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Forgettheflowers,showyourlovethis Valentine's Daywith thesehomemadetreats

Chaucer.

Itisalsothoughcchereason

r,,BY KIRASPUCYS-

TAHAR

Thecelebration of Valentine'sDay originaUybeganas

SaineValentine'sDay,a feastday in honour of theearlyChristian saints named ValentineorValentinus.It wasnoc until the highMiddle Ages thac thedaybecameassociated with romantic love,anotion which wasmadepopular throughthe works of English authorGeoffre;r

Valentine'sDay came cobe celebratedinthemiddleof Februarywasnotonlyto commemorate theanniversary ofValentine's death,butin an effortbythe Roman Catholic Church to'Christianise' thepagan celebration of Lupercalia,a festival dedicated to fertility.

Today,Valentine's Dayis marked across the world i.n variousincarnations. InJapan, women givechocolates to men, includingfemale office workers to their maleco-workers;lovers in Singaporearemostlikelycobe the biggestspenders accordingco

GE MoneyAsia; while according totheAmericanGreetingCard Association, around45 million Valentine'sDaycardsare sent across theUSeach year,the second largest number after Christmas cards.

So, with alittleheJp from che humblecookie cutter,whynot makeyourlover'sValentine's Day alittle more special this year. As authorAlan D.Wolfelt once wrote,"Foodis symbolicof love when wordsareinadequate."

Start with aromanticbreakfast of Love HeartCorn andCheddar Fritters. Delicioustopped with sour cream and tomaco salsa, thesefritters willmrn a simple brunchintoaValentine's treat.

"Valentine'sDay offers the perfectexcuse toindulge in delicious food and our recipe ideas are sure toleave even the toughest nut feelingsentimental," saidAmanda Menegazzo,Food CommunicationsManagerat DairyAustralia.

If you'relookingfor a decadent desserttoroundoffa romantic Valentine's Daydinnerthen these Chocolate Pots with Crushed CarameJPeanutPopcorn are perfect-both creamy and crunchy ineverybire.

So, roUupyoursleeves and turnyourgesmreofloveinto a delicious dish thisValentine's Day!

''Withalittlehelp fromthehumble cookiecutter,why notmakeyour lover'sValentine's Dayalittlemore specialthisyear

1 ½ cupsplainflour

½ cupcornflour

1 tspbakingpov,,,der saltandwhitepepper,totaste

2eggs

1 cupmilk

2cupscanned sweetcornkernels,drained

½ cupgratedcheddarcheese

3 spring onions,finelysliced oliveoil,forcooking

ForTomatoSalsa:

3 ripetomatoes,chopped

1 ripeavocado,chopped

1 spring onion,chopped

¼cuppickedparsleyleaves

1 tbspextra-virgin oliveoil

200gsourcreamornaturalyoghurt, forserving

Combineflour, cornflour, bakingpowder andseasoningsinabowl.Whiskeggsand milktogether,addtothedryingredientsand whisktocombine.Batterwillbethick.

Add corn,cheeseand spring onionstothe batterand stiruntiljustcombined.Mixture willbestiff.

Heatanon-stickfrypan with alittleoil.

Placelightlyoiled8cmheartshapedcuttersin frypanandspoon2heapedtablespoonsful of batterin each.Fryuntilgoldenbeforeturning overand repeating onotherside.Drainon absorbentpaper.

Combinetomatoes,avocado,springonion, parsleyand oil inabowl

Servefritterstopped withtomato salsaand agenerousdollopofsourcream.

30g butter

1 ½tbspcastersugar

3tsphoney

1 cupcookednatural popcorn

¼cuproughlychopped roasted peanuts

400g ChocolateMousse

Bringbutter,sugarand honey totheboilinaheavy-based saucepan, stirringuntilthe

''sugarhas dissolved Cook until mixtureisgoldenin colour. Removefromheatandstir inthepopcornand peanuts. Spread ontoabaking-paper linedtrayandallowtosetat roomtemperature.Roughly chop.

Sprinklehalfthepopcorninto individualglassesordishes andthentopwithchocolate mousseand remaining popcorn.

Wedgedbetween twoharbours, Waitemata, which spills into Hauraki Gulf ontheeastcoast,and Manukau,openingouttotbe dramatic black sandbeachesof the west coast,Auckland isknown astbeCity of Sailsforitssnmni.ng harbour dotted with thousandsof small recreationalboats.

A vibrant and culmrally diverse cityof 1.4 millioninhabitants,40 per cent werebo.rnoverseas, with many recentarrivalsfromIndia andAsia.

And while cheCricket,'.(!oriel Cup maybethe latest incentive to travelhere,Aucklandoffersmuch to discover with icssteep streets, friendly neighbourhoodsof neat timberhouses andboutiques and restaurants that highlight locally-madeproduceincluding excellentcraftbeerand wine.

Highlights

A visittoAucklandisn't complete without a trek uproatleastone of its53dormant volcanic peaks. ThemostpopularisMount Eden, thetallestat 182metres, with an impressive crateroffering 360-degreeviewsoverthecity andharbours,orOneTreeHill anotherpopular peak. Inthecity centre,tbeSky Tower, at 328 metres,provides panoramic views fromtheobservation deck.

Harbourand beaches

For aglimpseof NewZealand's stunningscenery,takea 35-minute fen-y rideacross roWaiheke lsland. Witb its rollinghills,100 white sandbeaches andstunning coastline, itisso visuallyinspiring that agrowingnumberof artists callithome, whilethe islandalsohosts30wineries. On the waythereyou'llpassby small islandsandbluewatersteeming with residentpodsof whales and dolphins. Birdenthusiasts won't bedisappointedas penguins, terns,shearwaters andpetrels are common.

You can alsocatch a ferry to Devonporton thecity's north shore,renowned for its beaches, quainttimberarchitecture, boutiques, arcgalleriesand restaurants.

Formoreseaside wonder,head fortheca.Im whitesandbeaches facing thePacific Ocean orthe wild, blacksand wildernessof theTasman Seawith pounding waves,broodingskies,dramatic cliffs,high ruggeddunesand native bushland. BethellsBeach, themostrenowned,is anhour's drive away.

Theheattof downtown Auckland centreson thewaterside pedestrian precinct of Viaduct Harbour,homeco theAmerica's Cup operations,aswell asto an abtrndanceof restaurants, hotels and bars.

Museumsandart galleries

Forthosewhoenjoymuseums thereis noshortage.The outstandingAucklandMuseum containsextensive displayson Maori and other Pacific Island cultures. Highlightsof the permanent collectioninclude tbe Maorigallery, which housesthe world'slargestcollectionof Maori ancestral treasures, including stone and woodcarvings,weaponsand animposingwar canoebuiltfor

Top:ShoppingatPauanesia, HighStreet;Above:Auck/and ArtGallery;ViaductHarbour

100 warriors. ThePacilicPathways exhibit offersanoutst.'l11ding collectionfromTonga,Fiji, Samoa,theCooklslands,Vanuatu, theSolomon IslandsandPapua NewGuinea. AMaorigroup welcomes visitors withtraditional songsanddanceincludingthe haka, anancient rongue-poki.ng, skin-slapping dance, traditionally usedroprepare awar party for battle.

TheAuckland ArtGallery housesmorethan l5,000works. High.lightsinclude 19'"century portraitsdepictingMaorileaders, many with exquisitetattoos. Tbemuseum'spermanent collectionalsoincludesworks by contemporaryKiwi artists. Afterwardsstrolltl1rough adjacent AlbertPark.

TheNewZealandrational

MaritimeMuseumpacks alot into its 14galleriesincluding Polynesian,vatercraft,Maori canoesandAmerica'sCup exhibits.

KellyTarlwn'sUnderwater

World includes 30live-animal exhibits and theworld's largest Antarcticpenguin colony display.

Shopping and Dining

Auckland's main street,Queen Street has banks,money changers,souvenirshops and thedepartment store,Smith andCaughey. Head for nearby HighStreet,where you'll find Pauanesia(35High Street)filled with quirkygifts;Chancery LaneandO'ConnellStreet,the trendyepicentreof a thriving cafeandfashion district, hosts internationallyrenownedNew Zealanddesignerssuchas Zambesi,KateSylvestorand KarenWalker.

To samplethebest of local cuisine,headfor nearbyDepot EateryandOysterBarwherethe accentison meatproduce.One of tbe most recognisablechefs of NewZealand cuisine,Al Brown's restaurantexcelsatofferingfish, lamb,duck,clams,veal, pork and fresh-shucked oysterswith a few vegetarian options.

On ParnellRoad in d1eelegant inner citysuburb of Parnell you'llfind cafes and upscale specialitystores,galleriesand antiquestoressuch as K.iwaArt (279Parnell Road).You canwalk therethrough AucklandDomain, asprawlingpark covering80 hectaresthroughwooded areas andexpansivegrassylawns.On weekends you'llfindtheParnell

Farmers'Marketwid1 stalls overflowingwith local produce includingseasonal fresh fruitand vegetables,fresh-baked artisan breadandpastries,fresh cheese andhome-madepreserves.

Myfavouriteinner city neighbourhoodis friendly

Ponsonby andthe main drag Ponsonby Road which islined wim cafes,bars, galleries and boutiques showcasingtalented local designers. Refuel with great coffeeac Allpress (266Ponsonby Road) andfor lnd.ianheadtoSaffron (31 Ponsonby Road). Forfunkyboutiques headfor meedgymoroughfareknown as K-Road, orKarangahape Road,whereyou'llfindIkoIko, meshelveslinedwith treasures, trinkets and Kiwi-kitschsuch as windup kiwi birdsandk.iwi-birdshaped cookie cutters. But perhaps Auckland's greatestdrawcard isits people. Unpretentiousand friendly,itis meonlyplacewhereIbaveever been greeted by asmilingcustoms official on arrival,notwid1 an officiousgruff look,butwith, "WelcomecoNewZealand. Iwish you anenjoyablestay."

GETTINGTHEREAr nesthatflytoAuckandincludeQantas,ArNewZeaand, Emirates,Jetstar,VrgnAustralaandLAN.

GETTING AROUNDTheArportislocated21kmsfromthecitycentre.Catchthe efficientArbuswthfrequentdepartures.Thecity swelservcedbypub etransportwththree convenentoopsforsightseeng.Vsitwww.at.co.nzorjointhehoponhopoffbuswww.exporerbus. co.nz.TogettoEdenPark,homeofAuckandcrcket catchatranfromBrtomarttoKngsand

SHOPPlNG Greatbuys ncludeoutdooradventuregear,qua tywoollens(someabendof mernoandpossumfur)anddesgnerclothng.

MORE INFORMATION VstNewZeaandToursm-www.newzeaand.com.au andAuckandToursm-www.auckandnz.com

ARIES March 21 - April 19

What a lovely, exciting month ahead for you!You will befeeling full ofenergy and readyto go for anything You will need to keep yourselffocussed and ready to tackle all the challenges ahead Your lovelife will be interesting as your emotions will befixed on someoneyou areveryfond of. You will bereadyforloveand romance ifyou aresingle. Thecardsareindicating a magnificent timeforyou aftermid-February

TAURUS April 20 - tv1ay 20

This month you arefeeling very happy and positive.You are getting things ticked offthe listyou made at the beginning oftheyear. You arefeeling very creative.You also havethoughts ofrelocating.At the beginning ofthe month you may find just the home you are lookingfor.The cards are indicating a time when you may have to watch how you speakto your boss, as miscommunication maytake place Apromotion is likely.

GEMINI May 21 - June 20

er, --'"WORD3

You Will bespending time withdosefriends.You Will bereceiving invitationsto events, parties and willtaketheopportunityto network. Someone you havemetrecently, possibly throughfriends or via an onlinesearch engine, mayhaveyou in knots.Theconnection will beverystrong andyou will decideto pursuethe possibilityof dating.Youmay go on a business trip.On the cards itis indicated that you may decidetofurther yourstudies

CANCER June 21 - July 20

This month you will have somebrilliant news about finances. There will besome pleasing newsaboutan applicationfor extra finances you are trying toget You will be looking at investments and you need to make some verycareful decisionsto get the bestrewards.The cards areindicating a wonderful time forcareer progression. You aremaking progress as your boss and colleagues will bespeaking highlyofyou. Takecareofyour teeth.

LEO July 21 - Aug 22

This month is a bright happy and month ofhuge revelations.You will befeeling at one with yourselfand thosearound you.You are learning toloveyourselfand acceptthings you cannot change. Relationships maybea little strained asyou and your partner need tocommunicate without getting your wires crossed.The cards are indicating a time when you may bethinkingofmovingtoanother town or country. Work is going smoothly.

VIRGO Aug 23 - Sep 22

This monthyou needtotake things easy.You have been stressed out oflate and maybea little overtired.Health is amajorconcern foryou this month, so taketimeto restand taketime out Workis busyand you needto makesureyoucompleteallyourprojects ontimeas you may not befeeling very motivated oflate.Thecards are Indicating that you needto becareful how you speak tocolleagues.

PREDICTIONS l=OR FEBRUARV�.JJ,,,;;;J'

ByNANCYJADEALTMEA

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22

It's asizzHng monthforyou intheromance department!You will be feeling loved and readyto love.Ifyou are attached, your love life willbe happy and peaceful. Friendswill bearound youthis month with advice and invitations.There will benewopportunities inyour career, where you maybeoffered moreresponsibility which will lead to an increasein finances.Thecardsare indicatingtimeofnew interests,agreattimeto join an new class

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21

It's avery powerful time foryour career. All the hard work and commitment you haveput in to yourjob is going to pay off There is good news about your performance. Familywill beimportant this month, as someone will not befeeling very well.They will need sometests and a change in theirdiet. Acarmaybe giving you trouble, so make sure you conduct all the usual tests Romance is blossoming

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21

This month you willbetryingtospend moretime with yourloved ones.Therehavebeentimesrecently when you havebeen busy with your work and travel.Therewill besuccessaround studies and achievements, you have worked veryhard to gain some qualificationsto furtheryour career prospects.Financesarelooking a lot betterand you arealsosaving money.Thecardsareindicating a timewhen you maybuya new car.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 19

Finances arethe main thing on your mind this month.You have been planning how to manageyour money and increaseyour wealth.There will be somegood newscomingyourway mid month, as things will beputbackin balance.Take care ofyour health the cards areindicating a timeofa newfitness and diet regimethatis overdue You have been feeling quitesluggish of late. You will be thinking of moving to anothercity.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - f=eb 18

Looks likethisisgoing to be a bumpermonthforyou, as your birthday ishere.There will besome positivedevelopments with your business and personal life.Privatework will begoing very well for you, and you will beincreasingyouroutput in a certain area.Your partner will besupportive caring and by your side. You will be planning a holidayfornext summer. You will behiring contractorstogetsomethings done in yourhome

PISCES f=eb 19 - tv1arch 20

This monthyou willbelookingattheentertainment sideoflife. Either you are goingto catch up with watching a lotofyourfavourite movies, oryou will bethinking ofmaking a movie. Finances will be a concern ofyours, but you will be budgeting sensiblyso you will be ableto sortthings out.No hasty decisions when you areout Take careofyourstomach area and cutout animalproducts.