Delcado with Spring Peas and Gribiche

Created by mark best for Delcado

Artfully grown produce like the Delcado brings a sense of anticipation every season. What subtle expression of the season and their unique terroir will they show this year? How will I enhance perfection? These are the nuanced challenges of cooking with the best produce.

In creating a dish I am always guided by the ingredient itself, colour, aroma, flavour and texture. This first flush of Spring Delcado are redolent with subtle citrus aromas and acidity. Mild flavours of new almonds and boiled green cashews come to mind with the colour, melting from bright pea green, to a soft pastel yellow proposing a gentle approach.

This recipe pairs Delcados with quite a classic sauce made in my contemporary style, sauce gribiche. It is mint, dill, plenty of capers, hard boiled eggs, lemon zest and a squeeze of its juice just to match the richness and finesse of these beautiful Delcados. Tiny little Spring peas will add some textural interest and elegance.

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time:
Serves: 4

Ingredients

·      2 Delcados

·      1 cup of podded spring peas*

·      2 tsp EV Olive oil

·      1/2 tsp Flaked Salt

·      Freshly Ground White Pepper

·      2 hard boiled eggs (10 minutes hot water start)

·      2 cups picked dill fronds

·      2 cups picked mint

·      1/2 cup large capers in vinegar

·      zest and juice of a lemon

·      1tsp freshly ground black pepper

·      1 tsp flaked salt

·      50 mls EV Olive Oil

Gribiche method

Add all ingredients to a blender and pulse until you have a course paste.

 To serve

1. Cut the Delcados in half and carefully remove the seeds. Use a large kitchen spoon to remove the fruit from the skin.

2. Blanch the peas in boiling water for 30 secs and refresh immediately in ice cold water.

3. Dress with the olive oil, salt and pepper.

4. Divide the gribiche between 4 deep bowls and place a Delcado half in each.

5. Fill the Delcados with a quarter of the peas each. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil, some flaky salt and some fine dill fronds

 Tip

*This time of year use the pods for a stir fry or salad

Delcados are the best choice for recipes that showcase the perfect avocado slice. The inside of a Delcado is checked using x-ray-like, near infrared technology before they leave the packing shed to guarantee quality.