White platter from French Country Collections, ph: 0800 503 500. Wooden board $89 from La Cigale, Ph: (09) 366 9361. Photo / Babiche Martens
Inspiration for meal ideas are always popping into my head. Sometimes it's spotting a new ingredient in the supermarket aisles or an old favourite - such as today's parsnip - at the vegetable shop.
Actually, mention parsnips around our dinner table and the response from the teenagers is not always
positive. The best thing to do with this delicious soup is just serve it and wait for the response; it always surprises even the most discerning. It has a subtle flavour with a rich, creamy texture and is one of my all-time favourites.
I like to roast a few parsnip chips to serve alongside as an alternative to bread rolls. This soup was served as part of a celebration dinner for my aunt's birthday last week - and she just happens to have a very old, very large avocado tree, which brings me to my next recipe.
Viva's editor Amanda, was talking about a delicious lunch she had recently at Black Barn Vineyard in Hawkes Bay - which included Asian prawns served with an avocado mousse.
Our mother has been making avocado mousse for years - it was quite the thing in the 70s, when avocados were exotic. So, armed with a basket and secateurs (to ensure natural pruning and a good crop next year), I took to my aunt's laden tree. Avocado is delicious spread on toast with tomato and black pepper, or sliced decoratively on a plate and served with strawberries and a rich balsamic vinegar. And, whenever I see them for under $2 I nab a few and make this delicious mousse. Either slice it and serve as a starter, or make it part of a platter with crostini and crackers for people to help themselves. Don't forget a good squeeze of lemon to really bring out the flavour.
