Outback Kitchen - Cooking
It's important to not only eat healthy, you must also enjoy what you eat!
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Autumn time at last bye bye heat wave
Try something different this Autumn try eating some goat. I cannot believe what with all the feral goats we have in South Australia that most people I know have never tried it. We get our goat straight off the land - yes we eat feral goat and it is great. A lot can be done with goat and get this goat has less fat. Want to try some? Click here for some recipies. If you have any recipies I would love to hear from you.
Kids don't eat vegies? I have found over the years in my time running playgroups and parenting groups that many find it difficult to get their kids to eat vegies. Some mums just give up and give them what they want, but in the long term this is not good for growing bodies. If you are having this problem try some of the following.
Grow your own! My children learned to eat their vegies straight out the vegie patch. If fact they used to eat so much out there that I often did not have much produce left over to freeze or preserve. From broadbeans to broccolli, from tomatoes to lettuce they eat it. My son Jack even would eat the broccolli leaves, which didn't make our rabbits too happy. Think it is too hard, or wont work in the Outback? Try a no-dig garden bed follow this link Outback Kitchen page 2
Grow your own sprouts they are so easy to grow the kids can do it. See bottom of page for more info.
Because of this I did not use pesticides or herbicides which benifited not only us but the wildlife that visited too. There is a knack to getting seedlings growing without the use of chemicals (see the gardening section). I can't emphasize this idea enough. Every family that I know that takes this approach gets the kids to eat more vegies, especially when the kids get involved and grow their own too.
Sneek them in! How many kids willingly eat spinach or silverbeet? Well mine don't particularly like them, but because they are so good I have found ways to include them in many recipies. When cooking lasagne I add extra layers between the pasta with lightly steamed spinach. This also looks great adding another colour to the layered effect.
I use silverbeet and spinach like parsley when cooking soups and stews. Added in the last ten minutes of cooking it retains it green colour and adds to the garnishing effect.
Grating the vegies into dishes is also a good idea, try it with the Bolognaise, the stew and even on pizza.
Grow your own! My children learned to eat their vegies straight out the vegie patch. If fact they used to eat so much out there that I often did not have much produce left over to freeze or preserve. From broadbeans to broccolli, from tomatoes to lettuce they eat it. My son Jack even would eat the broccolli leaves, which didn't make our rabbits too happy. Think it is too hard, or wont work in the Outback? Try a no-dig garden bed follow this link Outback Kitchen page 2
Grow your own sprouts they are so easy to grow the kids can do it. See bottom of page for more info.
Because of this I did not use pesticides or herbicides which benifited not only us but the wildlife that visited too. There is a knack to getting seedlings growing without the use of chemicals (see the gardening section). I can't emphasize this idea enough. Every family that I know that takes this approach gets the kids to eat more vegies, especially when the kids get involved and grow their own too.
Sneek them in! How many kids willingly eat spinach or silverbeet? Well mine don't particularly like them, but because they are so good I have found ways to include them in many recipies. When cooking lasagne I add extra layers between the pasta with lightly steamed spinach. This also looks great adding another colour to the layered effect.
I use silverbeet and spinach like parsley when cooking soups and stews. Added in the last ten minutes of cooking it retains it green colour and adds to the garnishing effect.
Grating the vegies into dishes is also a good idea, try it with the Bolognaise, the stew and even on pizza.
Help Wanted
Have a recipe you want to share? We would love to try it too! Since it's Autumn how about something that uses food in season.
Send to:
jackie@outbackjack.info
Please do not send attachments put info into body of email
Have a recipe you want to share? We would love to try it too! Since it's Autumn how about something that uses food in season.
Send to:
jackie@outbackjack.info
Please do not send attachments put info into body of email
Growing Vegies in Extreme climates - the Outback
Sometimes our enviroment is just not helpful when it comes to trying to grow vegies at home. That is where growing native plants such as warrigal greens and muntries can be a blessing. However all is not lost and some vegies can still be grown in the outback.
Heat is a big problem and lack of water too! However some times you can still be successful with some lateral thinking.
For example try growing summer vegies either early in the season or do a late planting in early autumn. This usually means raising your own seedlings, undercover to avoid late frost or summer heat.
Also instead of planting vegies into the ground utilize foam veggie boxes which can be obtained from Supermarkets. Around these boxes place some bales of peastraw or regular hay. Also heavy mulch the top. On hot days soak straw to keep enviroment cool. When the bales of straw start to break down you can then recycle them as good mulch for your garden
Shadecloth. I live in Quorn and many of the successful veggie growers here use a light shadecloth over their patches to protect plants from stress. If this is too expensive try in containers under a gum tree but in a place where they would get some full sun either early morning or mid afternoon. The addition of water crystals to the soil near the root zone also helps the plants to survive. Or you could try putting some sandstone in the hole as this soaks up water and stores it for the plant. (I heard that tip on the ABC gardening show)
You can also grow some plants in pots on the verhanda. I have italian parsley doing very well in a morning sun postition out the back and I grew cos lettuce out the front porch, they only got about 3 hours full sun and then were in dappled shade from a nearby gum the rest of the arvo.
I would not reccomend using unglazed pots though as they loose a lot of water. I do recommend however using good compost in soil as it help with water retention and nutrients for soil for more tips HERE
Sometimes our enviroment is just not helpful when it comes to trying to grow vegies at home. That is where growing native plants such as warrigal greens and muntries can be a blessing. However all is not lost and some vegies can still be grown in the outback.
Heat is a big problem and lack of water too! However some times you can still be successful with some lateral thinking.
For example try growing summer vegies either early in the season or do a late planting in early autumn. This usually means raising your own seedlings, undercover to avoid late frost or summer heat.
Also instead of planting vegies into the ground utilize foam veggie boxes which can be obtained from Supermarkets. Around these boxes place some bales of peastraw or regular hay. Also heavy mulch the top. On hot days soak straw to keep enviroment cool. When the bales of straw start to break down you can then recycle them as good mulch for your garden
Shadecloth. I live in Quorn and many of the successful veggie growers here use a light shadecloth over their patches to protect plants from stress. If this is too expensive try in containers under a gum tree but in a place where they would get some full sun either early morning or mid afternoon. The addition of water crystals to the soil near the root zone also helps the plants to survive. Or you could try putting some sandstone in the hole as this soaks up water and stores it for the plant. (I heard that tip on the ABC gardening show)
You can also grow some plants in pots on the verhanda. I have italian parsley doing very well in a morning sun postition out the back and I grew cos lettuce out the front porch, they only got about 3 hours full sun and then were in dappled shade from a nearby gum the rest of the arvo.
I would not reccomend using unglazed pots though as they loose a lot of water. I do recommend however using good compost in soil as it help with water retention and nutrients for soil for more tips HERE
(Outback Kids) (Outback Kitchen 2) (Photogallery) (Outback Stories) (Things to doQuorn) (Soups and Starters)
(Soapbox) (Food from the Land) (Prayer) (Kids Colour in) (Maincourse) (About us) (Don't give up) (Australian Animals)
(Soapbox) (Food from the Land) (Prayer) (Kids Colour in) (Maincourse) (About us) (Don't give up) (Australian Animals)
| Fodd additives can be dangerous to kids. Link below for article on this topic. |
| Food Additives Tied To Child Behavior Problems |
Cooking steak just how you like it. Tired of getting your steak overdone when you wanted it rare or medium. Want to know how chefs can tell without having to cut into the meat (and loose all the juice)? Well you need to know the "Rule of thumb"
Go to: Maincourse Click here
Go to: Maincourse Click here
What to do with left over food?
These recipes can be made in 30 mins. Click HERE to see them. If you have a great recipe for leftovers will you share them with us? email them to me jackie@outbackjack.info
These recipes can be made in 30 mins. Click HERE to see them. If you have a great recipe for leftovers will you share them with us? email them to me jackie@outbackjack.info
| Growing your own Sprouts |
| Having fresh bean, alfalfa or snow pea sprouts is not always possible when you live in the bush. Anyone knows that after a couple of days in your fridge they are not at their best, and when you are only getting into town a couple times a month you just end up going without them. Well not any longer. Growing your own sprouts is REALLY easy. You can do it cheaply by just using a jar with a stocking covering the top, or you can do what I did and buy a 3 tier sprouter. I found one advertised on my own website - how blessed is that. It cost less than $50.00 that is including postage and it arrived in a week. Sprouts are amazing when you see just how many vitamins appear once a seed sprouts. Vitamin C is virtually non-existant in a dry seed, so too many of the B vitamin group. Furrther more sprouts contain enzymes that help digestion and they are a good source of fibre and protein. The big bonus is they taste great and don't make you fat. My kids just help themselves from the "sprouter" when they are hungry. What a great way to get vitamins into our children. It is also educational. IF you don't have the money to buy a sprouter, then grab a jar, a stocking and some seeds. Remember that seed swell with the water so don't overcrowd your jar try just a tbspn first up. Now soak the seeds overnight. In the morning secure the stocking over the top of the jar. Drain the water out half fill the jar with fresh water (use rainwater). Then drain the seeds. It is best if you let the jar sit top down in a dish so that the water drains out. You will need to rinse you seeds twice daily. If you don't they will start to smell and go off. Some people use the water from the seeds in a health drink, or add to soups and stews, I give it to my pot plants. For more advice go to the links menu bar next to this table.. Enjoy your healthy snack. |
| Cooking hints and tips |
Do you often run out of onions and you discover this just when the shops have closed? I do all the time. I discovered a handy little product in the Asian grocery markets Fried red onion and sometimes called fried shallot, but the igredients state onion.. I buy it in the 1kg pack as I don't get to the 'big smoke' often. The brand I have at the moment is EAGLOBE it has no artifical flavour and no preservative. It is great to add to soups and stews in place of fresh onion. It is also great as a garnish on top of dishes. My kids eat it straight out of the packet if you let them. Now I am never without onion when I need it. |
| Did you know that Australia has native fig trees with fruit you can eat. I have often wondered about the fruit of the Morton Bay fig tree which can be found in Park Lands in South Australia but originally comes from Queensland. The fruit is edible but the the seeds are gritty. Wonder if anyone has made jam from them?. More about Bush Tucker |
| Summer Gardening - what to plant?. goto page 2 |
| Summer gardening can be quite a challenge in the hot outback. I know just how those heat waves of over forty can burn your veggie plants to a crisp even when you have on lots of mulch. A hot north wind can dry your plants to a crisp but that does not mean you can't grow veggies. My hubby came home from working up North with cucumbers and tomatoes from a station in the Gawler ranges. If they can do it so can you. It will take some commitment however keeping up the water and finding the right spot to grow them. |
Cooking chicken
Chicken is such a wonderful meat to use. It is so versatile. From the classic roast chicken to chicken kebabs to sweet and sour chicken. Just about every culture cooks a chook and has a different way of doing so. To compile a complete list of chicken recipes would be nearly impossible but it is possible to give some tips to those just begining to cook.
When roasting a chook it always tastes better with some basting or seasoning. For a quick tasty seasoning try mixing - paprika, sea salt flakes, and mixed herbs with some olive oil and rub mixture over the chicken before cooking. It not only gives great flavour but also great colour.
Because people are often worried about food poisoning from under cooked chicken they often make the mistake of over cooking it. There is nothing worse than a dried out roast chook or chicken breast fillet. People often think that when you prick a chook and no juices run out it is ready, but that is a sign of overcooking. What you want to see is juices still running but they must be clear and not pink. Don't forget to rest the roast for 10 mins in a warm place to let the meat relax before carving.
When cooking breast fillets make sure they are an even thickness all the way along, you can achieve this by either slicing length ways down the fillet or by putting it in a plastic bag and rolling it with a rolling pin. This makes it easier to cook evenly. Chicken recipes HERE
Chicken is such a wonderful meat to use. It is so versatile. From the classic roast chicken to chicken kebabs to sweet and sour chicken. Just about every culture cooks a chook and has a different way of doing so. To compile a complete list of chicken recipes would be nearly impossible but it is possible to give some tips to those just begining to cook.
When roasting a chook it always tastes better with some basting or seasoning. For a quick tasty seasoning try mixing - paprika, sea salt flakes, and mixed herbs with some olive oil and rub mixture over the chicken before cooking. It not only gives great flavour but also great colour.
Because people are often worried about food poisoning from under cooked chicken they often make the mistake of over cooking it. There is nothing worse than a dried out roast chook or chicken breast fillet. People often think that when you prick a chook and no juices run out it is ready, but that is a sign of overcooking. What you want to see is juices still running but they must be clear and not pink. Don't forget to rest the roast for 10 mins in a warm place to let the meat relax before carving.
When cooking breast fillets make sure they are an even thickness all the way along, you can achieve this by either slicing length ways down the fillet or by putting it in a plastic bag and rolling it with a rolling pin. This makes it easier to cook evenly. Chicken recipes HERE
| Eating Weeds? Did you know that there are weeds in your garden that you can eat? Some are really good in salads and good for you too. Want to do some cooking with weeds? Goto Outback Kitchen page 2 for more information HERE |
Water Saving in the kitchen.
How much water runs down the drain while you are waiting for hot water to get there? I keep a large plastic bottle on the sink and I catch the water for use in the kettle and to water my pots.
I wash my floors with vinegar and the water is ok to use in the garden and try it around plants that need an acid soil.
How much water runs down the drain while you are waiting for hot water to get there? I keep a large plastic bottle on the sink and I catch the water for use in the kettle and to water my pots.
I wash my floors with vinegar and the water is ok to use in the garden and try it around plants that need an acid soil.
| Advocado These are amazing fruits. They contain nearly 17 vitamins and minerals, they are cholesterol free and very good for diabetics. They are great on their own in a salad or on a sandwich. Try a vegimite and advocado sandwhich. For more information follow this link HERE |
Freezing veggies is easy when you know how. Find out how HERE
Outback Jack's Recipe Index HERE
My veggie garden did not go all that well this summer. This was for two reasons. Firstly the heat waves of several days in a row in the low 40's. No matter how much you water them some just still burn, even with lots of mulch. Secondly we ran out of rain water for the veggie garden and we had to use the town bore water. Some plants like my Zucchinni didn't mind, they have thrived well and one plant has produced over 20 of them. My tomatoes and cucumbers however have not done well. I couldn't even get the cucumbers to fruit. The tomatoes have managed to make a little crop but not enough to make relish or sauce. My pumpkins and rockmellon have managed to produce some fruit but the size is small compared to other years. Since my Zuccinnies have done so well we have indulged in several of our favourite recipies. You will find some of them if you CLICK HERE