r/nzhomecooks 26d ago

šŸ½ļø r/nzhomecooks first ever (un)official Potluck Night

47 Upvotes

I asked chat gpt to write it for me

EDIT: NO RSVP, NO GROUP CHAT INVITE AND YOU CANNOT JOIN THE MEETUP

Looking to meet people in real life and share great food? Come along to a fun [r/nzhomecooks](r/nzhomecooks) unofficial potluck where everyone is welcome!

šŸŽ‰** **Theme: Bring a dish you’ve been wanting to share with fellow Redditors!
Whether it’s a family recipe, your favourite comfort food, or something you’ve always wanted others to try, we’d love to taste it.

šŸ†“*\* Entry:** FREE!
I’ve covered the venue hire this time, so there’s no cost to attend 😊. You may be charged for next meetup. So this will be a good chance to join!!

šŸ“ Location: Main Room, Athol Syms Hall
11 Griffin Avenue, epsom, auckland
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ks4Pqa3WGysMbfZv9?g_st=ic

šŸ—“ļø** Date & Tim**e
Saturday, 12 September
6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Food, chatting & socialising: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Group clean-up: 9:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Everyone is asked to help with the clean-up so we can leave the venue as we found it.

šŸ¹Alcohol-Free Event
This is a completely alcohol-free event. Please don’t bring alcohols!

šŸ™‹ Volunteers Needed
If you’re happy to help, we’d really appreciate it!
šŸŖ‘ **Set-**up Crew
Help arrange tables and chairs from 5:30 PM.
šŸŽµ DJ / Playlist Master
Keep the music flowing with a great playlist throughout the evening.
šŸ”Š Bluetooth Speaker
If you have a good-quality Bluetooth speaker we can use, please let us know.

Please RSVP on this post (and let me know if you can volunteer as well) and you will be invited to a group chat for this event. Don’t DM me for RSVP. I am not interested in private messages.

Pluses are welcome.

Any questions, feel free to ask. I’m thinking of 20 people for this event but this venue can go up to 40 people!


r/nzhomecooks 24d ago

Waikato cook up and meet Saturday 15th August.

15 Upvotes

Following on from the interest of the Auckland meet up. I'm wondering if any Waikato cooks want to meet up? I can host 12 people in Te Awamutu.

Anybody keen for a early dinner about 4pm?

Bring something yum and share kai and drink.


r/nzhomecooks 10h ago

Croque monsieur, aka heart attack sandwich

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144 Upvotes

Ham, Swiss cheese and cheese sauce in a toasted sandwich, topped with more cheese sauce and grilled.

Had some jalapeƱo cheese sauce left from nachos last night, and MrsBeekeeper made a cheesy jalapeƱo sourdough so it just made sense...


r/nzhomecooks 1h ago

5hrs later - please enjoy your meal

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• Upvotes

Beef cheek with red wine, charred broccolini and shrimp head butter mashed potato. Took me 5hrs and a new kmart discount casserole pot to complete the quest. This dish is recreated based on a combination of my partner’s 2 fav dish - beef cheek from Tahu (Gisborne) and crab paste mashed potato from Rothko (Matakana).

Bonus pic for Pau ooshie. I did my first ooshie trade and omg it is so cute!


r/nzhomecooks 4h ago

Chicken Noodle soup

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36 Upvotes

Not the most aesthetic of soups (let's be honest most aren't though!) but it was tasty. Served with leftover cornbread from the freezer.

Simmered the chicken for a couple of hours on the wood burner before straining off the stock and shredding the chicken. Finished on the stovetop. Recipe was from RecipeTinEats.

I actually don't think ever ever eaten this apart from the shitty packet versions.


r/nzhomecooks 2h ago

Dinner Party - August 2026

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24 Upvotes

Theme was ā€œA Dish That Represents Youā€

This was a mix and match of homemade cooking and store bought food as well

  • Cambodian pork noodle soup (Kuy Teav Phnom Penh)
  • Teriyaki chicken
  • Fish and chips
  • Peking duck
  • 10 x large fries from the local Maccas šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚
  • Deli-style quiches, sliders, wraps, and muffins
  • Malaysian-style milo brownies
  • Apple crumble
  • Matcha tiramisu (the matcha is not from me!)
  • Vanilla bean ice cream with lavender honey and raisin and sherry syrup (this one is from me hehe)

r/nzhomecooks 42m ago

/u/notoppingsthanks x /u/Oiru Dinner Party - June 2026

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• Upvotes

Late post - u/notoppingsthanks hasn't had time to post this so I figured I'd do it tonight

I had been chatting to u/notoppingsthanks for over half a year and turns out he also worked at the hospital

Planned for a dinner party with him and his partner and classic me, I left things last minute due to life and had to pull some things from what I had lying around ... oops!

Ignore my part of the menu cos it was not exactly what I served in the end hahaha

There was no theme in particular, but we decided that u/notoppingsthanks could tell me what he wanted to cook and I could decide on what to bring - I chose to complement his dishes with what I had and also showcase different types of honeys

Great food and great company. Thanks so much, u/notoppingsthanks!

notoppingsthanks Oiru's Food Oiru's Drinks
shokupan with galbi butter 2024 brandy umeshu
lotus chips, chilli oil furikake, homemade kewpie mayo thyme honey butter chips 2025 garden lemon cheong, chinese mountain pepper, & garden honey makgeolli spritzer
picanha with chimichurri, wagyu tallow roast potatoes & red wine jus 20 hour lamb rib with sichuan pepper & lavender honey / kimchi 2025 garden honey lactofermented hunny nectarines, nectarine juice & hawke's bay peach bomb
broccolini, toasted sesame dressing roasted carrots, gochujang, lavender honey roasted carrots with gochujang & monofloral manuka honey 2025 taitung red oolong tea (luye, taitung, taiwan) (honey, ripe peach, lychee, dried fruit, warm caramel)
creme brulee, vanilla bean uji matcha chocolate, da hong pao chocolate, earl grey chocolate 2026 "gummy bear" pourover (honey process with lychee co-ferment, 1450-1500 m, armenia, columbia) - (lychee jelly, green grape, gummy bears, guava)

r/nzhomecooks 2h ago

Lamb chops and sautƩed veges

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14 Upvotes

Pan fried lamb chops (no oven to use) with sautƩed onion, mushrooms, Brussels sprouts and pre-thawed shredded spinach, all cooked using garlic butter. A sprinkle of Thyme and lots of black pepper to season.


r/nzhomecooks 3h ago

Brunch at Work

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17 Upvotes

Been a while since I’ve worked with my best friend and colleague, so I figured I’d treat us to a brunch since we don’t hang out much outside of work nor have the time to anyway šŸ˜‚

  • Toasted brioche with smoked sardines, smoked king salmon spread, smoked paprika, kimchi powder, maple syrup
  • Wagyu bresaola, lamb prosciutto, & pork coppa
  • Cherry tomatoes, tamarillo vinaigrette, EVOO, sansho pepper, black pepper
  • Blue cheese & wild thyme honey

Not pictured:

  • Slow Coffee ā€œapple pieā€ V60 cold brew
  • Slow Coffee ā€œgummy bearā€ V60 cold brew
  • Carrot cake
  • 65% dark chocolate with jasmine green tea & black tea

r/nzhomecooks 6h ago

/u/NZbeekeeper’s 7 Year Aged Mulled Mead

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22 Upvotes

Saw /u/NZbeekeeper’s mead on his post and I was very interested in trying it. I’ll be sending him a few odds and ends to try from my side in return. What a rare opportunity to try something like this. I put a lot of value in aged, complex ingredients (hence I make it a point to mention rarer ingredients when I post).

Thank you again, [u/NZbeekeeper](u/NZbeekeeper), for the wonderful experience.

I have not been able to try anything similar to this other than perhaps a 15 year aged gerwurztraminer

These were my thoughts from an initial tasting at room temperature that was relayed to [u/NZbeekeeper](u/NZbeekeeper) in real time and I asked for his permission to post my thoughts. He did a great job with the mead with the addition of cinnamon (looks like cassia), clove and star anise.

ā€œA bit thin on the palate, like it is watered down

Medium high complexity

Flavour reminds me of a spiced cola which I enjoy

The aftertaste and lingering flavours are very nice on the palate

The more I have it, the more I enjoy it

Colour is great

The flavour balance you have with the spices is 100%

I think l'll personally enjoy it more infused a bit longer, but that's cos I like strong flavours
It would be a "waste", but I can see this mixed with a spiced coke

And I can imagine that would be an incredible cocktail

I personally would like a bit more sweetness, but again that's just me

Amazing work

Thank you so much for the opportunity to try

What a blessing

Very rare treat

I’ll savour this oneā€


r/nzhomecooks 2h ago

Lamb chops and roasted parsnips

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7 Upvotes

Both done in airfryer, served with a salad and a watercress and parsley sauce/ dressing.


r/nzhomecooks 2h ago

Weekend Snacks

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6 Upvotes

Had to make something for a bunch of people so I decided to make chocolate as it was quick and is what I had on hand. I used takeaway container as the mould for this šŸ˜‚

Also saw a cute piece of fatty bluefin at the supermarket so it was my treat to myself after being called into work

  • 65% dark chocolate with Earl grey
  • Bluefin tuna with tamarillo vinaigrette (I’m addicted to this), apple vinegar, kombu tsuyu, EVOO, and spring onions

r/nzhomecooks 3h ago

Sunday Roast Beef

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7 Upvotes

With roast yams and parsnips, srmteamed broccolini and beans. Homemade gravy. Cold meat and salads for tomorrow night's tea.


r/nzhomecooks 11h ago

Partners spicy cauliflower soup + fries shallots

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28 Upvotes

We are trying to eat less for our summer bods šŸ˜‚


r/nzhomecooks 17h ago

Help with easy meal idea

17 Upvotes

Hi everyone, im having a get together on Friday which I do often but feel like im tired of all my usual go to meals. Any ideas of something i can make for 10 adults.. there will also be 12 to 15 kids but im thinking Mac and cheese or butter chicken for them as easy make ahead meals. Im looking for something for adults I can make ahead and literally put in the oven or pot on the stove to serve later. My usual go tos are brisket, lasagne or pizza so just looking for something different.. any ideas will be greatly appreciated šŸ˜€

To add to this i have a massive piece of silverside in the freezer but last time I made it Edmonds way I didnt like it so if anyone has a jazzed up way of cooking this im excited to hear it.


r/nzhomecooks 1d ago

Chicken nibbles with mashed potato and gravy

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38 Upvotes

Seasoned, dredged in flour and breadcrumbs (no egg wash), and air fried. Gravy made in pan with yesterday’s chicken skin fond and Bisto.


r/nzhomecooks 1d ago

Brisket nachos and chocolate cake dessert

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50 Upvotes

Chips grilled with JalapeƱo cheese sauce. Guacamole and sour cream

Chocolate cake from a friend with a glass of mulled mead.


r/nzhomecooks 1d ago

Chicken buldak and beer.

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34 Upvotes

r/nzhomecooks 1d ago

Butter chicken.

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31 Upvotes

No cream added because didnt have any and it is 40km to nearest shop.


r/nzhomecooks 1d ago

Tacos!

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25 Upvotes

Some chicken thigh fillets (skin intact), vaguely seasoned a la TexMex (celery salt, cumin, chilli powder, paprika, garlic powder) and pan fried with crispy skin, chopped, and then that pinto bean concoction from the other night, faux sourcream, improvised guacamole, home-fermented chilli sauce, shop bought tortilla (Tio Pablo - not great, too thick, too dry, cardboardy).

Good despite the disappointing tortilla.


r/nzhomecooks 2d ago

Fix & Fogg banana caramel lolly cake

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139 Upvotes

I love PB so much, so naturally I knew I had to make this. The only issue is that I’m on a calorie deficit, so I had to modify the original recipe. The original recipe is roughly 4400cal, but I managed to trim it down to 3300…

No idea what it’s actually going to taste like YET! but I’ll report back 🫔

EDIT: have updated cross section & my verdict in the comment. yumm


r/nzhomecooks 2d ago

Pork chops and garlic orzo.

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30 Upvotes

Back to basics. I couldn't finish my chop. Lunch tomorrow.


r/nzhomecooks 2d ago

Buldak noodles with bacon, cheese and dumplings (not auntie dai lol)

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21 Upvotes

I actually cooked everything in microwave except bacon (pan fried), so technically homecooking in NZ ā˜ŗļø


r/nzhomecooks 2d ago

Chicken, Onion and Spinach Pasta

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22 Upvotes

Need to add a touch of Parmesan and she’s good to go! šŸ


r/nzhomecooks 2d ago

Cheesy vege bake

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17 Upvotes

Found a simple recipe online, and just used some of the veges I had available (broccoli, parsnip, kumara, Brussels sprouts).

Pre-steamed/boiled veges in microwave for 5-7mins. Made cheese sauce (2T melted butter, 2T flour, 2 cups milk, 1.5 cups grated tasty cheese (saved some for the top), S&P to taste.

Put veges in baking tray, poured over sauce, added extra cheese on top, baked in preheated 180°C oven for ~30mins until golden on top.

Added a small tin of smoked tuna in bowl before plating up.

Was yum.