Some cool drone footage, and my thoughts on food waste…

by Kenneth Keavey

First, I want to show you something: Darragh Wynne from the charity Goal Ireland was here a few weeks back and invited me to talk for a video, if you want to learn a little bit more about and see some cool drone footage of our farm (and even catch a glimpse of George and Florence check this video out.

George and Florence are happy pigs, they couldn’t actually have a better life, I really don’t think they could. Not only do they get to roam around nearly 2 acres of old and newly established forests, they have a dry straw lined shed to sleep in and probably best of all they get fed waste organic veg once a day. They are as happy as two pigs in muck could be. 

But they fit into this story very well, as they are the last step in our grandly termed food waste reduction strategy, we don’t have a formal document or anything like that, but we do have a belief system around food waste. 

So here is a crazy fact, one third of all food produced on the planet is wasted.  The area required to produce that food is 16 million km2, which is roughly an area the same size as Russia, which is a very big place. 

We all know we need to take urgent steps to reduce our impact on the planet, no surprise there, and as we pass yet another mind boggling climate record with September being the warmest month ever by a long way, that action is critical. 

So wouldn’t it be an amazing if we could cut the land used for agriculture by 16 million square kilometers and instead grow forestry? Of course, it would. 

But where is all this wasted food coming from? Well, that is where I will tell you the second part of my story, last week we took a delivery of carrots, we weren’t very pleased with these carrots, they were Irish, they were organic, but they were massive, and I mean they were big but we got our heads together and figured out how we could prevent them ending up in the bin. 

So, we set about trying to use them to sell them, to make sure we wasted as little as possible. There is one thing I can absolutely guarantee had these carrots landed at the door of a supermarket they would have been rejected, sent back, or wasted. 

Herein lies one of our bugbears, supermarkets insisting without remorse on unforgiving specifications and when produce does not meet them refusing to sell it or accept it. We have been there many moons ago, once upon a time having supplied supermarkets.  In the growing season we have had this year, produce may come out maybe a little smaller or bigger or twisted or forked and that in our view is the beauty of nature.  We wont grade out twisted parsnips, or forked carrots. 

Of course, there is still the possibility that produce will not meet our quality requirements, and this is where we do have a very well-defined system and we put a fair amount of effort into it to make it work. 

Maciek our quality manager has done amazing work creating his “Rescue boxes” each week these boxes are filled with “Class II” produce.  If we can’t use the produce in the rescue boxes our team get it, and if it is unusable it ends up in one of two places, actually one of three places! 

It either A. Goes to one of our three compost bays, or B. go to George’s belly or C. goes to Florence’s belly! 

(Interesting fact: We have to make two separate piles of food when feeding the pigs because Florence always bullies George and tries to keep all the food for herself!) 

So that is the end of the story for this week, just know you are supporting a little business that manages in our own way to keep the food waste mountain from growing at least on our watch and continues to step by small step help build a better food system. 

You are making it possible, thank you. 

Kenneth

PS Darragh Wynne from the charity Goal Ireland was here a few weeks back and invited me to talk for a video, if you want to learn a little bit more about and see some cool drone footage of our farm (and even catch a glimpse of George and Florence check this video out.

Spiced Veggie Fritters- GF/no egg

by Lou Robbie

We love these fritters! In fact I made them twice at the Farm Walk and I was asked for the full recipe so here it is. This is especially for Kenneths mother Maureen, who I promised I would share this, so she can make them at home herself.

This September we are making a conscious decision to eat more Irish produce, the carrots and courgettes are from the farm. While the other ingredients are from further afield we are happy knowing that these came from Irish soil. And I tell my kids that when we eat these fritters. Oh and my daughter had these in her lunchbox for school and loved them.

Let us know if you try them.

Lou 🙂

Ingredients: makes 18

Method:

  • Step 1: Using a machine or box grater, grate the courgette, carrot, sweet potato and red onion, mix well.
  • Step 2: In a separate bowl add the chickpea flour, curry powder, chilli flakes, salt and pepper, mix well.
  • Step 3: Pour the seasoned chickpea flour all over the grated veggies and using you hands mix really well, this will take a few minutes. Really give it a good squeeze and work it almost like a dough. The liquid from the veg will help to form a batter with the flour.
  • Step 4: Warm a frying pan on a medium heat, add tablespoon of oil. Shape the mix into small patties fry for a couple of minutes, flip and fry again until cooked through. Transfer to a wire rack and repeat.

Recipe Roundup – Courgettes

by Simone Kelly

Courgette season is in full swing and we are harvesting these dark green beauties both from the tunnels and from the fields. Fantastic in savoury dishes, of course, but did you ever bake a courgette cake?

Click on the bold part to go directly to each recipe

Enjoy x

Irish Root Veg and Feta Frittata

by Lou Robbie

This frittata is so handy to make and works perfectly with gorgeous Irish root veg! You can add just about any cooked veg to your frittata, here we are using delicious turnip and potato thats delicious with spinach and feta. Any left over cooked veg can be used think beetroot, peppers, courgette, carrots, parsnips, broccoli or peas it’s a real #zerowaste hero recipe.

This recipe makes a large frittata that is great for feeding a crowd for lunch, dinner or picnic. The best part is you can have it hot or cold.

Make a root veg with your next veg box.

Lou 🙂

Ingredients: makes 8 big slices

  • 300g cooked turnip/swede, cooled and diced
  • 300g cooked potato, cooled and diced
  • 150g feta
  • 18 eggs
  • zest 1 lemon
  • salt and pepper
  • handful spinach

Method:

  • Step 1: Preheat the oven 180ºC and line a baking tin (20cm x 30cm) with parchment paper.
  • Step 2: Scatter the cooked turnip and potato, evenly, over the bottom of the tray.
  • Step 3: Chop the baby spinach roughly and put it on top of the turnip and potato.
  • Step 4: In a bowl whisk the eggs along with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Zest the lemon into the egg and mix well.
  • Step 5: Pour the egg mix over the veg and push any veg sticking up down with a fork.
  • Step 4: Bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes, until cooked through.
  • Serve warm with a salad or cold on a picnic.

Fighting Food Waste Recipe roundup

by Simone Kelly

Food waste is such a huge issue, so much food gets wasted, a lot of it could still be used and feed us rather than end up in the compost bin. Food is too precious to let it go to waste, isn’t it? The EPA (environmental protection agency) estimates that Ireland generated 770,300 tonnes (t) of food waste in 2020.

So what can you do to reduce food waste in your house? Store fruit and veg correctly, for starters. And when cooking, make sure to check out the below recipes for using up things like overripe bananas and stale bread. Love food, hate waste.

  • Spicy and so good for you, this zero waste kimchi is amazing.
  • Got an air fryer? These croutons made from stale bread dress up any salad.
  • We all love our spuds. Use the peels to make delicious potato peel crisps as a snack!
  • A hearty and healthy soup that uses up all sorts of odds and ends from the fridge: ribollita
  • Overripe bananas deserve to be eaten too! in muffins, that shouldn’t be too hard.
  • Or the obvious choice, make chocolate chunk banana bread! Delicious.
  • Bagged salads are one of the most wasted food items. Don’t waste it, make pesto instead!
  • If you’ve never made your own oat milk, this is a real treat. Oh and make cookies with the pulp. Perfection!
  • A sweet bake perfect for those wrinkly soft apples: low waste apple cake.

And finally, check out our top 5 food waste tips.

Air Fryer Croutons 3 ways

by Lou Robbie

Bread is Irelands most wasted food with 40% of households saying old bread makes it way to the bin. There are a few nifty thrifty ways to use up old bread and give it a new lease of life. There is “Less Waste and More Taste” with these homemade croutons in 3 different flavours (herb, chilli and curry) that go deliciously well with soup in winter and salads in the summer.

I joined the air fryer community a few months ago and I have to say making a batch of croutons in the air fryer with old cubed bread is a cinch and very satisfying. Raid the spice rack and add some exciting flavours while you’re at it. If you don’t have an air fryer just toast the bread in the oven.

Tip: Old bread works best for croutons. Cut the pieces of bread into roughly the same sized cubes for even cooking.

My young kids adore these with their soup…and we munch and crunch on them chat about which flavour we like best.

Lou 🙂

Ingredients: makes 3 different flavours and 3 small bowls

  • 6 slices old bread – white slice pan/ sour dough/ batch loaf/ GF whatever you have
  • 1-2 tsp dried mixed herbs
  • 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp chilli flakes
  • 1-2 tsp curry powder
  • cooking oil
  • salt and pepper optional

Method:

  1. For the herby croutons: Slice and cube 2 slices of bread and add them to a mixing bowl.
  2. Sprinkle in the dried mixed herbs and mix, add a drizzle of oil to coat season with a small pinch of salt and pepper if you wish. Toss the croutons to coat in the oil.
  3. Pour the cubed bread into the air fryer basket.
  4. Air fry at 180ºC for 8-10 minutes shaking half way through.
  5. You can toast the croutons in the oven -Preheat your oven 180ºC, put the bread cubes on a baking tray and bake them in the oven for 20 minutes, check and shake half way through.
  6. The croutons should be evenly toasted and brown all over.

For chilli croutons: Repeat the method above but for step 2 instead of dried mixed herbs add paprika and chilli flakes.

For curry croutons: Repeat the method above but for step 2 instead of dried mixed herbs add curry powder.

Chocolate & Peanut Butter Baked Oats

by Lou Robbie

We love oats in every way, when you eat them they release energy slowly over the next few hours and make for a great start to the day! However, porridge everyday can get a bit boring so we’ve added a few good ingredients to make this indulgent baked oats dish. Of course you probably won’t have chocolate oats everyday so give this a go at the weekend or to celebrate a special day! Serve as it is or with yoghurt and banana or ice cream and berries.

Lou 🙂

Ingredients:

  • 200g oats
  • 1 banana, mashed
  • 40g mixed seeds or nuts
  • 2 tablespoons cacao powder
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 300g milk of your choice
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoon peanut butter, and extra to blob on top
  • 50g chopped dark chocolate- optional

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven 180c.
  2. Have a deep baking tray or pie dish ready to go.
  3. Add the oats, seeds, cocoa powder and baking powder to a mixing bowl and stir well.
  4. Measure the milk into a jug, crack in the egg, add the mashed banana, maple syrup and vanilla. Whisk well with a fork.
  5. Pour the milk mix into the mixing bowl and stir to combine.
  6. Pour the mix into the baking tray.
  7. Blob on 4-6 teaspoons of the peanut butter, and sprinkle over the chopped chocolate.
  8. Bake for 20 minutes, then set aside to cool for 5 minutes then serve. It goes really well with yoghurt and fresh raspberries.

Spiced Butter (Air Fryer) Hasselback Squash

by Lou Robbie

Cooking methods have evolved over the years. Traditional methods of steaming, boiling and roasting will remain but air frying is a new enough method and a great addition. I decided to hop on the air frying wagon a couple of months ago and have not regretted it one bit.

Air fryers are very economical to run and so efficient! And whats more they are great for cooking vegetables in a speedy tasty manor.

Butternut squash is a great winter veg, I spied the hasselback version and was dying to try it out. Basted in a spiced butter it is a delicious side dish. If you don’t own an air fryer you can make the same dish in a casserole or roasting dish in the oven, it will take about an hour at 180C.

Lou 🙂

Ingredients

Method:

  1. Cut the top off the butternut squash.
  2. Carefully cut the butternut squash in half and scoop out the seeds.
  3. You’ll need 2 chop sticks to make incisions in the squash. Take one half of the squash and place a chop stick on either side. Hold the sticks in place along with the squash with one hand and chop multiple thin slices with a sharp knife down as far as the sticks with the other hand. they should be about 4mm thick. Repeat with the other half of the squash.
  4. Melt the butter in a pot or microwave and add in the paprika, cumin, chilli, salt and pepper, give it a stir.
  5. Remove the grill place and pour the spiced butter into the air fryer basket
  6. Place both of the pieces of squash in the basket, flat side down in the spiced butter.
  7. Air fry for 25 minutes, basting with the butter half way through.
  8. Check the squash is fully cooked by piercing with the tip of a sharp knife.
  9. When its fully cooked remove carefully from the basket, baste again with the spiced butter and serve.

Carrot Cake with Orange Frosting

by Lou Robbie

Classic carrot cake is hard to beat. Its spiced and moist and works so well with the cream cheese frosting. No one minds that theres a couple of carrots in there. It’s the acceptable vegetable cake.

Set a few carrots aside this week to make this cake the perfect partner with a pot of tea and a good old chat.

Tip: I like to soak the raisins in tea first to plump them up, it really makes a difference to the finished cake.

Lou 🙂

  • 75g raisins and 1 teabag
  • 225g plain flour
  • 125g castor sugar
  • 115g dark brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon mixed spice or ground nutmeg/ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 200g grated carrot
  • 1 orange – zest only
  • 3 eggs
  • 100ml light flavoured oil (sunflower or vegetable)
  • (I have chosen not to add walnuts to my cake but add 75g of chopped walnuts if you wish)
  • For the frosting:
  • 225g icing sugar
  • 75g cream cheese – chilled
  • 1 orange- zest and 2 teaspoons of juice
  • 100g walnuts

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven 160C.
  2. Prepare a 9inch loose bottomed cake tin with a light coating of oil and line with parchment paper.
  3. Add the raisins to a bowl with the teabag, cover with boiling water and infuse for 30 minutes then strain and discard the teabag.
  4. To a mixing bowl sieve in the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, both spices, white sugar.
  5. Mix in the brown sugar, grated carrot, raisins and orange zest (and chopped walnuts if using) give everything a really good mix.
  6. Measure the oil and eggs into a jug, whisk well.
  7. Add the oil and eggs into the mixing bowl, and stir until combined.
  8. Pour the cake mix into the prepared cake tin and bake in the oven for about 40 minutes.
  9. Cool completely before adding the frosting.
  10. For the frosting: Toast the walnuts in the oven for 10 minutes at 160C, keep a close eye on them, cool completely.
  11. Add the icing sugar and cream cheese to a bowl. Use an electric hand beater to blend until really smooth. Fold in the orange zest and orange juice.
  12. Smooth onto the top of the cake. Scatter walnuts on top and serve with tea.

Feta & Lentil Stuffed Beetroot

by Lou Robbie

Growing up we always had baked and filled potatoes or mushrooms but never beetroot. In fact beetroot in our house usually came pickled in a jar. Beetroot usually gets the job as side veg but here it’s the star of the show.

Beetroots are an all year round veg, hearty and filling and full of goodness. If you get nice big beetroots in your box why not give this recipe a go. It’s sweet from the beets and salty from the feta and toasty from the spices. topped with crunchy walnuts its a complete meal.

Enjoy,

Lou 🙂

Serves 4 as a main

  • 4 large raw beetroot– leave the skin on 
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 onion finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic finely chopped 
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin 
  • ¼ teaspoon chilli flakes 
  • Small pinch salt & pepper
  • 400g tin puy lentils- rinsed and drained 
  • 100g feta cheese crumbled 
  • Zest ½ lemon 
  • 50g chopped walnuts
  1. Wash the whole beetroots and slice in half. 
  2. Roast or steam the beetroot and cook until it pierces easily with a knife. 
  3. Preheat your oven to 180C.
  4. In the meantime make the lentil filling. 
  5. Warm a frying pan on medium heat, add the oil, diced onions and garlic and sauté until soft – 5-10 minutes. 
  6. Add paprika, cumin, chilli, salt and pepper, cook for a few minutes. 
  7. Add the drained and rinsed tinned lentils and cook on a low heat for a further 10 minutes. 
  8. With a spoon scoop out the centre of the beetroot, dice it and add it to the lentil mix. 
  9. Fold through half the crumbled feta and lemon zest. Check the seasoning add more salt or pepper if needed. 
  10. Fill the beetroot shells with the lentil filling, top with more feta and some walnuts- there may be some filling left over.
  11. You can bake, grill or air fry the stuffed beetroot to finish it. Make sure its hot in the middle and the walnuts and feta are toasted on top. 
  12. Serve with your favourite sauce and greens on the side. 
  13. Serve one half as a starter or 2 halves as a main.