Ready for a flavorful and warming recipe you can make in less than twenty minutes? 

I'm all for quick meals that really hit the spot and this is my latest obsession.

It's a meal to have when you need some soul-warming sustenance, but a sandwich just won't do.  

Miso is a Japanese invention and has so many amazing uses. It's a seriously good marinade for tofu or coating for roasted cauliflower. The soup packets I bought only cost me $2.50, so it's a very inexpensive way to get more experimental with your meals. 

You will need: 

2 Spring Onions

1/2 cup frozen sweet corn

Instant Miso Soup Packets

Precooked Udon Noodles
1 cup (250mls) of water

Heat a tablespoon of oil in a small saucepan over a medium heat. 

While it's warming up, chop your spring onions and set aside the leafy ends for a garnish later. 

Add the onions and frozen corn to the pan and cook until the corn is cooked. You don't want to brown them. 

Add a serve of miso soup/paste. I actually add two, but stick with one if you are getting used to the taste. Quickly add one cup of water to the pan too. Bring it to a simmer and add the noodles. 

Stir to make sure the noodles separate from each other and let it cook for only a minute or two. 

Pour into a bowl and let it cool for a few minutes. 

Sprinkle the green ends of the spring onion on top and enjoy! 

You can use whatever noodles you like, udon happens to be my favorite. 

Soba noodles would be great if you're after some protein, or you can stick with the traditional ramen. 

Add whatever vegetables tickle your fancy too. Or top with a boiled egg for texture and nutrients.

It's an "enjoy it your own way" kind of meal!


What would be in your dream ramen bowl?
Steph x.

What I Eat In A Day: 2018

Oh hey there, it's been a while. 

I would apologize for being away for so long (again) but life is so funny and I just needed some time away. But I got those blogging endorphins flowing again and I feel great! I think I tend to worry too much about blog topics, so I'm going back to basics. Sometimes you need time to regroup and figured out what direction you need to go. 

I've been binging on Ugly Delicious on Netflix lately and one of the shows participants is a food writer. 

BOOM. EPIPHANY.

How have I never considered this as a job before?! It's perfect for me right? 

That's what MarvelSteph might just become a food based blog (not unlike my Instagram which is 99.5% food pics.) I'll be mixing in life stuff too, but if food is what makes me wanna write for days, then I'm gonna do it. 

So let's start with a fun one: A typical day of eating! 

Breakfast today was my favorite oatmeal bake with stewed apples. I prepped this super-quickly one night after work and it makes my mornings so easy. Plus I spent the first few hours of my shift really looking forward to my breakfast break. I shared the recipe over on my Instagram recently and have made it countless times already. If you're looking for an easy/delicious start to the day, this is for you. 

My favorite topping is apples and raisins that I've just stewed up over a medium heat with water, cinnamon, and a little coconut sugar. Perfect for the cold winter mornings we gave been having. 

Thursday lunches always take us to one of my FAV cafes in Christchurch, Park Ranger. 

They have amazing cabinet food: fresh salads, adventurous pizzas, and filled rolls that make me wanna drop my rules on carbs. Normally I get one of their salads with a side of haloumi, but the hand-made fruit bagels called to me. Bagels have great protein, plus I had a healthy breakfast so why not. 

Mum and I also split a raw snickers slice. This place makes one of the best ones in the city too! Perfect way to end a meal and start some midday shopping. 

I found a fun afternoon snack at the supermarket today: Apple Chips! I forgot how much I love these. 

Now for one of my favorite meals of the day: My afternoon Berry Protein Smoothie. I've been making these a lot lately and it keeps me so full until dinner time. Plus it's the perfect way to get a boost of protein, calcium and vitamins into your diet. Here's what I used:

1 yogurt tub

1 banana

frozen berry/spinach mix

1 scoop banana whey protein

1 cup calcium milk

It's Taco Thursday! Not really a thing, but I recently bought these cool taco shells that taste like nachos and we are obsessed. I prepped a big pot of bean chili on Monday, so it worked out perfect for an easy dinner. I just toasted them in the oven with some cheese and layered on the sour cream of course. So quick and easy after getting home late from work. 

That's it! A pretty typical day of eating. Most of the time I'm healthy and thinking of what nutrients I'm getting, but with a few treats in between. I love food, so I always let myself have something if my day is already balanced nutritional-wise. Plus I've lost weight recently due to sickness and I wouldn't mind building it back up so I can get back to lifting ALLLL the weights. 

What foodie topics would you love to see on my blog? 

Steph x. 

My Five Fav Foods Right Now

Hi guys, I'm back!

And talking about my favorite topic ever: Food.
Sometimes inspiration starts with the simple things that make us happy and who doesn't feel better after a stack of chocolate chip pancakes?

Like everything, I go through phases with food. Some weeks I'm all about the haloumi, the next I'm trying to make my own falafel again. That's what so great about being a foodie, there's endless fun to be had!

I've been exploring more foods lately and wanted to share my favs. Might be a new blog series on the horizon!

Lentils 

One amazing thing about not eating meat is that you can change around your protein source all the time. Some weeks I'll use chickpeas, then the next its vegetarian sausages or tofu. It's fun! Lately I've been experimenting with lentils a lot. They're so perfect for curries, patties, and adding it to soups on a cold day for some extra protein. I've been buying them dry (for super cheap) then soaking them in hot water with turmeric. Obsessed. 

Oh My Spice Protein Blend

I never knew protein sprinkles were actually a thing, but oh my gosh I'm so glad they are! My bf actually spotted these and we have been adding it on top of pancakes, waffles, and my morning oats. It's like treating yourself without doing any damage to your health, seeing as they have very little sugar in each serve. 

Dried Apricots

I'm all about those snacks that you can keep in your bag for those peckish moments. I am loving dried fruits at the moment and I forgot how good apricots are! Sour and sweet, so it feels like I'm eating candy. And they also give you a burst of vitamin C which is perfect for winter days at the moment. 

Bulla Frozen Yogurt Bars

In a bid to get more calcium in my day, I have rediscovered how amazing these are! It's the perfect evening treat and I am obsessed. They're so damn creamy and I don't feel as guilty than if I was eating ice cream (ignoring the fact that there's still sugar in them.) I'm seriously thinking of making my own with Greek yogurt and puree fruit. Blog post maybe?

Sunbites Snack Crackers: Caramelized onion and Balsamic 

Another snack obsession I have recently discovered and can't seem to stop eating them. The reason I look forward to my fortnightly shop is that I get to find new snacks like this! They kinda taste like corn chips, but with a little coating on top. Seriously tasty! 

Bonus Fav: Quorn Vegan Nuggets

As a veggie you do get jealous of whole chicken nugget obsession. It was actually my standard McDonald's order all those years ago. But god bless soy meats!

What are your current food favs? 

Steph x. 

New Family Fav: Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese!

But Steph, don't you try eat healthy and avoid these kinds of carbs?

Well, yeah.

But goddammit I am a foodie through and through, and you will not deny me anything with the word CHEESE in the name.

Sundays in my family are for easy, feel good meals and I've found a new favorite addition to said tradition. So easy to make, less dishes, won't stick together when cold, non-greasy, and tastes so good.
I've adapted my recipe from this one I found on Pinterest. Her one is definitely a lot more American-friendly and makes me wish New Zealand had a bigger obsession with cheese!


You will need:

250g uncooked macaroni 
1/4 cup of butter
1 cup milk
1 sachet vegetable soup 
1 cup grated cheese of your choice 
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika 
salt & pepper to season 



And now the super-easy way to put it all together: 

Cook your macaroni accornding to the instructions on the packet, preferably al dente because it will cook further in the slow cooker. 

Transfer the pasta into your cooker, then stir in the butter until it has melted completely. 

Add the rest of your ingredients and mix well. Leave it to cook on high for an hour, or until the milk has evaporated and you are happy with the flavor. You can add more cheese/seasoning to suit your taste buds. Make sure you stir it occasionally to keep from sticking. 

Serve alongside your favorite dishes!


This is one of those recipes that you can leave bubbling away while you get other cooking done. It's one less thing to worry about and who doesn't love some comfort food on a Sunday night? Definitely a new favorite in our house.

What recipes have you been trying lately?
Steph x.

How I Will Become A Badass Cook In 2018

I have a confession to make. 

In the past week I have watched Julie/Julia on Netflix almost everyday. Sometimes twice if there was nothing else I wanted to see. 

And I could still watch it ten times over again. 

It's one of those feel good movies, and how can you ever go wrong with the queen that is Meryl Streep? With the other main themes being two of my life loves (food and blogging) I find myself obsessed with this film. But the best part is that I am feeling so inspired. To eat, to cook, to blog, and to pick up more cook books. 

If you have never devoted two hours in your day to see the film, the gist of it is simple: Julie Powell decides to take Julia Child's most famous work and cook every recipe in a year and blog about it. In doing so she becomes a better person, and of course, she learns to master the art of French Cooking. We also follow Julia Child, the founder of modern-day cooking, through her days in Paris and how her cookbook masterpiece almost never was. Between her obsession with food and her adorable relationship with her husband Paul (played by Stanley Tucci) she may be my new favorite historical figure. 

Okay Steph, what does this have to do with the title of your post?

Of all the things I am obsessed with about this film, and there are many, it's about what happens when you make the time and energy to learn how to cook. And I mean cook like a goddess. Trying recipes that scare you or learning a new skill that the average cook won't know. I for one would love to master making my own hollandaise sauce that I can make on a Sunday over perfectly poached eggs. Or making Julia Child's famous Beef Bourguignon over a garlicky mash potato for when the in-laws visit. I want to be that mom that knows how to cook anything, the house always smells great around dinner time and all the neighbor kids want to come over for dinner. I don't even eat meat and yet I want to be able to cook it phenomenally well. 

My point is this: Julie and Julia have inspired me to be a better cook. 

Question is how will I go about doing it? That's easy, you take Julia Child's most famous piece of advice: "Learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun." 

I will aim to try a new recipe every week of the year. Through cook books, Pinterest, or other blogs.

I will pick recipes that scare me a little and teach me a new skill. 

I will go back to basics and learn the proper ways to cook and the science behind it. 

Cooking has always been a passion of mine for years and that's a good enough reason to learn as much as I can. 

Who's looking forward to lots of foodie posts in 2018?

Steph x. 

My December Guilty Pleasures: Foodie Edition

Can we all just agree now that December is the best time of year for food? 

And I know there's lots of treats and temptations around, but hey! It's only once a year that you can spoil yourself all month long. Might as well enjoy everything Christmas has to offer! 

I'm always curious to see what treats are popular overseas in the festive season. The UK seems to get some amazing ones by the way! Us sitting down here at the bottom of the world are very jealous. Since I love talking about food so much, I thought why not dedicate a blog to all my guilty pleasures I just have to have at Christmas. I am someone who normally tries to eat carefully, but I like to let my hair down a little in December and not feel guilty for eating something special (and a little bad for you.)

Mince Pies 

Fun fact: I couldn't stand these when I was younger, but ever since my Mum started making her own I love them! The crispy pastry, tarty filling, and maybe some whipped cream on top just to make it perfect. I started buying these in the middle of November and probably go through a pack a week now. In my defense Steve eats them too so I share with him. 

Malteaser Reindeer Chocolate 

Seriously though, why don't they make this by the block now? The supermarkets always sell these as you walk up to pay and they're always on sale for less than a dollar each. I can't leave without one! 

Advent Calendars 

I'm not even talking about the fancy kind either. I'm just looking at the the $3 ones that we all used to have as kids. There's something about the chocolate that always tastes so good, and just like the way it did when I was young. Eating chocolate before breakfast is one of the best things about December by far! It's an exciting part of the daily build up to Christmas.

Terry's Chocolate Orange

These have been on Kiwi shelves for years but I never really paid it much attention. Then I watched a YouTube video where Zoella and Louise were exchanging gifts and they raved about this simple treat. Being the easily-influenced girl I was at 23, I went out and searched for one immediately. Little did I know that it would start an unhealthy obsession, but I regret nothing at all! Oh wow are these amazing.

Cheese Boards

Stepping away from the chocolate section for a minute, just to talk about the post-Christmas dinner binge fest I have with the cheese board. I'm usually the only one who ends up eating from it, but that just means more for me! Any kind of cheese: Swiss, smoked, brie, feta, Camembert. But just not any of that smelly blue stuff.


Cadbury Popping Elves
These have been available for a few years now and we always insist on having them all through December. It's Cadbury chocolate made better with popping candy! How cool is that? They're just fun to eat and you could maybe say that they're a little magical.


Pavlova
Ahh, the Kiwi favorite and the dessert it wouldn't be Christmas without. If you've never had it before just imagine eating a meringue that has a super-fluffy and sweet centre. Topped with fresh (and only fresh) whipped cream and your favorite summer fruit. Ask a New Zealander to make it for you and you won't be sorry.



What are your guilty pleasures you eat all month long?
(Don't be shy, we all do it!)

Steph x.

ps. Happy Blogmas Day 2! 

Weekend In Queenstown: Foodie Diary

Hey Everyone!

It's now the Monday after a weekend trip away to one of New Zealand's most famous tourist spots, Queenstown. I haven't made the beautiful drive (and I mean absolutely stunning) down to that part of our country since I was 6 or 7 years old. But every year my Mum and I look at the marathon events they run and decided to finally make the move to give it a go. We just completed the 10km run and in a great time too. The track was so stunning as you got to run by the lake and surrounding mountains that give Queenstown it's fame. All of us are planning on completing the half-marathon next year and I'm really looking forward to it! 

But enough about running, here's all the delicious food we found!

A south island trip is no complete if you don't start with a Wild Bean coffee from the service station. It's pretty much NZ's equivalent of Costa in the UK, so it has to be done. 

We had no luck the first night of our arrival in QT. Just boring Mexican that will NOT make it to the blog. Not every foodie stop is a winner!

But on race day we lucked out big time! 

At the end of the finish line there was really nothing I felt like eating. They only offered pizza, toasted artisan sandwiches, and empanadas, Which on a normal weekend I would be first in line for, but after a run all I want is some goodness to keep those healthy vibes going. After a quick search on my phone, I found the perfect spot for us: Rehab. 

It's one of those super-smoothie stores that offers fresh wraps, salads, rice paper rolls, even broth bowls! And I couldn't get enough of it. They even had raw treats for us to try out ( I HAD to get the raw tiramisu that was incredible.) 

Mum and I both got mango sprout salads that really hit the spot nicely. There were so many more items on that menu that I wanted to try, so next year we will have our post-marathon recovery sorted. 

Our lunch stop was a recommendation from Steve's Dad and he did well!  

We found another new favorite at Vudu Larder:

It doesn't look like much from the outside, but this bustling little cafe has a lot to offer. At first we thought they would be too busy, however, the waitress assured us a table would be ready once we go through the cue to the till, and sure enough we were able to get a seat. The cabinet food itself is to die for with GF, vegan and vegetarian options being available. As a vego myself, I was grateful for the selection. The sweet treats were almost too good to resist, so we had to try a raw snickers slice (10/10!) and their blueberry, kiwi, and lime raw cheesecake. Both were incredible. 

Josh ordered the burger and Mum and I shared the spiced pea, agria & turmeric cauliflower flat bread that came with yogurt and a mango chutney. It was a stunning meal with a good kick of heat for me.They offer some really different options on their menu to a regular cafe, so this place was my kinda scene for sure. 

Dinner that night was an obvious choice: Ferg Burger. 

This is the famous burger joint that everyone recommends you come to in Queenstown. You can usually find a line out the door during busy hours, although we went around 4pm and only had a 20 minute wait. This was something the boys really wanted to try so we were happy to join in. 

All of the burgers were pretty generous sizes and had some mouth-watering fillings that almost made me wish I ate meat. I went for the tofu burger that came with a satay sauce and I have to say that it was pretty good, not OMG-amazing, but still pretty good. Their onion rings are up there too!

So we were staying in the beautiful Arrowtown (10 min out of QT) at Steve's parent's B&B, and of course me and Mum had to go for a morning wander through the town. And hunt for coffee like always. 

Being a Sunday there were lots of little market stalls around. We couldn't resist the stand selling cherries, a favorite for me and Mum. They're a special treat this time of year and so we had to grab a bag to snack on for the journey home later. We do make some pretty tasty fruit here in NZ.

Our final meal of the trip was back at Vudu. I know we should have tried somewhere new, but we did get a seat by the lake front to watch everyone go by. It was a beautiful way to end our weekend. 

I was very jealous of my Mum's buckwheat pancakes and the coconut whip that came with it...

I decided to go for the black bean quesadilla and was pretty happy with my choice. It tasted super-fresh which is exactly what I wanted. But next time I am definitely going for those pancakes! 

We couldn't leave without trying the Cookie Time Bar! It's New Zealand's most famous cookie and they've made it into the coolest dessert bar ever. You can go for ice cream, a shake, or our choice of an ice cream sandwich. 

I got the dark chocolate ice cream and Steve went for cookies and cream. A mini one was definitely enough for me, especially with a long car ride ahead of us!

Well there we go, a fabulous weekend away with good company and great food. I'm really happy with the spots we found and will be coming back for more this time next year (or maybe sooner if I can!) Just another reason why Queenstown is one of NZ's most popular places to travel. 

Steph x. 

Have you had any foodie finds recently?