Culinary Olympics chance to shine on world stage
S OME OFNEW ZEALAND’S top chefs took part in the Culinary Olympics in Germany recently. It is the first time in over 20 years a team from New Zealand has been sent and they competed alongside 2000 chefs from 40 countries. Grant Watson, director of Global Foodservice— Fonterra, sponsor of the NZ Chefs team, says, “We have some amazing chefs in this country working with unique and innovative techniques and fabulous, fresh ingredients. The Culinary Olympics not only gives us the opportunity to compete on the world stage but show theworld the talent we have here in New Zealand and to showcase our amazing ingredients. He says Fonterra’s focus on innovation, the best quality natural ingredients and high quality made working with the Culinary Olympics team an ideal match.
KAPITI TUTEREMOANA CHEDDAR, SPINACH AND PASTA BAKE
You will need a little melted butter and about two tablespoons of dry breadcrumbs to coat the ovenproof dish. Serves: 4
INGREDIENTS
100g pasta, such as dried penne 250g spinach, any tough stalks removed 300ml Anchor Full Cream Milk 1 bay leaf 1 slice onion 50g Anchor Butter 50g plain flour 3 egg yolks 75g Kapiti Tuteremoana Cheddar, grated, plus extra for topping freshly grated nutmeg salt and freshly ground black pepper 4 egg whites
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 190C. Butter amedium-sized ovenproof dish and sprinkle with dry breadcrumbs, tapping out excess breadcrumbs.
Cook the pasta in a large saucepan of lightly salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to arrest cooking. Drain again, then toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
Wilt the spinach in a large frying pan, then squeeze to drain well and chop.
Place the milk in a saucepan with the bay leaf and onion. Bring up to boiling point then remove from the heat and leave to infuse.
Melt the butter in a heavy- based saucepan and stir in the flour. Cook until the butter and flour mixture (roux) is a pale golden colour. Remove from the heat and strain in the milk, stir well then place back over amedium heat and cook until very thick, stirring continuously.
Remove from the heat and beat in the egg yolks. Mix in the Kapiti Tuteremoana Cheddar and season with a little nutmeg, salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Place the egg whites in a bowl and beat until stiff peaks form. Fold one tablespoon of egg white into the Kapiti Tuteremoana Cheddar mixture to loosen the mixture, then carefully fold in the remainder. Place in the prepared ovenproof dish, top with a little extra grated Kapiti Tuteremoana Cheddar and place in the oven. Cook for 35-40 minutes until well risen and golden on top.