cooking for a crowd

Annabel tries her hand at flyfishing on the lake near her Wanaka cabin, then shows how to cook the most succulent trout enrobed in salt. As her neighbours arrive for a barbecue she whips up Help-Yourself Hamburgers and blueberry crepes over the outdoor fire.

On this page you'll find recipes, bonus videos and behind-the-scenes photos from this episode. All the rest of the recipes from the series are in the accompanying book, Annabel Langbein The Free Range Cook: Simple Pleasures.

Sesame Beef Patties

Sesame Beef Patties

Speedy Mayo

Minty Yoghurt Dipping Sauce

behind-the-scenes photo gallery

Today I'm going to try my hand at fly fishing for trout on Lake Wanaka near my cabin. The beauty of this area is simply stunning – every view is like a work of art.

Today I'm going to try my hand at fly fishing for trout on Lake Wanaka near my cabin. The beauty of this area is simply stunning – every view is like a work of art.
Fat, happy cattle in this bucolic landscape – what a spot to graze the day away.

Fat, happy cattle in this bucolic landscape – what a spot to graze the day away.
My old friend Wilbur spends every spare moment of his life fishing – and then some. There's no one who knows better the wheres and whys of fly fishing, so I know I'm in good hands to land us a catch.

My old friend Wilbur spends every spare moment of his life fishing – and then some. There's no one who knows better the wheres and whys of fly fishing, so I know I'm in good hands to land us a catch.
My ever-patient, wonderful film crew on standby for the moment when we finally catch something. At least there were no sandflies to worry us – just the hot sun!

My ever-patient, wonderful film crew on standby for the moment when we finally catch something. At least there were no sandflies to worry us – just the hot sun!
Many's the time I have hooked a fish but not managed to land it. There's such a sense of triumph when your catch is safely in the net. No pasta for dinner tonight!

Many's the time I have hooked a fish but not managed to land it. There's such a sense of triumph when your catch is safely in the net. No pasta for dinner tonight!
I can't wait to get back to the cabin to cook our trout. I'm going to bake it in a salt crust to keep it moist and succulent.

I can't wait to get back to the cabin to cook our trout. I'm going to bake it in a salt crust to keep it moist and succulent.