30 Jun Matariki Nourishment
Mānawatia a Matariki!
We enjoyed a beautiful pre-dawn walk on Saturday morning with the Waiheke Walking Festival and Ngāti Pāoa, watching the Matariki star cluster appear under the slipper moon, twinkling over a silvery sea. We planted a tree, then Paul planted garlic, onions, broccoli and lettuce, perfect solstice gardening.
There is much to share as I haven’t written for a while.
It feels like just a few weeks ago that I wrote about the passing of my Mum, and it seems natural and right that I should now be writing about the passing of my Dad, a month ago now. How utterly lost he was without her companionship of 76 years. He lived a very long time, in fact he was the oldest man in NZ when he died at 107 years, and over the course of this long lifetime I think circumstance, combined with his natural curiosity and thirst for life, led him to live a remarkable life.
I try to imagine Dad’s Auckland, with trams rattling up College Hill and along Jervois Rd, along Remuera Rd and up Khyber Pass, through the city centre; steam trains and ferries connecting up so many neighbourhoods, a nascent city striving to create a liveable Auckland with the available technologies. Now we are again witnessing a revival of focus on public transport in Auckland, and while it’s a difficult process in many respects, I think it’s going to have a positive effect on the development of the city.
We have also had works outside our door as the ‘Victoria Street Linear Park’, Te Hã Noa, begins to emerge from concept to reality. This is a green-way that will link Albert Park to Victoria Park, a transformational mid-town park that we think is very exciting. Change is painful, birthing something new is always fraught, and Auckland city is experiencing so many ‘labour pains’, but I like to stay optimistic and believe in the power of these transformations to catalyse future opportunities in our central city.
Speaking of Auckland City, we do need to have a good think about the type of future city we want and who will drive positive transformation as we vote in our new Council. Regarding the central city area, I remain committed to the view that too few conversations are happening around the ‘E” word: Education! While Auckland University alone contributes well over 40.000 students plus academics, auxiliary staff and more, with other significant tertiary institutes contributing thousands more our city population, no one talks of schools in the city: Primary, Intermediate and High schools. We need to recognise that in a functional city children and families have an important place, they keep a city economically and socially vibrant, bring life to the city centre 24/7. Sadly, families living in cur city centre soon find they need to leave the inner precinct as they cannot find enough infrastructure to support their needs, specifically: parks, schools and safe walking and play zones. This is such a shame I feel as the facilities that will promote a safer, inclusive and affordable city are within our reach. Imagine a bustling Auckland Central city with young people, families, students and older residents all represented in this dynamic population, enjoying the advantages of a well connected and beautiful harbourside city.
While I’m sharing my thoughts, I also want to add that as we intensify our city and suburban living, we must preserve all our parks and green spaces. Short term financial gains for Council that can be realised by selling off these assets is a disaster for a liveable Auckland into the future. We can’t ‘invent’ or replace new green spaces easily.
We are once again searching for staff at Scarecrow, it has been so difficult in this environment where the hospitality industry is suffering from multiple challenges in the new “COVID world” reality. As a result of this we have been closed on Sundays and Mondays in our city store. We hope that things will improve in the coming weeks and we will be able to reopen, at least on Sundays.
Keep your eye out for the August Restaurant month menu (next newsletter!).
A winter recipe: Apple and Walnut Tart
Buy or make your pastry, a slightly sweet pastry is perfect here. I prefer to make my pastry base.
Pastry:200 grams plain flour100 grams unsalted butter1 heaped tbsp icing sugar (about 75gr)Pinch of salt50ml cold water and a lightly beaten egg yolk.Rub the butter thoroughly through all the dry ingredients, make a well and add the cold water/egg yolk mix, form a dough ball.
I roll the dough on a floured surface & fold slivers of cold butter into folded layers, roll, fold, roll, fold. Maybe 4 or 5 times. Adding small amounts of butter, this creates a lighter, flakier pastry. Finally, roll it onto the base of your tart pan, lift the base into the tart ring and press. Trim excess pastry but keep it popping up beyond the tart ring (it may shrink when blind baking). Prick the base, cover with baking paper and chill for at least 30 minutes.
Heat oven to 175C, take base out of chiller and place plenty of pie weights or rice on the baking paper to support the pastry while you blind bake it for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, take away baking paper and pie weights, allow par-baked pastry to cool.Filling:In a pan gently warm 50gr unsalted butter, 150gr sugar (I like raw sugar) and a heaped dessert spoon of honey. Stir until melted.
In a large bowl (use the pastry bowl) beat 2 eggs (add the extra egg white from pastry if you made your own!).
Chop and throw in any pastry scraps.1 teaspoon natural vanilla .Mix well.Beat in 150gr of mascarpone and 50ml whole milk, then add the slightly warm honey mix.
1 cup finely chopped walnuts, add 2/3 of these to your mix, reserve the rest for the top.
Add a pinch of salt.Very finely slice 4 medium sized apples, you can leave the skin on (lots of vitamins in there!). Pour filling into base. Arrange apple slices on top in spiralled layers. Use a pastry brush to brush a little warm butter over raw apples (about 30gr). Mix the rest of the walnuts with a dessert spoon of raw sugar & 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. Sprinkle on top of apples.
Bake for 40mins or so. Serve warm with a dusting of icing sugar and mascarpone on the side.Bon Appetit!
Alison
Healing Nourishment from The Wild Fermentary
Nourishing ourselves with fermented foods and drinks is a simple way we can take care of what’s going on in the inside. Life can get a little chaotic, and we so often put the needs of others ahead of our own. We are big fans of The Wild Fermentary and now stock their full range in the chillers of both stores. As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup. We would encourage you to fill that cup with natural, healing properties of The Wild Fermentary krauts and kefirs. Ask the team when you’re next in store.
Deliciousness from the Daily Lunch Board
We are well and truly beginning to feel winter’s chill, so what could be better than a bowl of nourishing, 
warming, handmade pasta from the Scarecrow Daily Lunch Board. You’ll find something different every day and we guarantee you’ll come away with a warm belly, ready to face the rest of the day. Come into Scarecrow in the City for a nourishing bowl of goodness.
Hampers to Nourish
Tea Caddy
Simple pleasures in a teapot, with organic teas from ethical traders, this elegant gift hamper comes in two sizes, and can be enjoyed at all times of the day.
Deluxe Sanctuary
This gorgeous hamper is packed full of nurturing, immune boosting goodies for you to stay happy and healthy. Perhaps you’re recovering, perhaps you simply want to support your immune system. Or send to a loved one to let them know you care.
Pollinate Bee Box
Few things beat the healing, immune boosting qualities of natural honey. The Pollinate Bee Box is one of our most frequently ordered gift hampers. A gift to the Earth, the Pollinate Bee Box is a hive of delicious goodness that celebrates the very precious honey bee.
Soul Shine Wellness
Here’s a way to nourish and care for your skin, which can suffer in the elements. The Soul Shine Wellness hamper contains quality, natural NZ made products to bring simplicity, balance and wellbeing into daily routines.
Organic Warmers for the Season…
Enjoying a warming drink can be a great way to relax, especially from the cosyness of Scarecrow in the City. Our drinks menu lists a range of organic teas, coffees, and hot chocolates from some of NZ’s finest makers. If you’re on the run however, talk to the staff about their favourite organic products to enjoy at home. Special mention must go to West Coast Cocoa Merchants for their absolutely divine range of organic hot chocolate. The kids will love it, and so will you!
Scarecrow Family Pies and Lasagnes for Comfort
One might say there isn’t a better time of the year for comforting 
goodness of a hearty homemade pie or lasagne. Scarecrow’s range is full of quality ingredients to keep you sustained, and we always have vegetarian options to choose from. The kitchen team is busy stocking up our chillers so that you’ll always have a nourishing, healthy dinner option for those nights where you simply don’t have the energy. Order a week’s worth online (we deliver Auckland wide), or put a few in your shopping tote next time you’re in store.
Treats from the Cellar
In the Scarecrow Cellar you will find the best of NZ made wines perfect for dining at home or to age in your own cellar. Our range has been carefully selected, with products from local independent wineries prioritising organic, vegan and natural wines. You’ll also find a fabulous selection of craft beers and ciders. Shop our full range online.