OTAGO FARMERS MARKET

Good Morning,
I do realise that i posted these recipes last week, but due to getting a little sick i never got to cook them for you all, and it would be rude of me not too now wouldn't it?  I am back and able to assist with the winter goodies available at the market.  See you all soon at the mobile kitchen..

Today is about gutsy winter flavours and ingredients - Beef from Waitaki Beef and Pork is simmering and ready! Goulash soup of which will stick to your ribs (as they say) it is full of sweet paprika, angus/hereford beef and potatoes, to serve with this i recommend some fresh, crusty bread and low-and-behold that's just what i have - a wonderful selection from Lievito Bakery.
Kale is one of those vegetables which i love more every year. Today with the thanks from Ettrick gardens i will be tossing it through pasta from Mia Pasta (located by coffee at railway end) and i will be making a fantastically healthy and tasty salad with some of Wairuna Organics multicoloured beetroot.
I would suggest to make the most of the fresh pears as Simon from Rosedale Orchards said he is down to the last couple of weeks. Today's dessert is to say thanks to all those fantastic varieties, some juicy, some firm but all delicious and this easy, free-forming pie is my way of saying thanks to the mighty pear!

BEEF GOULASH SOUP

This is one of those soups which crosses the boundaries – is it is a soup or stew? It is a soup which is commonly found in Hungary, don’t skimp on the paprika as this spice is the secret to a good goulash!

Serves 6-8

1 kg stewing steak

2 Tbsp flour or gluten free flour

Vegetable oil

2 medium onions, diced

4 medium carrots, diced

2 celery sticks, light coloured leaves and all, diced
5 garlic cloves, crushed

4 Tbsp good sweet paprika (don’t skimp)

2 Tbsp caraway seeds, crushed

60g tomato paste

3 bay leaves

2 litres good beef stock

4 potatoes, peeled and chopped small

Sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Soured creamed and parsley to serve

Method

Trim the meat and cut into bite-sized chunks. In a large bowl, mix the flour with a teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Add the beef and toss so that all the chunks are dusted with flour.

Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large frying pan and brown the beef in small batches, setting each batch aside while you brown the next. Take care not to crowd the pan or the beef will steam rather than brown.

Meanwhile, heat a little oil in a large heavy-bottomed pan, add the onions, carrots, celery and garlic. Cook gently for about 10 minutes until they start to soften.

Add the beef, paprika, caraway seeds, tomato paste and bay leaves, then pour in the beef stock. Stir well, cover the pan and simmer for at least an hour and a half until the beef is starting to get tender. Add the potatoes and continue to simmer for another 30 minutes. Check the seasoning before serving.

Serve in soup bowls with a generous spoonful of soured cream and sprinkling of parsley (if you like).

SUE FROM WAITAKI BEEF AND PORK

PASTA WITH KALE AND CHILLI

Serves 4

250g pasta

4 Tbsp olive oil

Pinch or two chilli flakes

2 garlic cloves

4 anchovies or 12 black olives (stoned)

200g kale (about 1 bunch), stalks removed

Juice of ½ lemon

50g parmesan cheese, grated

Method

Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to the boil.

Meanwhile in a large frypan add the oil, anchovies and garlic. Cook over a moderate heat until the anchovies melt into the oil, add the kale and cook for a few minutes so that the kale wilts (about 2-4 minutes).

Cook the pasta as directed on the packet or if fresh for 2-3 minutes, drain ensuring that you reserve 1 cup of the cooking water.

Add the cooked pasta to kale, squeeze over the lemon juice, season with salt and cracked pepper and a handful of freshly grated parmesan. Toss well to combine, add 1-2 tablespoon of the cooking water to loosen up the juices in the pan, toss again to combine adjust seasoning and serve with more parmesan cheese.

BEETROOT AND KALE SALAD

The combination of two mighty vegetables which not only taste fantastic but have valuable nutrients is the perfect pick-me-up for winter!

Serves 4 as a main or 8 as a side

750g cooked beetroot, peeled and cut into wedges

250g kale or spinach leaves, washed and drained well

1 red onion, sliced thinly

Handful fresh parsley leaves, mint and coriander

Pinch of sumac (optional)

Dressing – 1 cup natural yoghurt

1 tsp cumin seeds, lightly toasted and crushed

1 clove garlic, crushed into a paste

1 Tbsp red wine vinegar

Pinch sea salt flakes and freshly ground pepper

Method

Put the kale, herbs, beetroot and onions into a large bowl. Drizzle over a little red wine vinegar and olive oil season with salt and pepper and toss to combine.

In another small bowl combine the ingredients for the dressing and mix to combine.

Place the beetroot mixture into a serving bowl and drizzle over the yoghurt dressing, sprinkle with sumac if using.

Enjoy!

PEAR GALETTE

The combination of juicy seasonal pears encased in sweet, buttery pastry is a welcome addition for any home in winter.

Serves 8

Sweet Pastry

1 ½ cups flour

1 ½ tsp sugar

¼ tsp salt

125g butter, cold cut into cubes

1/3 cup ice water

Filling

6 fresh pears or apples, peeled and cored

2 Tbsp sugar

¼ tsp ginger

1 Tbsp good quality honey

1 Tbsp butter, cut into small pieces

1 Tbsp ground almonds, walnuts or cornflour (this is to absorb some of the moisture)

Method

To make pastry - In a food processor, combine the flour with the sugar, salt and butter and process for about 5 seconds. Sprinkle the ice water over the flour mixture and process until the pastry just begins to come together, about 10 seconds; you should still be able to see small pieces of butter in it. Transfer the pastry to a work surface, gather it together and pat into a disk. Wrap the pastry in plastic wrap and chill for at least 20 minutes. However if you are impatient you can roll this pastry out straight away as it is a rustic looking tart so you can get away with it (just this once).

Peel, halve and core the pears and slice them ½ cm thick. Place in a bowl along with the ground almonds/walnuts or cornflour, and the ground ginger, toss to combine.

Preheat the oven to 200C.

On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the pastry to a 20cm by 25cm rectangle and transfer to a large rimmed baking sheet. Spread the chopped pears over the pastry to within 5cm of the edge. Drizzle the honey over the pears and sprinkle with sugar, dot with the pieces of butter. Fold the pastry edges up and over the pears to create a 3-4cm border.

Bake the galette for about 35-45 minutes, or until the pastry is nicely browned and crisp and all of the pears are tender.

Transfer the tray to a cooling rack and let the galette cool a little. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Alison would like to thank the following vendors for their fantastic produce

MIA PASTA – fresh pasta and sauces

WAITAKI BEEF AND PORK – stewing beef
LEIVITO BAKERY – fresh baked goods

ROSEDALE ORCHARDS – pears, fruit juice

WAIRUNA ORGANICS – beetroot

ETTRICK GARDENS - kale