You won’t even have to get your hands dirty to pick up some white gold in the form of Bauer’s Organic Farm freshly dug Lockyer Valley organic potatoes!
Farmer Rob Bauer calls his vegetables ‘nude food’ because they are grown completely naturally in the super fertile soil of the Lockyer Valley, about an hour’s drive out of Brisbane. Rob’s family has been farming here since 1885, and the farm has been organic since the early 1980s.
Perhaps it is my Irish heritage, but I think that potatoes are one of my ultimate comfort foods. These ones are fresh and delicious, you can enjoy them simply steamed or boiled in their jackets with a little butter or salt. These potatoes are pure bliss for anyone who likes a good spud or who wants to know exactly where their food is grown.
The potatoes are a favourite of top chefs Alastair McLeod and Glenn Barrett for their creamy consistency and rich flavour.
You won’t find farm-fresh local produce in supermarkets, but you will find them at Bauer’s farm or some organic stores. You can also purchase some of their organic purple garlic and their marvellous sweet corn. For potatoes and other Bauer produce try Real Food Farm Gate stalls at YLM Palm Beach + HOTA Farmers Market Stall and NOW Fresh Fruit & Veg at Mudgeeraba.
Bauer’s Organic Farm also has an annual open day. It’s a joy to walk around the farm and see how productive soil can be.
Looking after your potatoes
When you have scored some beautiful organic potatoes, treat them well with proper storage.
Store your potatoes in a cool, dry, very dark spot. Potatoes go green when exposed to light, and although this is only poisonous when you eat them in large amounts, the potatoes don’t taste as good. You can also store them in the fridge between 4 and 15 degrees Celsius.
Rob also grows the best Jap pumpkins, purple garlic and Kensington Pride mangoes.
How does Rob like to eat his potatoes? A warm potato salad (recipe below) is just fine, he says.
Bauer’s Organic Farm Potato Salad Warm Baby Dutch Cream Potato Salad
This warm potato salad uses baby Dutch Cream potatoes from Bauer’s Organic Farm in the Lockyer Valley.
Ingredients
- 500g Bauer’s Organic Baby Dutch Cream Potatoes
- 1 tbsp organic Dijon mustard
- Finely grated zest and juice of ½ organic lemon
- 5 tbsp organic extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp chopped organic flat-leaf parsley
- 2 organic spring onions, thinly sliced diagonally
Method
- Cook the potatoes in a pan of boiling water for 12 – 15 minutes until just tender.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk the mustard with the lemon zest and juice, and slowly which in the oil to form a smooth emulsion. Season to taste.
- Drain the potatoes and tip into a large bowl. Drizzle on the dressing and gently mix. Leave to stand for 15 minutes to allow the potatoes to absorb the flavours.
- To serve – stir the parsley and spring onions into the potatoes. Season to taste.
Do you love real farmer’s markets?
I have dragged my partner through many farmers markets Harvest Launceston Farmers Market is one of the best and is really is worth a visit. The Capital Region Farmers Market just outside Canberra is another wonderful market for food lovers.