More from New Zealand

Ahhh, but they amuse...
       I'm having WAYYY too much fun with this.

Cured salmon and summer squash with mignonette and lemon agrumato.

Roast zucchini  stuffed with fresh walnuts, breadcrumbs, lemon and Parmesan.

Flakey pastry with leeks fondue, smoked moki and chives.

Button mushrooms braised in duck fat, then stuffed with leeks and spinach.

And in more substantial news,

Crayfish special-- Kaikoura, the closest town to the lodge, means "eat crayfish".  When in Rome...

Marlborough Salmon with risotto fritto and zucchini crema.

AND, I though I'd couple the sweet with the social.  Makes sense to me!

SO MUCH FUN with a single batch of brioche dough... 

Rolled into buns with toasted almond custard and brandy-plumped currants.

And chocolate.  And scones.  And the banana bread you can't see.  And, and, and...

       The day before yesterday, we closed the lodge for the day to move from the main kitchen and dining room into the much smaller lodge kitchen and dining room.  We, the staff, took the opportunity to team build and spend some time together just enjoying ourselves.  We worked hard all day schlepping and cleaning and organizing (and decorating!!), and the end result was just so beautiful.  The lodge kitchen feels like cooking in a lovely country home.  And while I do admittedly miss the pro burners (how long could it possibly take to bring up a blanching pot?  Some prep I still elect to do in the big kitchen), I love the cozy, pretty space.  Then we disbanded to pretty up, and got back together for a beautiful dinner party in the lodge.  

The community table in the lodge.

Isn't it beautiful?!

Well-deserved relaxation, and lots of delicious food and wine.  I was so busy enjoying the food, I didn't photograph it!