Photographer: Dearna Bond
With the winter season in full swing, Rodney Dunn of The Agrarian Kitchen has shared his favourite recipes to infuse a touch of warmth and comfort into the coldest of days.
The garden is the heart of The Agrarian Kitchen with in-season produce dictating the culinary narrative. In winter, this ethos of sustainable produce reigns supreme as in-season fruit and vegetables form the bedrock of Chef Dunn’s creations.
Below, discover some of Rodney’s cherished recipes to bring a touch of German comfort to your winter.
Grundrezept Maultaschen
An easy dish for starters is Rodney’s Grundrezept Maultaschen, a traditional German recipe from the South that is now enjoyed around the country during winter and spring months.
Rodney’s tip for Maultaschen is to steam the dough in your AEG 60cm SteamPro Oven, providing an even cook that enhances the flavours and textures of the filling, whilst preserving the nutrients for a delicious and healthy dish.
Photographer: Luke Burgess
Pumpkin and Silverbeet Gratin with Sage Cream (au gratin)
With pumpkin a classic winter warmer, another favourite is Rodney’s Pumpkin and Silverbeet Gratin with Sage Cream. This dish is perfect during winter as it’s best served immediately out of the oven providing that cold weather comfort we’re in need of.
The key to a good gratin is the duality of textures among layers, with the inside being deliciously creamy whilst the top is nice and crispy. Use the Au Gratin daily function in your AEG oven, which is specifically designed to achieve the perfect crispy and golden top for your dishes.
Rodney recommends using a mixture of bread and walnuts to cover the dish and bake on the Au Gratin setting for an extra five minutes, with the subtle flavour of the walnuts pairing well with pumpkin and offering an added crunch.
Photographer: Luke Burgess
Bavarian Apple Dumplings with Vanilla Sauce
When it comes to winter dessert, it’s hard to go past the allure of classic apple flavours. Rodney’s Bavarian Apple Dumplings with Vanilla Sauce is here to challenge your expectations on the humble apple pie.
When proving the dough for your dumplings, utilise the Dough Proving function in your AEG oven, which innovatively speeds up the rising of the yeast dough, whilst preventing the surface from drying and keeping the dough elastic.
After proving the dough, switch your AEG 60cm SteamPro Oven to the High Humidity Steam Setting, which is perfect for steaming delicate dishes such as this one, letting them cook until they spring back when gently pressed. Then serve with the warm vanilla sauce to keep the winter blues away.
Photographer: Luke Burgess
