For the past 15 years, Geoff Jansz has been growing his fruit and vegetables without using chemical fertilisers or pesticides. He likes the philosophy of organic farming: caring what goes into the soil, caring what you eat and caring about what is left for future generations. That is why all the ingredients in this recipe are organic.
*1 chicken breast 1 egg 1/2 cup flour 1 tsp black peppercorns, ground 1 cup pumpkin, diced 1/2 red onion, chopped 2 tbsp olive oil 125 ml white wine 2-3 sprigs French tarragon 6 prunes 1/2 cup chicken stock 1/2 cup pistachio nuts
* Geoff cut up a whole chicken and used the breast for the recipe, the bones for stock, and saved the thighs and legs for the BBQ.
First cut up the chicken. Use a sharp boning knife, poultry shears or kitchen scissors to remove the thigh and leg in one piece (Tip: leave the bone in for best flavour and shape on the BBQ). Remove the wings, and cut through the joints along the rib cage to separate the breast. The bones can be used to make chicken stock. Beat the egg. Grind the peppercorns into the flour. Dust the chicken pieces in the seasoned flour and then coat well with beaten egg. Place the chicken into a hot pan with the olive oil and fry on reasonably high heat – about 1 minute either side – then remove. In the same pan saute the onion and pumpkin for a few minutes, tossing all the time. Add the white wine, evaporate off the alcohol then add the prunes and French tarragon. Add the chicken stock and simmer for 30 seconds. Return the chicken to the pan, turn the heat down and simmer for a further 5 minutes, turning once. Garnish with pistachio nuts and serve.
Major supermarket chains now stock an organic meat section, as do many butchers. Or you could visit a growers market, such as the ones listed below (not all stall holders sell organic produce, so check with the vendor before purchase).
NSW
Farmers Market Fox Studios
Fox Studios Lang Road
Sydney
Phone: (02) 9383 4163
Wednesdays 10am – 5pm
Saturdays 10am – 4pm
Northside Produce Market
Civic Centre Park
200 Miller Street
North Sydney
Phone: (02) 9922 2299
3rd Saturday of each month 8am – 12 pm
Good Living Growers Market
Pyrmont Bay Park
Pyrmont
Phone: (02) 9282 3606
1st Saturday of each month 7am – 11am
WA
Margaret River
1st Saturday am, closed over winter
Margaret River Tourist Bureau
Phone: (08) 9757 2911
Albany
Weekly, Saturday am
Albany Tourist Bureau
Phone: (08) 9841 1088
Carnarvon
May – December, Saturday am
Carnarvon Tourist Bureau
Phone: (08) 9941 1146
VIC
Victoria Markets
Victoria Street
Melbourne
Phone: (03) 9320 5922
Closed Monday and Wednesday
Collingwood Farmers Markets
Collingwood Children’s Farm
St Heliers Street
Abbotsford
Phone: (03) 5664 0096
2nd Saturday of each month 8am – 1pm
QLD
Farmers Fresh and Seafood Market
Southbank
Brisbane
Phone: (07) 3846 4500
1st and 3rd Saturday of each month 3am – 3pm
Redcliffe Farmers Fresh and Seafood Market
Redcliffe Parade
Redcliffe
Phone: (07) 3846 4500
3rd Sunday of each month 3am – 3pm
SA
Torrens Island, Port Adelaide
Weekly, Sunday am
Port Adelaide Visitor Information
Phone: (08) 8447 4788