Kitchen Garden

Spinach, mint and pinenut gozleme

Posted on May 13, 2014 by melhm

Bill says, “These parcels can be made with ready-made pastry, but they do taste that bit more authentic if you go to the effort yourself. They remind me of weekend wanders around farmers’ markets.”

Fresh from the garden: spinach, lemon, mint
Recipe source: adapted from a recipe by Bill Granger in the SMH
Makes: 8 gozleme

ourkitchengarden.net

Equipment:

  • Stand mixer
  • Measures: jug, cup, 1/3 cup, tablespoon, teaspoon, ½ & ¼ teaspoon
  • Scales
  • Bowls – big, med, small
  • 2 non-stick frying pans
  • Salad spinner, rolling pins
  • A large knife, scissors
  • Microplane zester
  • Paper towel, tea towels
  • 8 medium chopping boards
  • Tongs, egg slice
  • Serving plates
 Ingredients:

For the pastry:

  • 1 teaspoon instant dried yeast
  • ½ teaspoon caster sugar
  • 2 cups plain flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 teaspoons olive oil, plus extra

For the filling:

  • 400g spinach leaves
  • 1 lemon
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts
  • 200g feta cheese
  • 2 large branches mint
  • Black pepper

What to do:

  • For the pastry: Measure the yeast, sugar, flour and salt into the bowl of the stand mixer and mix lightly. Then add the olive oil and 180ml to 200ml lukewarm water and mix on low for 8 minutes to form a soft dough until smooth and elastic.
  • Turn the dough out on to a floured surface and knead for a minute or two and then place dough into a lightly oiled bowl, cover with cling film and leave in a warm place to double in size for an hour or two, or into the fridge if needed the next day.
  • For the filling: Wash the spinach in several changes of water and spin dry, and then slice handfuls into 2cm wide ribbons. Measure out the pine nuts and dry-toast carefully in one of the frying pans.
  • Wash the lemon, wipe it dry, then zest it into a small bowl before cutting it into wedges and reserving for garnish. Wash the mint and spin it dry. Pick the leaves and then using scissors, snip into thin ribbons. You will need about 3 tablespoons’ worth of mint.
  • When the pine nuts are toasted, reserve in a small bowl and then heat up a tablespoon of olive oil in the same frying pan, and when hot cook the spinach over a medium heat for a few minutes. Remove with tongs into a sieve and drain any excess liquid. Place in a big bowl and allow to cool for a minute before stirring in the lemon zest, pine nuts and mint. Crumble in the feta and then season with black pepper. Wipe the frying pan clean with paper towel.
  • Divide the dough into 8 small balls. Using a rolling pin, roll each ball into a circle about the size of a large dinner plate and lift each one onto a medium floured chopping board. Divide the filling equally between the circles, spooning over one half of the circle, leaving a 2cm border. Fold over the other half and press the edges together to secure.
  • Heat the frying pans with a tablespoon of olive oil in each and then carefully slide a gozleme into each and cook for about 3 minutes on medium. Brush the other side with a little more oil then flip over and cook for a further 2-3 minutes. Keep warm under a clean tea towel while you cook the remaining gozleme.
  • Cut into slices and divide among serving plates with the lemon wedges.

ourkitchengarden.net

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Minestrone

Posted on May 13, 2014 by melhm

Jamie says, “Save the rinds from your Parmesan cheese and pop into your soup for some extra flavour, just remember to remove before serving – those little piece of rind that you’d normally throw away are super tasty and not to be wasted.”

ourkitchengarden.net

Fresh from the garden: loads!
Recipe source: adapted from a recipe on Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution
Serves: 8 or 30 tastes

Equipment:

  • Chopping boards & knives
  • Peeler
  • Large stockpot
  • Measures: jug, ½ cup, tablespoon, teaspoon
  • Scales
  • Salad spinner
  • Mixing bowls – big, med, small
  • Grater
  • Scissors
  • Wooden spoon
  • Ladle
  • Serving bowls

 

 

 Ingredients:

  • 1 red onion
  • 1 large potato
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 2 carrots
  • 2 sticks celery
  • 1 zucchini
  • 1 small leek
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • A teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 cans chopped tomatoes
  • 1 can chickpeas
  • 1 litre vegetable stock or boiling water and 1 tablespoon bouillon
  • Large handful kale
  • ½ cup small pasta
  • A bunch of basil
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 50g parmesan cheese

What to do:

    • Peel and finely chop the onion. Peel the potato under running water and then dice. Peel and chop the garlic. Wash and finely chop the carrots. Wash and finely chop the celery, including the leaves. Wash and finely chop the zucchini. Wash the leek thoroughly, peeling back the layers under running water, and finely slice.
    • Heat a large pot over a medium heat and add a lug of olive oil. Throw in the onion and fry it gently until it starts to smell fantastic. Add the garlic, carrots, celery, zucchini, leek, oregano and bay leaf and cook slowly for about 10 minutes, stirring now and then, until the vegetables have softened.
    • Add the tomatoes, potato, drained and rinsed chickpeas and vegetable stock or hot water and bouillon, then cover with a lid and bring everything slowly to the boil. Simmer for another 5 minutes.
    • Meanwhile wash the kale and shake dry, then remove the stalks (and discard) and chop the leaves into thin ribbons. Wash the basil, pick the leaves and spin them dry. Measure the parmesan and grate it.
    • Add the kale and pasta, and cook for 10 more minutes, until the pasta is cooked. If the soup is too thick for you after cooking the pasta, thin it with a little more hot water.
    • Snip the basil leaves with scissors into thin ribbons and then stir into the soup with a grind of black pepper. Taste to check the seasoning and add more salt or pepper if needed.
    • Finish by ladling into soup bowls and sprinkling a little Parmesan on. Serve!

Notes: Where does minestrone originate? What is parmesan rind? What is another name for chickpeas?

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Kitchen news – 27th March 2014

Posted on May 13, 2014 by melhm

(This post has been rather delayed so apologies… Now to catch up!)

Week 9 and we’re thundering into mid-autumn with stormy skies and downpours aplenty… Best pop on the waterproofs and blend up some something soothing tout-suite! Spinach and parsley soup me’ ladies if you please, ladled up with a chunky Autumn salad with crunchy croutons (and dashing watermelon radishes to lively up itself) – A plate of Dragon’s tongue (or borlotti or French) beans with the most superb basil aioli, and then our blatant rip-off of Sean’s linguine with shredded rocket, lemon, chilli and parmesan, the pasta hand-rolled by ours truly, and slinky, juicy and peppery in every way… And then to finish, and the most delicious way to use up all the egg whites leftover from the garlicky basil mayo: meringues in the style of Rhubarb and rosewater Eton mess…

We can only do all of this thanks to our dedicated army of parent and community volunteers! The Kitchen Garden program loves you – and we also love the mums and dads who have been in touch with requests for recipes to cook at home – the thick green soup this week was a veritable hit! It’s wonderful to know that the kids want to replicate the recipes at home… makes it all worthwhile!!!

Have a great week and keep dry 🙂

ourkitchengarden.net

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Dragon’s tongue beans with basil aioli

Posted on May 13, 2014 by melhm

Herby? Garlicky? Yup, ticks all the boxes… yum yum yum! Hooray for mayonnaise! You can use any long beans for this – we were juts lucky to have a few brightly coloured Dragon’s Tongue beans to use alongside some runner beans.

Fresh from the garden: Dragon’s tongue beans (and other long beans) lemon, eggs, basil, garlic
Recipe source: Melissa
Serves: 2 as a side dish

ourkitchengarden.net

Equipment:

  • Small saucepan and lid
  • Colander
  • Salad spinner
  • Scissors
  • Bowls – large, small
  • Chopping board & knife
  • Citrus juicer
  • Garlic press
  • Stick blender & cup
  • Measuring – jug, ½ cup, tablespoon, teaspoon
  • Serving bowls
 Ingredients:

  • A handful of dragon’s tongue beans
  • Cooking salt
  • A small handful basil
  • 1 juicy lemon
  • 1 small garlic clove
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup rice bran oil
  • Flaked salt & black pepper

What to do:

  • Fill up the saucepan with cold water, put the lid on and set to boil.
  • Wash and drain the beans, then snip off the stalk end.
  • When the water in saucepan is boiling, add a teaspoon of salt and the whole beans. Cook the beans for 3 minutes, then drain and refresh in a bowl of cold water. Drain again.
  • Meanwhile for the aioli, pick the basil leaves, wash them well, spin them dry and finely snip with scissors into 5mm ribbons.
  • Cut the lemon in half and juice a half.
  • Smash the garlic clove, peel it and squeeze it through the garlic press.
  • Carefully separate one egg and reserve the yolk in a small bowl.
  • Into the stick blender cup add the whole egg, the egg yolk, the mustard and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Whizz together until all is combined.
  • Measure the rice bran oil, then get a friend to help super-slowly stream in the oil into the egg mixture while you are whizzing (this takes a few minutes so don’t rush it).
  • To make this mayo into an aioli, slowly add in another teaspoon of lemon juice, the pressed garlic, the chopped basil and a good sprinkle of salt and pepper. Blend until smooth. Taste and check if it needs any more lemon juice or salt and adjust if needed.
  • Divide the beans among serving plates and drizzle the mayo over one end of each plate and serve.
  • Any spare aioli can be stored in an air-tight glass jar in the fridge for 3 days.

Notes: What is aioli? Why is it different to mayonnaise? What else could you serve it with? What could you make with the leftover egg whites?

 

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Sean’s linguine with shredded rocket, lemon, chilli and parmesan

Posted on May 13, 2014 by melhm

This dish has been a staple on Sean’s menu since he opened in 1993, and continues to be one of the most popular dishes… a simple dish; great produce being the most important thing!

From the garden: rocket, lemon, chillies, garlic
Recipe source: adapted from the recipe by Sean Moran at Sean’s Panaroma in ‘Let It Simmer’
Serves: 6 at home or 24 tastes

ourkitchengarden.net

Equipment:

  • Large stockpot
  • 2 large bowls
  • Chopping board
  • Grater, citrus juicer
  • Measuring jug, tablespoon
  • Scales
  • Tongs
  • Serving bowls

 

 Ingredients:

  • 500g linguine
  • 5 generous handfuls rocket
  • 100g parmesan (preferably Parmigiano or grana padano)
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon chilli oil (see separate recipe)
  • 100ml extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt & freshly ground pepper

What to do:

  • Three-quarters fill the large stockpot with cold water and bring to the boil.
  • Wash and spin dry and then coarsely shred the rocket into ribbons with a sharp knife.
  • Weigh to measure then coarsely grate the parmesan.
  • Squeeze and strain the juice from the lemon, then squeeze the garlic through the press and combine with lemon juice, chilli oil and olive oil in a bowl large enough to toss the linguine (you may need 2 bowls, so then divide the mixture between them).
  • Throw a handful of salt into the boiling water and let it return to the boil. Cook pasta until al dente – fresh pasta should take about one minute – then lift it into the prepared bowl with tongs, draining it as you go yet taking a slight drizzle of the cooking water with the pasta (this will lubricate and combine dressing).
  • Add the shredded rocket and parmesan, then season and toss together just before serving.
  • Divide into your serving bowls and eat immediately!

Notes: What is rocket also known as? What does to shred mean? What does al dente mean?

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Sean’s chilli oil

Posted on May 13, 2014 by melhm

This chilli oil can be fired up with finely chopped bird’s-eye chillies if you like more fire than the nutty sweetness of the standard recipe. It is also worth grabbing some disposable gloves for this recipe as prolonged contact with chillies will burn the tips of your fingers!

From the garden: chillies, garlic
Recipe source: adapted from the recipe by Sean Moran at Sean’s Panaroma in ‘Let It Simmer’
Makes: about 700ml

 ourkitchengarden.net

Equipment:

  • Plastic gloves
  • Heavy-based stockpot
  • Slotted spoon
  • Colander
  • Paper towel
  • Food processor
  • Glass jars
 Ingredients:

  • 250g long red chillies
  • 500ml olive oil
  • ¼ head garlic

What to do:

  • Pre-heat the oven to 160C.
  • Wash and drain the jars and place right side up on the baking tray. Slide into the oven for 10-15 minutes.
  • Wash and drain the lids and place in the small saucepan. Cover with water and set to boil for 2 or 3 minutes. Drain into a colander and then wipe out with a fresh piece of paper towel, taking care not to touch the inside of the lids.
  • Meanwhile put on some plastic gloves before slicing chillies lengthways and scraping out seeds, discarding the seeds.
  • Lightly crush and peel and the garlic cloves.
  • Place chillies in a heavy-based stockpot with the olive oil and garlic.
  • Bring to a gentle boil over a moderate flame, and fry until the chillies and garlic are deep golden and all their moisture has evaporated.
  • Lift out chillies and garlic with a slotted spoon and leave to cool.
  • Bring the jars out of the oven and leave to cool for a few minutes.
  • Process cooled chillies and garlic pulp to a coarse paste with just enough oil to lubricate the motion.
  • Stir the puree into the oil and then carefully pour into the sterilised jars.
  • Shake well before using.

Notes: What does to sterilise mean? Why can’t we touch the inside of the lids? Why do we need gloves to prepare the chillies?

 

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Autumn salad with crunchy croutons

Posted on March 29, 2014 by melhm

We play around with all sort of ingredients in our salads, and this autumn we’ve had beautiful watermelon radishes to include too, as well as the most more-ish spicy croutons.

ourkitchengarden.net

Fresh from the garden: lettuce and salad leaves, tomatoes, radishes, flowers, herbs, lemon
Recipe source: Melissa
Serves: 6 or 24 tastes

Equipment:

  • Small saucepan
  • Chopping board & knife
  • Baking sheet & baking paper
  • Scales
  • Chopping boards & knife
  • Bowls – large, medium, small
  • Small saucepan
  • 2 salad spinners
  • Tea towels, paper towel
  • Mortar & pestle
  • Citrus juicer
  • Measures: 1/3 cup, tablespoon, teaspoon, ½ & ¼ teaspoon
  • Whisk, tongs
  • Serving bowls

 

 

 

 Ingredients:

For the croutons

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • Half a loaf of sourdough bread
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

For the salad

  • A big bunch salad leaves (lettuces, tatsoi)
  • A few edible flowers & leaves
  • Tomatoes, radishes, spring onions

Herby vinaigrette dressing

  • 1 clove garlic
  • Flaked salt & black pepper
  • 1 lemon
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • A small handful herbs

What to do:

  • For the croutons: Preheat the oven to 200C. Gently melt the butter in the small saucepan.
  • Carefully cut the bread into slices and then into cubes.
  • Combine the melted butter and tablespoon of olive oil in a large bowl. Add the cubes of bread, and toss until coated. Sprinkle with salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper, toss until evenly coated. Spread the bread in a single layer on a baking paper-lined sheet. Bake until croutons are golden for about 10 minutes.
  • For the salad: Fill up 2 big bowls with cold water & wash the salad leaves in several changes of water. Spin dry and wipe the bowls dry. Lay out the tea towel and line it with paper towel. Spread the salad leaves over the paper and roll the whole lot up like a log. Keep the rolled parcel of leaves in the fridge until needed.
  • Fill up the medium bowl with water and wash the herbs and small garnishing leaves & flowers. Dry on a piece of paper towel and reserve in a small bowl. Wash and drain the radishes, tomatoes and spring onions (peeling outer layer) & slice into small pieces.
  • For the vinaigrette: Peel the garlic clove and put it in the mortar with a large pinch of salt. Pound to a paste. Juice the lemon and add the juice to the mortar (without pips) then stir the lot with a teaspoon and scrape it into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the oil and grind some pepper, then whisk the dressing lightly. Wash and pat the herb sprigs dry and pick off the leaves, and add to the dressing.
  • To finish: Unwrap the parcel of salad leaves & tip them into the bowl with the dressing. Gently turn the leaves in the dressing using your hands or tongs, and then transfer the dressed leaves to the serving bowls. Place the tomatoes, radishes & spring onion in the dressing and then add to the salad with garnishing flowers & leaves. Serve immediately with croutons scattered on top.
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Spinach and parsley soup

Posted on March 29, 2014 by melhm

This is such a lovely soup, full of flavour, verdant and vibrant! And made even more delicious by the addition of sour cream and snippets of chives at the end. We also add silverbeet, rainbow chard & even tatsoi to the spinach if we have it.

ourkitchengarden.net

Fresh from the garden: potatoes, spinach, parsley, onion, celery, chives
Recipe source: Melissa
Serves: 6 or 24 tastes

Equipment:

  • Kettle
  • Chopping board & knife
  • Bowls – large, med, small
  • Colander
  • Garlic press
  • Potato peelers
  • Large stockpot
  • Wooden spoon
  • Measuring: jug,1/2 cup, tablespoon, teaspoon
  • Salad spinner
  • Paper towel
  • Scissors
  • Stick blender
  • Ladle
  • Serving bowls
 Ingredients:

  • 1 brown onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 3 large all-purpose potatoes
  • 2 bunches spinach
  • Small bunch celery
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1½ litres stock or boiling water and 1½  tablespoons bouillon
  • A large handful parsley
  • Flaked salt & black pepper
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • A small handful chives 

What to do:

  • Fill the kettle and set it to boil.
  • Peel, halve and coarsely chop the onion.Squeeze the garlic through the garlic press. Peel the potatoes under running water and chop into 2cm cubes.
  • Wash the spinach in several changes of water and shake dry. Trim the stems and then slice stems and leaves into pieces 1cm wide.
  • Wash and drain the celery and chop the stalks and leaves into small dice.
  • Heat the oil in stockpot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until soft. Add the garlic, cumin,celery and potato and sweat for about a minute until aromatic.
  • Increase heat to high. Add the stock or hot water and bouillon to the pot and bring to the boil. Add the spinach stalks and reduce heat to medium. Simmer gently for 10 minutes until the potato is tender.
  • Meanwhile wash the parsley and spin dry. Finely chop and reserve. Wash and dry the chives carefully in a piece of paper towel, then snip into TINY 1mm-long pieces with scissors. Reserve.
  • Add the chopped spinach leaves to the soup and cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts.
  • Remove the pot from the heat, add the parsley and using the stick blender, whizz the soup until smooth. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.
  • Swirl in the sour cream, ladle among serving bowls and add a sprinkle of chives.

Notes: What is an all-purpose potato? What does cumin smell like?

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Kitchen news – 13th March 2014

Posted on March 20, 2014 by melhm

ourkitchengarden.net

Kitchen news is back after a fortnight’s holiday in the Bahamas and is all the better for it… Meanwhile back at the ranch,the SAKGP and students have been slaving away over a humid, stormy and altogether fabulous February stove and dishing up some top grub.

On the menu these last weeks: the not so Purple carrot soup with sour cream and coriander, a zesty and wonderful gluten-free alternative Quinoa tabbouleh with poached eggs, and a perfect blend of creamy, garlicky and caramelised Antipasto di peperoni tricolore – roasted capsicum & whole clove garlic (thanks again to Andrew W for our French purple crop that keeps giving) with creamy feta and a drizzle of the hot item Bondi Pesto – the annual pesto sale on again 3pm Thursdays in the basketball court for 2 weeks only!!! One per customer, no pre-orders, form an orderly queue please… served with Garlicky rosemary flatbreads. Mmm-mmmmm!

Thank you to you wonderful Kitchen Garden volunteers who continue to support the program, whether by donating your timeweek after term after year regardless of rain, storm or heatwave – or turning up out of the blue like The Charge of The Light Brigade to rescue a sparse session. Hooray to you however you make it!

Cheers! M

ourkitchengarden.net

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Quinoa tabbouleh with poached eggs

Posted on March 20, 2014 by melhm

White quinoa is the most common variety, but red quinoa is also available and has a nuttier flavour. They can be used interchangeably. Quinoa is a fabulous alternative to grains and is gluten-free.

ourkitchengarden.net

Fresh from the garden: basil, parsley, lemons, mint, cucumbers, tomatoes
Recipe source: Melissa
Serves: 4 or 24 tastes 

Equipment:

  • Stockpot with lid
  • Measures: cup, ½ cup, tablespoon, teaspoon, ¼ teaspoon
  • Wooden spoon, fork, teaspoon
  • Salad spinner
  • Microplane zester
  • Citrus juicer
  • Chopping board & knife
  • Peeler
  • Bowls – large, medium& 4 small
  • Measuring jug
  • Serving bowls
  • Deep-sided frying pan
  • Tea towel

 

 

 

 

 Ingredients:

Cook quinoa:

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 1½ cups water
  • 1 teaspoon cooking salt

Make tabbouleh:

  • 4 large handfuls of parsley (about 2 cups when chopped)
  • 1 large handful mint leaves (about ½ cup when chopped)
  • 1 large handful basil leaves (about ½ cup when chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon flaked salt plus extra
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 lemons
  • 1 medium cucumber
  • 2 medium tomatoes
  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 fresh eggs

What to do:

  • Toast quinoa in a stockpot over gentle heat, stirring frequently until fragrant for about 6 minutes. Add the water and 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until grains are tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork and let cool to room temperature.
  • Wash, spin dry and pick the leaves from the stems of the herbs and coarsely chop.
  • Zest one lemon then cut both lemons and squeeze through the citrus juicer to yield about 4 tablespoons juice.
  • Peel the cucumber, cut in half lengthways and scrape out the seeds with the teaspoon. Wash the tomatoes and wipe dry, then cut the cucumber and the tomatoes into small dice about ½cm square.
  • Add all the ingredients to the large bowl, measure the olive oil and pour into the bowl, mixing thoroughly to combine.
  • Meanwhile, to poach eggs, fill the medium sized frying pan 5cm deep with water and bring to a simmer. Carefully crack an egg into a small bowl without breaking it and then gently slide into the water one at a time until all four are in the water. Let the pan sit for 4 minutes at a bare simmer.
  • Divide the tabbouleh amongst serving bowls and using the slotted spoon, scoop up an egg, drain it quickly on a clean tea towel and pop on top of each bowl. Sprinkle with salt and serve!

ourkitchengarden.net

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