Cook - with Bern the chef

cook

WITH BERN THE CHEF www.bernthechef.com.au

My Grandma’s Irish Stew

Bern the ChefOne Pot Cooking, enough for 6. Irish Stew doesn’t is a local caterer who has been in the Lane Cove area for over 15 years. She has worked have to be heavy or fiddly, here’s the proof. in many corporate catering positions as well as operating a small business. Bern loves catering and the freedom that clients give her to do what she does best. Cooking is YOU NEED: her forte and Bern loves the classics as well as keeping up to date with the latest food trends. www.bernthechef.com.au• 100 mls of dripping/olive oil • 3 large brown onions, peeled & thickly sliced • 3 medium carrots, sliced in thick rounds of 1 to 2 cms • 1.5 kilo of lamb neck or shoulder, bone in Autumn bliss There’s nothing quite like walking into a warm home with aromas of baked puddings and a roast dinner. With more time spent inside, the change of Bern the Chef on simple, comfort cooking • 1.5 kilo of peeled & thickly sliced potatoes - look for King Edward, Coliban or Sebago varieties • 1 bunch of parsley, roughly chopped, 1 bay leaf, salt & ground season provides the perfect excuse to try new recipes. Brisk mornings make me crave porridge with golden white pepper BY BERNADETTE KENNEALY. syrup. The chill is on the way, and we have a month • 1 litre of water Cooking is great for so many reasons, whether it be therapy; to crack open that great red wine; or to grab a bunch of before daylight savings pushes us inside earlier (April 4 friends on a weekend afternoon for nourishment, a laugh and a bowl of comfort. if you are counting). I’m a purist, so my oats are soaked with hot water in the morning with a pinch of sea salt, Walking past the butcher’s daily offerings, are there meat cuts you wish you knew how to use? Perhaps skirt steak, pork a drizzle of syrup and a little cold milk. It’s familiar and cheeks or chicken Maryland? Pork cheeks are one of my favourites and my ears prick up every time I hear of a new recipe. comforting. The version below would be delicious with rice noodles and broth and is best made the morning of, or even the day before. I’m making a point of keeping my daily diet as comforting TO SERVE: as possible because it’s keeping me grounded in these Steamed & chaotic times. I want all the joy the hearty dishes can buttered white Mandarin and Ginger give me. Chicken Maryland with cabbage and or

Pork Cheeks Bacon and Polentagreen peas

• Oil for frying • Spice rub • 3 onions, finely chopped • 1 tblspn sea salt • 4 cloves garlic, peeled and • 1 tblspn smoked paprika finely chopped METHOD: • 1 tblspn ground cumin • 2 carrots, roughly chopped. • 4 springs fresh thyme leaves• Preheat the oven to 160 degrees. • 6 pork cheeks - approx 1 kilo • • 1 tspn dry mustard powder Place a heavy-based casserole dish (or substitute with beef cheeks) • 1 tspn ground white pepper on the stove and heat the dripping to melt. • 2 inches ginger, peel and slice • Add the lamb neck or shoulder and on medium heat, • 1/2 cup light soy sauce browning all over till dark golden. • • 500mls chicken stock 1/4 cup Shaoxing wine Any meat cooked on the bone has more flavour. Although it does take longer to cook, the flavour intensity is worth it! • Remove from the pan, and add the sliced onions, stirring often to a golden brown colour. 22 TVO This recipe is based on feeding 6 people. Work on one Maryland per person, skin on. Sauté onions in a heavy based pot with oil for 4-5 minutes until translucent. Add the trimmed pork cheeks and brown on each side. Add the ginger, carrot and aromatic spices and cook stirring for another 3 minutes until the whole pot is fragrant. Add the stock and Shaoxing wine, transfer into an oven dish, cover and slow cook on 140 degrees for 2 hours. Add the whole mandarins, the dark soy and brown sugar, • 3 pieces dried mandarin peel (Asian grocer) • 2 whole star anise • 2 dried red chillies (or to taste) • 2 cinnamon sticks • 1 tspn white peppercorns • 2 tblspn dark soy sauce • 2 tblspn brown sugar • 6 mandarins, whole Mix all spice ingredients together in a bowl. Slash the chicken legs, place a couple of slashes on the thigh and then rub the spices into all the nooks and crannies. Place onto a tray in a single layer and refrigerate for a couple of hours. Add a couple of wedge cut Spanish onions, 4 smashed whole garlic cloves, 1 punnet of cherry tomatoes (whole), and one orange cut into quarters. Drizzle with olive oil and place into a medium hot oven (160 degrees). Roast for 30 to 40 minutes. As that is roasting, sauté a couple of chopped bacon rashers in a heavy based pot. Add 2 cups of polenta and 1 litre of chicken stock, working quickly until a soft porridge consistency. Turn the heat off and cover. Leave for 5 minutes to absorb and soften, add 100gms butter, freshly chopped parsley and 100gms cheddar cheese. • Once the onions are cooked, add the lamb back to the pot with the parsley, bay leaf, carrots & potatoes. • Season well with 2 teaspoons of cooking salt and 1 teaspoon of ground white pepper. • Add the water and bring the pot to a simmer. • Cover the casserole dish and place in the oven for 2 hours. • Remove the lid for the last 30 minutes, stir gently, and let the top potatoes bake to a crust. • The lamb should be very tender and falling off the bone. • Ladle steaming into large bowls with steamed or boiled cabbage with plenty of butter or buttered green peas. • Cabbage can be baked in the oven with a little chicken stock and one whole clove (the spice, not garlic), cut into large chunks, cover, and cook for at least an hour for a very silky melt in the mouth dish. Aside from porridge, I adore the simplicity of egg soldiers. My Sunday nights are calmed with every swipe of butter on toast, waiting to be stripped and dipped into soft boiled eggs. Eggs are nuggets of nutrition, and I feel like I am treating myself every time. Maybe because I double up on the butter. March 17 is the Feast of St Patrick. The Irish know all about plain eating with potatoes, slow cooked stews and maybe even a shamrock Irish coffee with whisky or baileys. May your troubles be small, and your worries be few, and may good luck be with you whatever you do.

Love where you live

Proudly bought to you by Lane Cove Council

Get to know your street trees

Lane Cove is one of the first councils in Australia to share their street tree information with the community via the online Tree Plotter tool.

The system allows you to view the 11,500 street trees planted across Lane Cove after Council’s Tree Team walked the streets adding each tree into the urban tree inventory. This allows Council to monitor the health and general condition of trees in the area as well as map the distribution of tree species. Members of the public are also able to browse tree locations and take a look at the eco-benefits of each tree including air quality and stored carbon. The data shows the general condition of the trees and will help Council to identify future planting sites. The data helped to identify the opportunity to apply for funding to increase the tree canopy coverage in the Longueville area. Through the Greening our City Grant funded by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Council will soon be planting hundreds of trees as Longueville has the least amount of canopy coverage within the Council area while also having the most viable planting sites. Each of the new trees has been chosen to suit the location taking into consideration the width of the verge, soil condition, views from adjacent properties, winter sun access and powerline proximity. Trees planted as part of this project, as well as through any street tree planting throughout the year, are guided by the Street Tree Masterplan. This identifies a list of suitable street trees for each individual street in Lane Cove.

To view the Tree Plotter or find out more about the Street Tree Masterplan, visit Council’s website www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/streettrees

Did you know?

If you require a street tree pruned or would like to request a Council-supplied tree to be planted you can now request this via Council’s new online form: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/onlineservices

Book online: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

Library

• Learn to Love your Laptop Thursdays 11 and 18 March, 10:00am – 11:30am, Lane Cove Library Experienced computer trainer, Ferg Brand, will deliver a two-lesson program on Windows 10 to help you feel more confident using your laptop. During these two friendly, small group sessions you will learn to navigate around the screen, keyboard and mouse as well as some basic shortcuts to get you started. Bring your own laptop. Bookings essential as places are limited. Book online: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

• Online Sushi Making Class Friday 19 March, 10:30am – 12:00pm, online Have you ever dreamed of being able to make sushi like a real Japanese chef? Learn how when Hideo Dekura, chef and cookbook author shares his secrets in this free Zoom workshop. Free event. Limited numbers – bookings essential. Book online: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

Bushland

• Cooee Mittigar - Come Here Friend Saturday 13 March, 10:00am - 10:30am, Terrace Function Room, 1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove Children and their families are invited to a visual feast of Aboriginal stories and artefacts, offering a new way of seeing and understanding the lands of the Sydney region. A delightful way to be introduced to local Aboriginal culture and language. Book online: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

• Stories of Country, Heritage and Culture Saturday 13 March, 11:00am - 12:00pm, Terrace Function Room, 1 Pottery Lane, Lane Cove Gain a deeper understanding of the unique culture of Aboriginal people with this powerful presentation telling the Aboriginal Stories of the harbour, river and your local area. A wonderful opportunity to gain insights into Aboriginal heritage, culture, spirituality, language and connection to the land with Karen Smith from the Aboriginal Heritage Office. Book online: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

Sustainability

• Food for Thought Thursday 4 March, 6:00pm - 7:00pm, online If you love eating quality meat then join us for this free webinar and learn how to source great produce with less environmental impact. Grant Hilliard from Feather and Bone, and co-author of The Ethical Omnivore, will present an online workshop on the importance of regenerative farming and why we should consider switching out a few meals a week to ‘slow eating’. Discover how to directly support Aussie farmers who are committed to better land management and improved animal welfare by eating meat that comes from pasture-raised animals grown on regenerative farms that contribute to the overall health of the planet. Book online: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

• Community Clean-up Australia Day Sunday 7 March, 10:00am - 12:00pm, meet at Manns Point Park, Greenwich Make a difference and join Council’s clean-up at Manns Point Park. We would love to see you, your family and your friends get involved. Book online: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

• Coping with Climate Change Series The Coping with Climate Change series aims to equip Lane Cove participants with the mental tools needed to work through emotional and thought barriers, so you can continue to be motivated and take meaningful action. The free sessions provided by Council are facilitated by Victoria Walker, an environmental educator with more than a decade’s experience in sustainability education. SESSION 1: THOUGHTS - Tuesday 2 March, 7:00pm - 8:30pm, online SESSION 2: FEELINGS - Tuesday 9 March, 7:00pm - 8:30pm, online SESSION 3: ACTION - Saturday 13 March, 9:00am - 10:30am, online SESSION 4: THE FUTURE - Saturday 20 March, 9:00am - 10:30am, online Book online: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

Art and Culture

• Kaleidoscope of Lane Cove Sit back and enjoy a film screening that celebrates diversity and inclusion at The Canopy on Friday 19 March from 4:00pm – 8:00pm. Learn all about the local community and just how diverse it is at Lane Cove Plaza from 19 – 31 March as it’s decked out in a kaleidoscope of colours.

• Make Some Noise - Marketing for Musicians Wednesday 24 March, 6:00pm - 7:30pm, online via Zoom Learn how to successfully promote your music online with Vic from Astral People. This workshop will cover: - Marketing in the digital age, with so many social platforms how do you work out what is right for you? - How to stand out while staying true to your creative work - A diverse range of PR strategies, from working with publicists and radio, through to postering Book online: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

• Wisdom in Focus Photography Exhibition Photographers of all abilities are encouraged to submit photos of people over the age of 55. This is an opportunity for photographers to capture older people’s stories and experiences in a positive way. Anyone considering entering is urged to submit entries before the closing date of Monday 22 March 2021. Entries will be displayed online between Thursday 1 April – Friday 30 April 2021 to celebrate NSW Seniors Festival. For more information or to submit an entry call Ruth on 9911 3593 or email rjacka@lanecove.nsw.gov.au

Community

• Yoga on the Village Green As we embark on the challenges of 2021, take a moment to look after yourself and join in one of three free yoga sessions as part of Council’s International Women’s Day series. From sunrise to sunset, there’s a session to suit you, no experience necessary. - Monday 8 March, 7:30am – 8:30am - Wednesday 10 March, 5:00pm – 6:00pm - Thursday 11 March, 7:30am – 8:30am This is a COVID-Safe event, numbers limited and tickets required. BYO mat. The Canopy, book online: www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

Road Safety

• Free Child Car Seat Safety Checking Clinic Saturday 13 March, 9:00am – 1:00pm, Lane Cove Council car park Make sure your child is safe with a free inspection by Authorised Restraint Fitters. You can have your child car seats, harnesses and booster seats checked for safety and fit. Email: roadsafety@lanecove.nsw.gov.au or phone 9911 3576 to book.

• Hands-on Car Maintenance Workshop Saturday 13 March, 3:00pm - 5:00pm DO YOU FEEL CONFIDENT... - Changing a tyre? - Checking your engine? - Performing basic car maintenance? Learn how at this free workshop geared towards women 16 years +. No prior skills or knowledge required. Held at the Lane Cove Council Car Park, 48 Longueville Road, Lane Cove.

Yoga ON THE VILLAGE GREEN

Monday 8 March 7:30am – 8:30am Wednesday 10 March 5:00pm – 6:00pm Thursday 11 March 7:30am – 8:30am The Canopy, Lane Cove Registration essential via www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events

This is a COVID-Safe event, numbers limited and tickets required. BYO mat.

Proudly brought to you by Lane Cove Council

P 0431 959 980 E mayor@lanecove.nsw.gov.au

MARCH 2021

The year is off to a busy start for Council following our first Council meeting of the year where we discussed a number of matters including new public art for the village, our commitment to reduce energy and water use and our process for understanding the best future use of the golf course. If you are interested in representing your community as a member of Council then you may like to visit the NSW Electoral Commission’s website to find out more about the local government elections being held on Saturday 4 September.

Latest News

Lane Cove Golf Course: Last year Council exhibited concept plans for a new Sport and Recreation Precinct on the curtilage of the current Lane Cove Golf Course. The building will include indoor multi-sport courts, outdoor courts, a stage, program space, dining areas and car park. Council also identified possible future options for golf at the site. During the consultation process, the community asked Council to consider further options for use of Lane Cove Golf Course open space. At the February Council meeting it was decided we would try a different process to help understand community views on the future use of the site. The deliberative democracy process will involve a Citizen Panel who will seek to determine what the best use(s) of the Lane Cove Golf Course site will be to meet community needs now and in the future. For more information on the process and the status of this project you can visit www.laneecove.nsw.gov. au/haveyoursay

Local Business Breakfast: Back by popular demand after the last Business Breakfast, guest speaker Catherine DeVrye will join us on Wednesday 28 April to reinforce some timeless wisdom; plus provide new material to help you and your business in times of change. Breakfast provided. For details on how to register for this free event visit www.lanecove.nsw.gov.au/events Dog-Friendly Strategy: You are encouraged to participate in the online survey and upcoming sessions that will help inform Council’s DogFriendly Strategy. Whether you are a dog owner or not, Council wants to understand how facilities, special events and smoother processes can help address the needs of the community. To participate, visit www. lanecove.nsw.gov.au/haveyoursay by 30 March, 2020.

Out and about in Lane Cove

Playground upgrade: Council is currently installing new equipment at the Longueville Park Playground including the bow of a boat with slide and climbing mast, four swings, new picnic settings, updated interpretive signage for the Aboriginal engraving, fitness equipment and loop path. The works are scheduled to be completed next month. Mindarie Park: New turf was installed outside the Mindarie Park kiosk last month helping to establish the regular presence of the café on-site from 8:00am daily. Mindarie Park is located on the corner of Kullah Parade and Mindarie Street in Lane Cove North.

Caring for our community

Water and Energy Savings: The replacement 50m outdoor pool at the Lane Cove Aquatic Centre incorporated a number of energy and water efficiency improvements which I am pleased to say has translated to emission and cost savings. For example in December alone 5 tonnes of CO2 was saved through the production of more than 6,500 kW of power across the 162 solar panels. More than $9,000 will be saved during the first year from electricity production alone while the new filter system requires only 10,000 litres of water to backwash every five weeks compared to the previous system which needed to use 44,000 litres every fortnight. It’s great to know that this popular community facility has seen a 41% saving in electricity and 61% reduction in water use.

Did you know?

Council has been investing in battery-operated equipment at its Depot to help reduce the number of petrol-powered tools being used by staff. This includes chainsaws, leafblowers, concrete saws, pruners and a range of hand-held power tools.