The Food Coach

Market Fresh 14th May 2013

Information courtesy of Sue Dodd, Sydney Markets

Apples
Sweet & juicy apples are just delicious at the moment. Enjoy as part of Bircher muesli or as part of a tasty dessert.
Silverbeet
Choose fresh silverbeet with crisp creamy-white stems and dark green leaves. Sauté shredded with garlic, add to chunky vegetable soups or use leaves to wrap a tasty mince meat filling and steam.
Leeks
Luscious leeks are perfect for loaded with flavour. Trim and discard the roots, the tough outermost layer of the stem and the dark green tops. Halve leeks lengthways and wash well, lightly fanning the layers under cold running water to remove any dirt. Slice or chop as required.
Fennel
Free recipe-Finely shred fennel removing the centre core. Pan-fry fennel in a drizzle of olive oil, with crushed garlic until tender. Enjoy.
Beetroot
With their rich purple-red colour and sweet earthy flavour, beetroots provides stunning colour for autumn meals. Roast beetroot with a sprinkling of cumin and serve with hommous.
Carrot
Tasmania's cool climate is ideal for producing premium quality sweet, crisp carrots. Carrots are plentiful and loaded with flavour. Enjoy them roasted, steamed or in soups and stir-fries.
Zucchini
Versatile zucchini are a choice buy. Add them sliced, diced or grated to soups, fritters, pasta dishes, stir-fries or a vegetable curry.
Avocado
Nutritious creamy avocados are packed with vitamin E. Top tacos, tortillas or burritos with diced or mashed avocado. Select from Shepard or Hass avocados at this time of year. Tip: New season Hass avocados will retain more of the green pigment in their skin on ripening so don’t wait for them to turn purple black. To test if avocados are ripe, press gently at the stem end, if yield to pressure they are ready to enjoy.
Lemon
Combine finely grated lemon rind with finely chopped flat-leaf parsley and crushed garlic in a gremolata to sprinkle over crumbed lamb cutlets, osso bucco or a vegetable soup. Add a strip of lemon rind and lemon juice to sugar syrups for poaching apples, pears and quinces.
Pears
Choose from juicy William, Packham, Beurre Bosc and Corella pears. Poach firm pears in a light sugar syrup flavoured with vanilla, cinnamon and orange rind or bake, stew or roast. Pears make elegant desserts and a tasty addition to a salad or serve wedges with cheese.
Apples
Silverbeet
Leeks
Fennel
Beetroot
Carrot
Zucchini
Avocado
Lemon
Pears


Seasonal Recipes - Autumn


Orange and Almond Semolina Cake
Although we haven’t tested it, a discussion with some of the GI experts at Sydney Uni confirmed my thoughts: this cake should have a low GI. It’s great for anyone managing high blood sugar levels and it’s delicious. With a raft of very healthy ingredients it holds as much treat factor appeal as other less healthy cakes around. You’ll love it.

Pear and Tahini Muffins
These high energy muffins are great to pack for work or school – they are high in kilojoules though so if you want to shake the extra winter kilo before summer hits, don’t make the mistake of many in thinking because they are healthy you can eat them by the dozen. I freeze them and take out only what I need at any one time.

Fennel, Chilli, Garlic & Pumpkin Pasta
The chilli & garlic in this pasta dish provide a lovely warming quality for the cooler nights of autumn and winter however this recipe also tastes nice cold during Summer and Spring. If you like spice simply add more chilli...The most important thing to remember?....Always use good quality pasta and parmesan!

Just hot enough pumpkin soup
Talk about easy and delicious – this soup is that, and with the massive amount of beta-carotene, it’s a fabulous dose on antioxidants to give your body in one delicious hit. 32 degrees spice mix is available from www.herbies.com.au

Gluten Free Honey and Linseed Cookies
I’ve altered the original recipe to make these suitable for people who suffer from gluten allergies, but others can substitute the millet flakes with rolled oats if they prefer.

Dhal
If you are down to your last few dollars this is the dish. The individual ingedients are inexpensive and combines it makes a wonderfully nurturing meal. There's no way around the salt I'm afraid. You really need it for flavour.