• Crispy duck breasts with orange and red wine sauce

    Print

    Crispy duck breasts with orange and red wine sauce

    Nothing screams winter more than a crispy duck and here it is paired with a simple orange and red wine sauce enhanced with smoked paprika, to bring out the rich, warm flavours of the duck and lentils. The smokey, sweet orange flavours also compliment the Matawhero Malbec Merlot, with tonnes of rich berries and slight dry tannins.

    Course Main Course
    Servings 4 people

    Ingredients

    • 3-4 bay leaves
    • 1 cup green puy lentils
    • 200 g baby rainbow carrots
    • 8 brown flat mushrooms wiped clean
    • 2 tbsp olive oil
    • 500 g duck breast or duck legs

    Orange and red wine sauce

    • 3 oranges juice and zest
    • 1/2 cup Matawhero Malbec
    • 1 tsp smoked sweet paprika
    • 1 tbsp maple syrup
    • 2 cinnamon quills
    • To serve, fresh herbs like mint, dill, chervil or parsley

    Directions

    1. Heat a saucepan with 4 cups water until boiling and drop the bay leaves in it. Add the lentils and turn the heat down to medium. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Drain, drizzle with a little olive oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Keep warm and set aside.

    2. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Wash, trim and spread the carrots over a baking dish with the mushrooms. Season liberally with salt and freshly ground black pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Roast vegetables in oven for 20 minutes.

    3. Meanwhile, trim the duck breast of any extra fat, score the top of the skin with a sharp knife. Season with salt and pepper. Place the duck breast in an ovenproof frying pan that is cold. No oil is needed. Put it in skin side down. Turn the pan onto a medium to high heat and cook duck breast for approximately 9-10 minutes allowing the fat to render.

    4. Flip breast and cook for a further 4 minutes. Once browned, place into the oven for 10 minutes. When cooked remove and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

    5. Tip out the fat from the frying pan used to cook the duck leaving 1-2 tablespoons of juices in the pan. Add the orange juice, red wine, smoked paprika, maple syrup and cinnamon quills. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer, and allow the sauce to reduce to half. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remove the cinnamon quills before serving.

    6. Serve the duck breasts on top of the warm seasoned lentils, with the roasted carrots and mushrooms, and pour over plenty of the orange and red wine sauce. Garnish with fresh herbs.

  • Grande Angus meatballs with smokey tomato sauce

     

    Print

    Cooked in a large cast-iron pan or any sort of oven-proof dish, this makes a spectacular warming dish on a cold night or simply a delicious dinner to serve the family. Filled with grande beef and pork meatballs, this dish is made with smokey paprika, plenty of fresh herbs and bubbling tomato sauce. Serve with grilled smoked cheese over the top and a side of pasta. All the flavours in the dish work well with the robust, concentrated profiles of our lovely Matawhero Merlot.

    Course Main Course
    Servings 6

    Ingredients

    • 800 g Angus beef mince
    • 400 g free-range pork mince
    • 1 large onion peeled, finely diced
    • 4 cloves garlic crushed
    • 2 cups soft bread-crumbs
    • 1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs, parsley, thyme, oregano
    • 1 tsp each of salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 tsp mustard powder
    • 1 tsp smoked sweet paprika
    • 1 cup plain flour for dusting
    • 1/4 cup olive oil

    Smoked tomato sauce

    • 2 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 onion peeled, diced
    • 4 cloves garlic crushed
    • 400 g can chopped tomatoes in puree
    • 400 g condensed tomato soup
    • 1/2 cup Matawhero Merlot
    • 1 tbsp brown sugar
    • 1 tbsp smoked sweet paprika
    • 2 tbsp fresh chopped oregano and thyme leaves
    • 150 g vintage smoked cheddar or parmesan grated
    • thyme leaves
    • 400 g dried spaghetti

    Directions

    1. Mix together the beef and pork mince with the onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, herbs. Add the worcestershire sauce, mustard, sweet paprika and season to taste. Mix in well, using hands if necessary to combine all ingredients evenly.

    2. Take spoon lots of the mix and mold into golf-ball sized balls. Roll the balls in the flour, coating the whole surface. There should be about 26-28 meatballs.

    3. Heat a large cast-iron, or oven-proof frying pan with olive oil, on a medium-hot heat. Cook half of the meatballs in the frying pan, browning on all sides. Remove to a dish, and repeat with the second half of the meatballs.

    4. Once all the meatballs have been cooked, cover and set aside. Preheat oven to 200°C. Wipe out the large frying pan, removing any burnt flour.

    5. To make the smokey tomato sauce, place the frying pan back on a medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, with onion and garlic. Saute until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato soup, red wine and 1 cup water. Add the brown sugar, smoked paprika, fresh herbs and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

    6. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow to cook down for 10-15 minutes to thicken.

    7. Place the meatballs back into the frying pan, arranging close together, to fit them all in. Sprinkle the grated smoked cheese over the top and place the whole pan into the oven. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes, until cheese is bubbling and golden. Serve hot with fresh cooked spaghetti or fettucine pasta.

  • Pea and caper fritters with horseradish cream and Ahia Smoked Blue Moki

     

    Print

    Pea and caper fritters with horseradish cream and Ahia Smoked Blue Moki

    These canapes style fritters are perfect for summer entertaining

    Prep Time 20 minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes
    Servings 10

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups frozen or fresh peas
    • 1/4 cup capers chopped
    • 2 cups Savoy cabbage finely shredded
    • 4 spring onions finely sliced
    • 4 eggs separated
    • 3 tbsp corn flour
    • 2 tbsp rice flour
    • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
    • 200 g Ahai Smoked Blue Moki, Gemfish or Salmon
    • 2 tbsp horseradish
    • 1 cup creme fraiche
    • 1 tbsp chives
    • 1 tsp lemon zest

    To serve, Pomegranate arils, Pea tendrils, mint and basil leaves and Matawhero Pinot Rose 2019

    Directions

    1. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Grease a slice tin, and line with baking paper. Cook the peas in boiling water, until just tender, about 3 minutes. Drain, then plunge in cold water to stop cooking to preserve the colour. Prepare the capers, cabbage, and spring onions.

    2. Whisk the egg yolk with the flour, seasonings and mustard. Mix this into the prepared vegetables. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until light and foamy, not too stiff. Fold the egg whites into the vegetable mix, until just mixed in.

    3. Tip the vegetable and egg mix into the prepared tin and spread evenly. Bake in oven for 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool in the pan. When cold, slice into small pieces, or rounds. When cool, cut out round shapes 3-4 cm in diameter.

    4. Remove the Ahia Smoked fish from the fridge and remove the skin. Flake the fish, using a fork. Mix together the horseradish, chives, lemon zest and season to taste. Spoonful on top of each piece of fritter. Flakes of Ahia Smoked fish, pomegranate arils and sliced peas.

    5. Arrange on platter and serve with chilled Matawhero Pinot Rose.

  • Ahia smoked fish mousse

     

    Print

    Ahia smoked fish mousse

    Locally produced Ahia™ freshly smoked fish, from the people of Ngati Porou, are a
    melding of sustainably harvested, hot-smoked fish and natural ingredients. The perfect canapes for Summer entertaining.

    Course Perfect for entertaining
    Prep Time 10 minutes

    Ingredients

    • 200 grams Ahia freshly smoked fish (Blue Moki or Gemfish work well in this dish)
    • 2 tsp horseradish
    • 2 tbsp cream
    • 1 lemon juiced and zest
    • 1 spring onion chopped
    • 1/2 tsp cracked pepper

    Directions

    1. Place all the ingredience in a blender and blend until combined, but not smooth

    2. Serve on your choice of cracker, crostini or as a dip

    3. To make the dish extra special, top with additional pieces of flaked smoked fish, and garnish with fresh herbs

  • Pulled pork in brioche sliders with apple and spinach slaw

     

    Print

    Pulled pork in brioche sliders with apple and spinach slaw

    The crisp, aromatic flavours of the Matawhero Pinot Gris complement the tangy, smokey chilli flavours of the pulled pork, and the buttery rolls of brioche.

    Course Perfect for entertaining
    Servings 12

    Ingredients

    Pulled Pork

    • 2.5-3 kgs boneless NZ pork shoulder
    • 6 tbsp brown sugar
    • 3 tsp smoked paprika
    • 2 tsp ground black pepper
    • 2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
    • 1 tsp garlic powder
    • 1 tsp mustard powder
    • 2 onions peeled, quartered
    • 2 cups apple cider vinegar
    • 2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
    • 5 bay leaves
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup tonkatsu or BBQ sauce

    Brioche rolls

    • 250 grams butter gently melted
    • 500 mls milk
    • 1 tbsp dried yeast
    • 4 large eggs
    • 2 tbsp caster sugar
    • 1/2 tbsp salt
    • 850 grams high grade flour
    • 1 egg beaten with 2 tbsp cold milk
    • 1 tbsp poppy seeds

    Apple and spinach slaw

    • 1/2 green cabbage shredded
    • 6-8 spinach leaves washed, shredded
    • 3 spring onions finely sliced
    • 1 cup Italian parsley leaves roughly chopped
    • 3 green granny smith apples sliced thinly
    • 6 gherkin pickles sliced finely
    • 4 tbsp apple cider vinegar
    • 2 tbsp lemon juice
    • 1 tsp honey
    • 1 tsp fresh chopped basil
    • 1/2 tsp dry mustard powder
    • salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
    • 1/2 cup olive oil extra virgin

    Directions

    1. Combine brown sugar, salt, paprika, pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic
      powder, mustard powder and cayenne pepper in a bowl. Rub spice mixture over
      pork, covering all sides generously.

    2. Place pork shoulder in slow cooker. Add the onion, cider vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. Cook on low for 12 hours, or on high for 8 hours. Once cooked, remove the pork and shred with two forks, removing any bones and skin. Mix through your tonkatsu sauce.

    3. Keep the shredded pork warm, and divide between the brioche buns, top with apple slaw and garnish with fresh herbs.

    4. While the pork is cooking, prepare the brioche rolls. Mix together the melted butter and the milk and sprinkle over the dried yeast In a medium sized bowl. Cover, set aside and leave to stand in a warm place for a 10 minutes for the yeast to activate

    5. Whisk together the eggs, sugar and salt until the sugar has dissolved and the eggs are getting frothy in a large bowl. Add the butter, milk, and yeast mixture to the eggs, stir to combine. Pour over the flour. (The mixture will be wet, if too wet add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time.)

    6. Knead the mix together for 5 minutes, on a floured surface, until dough is elastic. Place bowl in a warm place, cover loosely and allow to double in size, otherwise cover and allow to prove overnight in the fridge.

    7. Brush two x 12 hole standard muffin tins lightly with oil to coat. Empty the dough from the bowl, knead lightly for 8 minutes until soft and elastic. Pinch off pieces of the dough and shape into balls about the size of a small orange. Place each ball into the holes of the tin.

    8. Preheat oven to 180°C (fan bake). Leave the tins in a warm place and to allow the dough to rise again. Check after about 20-30 minutes. Brush each bun with egg wash and sprinkle with poppy seeds. Bake in hot oven for 25 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

    9. To prepare the salad, Make the apple cider dressing by mixing together the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, basil, mustard in a glass jar or jug. Whisk together well before seasoning to taste and then whisking in the olive oil.

    10. Toss together the cabbage, spinach leaves, spring onions, parsley, apple, and gherkins in a large bowl. Add half of the dressing and toss well to coat the vegetables. Cover and chill until ready to use. Use the remaining dressing to coat the salad again, just before serving.

    11. Assemble each bun, slice the bun through the middle and top with a generous helping of pulled pork, top with apple and spinach slaw, and garnish with fresh herbs. Best served warm.

  • Pan fried Fish and Scallops with herb bean salad and Carta da Musica

    Print

    Pan fried Fish and Scallops with herb bean salad and Carta da Musica

    Fresh cooked snapper and scallops matched with Matawhero Sauvignon Blanc 2019. Flavour principles: citrus, herbs, seafood and creamy beans.

    Course Main Course
    Prep Time 30 minutes
    Servings 4 people

    Ingredients

    • 4 fresh snapper
    • 16

      scallops, trimmed (optional)

    • 300 g

      asparagus

    • 400 g

      can cannellini or haricot beans, drained

    • 400 g can borlotti beans
    • 200 g fresh or frozen board beans, blanched
    • 2 cups

      fresh herbs such as dill, chervil, basil, parsley, mint

    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 1 lemon juice

    Lemon caper dressing:

    • 1/4 cup

      extra virgin olive oil

    • 3

      tbsp

      lemon juice

    Carta Da Musica

    • 8 g

      fresh yeast

    • 1 tbsp

      olive oilolive oil

    Directions

    1. Preheat the oven to 250°C fan bake. Trim fish and scallops, dust with a little flour and set aside. 

    2. Make the carta da musica by placing 275ml water in a large bowl, add crumbled yeast and stir to dissolve. Add oil, fine semolina and ½ teaspoon salt then, using fingertips, stir until mixture forms a dough. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for 5 minutes or until smooth and elastic, then return to bowl, cover with a tea towel and leave for 5 minutes.

    3. While waiting, blanch broad beans in hot water, and remove inner kernel from pods, refresh in cold water. Drain canned beans. Trim and cut asparagus into bite size chunks. Steam for 2-3 minutes, and then refresh in ice cold water.

    4. Make the dressing, by mixing in a small blender the olive oil, lemon juice, cider vinegar, mustard, capers, anchovy and garlic and blend (or whisk together in a small bowl). Season to taste with freshly ground black pepper. Set aside.

    5. Repeat kneading the bread dough for another 5 minutes, then divide into 4. Cut each quarter into 5 pieces. Form each piece into a ball, then using a floured rolling pin, roll out on a lightly floured surface until 1mm thick and about 18cm round. Place a heavy-based oven tray or pizza stone in a preheated oven for about 15 minutes. Place dough on stone and bake, in batches, for about 3-4 minutes or until puffed and lightly golden. Carefully remove from oven and, using a sharp knife, pierce to release steam, then cut in half horizontally.

    6. Mix together the beans, asparagus and fresh herbs. Pour over half of the lemon and caper dressing. 

    7. Heat a heavy based frying pan with butter, and a squeeze of lemon juice over a medium heat. When the butter is bubbling place the snapper fillets in the pan. Cook each side for 1-2 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish. Remove and keeping the pan hot, fry the scallops for 1-2 minutes each side.

    8. Serve spoonfuls of the bean and asparagus salad on four plates and top with fresh cooked fish fillets and scallops. Spoon over remaining lemon and caper dressing over the fish, garnish with extra fresh herbs and lemon wedges to serve.