As regular readers are aware, we get a vegetable delivery (almost) every week. While often there are crisp salads that just cry out to be eaten as is with a good dressing, sometimes I look at the produce and wonder what to make with it all. This month’s what’s on your plate post is looking at two dishes I made inspired by what I found in my delivery last week plus a ‘review so far’ of a new-ish cook book, Julius Roberts The Farm Table.
Potato and leek gratin
To be strictly accurate, I made a potato, kumara (sweet potato) and leek gratin, as I had beautiful kumara to use and not very good potatoes. The inspiration actually came from the Wonky Box website recipe section, which I should investigate further for days I am stuck with what is in the box. I’ve made gratins (is that the plural?) many times before – potato, potato and kumara, kumara, but not with leek as well so it was good inspiration for me.
Verdict? Excellent. Do again? Yes. Picture of final product? Could do better.
Trying things from The Farm Table
No doubt other bloggers out there follow Julius Roberts on Instagram, with his gorgeous pictures and food from his smallholding in Dorset. I got his book back in January, and it has taken me until now to really explore and fill the pages with little post-its to mark things that look like something I would make. To be honest, almost everything looks really good.
Fish cooked in a spiced tomato sauce
Last weekend I made the fish cooked in a spiced tomato sauce with tahini and coriander. Filets of fish (I used tarakihi) are poached in a spicy tomato sauce made with paprika, chilli, cumin and preserved lemons and then drizzled with tahini and sprinkled with coriander. It was very simple to make and very delicious to eat, and I served it with couscous as suggested and a pile of salad. This is definitely a ‘make again’ dish, and I can see this being one of the pages in the book that ends up splattered with tomato.
Verdict? Excellent. Do again? Yes.
Courgette pasta
Inspired both by what was in the veg box and the book, I made his version of courgette pasta with mascarpone, basil and lemon, keeping some tastes of summer going in the first days of autumn. He naturally made his own pasta, but I wanted to use up one of the half packets I have in the cupboard (my excuse!).
I’ve made a version of this many times before, but Roberts’ one is lovely, creamy and lemony with just enough bit of chilli. This is definitely a week day treat as it is quick and easy, and do make enough for leftovers for lunch the next day.
Verdict? Excellent. Do again? Yes. WIll use tht book again? Yes.
This well be entered in the What’s on Your Plate blog challenge hosted by bloggers Widow Badass and Retirement Reflections. This goes live on the first Wednesday of each month and you can join in too with a food related post, just by adding yours to their linkup.
Thistles and Kiwis is a Wellington, New Zealand based blog written by Barbara, who likes cats, summer, good food and pretends to garden.
You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram @thistlesandkiwis. If you want to get in touch, email me on thistlesandkiwis@gmail.com or lofgren@thistlesandkiwis.co
Thistles and Kiwis 
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Love the look of the potato and leek gratin and also your addition of sweet potato. As the weather cools (hopefully soon) it would be a delicious side for cosy dinners.
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It works really well and would go with almost anything.
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Wonderful pictures!
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Thanks!
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You’re welcome!
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I have some salmon in the freezer that I want to use and that tomato sauce sounds good. Hope you’re feeling a bit better and good luck with the move.
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Yes that sauce could be good with salmon too. I’m definitely on the mend and thanks for your wishes re the move.
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All of your recipes sound delicious!
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Thanks!
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Wonderful recipes! And I thought the first picture looked yummy. I have never heard of Julius Roberts. I will check him out.
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He is well worth checking out – not just for the food but for his small holding and how he lives his life there.
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Lots of good ideas here! I’m thinking about that fish in tomato.
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It is really worth it – so easy and so tasty.
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Hi, Barbara – Your Wonky Box comes with a recipe suggestion website? Now I am definitely jealous!! I am sure imperfect veggie delivery will eventually make its way to Vancouver Island. I continue to wait (im)patiently! ❤
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Yes it is great that the website has recipes too – even just for inspiration. I am sure there must be someone willing to set up a similar service where you are?
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Sadly, there are no ‘ugly fruit’ deliveries on Vancouver Island yet. There are a few in Toronto and I believe they just started in Vancouver. But Vancouver is almost a two hour ferry ride away! :D
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Pity – but it might change!
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I know we’ve spoken about this on Instagram, but this guy really is the whole package. There’s the farm, the life, the farm to fork philosophy and he’s just a tad photogenic too.
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Absolutely – I heard him being interviewed on a podcast (think it was Cooking the Books with Gilly Smith?) and he came over so nice in that too.
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The gratin was a good idea. My only thought was soup but I am not a very original cook.
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Not quite wintery enough for soup – well, in my opinion at least!
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What a versatile cook you are Barbara, you can make anything out of your wonky boxes :). I’ve never heard of Julius either and will now keep an eye out for him!
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It certainly forces you to be creative! Yes do check out Julius.
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Each meal looks great and your photographs of the prep as appealing. Will check out this Julius – as Jo said he appears to be photogenic (aka kind of cute).
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Yes he is kind of cute!
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I’m a Welly girl, I enjoyed your blog!
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These look great! I have little patience but love to try a new recipe from time to time.
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I have never heard of Julius Roberts; I am adding his cookbook to my list. Thank you.
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