What Mr.Rogers Taught Me…
These are the people in your neighbourhood, in your neighbourhood, in your nay-bore-hood…(Now I won’t be the only one with that theme song stuck in my head!)
The past couple weeks have been a whirlwind as I jump right into exploring the food culture here in the Bay of Plenty– and there is a lot to explore!
I have been blown away by how tight knit the food community is here and the diversity of what is being produced so close to my doorstop! Every person I connect with points me in the direction of a great bakery I need to check out, who’s farm I should absolutely visit, or tells me which market has the best produce.
I don’t even know what to tell you about first!
So I created a sampler – Every single item on this board came from a local supplier, either at the Tauranga Farmer’s Market or in Mt Maunganui.
- Eliza Blue
Mount Eliza Cheese – mounteliza.co.nz
While I enjoy this on my spinach & apple salad, more often than not I just savour chunks of it on it’s own.
- Manuka Smoked Sundried Tomatoes
Wholesmoked NZ Ltd. – wholesmoked.co.nz
John has devised a unique method of smoking. These sundried tomaotoes combined with the Kaitaia Fire salami nearly blew my mind.
- Capsicum & Apricot Dip (I’d call it a tapenade)
Country Dips – Find Brett & Tracey at the Tauranga Farmer’s Market
A must have for any cheese platter – The perfect blend of sweet & savoury.
I could eat this with a spoon… and when I say ‘could’ I mean I ‘did’ (don’t judge me).
- Kaitaia Fire Hot Smoked Salami
Lasco – Unit 7/22 Matai St. Mt Maunganui
07 572 5521
This heat rides with a lot of flavour – Made with pure NZ beef, gluten free and soy free.
While this isn’t available at the Farmer’s Market, you can find Lasco salami’s at a few local shops, such as Simplifood, or visit their Factory Shop (listed above).
- Duck Rillette
One Tasty Duck – Find Graeme (Head Chef at Harbourside Restaurant) at the Tauranga Farmer’s Market.
21 022 08356
I nearly did a little jig when I saw Graeme’s stall at the market. He isn’t lying - That is one tasty duck!
- Kaimai Red – Cellarman’s Limited Release, Mature Cheddar
Wholesmoked NZ Ltd. - wholesmoked.co.nz
This guy has got smoking down to an art.
And no self respecting platter would be complete without some fresh baked bread, straight from the bakery
- Flaveur – flaveur.co.nz
You can find Flaveur breads at both the Tauranga and Mt Maunganui Farmer’s Markets or visit their Factory Shop (which joy of joys is just 3 blocks from my flat!)
100 Mile Diet and Eat Local aren’t buzz words here… it’s just a way of life. I look forward to my early morning Saturday trips to the Tauranga Farmers Market (gotta get there before 9 to snag the good stuff), I have discovered the glory that is lamb bacon, and I have unashamedly had duck rillette for breakfast.
I’ve just scratched the surface of what my neighbourhood has to offer for foodies. There is so much to explore and I can’t wait to bring you more stories of what I find!
