01 Dec September 2023 Newsletter

Posted at 13:06h in Newsletter by

Paardekraal Produce September 2023

Spring is here, the aloes in the veld are in full bloom, the banksia is showing her colours and loads of chickens are sitting.  However, there are days when it most certainly does not feel like spring. We have had 37C with howling winds and a day later is drops to 5C daytime temperature.  The rain has eluded us and with the wind the veld has dried off considerably.  The Springbuck are now being supplemented with feed and baboons are constantly plaguing the yard.  In fact, they have become a problem.  There is a lone ranger that chased the goose off her nest and ate all her eggs (she only lays eggs once a year so that was a disaster).  He constantly goes into the chicken coops and has now discovered the hens that are sitting have eggs as well and has started taking those.

We had an unexpected arrival of 5 piglets.  One of the young sows gave birth which we didn’t expect.  A while ago we had issues with the boars breaking through the camps to get to the sows and low an behold the deed was done unbeknown to us (I had hoped it hadn’t).

We have now slaughtered 3 of the boars with the last one still having to be done.  The animals are taken to the abattoir in Graaff Reinet and from there the carcass is send to the butcher.  I have started to do the blockwork myself after going on Richard Bosmans course.  It really is quite a job as it is done with no machinery, using only a knife to take cuts of meat off the bone.  The more I do this this the better it gets. Geoff has invested in a mincer, sausage machine and slicer.  I made our first batch of salsiccia sausage done in a typical Italian style which is course ground meat, red wine, garlic & fennel.   I have also made pork rillette and have a Pork and Paprika Stew on offer this month.

I continue to make the cheese daily, and I just can’t seem to keep up with demand which I am delighted about.  I attended the Graaff Reinet Spring Market earlier this month and almost sold out.  The poor goats just don’t seem to be keeping up with the demand.  However, there might be a few more little kids on their way as some of the younger goats took the ram and are showing signs of pregnancy. We wait with bated breath, but as they are young and first time mothers, I am not sure how much milk I will get.

My monthly pop-up stand at Lot44 in Graaff Reinet continues to gain traction.  I set up shop twice a month and it’s a great way to catch up with people and showcase new products.

The vegetable garden is producing the most amazing spinach which I have made into a soup and used in cannelloni.  The cannelloni are, a different as they are made with homemade pasta pancake, spinach, chevre, mascarpone cheese and topped with a bechamel sauce.  I am sure you will like it.  I also have fresh / frozen spinach, which is cooked and chopped ready for use.

Geoff has been trying to get the tomatoes to germinate but it seems to still be too cold.  The other night be had an unexpected frost and the watermelon seedlings all got wiped out.  However, he now has success with broccoli, and we are getting the most amazing heads.

I also have goat milk soap available which is both nourishing and exfoliating and doesn’t leave your skin dry.  This soap is made by a local lady using our very own goat milk.

I still have some wild olive cheese boards available that are made by a local craftsman.  Each piece is unique and has its own beauty. Because the stumps are not wide the boards could not be made in a large chopping board format as one piece of wood is used per board therefore the boards are not lamented or glued together.

I know that is all seems like a lot of hard work with lots of struggle that we endure, and it is. But the joy we get from living out here outweighs it all.  In the mornings you walk out the kitchen door with a cup of coffee and on the right on the koppie you can see kudu grazing not far away.  The springbuck come down to the garden fence, we braai in the veld or next to the dam on the wind still days and the peace and tranquillity is indescribable.  The Karoo is definitely not for everyone but once it gets into your soul and veins you don’t want to be anywhere else on earth.

For this month I have the following on offer:

  • Free ranging farm Chicken eggs
  • Free range duck eggs
  • Spinach field blend soup consisting of spinach, swiss chard, kale, bok choi (vegetarian, no cream)
  • Creamy carrot soup made from the organic vegetables from the garden (vegetarian) – limited quantity
  • Frozen spinach
  • Small chicken pies – limited quantity
  • Large chicken lasagnes – limited quantity
  • Pork rillettes
  • Salsiccia sausage
  • Large Pork and Paprika stew
  • Spinach Cannelloni
  • Goat Milk soap
  • Wild olive wooden cheese boards

 

All produce is made from free ranging animals.  We do not administer growth hormones or antibiotics on a routine basis.
Whilst every effort has been made to remove bones from the dishes, care should still be taken when consuming.
The chicken dishes do not contain pork.

Many thanks for your continued support.

Paardekraal Produce Price List September 2023

  • Chicken eggs (per 12 eggs) R50.00
  • Duck eggs (per 6 eggs) R30.00
  • Creamy carrot soup (600ml) R50.00
  • Spinach Field blend soup (600ml) R50.00
  • Frozen spinach (500g) R40.00
  • Spinach Cannelloni R120.00
  • Small chicken pies (300g) with homemade butter puff pastry R80.00
  • Large Chicken Lasagne (600g) R150.00
  • Pork Rillette Jar R90.00
  • Salsiccia Sausage (4 per pack) about 400 – 500g R95/kg
  • Pork and Paprika Stew (600g) R150.00
  • Goat milk soap R80.00
  • Wild olive wooden cheese boards R450

 

Please note:

  • All meals are frozen.
  • The dishes contain no fillers and no rice.
  • Whilst every effort has been made to remove bones, care should be taken when consuming.
  • The bredie & pies are frozen.
  • Portion sizes are minimum:  large 600gram of meat.
  • Thank you for your support!