Boil upAn easy boil up recipe that will bring back all the memories. The recipe is scaled down for 2 - 3 people, to reduce waste.



2 - 3 Serves

Pork Back Bones, fat trimmed off

500 g

Onion/ Riki, peeled and diced

1 medium

Garlic, chopped

1 clove

Potatoes/ Riwai, washed and cubed     

2 Medium

Kumara, washed and cubed

1 Large

Pumpkin/Paukena, peeled and cubed


Puha or Watercress

1 bunch



  1. Place the pork bones, onion and garlic in a large pot and cook for 2-3 minutes until brown.
  2. Pour in just enough water to cover the bones and bring to the boil.
  3. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
  4. Half way through simmering the meat, pour off the fatty water and refill the pot. Boil and continue to simmer.
  5. Add potatoes, kumara and pumpkin and continue to simmer until the vegetables are tender.
  6. Place watercress on top of the boil-up and cook until watercress is tender.

Serving Suggestion:

Serve with dough boys.


Substitute any root vegetables and most kinds of meat.


Abbreviations Used in Recipes

utensilst = teaspoon

T = tablespoon

ml = millilitre

g = gram

º C = degrees Celsius

cm = centimetre