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    The Free Range Cook
    The Free Range Cook
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    Market shopping

    By Annabel Langbein
    Annabel Langbein The Free Range Cook
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    My TV show Annabel Langbein The Free Range Cook was filmed at my little cabin on the shores of Lake Wanaka, where I am lucky enough to maintain a large vegetable garden that provides much of my family's fresh produce.

    I have always grown my own vegetables - something that was instilled in me by my father Fred, who maintained a prodigious garden that provided us with a nutritious and interesting diet.

    When I started cooking, I learnt early on that the fresher your ingredients, the less work there is for you in the kitchen. With nature on your side it’s easy to be a great cook and enjoy delicious meals at the drop of the hat.

    The fluorescent atmosphere of a supermarket may make everything look good, but looks don’t necessarily equate to flavour or succulence. And it is this difference in flavour which goes a long way to explain the phenomenal popularity of farmers' markets.

    In the freshly picked harvests of local growers, we discover older and lesser known varieties of produce grown because they taste good, not because they suit the long life requirements of a supermarket supply chain.

    I also like the fact farmers' markets create a sense of community – something fast disappearing from our lives as people get busier and the big chains bump out old-timer providores.

    Each week at the markets, the same friendly faces greet and cajole. I love this chance to try something new and be tempted by an artisan spread, cheese or specialty sausage. So, even without a backyard garden, it's possible to enjoy what is in season at its very best. New Zealand is blessed with some wonderful farmers’ markets where you can support local growers and cook in sync with nature's harvests.

    Here’s a list of some of my favourite local markets around the country:


    Annabel Langbein is the star of the new TV ONE series Annabel Langbein The Free Range Cook (7pm Saturdays).

    Watch more Annabel Langbein recipe videos.

    Get Annabel Langbein's Salsa Verde recipe.

    Get all Annabel Langbein's cooking tips here.

    See the cookbook Annabel Langbein The Free Range Cook for all the recipes from the TV show.

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    User comments
    hey annabel as i was looking for something interesting to watch on tv sat night, and your show came on, my first thought was oh no! not another food show, but i couldnt have been more wrong, what an incredilble production, within the first few minutes, im thinking this has to be an australian show due to the content and quality, but no its kiwi due to me being a chrysler man, and thete was the jeep. all i can say is you have restored my faith in local tv, and its content, and not forgetting the fact that its the most appetising food and quality in the settings, especially as when i prepare mine often with a can opener and spoon. dont change a thing, and keep up the great work. clive

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