I’m in Pie Heaven…

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

Welcome to my retrospective journal of our trip earlier this year to New Zealand.

Celia of  Sydenham Bakery in Christchurch New Zealand,  is showing me around the working  areas of the bakery.

I tell her that pies are a firm favourite of ours but that since they are not an item that features in Dutch cuisine that I’ve been attempting to make some myself at home, with limited success to date.

One problem that I have is that I can’t find little metal pie forms in the Netherlands, so Celia gives me an address of a catering supplier in Christchurch where I can buy some of the little forms to take home with me.

I did pick some up, they look exactly like these ones do and they are fabulous to use but you have to be very careful because the top edge is very sharp:

…that’s deliberate because once you have lined your pie form with pastry, filled it and placed the top on, all you have to do is to roll your rolling pin over the pie form and the sharp edge cuts and trims any overlapping pastry for you and results in a lovely uniform edge.

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

I can however attest to the fact that these sharp edges will also cut very nicely into fingers whilst doing the washing up, so baking these with kids would have certain limitations.

The bakery of course bake hundreds of pies per day so their pie forms have been welded into joined sheets so that  dozens can be baked in commercial ovens at a time.

Of course I know there’s no chance of scoring a recipe but after talking to Celia I realise that one of the things I’ve been doing wrong with my pies is that I’ve been using shortcrust pastry for both the top lid and the bottom shell,  when it should be shortcrust for the bottoms and puff pastry for the lid on the top.

Naturally not having a proper pie form also means that it’s no surprise that my versions haven’t been cooking very evenly and that I haven”t  yet got past the problem of the dreaded “soggy bottom”  in my pastry making,  although I did read in one of my cookbooks that baking pies on a rack closer to the bottom of the oven should help with this problem too.  In the meantime I’m in pie heaven… just look at the pie production going on here!  From production to the pie warmers out in the shop front so that customers and come and buy one that’s already hot…   Fabulous!

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

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(photograph © Kiwidutch)

Sydenham Bakery: History With Cream On Top…

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

Welcome to my retroactive journal documenting our tour of New Zealand, this secton of which was made in January 2012.

Yesterday I explained the personal memories that form my connection with the Sydenham Bakery  in Christchurch New Zealand.

Now I’m back inside and looking at many familiar New Zealand bakery items.

Yes, we are back to drooling over photos of amazing displays of food … but come on, before you berate me: that’s not new on this blog is it ?

More memories flood back as they always will when you remember iced buns or anything filled with cream and the childish sticky fingers that just needed licking after eating, or the dusting of icing sugar that I managed to spill down my front … this one still being as bad a habit now as it was then, and sadly I need to confess that I’ve also extended this particular bad habit  to other foods like pasta sauce (who am I kidding?… if I’m honest…anything with sauce!) and soup as an adult.

The founder of the bakery, John Kuipers came to Christchurch from the Netherlands at roughly the same time as my Father did…

… they came for work opportunities on the other side of the world and plane fares were so expensive and sea journeys took so long that it was more or less seen as a one-way ticket with little or no prospect (before the advent of cheap long-haul flights) of ever returning to the Netherlands.

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

Their new lives in New Zealand were  therefore  ”make or break” and they worked hard to make their businesses work.

There was a study done a while back in New Zealand on why Dutch immigrants of this time made such a high percentage of successful businesses… and apparently it was partly this “there’s no going back” attitude and also the simple fact that people who are prepared to emigrate so far from home into the unknown, are in general already the type of people who are willing to take a larger amount of risk than their peers.

The ingrained Dutch Calvinist work ethic probably helped too LOL.

Regular readers will know that I’m a big fan of supporting and promoting smaller local businesses, which are also often family run establishments and since I also love local history, here’s a dollop of both in one hit… for me finding both together is like the cream on the top of the cream bun… it makes the whole experience even more delectable.

I talk to Celia about the business and notice there’s a nice display about the history of the business on the wall… I couldn’t get close enough to get really good detail but here’s the text (reproduced with permission).

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

It was 1958 when John Kuipers left Holland to start a new life in Christchurch, New Zealand.

He arrived with 30 pounds  in his pocket and a determination to pursue his love of baking.

After working in Linwood bakery for two years, he realised his dream of owning his own bakery, purchasing the Sydenham Cake kitchen at 458 Colombo Street on 1 September 1960.

The cake kitchen has previously been known as “Matthews” and had opened back in 1910.

John began in 1961 with a little money and a big loan. Turnover in the first week was 120 pounds a week and withing four weeks it was up to 240 pounds a week.

With one shop assistant, Connie Sharp and a part-timer in the bakehouse, Beverley Brewer, John worked long hours starting at 2 in the morning and finishing at 5 at night.

Hans, John’s son joined the staff in 1978 and Paul MacGibbon began as an apprentice in 1982. The following year, with the bakery bursting at it’s seams, John purchased the present site at 424 Colombo Street.

Tragedy struck in 1985 when a fire took hold and completely destroyed the bakery at 458 Colombo Street. With 24 hours the staff were operating from premises at Sandyford Street and within 18 months a new bakery was set up at 424 Colombo Street and business returned to normal.

In 2002, at the age of 65, John decided it was time to retire and Hans took told of the reins. Paul then joined Hans in partnership in 2008.

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

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So… This is “Front of House” as far as the bakery is concerned.. but I have a treat in store, because I get to go ‘out the back” where the best of the action really is…

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

You’ll Only Find a Brownie Like this Once in A Brew Moon…

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

We’ve come for lunch to the Brew Moon café and brewery just outside Amberly,  north of Christchurch New Zealand.

There’s a cabinet of food on display … it all looks delicious but I can’t eat it all so I choose a slice of  bacon and egg pie .

(I see a definite  theme in my menu choices this holiday LOL!) but to be honest it looks too good to resist and all of the previous examples have been fabulously tasty.

This piece of bacon and egg pie  turns out to be no exception and I’m delighted with my meal. The kids didn’t end up having lunch because they weren’t hungry having eaten a late and substantial breakfast/brunch of toast and sandwiches, so they enjoyed a simple ice-cream later for “dessert”.

For dessert I choose the chocolate brownie with ice-cream (actually as is our habit, Himself polished off the ice-cream because it makes my asthma worse). I’m supposed to have a low dairy and egg diet,  but am willing to suffer some wheeziness for  a treat like the bacon and egg pie on occasion but I know better than to add an extra dairy item during these days as I don’t want things to get out of control.

The brownie has to be without doubt the best I have ever eaten. It was super chocolatey without being too terribly sweet which is no mean feat.

I of course  cheekily asked if the recipe might be available and my request was not surprisingly declined with a smile, but I’d go so far to say that I’d happily make a future trip back out here just for the chocolate brownie, it’s that  good.

We will be stopping here on future trips!  Dining here is really relaxed, the weather is perfect, we are sitting in the shade, the kids are playing on the machinery out the front and are posing for silly photos that I am taking of them from the table.

The icing on the cake is that we buy a few bottles of  Brew Moon beer to take home and share with beer-loving friends in the Netherlands. Perfect  lunch all round.

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

Lunch For the First Time in A Brew Moon…

Last time we were at Brew Moon it was either closed or we were on our way to a family appointment and didn’t have time to stop: http://kiwidutch.wordpress.com/2010/05/24/new-post-83/. This time is different, we are heading out to Amberly for the express purpose of going there for lunch.

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

The weather, in contrast to the high winds and rain still lingering in the North Island, is bight and sunny, clear and exceedingly warm.

We go inside and find that there are three sitting areas, first in the main part of the building, by the café and bar area: cool and in deep shade the regular sitting area, which would also be cosy in winter because there’s a long burner in the corner.

Secondly, inside and to the right of the cafe is a partly covered sitting area… today it’s filling up fast with customers looking for a quiet place to have a coffee or dine and Himself and I judge that neither of our kids are doing particularly well in the “best behaviour” department  today so we decide to take ourselves as far away from the other patrons as possible, and sit in the third sitting area:  tables outside under the verrandar at the front of the building.

It’s one thing for the kids to inflict their ill humour on us, it’s a completely different thing if  complete strangers have to endure it too.

It turns out that our self imposed exile probably ends up being the best seat in the house…the kids wander off in an unrestrained moment and walk though the semi covered area… they return saying that it’s really hot there because there’s no breeze, where as we have the shade, a nice view of the coming and goings, stuff of the kids to play on out the front and a few puffs of wind on occasion to take the edge of the shimmering heat.

The food in the cabinet looks great so after we order lunch, we  take a look around and then head for a leisurely sit at our table in the shade.

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

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Seeking and Finding Hine’s…

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

The eatery we have been recommended to find in Kaikoura is  ”Hine’s Fish and Chips”.

My Aunt tells me that they have enjoyed the reputation of being the best fish and chips in the area for decades from both locals and visitors and that in the past  a few international food writers have featured it in their magazines and books.

Although the signs on the top of the building  and items inside still pertain to Hines’s, after talking to the man who is serving our meal I found out that the place has been under new management for a good few years now.

I cheekily ask if there is any hope of getting their fantastic and famous batter recipe for their fish, and with a grin and a laugh the man politely refuses.

It was a long shot but I figure that if you don’t ask, you will never get anything in life so even though in reality I never expected him to say  ”yes”,  it was worth a try.

The man who takes our order and serves us is really friendly and I’ve already got a very good impression of the place: any restaurant that warns customers that their order may take a little extra time because they are making your meal from scratch is definitely well worth frequenting.

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

As usual whenever I’m reviewing  an eatery, I ask if they have a business card. Unfortunately they don’t have, and since we started at the wrong end of the shops and it took a bit of searching, I’ve added a photo that I took from a tourist brochure and added an arrow to mark roughly were Hine’s is located, should anyone who reads this ever wish to visit.

Since we are forewarned about the waiting time for our meal, Himself, the hitch-hiker guy we picked up outside Picton and who is our guest for lunch, and the kids are all busy looking around the main street whilst I sit and wait in the fish and chip shop.

We certainly weren’t disappointed with our lunch… we are (once again, we’ve been making a habit of this, this holiday) eating at an unconventional time since it’s three thirty in the afternoon (which also logically accounts for the ravenous appetites) and the fish and chips were one of the best I’ve ever tasted.

We will have no problems to return here on any future trips… Hine might not run this place any more but the quality of the product should ensure that the reputation of the place lives on.

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

The donations box for the local Rescue Helicopter…

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(photograph © Kiwidutch)

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(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

Restaurant Review: Getting Our Just Desserts… from Our Valentine!

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

Following yesterday’s post we are still in Valentine’s Buffet Restaurant in Petone,  which is in the Hutt Valley in the North Island of New Zealand.  One of the great things about a buffet menu is that the desserts also come buffet style.

There are of course a sampling of  ”the usual suspects” because tradition demands the presence of a Pavlova, Lolly Cake and ginger snaps… but we went here early in the New Year, there were still things like Christmas Mince pies too.

Personally I can’t see the attraction of stuffing what is essentially fruit cake mixture into a little pie, (why not just have a  piece of fruit cake?) and since I find fruit cake too heavy and overly rich it goes without saying that I never took a liking to Christmas Mince pies either.

Never mind, there is plenty to sample, like the soft ice cream  from the machine that pours into the cone (only  if you hold the cone in the right place Little Mr!!!!)

If you know six year old boys like I know my son,  eating the ice-cream was very much secondary to pushing the button in the machine so of course  there was the necessary rescue procedure involving extra dessert plates and for the kid… a change of clothes once we returned to our friend’s home as he indulged in his ever persistent  habit of wiping sticky fingers on his tee-shirt and pants.

We all indulge (too much as usual) but I manage to limit the damage a little at least by loading my plate with watermelon…  yum!!!

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

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Restaurant Review: Meet A Very Friendly Valentine!

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

We arrive at our friends place in Wainuiamata and as often is when in the company of really good friends, it’s like coming home.

It’s relaxing and everything that needs doing  just happens naturally because everyone chips in to help with whatever chore needs sorting at that moment.

There are plans to go out and about: places to see, things to do, but it all gets shelved because a massive storm passes over the area and the rain is lashing relentlessly at the windows.

Even the kids take one look outside and realise without persuasion that any prospect of a playground is not going to be fun today.

The weather gives us a certain amount of lethargy and since we are quite tired  it become a blob out and catch up day.

I intend sleeping for an hour in the afternoon and end up being woken three hours later with the news that everyone feels so relaxed and lazy that we are not going to transfer the planned BBQ into the garage to get out of the rain, but rather reservations have been made at a buffet restaurant down the road, just over the hill in Petone. The torrential rain is still pelting down so everyone scuttles inside as quickly as possible, I’m the slow one  bringing up the rear so the outside photos of the restaurant were taken quickly under the canopy.

Inside the manager who welcomed us was one of the friendliest we have met the whole trip… he immediately cracked jokes with the kids, greeted everyone with a cheerful grin and made us feel instantly welcome. We were a party of three families and needed several extra high-chairs for the babies and everything was bought over swiftly and nothing was a hassle.

In contrast with the Sequoia buffet restaurant in Christchurch,  I was more than welcome to take photographs  (I of course assured them I would do my absolute best not to get in the way of other patrons) and if there was anything we needed then we were just to ask.  The kids got a balloon each, tied to a stick and when one burst,  another one was produced before the tears had time to reach the kids cheeks.

Service? Brilliant.  Of the food… it’s quite differently arranged from the south island Sequoia, as is usual in this kind of establishment it’s crowd-pleaser food,  there’s more seafood here and the salads are less, but everyone finds something to delight so we all eat well and one thing remains the same: we all eat far more dessert than we intend to. (Buffet dining hazard it seems!) First let’s take a look at the main course choices…

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

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Tram Station Café: Great Food, the Egg and Bacon Pie is Recommended!

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

You are flicking though the pages of my retro tour of New Zealand:   you know me, …can’t let any detail slip by, so the pages of this trip have bulked up with all the sights, sounds, and tastes of our trip.  Luckily it’s all electronic because if this were all on paper a small rainforest would be suffering.

Speaking of tastes… Most of  family Kiwidutch are now experiencing stomach rumbles so we look around or lunch.

Actually it doesn’t take long because whilst I was dawdling at the back, bewitched by the amazing artworks, Himself and the kids had found the café on the other side of the courtyard from the entrance of  Foxton’s windmill and made themselves comfortable sorting out their menu choices.

It’s called the Tram Station Café and the food looks excellent.

My slice of bacon and egg pie looks (and tastes)  amazing and the kids demolish their toasted sandwiches. Most members of my family are fully trained by now in the gentle art of “you may eat as soon as your food has been photographed by your demented Foodie Mama for her Blog”, but on this occasion Little Mr. lacks both willpower and motivation to keep his grubby little paws off his toasted sandwich during the photography session.

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(Sigh) Yes, his hands are still that dirty after  the hand wash! I suppose it’s testament to his immune system that he’s so very rarely sick.

As a concession in obtaining at least half a photo, I agree to take a photo of a very curly piece of dried grass that he’s taken a shine to and declared that it is “ so beautiful that he wants to keep it  forever!”

Unluckily for him it got sucked out of the van in a good gust of wind when we stopped down a coast at a beach a little while later and his love for it can’t have run too deep because he didn’t even mourn it’s loss for a single second.

Himself opts for coffee only,  since he stocked up on the bacon and eggs back in Wanganui at breakfast time.

The weather might look overcast and dull but don’t be deceived , it’s a very hot day today and we decide to eat al fresco  under a parasol at one of the outdoor tables. There are just enough puffs of wind to make it perfectly comfortable.  Let’s dine!

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

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Beer, Pies, Coffee and the Longest Chip We’ve Ever Seen…

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

We are just north of Urenui, on the east coast of  New Zealand’s North Island and visiting the White Cliff Estate organic brewery, a.k.a. Brewery Mike’s.

Lunch has just arrived and whilst fries are not healthy, they and the pies are welcome on a hot day after our car journey.

Himself washes his food down with a beer and pronounces it very favourable indeed but the one for the road is definitely a coffee.

Kiwi Daughter scores the longest French fry we have ever seen, she holds it up to her face and it reaches from her forehead to just past her chin.

I then get a series of photographs where she tips her head back and tries to swallow it whole like she’s eating a Dutch pickled herring. I’ve deleted her face from one of the photos to give you and idea of  how long it was, the top is by her forehead and the bottom reaches past her chin. That must have been one massive potato!

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

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(photograph © Kiwidutch)

Stopping in at Mike’s for a Brew….

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

An easy drive down the coast near the small town of  Urenui,  Himself suddenly spies a large sign on the roof of a building that says “brewery” and as the beer drinker in the family he’s suddenly finding himself very interested in a break from the road, a hearty lunch accompanied… possibly, very strangely coincidently…. by a beer.

We have stumbled upon Brewery Mike’s White Cliff Estate organic brewery…

We pull in to find an old hall that”s been converted into a  beer shop and café, a massive deck has been built out the front and it’s been covered with a sail-like canopy so there is ample shade, excellent for a scorching day like today.

The kids want to run round on the large lawn at the front but after a few circuits and a quick investigation of the outer edges they decide it’s just too hot and come and flop at the table with a cold drink and waiting for the food to arrive.

We place our orders and take a look around…

(photograph © Kiwidutch)

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(photograph © Kiwidutch)