My lips remember New Zealand..

So..New Zealand. Just saying it, makes me yearn to be there again! I was there a month ago for a short jaunt to see a kiwi boy and eat some good food.  A good balance ay? Unfortunately, my camera battery died soon after and I had to resort to taking food pix on a camera phone.  I failed to plan ahead for power outlet differences between american and kiwi power sources.. I now know it is wise to invest in one at the airport for about $17.

I was greeted by cold weather and hearty food when I arrived.  I had several delicious, flaky yet also juicy mince pies.  It's basically like a pot pie but heaps better!  You can get them everywhere from the gas station to Border's cafe.  A simple mince and cheese with some tomato sauce (pretty close to our Heinz ketchup but sweeter) warms the body and soothes the tummy.  When we were grocery shopping I found a bottle of Tuimato sauce which was a hit.  Tui Brewery makes the tomato sauce with a little (2%) of their famous beer.  It's worth passing the ketchup and reaching for it instead.

 

Kiwi families are very health conscience.  Two of the families homes I got to visit each had an extensive garden with everything from fresh herbs, vegetables and fruit trees.  In the kitchen there was a huge platter filled with different fruits that the family nibbled on.  I tried the yellow kiwifruit that has been engineered to be more sweet and less bitter.  It was divine. It's so good cold and juicy.  I am now in love with kiwifruit. I didn't eat them growing up and I remember being confused in the lunch line as to how to eat them; all those seeds were intimidating!

We had a fancy dinner out or maybe I should say "up" in the Auckland Sky Tower above the city.  I chose lamb for my main entree but the duck souffle appetizer was so much more succulent.  The prices were reasonable though and the view was spectacular!