Full of old classics that have been updated for everyday cooking, suiting both experienced cooks and newcomers. It's a reliable primer and suitable for the way lives are lived today, even though it casts one eye over the shoulder at old-fashioned cookery. These contemporary recipes are updated versions of old favourites, eg. Laurie's version of muffins is overnight fig, peel and bran muffins, and her version of rice pudding is chilled vanilla rice with raspberries. The recipes also include the Asian, European and Pacific influences which have now become part of New Zealand cooking.