Carrot Cake

Scroll down to the bottom for the full recipe

Matariki in the Kitchen: Reflecting, Reconnecting and Looking Ahead

Matariki is a wonderful opportunity to slow down, spend quality time together, and celebrate the season through food, family and conversation. Whether you're looking for Matariki activities for families, winter baking with kids, or simple ways to create lasting memories around the kitchen table, baking together is one of the easiest and most meaningful traditions you can begin.

Mid-Winter is Here...

New Zealand at the moment: cold in the morning, dark in the evening, and some days it is even grey and raining throughout.

For those of us with kids at school, the tired end-of-term-itis into school holiday madness is in full bloom. I hope you are escaping the winter bugs, or able to take proper time to rest if you do fall ill.

If you are anything like my family and me, this time of year sees us spending more time indoors, seeking out comfort food, cosy spaces, hot drinks and a slower pace.

In New Zealand, Matariki is a time to gather with loved ones, share food and stories, remember those who have gone before us, and look ahead to the future with hope.

Matariki arrives right in the middle of this winter season (and the school holidays) and invites us to pause and reflect.

Permission to Slow Down

Family life can feel busy and full. We rush from one activity to the next, trying to fit in all the things. But winter can naturally slow us down. This time of year is a lower-energy season where our bodies tell us to rest more and take it easy.

Baking is an activity that asks us to slow down too. If you have ever rushed through a recipe just to get it done, you have undoubtedly mixed up an ingredient by mistake or missed a step.

Baking involves lots of intentional pause moments:

• Mixing

• Carefully measuring

• Waiting

• Sharing

When we bake with others, we also open up time for conversation.

Remembering Those Who Came Before Us

Matariki has many parts to it. One is coming together and making and sharing kai (food), and another is reflecting on those who have left us in the past.

A way to incorporate the remembering element could be making a recipe passed down through generations, a traditional family favourite, or something pulled from Nana's recipe book.

The familiar smells, or a handed-down mixing bowl, can bring back fond memories that you can share with each other.

Here are some questions you could discuss while baking:

• What's something you remember about Nana, Grandad or Aunty?

• What food reminds you of them?

• What do you miss about them?

Or if the recipe is from someone the kids have never met, tell them a story from your memory bank. Children love hearing about family members they have never met but who meant a lot to you.

Celebrating Where We Are Right Now

Reflection brings connection, and this can lead to a celebration mindset for everyone.

Maybe while you share your baked goodies, you can talk about what you've enjoyed about the past year and invite your family to do the same.

Conversation starters:

• What is your favourite memory from this year so far?

• What is something you are proud of?

• What has made you laugh recently?

• What do you enjoy doing together as a family?

If sitting around the table feels a bit formal, you could create a picnic in the lounge and have some relaxed sharing while enjoying your baking creations.

Mid-year can sometimes bring with it a bit of panic for us adults ("Christmas is coming!"), as we look at all the things we haven't ticked off our lists yet. But Matariki invites us to notice where we are right now and what we can be thankful for in the present.

Looking Ahead Together

If your kids are keen, you can also talk about what you're looking forward to for the rest of the year.

If you want to keep the conversation baking-focused, you could chat about what everyone would like to make this year. Maybe your child has a goal of making their own lunchbox snacks. Maybe you'd like to create your own family menu together. Or perhaps you'd like to join Baking Club together (it's really fun!).

Sharing Food Builds Connection- A perfect recipe for Matariki

If you're not sure what recipe to make for Matariki, I've got one for you.This carrot cake recipe is perfect for a cold winter afternoon. It's simple to make, comforting, and ideal for gathering people around the table.

Make a double batch if you want some to share and some to pop in the freezer for those school holiday "I'm hungrrrry!" moments.

You can invite extended family over to join in your Matariki conversations or take some baking to the neighbours. This time of year is a wonderful opportunity to stay connected with your community while enjoying a slower pace, and baking is a beautiful way to do that.

What Matters Most

When we reflect, celebrate and look forward, we realise what matters most is who we are journeying with.

The recipe isn't the important part (although it certainly helps to have a good one!). It's the process of gathering, creating, talking and connecting that becomes the memory.

However you choose to celebrate Matariki, I hope you can find some cosy connection time- and maybe some delicious feel-good baking too.

Until next time,

Heather xx