CALONOTE · LIGHTER NEW ZEALAND HOME COOKING
Kiwi family favourites.Cooked lighter for an ordinary weeknight.
Cottage pie, lamb shanks and other familiar New Zealand dinners each get a dish-specific change built around local portions, ingredients and home cooking habits.
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110 recipes

Caramel Slice: a lighter New Zealand recipe with a clear doneness check
New Zealand Caramel Slice for eight: bake a shallow oat base, reduce date caramel until thick, and add a thin chocolate cap. The measured formula uses rolled oats, whole-wheat flour, dates, low-fat milk, and maple syrup; the reliable finish is three straight layers cut cleanly without caramel running. About 345 kcal per portion.
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Lolly Cake: a lighter New Zealand recipe with a clear doneness check
New Zealand Lolly Cake for eight: bind coarse biscuit pieces with a reduced date-milk mixture and roll a narrow coconut log. The measured formula uses wholegrain malt biscuits, fruit-flavoured marshmallows, dates, low-fat milk powder, and butter; the reliable finish is the slices hold with visible colourful pieces and no greasy film. About 345 kcal per portion.
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Chocolate Chip Biscuits: a lighter New Zealand recipe with a clear doneness check
New Zealand Chocolate Chip Biscuits for eight: chill equal dough scoops and bake until the edges set while the centres remain soft. The measured formula uses whole-wheat flour, rolled oats, dark chocolate chips, brown sugar, and eggs; the reliable finish is the chips stay distinct and the biscuit has a bronze rim. About 345 kcal per portion.
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Ginger Crunch: a lighter New Zealand recipe with a clear doneness check
New Zealand Ginger Crunch for eight: bake a thin oat base and spread a restrained ginger topping while the base is warm. The measured formula uses rolled oats, whole-wheat flour, ground ginger, butter, and maple syrup; the reliable finish is the base snaps cleanly and the top sets without a thick sugar layer. About 345 kcal per portion.
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Afghan Biscuits: a lighter New Zealand recipe with a clear doneness check
New Zealand Afghan Biscuits for eight: fold crushed cornflakes into cocoa dough and bake equal mounds before a thin chocolate-walnut top. The measured formula uses whole-wheat flour, cornflakes, cocoa, butter, and brown sugar; the reliable finish is the biscuit is crisp with visible flakes and no greasy edge. About 345 kcal per portion.
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Anzac Biscuits: a lighter New Zealand recipe with a clear doneness check
New Zealand Anzac Biscuits for eight: melt the syrup mixture, fold through dry ingredients, and flatten equal portions before baking. The measured formula uses rolled oats, whole-wheat flour, desiccated coconut, golden syrup, and brown sugar; the reliable finish is the edges are crisp bronze and the centres remain chewy. About 345 kcal per portion.
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Weet-Bix Slice: a lighter New Zealand recipe with a clear doneness check
New Zealand Weet-Bix Slice for eight: press a moist crumb thinly, bake until set, and spread only a narrow chocolate layer. The measured formula uses Weet-Bix, whole-wheat flour, cocoa, dates, and low-fat milk; the reliable finish is the base slices neatly and stays chewy rather than dusty. About 345 kcal per portion.
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Porridge: a lighter New Zealand recipe with a clear doneness check
New Zealand Porridge for eight: toast the oats, simmer gently, and rest covered before adding cool fruit. The measured formula uses rolled oats, low-fat milk, water, apple, and kiwifruit; the reliable finish is the grains stay visible in a creamy spoonable bowl. About 285 kcal per portion.
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Pikelets: a lighter New Zealand recipe with a clear doneness check
New Zealand Pikelets for eight: rest the thick batter and cook small spoonfuls on a barely oiled griddle, turning once bubbles hold. The measured formula uses whole-wheat flour, eggs, low-fat milk, Greek yoghurt, and baking powder; the reliable finish is the pikelets spring back with evenly browned faces. About 345 kcal per portion.
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Cheese Scones: a lighter New Zealand recipe with a clear doneness check
New Zealand Cheese Scones for eight: keep the dough cool, fold in measured cheese, and cut thick squares before a hot bake. The measured formula uses wholemeal flour, mature cheddar, low-fat milk, Greek yoghurt, and baking powder; the reliable finish is the scones rise in layers and the cheese forms dry golden flecks. About 345 kcal per portion.
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Potato-Topped Pie: reduce a lean mince-lentil filling and rake a thin milk-mashed potato cap before baking; the filling holds and the potato ridges are crisp gold
Potato-Topped Pie: reduce a lean mince-lentil filling and rake a thin milk-mashed potato cap before baking. lean beef mince, green lentils, mushrooms, carrots, peas. the filling holds and the potato ridges are crisp gold.. This measured New Zealand recipe serves eight at about 420 kcal per portion.
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Steak and Cheese Pie: braise browned steak until tender, reduce the gravy, and use cheese only beneath a single lid; beef is fork-tender and pastry is deep gold without grease
Steak and Cheese Pie: braise browned steak until tender, reduce the gravy, and use cheese only beneath a single lid. lean beef steak, mushrooms, onions, beef stock, mature cheddar. beef is fork-tender and pastry is deep gold without grease.. This measured New Zealand recipe serves eight at about 420 kcal per portion.
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Mince and Vegetable Pie: brown mince and mushrooms, cool a thick filling, and cover it with one thin pastry lid; the filling does not seep and the lid is crisp underneath
Mince and Vegetable Pie: brown mince and mushrooms, cool a thick filling, and cover it with one thin pastry lid. lean beef mince, mushrooms, carrots, peas, onions. the filling does not seep and the lid is crisp underneath.. This measured New Zealand recipe serves eight at about 420 kcal per portion.
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Poke Bowl with Salmon: cool seasoned rice fully and keep salmon chilled until the measured bowls are assembled; salmon is glossy and rice grains remain distinct
Poke Bowl with Salmon: cool seasoned rice fully and keep salmon chilled until the measured bowls are assembled. sushi-grade salmon, brown rice, edamame, cucumber, avocado. salmon is glossy and rice grains remain distinct.. This measured New Zealand recipe serves eight at about 420 kcal per portion.
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Chicken Salad: poach chicken gently, cool before slicing, and dress the leaves immediately before serving; chicken reaches 74 °C and remains juicy against crisp leaves
Chicken Salad: poach chicken gently, cool before slicing, and dress the leaves immediately before serving. skinless chicken breast, mixed leaves, cucumber, tomatoes, avocado. chicken reaches 74 °C and remains juicy against crisp leaves.. This measured New Zealand recipe serves eight at about 285 kcal per portion.
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Broccoli Salad: blanch broccoli for one minute, chill and dry it, then coat lightly with dressing; the florets are vivid green and still snap
Broccoli Salad: blanch broccoli for one minute, chill and dry it, then coat lightly with dressing. broccoli, red onion, apples, chickpeas, Greek yoghurt. the florets are vivid green and still snap.. This measured New Zealand recipe serves eight at about 285 kcal per portion.
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Coleslaw: draw moisture from cabbage briefly, squeeze dry, and add apple and seeds at serving; the slaw is crisp, bright, and dry at the bottom
Coleslaw: draw moisture from cabbage briefly, squeeze dry, and add apple and seeds at serving. green cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, apples, Greek yoghurt. the slaw is crisp, bright, and dry at the bottom.. This measured New Zealand recipe serves eight at about 285 kcal per portion.
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Potato Salad: steam the potatoes, season them warm, and add yoghurt and peas only when cool; the dressing clings and potatoes keep sharp edges
Potato Salad: steam the potatoes, season them warm, and add yoghurt and peas only when cool. waxy potatoes, peas, celery, spring onions, Greek yoghurt. the dressing clings and potatoes keep sharp edges.. This measured New Zealand recipe serves eight at about 285 kcal per portion.
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Kumara Salad: roast kumara cubes until browned, cool briefly, and coat with a lime-herb dressing; kumara has crisp corners and creamy centres
Kumara Salad: roast kumara cubes until browned, cool briefly, and coat with a lime-herb dressing. gold kumara, black beans, red peppers, spinach, Greek yoghurt. kumara has crisp corners and creamy centres.. This measured New Zealand recipe serves eight at about 285 kcal per portion.
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Roast Vegetable Salad: roast dry vegetables in one layer and combine them with leaves only after they stop steaming; browned vegetables hold their shape and rocket does not wilt
Roast Vegetable Salad: roast dry vegetables in one layer and combine them with leaves only after they stop steaming. pumpkin, courgettes, red peppers, chickpeas, rocket. browned vegetables hold their shape and rocket does not wilt.. This measured New Zealand recipe serves eight at about 285 kcal per portion.
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