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???

Some Easter Egg fun for the kids….

On Saturday I popped down to the markets to stock up on some more eggs from my favourite local egg supplier- Little Forest Produce from Barham, on the NSW/Vic border.

On display they had this lovely bowl of decorated eggs- I love the pretty and delicate patterns of the leaves and flowers!

This bowl was proving very popular with the children. Not only do they look good, but its a great school holiday activity for the kids, and they can be still eaten or used purely for decoration.

So, Here is what you will need-

12 white eggs- they must be white so the dyed water stains better

5 onion skins

A pot to fit the eggs

scissors

sewing thread

old stockings

leaves, flowers, grass, etc

Put onion skins (just the brown crunchy outer bit) in a pot with water and boil for at least 20 minutes but longer is fine.

Collect little leaves, flowers, grass, etc.

Cut stockings into 7cm tubes and then down one side to open the sticking out flat.

Wet the leaf/s and put in place on the egg. Wetting helps hold it in place.

Wrap the stocking carefully over the leaves and twist really tight.

Secure by wrapping cotton around 10-15 times. No need to tie in a knot. Trim the excess stocking.

Place in the boiling water carefully (you dont want the egg to pop!) with a big spoon and boil in onion water for 9 minutes. 

Then take out and allow to cool. Cut stocking off. 

Remove the leaves and rub with olive oil.

Note- These eggs can be eaten or used as a beautiful decoration.

Idea from 12 good Eggs- Little Forest Produce

If wanting other colours but still using natural dyes, try using tea leaves, beetroot, parsley…etc.

A great link for a really good range of colours can be found here.

Now, if you are wanting some colour try these two fun projects below.

How pretty is this Eggshell Tealight Candle Centrepiece?

If you dont have a fancy egg holder like the one in the photo…try just using egg cups and they can be placed or scattered around the table or mantlepiece. You can find how to make them here.

 Image from Little Inspiration

And finally…this easter egg garland made with paint chips. Very easy to make and looks fantastic! 

Tutorial can be found here.

Images from Modern Parents Messy Kids

So that should keep the kids (and yourself, like in my case) busy for a few days but certainly help add some easter fun to your home.

Dont forget to enter our First Birthday Competition. Drawn Tuesday 8th April at 9pm. Winner announced on Wednesday 9th April here on the blog. Entry details here.