Welcome
Getting the veggie patch ready for the new season.
It's not about the slow food movement, it's not about 'you are what you eat', 'meat-free Mondays' or the organic status of every morsel of food on your plate.
After living the city-life for fifty odd years we moved to a farm in the beautiful Brandwacht Valley outside Worcester. Living on a farm is a enormous privilege.
I have a veggie patch about the size of two normal backyard gardens. Growing our own veggies and herbs has become a big part of our lives - one we enjoy tremendously.
Food has suddenly become much more than just 'what's for dinner'. It has become part of a new relationship with what nature has given us. Sun ripened tomatoes, crunchy green beans, baby marrows, sweet beetroots, chives and all the other aromatics has changed my whole perception about my relationship with food.
Gone are the days of taking veggies out of the plastic supermarket bag and straight into the fridge or freezer. They are now carefully picked, gently washed and handled with great care and respect.
Great consideration is now given to each and every ingredient and the best possible way to prepare or preserve it. Ingredients are not just added at random to any old dish. No, each one deserves a place of honor on the plate - being part of a complex dish, the main ingredient or merely an accompaniment, each and every vegetable, salad or herb deserves to be recognized and honored.
I appreciate that every city-dweller may not be as fortunate as myself, but try to lay hands on the freshest produce you can find. The farmers' market, a friend with a plot of land, your neighbor or even from your own backyard.
The tiresome and tedious chore of preparing a fantastic meal will be transformed into one of the most therapeutic rewarding experiences of the day when you transform fabulous ingredients into simple, tasty and nutritious meals.
Come and join me on this food journey by commenting, adding suggestions and sending in recipes that celebrate the wonderful world of food.
Andre.
After living the city-life for fifty odd years we moved to a farm in the beautiful Brandwacht Valley outside Worcester. Living on a farm is a enormous privilege.
I have a veggie patch about the size of two normal backyard gardens. Growing our own veggies and herbs has become a big part of our lives - one we enjoy tremendously.
Food has suddenly become much more than just 'what's for dinner'. It has become part of a new relationship with what nature has given us. Sun ripened tomatoes, crunchy green beans, baby marrows, sweet beetroots, chives and all the other aromatics has changed my whole perception about my relationship with food.
Gone are the days of taking veggies out of the plastic supermarket bag and straight into the fridge or freezer. They are now carefully picked, gently washed and handled with great care and respect.
Great consideration is now given to each and every ingredient and the best possible way to prepare or preserve it. Ingredients are not just added at random to any old dish. No, each one deserves a place of honor on the plate - being part of a complex dish, the main ingredient or merely an accompaniment, each and every vegetable, salad or herb deserves to be recognized and honored.
I appreciate that every city-dweller may not be as fortunate as myself, but try to lay hands on the freshest produce you can find. The farmers' market, a friend with a plot of land, your neighbor or even from your own backyard.
The tiresome and tedious chore of preparing a fantastic meal will be transformed into one of the most therapeutic rewarding experiences of the day when you transform fabulous ingredients into simple, tasty and nutritious meals.
Come and join me on this food journey by commenting, adding suggestions and sending in recipes that celebrate the wonderful world of food.
Andre.