Kohu Road Creamery and Cafe

It was raining, so with all four kids in tow, their weren't many options for a peaceful and pleasant morning! So Vanessa called and said, " Lets check out Kohu Road Cafe, recommended in our best cafes to take the kids list, at least we can bribe the kids with ice cream! Vanessa made it there quite easily, I got lost (not unusual when you don't ever look at a map and you try and wing it) but I asked at the local paint shop (Kohu Rd cafe is located in the industrial area of New Lynn) and I was told look for two green poles, parkings a bit of a squeeze, but it was so worth it as the coffee alone was amazing.

When I arrived, Vanessa looked like she had bedded down for the night - Jake was happily checking out the 50's caravan, which according to one boy, "No adults  were allowed". Fine by us....that was exactly what we were hoping!

The Food

Most of the food is on display at the counter and cooked on the premises. (you can see the chef in action whilst at your table). Its rustic cafe style rather than full on meals but sure to please a variety of tastes. I had a freshly baked bacon and egg pie and Jake couldn't go past the sugary jammy doughnuts. When Ingrid and kids arrived they tucked into brioches with their coffee and fluffy. There was also a soup option on the blackboard menu.

 

Like Ingrid said, the caravan was a definite drawcard for two boisterous boys so leaving came down to bribery with ice creams. There were about a dozen flavors on offer as well as a freezer stocked with takeaway options.

 

The Kids

We are constantly on the look out for places to go that suit the boys, babies and us. We both love our coffee and the cafe scene and struggle to find places that fit the brief. Kohu Road cafe is spacious, not too precious, welcome kids with big open arms, and the staff are super friendly. It's a working creamery out the back, and the cafe is sectioned off with used lolly trays (see Jake below resting up) that you can purchase for $10. Perfect for breakfast in bed, toys or crafts, or paint with blackboard paint, add a rope and hang in your kitchen. The caravan is a winner, complete with a flat screen TV and selection of DVD's. Three comfy couches in front of caravan in which to watch the kids.

Initially we were just buying cookies and cream ice cream for the boys and as it was Monday and we were both on our post babies diets LOL. There is always next Monday! Ingrid and I tucked into the BEST chocolate sorbet EVER! The staff assured us it was dairy free but full of sugar.  I told Ingrid, you burn sugar quicker than fat, so we should be right. Ingrid replied, No chance, if we sit around cafe's all day! I would make the trip from the shore just for the chocolate sorbet, it was that good!

A great cafe to serve the needs of both adults and kids, go early if you want to get the parks, and don't leave without an ice cream.


Kohu Road Creamery and Cafe, New Lynn 

www.kohuroad.co.nz

44 Portage Road, 

New Lynn

09 827 9990
Monday to Saturday from 8am to 4:30pm

What's in season: Yams, sprouts and cabbages

HOW TO COOK WITH YAMS: Most of us stick to the usual veges in our winter roasts. We often comment "I wonder how you would cook those? or they look interesting". Yams look pretty weird, they are small and knobby but have an appealing yellow/pink colour. They are super simple to cook and cook quite fast because they are so small. I decided to throw them in with a roast dinner, but jazz them up a bit with a honey and spice coating. Don't be scared and give them ago. If your kids like potato, they are sure to like the sweet sticky cute yams! 
How to eat yams

LEARN HOW TO LOVE SPROUTS: A big favorite of mine is brussel sprouts, which seems to disturb most people. In winter, I'm always throwing them into the roasting dish with other winter veg, drizzle some olive oil, add some rosemary or thyme, salt/ pepper and you have an easy throw together side to any meat. Just the other night, I threw in cut yams and sprouts, olive oil, a sprinkling of seasoning (cumin, ground coriander and cayenne pepper) and roasted them for around 30 mins, it was a perfect match for my roasted chicken legs. Check out some other easy ideas for sprouts below. 
How to love brussel sprouts

TWO WAYS WITH CABBAGE: My memories of cabbage are of coleslaw's at summer barbies or Dad eating his German sausages with sauerkraut. As an adult I have discovered the Asian influence adding cabbage and it many varieties to stir fries. It really makes a meal go further, is low fat and very very tasty! Try two very different takes on making a meal out of cabbage.
Cooking with cabbage

Vote for the winning dish

Real Magazine, New World's food magazine, set us a challenge, to each create a winning dish using apples. 

They have put it to the public vote....ekkkkk and everyday we both see the slider showing who got the most votes. It's driving us crazy, it's getting us all edgy and a spot of sibling rivalry has emerged! 

I never thought Vanessa would start a voting campaign against me on Facebook - but right back at you sis...x

SO CHECK IT OUT & GET VOTING

www.newworld.co.nz/inspire-me/out-of-the-mixing-bowl/sister-vs-sister