Food writer, recipe developer and our favourite cooking school teacher Sam Wight, was heading out to meet 3rd generation dairy farmer, Michael Perich for an article she was commissioned to do for Rex Airlines inflight magazine - OUTthere. The Perich family dairy is the biggest in Australia – definitely a good photo opportunity and chance to have a sticky beak. So I tagged along to do the photos and let Sam concentrate on the interview. Of course I love any excuse for a road trip and the to catch up with a good friend!
We met lovely dairy farmer Michael at his huge farm on which 2000 cows are milked 3 times a day. The 3 generations (Grandparents, sons and daughters and their families) all live on the farm. I hope the fourth generation continues the great work! Here is a little photo essay of what we saw… plus a quick recipe for our favourite thing to do with winter milk at our house: Lindt hot chocolates! Find out more about the dairy on their website…you can even organise a tour….
Young cows have run of the paddocks for 2 years
Even young cows can do fancy tricks with their ears...
Dinner time..... hundreds and hundreds of mouths to feed
They were very happy to have their photos taken... not shy at all!
Here comes the milk!
The dairy at dusk
It's getting late, but this dairy works 24/7
Cows waiting for their early evening milking
I've always wanted a big red tractor... just like this one!
Decadent Lindt Hot Chocolates….
We serve these at the store in a lovely handmade porcelain Malcolm Greenwood bowl, but here’s how to make them at home…
- 1 cup of Lindt milk buttons (available at The Cooks Larder)
- 3 cups of milk
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla
Bring milk in a heavy saucepan on a medium heat almost to the boil. Drop in the vanilla and the chocolate buttons. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted. Delicious served with crusty bread and butter….
Hi Sam
Thanks for a fun afternoon. The cows really liked you and your camera – you got some gorgeous shots!
Sam x
Hi Sam!
Lovely to have met you at the ATFT photography workshop.
Im really enjoying your blog! The photos you take are brilliant and your recipes are mouth-watering also! Great work!
Hi Gianna… good to meet you too. looking forward to heading over to the empty fridge lots!