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Thanks for visiting VJ cooks!

I hope you enjoy my website and find some inspiring recipes and ideas. I’m Vanya and I live in beautiful Taupo, New Zealand with my husband, two young sons and Golden Retriever.
I love cooking, baking, sharing recipes and of course eating.

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COUNTDOWN CORNER RECIPES

INSTAGRAM

vj_cooks

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I hosted a dinner party for my friends last Friday night, did you see the delicious food on my stories?
For the starter I used Silver Fern Farms Beef Eye Fillet steaks, cooked rare on the BBQ then thinly sliced. Layered on top of bruschetta with a sun-dried tomato and feta whip, basil, toasted walnuts and pesto. It was divine, the meat was so tender. This is a great way to make a quality cut of beef go a long way.
Then for the main I cooked Silver Fern Farms Grass-Feb Lamb Medallions on the BBQ and served them with some simple side salads and a red wine jus.
It's so nice to be able to make a delicious meal for my friends at home. The passion and pride shows through in the quality of the Silver Fern Farms meat.

#deliciousstartshere #sponsored

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Caramilk rocky road!
Need I say more....
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Recipe up now on my website 👩🏼‍💻
Link in bio 👉🏼 @vj_cooks
#caramilk #caramilkrockyroad

Ingredients kindly #gifted from @countdown_nz

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Have you guys seen the new Silver Fern Farms packaging?
It has lots of tips and tricks so you can cook the meat perfectly at home.
Silver Fern Farms meat is pasture-raised, grass-fed New Zealand beef, lamb and venison with no added hormones.
They focus on lean cuts, trimmed and ready to cook, so with just a few simple ingredients you will have a delicious meal every time.
#deliciousstartshere #sponsored

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📸Regram from @photobeforeweeat 👏🏼
My foodie friend Emma took this beautiful photo of my Banana choc chip loaf 🙌🏼 #sodelicious
Check out her IG for more inspo 😋
Find the recipe on my website or google VJ cooks Banana loaf 🙏🏼

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One of my all-time favourite flavour combos is dark chocolate and raspberries. This recipe for chocolate and raspberry skillet brownie is made in one bowl and only takes a few minutes to make.

Check out the recipe link in my bio👉🏼 @vj_cooks

#skilletbrownie #brownie #raspberrybrownie
Ingredients kindly #gifted from @countdown_nz

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Caramilk Mousse
Here is a new recipe for all of you Caramilk fans!
With only 4 ingredients it is super easy to make.

Check out the recipe link in my bio 👉🏼 @vj_cooks
Ingredients kindly gifted by Countdown Supermarkets 😊

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Roast vegetable & couscous salad

This delicious salad is a great meat-free meal, serve it as a side at a BBQ or perfect on Christmas Day.

Ready in: 45 minutes

1/2 butternut pumpkin, cubed
1/4 cauliflower, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 oxo cube, chicken flavour
1.5 cups boiling water
1 cup couscous
1/2 bag baby spinach
Handful of green beans, chopped & steamed
1 Spring onion, finely sliced
4 Tbsp slivered almonds, toasted

1. Coat butternut, cauliflower and carrot in olive oil then spread out on a oven tray. Bake at 200.C fanbake until cooked through approx 30 mins. Turn once during cooking.
2. In a bowl dissolve the oxo cube in boiling water, add the couscous, stir together then cover and sit for 10 minutes. Fluff couscous with fork.
3. To make the salad start with the warm couscous on the bottom then stir through baby spinach and beans. Scatter over the roasted vegetables then the spring onion and toasted almonds.
4. Serve dressed with avocado oil and balsamic glaze.

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🍪Pecan & choc chip oaty cookies🍪
DOUBLE TAP IF YOU LOVE COOKIES! ♥️
These ones are so epic and it makes a big batch if you want to freeze some for later🎈
New recipe up now on my website and also freezing instructions, link in bio 👉🏼 @vj_cooks
This recipe is super versatile you can make the base then add any nuts, chocolate or dried fruit you have in your pantry🥣
Remember to check out my hashtag #vjbakes for more baking inspo ✨

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Chicken satay roti rolls

Serves 4

Chicken:
500g boneless chicken thighs
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp ground garlic
1 tsp ground cumin
• Mix altogether and marinate in the fridge until ready to BBQ.

Satay sauce:
1/4 cup boiling water
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 Tbsp sweet chilli sauce
1.5 Tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp ground ginger
• Place boiling water and peanut butter in a mixing bowl and stir until smooth. Stir in sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce and ground ginger. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.

To serve:
1/2 bag asian slaw
1/2 cucumber, sliced
Spring onion, sliced
Coriander
8 roti, toasted

Method:
1. Cook the chicken on a hot barbecue or frypan until cooked through, let it rest for a few minutes and then slice in to 1 cm thick slices.
2. Toast roti in the toaster or in a dry frypan until crispy.
3. Serve roti stacked with satay sauce, slaw, cucumber, spring onion, coriander and BBQ chicken slices.
Note: If you can't find roti these would work well in wraps, bao buns or tortillas.

#chickenroti #homemadesataysauce #hawkerroll #chickensatay
Ingredients kindly #gifted from @countdown_nz apart from the roti which is from my local Asian specialty store.

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