12 Good Eggs & A very tasty frittata!

12 Good Eggs is a fast growing business, owned and run by Glen and Mardie Gray, selling free range paddock eggs.

Their farm is set on the banks of the beautiful Murray River on the outskirts of Barham, NSW. Together with their two children, a few dogs and 3000 odd hens they are kept busy suppling the local area with freshly laid 'paddock eggs'.

The hens live in old caravans that have been converted by Glen (who was previously a furniture maker) into hen houses. They spend all day, each day roaming the paddock and grazing on native pastures. At night, they retreat to their caravan's where they are watched by the dogs, protecting them from any hungary foxes. Using a rotational grazing system, the caravans are moved each week to a new paddock, providing fresh feed whilst the previous paddock has had the benefits of being fertilised naturally by the chooks. Its a win/win situation for all.

The outcome…..these very happy, free to roam hens lay delicious tasting eggs for which demand in the area is  growing. The Gray's are in the process of adding to their current brood- an additional 1500 hens which will help them keep up to their egg orders all year round. It's a labour intensive job moving caravans, checking their water and collecting eggs daily, then sorting and packing-but one which the Gray family are very passionate about. They recently moved their packing area from the farm into a bigger shed in Barham as a way of keeping up with this growing business.

And something I learn't from my visit out to the Gray's farm- just because the packaging on the egg carton's say free range, doesnt actually mean the chooks roam free all the time. It could be that they are only out having free range time for an hour a day. A tad misleading! Hence why Glen and Mardie  have chosen to market their eggs as paddock eggs, not just free range!

12 Good Eggs can be found at the Echuca Farmers Markets, Koondrook-Barham Famers Markets as well as a handful of IGA Supermarket's within the area. They also supply eggs to Forever Fresh in Echuca too.

Keep up to date with market dates and other 'eggy' news by following 12 Good Eggs on  Facebook.

Eggs are one of those pantry staples in our house- I try and stock up whenever Im at the markets as we use them on a daily basis. When asked her favourite way of serving eggs, Mardie tells me you can't simply go past a freshly boiled egg- how true! Pure comfort food, and so good for you too!

I have to say though I love a good pav and this frittata recipe is becoming a weekly special in our house- tasty, healthy and a great way to use up all those leftovers in the fridge.

"Leftover" Frittata

5 large eggs, lightly whisked
1 1/2 cups milk
Half a butternut pumpkin, chopped up into small pieces and roasted
2 rashes of bacon, diced
1 onion, diced
1 zucchini, grated
1 carrot, grated
spinach leaves
handful of frozen peas
1 cup of self raising flour
1 cup of cheese, preferably cheddar
feta (optional), to scatter on top.

Preheat oven to 200 deg celcius. Heat saucepan on stovetop and sauté bacon and onion until cooked through. Put aside to cool. Mix together eggs, milk, cooled onion and bacon, flour, cheese and veggies. Pour into a lined baking tray- mine is 35 cm x 25 cm. I like to add the pumpkin last and push it into the mix. Scatter feta on top with some freshly chopped herbs and some salt and pepper. Bake for about 45 minutes or until lovely and golden on top and cooked through.

Note- this is a recipe that is very easy to modify. If vegetarian, naturally omit the bacon. Substitute any of the above vegies for ones that you have in the fridge or simply just your favourite combinations. Try using boccocini instead of feta and throw in a few cherry tomatoes! It's a great recipe that can be adapted to whatever is in season. Have fun with it and Im sure it will always taste delicious!

I personally love serving this as a light lunch along with a few pieces of smoked salmon and a green salad.

Have you a favourite way of cooking up your eggs???