Sharp, sweet and versatile

Red tamarillos, oranges and green kiwifruit are "traffic-light" fruit that help control good health and brighten winter days. They are colourful, delicious and packed with vitamin C.

The navel orange that grows so well in New Zealand's temperate climate is one of the best-loved varieties for eating. It is distinguished by its "navel" at one end. Popular because of their rich flavour and brightly coloured pulp, navels are also easy to peel and segment.

Spritzing their juice over chicken, fish, grilled meat, beans, Brussel sprouts and cabbage adds zing, and is particularly good if followed by a drop or two of extra virgin olive oil and freshly ground black pepper.

Tamarillos may be expensive this season but a few go a long way. Raw or cooked, they add colour and flavour to casseroles, sauces, icecream and crumbles. Team them with blue cheese for a tasty nibble with drinks.

Sliced tamarillo and whipped cream sandwiched in a chocolate sponge is a treat. Use one or two in a trifle, dice over a pizza or pan-fry with bacon for breakfast.

Kiwifruit are an inexpensive way to gain your daily amount of vitamin C and fibre. They're a great breakfast, an after-school snack, and can also be dressed up for dinner parties. Pop slices between meringues or in eclairs with whipped cream, a little finely grated orange rind and a dash of orange liqueur, or top cheesecakes with slices and little balls of kiwifruit, then drizzle with a little melted chocolate.

RECIPES

ORANGE PANNA COTTA WITH TAMARILLO JELLY AND KIWIFRUIT COULIS
This panna cotta is ideal for dinner parties as it can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

Tamarillo jelly:
1/2 tsp powdered gelatine
1 tbsp caster sugar
1/2 cup cranberry drink
Canola oil
2-3 tamarillos, peeled and sliced

Panna cotta:
2 tsp powdered gelatine
2 tbsp water
1 & 1/4 cups cream
3/4 cup milk
2 tbsp sugar
Finely grated rind 1 orange
1/2 tsp vanilla essence

Coulis:
2-3 green kiwifruit peeled and sliced
pinch sugar

Soak the gelatine and caster sugar in the cranberry drink for a few minutes. Dissolve the gelatine over low heat or in the microwave. Cool.

Oil six 1/2-cup moulds. Place a slice of tamarillo in the base of each mould. Pour in enough gelatine mixture to just cover the tamarillo. Push down any slices that rise to the top. Chill until set.

Meanwhile, prepare the panna cotta. Soften the gelatine in the water for five minutes.

Place the cream, milk, sugar, orange rind and vanilla essence in a saucepan. Bring to the boil. Whisk the softened gelatine into the hot mixture. Remove from the heat and cool. Pour evenly into the moulds over the set tamarillo jelly. Refrigerate until firm.

To make the coulis, puree the kiwifruit briefly then sieve to remove the seeds. Sweeten to taste.

Tip each panna cotta on its side and run a small knife around the top edge of the mould. Turn on to six serving plates. Spoon a little coulis on to each plate. Serves 6.

BAKED ORANGE CHICKEN

8 skinned chicken thigh cutlets
Finely grated rind of 1 large orange
1/2 cup orange juice
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
3 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp cornflour
freshly ground black pepper

Trim the cutlets, if necessary. Place in a plastic bag.

Whisk the remaining ingredients together until well mixed. Pour over the chicken. Move the portions around so they are well covered in the marinade. Marinate for at least one hour or overnight in the refrigerator.

Preheat the oven to 180C. Place the chicken and marinade in a large baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes. Turn the chicken over and continue cooking for 20-30 minutes or until cooked, basting occasionally. Serves 4.

KIWIFRUIT WITH PASSIONFRUIT ANGLAISE

Passionfruit Anglaise:
1 & 1/4 cups milk
1/2 tsp vanilla paste
3 egg yolks
2 tbsp sugar
4 tbsp passionfruit pulp
Fruit: 6 kiwifruit - green or gold or a mixture
Finely grated rind of 1 navel orange
1/4 cup orange flavoured liqueur

To make the anglaise (custard), bring the milk to boiling pint. Add the vanilla paste. Beat the egg yolks in a bowl, until creamy and light. Pour the hot milk on to the egg mixture, whisking continuously.

Return the mixture to the heat and cook at a low temperature, stirring continuously, until the mixture coats the back of a metal spoon. Cool, then fold in the passionfruit.

Peel and slice the kiwifruit and sprinkle with the rind and liqueur. Stand in a cool place for about 30 minutes. Arrange in serving dishes and spoon a little of the custard over the top. Serves 4-6.

FILO FISH WITH TAMARILLOS & BRIE
Choose fish fillets that are not too thick.

125g brie
2-3 tamarillos
4 small skinned and boned white fish fillets (about 500g)
freshly ground black pepper
12 sheets filo pastry
50g butter, melted

Preheat the oven to 180C. Slice the brie into four portions. Peel and slice the tamarillos. Cut each fish fillet in half.

Sandwich the tamarillos and brie between the fish fillets. Season.

Lightly butter a sheet of filo and top with another sheet. Brush that sheet with more butter and top with a further sheet of filo. Place a fish "sandwich" at one end. Fold over the sides. Roll up to form a parcel. Repeat with the remaining filo and fish.

Lightly butter each parcel and place on a greased baking tray. Bake for about 25 minutes, until golden. Serves 4.