Delicious Discoveries at the "Cooking for One" Workshop Series

Published on 29 June 2023

Delicious Discoveries at the "Cooking for One" Workshop Series

The "Cooking for One" workshop series, a collaborative effort by the Murrurundi CWA, Murrurundi Landcare Tidy Towns group, and Upper Hunter Shire Council, successfully concluded in Merriwa, leaving behind a legacy of culinary inspiration.

Over the course of this series, attendees learnt to embrace the challenges and joys of cooking for one or two. The workshop focused on the use of seasonal foods, waste reduction, and exploring economical yet interesting recipes.

At the heart of these workshops was local culinary expert, Jane Sullivan. Jane's passion for good, nutritious food and her belief in making cooking an enjoyable and sustainable practice echoed through each session.

As a token of this enriching journey, we would like to share two favorite recipes from the series:

Pot Luck Soup This versatile soup is the perfect way to utilise those leftover veggies and create a warming, nutritious meal.

Ingredients:

• Leftover veggies (broccoli, spinach, carrot, cauliflower, etc.)
• An onion
• Butter or oil
• Your favourite stock or water with a stock cube
• A large potato
• Greek yoghurt or sour cream for topping

Method:

1. Sauté an onion in butter or oil.
2. Add your preferred stock to the onion.
3. Throw in leftover vegetables and a large potato.
4. Gently simmer until the vegetables are softened.
5. Blitz with a stick blender and season to taste.
6. Finish with a dollop of Greek yoghurt or sour cream, and enjoy!

Fish Ball & Noodle Soup This heart-warming soup with homemade fish balls is sure to become a regular on your dinner table.

Fish Balls:

• 300g White fish fillets, cut into pieces
• ¾ cup fresh breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• Coriander leaves
• 1 egg
• 3 spring onions, plus 2 for serving

Soup:

• 5 cups water
• 2 teaspoons vegetable stock
• Fresh ginger, julienned
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce
• Noodles of your choice

Method:

1. Place all fish ball ingredients in a food processor and blend until just combined.
2. Scoop out tablespoons of the mix, shape into balls using wet hands, and place on a tray.
3. Once all balls are prepared, refrigerate.
4. Meanwhile, prepare the soup by combining all ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, adjust flavor to taste.
5. Lower the soup heat to a simmer, then carefully spoon the prepared balls into the stock. Poach for a few minutes to cook through.
6. Prepare the noodles as per manufacturers' instructions.
7. Ladle the fish balls and soup into a deep soup bowl. Garnish with spring onions and fresh coriander leaves.

These are just a sneak peek of the many delicious recipes shared throughout the workshop series. We look forward to inspiring more home cooks in future events. Until then, happy cooking!