Image via Mr Wilkinson’s website

In the Melbourne foodie scene, where locally grown, carefully considered ingredients are of utmost importance to a meals success, Matt Wilkinson is kinda a big deal.  If you live in Melbourne, or visit frequently, then you might be more familiar with Matt’s co-founded cafe Pope Joan in East Brunswick which really is a go-to haven for incredible and inspired food.  You might have also been lucky enough to score a beautifully packaged jar of Matt’s chutney or sauce, under his label Mr Wilkinson’s at our Melbourne Finders Keepers market last year.  In fact, he even had something nice to say about his experience.

“It was an eye opening experience, there were so many amazing stall holders, it introduced me to a huge range of new products.  The customers and shoppers were also so engaged in what the stall holders were offering.  The markets obviously attracted great buyers and people that were very across the brands that were offered.” – Matt Wilkinson

As you can probably gather, Matt is obsessed with growing, sourcing and presenting the best tasting produce he can.  Matt demonstrates this passion in his second book, Mr Wilkinson’s Simply Dressed Salads, which follows on from his extremely successful first book, Mr Wilkinson’s Favourite Vegetables. Mr Wilkinson’s Simply Dressed Salads is divided into the four seasons: summer, autumn, winter and spring.  Each chapter contains 13 stunning salad recipes that are both meals in themselves or fantastic as accompaniments that can be shared between family and friends.  We are very excited to be able to share one of those recipes with you here on our blog, and as it has been taken from the Autumn chapter, we think it couldn’t be more appropriate!

Images supplied by Hardie Grant Books

AN OLD MAN’S SLAW

An extract from Mr Wilkinson’s Simply Dressed Salads

Generally we eat salads in the summer, but think of coleslaw: everything in it is seasonal and at its best in the colder months.  I love this kind of slaw – raw, crunchy and so flavoursome.  Make it up as you go along, just use this as a base … I truly love this slaw in between two slices of buttered bread with some blue cheese.  Serves 4–6 sharing

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon cumin seeds
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 small wedge of white cabbage, thinly sliced
1 small wedge of red cabbage, thinly sliced
1 small celeriac, peeled and cut into matchsticks
1 carrot, cut into matchsticks
5 plump radishes, trimmed and thinly sliced
1 apple, cut into matchsticks
4 tablespoons salted capers, rinsed, or chopped caperberries
2 large handfuls mixed soft-leaf herbs, such as flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, dill, tarragon and chervil, washed and chopped
good drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil
good drizzle of quality white vinegar (I use the ‘LiraH’ brand)
good sprinkling of salt flakes
1 small piece of parmesan, finely grated
1 small red beetroot (beet), peeled and grated (or use a golden beetroot to avoid the colour bleeding, if you wish)

METHOD
Put the cumin seeds in a small frying pan and toast over a medium heat for a few minutes, tossing regularly, until they smell fragrant. Tip into a bowl. Now toast the fennel seeds in the pan for a few minutes, tossing regularly, until fragrant. Add to the cumin seeds and lightly crush to release the flavour. In a large mixing bowl, toss everything together except the beetroot. Make sure the seasoning is right, the acidity balance is right, and the salad is dressed enough. Give it a good toss. At the last minute, add the beetroot (this is to stop the coleslaw becoming pink). Place in a salad bowl and serve. I have had many a good version of this coleslaw, with things added and taken away, but it has always been raw – no mayo or cream near it. A simple raw slaw.

WIN A SIGNED COPY OF THE BOOK

After reading that delicious sounding recipe (which we can personally vouch for!), you’ve probably all been wondering – where can I get my copy!?  We are thrilled to be able to give away one signed copy of Mr Wilkinson’s Simply Dressed Salads to one of our readers! To enter this giveaway simply leave a comment on this blog post below, answering the question: “What is the best seasonal salad you have ever made?” Entries close midnight Thursday 26th March 2015 AEST, and the 1 winner will be announced (based on most interesting comment) on 2nd April 2015 here on this blog post and via email. This comp is now closed.

The winner is… Emma-Lee Crane!  Congrats.  You’ll be emailed with more details about your prize.  Thank you to everyone who entered, our mouths are watering with all those delicious salad ideas!

You can also buy your own copy of the book online here or at all great bookstores.

Image via Booktopia

Terms & Conditions 1. One entry per person allowed. 2. To enter this giveaway simply leave a comment on this blog post answering the question: “What is the best seasonal salad you have ever made?” All comments are moderated, so it may not appear immediately. 3. Make sure to include your email address in your comment so we can contact you, your email address will only be visible to us and won’t be published online. 4. This competition is open to entrants in Australia only. 5. This competition is hosted by The Finders Keepers via our website thefinderskeepers.com 6. There is one price to be won, a signed copy of Mr Wilkinson’s Simply Dressed Salads book. Total prize value RRP AUD$49.95 7. Competition opens 9am Thursday 12th March 2015 and closes Friday 20th March 2015 AEST. 8. This competition is a game of skill and the winners will be based on the most interesting comments as judged by Hardie Grant books, and notified by email and via this blog post on The Finders Keepers on 2nd April 2015.