NEW ZEALAND: Southland Cheese Rolls and Kumara (Sweet Potato) and Bacon Salad

Southland Cheese Rolls

8-10 slices soft white bread

8 ounces block cheddar cheese, grated*

3/4 cup (~1/2 a standard can) evaporated milk

1 tablespoon (~1/2 a standard packet) of onion soup mix or onion dip mix

2 tablespoons minced onion, optional

1/2 teaspoon mustard powder

2-3 dashes Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons butter, melted

• Do not buy pre-grated cheese, as it contains anti-clumping agents that affect the melt of the sauce.

1. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. Mix together all ingredients in a saucepan and heat gently, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and let cool until thick enough to coat a spoon.

3. Cut off both sides (but not top or bottom) or bread, and lightly roll them from side to side to make them flatter and wider.

4. Spread each slice with a tablespoon of cheese spread. Roll and place seem side down on a baking sheet. Brush with melted butter.

5. Bake 7-8 minutes, until cheese starts to melt from sides and rolls are lightly toasted. Broil until golden on top.

Kumara (Sweet Potato) and Bacon Salad

2 medium skin-on kumara (sweet potatoes or yams) cut into 1-inch pieces

2 teaspoons honey

1 tablespoon olive oil

3 pieces thick-cut bacon, cut into 1/2-inch slices

2-3 handfuls arugula

1 seedless orange, peeled and divided into sections

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

salt and pepper, to taste

Dressing

1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard

1 teaspoon honey

juice from1/2 of a lemon

1 tablespoon olive oil

salt and pepper, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 400°.

2. Toss cubed sweet potato with honey, olive oil, and salt and pepper. Spread in an even layer on a sheet paned lined with parchment paper. Roast for 25-30 minutes or until cooked through and slightly caramelized.

3. While kumara roasts, add bacon to a skillet and cooked until slighlty crisped. Drain on a paper towel.

4. In a mug, mix all dressing ingredients together and season to taste with salt and pepper.

5. Toss all salad ingredients along in a large bowl. Top with dressing and toss until coated evenly.
   

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FUN FACTS:

• No matter where you are in New Zealand, you'll never be more than 75 miles from the ocean

• New Zealand was the first country to grant women the right to vote, and the first in the British Empire to elect a female mayor.

• All but one scene of The Lord of the Rings was filmed in New Zealand.