On April 4th a group of students from the Leioa  Catering College visited

the farm and dairy.The visit was organized by the Food Justice Campaign.

Recipe of the month: Chicken tikka masala

2 chicken breasts

250 g tomatoes

200 g natural yogurt

200 g crème fraîche

100 g onions

1 chili

10 g mint

10 g cilantro (coriander)

1 bell pepper

½ tsp coriander seed

1 tsp cumin seed

½ tsp chili powder

2 tsp ground turmeric

½ clove garlic

5 g ginger (fresh)

1 tbsp garam masala

150 ml water

salt

pepper

vegetable oil (for frying)

Finely dice onion and chili. Finely chop mint and cilantro.

Cut chicken, tomato, and bell pepper into bite-sized cubes.

Grate garlic and ginger.

With a mortar and pestle, finely grind coriander seed, cumin,

chili powder and half of the turmeric.

In a small bowl, fold spice mixture into yogurt. Place chicken

pieces in freezer bag and add spiced yogurt. Mix well and

marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 min. or ideally for

a few hours.

Preheat oven to 180°C/355°F. Transfer marinated chicken to

a lined baking sheet and bake in oven for approx. 25 – 30 min.

In a small saucepan, sauté onion in some vegetable oil over

medium heat for approx. 5 – 7 min. until golden brown. Add

grated ginger and garlic, as well as diced chili, bell pepper,

and tomatoes and continue to sauté for approx. 4 - 5 min.

Season with remaining turmeric, garam masala, salt, and

pepper and allow to cook for approx. 15 min.

Add crème fraîche and water to pan and stir thoroughly to

incorporate. Using a hand blender, puree sauce until smooth.

Add cooked chicken to pan and stir well. Season to taste with

salt and pepper. Fold in chopped mint and cilantro, reserving

some for garnish. Enjoy with naan bread or basmati rice!

Flower of the month: Lamb’s tongue (Plantago lanceolata)

This species is common throughout Europe and in many countries has more

than one common name…. in England it has at least six names. It both had

and has many medicinal uses. It is an important plant on our farm as it is

abundant, the cows graze it freely, it has an average content of 13.5% of

protein, also contains potassium (K) and is quite resistant to trampling by

the cows.

The weather was still very changeable with morning temperaturas varying

between only 2.2ºC and frost one morning and over 15ºC other mornings.

Midday temperaturas reached 14,7 ºC somedays and 28 ºC others. We had

a mixture of sunny days with strong, druing south winds and other more

humid days, but the 55 litres of rain we gathered in the rain gauge is unusually

low for this time of year. This lack of rain is beginning to be very worrying

particularly because the long range forecast is for little precipitation, and

we need rain for pasturage.

What did the cows eat?

The dairy cows were able to graze and we also gave them dried alfalfa

and peas and some feedstuff.

slurry before the rain at the end of the month.

One heifer calf was born in April.

On April 25th Esti from Ekolurra, the Basque Organic Farming Council,

came for the yearly inspection undertaken to ensure adherence to

organic rules and regulations.