Eveleigh Farmers' Market: Searching for Organic Produce, Darlington (21 Aug 2010)

Saturday Weekly Market 8 am - 1 pm
243 Wilson Street, Darlington NSW 2015
http://www.eveleighmarket.com.au

In search for organics

After recently watching the documentary movies Food, Inc. and The Future of Food — which I thoroughly recommend everyone to watch — I've hopefully become a bit more conscious and educated in the way some food is produced in the world. Genetically Modified (GM) food seems to be more common than we might be aware of — or perhaps at least in the United States. Has anyone seen this video of what McDonalds French Fries look like after 10 weeks — has anyone done this experiment? In any case I'm hoping to add more organic food to my diet when possible and one place that sprung to mind to check out for organic produce was the Eveleigh Farmer's Market. Today's visit is in search of some organic vegetables to have with my quality steak I received in the goodie bag from Chophouse.

While scrolling around I notice Kylie Kwong's team working hard at the Billy Kwong stall serving delicious Steamed savoury pancakes with organic vegetables and organic egg ($8 for 2 pieces). These are a treat to have and reasonably priced but watch out for the dripping sauce when you're eating them. Alto Olives oil and table olives have a lovely taste and apparently also sell to Pendolino. I'm amazed at the variety of tomatoes on offer at AJ & LA Sorbello Fresh Produce. If you're looking for something beautifully different and full of flavour including heritage heirloom tomatoes you have to check out these guys. Tasty samples of marinated duck fillet and sausages from Pepe's Ducks are a real treat. One of my favourites stalls is the guys at Yalla who are so generous serving their dips on Infinity Sourdough. I heard there was a HealthyFeast at the markets but sadly there was no sign of the Lemon Meringue Pie I was after. Naturally Falafel seemed to have a tasty product but there's nothing better than freshly cooked ones, especially from Jasmin One Lebanese Restaurant in Punchbowl — how I long to return one day.

Mulled Wine has never been easier to make than the packaged wine and spices from Bell River Estate. For all your mushroom needs you really can't go past 'The Fungi' Li-Sun stand where Black truffle oil ($16) and Dried Porcini ($9) amongst other delights are available. Check out Jonima Flowers for reasonably priced flowers which are so fresh. Block 11 Organics Rivers Road Organic Farms came to the rescue for my Organic Carrots ($3.90 a bunch) and Broccoli ($7.50 kg) — dearer than my local supermarket but it doesn't break the bank and I'm sure my body will appreciate them.

Other visits to Eveleigh Farmers' Market:

• 21 Aug 2010 - Kylie Kwong Steamed savoury pancakes with organic vegetables and organic egg, Jonima Flowers, Block 11 Organics, The Fungi Li-Sun, Bell River Estate Mulled Wine, Naturally Falafel, HealthyFeast, Yalla, Pepe's Ducks, AJ & LA Sorbello Fresh Produce tomatoes, Alto Olives oil and olives

• 20 Feb 2010 - Kylie Kwong Cooking Demo, Eumundi, Yalla, Achacha, Blini Bar crepes

• 7 March 2009 - Food samples galore

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Free street parking, Good range of organic produce, Plenty of quality food stalls, Reasonable prices to be found

CONS: Can be hard to find a park close by, Very popular

MUST TRY: Kylie Kwong steamed savoury pancakes with organic vegetables and organic egg, Yalla dips and salsas

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Billy Kwong (Kylie Kwong): Steamed savoury pancakes with organic vegetables and organic egg $8 (2 pieces)

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Alto Olives oil and olives

AJ & LA Sorbello Fresh Produce tomatoes

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

Pepe's Ducks marinated fillet and sausage samples

Yalla

SIMON FAVOURITE :-)

HealthyFeast

Naturally Falafel

Bell River Estate Mulled Wine $20 (bottle)

The Fungi Li-Sun: Black truffle oil $16, Dried Porcini $9

Block 11 Organics Rivers Road Organic Farms: Organic carrots $3.90 bunch, Broccoli $7.50 kg

Jonima Flowers


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Home Cooking: Steamed Eggplant with beef mince, mushroom, tomato and cheese (16 August 2010)

Healthy Steaming

I'm really loving eggplant at the moment now that I've discovered how easy it is to steam them which makes them so tasty and mushy. Tonight's dinner was very simple. I cut the eggplant in half, make some criss cross cuts and place in a bamboo steamer with baking paper over boiling water for about 20 minutes. In a fry pan while the eggplant is steaming I cook up diced onion. Once cooked a bit you add the beef mince and some garlic. Once that's cooked you add diced mushroom until soft then add a can of your favourite canned tomato with herbs. Season well with salt and pepper and herbs and simmer for about 10 minutes. I then scoop out some of the steamed eggplant and add to the beef tomato mix and simmer for another 5 minutes. Then carefully place the steam eggplant on a baking tray and spoon over the beef tomato mixture. Top with grated mozzarella or your favourite pizza cheese mix and place in a 250 degree hot oven for about 10-15 minutes to melt the cheese and bake all together. Serve carefully on a plate and top with freshly chopped parsley.

Ingredients:

• 1 Eggplant sliced in half

• 200 grams of beef mince (or try with a can of three beans mix)

• 2 large mushroom chopped finely

• 1 crushed garlic clove

• 1 can of diced Italian tomato

• Hand full of grated cheese

• Salt, Pepper, Italian Herbs and Chilli Powder

Steamed Eggplant with beef mince, mushroom, tomato and cheese, Chef Leong :-)

Bamboo steamer