Sweet And Sour / Good Game / Basil With Bite

The Age

Tuesday February 12, 2008

Richard Cornish

Sweet and sour

This thick, rich, creamy and sweet yoghurt has been a well-received new product from Mungalli Creek Dairy in the Atherton Tablelands. The yoghurt sits on a base of cherries in syrup. It is an exercise in sweet and sour as the sugar in the syrup and yoghurt is matched by the acid in the cherries and creamy yoghurt. We bought three tubs and did a straw poll with visitors. Their response was more than positive. -- RICHARD CORNISH

Mungalli Creek Cherry Delight Bio Dynamic Yoghurt. 375ml/$6.95. Stockists include: Angelo's, Blackburn; Glo Health, Elsternwick; Passionfoods, South Melbourne; Organic Larder, Geelong; Nut Trek, Queen Victoria Market.

Good game

Hidden in a new strip of shops in Daylesford is a little family business called Spa Venison. Both venison and goat are reared on the property of Chris Peel and Diane Snell at Waubra, north of Ballarat. The shop sells sell vacuum-packed cuts of meat including standing rib rack of venison, rump, steaks and pre-seasoned rolled roasts. A former Ballarat butcher helps them with excellent cooked smallgoods and a neighbouring chef makes really gamey venison and pork and venison pate. With a bottle of local plonk, this would be a destination if you were buying up for a Spa Country weekend. -- RICHARD CORNISH

Spa Venison, shop 3/9 Howe Street, Daylesford, 5348 3551.

Basil with bite

Don't judge this pesto by its perfunctory packaging. Made with olive oil, basil, local parmesan cheese, pine nuts, salt and a touch of lemon juice for a hint of sharpness. It's sold at a handful of delis. It comes from the kitchen at the Carlton factories of Maria's Pasta and is made by Maria Italiano in small batches. It's as good as you can get without throwing in a handful of reggiano, which would double the price. Fresh, bright, nutty and moreish, this is a considerable alternative if you can't make the real thing. -- RICHARD CORNISH

Maria's Traditional Basil Pesto, 100g $5.20-$5.90. Stockists include: Piedemonte's, North Fitzroy; IGA, East Melbourne, Yarraville; Hampton Fruit Centre; Red Hill Cellars, Red Hill South.

© 2008 The Age

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