for cooking with this sweet treat.
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Episode 2: To market to market
Every Sunday morning Annabel makes the 30-minute journey in her trusty yellow truck to the farmers’ market in Old Cromwell Town to stock up on the best local produce. Her first stop is always the stall belonging to her butcher friend who she’s invited for dinner.
Recipes:
- Lamb Racks with Salsa Verde [23]
- Salsa Verde [24]
Episode 1: Cherry Pickers’ Picnic
It’s cherry season, and Annabel sets off on an adventure with young friends to fill their baskets with juicy, plump fruit. It’s hungry work, so Annabel prepares a picnic for the occasion including her all-time favourite bacon and egg pie. There’s a barbecue by the lake planned for the evening, and all going well cherries will feature in Annabel’s clever spin on traditional tiramisu.
Back at her lakeside cabin she prepares a picnic dinner for friends and demonstrates how to make.
Recipes:
- Bacon and Egg Pie [25]
- Tropical Marshmallows [26]