Showing posts with label organic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label organic. Show all posts

Friday, 6 June 2014

Lee & Wami talk free range, organic and biodynamic

From free range eggs to biodynamic fruit and veg: you are now a well entrenched and much loved stallie at Marrickville Market.  What do you love most about market life

The markets are where you go to get something that is not available at your local store, an experience, something unusual or just a bargain.  We love being the one who brings this to people.


Your eggs literally "fly" out the door.  Can you explain what defines "organic" and "free range" and why they not only taste better, but more importantly, why we should choose to buy these types of eggs as opposed to those in the local supermarket


Well freshness is always a consideration and the usual story of supporting the little guys is a nice one too. What can I say: they are certified organic free range, no beak trimming with an open gate policy eggs: so if you ever want to pop in an ensure they are what they say they are then, you can!

Miso: we love it, the customers love it, it's something unique and you sell it ready to serve with hot water AND as a cookie!  What exactly is miso

Miso is a fermented condiment that is hugely popular in Japan and other Asian countries.  It has a strong pungent and very salty flavour.  This is the base stock which is used to make miso soup and has a whole variety of other uses and applications.

One of my personal favourites is miso on bread or crackers (whatever suits) with avocado: yum, yumm, yummmmmm!

It also makes a great dressing diluted with a little water or Mirin (Japanese rice wine vinegar), it is excellent as a marinade for meats (especially seafood)...the list goes on and on.  If ever you are stuck for ideas, do an online search for some suggested recipes.


The basics of making making Miso are:

Par cook brown rice/barley and soya bean.  Add a culture called Koji, water and salt. Put the mixture in a special room to ferment.  Once fermentation has taken place the Miso is then brought out and blended into a paste which some people think looks like peanut butter (I say this because this is the most common question we are asked..."oh! I thought it was peanut butter").

Miso is a wonderful superfood which is alive: if you look up the health benefits of Miso you will be richly rewarded!


Amongst your produce, you have biodynamic blueberries, mangos and insane tasting dragon fruit.  For those who may not fully understand, can you give us a bit of insight as to what "biodynamic" means, how it aids our overall wellbeing, why it's an important part of our daily intake of goodness and how it differs from say, organically grown produce

The quick answer for bio-dyniamic is "super organic".  You have all the organic principles that you must follow and then have another set of principles above and beyond that which must be adhered to.  The benefits to the earth and land have been shown many times over in research that has been carried out.


And what about us?  Well, I solemnly believe we should eat what we are guided to by our own intuition as we have the ability to make the right choice for ourselves at each step of the way.

From your perspective, what is it about markets like Marrickville Market that form an integral part of the community and why should we, as consumers, support it as much as we can

The basic premise for markets, in our opinion, is it gives people a chance to experience something which is outside the norm of what you would find in other places.

If it tickles your fancy or floats your boat then head on over and join the fun!




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Reckon there's something in that for all of us don't you?

Take it from us, there is standing room only for these guys and once you taste their produce you will too will become enslaved to their goodness and have a bit of a laugh while you're at it





Saturday, 6 July 2013

5 Questions with Stefano

Did you have a life before "Stefano's Homemade Dinners" or is your business simply an extension of yourself and lifestyle

Back in the day i was a DJ in London and working as an event manager.  I somehow could not get away from the idea of mixing, so I traded my records and turntables to a stove and some kitchen pots.  Thus began "mixing" into my next journey in the kitchen.


How long have you been part of the Marrickville Market Family?

I have been part of the "family" for about one and a half years.



With market life being so tangible, what has been one of the high points of marketeering for you

Definitely the opportunity of being able to know some amazing people and becoming part of their lives whether they be customers or fellow stallholders



Cooking is hard slog at the best of times.  What is the most satisfying aspect of it for you the individual and you the businessman/chef

Even though at times market life is hard (being outdoors dealing with the elements, waking up early and crazy hours spent prepping in a kitchen) the most satisfying aspect would be the loyal returning customers and the opportunity to provide them with healthy nutritious food.


Seeing people enjoying and respecting what I do is priceless!

How would you sum up life as a Marrickville Marketeer

Wholesome, fun, rewarding, eventful, communal


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A muchos gracias to Stefano for not just being a fantastic "mixer" but providing us with some sensational food every week!