Wow another week has flown by and the big question is are you feeling confident and calm about your festive day menu?  My tips are to write you menu down, write a prep list and then go through your list to work out where to begin! Start with any preparation that can be done well and truly ahead of time such as make pastry (if using), frozen desserts are always handy as they can be done now. Prepare vegetables day before, pre-cook potatoes for roasting and store in fridge, spice/herb up any meats and refrigerate until needed.  Go over your shopping list -twice as it will be nothing short of a nuisance if you haven't enough sugar for instance and it could start the stress creeping in.  You want to try to avoid the supermarkets more than you have to as they will be crazy! Keep your menu fresh, seasonal and within your capabilities as it will be a nicer day all round if you are feeling confident and relaxed and believe me the food will taste better too! Just a quick note on your menu - try to mix it up so that not everything is cooked in the oven or on the stove top, experiment with some exciting salads and side dishes.

Produce is coming in thick and fast at the market - think of this when creating your menu! - broadbeans, new season carrots, jersey benne potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, salad greens, cucumber, tomatoes, capsicum, Asian greens, herbs (basil and coriander are in plentiful supply), cherries, strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, apples and pears.  This is just a few of the ingredients available the variety will only increase... Happy cooking and if in doubt of anything to do with your festive menus come and see me at the mobile kitchen or drop me a line.

Tart Tin goodies

CARROT SALAD This salad is perfect for those sweet and tender new season carrots. It works beautifully alongside a creamy dip and toasted flatbreads as a simple light lunch or pre dinner snack!

Serves 4 as a side

700g sweet young carrots, washed and peeled if necessary 1 large onion, sliced thinly 1 Tbsp oil ½ tsp cumin seeds ½ tsp caraway seeds ½ tsp fennel seeds Pinch of dried chilli flakes 50g flat leaf parsley or rocket leaves, roughly cut or torn ½ tsp sugar 3 Tbsp cider or white wine vinegar 2 Tbsp extra virgin oil for drizzling Sea salt flakes Method

Slice the carrots on the angle and cut into 5mm ovals, place into suitable size pot and just cover with water and a pinch of salt.  Bring to the boil and simmer until tender.

Meanwhile add the sliced onion to a small fry pan along with one tablespoon of oil, cook over moderate heat until the onion softens and lightly colours (about 5 minutes) add the cumin, caraway, fennel seeds and chilli flakes.  Cook for a further two minutes or until the seeds give off a wonderful aroma.

Tip the softened onion into a large bowl add salt, sugar, vinegar and one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.  Mix to combine.  Once the carrots are tender, drain and add immediately to the onion mixture so that the carrots start to soak up the wonderful pickling flavours.  Toss to combine and let sit for at least 30 minutes to mature.  When cold add the parsley or rocket, toss lightly and serve with a little more extra virgin olive oil.

GOOSEBERRY AND ELDERFLOWER CAKE

225g softened butter , plus extra for the tin 225g caster sugar 4 large eggs 225g self-raising flour grated zest and juice 1 orange 225g gooseberries, topped and tailed 2 elderflower heads, flowers only (if possible) 70g sugar for sprinkling over cake

Method

Preheat oven to 180C and grease and line round cake 20cm diameter.

Top and tail the gooseberries by simply removing the green and brown stalks from each end of the berry. Place them in a bowl along with one and half tablespoons of sugar which is reserved for sprinkling over the cake and juice of half a orange.  Add the elderflower leaves and toss to combine.  Let sit for 5-10 minutes to macerate.

Cream butter and sugar until light and creamy; add eggs one at a time beating well after each addition. And the sifted dry ingredients and fold gently through. Spoon into prepared cake tin and sprinkle over the gooseberries along with the flowers, sugar and juice. Bake in preheated oven for 35- 40 minutes or until the cake has risen, and a skewer comes out clean. To finish sprinkle over remaining 50g sugar and cool for 10 minutes before removing from tin and cooling on rack. This cake can be eaten hot or cold.

Kanuka Organics - vegetables, fruit, herbs, dried rose petals (great for rose sugar) - all organic!

Broad beans are finally here just in time for Christmas. Fresh broad beans are sweet and delicious. They only have a short natural season during the summer, so are often dried, canned or frozen to preserve them, the often come under the name of fava bean in many countries. Young thin beans are eaten pods and all, but larger, older broad beans need to have the tough pods removed.

When the first beans arrive instead of bothering to pod them as they are so small, you can simply top and tail them, cut them into 1cm pieces and place into a pot of boiling water which has been lightly salted.  Cook them for 5 minutes or until the pods are tender, drain and either add a knob of butter or drizzle of extra virgin olive oil a sprinkle of sea salt flakes and a grind of pepper.  They are delicious like this and they can only be eaten in this manner when they are very young and tender!

BROAD BEANS WITH FENNEL SAUSAGES

Method

Meanwhile place a large frypan onto a moderate heat and add the oil and onion.  Cook the onion for a couple of minutes to soften and sweeten it.  Add the sausage by pulling off little pieces and placing directly into the pan (it will look like little meat balls).  You want the sausage balls to colour up nicely which will take about 5 minutes, add the garlic and beans, season with salt and freshly ground pepper.  Cook gently so the beans are warmed through, shave a little parmesan cheese over the beans and sausages a little drizzle of extra virgin oil and serve with plenty of fresh bread!

PICKLED RADISHES

1 bunch radish, tops removed and cut in half 2 Tbsp salt

Pickling mix

3 Tbsp rice wine vinegar Pinch of sugar 1 chilli, sliced in half, seeds removed and cut finely 5 basil leaves, finely sliced 1 tsp black and white sesame seeds (if possible) 1 tsp grated fresh ginger Method To begin mix the radishes with the salt and place over a colander or sieve to remove excess moisture – if possible leave for 1 hour. Rinse under cold water and pat dry. Place the radishes in a bowl and add the remaining ingredients and toss to combine.  Let sit for at least 30 minutes but ideally longer so that the radishes soak up the flavours.

These are great as a pre-dinner snack and you can add other vegetables if desired!

ALL PHOTOS BY SIMON LAMBERT

ETTRICK GARDENS – multi coloured carrots KAKANUI PRODUCE – young broad beans and mint KANUKA ORGANICS – gooseberries and dried rose petals BUTLERS BERRIES – berries SUNRISE BAKERY – fresh baked goods MCARTHURS BERRY FARM – selection of fresh seasonal vegetables and berries ORGANICLAND – organic meats and sausages