Aunty's Garden: Waipatu Salad

Aunty Hanui, of Aunty's Garden, offers this month's recipe. Photo / Warren Buckland

At Aunty's Garden in Waipatu, we grow lettuces of all varieties. Naturally during winter, growth is slow, but because we have a big garden, we never run out of vegetables. We are renowned for our hospitality at the marae and quantities are often doubled even trebled to accommodate the visitors who come to our marae.

This month's recipe is our special Waipatu Salad. Everyone who helps out at the marae has got this recipe down to a fine presentation.

Recipe of the Month

WAIPATU SALAD - For a large quantity - "marae style".

In separate dishes, prepare the following:

Gather 4 or 5 lettuces of varying kinds. Break off the leaves and centres, washing thoroughly and set aside

1 broccoli head, finely sliced

2 spring onions finely sliced

3 medium beetroot grated

3 kale and 3 silverbeet leaves finely sliced

1 medium pacific rose or any sweet apple - diced

METHOD

Shred a handful of lettuce into the bottom of the bowl

Drizzle the above ingredients in layers

Repeat the process until the bowl is almost full

TIPS

Add the spring onion an hour before serving

Add salt and pepper to taste

Garnish the top with 2 or 3 marigold flowers by flicking the petals randomly over the top of the salad

The colour and style is lovely and there are so many variations.

You can add nuts and tomatoes or any vegetables you like.

Be creative.

Yummy fresh Waipatu Salad. Enjoy.