Gourmet Farmer… “A Celebration of the Truffle” Weekend

“Long slow braises and local game are those signature dishes you can really enjoy in these chilly months, with a full bodied red at hand… of course.”

With 4 distinct seasons, winter in Tasmania is frosty mornings and sunshine filled days… interjected with some brief rain.

However the generous temperate climate still sees an abundance of produce flowing from the paddocks.
Potatoes, onions, leeks, broccoli, cauliflower, beets and brussel sprouts to name some of the more traditional winter veg along with saffron flowers appearing above the frosty ground and heartier greens like rocket and kale thriving in the winter weather.

Oysters are at their prime in the cooler months and the Tasmanian cheeses just taste so much better when it is cold outside.

The exotic black truffles are now being hunted in the frosty mornings and this weekend we have joined Matt, Nick and Ross from “Gourmet Farmer” fame. ( our favourite TV show….. 3rd series starts early in 2013). We headed up to the Tamar Valley north of Launceston, about 2.5 hours from home, for a couple of days, staying in a gorgeous cottage right on the banks of the Tamar. On Saturday morning we met the guys at the Tamar Valley Truffles, and with coats and boots, and the help of the truffle dogs, searched for our truffles. We then went back to the fire at Moores Hill Winery for a 5 course lunch cooked by Matt, Nick and Ross using truffles for each course. Fun was had by all and the food was delicious.

Amongst the oak trees while truffle hunting
Matt and Nick cooking a pot of soup to warm us up in the Trufferie Farm shed
Digging for truffles
Mal with Jess, one of the truffle dogs
Judi and John....friends from Cygnet Tasmania. Judi was a friend many years ago in Alstonville
Nick, Ross and Matt from "Gourmet Farmer" fame
Matt Evans
Waiting for dinner outside the winery after a day of work searching for the truffles
Ross Bridge on our way home...in the midlands of Tasmania
The convict built Ross Bridge
We bought our bread from the famous Companion Bakery in Oatlands. Homemade soup for dinner by the fire !!!!
Oatlands.....Callington Mill is a Georgian tower mill built in 1832. The only mill of its kind in the Southern hemisphere, the mill has been restored into a fully working flour mill, producing organic flour and specializing in ancient grains such as Rye, Spelt and Quinoa.
We stopped for coffee at the beautiful St Andrews Inn
Only Larry, Dave and John will appreciate this photo.... check the "Jimmy Hat" on this fellow at the Inn !!!

 

 

 

 

 

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