To all my friends in Christchurch…  I  have watched in horror as we have seen the earthquake news and what you guys have been going through – I can’t even imagine how tough it must be for you. I hear that research shows that people choose potatoes when they want a bit of comfort – so guys I reckon you should hook into potatoes and you might just feel a bit better. I thought the best thing I could do for you is to share my favourite potato meal – without a doubt a meal of bangers and mash makes the world seem a better place! I have updated the recipe page with my bangers and mash recipe. Thinking of you all – take care, Claire.

This week on Studio 2 I shared my favorite bacon and egg pie recipe – you’ll also be able to get the recipe in my new book which is out very soon!!!  But I give it to you on the video clip anyway.

With Fathers Day this Sunday – how about you make this for his lunch… speaking from experience I know your Dad will love it and he will be very impressed that you made it for him.  With a smile on your face and a plate full of pie it will the best present he will get?!!

This week on Studio 2 Claire Cooks I made Fresh Fruit Platter with Toffee Caramel Drizzle.    This is very (seriously, completely, totally) simple and sweet enough to satisfy any sugar cravings! Try any sort of fruit with this – whatever is in season. It’s nice to have a combination of 3 or 4 different fruits. This is a healthy ratio of sweet to fruit. Check this out fi you really feel like something that is delicious, sweet, yet still a bit healthy…

Baked potatoes are so so simple to make and taste fantastic…  check out this (less than 2 minute) video which shows you just how easy they are to make… this  is what I did on Studio 2 last week. One look at this and you will see anyone can make them!!!

Follow this link to discover how simple baked potatoes are!

I chose a soup to make this week on Studio 2. I love this corn soup because it tastes amazing and so easy to make – just chop everything up, throw it into a pot, boil it up and that’s it …  a meal in a  bowl.

I’ll be back on Studio 2 in a couple of weeks  on 17th August between 3.30 and 4.30pm.

This week on Studio 2 I made the perfect snack for you to make a team of friends. Crunchy thin chips sprinkled with a herb mix that is so easy to make even my nine year old brother can master them – in fact he makes them so often we call them William’s potatoes – and this is actually ’his’ recipe! I also show you how to make the best ever guacamole to go with them.

I’ll be back on Studio 2 in a couple of weeks  on 3rd August between 3.30 and 4.30pm.

I am just back from the most amazing trip to America. I went to a Global Youth Leaders Conference and I was in Washington DC and New York for a couple of weeks.  I learnt so much and met so many kids from all around the world it was a bit overwhelming – but now its back to a stack of school work!!!

About the food though – as I have been blogging about the Burger Competition I thought it would be really cool to check out the ‘home the burger and’ see how we compare – I was looking for ideas too!!  Well guys it’s not that I am one-eyed or anything but I have to say when it comes to  food  - NZ is one of the ‘luckiest countries in the world’ with all our fantastic tasting fresh food. When I am at home I always have to search for some unhealthy food  - but when I was away I really really had to search for healthy food…sort of makes me appreciate what I’ve got!

Hey check out my cooking slot on Studio 2 – this week I made Apple Crumble!

I’m on Studio 2 every second Tuesday – so I’ll be back with another yum recipe on Tuesday 20th July on after school TV2… give it a go apple crumble – just what you need these school holidays…

Had a blast last weekend when the Studio 2 crew arrived to film six cooking segments in our kitchen… I picked six of my favourite easy kids recipes and we made step by step clips how to  make them – I had a few friends pop in while we were filming too so you’ll get to meet them as well.

They are going to be screened on Studio  2 after school on  TV2 over the next few months – I’ll let you know when to look out for them …