Recipes

Pikopiko Pesto

You’ll love the modern twist of this delicious spread, which is quick and easy to make. For times when fresh pikopiko ferns are hard to come by, use
the powdered form.  Here's a tip: Fresh pikopiko fiddlehead fern tips turn from green to brown if not stored properly, but using the pikopiko powder means the pesto lasts much longer in the fridge. Makes 115g and takes 10 minutes

115g sunflower seeds
2 tsp pikopiko powder
½ cup foodies extra virgin olive oil
pinch of foodies flaky sea salt

In a pan lightly toast the sunflower seeds in 1 teaspoon of the oil until slightly brown. Keep an eye on the pan as the seeds are notoriously quick to burn. Should this happen, toss the burnt seeds to the birds and start the process again.As soon as the seeds are done, remove them from the pan and set them aside.
Use a stick blender or mortar and pestle to blend the seeds,pikopiko powder and oil until the pesto reaches the consistency you prefer. 
Add seasoning to taste.

Serving ideas:
Pikopiko pesto is perfect with bread and crackers.
Try piling the pesto on top of grilled steak or pasta dishes for a dash of difference

Pikopiko Takakau, Fiddlehead Fern Bread

Pikopiko fern is used in this bread for its flavour, texture and great looks as a garnish. Once the pikopiko has been cooked and cooled, the bread is quick and easy to make and is fabulous paired with horopito hummus and pikopiko
pesto. Makes 8 pieces. Time: 45 minutes, plus 30 minutes to reconstitute
and cool dried pikopiko or cook and cool fresh pikopiko.

10 pikopiko fern tips
2 cups plain flour
2 tsp pikopiko fern powder
2 tsp baking powder
1-2 cups soda water

Preheat the oven to 200C
Roughly chop 2 pikopiko fronds. Reserve the other 8 fronds of garnishing.
Sift the pikopiko powder, flour baking and salt into a bowl and mix together.
Add chopped pikopiko to the dry ingredients and make a well in the centre.
Add soda water and gently mix the ingredients together. The key to this bread is keeping the dough soft and wet. Overworking can make the dough tough and the bread rock hard.
Lightly spray a fry pan, baking tray or sponge tin with oil.With wet hands, place the dough into the pan or tin and press down slightly to make the dough flat
and smooth.
Arrange the reserved pikopiko fronds on top of the dough by lightly pressing them into it the design of your choice.
Place the dough in the middle of the hot over and cook for 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes, remove the bread from the oven and lightly brush the top with your favourite oil or an egg wash. Place the bread back in the oven for another 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove the bread from the oven and test it by inserting a knife in the centre. If the knife comes out clean and no wet dough sticks to the knife, the bread
is cooked.
Take the bread out of the pan and wrap it in a clean, damp tea towel. Leave it to cool on a rack.

To serve:
Sprinkle foodies flaky sea salt on top of the bread after brushing
the loaf with egg wash in step 9.
Brushing the top of the bread with avocado or foodies extra virgin olive oil gives it a glorious green glaze.
The next day, split the bread, toast it under a grill and fill it with thin slices of lamb, aioli and fresh salad greens.

Horopito Hummus

This recipe is a short-cut version for all those times you are caught off guard and need a delicious dip in a flash. Don’t be fooled by its simplicity, you’ll love
the hot savoury, peppery horopito flavour. Makes 170g. Time -  Six minutes to prepare but best when refrigerated for 2-3 hours.

A good pinch of  foodies flaky sea salt
Horopito pepper
1 clove of garlic
2 teaspoons of foodies extra virgin olive oil
170g of your favourite prepared hummus

Add a pinch of salt and horopito pepper to the oil and whisk well.
Heat the oil mixture gently for about 5 minutes. This releases the citric flavours and aromatic oils from the horopito pepper. Cool to room temperature.
Pour the horopito infused oil into the prepared hummus and stir it through until well mixed.
Cover the hummus and refrigerate, allowing the horopito pepper to infuse for 2-3 hours.
For a smoother consistency, slowly drizzle in more oil to taste.

Pikopiko wrapped in proscuitto

Pikopiko Salsa

Ingredients
Pikopiko fronds
Sunflower seeds
Garlic
Olive oil
Lemon wedges

Method
Wash and chop a couple of good handfuls of Pikopiko fronds. Blanch briefly in boiling water, drain and cool.  Toast sunflower seeds, crush lightly, and add to the Pikopiko with chopped garlic. Mix everything together with a little Foodies extra virgin olive oil and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with lemon wedges, and crusty bread.

Sam Heaven's Horopito Croissants

Sam Heaven is a rising star at SKYCITY Auckland.  Sam showcases one of New Zealand's indigenous herbs, Horopito.  Click here for the recipe.