The icing on the cake in the savoury world, condiments, dips and dressings have a special way of elevating even the simplest meals.
Whether you’re looking to add a bold hit of flavour, brighten up a salad, or bring new life to leftovers, these recipes are here to add that finishing touch. Many of these ideas are inspired by seasonal gluts, herb trimmings and pantry basics. From zesty vinaigrettes and herb-packed sauces to rich chutneys, creamy dips and homemade spreads, these little additions can completely transform a dish. They’re also a clever way to use up odd ingredients and avoid waste, all while adding flavour and flair to your homemade cooking.
Some recipes are perfect for preserving and keeping on hand, while others are best made fresh in just a few minutes. Many can be customised to suit whatever is growing in your garden or lurking in the fridge.
Recipes are listed in A to Z order. If you’re after something based on a particular ingredient, use the TAG menu on the right of the page to filter your options.
Get inspired to drizzle, dip, dollop and dress your way to tastier meals.
10 Savoury Ways with Pumpkin
March 22, 2022
If you’ve already enjoyed it mashed and roasted – check out ten of my favourite other ways to enjoy pumpkin ...
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10 Ways to use Preserved Lemons
June 17, 2024
Preserved Lemons: the pantry staple you didn’t know you needed Bright, tangy, complex, and deeply aromatic, preserved lemons are a ...
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8 Easy Dressings and Vinaigrette Recipes
November 21, 2018
Get dressed for summer dining. Homemade dressings and vinaigrettes are easy to make and transform a salad in just minutes ...
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Almond & Parsley Pesto
December 22, 2013
Whether it’s the bold, leafy flat-leaf Italian parsley or the curly, decorative variety that’s filled your beds and planters, parsley ...
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Apricot & Avocado Mustard
January 15, 2019
Whether folded through a summer slaw, used as a dipping mustard for fresh vegetable tapas or dolloped on BBQ skewers, ...
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Beetroot Hummus
May 30, 2015
I had a double-take at some of my camera settings as the beetroot hummus was so crimson it almost looked ...
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Blueberry Vinegar & Vinaigrette
March 4, 2017
Once you have access to locally grown fruit in copious amounts and at grower’s prices it’s time to experiment with ...
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Broad Bean and Pea Dip
October 30, 2015
It may be the end of the broad bean season but I’m sure enjoying every last mouthful. So are my ...
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Broccoli Crumb
June 3, 2018
I really don’t have a burning desire to upload endless photos of my evening meal, believe me, but when I ...
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Caramelised Onion
September 27, 2018
Yum! With a few staple pantry ingredients, you’ll have whipped up a batch of Caramelised Onion in no time. Unlike ...
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Croutons & Crostini
May 17, 2016
I’ve been coveting stale bread like no tomorrow. NO ONE is to discard a single stale slice of anything in ...
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DIY Cottage Cheese
July 20, 2025
This cottage cheese recipe is incredibly simple and rewarding to make from scratch. If you’ve ever been curious about making ...
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DIY Ham Glaze
December 8, 2013
A traditional glazed ham is on most Kiwi Christmas Day menus. Rediscovering do-it-yourself glaze is best made from leftovers in ...
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Dry Kalette Pesto
June 13, 2015
You’re familiar with pesto of course and you’re slowly being introduced to the concept of Kalettes…so may I introduce you ...
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Fresh Mango Salsa
January 26, 2014
There is something very moreish about a freshly made Mango Salsa, complete with crunch in all the right places, kicking ...
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Green Garlic Vinaigrette
December 13, 2017
Green Grows the Garlic-o….I’ve had that tune in my head all day – but after some googling it’s ‘green grow ...
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Hey Presto: Basil Pesto
March 9, 2014
Sweet basil has the most intoxicating aroma – fresh, peppery, and slightly sweet. This was our first year growing it ...
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Home Infused Chilli Oil
February 9, 2014
With a healthy crop of chilli turning fiery red within a few weeks, I did wonder what to do with ...
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Homemade Blackberry Vinaigrette
December 29, 2013
A homemade vinaigrette – and this one uses a secret ingredient that’s likely already in your pantry. But what really ...
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Homemade Flavoured Salt
April 8, 2024
Once you’ve made a batch of Homemade Flavoured Salt you’ll not want to use ‘standard salt’ again! The beauty of ...
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Homemade Hummus
June 11, 2022
If you are a hummus fan, it’s always good to have a go-to recipe so you can make this delicious ...
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Homemade Mayonnaise
October 16, 2014
No longer will you need, or even want, to buy mayonnaise after trying this. I was genuinely delighted to rediscover ...
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Infused Rose Petal Sugar
December 14, 2015
Rose petals are deliciously fragrant, carry delicate flavours and have been used in cooking for hundreds of years. Dried and ...
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Make your own Mozzarella
April 23, 2016
I’ve spotted whole milk (full cream milk) before and wondered who would buy it given our fat conscious society – ...
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Moroccan Roast Carrot Dip
January 9, 2016
After having great success with a variety of home-made dips all generated from my vegetable patch, I feel ready to ...
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Persimmon Salsa
June 22, 2017
I am creating persimmon dishes faster than I can share them with you! If you have a persimmon tree in ...
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Roasted Pumpkin Seeds & Pumpkin Skin Crisps
July 7, 2017
Pumpkins Galore, but don’t waste the skins and seeds. Last season, not a single pumpkin seed was intentionally planted in ...
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Salvage Bread: Make your own breadcrumbs
April 28, 2016
Bread goes stale. Fact. Breadcrumbs bought from a supermarket could set you back $1.80-$6.00 depending how fancy. Fact. You get ...
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Savoury Skin-On Tomato Salsa
March 6, 2018
With an abundance of cherry tomatoes in my veggie patch there is nothing more daunting than the thought of having ...
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Smokey Tomato Sauce
February 21, 2022
If you need ANY more inspiration to plant untold tomato seedlings next season, this is one of them: my yet-to-be ...
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Smoky Bacon-esque Coconut Chips
June 21, 2018
This Smoky Bacon-esque Coconut Chip recipe is vegan, I am not. Why not however, enjoy some simple foods that simply ...
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Spiced Orange Sauce
July 30, 2017
Tasty with prawns or as a cooking glaze for delicious baby vegetables, my Spiced Orange Sauce certainly has kick! Now ...
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Spiced Plum Sauce
January 23, 2017
My Spiced Plum Sauce is cracking…if I may say so myself! My plum tree giv-ith, trice. Yep, my amazing plum ...
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Spinach & Ricotta Cob Loaf
September 16, 2018
Whether you are stepping ‘nibbles’ up a notch, or wanting to serve it as part of your main – a ...
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Summer Glazes
December 15, 2014
The summer season is a perfect excuse for balmy evening barbeques, healthy eating and light dishes. Not just for meat ...
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Sweet Chilli Sauce with Extras
June 5, 2023
Sweet Chilli Sauce goes with just about everything and, after a bumper chilli season, just as well! I always like ...
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