Island Baking Stories & Recipes

Sketches of wheat, flour mill and fried bread

The History of Māori Fried Bread (Parāoa Parai)

Where Māori fried bread came from: wheat, flour mills and marae kitchens in the 1800s, how it differs from rēwena, and why it still matters at the table.

The History of Māori Fried Bread (Parāoa Parai)

Where Māori fried bread came from: wheat, flour mills and marae kitchens in the 1800s, how it differs from rēwena, and why it still matters at the table.

Hand-drawn donut tools frame a clear title area

How to Shape Donuts at Home, With or Without a ...

Shape donuts at home with no cutter: use a glass and a bottle cap, or form rings by hand. Thickness, resting, proofing and frying tips included.

How to Shape Donuts at Home, With or Without a ...

Shape donuts at home with no cutter: use a glass and a bottle cap, or form rings by hand. Thickness, resting, proofing and frying tips included.

Hand-drawn donut and frying tools title card

Donuts Raw Inside? Why It Happens and How to Fi...

Donuts raw inside after frying? Learn the real causes (oil heat, proofing, size, crowding), how to check doneness and how to rescue a batch.

Donuts Raw Inside? Why It Happens and How to Fi...

Donuts raw inside after frying? Learn the real causes (oil heat, proofing, size, crowding), how to check doneness and how to rescue a batch.

Illustrated title card with frying cues

How to Check Oil Temperature Without a Thermometer

No thermometer? Four kitchen tests (wooden spoon, bread, popcorn, dough) tell you when frying oil is ready, plus the NZ safety steps to follow.

How to Check Oil Temperature Without a Thermometer

No thermometer? Four kitchen tests (wooden spoon, bread, popcorn, dough) tell you when frying oil is ready, plus the NZ safety steps to follow.

Illustrated title card with baking tools and donuts

Donut Dough Too Sticky? How to Fix It and Stop ...

Donut dough too sticky to handle? Learn why it happens, how to fix it without drowning it in flour, and how to check the dough is ready to rise and...

Donut Dough Too Sticky? How to Fix It and Stop ...

Donut dough too sticky to handle? Learn why it happens, how to fix it without drowning it in flour, and how to check the dough is ready to rise and...

Pencil sketch title card with fry bread

Parāoa Parai Recipe: Fluffy Fry Bread at Home

A step-by-step parāoa parai recipe for NZ kitchens: yeast and no-yeast doughs, oil temperature, resting, fixes, and a shortcut using a water-and-oil mix.

Parāoa Parai Recipe: Fluffy Fry Bread at Home

A step-by-step parāoa parai recipe for NZ kitchens: yeast and no-yeast doughs, oil temperature, resting, fixes, and a shortcut using a water-and-oil mix.

DONUT DRY MIXES FOR EVERY OCASSION