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THIS MONTH
Alfalfa
House
ENEWS
Playing with pistachios My Shop with Rekha
APRIL 2009
Wheat+Gluten
The sumptuous world
of native spices PART ONE
Y
ou might have noticed we end of cooking (last 15 minutes). Long
stock a range of indigenous cooking often brings out a slightly bitter
spices such as roasted eucalyptus flavour; the exception being
wattleseed, mountain mountain pepperberry, which requires
pepper, native mint and long cooking times to enhance its
lemon myrtle. And you might have flavour and mellow its heat. Always
been curious as to what to do with store spices in an airtight container, in a
them but not known what. It’s no cool dark place to preserve their aroma
surprise really; we haven’t grown up and flavour.
with them. So how could we know?
WATTLE TREE SEED PODS
Well, that’s all about to change. It’s ROASTED WATTLESEED
time we explored them and how to PLANT INFORMATION. Wattleseed (Acacia
use them in recipes. This month we USING INDIGENOUS SPICES victoriae) grows in the very arid parts of
feature wattleseed and mountain In general, as with other spices, much of central Australia and ours is wild-
pepper; and next native mint and lemon the flavour is lost during long cooking. harvested by Aboriginal people in the
myrtle. So, it’s best to add spices towards the Northern Territory. Many wattles have 2
We now stock fresh fruit+veg from
Champion Organics in Mangrove
F+V what’s good in fruit+veg with Renata Field
GRAPEFRUIT: Ruby grapefruits, juicy
with a tang
CUCUMBER: Local FD produce – try
the crispy white apple variety
Mountain on the Central Coast. It’s GUAVA: Soft and sweet inside. CHILLIES: Local FD
delivered on Monday mornings and we’re PERSIMMON: Perfectly ripe when soft EGGPLANT: Now mid-season
currently receiving persimmons, lettuce, and squishy – worth it GRAPES: Many, many varieties
herbs, watermelon, snake beans and FRESH HERBS: Basil, parsley, thyme,
rhubarb. For more info, see ON THEIR WAY OUT sage, dill and more In the shop fridge
www.championorganics.com.au CORN: Very sweet, raw or cooked LIMES: FD, yellow ones are the ripest
PASSIONFRUIT: Sweet and juicy FD PEARS: China variety have a hard skin,
NEW ARRIVALS PLUMS: Soft, sweet and squishy, but are pearfect and juicy inside!
APPLES: Golden delicious, jonathans, STONE FRUIT: The last of the peaches RHUBARB: Bake with apples
red splendours from Victoria. More soon. and nectarines ROCKET: Fresh with a bite
CUSTARD APPLES: Early season, sweet SEBAGO POTATOES: Local FD
and soft WHAT’S GOOD NOW SQUASH: 4 varieties to try
LEMONADES: Between a mandarin and BEANS, SNAKE and GREEN WATERMELON: Sweet, juicy
a lemon, sweet and tangy CAPSICUM: Crispy and delicious ZUCCHINI: Perfect right now
If you’d like to ask me about anything, or to order in bulk, please email produce@alfalfahouse.org FD: Farmer-Direct
For week-to-week fruit+veg availability: go to www.alfalfahouse.org/html/PRODUCTS/fruit+veg.htm
edible seed including the Sydney combined. Sift the flour with soda and
Golden Wattle. Aboriginal people have baking powder. Fold in flour alternately Recipe
been using wattleseed for thousands of with milk. Pour mixture into a cake tin
years as a staple but these days it’s more and bake for approx. 1 hour at 180°C. Potato Pancake with Mushroom
commonly used as a spice when roasted Sauté and Rocket Salad
and ground, which release its flavours. Wattleseed Icecream SERVES 6
SERVES8. Prep time: 20 minutes + four
HOW TO USE hours freezing time. No cooking required 1 kg potatoes
Use as a flavouring, as you would 1 tsp salt
chocolate, coffee, walnut and hazelnut. ½ litre cream 2 tsp mountain pepper, ground
Add 1-2 tablespoons to bread and 4 egg whites 180g flour, amount may depend on
cake recipes or to pancake batter or to a 4 egg yolks type of potato
cheesecake. 4 tbsp pure icing sugar Oil for frying
Combine with lemon myrtle and 1 tbsp wattleseed
sprinkle on tofu before cooking. Potato pancake
In cream sauces for pasta or tofu and Whip egg whites till they form soft Boil potatoes with skin on. Cool slightly,
it goes very well with milk products. peaks. Set aside. Whip egg yolks and peel and mash with salt and mountain
In uncooked dishes, let the flavour sugar till light and fluffy. Set aside. pepper. Cool completely. Kneed mash
infuse overnight. Whip cream. Mix with flour. Dough should be of a
In desserts, it blends with egg yolk and consistency that can be rolled out. Divide
well with vanilla and sugar mix and dough into 12 balls. Roll each out into a
cinnamon. lemon myrtle. 15-20cm diameter pancake. Fry
In savoury dishes, it Gently mix in egg pancakes on a pan with a little oil,
complements lemon whites, making sure turning frequently. This can be done
myrtle, bush tomato or you don’t beat the hours earlier. Reheat pancakes prior to
mountain pepper. air out of the serving.
As a general guide, whites. Pour into
use one teaspoon per your choice of Mixed mushroom sauté
500g of other ingredients MOUNTAIN PEPPER container and 200g mixed mushrooms
in savoury dishes, one tablespoon per freeze till hard – four hours, depending 10g dried shiitake mushrooms
500g in desserts. on the size of container. 1 small leek
Wattleseed also makes a good 1 small zucchini (100g)
caffeine-free coffee; add a teaspoon to a MOUNTAIN PEPPER 100ml cream (option: use water or
cup or plunger and pour over boiling PLANT INFORMATION Mountain pepper stock with a little arrowroot starch or
water. Allow to stand a few minutes. The (Tasmannia lanceolata), a small tree that kuzu dissolved in cold water instead)
used grounds can be used again to grows to five metres, is found in south- 1 sprig rosemary
flavour biscuits, cream, ice cream. east NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. Both lemon myrtle to taste, ground
the leaves and berries contain a salt to taste
Recipes compound called polygodial which gives
them their characteristic hot taste. Most Soak shiitake mushrooms in enough
Banana and Wattleseed Cake mountain pepper is wild-harvested by warm water to cover them. Slice leek
SERVES 12. Prep time: 20 minutes hand, however, commercial plantations and zucchini in 1cm slices. Break or cut
Cooking time: 1 hour are now emerging to meet demand. mushrooms into desirable pieces (not too
small). Sauté leek and rosemary then add
125g butter HOW TO USE The heat of the pepper zucchini. Sauté a few minutes then add
125g rapadura sugar decreases with cooking time so add a mixed mushrooms. Add shiitake and
2 eggs little just before serving if you like the cream. Add salt and lemon myrtle.
1 tsp vanilla essence taste of pepper. It has a very spicy fruity To serve, place two folded pancakes on
1 tbsp wattleseed flavour followed by a hot peppery taste. each plate with the mixed mushroom
4 medium sized bananas Sprinkle mountain pepper leaf on tofu, sauté inside the folded pancake.
1 tsp bicarb soda chicken, fish, beef, pork or lamb before Accompany with a rocket salad tossed
125ml milk cooking, alone or in combination with with vinaigrette.
300g flour other herbs or spices. Use in marinades,
3 tsp baking powder rub onto tofu or meat or use in a dip. NEXT MONTH: Native mint and
Mountain pepper leaf goes especially Lemon Myrtle
Beat butter and sugar until light and well with potatoes. It goes well with
fluffy. Add eggs, beating thoroughly most vegetables and gives a refreshing Recipes from Kurrajong Native Foods
after each egg. Add vanilla essence, lift to salad dressings, pasta dough, (www.bushtuckerstore.com.au) and
wattleseed and bananas. Beat until just sauce or bread. OzTukka (www.oztukka.com.au)
2
PLEASE NOTE that any nutritional advice given in the eNews is of a general nature only and does not take into account
individual circumstances or needs. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Alfalfa House encourages readers to
seek specific advice from health professionals as needed.
WHEAT&GLUTEN
Welcome to the first of a regular series on food
allergies and food intolerance.
Each time we’ll look at a different food or
food group, including identifying ‘naturally
occurring’ chemicals responsible for adverse
reactions and we’ll suggest alternative ‘safe’
foods and ‘low-chemical’ foods. And, of
course, a recipe.
AI
ALLERGIES
&
While I’m not your ‘doctor’, I am a mum INTOLERANCES
with five years’ personal experience – the age TAMARA KILLICK
of my food-sensitive boy. So I’ve done plenty of
necessary research and dietary experimenting. I also
welcome your feedback and encourage you to share your
experiences. Email me c/o info@alfalfahouse.org.
THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF FOOD ALLERGY AND FOOD
INTOLERANCE: SOME STATS DEFINITIONS
Most reactions to food are food intolerances WHEAT ALLERGY. A severe and sudden onset allergic
Number of Australians with an allergy reaction to a protein component in the grain. To a very small
CHILDREN: 1 in 20 number of people, contact with a wheat allergen can be fatal –
ADULTS: 1 in 100 allergic shock or anaphylaxis.
60% of allergies appear in the first year of life.
WHEAT INTOLERANCE. Difficulty digesting gluten, a
3
FOOD ALLERGY OR FOOD INTOLERANCE? complex protein found in wheat and other grains, including
ALLERGY rye, barley and oats. Sensitivity to gluten produces a reaction
Definition: an auto-immune response to a specific part of a food, that is slower than an allergic reaction, with a varying degree of
usually a complex protein component. symptoms depending on the quantity of gluten ingested.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BODY? As if being threatened by a
toxic substance, the body’s immune system reacts to what is
GLUTEN INTOLERANCE. A digestive system response to
the gluten protein present in wheat and related grains. Gluten
in fact a ‘harmless’ food substance. The body goes into shock
gives baked goods that springy bounce and also keeps bread
(anaphylaxis), ultimately leading to heart failure. For some
from crumbling. As with wheat intolerance and depending on
people ingestion or even trace amounts of cross-
sensitivity, some people may tolerate small amounts of gluten.
contamination from a specific allergen can be fatal if
medical treatment isn’t sought immediately.
MORE INFO on www.allergyfacts.org.au
CELIAC DISEASE. An immune reaction to gluten, more
specifically to gliadin – a known intestinal irritant – present in
gluten. As with other severe allergic reactions, the body’s
INTOLERANCE
immune system responds to gluten as though it were a toxic
Definition: A chemical reaction that occurs after eating or
substance. Put simply, the small intestine inevitably becomes
drinking some foods. Reaction to a food chemical is
damaged and the body consequently fails to take up vital
accumulative so the symptoms may not appear until some days
nutrients. People with celiac disease must maintain a strict
after a food is eaten. To remain free of symptoms a carefully
gluten-free diet their entire lives.
planned, moderated diet is required.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BODY? It is not an autoimmune
response, but rather a sensitivity to chemicals present in the
THE WHEAT WE EAT
Wheat and other grains containing gluten are among the most
food, i.e., naturally-occurring chemicals and preservatives, commonly-used ingredients in food preparation. They’re in
and/or artificial chemicals. Depending on the person and the pasta, bread, flat bread, pizza base, pancakes, cakes and slices,
food ingested, symptoms can include one or more of the biscuits, breakfast cereal, muesli snacks, savoury snacks. So the
following: hives, headaches, tiredness, irritability, and task of avoiding gluten almost requires a degree in food science.
stomach problems. Food intolerance can also be associated Avoiding wheat, and in particular gluten, takes a serious
with asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome and irritable bowel commitment to one’s health, notwithstanding a thick skin to
syndrome. deal with the social pressure.
SNACKS+SWEET TREATS METHOD
SNEAKY WHEAT Inana’s halva gems, Spiral mung bean Place baking mix and salt into a bowl
Wheat and gluten are used in a variety chips, Spiral rice crackers (tamari or Beat eggs with yogurt and gradually
of foods such as sweets (caramel), sauces Black sesame), Rice cakes, Loving Earth fold into the dry ingredients until a soft
and condiments, beverages (beer, scotch). raw chocolates, Kitzbars dough is formed
For a comprehensive A-Z list go to: Knead lightly on a lightly floured
http://celiac-disease.com/food-
ingredients-that-contain-gluten/ CAFÉS+RESTAURANTS surface (use baking mix) and roll out to
cover base of a 20cm round baking tin
There are many cafés and restaurants in Spread with your favourite toppings
The safest bet, even if it appears to be Sydney that cater for people with a Bake at 200°C for 25 minutes until
wheat-free, is to always read the wheat allergy and/or gluten intolerance. the base is cooked through.
ingredients on the label. I’ve listed a few here, but for a more
extensive list go to the Celiac NSW
WHAT’S SAFE IN THE CO-OP website www.nswcoeliac.org.au/
Places_to_eat.htm
RESOURCE
FRIENDLY FOOD: FOOD FOR LIFE
GRAINS rice, quinoa, amaranth, millet, by Dr Anne R Swaine, Dr Velencia L
Andean mix (white, red, and black The Peasants Feast Soutter and Dr Robert H Loblay
quinoa, amaranth), buckwheat 121a King Street Newtown 9516 5998 An excellent resource, loaded with safe/
The Razors Edge alternative recipes, charts, facts, info.
CEREALS puffed amaranth, puffed 129 Enmore Road Enmore 9557 5867 Available from most bookshops or from
millet, puffed brown rice, puffed quinoa, IKU Wholefoods RPA’s Allergy Unit in Camperdown.
puffed buckwheat, rolled amaranth, 25a Glebe Point Road Glebe 9692 8720
Dare Foods (Delicious and Responsible
rolled quinoa, rolled brown rice,
buckwheat grawnola, Alfalfa’s Own Eating) Shop 22, Rocks Centre, Playfair SOURCES
muesli (a blend of rolled quinoa, gluten Street The Rocks 9251 1445 (has The Australian Celiac Society
free multi-puffs, shredded coconut, chia gluten-free beer) The RPA Allergy
seeds, cranberries and black mission figs) Wheat Intolerance and Wheat
Sensitivity Deborah Manners, 2007
PASTA brown rice penne, rice-based
RECIPE www.foodintol.com
macaroni, quinoa/brown rice penne, Gluten-free pizza base Wheat Allergy Velencia Soutter,
millet couscous adapted from glutenfree.net.au Anne Swain, Robert Loblay,
RPA Allergy Unit 2002
NOODLES Soba (100% buckwheat) INGREDIENTS
Wheat allergies, intolerance and coeliac
275g gluten-free flour (for a lighter disease Melanie Hearse 2008
FLOURS amaranth flour, chickpea dough try combing two GF flours) www.superliving.com.au
flour (besan), buckwheat flour, brown 1 tsp gluten-free baking powder The Optimum Nutrition Bible
rice flour, soya flour, quinoa flour pinch sea salt Patrick Holford, 1997
1 egg (or equivalent egg replacer) Your Gluten Free Life,
BREADS Naturis organic sourdough – 150ml natural yoghurt http://glutenfree.net.au/2008/04/pizza-
buckwheat or rice Alfalfa House stocks all ingredients base/
4
Volunteers are needed
Urban Orchard at DIY markets
The local produce
to help with research (at
home) as well as in-store
swap is at the events. If interested, please
DIY Markets (opp. email Monika (groceries@alfalfahouse.org) with
Newtown details as to when you’re available and what you'd
Station) the last like to help with. Thanks.
Saturday of the
FREE 2009 CALENDAR
month from
10am-noon.
Urban Orchard is
where you share
excess produce
WITH SAMPLES+GIFTS
Don't forget to pick up your free Alfalfa House
(fruit+veg, herbs)
calendar next time you’re shopping or print your
from your own from the website’s NEWS page. Each calendar
garden, and/or features a number of coupons that you can redeem
food you’ve for free samples and gifts. During April, spend $60
gleaned from your neighbourhood. No cash, completely informal, and receive a Loving Earth raw chocolate bar and
plenty of fun. You can even swap recipes and tips. If you’d like to an Alfalfa surprise birthday gift.
get involved, email Renata at produce@alfalfahouse.org.
PRINT YOUR OWN CALENDAR. GO TO
AN INITIATIVE OF ALFALFA HOUSE
www.alfalfahouse.org/assets/downloads/ah_calendar09.pdf
MY SHOP
WITH
I N T E R V I E W by TA M A R A K I L L I C K
How did you discover Alfalfa House?
I think from just living in the area.
When you’re unemployed and a student,
as I was at the time, you have free time
and walk around a lot looking for new
and interesting places and things to do.
The style of shopping appealed to me,
where you take your own jars and bags.
How long have you been a member?
Twelve or thirteen years. Maybe longer!
How often do shop at Alfalfa?
Once a week, once a fortnight. I tend to
stock up on staples like rice, pasta, nuts,
tofu.
What’s your favourite Alfalfa
purchase?
I like the little treats. The kinds of
things that are uncommon to
conventional shops, such as the cocoa
butter, tamari almonds, choc-coated Have you met any interesting and filling up tubs.
‘anything’. Also, I like the organic rice people or developed any
and other organic grains. meaningful relationships over the What did you enjoy most about
years shopping at Alfalfa? volunteering?
Tell me five things you enjoy most To be honest I can’t say I have actually I enjoyed giving back as well as the
about shopping at Alfalfa? developed any ongoing friendships as 25% discount, which is generous, so it’s
1. I like that it’s small and intimate, you such, however, it’s always nice to see worth volunteering for. It can be very
don’t feel bombarded by bad muzak and familiar faces at the co-op. I enjoy the expensive to maintain an organic pantry
bright lights random chats that pop up while shopping. and fridge!
2. Taking your own packaging
3. being exposed to new foods and Do you read the eNews? Is there anything new you would
ingredients Yes. I love getting it in my inbox. It’s like to see at Alfalfa?
4. because of the bulk supply you don’t really informative and offers a different It would be great to see a bigger range
have to buy heaps of something when take on what you might read elsewhere. of baby-friendly products. I think it
you only need ½ cup – so you can try it I find the section on what’s new and could increase Alfalfa’s market. I know
out before committing to buying large what’s in season helpful, also the recipes that people make eco-cloth nappies
quantities are great. with various unique features, such as
5. being a vego, I like that Alfalfa is a pockets. If they could put their range of
one-stop shop, things such as quinoa; Do you volunteer at Alfalfa? nappies in Alfalfa it could broaden the
it’s delicious and so easy to cook Not at the moment. It’s been about ten market and sales. The inner west is
6. I like the seasonal aspect of it; It years but I have volunteered in the past. getting gentrified so by having a
forces you try different fruit and veg I had a lot more time back then. Now broader range of kid-friendly items it
that you may not eat. Unlike I’m a full-time mum and I work part- could attract more shoppers. It would
conventional shops you’re not inundated time, however, I’m still really committed also be great to see the shop open
with hundreds of everything – just a to Alfalfa. I don’t shop anywhere else for earlier if possible. Even 10am would be
few nice things and importantly organic produce and I am very supportive helpful, or even an early start a couple
seasonal produce. of the co-op philosophy and Alfalfa’s of days a week. I find that by 11am it’s
(Tamara: Okay, so I asked for five things, role in the community. I would like to just that little bit too late in the
but I couldn’t leave the last one out.) get involved in volunteering again if morning to fit in with everything else
there is a job that I could do from home. that’s going on around that time.
What are your favourite ingredients
to cook with and what do you do When you were volunteering what Any final words?
with them? kinds of jobs did you do? Go Alfalfa! It’s a great co-op that has
Broccoli, tamari, basil, tofu. I love a good I did do a stint at the checkout but lasted through the decades with a great
stir fry, or curry, and my daughter eats mainly worked out in the back of the philosophy and dedicated
teams.
broccoli any old way, which is great. shop doing the re-stocking, cleaning 5
Up close with the pistachio BY RENATA FIELD
ver eaten fresh pistachios? They’re
E such a tasty treat. Soft and subtle,
sweet, fresh and nutty.
I’m just back from a quick trip to the
Food Forest in South Australia, from
which Alfalfa House gets its pistachios.
The Food Forest is a permaculture
property, just north of Adelaide, and now
almost 25 years old. The farm is owned
by two inspiring permaculturists Anne-
Marie and Graham Brookman, who
happily share their wealth of knowledge
through tours, workshops, permaculture
design courses and hosting landcare
groups and wwoofers (willing workers on
organic farms).
The Food Forest’s main crops are
pistachios and carobs, however, the farm
follows the permaculture principle of
diversity, combining orchards of stone
fruit, apples and pears, other nut PISTACHIOS IN FULL-BLOOM
varieties as well as rare fruit varieties, a
market garden and revegetated bush. kernel float and are removed IN HARVEST-MODE
Ripe pistachios sit on trees like for composting.
bunches of baby pink coloured flowers. Next the nuts are spin-dried
Harvesting them is a little less delicate! in an old washing machine,
In groups of four, we lay out two large then put on trays in a
tarps under the trees then shake each dehydrator for between 36-48
tree or hit the bunches with poplar poles hours to reduce their moisture
onto the tarps. After a few trees, when content to under 12%. The end
the tarp is usually too heavy to drag, we result is the tastiest pistachio
empty the contents into large wooden I’ve ever tried – they don’t
crates covered with coarse wire mesh to need to be salted.
sift out the leaves and twigs. From there, It was great to be involved
the tractor takes them to be processed. in the process of making our
Pistachios are covered with a light food grow, and to be on a
pink, mango-smelling hull that must be property that is an example of pistachio harvesting courtesy of ABC1’s
removed; the Brookmans have a dehuller self-sufficiency in action. Landline special on the Brookmans
for this. The nuts are also put through a (www.abc.net.au/landline/content/2006/s
little bath where the ones without a There’s more on the Food Forest and 2208413.htm).
6
POSITIONS VACANT
Two spots on the MC PRICEWATCH
Product Alfalfa House* Health Food Supermarket Supermarket
There are two vacancies on the co-op’s
Cert. Organic Store Cert. Organic Not Organic
board, known as the Management Cert. Organic
Committee (MC). If you’d like to help
shape the direction of Alfalfa House, Soap, personal, pure 100g $2.46 $3.80 $2.06 $0.82
why not join? To find out more, Tofu, firm, 100g $1.49 $1.90 $1.39 $0.99
including Directors’ Duties and the Cheese, Edam, 100g $3.78 $4.20 $3.27 $2.72
minutes from the meetings, go to www. Plums, Radiance, 100g $0.97 $0.80 NA $0.30
alfalfahouse.org/html/who_are_we.htm .
Earl Grey tea, loose leaf, 100g $6.67 $7.80 NA $2.45
If you’d like to chat to an MC member
about it, email coordinator@ SURVEY NUMBER 7, APRIL 2009 NA: not available – Compiled by Jo Rose
alfalfahouse.org . *PRICES ARE WITH THE BASIC 10% MEMBER DISCOUNT.
what’sNEW All that fuss
GROCERIES
WITH MONIKA BAUMANN
Setting up children’s not a struggle over food
healthy eating habits and don’t use food
A
New rices from Thailand
While we no longer stock Australian-grown organic
early – right from
their very first bites, Healthy treats as a bribe to
get them to eat
through their meals. This sets up
brown or white rice (because it is no longer grown), we
do have a number of varieties of rice in the shop, some
of which are new. And they are organic or chemical-free
and Fairtrade and grown in a country better suited to
toddler years is the
most important
thing we can do for
START WITH
Lucy Marinelli
bad eating patterns
for life. Regulate
eating times and
their health. Because patterns and involve
growing rice than the driest inhabited continent on the
adolescents and adults tend children who are old
planet. Our white jasmine, coral, purple, and black rices
to be drawn to those foods that enough in the preparation of
all come via Alter Eco, which only buys Fairtrade organic
featured heavily in their early their meals. Include a range of
products. The company works directly with growers to
diets, it’s important to start them colourful foods and allow the
set up farmer co-ops and the farmers themselves decide
healthy now and keep them kids to choose from them.
how to invest the higher prices they receive for their rice.
healthy for life. While this Encourage self-feeding as much
These rices are grown in Thailand, which isn’t too far
ensures their vitamin and mineral as possible. Remember that
away. The black and purple rices are new to Alfalfa while
intake is sufficient to sustain children’s stomachs are small and
the coral rice is now back in stock, along with the
their busy lives, it also gives ensure that they are not filling
jasmine. All are bought in bulk, thanks to the efforts of
them a better chance against up on juice or other fluids before
various food co-ops, including Alfalfa, in persuading
eating disorders and obesity later their meals. Try not to eat too
AlterEco and the producer co-ops to offer a bulk range
in life. late in the evening when they
as well as the pre-pack with which they began. It’s taken
Young children are simply may be too tired.
a couple of years to get there but it underscores how
considered fussy eaters. Aim
food co-ops can help reshape the food system. A quick, easy, lumpy
to keep foods and meals varied
White jasmine As its name ‘Hom Malee’ or ‘scented and remember to introduce custard recipe
rice’ indicates, jasmine rice develops a delicate aroma children to foods that you Banana custard made straight
when cooked for 15 minutes and brings out the perfume yourself may not like. They may from your fruit bowl is a very
of a jasmine blossom. This unique aroma is a result of have different tastes to you and yummy and natural alternative to
the dry, salty soil specific to the Isan plateau in Thailand. they may prefer other foods. the highly processed, laden-
It can be used as a main dish, a side dish or, as in Parents tend to give up after two with-sugar version you can get
Thailand, a snack and is produced by the Surin co-op. or three times when their child in supermarkets. Blend a small
rejects a new food, but don’t be banana with a couple of chunks
Coral rice (Khao Deng variety) is derived from an put off. Research shows that it of celery. Ensure that you blend
ancient red rice grain and obtained by a natural can in fact take up to ten until the celery is completely
technique using traditional millstones. The polished attempts before a food is smooth. Mash another banana
grains acquire a coral colour and while the grains retain accepted into the diet. and mix it gently into the puree
all the natural richness and minerals of wholegrain red Lumpy foods and foods to create a more custard-like
rice, they’re lighter and easier to digest. The coral colour with a little texture need to consistency. I find bananas
remains when cooked for no more than 15 minutes. be introduced early. Again, puréed on their own can be a
research shows that introducing little too sweet and the celery
Purple rice is of the Khao Gram variety, glutinious more textured food later can cuts the sweetness without
when cooked and has a delicate, sweet palate. Due to its lead to children becoming fussy. taking over the taste. Bananas
rich taste and aesthetic appeal, this traditional rice is So don’t purée all those lumps provide plenty of vitamin C,
used by local communities for feasts and celebrations. It out to achieve that ultra-smooth some of the B vitamins,
is grown exclusively in the fertile soil of the Esan finish; just simply mash the food potassium, magnesium,
Plateau, in Thailand’s east, close to the Cambodian with a fork or leave some soft manganese and even the omegas
border. The purple rice is mixed white jasmine to give it lumps in there. 3 and 6, while celery adds
an better texture yet retaining its colour and sweet Don’t stress that your sodium, vitamin A, K and folate.
flavour. It’s grown without chemical fertilisers by the child is not eating enough. If A lovely little vitamin and
Phakao Cooperative. your child seems healthy and has mineral meal that tastes great
no trouble running around too. Give it a try with those
Black rice – aka king of the golden triangle – is a rare energetically and driving you delicious Lady Finger bananas in
heirloom wholegrain variety from Thailand’s Chian Mai mad, then they are eating season now.
region. It is deep black in colour, has a nutty flavour enough! Remember too that as
with notes of pepper and a crunchy texture. It’s also they go through their toddler You can also introduce children
grown without chemical fertilisers. years, their growth rate begins to to the more exotic fruits and
MORE INFO on the farmers’ co-ops go to slow and this may affect how vegetables when they are in
www.alfalfahouse.org/html/PRODUCTS/SPECIFIC_ much food they need. season such as the ultra-
Make mealtimes enjoyable, colourful dragonfruit.
PRODUCTS/thai_rices.htm 7
Recipes of the moment
Vanilla Sago Pudding
GLUTEN-FREE. CAN BE VEGAN BY OMITING EGG.
SERVES 6
2⁄ cup sago
3
800ml cups coconut milk
2⁄ cup rapadura sugar or half a cup of
3
such as cinnamon and
agave syrup or honey vanilla, to make the drink
1⁄ teaspoon salt
2
more agreeable to European
1 vanilla bean, split, with seeds tastes. This beverage
scraped evolved into the more
1 egg, separated (optional) familiar hot chocolate we
1⁄ teaspoon vanilla extract
2
have today.
Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and from the pod before removing the bean
3⁄ cup rapadura sugar
scrap the seeds from the pod. Use both 4 if you choose. Vanilla beans can usually
the pod and the seeds – splitting the 2 vanilla beans, sliced open be used several times depending on how
1⁄ cup cacao powder or unsweetened
bean exposes more of the surface of the 2 strenuously you’ve used them. For
bean to release a stronger flavour. cocoa powder instance, if you’ve placed a vanilla bean
Put all ingredients in a heavy 1 tsp cinnamon in a pitcher of lemonade, the bean will
1⁄ tsp cayenne powder (optional)
saucepan. Cook over low heat 15-20 4 still contain a lot of flavour when the
minutes, stirring regularly. Be sure to stir Split open the vanilla beans and beverage is gone. Rinse and dry the bean
the bottom of the pan to prevent scrape out the seeds. Retain the pods for pieces after using them. If there is only
scorching. When sago pearls are slightly use in other recipes such as the pudding. the pod left or if you‘ve used the bean
translucent, remove pan from heat. Let Add to remaining ingredients and several times, let the pieces dry and
cool slightly. blend for 30 seconds. retire them to the sugar or coffee jar as
Whisk in egg yolk. Cool completely. Store in an airtight container. The mix they will exude a delicate flavour and
When cool, beat egg white until stiff will keep for two months. Use about 1⁄2 fragrance for some time to come. Beans
and fold in. Remove vanilla bean and cup of the mix in hot water or to desired that have been used once or twice can
spoon tapioca into bowls. Garnish with strength. Add your favourite milk if also be ground and used to add extra
fresh seasonal tropical fruits and grated preferred. flavour to icecream, biscuits and cakes.
or dessicated coconut, if desired.
OPTION. For a Mocha Mix, add one STORAGE. Vanilla beans will keep
teaspoon of instant espresso powder. indefinitely in an airtight container in a
Vanilla-infused cool, dark place. Don’t refrigerate them
HOW TO PREP THE BEAN. To cut
hot chocolate open a vanilla bean lay it flat on a
as they can harden and crystallise. Dry or
SERVES 2-4 withered beans can be rehydrated in a
cutting surface. Hold one end of the warm liquid and will still contain flavour.
The Aztecs and Mayans drank ground bean to the surface and carefully slice
cacao beans mixed with water in a the bean open lengthwise (above right). All past recipes are on the website.
beverage called xocoatl, or bitter water. When separated, thousands of tiny seeds Go to www.alfalfahouse.org/html/
Europeans later added sugar and spices, are exposed. You can scrape the seeds recipes.htm
8
Gravity
Feed Bin
WE WANT TO BE FLOORED HELP ON A STALL
Raffle Winner
The co-op’s office floor needs some work. Do Cooks River Sustainability Festival
you have materials (lino or masonite or similar) SUNDAY APRIL 19, 2009
for March you could donate or know where we can procure Three shifts 10.30am-12.30pm, 12.30-2.30pm, 2.30-4.30pm
is Danny them and/or can you help us with the work to Help on a stall promoting the co-op and selling pre-packaged
Hirschfield put flooring in place? Contact Nija 9519 3374 stock. Simple and lots of fun. If you’re interested in volunteering
CONGRATULATIONS or email: coordinator@alfalfahouse.org at any time on the day, please email Jo (redrosiejo@gmail.com).
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E-News is edited and designed by Stevie Bee for Alfalfa House Community Food Cooperative Ltd
113 Enmore Road Enmore Tel. 9519 3374 feedback@alfalfahouse.org www.alfalfahouse.org
