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    Home » Blog

    Blog

    Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

    September 12, 2016 By Laura 8 Comments

    Soft, pillowy and easy to make classic oatmeal raisin cookies. A hint of cinnamon makes these cookies irresistible especially with a glass of cold milk! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Soft, pillowy and easy to make classic oatmeal raisin cookies. A hint of cinnamon makes these cookies irresistible especially with a glass of cold milk! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Do you know what makes me feel better than almost anything? Sunny days! Especially sunny days over the weekend. We just had 2 of the most perfect spring days this weekend. We planted our summer seeds, played with Sage, ate outside and just soaked up as much of the sun as we could. It was magic. And to top it all off, we got to have baby snuggles with our adorable little niece who came to visit!

    And obviously, I baked cookies. Hi, my name is Laura and I have an addiction. Clearly I've got a bit of a thing going for cookies this year - classic chocolate chips, the chili chocolate version, Anzacs if your feeling patriotic or homemade oreos because you are a baking BOSS but I haven't shared with you guys my faaaaavourite "dunk it in a glass of milk while it's still warm" cookie recipe yet.

    And I also know I'm running the risk of offending about 50% of the population by telling you what it is because for some reason, some people seem to have a weird aversion to dried fruit in baking. Not me! It's the best recipe for oatmeal raisin cookies! YAY!...

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    Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

    September 8, 2016 By Laura 4 Comments

    Mozzarella stuffed meatballs - the perfect quick dinner or make them mini, stick them on toothpicks and serve as an appetizer with BBQ or marinara sauce! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Mozzarella stuffed meatballs - the perfect quick dinner or make them mini, stick them on toothpicks and serve as an appetizer with BBQ or marinara sauce!

    Mozzarella stuffed meatballs - the perfect quick dinner or make them mini, stick them on toothpicks and serve as an appetizer with BBQ or marinara sauce! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Today I have the perfect little treat that not only kills it at dinner time but also happens to double as the perfect little appetizer as soon as you stick a toothpick through them...mozzarella stuffed meatballs!

    Spaghetti & meatballs is one of our favourite meals. It's right up there with spaghetti bolognese in terms of quick & easy meals to throw together and is serious comfort food! And even though we're almost through comfort food season, this also falls into the category of "it's hot, I can't really be bothered cooking, what shall we have?" Perfect for lazy summer meals.

    Plus, if you wanna get super fancy on it you can make them mini and turn them into a party snack! Little dipping pots of BBQ or marinara sauce and you're looking at the plate that gets snapped up the fastest. Because nobody can resist mini meatballs - especially when they are filled with gooey melty mozzarella!...

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    Lemon Meringue Cupcakes

    September 5, 2016 By Laura 5 Comments

    Lemon Meringue Cupcakes - light lemon cupcakes, filled with lemon curd & topped with meringue. They're the perfect spring dessert | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Lemon Meringue Cupcakes - light lemon cupcakes, filled with lemon curd & topped with meringue. They're the perfect spring dessert!

    Lemon Meringue Cupcakes - light lemon cupcakes, filled with lemon curd & topped with meringue. They're the perfect spring dessert | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    I have theeeee BEST spring treat for you today...Lemon Meringue Cupcakes!

    Are you guys so excited it's spring? I can't wait to do all the things on my spring to-do list...you guys are doing it too right? 🙂 Obviously since the 1st of September it has been still cold and rainy but at least the days are a bit longer! We had our big community rugby/netball day this weekend which was so much fun but was a huge late night on Saturday so Sunday was spent snuggling on the couch watching movies and making the most of the inside weather before I can't bear to be anywhere other than outside!

    I've been wanting to make lemon meringue cupcakes for a while. Our chooks are laying lots of eggs, our lemon tree is laden and the sun is shining...well, it was for 5 minutes while I made these. What better time?! Plus they remind me of daisies so anything to do with flowers is automatically spring friendly!...

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    Spring To Do List

    September 1, 2016 By Laura 6 Comments

    Hey Southern Hemisphere dwellers, we made it...it's SPRING!!!

    We've made it through the short (but long) dark cold days of winter, the days are slowly starting to get longer, the sun actually has some heat in it and the chilly mornings are starting to become waaaay less frequent. This calls for massive celebration. Which means that it's time to write and execute an epic Spring To Do List!Spring To Do List - a fun list of activities to make the most of spring! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    I'm not sure about you guys, but I'm a big talker. As in, I am so guilty of saying "yea, great idea let's do that!" and then never getting around to it...you with me? And it's always about really fun things too! Like horse riding, or going on a picnic or having a girls beach weekend. All things that I really want to do but then life gets in the way and all of a sudden you are through another week/month/year and you haven't done any of those new and exciting things. It's super frustrating.

    Let's change it. It's time for the Spring To-Do List! Here's how it works. This is my list of things that I really want to do this spring. And I'm going to be accountable! I'm going to come back in and tick them off as I do them so you guys can keep checking in on me.

    And I want you to do fun spring things too! Use my list, or write your own. And let me know how you go!  I want you to share your fun spring activities with me. Taking more photos is one of the things on my list, so take some snaps of what you are doing, share them on Facebook or Instagram and tag them #kcgspringlist, send me an email, or leave a comment with something that you want to do this spring. We'll do it together! Plus, because I think you guys are awesome, I've created little printables for you at the bottom of the post - my list and a blank list for you to write your own!...

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    No Bake Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Bars

    August 29, 2016 By Laura 6 Comments

    My all time favourite, easy to make dessert - no bake peanut butter cup cheesecake bars. The perfect make ahead dessert for anyone who loves peanut butter! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    My all time favourite, easy to make dessert - no bake peanut butter cup cheesecake bars with an oreo crust. The perfect make ahead dessert for anyone who loves Reese's or peanut butter! Drizzle with chocolate sauce and it's even better!

    My all time favourite, easy to make dessert - no bake peanut butter cup cheesecake bars. The perfect make ahead dessert for anyone who loves peanut butter! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    To give you an idea of how extremely excited I am about these no bake peanut butter cup cheesecake bars, let's take a little trip down blog memory lane. I’m not sure if you guys knew this, but peanut butter & chocolate is kind of my thing...maybe these homemade peanut butter cups, these truffles & the best bars kind of hinted at it, but in case you missed them, now you know.

    The thing that always gets me is that Josh eats peanut butter on toast by the truckload but will not, not even with a 10 foot pole touch anything involving peanut butter without the aforementioned toast. I am the total opposite. Maybe once I year I’ll suddenly need a PB toast fix but I can’t get enough of the peanut butter/chocolate combination. I brought back peanut butter M&M's and Reese's Pieces from our trip as well as eating my weight in them while we were there. Not to mention the ridiculous peanut butter cup Blizzards from DQ. Where are you now Dairy Queen!?!

    Which leads to a big problem....

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    July in photos

    August 25, 2016 By Laura 4 Comments

    July in photos - a snapshot of farm life in July | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Whoops...haven't done a life update in a while! May anyone? Obviously June was taken up by our epic honeymoon adventure - more on that once I've actually looked through and sorted the hundreds of photos we took, so let's skip to July in photos!

    July was probably the wettest month we've had. Ever. It pretty much rained non stop.

    Pretty much everyday looked like this.July in photos - a snapshot of farm life in July | thekiwicountrygirl.com...

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    Spicy Chicken & Sausage Gumbo

    August 22, 2016 By Laura 11 Comments

    Inspired by my favourite New Orleans dish, this is my take on spicy chicken & sausage gumbo! Easy to make and full of flavour! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Inspired by the authentic New Orleans dish, this is my take on spicy chicken & sausage gumbo! Easy to make and full of cajun spice flavours, this easy weeknight meal will be a new favourite!

    Inspired by my favourite New Orleans dish, this is my take on spicy chicken & sausage gumbo! Easy to make and full of flavour! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Our honeymoon to the Southern US in June was pretty much centered around farms and food. But mostly food. Especially once we got to New Orleans. Our whole 3 days was planned around where we would eat...it was a good time! Josh was pretty much dragged around the city on a never ending hunt for delicious food, which I'm sure was really hard for him...ha! I had a food bucket list of things I needed to eat. Beignets, pecan pie, fried chicken & waffles, gumbo. All the New Orleans classics. And we ticked every single one off the list!

    One of the nights we were there we went to a little place called Coop's Place. They had a really good looking menu including a taste plate which gave you a little bit of everything - fried chicken (Josh's favourite), rabbit & sausage jambalaya, red beans & rice, shrimp creole & seafood gumbo. OMG. It was all incredible. The flavours were out of control - there was heat, but only enough to help it pack a punch without leaving you sweating. So obviously once we got home, New Orleans cooking had to be on the menu, and chicken & sausage gumbo was up first!...

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    One Pot Classic Fudgy Brownies

    August 18, 2016 By Laura 20 Comments

    The absolute best made from scratch brownie recipe - double chocolate, super fudgy, crackly on top and ready in 40 minutes using only 1 pot! Homemade brownies have never tasted so good!

    The ultimate classic fudgy brownie recipe - double chocolate, super fudgy, crackly on top and ready in 40 minutes using only 1 pot! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    So, Sage is scared of kittens. Our big, boisterous black labrador teenage puppy who has a bark that would frighten off any intruder is terrified of Josh's mums teeny tiny kitten. I was over at their house last night and Sage was a whimpering mess. They would eye each other up, and then the kitten would come running at Sage (which was hilarious) and Sage would go running to hide behind Josh's dad. We were actually in hysterics. If only our chickens would fight back like that!

    Anyway, brownie. Or more specifically the best, one pot ultimate chewy classic fudgy brownie!

    Brownies come in all shapes and forms but if I'm going to eat a brownie I want it to be really decadent. I want it to be rich and chocolately, not cakey at all and super fudgy. Substandard brownies are not something I want to know about. That's why today, I bring you the ultimate classic fudgy brownie, and the best brownie that's ever come out of my kitchen....

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    Garlic, Herb & Parmesan Fried Potatoes

    August 15, 2016 By Laura 6 Comments

    Garlic, herb & parmesan fried potatoes are the perfect side dish. They'll be your new "go-to" for potluck dinners, summer BBQ's and winter roasts! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Garlic, herb & parmesan fried potatoes are the perfect side dish. They'll be your new "go-to" for potluck dinners, summer BBQ's and winter roasts! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    This weekend got me all excited for summer. We had a little bit of actual sun peeping through the clouds (this is following about 8 weeks of non stop rain, bar 1 or 2 random days) and we finally put to use the wood fired pizza oven! I am so ready for it to be warm. I'm ready for lazy days sitting outside in shorts & singlets, drinking ice cold beer, watching Sage & Tilly run around and cooking delicious pizzas outdoors. Come on summer! There are only a couple more months of cold to go and then we are there.

    The idea of summer & eating outdoors got me thinking about the ever important and sometimes overlooked side dish. Dinners in our house are usually focused on the main attraction and often it's a last minute panic along the lines of "what am I going to serve with this!"

    Problem solved....

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    Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce

    August 12, 2016 By Laura 10 Comments

    Homemade hot fudge sauce - the perfect thing to feed your ice-cream addiction, even in the middle of winter! Made from ingredients you have in your pantry! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Homemade hot fudge sauce - the perfect thing to feed your ice-cream addiction, even in the middle of winter! Made from ingredients you have in your pantry!

    Homemade hot fudge sauce - the perfect thing to feed your ice-cream addiction, even in the middle of winter! Made from ingredients you have in your pantry! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Before we start talking about how 100% obsessed I am with a certain homemade hot fudge sauce at the moment, let's take a moment to reflect on something else amazing that has happened.

    A NEW HARRY POTTER BOOK!! Yep, the inner Harry Potter geek in me has finally surfaced for you guys all to see. When my mum brought the book in to work for me last week (yes, my mum is the best) I was so super excited that I couldn't even bear it. It's been 9 whole years since the last book! And I really like it. The second I opened it and started reading I instantly felt the need to go back and re-read the entire series, for like, the 100th time. I think I might. There are also feelings that I might get some kitchen inspiration along the lines of Butterbeer this weekend...you with me?...

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    Homemade Quick Oats {5 ways}

    August 8, 2016 By Laura 6 Comments

    Here is an easy, homemade alternative to processed store bought quick oats - homemade quick oats, with 5 delicious flavour combos! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Here is an easy, homemade alternative to processed store bought quick oats - homemade quick oats, with 5 delicious flavour combos!

    Here is an easy, homemade alternative to processed store bought quick oats - homemade quick oats, with 5 delicious flavour combos! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Hey breakfast lovers, I'm back. Let's take boring winter breakfasts to a new level. It's time for oatmeal to get a makeover! Side note: I feel like a naughty kiwi for calling it oatmeal instead of porridge but porridge is not a pretty word...it's just weird right? Oatmeal is much better!

    I am a breakfast bore. Seriously. I am so predictable. Summer = granola + yoghurt + summer berries. Winter = oatmeal with brown sugar and sometimes cinnamon if I'm feeling adventurous. What a rebel. There is no middle ground. I glide seamlessly from summer breakfast to winter breakfast and I'm not even sad about it. Weekends are a little different but weekdays are a routine lovers dream....

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    Our Wedding Day

    August 4, 2016 By Laura 6 Comments

    It's almost been 6 months since our wedding! I'm so excited to finally share some of my favourite photos with you from our magical day! And if you make it past the photos, 12 pieces of advice for planning a wedding.

    06.02.2016
    Whangamata, NZ

    Josh-Laura-2348The best day of my life is actually an understatement. There was rain and then sunshine, lots of yellow, pizza and ice-cream, so many good friends and family, cowboy boots, dancing, laughing, cupcakes, homemade decorations, yellow shoes, hilarious speeches, a kick ass band, noise control, bubbly, and a whole lotta love.

    It was the perfect day....

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    Chocolate Coconut Slice {aka chocolate fish slice!}

    August 1, 2016 By Laura 11 Comments

    This chocolate coconut slice is a family favourite in our house. It has a chocolate & coconut base and chocolate condensed milk topping, it's easy to make and only takes 30 minutes!

    This chocolate coconut slice is a family favourite in our house. It has a chocolate & coconut base and topping, it's easy to make and only takes 30 minutes | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Happy Monday everyone! How was your weekend?

    Ours involved a long overdue morning on the farm for me - feeding the cattle, looking at the teeny new baby lambs and making the most of a dry morning to get outside and breathe some fresh air! We also rearranged our laundry #adulting, took care of Sage who was spayed on Thursday..."limit exercise for 2 days"...um, have you met my psycho hyperactive labrador puppy? And we finally made the pizza oven that I bought Josh for his birthday in December! But then it was too windy and rainy to actually use it so now it's sitting in our spare room waiting for summer.

    And we ate so much delicious food. I'm usually a little consumed by making food specifically for the blog so I made a point this weekend to make delicious food for the whole purpose of just eating and enjoying it! We had fish tacos with all the fixings followed by outrageous salted caramel chocolate tarts with Josh's parents on Saturday night and I made attempt 1 to recreate the amazing gumbo we ate while in New Orleans. And everything was so good that I will have to share it all with you!...recipes coming soon!

    ...

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    The Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies (ever!)

    July 28, 2016 By Laura 30 Comments

    The actual best chewy chocolate chocolate chip cookies in the world ever. No mixer, no chilling, no fuss, just 20 minutes between you and cookie perfection! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    The best homemade chewy chocolate chip cookies! Basic ingredients, 1 bowl, no softened butter, no chilling, just 25 minutes between you and cookie perfection!

    The actual best chewy chocolate chocolate chip cookies in the world ever. No mixer, no chilling, no fuss, just 20 minutes between you and cookie perfection! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    So before we get into the recipe for the best chewy chocolate chip cookies ever I have a sad farm story for you. If you have a particular fondness for chickens you might want to skip ahead to the recipe.

    Our puppies ate one of our chickens.

    Well, they didn't really eat it but they got into the paddock and chased it and kind of mauled it. So it died.

    And I mean, it's not like I'm super attached to my chickens but this actually made me really sad. Which is weird considering the fact that we raise chickens to eat. But I think it's different. That is their lot in life from the start, whereas these girls we hatched ourselves and their whole purpose is to hang out in the paddock, laying eggs and just being happy chickens! Poor little thing, just minding her own business in her territory and then enter 2 crazy puppies and it's all over. And I'm not sure how I feel about the puppies right now - I know it's instinct but...just don't!

    Now our issue is what's going to happen when we try to teach Sage that she's supposed to retrieve ducks but can't touch the chickens? Where are my dog/chicken owners at? Has anyone dealt with this? Help please!

    Farm life....

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    Cold Fighting Citrus Green Smoothie

    July 25, 2016 By Laura 11 Comments

    Beat the winter ills & chills with this cold fighting citrus green smoothie - oranges, lemon, ginger, pineapple & spinach make a delicious healthy smoothie | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Beat the winter ills & chills with this cold fighting citrus green smoothie - oranges, lemon, ginger, pineapple & spinach make a delicious healthy smoothie.

    Beat the winter ills & chills with this cold fighting citrus green smoothie - oranges, lemon, ginger, pineapple & spinach make a delicious healthy smoothie | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Ok, I'm officially ready for winter to take a hike. It's probably only because we are having the wettest winter in ages! The ground is soggy, the animals are muddy and I am sick of having wet feet. Where are my frosty morning-turning into beautiful crisp winter days at??

    Also, I have a scratchy throat and sitting inside looking at the rain makes you start feeling a little bit sorry for yourself. 3 weeks ago it was summer!

    When I start feeling a bit under the weather I do everything I can to avoid taking cold & flu medicine...I have a super hippy dippy attitude towards stuff like that. Don't get me wrong, if it gets really bad I'll be popping pills all day but if I can stop it in it's tracks with a more natural remedy I am all for it....

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    Homemade Marinara Sauce

    July 21, 2016 By Laura 14 Comments

    Homemade marinara sauce - the easiest way to make dinner on a Sunday. Throw the ingredients in a pot and simmer away. Simple, delicious & versatile! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Homemade marinara sauce - the easiest way to make dinner on a Sunday. Throw the ingredients in a pot and simmer away. Simple, delicious & versatile!

    Homemade marinara sauce - the easiest way to make dinner on a Sunday. Throw the ingredients in a pot and simmer away. Simple, delicious & versatile! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Homemade marinara sauce aka the best sauce ever that you can put with eeeeeeeverything!! Spaghetti, in lasagne, enchiladas, on pizza,with meatballs to be served with the previously mentioned and smothered spaghetti or even put in a sub? Yes please to all of the above.

    This is Sunday cooking at it's best. Let the sauce simmer away on the stove filling your house with delicious smells making it out like you're in a small Italian village and this is what you do everyday because cooking is life. And so is this sauce....

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    Homemade French Vanilla Coffee Creamer

    July 18, 2016 By Laura 6 Comments

    Homemade French Vanilla Coffee Creamer - the best flavour of coffee creamer just got an easy homemade twist - 3 ingredients, 2 minutes - it's the most delicious cup of coffee ever! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Homemade French Vanilla Coffee Creamer - the best flavour of coffee creamer just got an easy homemade twist - 3 ingredients, 2 minutes - it's the most delicious cup of coffee ever!

    Homemade French Vanilla Coffee Creamer - the best flavour of coffee creamer just got an easy homemade twist - 3 ingredients, 2 minutes - it's the most delicious cup of coffee ever! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    If you are someone who is happy with just a splash of milk in your morning coffee, I am so sorry. Coffee will never be the same again. But if you are someone who loves a splash of coffee creamer - in particular French vanilla, you are in luck. Your favourite creamer just got made from scratch - it's homemade French vanilla coffee creamer!

    America has definitely got a lot to answer for. Not only am I sure I gained weight (I refuse to get on the scales!) I  have also come back with insatiable cravings for so many of the delicious things we ate over there.

    The first morning we were in the States we went down for our standard issue Holiday Inn complimentary breakfast and 2 awesome things happened. 1. They had a waffle maker aaaand the waffles were in the shape of Texas. Mind. Blown. And 2. Sitting right next to the coffee machine were teeny little serves of French vanilla coffee creamer. I usually don't even put sugar in my coffee but these little packets of vanilla-y sweetness made that cup of coffee. Every morning after that I kept my eyes out and if the breakfast had it, I had it. No more boring milk in my coffee, it was sweet vanilla coffee all the time....

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    Pumpkin Week Recipe Round-Up

    July 15, 2016 By Laura 6 Comments

    So that we can make all the pumpkin things let's learn how to roast a whole pumpkin and make homemade pumpkin puree...with minimum fuss!

    What better way to end Pumpkin Week than with a round up of all of my favourite pumpkin recipes from around the internet...it's the first annual Pumpkin Week Recipe Round-Up!!

    Surely by now you must all agree with me that pumpkin is the best vegetable...right? 😉

    Before we make anything with pumpkins, we need to know how to prepare a whole pumpkin

    Classic pumpkin soup with a Thai inspired twist - Thai Spiced Pumpkin Soup! | thekiwicountrygirl.com...

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    Pumpkin Spice Granola

    July 13, 2016 By Laura 9 Comments

    Sweet, spicy and full of extra goodies this Pumpkin Spice Granola is autumn in a bowl! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Enjoy the flavours of fall at any time of year with this healthy homemade Pumpkin Spice Granola! It's super easy to make, full of flavour and extra goodies like pumpkin seeds, quinoa and cranberries...it's autumn in a bowl!

    Sweet, spicy and full of extra goodies this Pumpkin Spice Granola is autumn in a bowl! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    It's the return of homemade granola! I know how much y'all (yes, I came back from our USA trip speaking Southern) love your homemade granola - honey nut, mocha java, peanut butter & banana. Today I bring you the pumpkin version...pumpkin spice granola! Because duh, it's Pumpkin Week!!

    It's sweet, spicy and full of extra goodies - pumpkin seeds, crunchy quinoa and juicy cranberries. It's autumn in a bowl! Makes you just want to dive right into it and eat your way out through all the deliciousness right?! Just me? Ohhh k sorry.

    Also, in other completely non food related news, I sort of snapped the aerial off the top of my car yesterday when I was taking the cover off to stop my windscreen from frosting (winter's fault). Does this mean I can't listen to the radio anymore? No more getting over the top excited when my favourite song comes on and singing super loud to it even though I have it right there on my phone and can listen to it any time I want? Also, can I fix this? Or do I just get a whole new car? (kiiiinda angling for this option!) Help? Really though, Josh can probably fix it but I'm hoping if I get an army of "get a new car" behind me we may have a case... ;)...

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    Thai Spiced Pumpkin Soup

    July 12, 2016 By Laura 8 Comments

    Classic pumpkin soup with a Thai inspired twist - Thai Spiced Pumpkin Soup! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Easy and delicious, thick and creamy pumpkin soup with a spicy kick - Thai spiced pumpkin soup!

    Classic pumpkin soup with a Thai inspired twist - Thai Spiced Pumpkin Soup! | thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Pumpkin Week, Pumpkin Week, Pumpkin Week!

    Are you guys LOVING Pumpkin Week as much as I am? I mean I know it's only day 2, but so far so good right?

    I actually think this is something that's going to become annual...except will we maybe be more organised and actually have it in autumn next year so that we can appreciate the pumpkiness all winter long? Yes, I think so.

    But pumpkin soup...it's only just cold enough now to be thinking about soup and you know that I am in full blown denial about it getting cold until I can't feel my toes anymore, so autumn and soup don't really go together for me. But now that I've been thrown into the depths of winter and I have given in and started wearing closed in shoes to work I'm ready for soup. And what better way to kick off soup season that with Thai spiced pumpkin soup! That, and the fact that I have cute new bowls 1 bowl (it was expensive) that I have been dying to put something pretty into. Case closed....

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    How to roast a whole pumpkin (homemade pumpkin puree)

    July 11, 2016 By Laura 1 Comment

    So that we can make all the pumpkin things let's learn how to roast a whole pumpkin and make homemade pumpkin puree...with minimum fuss!

    Here is a simple step by step tutorial showing you how to roast a whole pumpkin and how to make pumpkin puree! Perfect for pies, breads, muffins and all of your autumn pumpkin recipes!

    So that we can make all the pumpkin things let's learn how to roast a whole pumpkin and make homemade pumpkin puree...with minimum fuss!

    Welcome to pumpkin week!! Yes, seriously. It's a week with ALLTHEPUMPKINTHINGS which is actually just me showcasing my love for my favourite vegetable!! I know it's more of an autumn/fall thing but we had such a mild autumn that I wasn't ready for cosy things before we went on our trip so now that we're back, and it's cold and we're ready to start getting excited about spicy smells and hot bowls of warming goodness, let's do pumpkin!

    But first, how was your weekend? I spent a pretty good part of mine snuggling our 6 week old niece. She could not be any cuter if she tried! We also spent a bit of time replanting our polytunnel vege garden...somebody's puppies got in there while we were away and had a bit of fun digging some holes...big ones! It's lucky they're so cute otherwise they would have been in big trouble!

    Ok, time for pumpkin! I know I'm only going to appeal to about 50% of people when I announce how firmly I sit in team "pumpkin is sweet & savoury". But really...pie - yes, granola - yes, muffins - yes, pumpkin cinnamon rolls? Yes. And then...roast pumpkin, pumpkin lasagne, pumpkin soup, pumpkin salad. Yes, yes, yes and yes. Pumpkin in everything.

    I had a conversation with a girl I work with the other day (hey Emma!) about how I think pumpkin is the most versatile vegetable in terms of how many different things it can go in - both sweet & savoury. She didn't think so and said she was going to come back to me when she had thought of a better one. I'm still waiting Emma, which means pumpkin wins.

    So if we're going to be making pumpkin everything, we need to know how to deal with these beauties. Because as pretty as they are, they can be kind of a pain to prepare. Giant pumpkin + small knife = big problem. And do you peel them? Boil, bake, roast? And then there are the seeds....gah!

    Chill out...we've got this. Let's learn how to roast a whole pumpkin and make pumpkin puree...with minimum fuss!...

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    Key Lime Pie Cheesecake Bars

    July 7, 2016 By Laura Leave a Comment

    Key lime pie cheesecake bars inspired by actual key lime pie - the're the perfect combination of sweet, tangy, summery & delicious! | Recipe at thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Key lime pie cheesecake bars inspired by actual key lime pie - the're the perfect combination of sweet, tangy, summery & delicious! | Recipe at thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Well, we've been back in the country for 3 days and I'm ready to go back on holiday. Take me baaaaaaack to summer! Not helping the situation, 1 workmate + majority of my family are currently en route to sunny spots around the globe. Major unwarranted jealousy happening right now.

    Lucky for us we have 2 puppies that were actually out of control, beside themselves excited to see us when we got home which totally made coming home worth it! Sage was so cute, she hung out with us all afternoon, we put her to bed and then the next morning when I went to let her off she got excited all over again...it was almost like she thought it may have been a dream that we were home, but then when she realised we were actually still there it was the best morning ever! Well, that's kind of what I imagine was happening in her head. You start thinking weird things when you become a puppy parent.

    Anywhoooo less of the puppy talk because, um yes this is a food blog, and more about dessert. Even though I am pretty sure that most of you are here to see pictures of these guys more than anything amiright?? 100% ok with that.

    So, key lime pie cheesecake bars. They are limey and cheesecakey and ultimately delicious buuuut technically speaking they aren't key limes....

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    4th of July Mini Greek Yoghurt Berry Tarts

    July 4, 2016 By Laura Leave a Comment

    Healthy, easy and delicious mini Greek yoghurt berry tarts - perfect for the 4th of July or just because!

    The perfect healthy treat or dessert for 4th of July - mini Greek yoghurt and berry tarts! A simple base, yoghurt filling and colourful berries on top!

    Healthy, easy and delicious mini Greek yoghurt berry tarts - perfect for the 4th of July or just because!

    Happy 4th of July!! I realise that this is completely irrelevant given the fact that we are in New Zealand and 4th of July means absolutely nothing to us buuuuut let's keep in mind a few things as we make these mini Greek yoghurt berry tarts.:

    1. 2 days ago, we WERE in the United States. I'm still in denial that we aren't there anymore

    2. We spent the last 3 weeks hearing ads, seeing displays and driving past hundreds of pop up fireworks stands in preparation for today

    3. I also spent the last 3 weeks eating as many blueberries and raspberries as I could get my hands on and even though we can't get fresh ones here at the moment, frozen is almost as good so I'm gonna keep eating them

    4. I have friends and family in the US who will be celebrating today so if we can celebrate with them from afar, why wouldn't we?!

    5. Um, these tarts are adorable - mini dessert > regular sized dessert

    So remembering all of that, and that we sometimes need a healthy little treat that feels super desserty, and that we are really feeling the summer berry vibes even though it's freezing cold here, and that these treats actually only take 15 minutes to make + a little chilling time...let's do it!...

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    Easy Banana Bread

    July 1, 2016 By Laura 21 Comments

    Classic easy banana bread recipe made in 1 bowl, and is ready to eat in 1 hour! | recipe at thekiwicountrygirl.com

    Classic easy banana bread recipe made in 1 bowl, and is ready to eat in 1 hour! It's delicious, easy home baking at it's finest!

    Classic easy banana bread recipe made in 1 bowl, and is ready to eat in 1 hour! | recipe at thekiwicountrygirl.com

    We are almost on our way home!! It's been 3 weeks exploring and eating our way through the Southern USA and I can't wait to tell you all about it. We've had the best time but we're both pretty excited to get home and see these cuties. And I know I'll regret this within 2 minutes of being back in the cold but I'm kinda excited to not be sweaty...it has been HOT here!! I'm also really looking forward to getting back in the kitchen and making a whole bunch of new recipes for you...I'm feeling super inspired by chocolate and peanut butter (no surprises! ????) wintery gumbo, coffee creamer, sweet pies and um...doughnuts...that may or may not be loaded with even more deliciousness. Feeling fat already? Me too! But until then, grab those ugly brown bananas that have been forgotten in your fruit bowl...we're making easy banana bread!

    This easy banana bread recipe is one of my current favourites. There are so many ways you can make banana bread fancy but when it comes down to it, sometimes it's the classics that stand the test of time, and this banana bread is one of those recipes.

    It's made in 1 bowl, and is ready to eat in 1 hour. I'm speaking your language right? All the busy/lazy people say heeeey! Me too....

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    Hi, I'm Laura!

    I live on a farm in rural New Zealand with my husband Josh, our kids Sadie, Macey & Finlay and our black lab Sage. We're all about simple & delicious, family friendly recipes that are made from scratch as well as tasty treats! Read More…

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