In The Bookstores & New Films
The Grower's Cookbook: from the Garden to the Table - Review by Jenny Argante
By Dennis Greville & Jill Brewis:
Sustainability is a major focus at present, and growing your own food is increasingly sensible, fashionable - and fun. There are garden plots in playcentres and schools, community gardens for lower income families, and farmers' markets offering spray-free, organic and seasonal vegetables and fruits in rural towns and main cities on both the North and South Islands. Grow: cook: enjoy. This is something all the family can get involved in, from a toddler growing mustard and cress to spell his name, to Grandma as home supplier of quality herbs grown in pots on the verandah of her cosy retirement unit.
Once upon a time we all "grew our own" in backyard, cottage garden, or quarter section. Suddenly all sorts of people are doing it again, and there are many more who'd like to, but they don't know how, or think they need more land at their disposal than they've got. Greville and Brewis have put together a helpful manual on how to get started, minimal maintenance, and what to grow, where to grow it, and how to enjoy eating it together.
The Grower's Cookbook starts with discussing how to make the most of what space you've got, and what you can grow in containers or as 'companion planting' to increase productivity with very little extra effort. They discuss how to make the right choices for you plot and your palate, and claim that every good cook needs five essential plants, so plant these first: a bay tree, a rosemary bush, a lemon tree, parsley and a chilli pepper bush.
The major section on vegetables makes your mouth water looking at both the raw stuff, and how it ends up on the table – so many excellent recipes throughout. What could be nicer than your own lettuce freshly picked each day, with radishes and spring onions so fresh you get the full bite back as you bite into them? I know from personal experience peas and runner beans rarely make it to the cook pot when I've stepped out the back door to pick a few for lunch If you've got room, you'll get some excellent advice on growing fruit, whether the sort that dangles from canes, shrubs, climbers or trees. Talk to a naturopath to appreciate the benefits rhubarb offers throughout the year. An apple and rhubarb pie is a favourite pudding of mine, and the Rhubarb Mousse in this book is to die for.
I'm not a fan of Wattie's tomato sauce and in future will make my own. It's so easy and tasty I could even bottle it for Christmas presents, and those who know me will recognise this as a major change of heart from the queen of the chip buttie and beans on toast. If Greville and Brewis can convert me – and they have – think what they can offer to those already committed to sustainability and the green revolution.
(2008) GREVILLE, D. & BREWIS, J. The Grower's Cookbook: from the Garden to the Table. Auckland, Penguin. RRP $45. ISBN 978-0143008217.
GREEN GAMES & BOOKS: -try these games –play with your kids!!
Check out this site for more ‘green books’
www.climatechangecollege.org/elearning/games/