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Slow Cooked Roast Pork

One of the great things about living on-farm is the array of meats we get to process and cook with. And one of the most useful of animals is the house pig. These animals are always happy for any leftover scraps flung in their direction, making them an integral part of the farming and household system. They then provide us with delicious farm-fresh pork that I am always grateful for and love to cook with.This recipe for slow-cooked pork really enhances those sweet flavours; the pork stays beautif...

Roasted Cauliflower Soup & Cheese Rolls

It’s the week of the shortest day here. Short days and long nights call for comfort food and this roasted cauliflower soup with cheese rolls makes for a warming yet nutritious lunch.Roasted Cauliflower SoupPreparation time - 10 minutesCook time - 1 hourServes - 4-6Ingredients:1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets1 brown onion, quartered1 bulb garlic, broken into cloves4 cups chicken stock1 cup cream1 cup grated sharp cheese like tasty or cheddarPinch of paprika, fresh thyme/spring onions/cri...

Quick Creamy Pasta

This is one of my favourite quick dinners to make. The pasta itself is four simple ingredients - pasta, cream, chutney, and cheese. And from here you can add other ingredients. A perfect way to use up any leftovers or sad veg in the fridge.Preparation time - 10 minutesCook time - 20 minutesServes - 4-6Ingredients:400g spaghetti1 1/2 cups cream1/2 cup fruit chutney/tomato relish1 cup grated cheeseOptional add-ins - some but not all of these together:1 onion or leek, diced4 rashes of bacon1 cup sh...

Tray Bake

Such a simple yet tasty way to cook meat and vegetables. Try using a variety of vegetables, mixing it up as the seasons go by. I normally use sausages, or chops. Or dinosaur chops as we call them - lamb rib chop with all the rib still attached. But skin on chicken thighs would be amazing too, or simply leave the meat out for a vegetarian side.Preparation time - 30 minutesCook time - 1 hour 30 minutesServes - 4-6Ingredients:Seasonal vegetables, for example:Slice of pumpkin, chopped2 potatoes, dic...

Throw it all in Devilled Sausages

Devilled sausages are such a family classic. This recipe is quick and simple, where everything is literally thrown into an ovenproof dish and left to cook in the oven. The end result is tasty sausages nestled in a flavoursome gravy that the entire family will love.Preparation time - 10 minutesCook time - 1 hour 30 minutesServes - 6Ingredients:10-12 mutton or beef sausages2 onions, sliced into wedges4 cloves garlic, crushed2 cups chicken or beef stock1 tin crushed tomatoes1/4 cup fruit chutney or...

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

This is like a meatball version of my mighty meatloaf. The sauce is what makes this dish a crowd favourite. The tartness of the vinegar with the sweet jam will make even the fussiest of eaters go back for seconds. The original recipe called for plum jam but I’ve also used feijoa and gooseberry jam with great success.Preparation time - 30 minutesCook time - 1 hourServes - 4-6Ingredients:For the meatballs:1kg beef mince1 onion, finely diced1 tsp curry powder1 eggFor the sauce:3 tbsp jam3/4 cup b...

Summer Self-crusting Quiche

Throw in an array of ready to harvest summer garden produce to create this deliciously easy quiche. Preparation time - 30 minutesCook time - 45 minutesServes - 4-6Ingredients :4 cups vegetables (chopped silverbeet, spinach, celery, grated courgette, thinly sliced new potatoes) 1/2 cup chopped bacon or leftover ham 1/2 onion, diced 4 cloves garlic, sliced 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley 8 eggs 1tbsp Dijon mustard 3/4 cup cream or milk 1/2 cup self raising flour 2 cups grated c...

Sticky Pork Bones (or ribs)

Pork bones are often considered an off-cut and disposed of. But here I show you how to slow cook them in the oven, before basting with a sticky glaze. Pile them up high on a plate for a finger-licking good meal the whole family will enjoy.Preparation time - 30 minutesCook time - 3 hours + another 30 minutesServes - 6Ingredients:1 dozen pork bones2 cups chicken stockDry rub:1/3 cup brown sugar1 1/2 tbsp paprika1 tbsp saltGlaze:1 cup tomato sauce1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce1 tsp crushed garlic3 tb...

Mince and Cheese Pie

A rustic and flavoursome pie with a flaky puff pastry. The homemade version of a Kiwi classic.Preparation time - 45 minutesCook time - 1 hour 30 minutesServes - 4-6Pastry ingredients:1 1/2 cups flour150g cold butter, cubed1/4 tsp salt1/2 cup cold waterMethod:Put the 1/2 cup water into the freezer to cool down while you prepare the rest of the pastry.Using your stand mixer and cake beater attachment, rub your flour, salt, and cubed butter together. Slowly pour in your water and just combine to fo...

Fruit Sponge Pudding

This fruit sponge pudding is a favourite and a great way to use the jars of preserved fruit that line our pantry shelves. Some of my preferred fruit combos are bottled pears, sanguine peaches, apple and rhubarb, or nectarines.Preparation time - 10 minutesCook time - 40 minutesServes - 4-6Ingredients125g butter at room temperature1/2 cup sugar1 tsp vanilla extract2 eggs1 cup self-raising flour2 tbsp milk3 cups fruit (bottled, tinned, frozen, or stewed)MethodPreheat the oven to 180°C.Add the frui...

Cowboy Cookies

A rustic cookie crammed full of nuts, chocolate, and dried fruit. It’s perfect served alongside a hot cuppa straight from the thermos when out on the hill.Preparation time - 20 minutesCook time - 15 minutesServes - makes 45 cookiesIngredients:170g butter3/4 cup brown sugar3/4 cup white sugar2 eggs1/2 tbsp vanilla extract1 1/2 cups plain white flour1/2 tbsp baking powder1/2 tbsp baking soda1/2 tbsp cinnamon1/4 tsp salt1 1/2 cups chocolate drops1 1/2 cups rolled oats1 cup desiccated coconut1/2 c...

Chilli Con Carne

Mince alone is extremely versatile and when you turn that mince into a chilli you have endless options for a delicious yet fulfilling meal.Preparation time - 20 minutesCook time - 1 hourServes - 6-8Some of our favourite ways to have chilli are:NachosBurritosChilli and cheese pieTacosChilli on riceWith toast and an eggIngredients:1kg mince, beef or venison1 onion, finely diced1 large carrot, finely diced or grated4 cloves garlic, crushed2 tbsp each of cumin, paprika, and dried oregano1/4 tsp drie...

Birthday Cake

I was originally given this recipe by Vicky Bowman. It was her mother’s recipe. A cake that was made on school camps because it used basic ingredients but created a decadent and fudgy cake perfect for feeding a crowd. It has since become our ‘birthday cake’ getting decorated differently every time it’s pulled out of the oven.The great thing about this cake is you can make one large roasting tray cake, two smaller round ones, or even muffins. Once cooked it also freezes well.Preparation t...

Beer Bread

Despite having to often raid the workshop’s fridge and the shepherd’s supply of beer to whip up this bread it has remained a firm favourite over the years due to its simplicity and quickness. Since welcoming baby Betsy into our family it has been the only fresh bread I’ve made. I’ve even accumulated my own supply of beer now for baking a last minute loaf for everyone’s lunch. Preparation time - 10 minutesCook time - 40 minutesServes - makes one loafIngredients 3 cups self rai...

Bacon and Egg Pie

This is a lovely seasonal pie, I change the ingredients depending on the time of year and what I have growing in my vegetable garden. Preparation time - 30 minutesCook time - 45 minutesServes - 4-6IngredientsPastry - try my homemade puff pastry here1/4 cup relish1 onion, finely diced10 eggs250g bacon, chopped1/2 cup fresh herbs (parsley, chives and thyme)A handful of cherry tomatoes, halved1 cup grated cheeseSalt and pepperMethodLine a pie dish with 3/4 of the pastry and spread the relish o...