homegrown produce

My sister is obsessed with her garden (I think mother is responsible for this...)  and has recently planted a veggie patch.  Even with the endless deliberations over what plant should go where, I am extremely excited as we are now enjoying the fruits of her labour. 

Last Saturday morning I was at mum and dad's when Anna made her entrance with a gift from her garden - we were confronted with the largest basket of freshly picked salad anyone could ever imagine.

I am not normally inspired by vegetarian food and I'm not sure what came over me on Saturday, but I was genuinely excited by this basket of greenery. I think it was the idea of eating something that was grown just metres from the kitchen that enthused me so much.  Despite being on a sizeable plot, I am not sure that a flock of sheep or a heard of cattle would go too well at the homestead so for now I guess I will have to settle for the lettuce and other greenery.

Anyway, last weekend's challenge - what to do with such fabulously fresh and tasty leaves.   The answer - crispy ciabatta salad, served with roast chickens.

The chickens were a perfect accompaniment to the salad.  I say this with all the respect in the world for the chickens as they were delicious in their own right, but this type of salad is definitely the hero of the meal.  It is so good and there is so much going on that you could probably have it on its own and be left feeling absolutely content.  I guess I (and the rest of the family for that matter) struggle coming to terms with not having some sort of meat on the table though, especially when roast chooks are on offer!

To me, this is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon - around the table on the deck at the homestead with a home cooked feast and a couple of glasses of vino.  I can't wait to do it again and I am waiting in anticipation for what Anna will harvest next.

Recipe for the salad to follow tomorrow.

Happy eating!!!

Sam