A new concept in meat retailing has been launched this February that will see lamb lovers in the Wellington region guaranteed of buying some of the very best lamb available from the Wairarapa.

The arrival of Gate to Plate branded lamb will hit selected stores following the success of the prestigious Gate to Plate lamb competition that began two years ago as a feature of the Masterton A&P Show.

Gate to Plate assesses the quality of lamb rearing and production ‘on the hoof, on the hook and on the plate’. It takes meat traceability to a whole new level by assessing the farming practice, production process and final product, and rating it every step of the way.

Instigated to reflect consumers’ increasing interest in the origins of their food, concern for sustainable and ethical food production, the competition was also driven by farmers wanting to constantly improve their product and connect with their customers.

Chair of Masterton A&P Show, Alan Williams says the competition has been such a success that they decided to make the entrants’ meat available for retail, by branding the lamb.

‘The response to Gate to Plate has been really positive,’ says Mr Williams. ‘Both farmers and the public have embraced the concept and we realised that people were genuinely interested in the ethics of where their meat came from.

‘Through the competition, consumers can find out almost to the paddock, where their lamb was raised, who the farmer who nurtured the lamb was, and be assured of its journey from the lovely Wairarapa paddock to a carefully selected retailer. The Wairarapa is increasingly becoming renowned for the quality food it produces, and this is yet more evidence that we’re committed to that.

‘Gate to Plate is now not just a badge of honour for the farmer, it’s a product they can proudly see hitting kitchens and barbeques around the region. This is very heartening for the farmer.’

2015 winner and farmer Lynley Wyeth of Spring Valley Farm says she agrees the competition and now the branded lamb, meets an important need for farmers as well as consumers.

‘People probably don’t realise how much heart and soul goes into producing great lamb. It is actually a privilege to produce food for families, and to see it appreciated and recognised is fantastic,’ she says. ‘Any farmer can grow a great lamb, but to do it year on year to the same, if not better, standard, is the challenge.

‘The Gate to Plate process gives farmers the tools to constantly improve, by working on the data they get at each stage. You get a baseline and go from there. And now there is real reward in seeing it available on the shop shelves. It’s a very exciting next step.’

Gate to Plate Lamb is available from Moore Wilson's Fresh Masterton, Wellington and Porirua.

A delicious weekend brunch! Serves 2.

Juicy and sticky, pork ribs glazed with Hakanoa Ginger Syrup are a real treat! 

This refreshing thick shake is silky smooth with a gorgeous balance of flavours, fresh, floral and spice. Perfect on a hot day, or with any spicy dish! 

Recipes created by Little&Loved

Since 2002, Pacific Harvest owners Doug and Louise Fawcett have had a goal of making sea vegetables (edible seaweed) a more integral and accessible part of everyday cooking.

Nowadays Pacific Harvest offers a range of sea vegetable products which have become increasingly popular with the health conscious and gourmets alike.

They harvest sea vegetables from New Zealand where ever possible, however the restrictions imposed on the harvest of local seaweeds, and the desire to provide seaweeds that are indigenous to different oceans, require that some of their seaweeds are imported from other countries.

Why seaweed?

Seaweeds are vegetables growing in the sea. In Asia, they easily represent 15% of the diet; in the West they have become better accepted (mainly thanks to sushi), but they still represent an untapped culinary potential as their range and variety far surpasses that of land vegetables. They offer a new world of colours, flavours and textures for the foodie to discover and create.

Seaweeds are a functional food that have the combined nutrients of fish, meat and vegetables, are vegan, raw and gluten free. Seaweeds are also far more concentrated in nutrients than their land counterpart so a little bit goes a long way.

Pacific Harvest carries 12 varieties of seaweed, half of them from New Zealand. To ensure they’re safe to consume, their seaweeds are tested for contaminants. All of their seaweeds are harvested sustainably, dried naturally and unprocessed so they keep all their original nutrients.

Most of Pacific Harvest’s seaweeds are packed dried as it is the natural way to extend their shelf-life; unlike land vegetables, seaweeds recover their original texture upon rehydration. Remember, they won’t keep long after rehydration - so just reconstitute what you need.

How to use seaweed in everyday life

Despite their common association with Asian cuisine, seaweeds have strong historical roots in various parts of the world, spanning many continents and cultures, from the Vikings to the Native Indians of America. In the West, however, the art of seaweed cookery has been somewhat forgotten, with only small pockets of tradition remaining. Nowadays, our exposure to seaweed is mostly through Asian fare although there are many simple ways to include seaweed in everyday meal, whatever diet you choose:

- Use seaweed seasonings instead of salt or other seasonings and garnishes. A great alternative to regular salt, seaweed is salty with less sodium and more of the other minerals we need.

- Add seaweed powders to smoothies

- Use Kombu in stocks, stews or to cook grains; it will tenderize, add flavour and increase digestibility

- Use seaweed leaves as wraps to cook food; it will add flavour, impart nutritional value and preserve moisture during cooking

- Add pieces of seaweed to soups and salads, a small amount is all you need

- Make salsas and pestos

Many New Zealand chefs and cafes have seaweed on the menu including Al Brown @ Depot, French Café, Little Bird Organics and O’Connell St. Bistro.

Visit Pacific Harvest online for more seaweed facts and recipe inspiration.

This tasty twist on a potato salad will have you coming back for more!

Serves 4-6 as a side dish or salad.

This quintessential curry spice is one of the healthiest ways to add flavour and colour to home-cooked dishes, and is also great in drinks. Not only is it delicious, this tasty seasoning packs a medicinal punch.

BACKGROUND
Turmeric has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine throughout history. It is considered a cleansing herb for the entire body, especially the liver, where toxins are held. It is often used to support digestion and to treat infection, headaches, inflammation and fever. With a slightly bitter taste, it blends very well with other spices and even sweet dishes.

The turmeric plant, which grows five to six feet tall, is found in the tropical regions throughout Southern Asia. Its finger-like stalks contain the spice's healing agents, although the root is also used in traditional Indian recipes. Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, is responsible for its bright colour and is behind a whole host of the health benefits that can be attributed to the spice. Unfortunately, curcumin is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream. When paired with black pepper, however, the bioavailability of curcumin is significantly increased, with some studies reporting that it is more than a thousand times more potent.

BENEFITS
Turmeric acts as a natural anti-inflammatory. It has been found to be so potent that it matches the effectiveness of some anti-inflammatory drugs. As such, several studies have demonstrated its assistance in those suffering from arthritis.

Curcumin happens to be a powerful antioxidant that neutralises free radicals that exist in the body. It also works to stimulate the body's own antioxidant enzymes. Studies show that curcumin has an incredible impact on depression. A study in 60 depressed patients showed that curcumin was as effective as Prozac in alleviating the symptoms of depression. Adding turmeric to the diet can also help support a healthy liver function. The University of Maryland Medical Center found that curcumin stimulates production of bile by the gallbladder, which in turn is used to eliminate toxins. The bile also rejuvenates liver cells that break down harmful compounds.

Turmeric can improve and ease digestive issues. In a 1989 study, supplements made from the turmeric plant were found to be more effective at curbing heartburn and indigestion symptoms than a placebo, most likely related to the plants known powers to fight inflammation. Studies have shown that the curcumin in turmeric can assist in cancer prevention and treatment, and can reduce the growth of new blood vessels in tumours. It has also shown to inhibit the spread of cancer (metastasis), as well as contributing to the death of cancerous cells.

HOW TO EAT IT
The simplest way to add turmeric into your diet is to use it raw, grated into salads and salad dressing, or steeped with a little hot water and honey for a refreshing tea. You can also use it in its powdered form in stir-fries, rice dishes, curries or soups. You can even blend it into your next veggie juice or smoothie.

You’ll find powdered and fresh (when available) Turmeric at Moore Wilson’s Fresh.

The Blackball Salami Company was started as a family run butchery in 1992 by Pat Kennedy, in Blackball on New Zealand’s rugged West Coast.

The knowledge and skills Pat learned while travelling to Europe were brought home to the kitchen of the 'Stonehouse' (featured in the Blackball logo), and Blackball Salami Company was created. Over the years, recipes have been tested, tasted, adapted and improved upon to produce a unique and comprehensive range of wonderful products available today.

The business is now owned and operated by West Coast couple Phil & Debbie Russ. Blackball sausages use 100% New Zealand meat and are MSG and gluten free. Pork, Beef and Venison sausages are delivered fresh twice weekly.

Blackball also have an extensive salami range – all made the old fashioned way, by natural curing and wood smoking.

Their black puddings were a Gold Medal Winner in the 2014 Devro NZ Sausage Competition and continue to be in high demand. Made in a unique horse shoe shape as well in a chubb form, each one a work of art. They also produce a tasty white pudding made with pork and leeks.

Find me at... Moore Wilson's Fresh Tory St, Porirua and Masterton.