Tree-changer Sophie Hansen: The country experiences that city-dwellers are missing

One of the side effects of moving to the country was that I developed an interest in, and suddenly had time for, a range of edible projects that my city dwelling-self would never have considered embarking upon.

Almost the minute I pushed open the farm gates, I fancied evolving into the perfect country woman with a pantry stocked with homemade goodness, however this remains a fantasy yet to fully play out.

There is one area of the larder – or to be more precise the fridge – where I have been able to produce something that in the city I would have popped down to the supermarket to pick up.

I now make things like ricotta, creme fraiche, yoghurt, sourdough, chutneys, nut milks and the like.

Twelve years and much experimentation later, please trust me when I say: from ricotta to creme fraiche, sourdough, chutney, jams and nut milks to yoghurt, making your own is far more satisfying than it is demanding.

Making your own ricotta is far more satisfying than it is demanding. Photo: Sophie Hansen

There are plenty of uses for fresh ricotta, from breakfast through to dessert. In the morning I love to spread it over toast and drizzle with honey and roughly chopped hazelnuts.

In the evening, mixing your ricotta with a little lemon juice, a handful of herbs, some finely chopped spring onion and chilli, and a little salt and pepper makes for a beautiful dip to go with crunchy radishes and flatbread. 

• Related: ‘Rules’ that govern country towns
• Related: Food the heart of country life
• Related: From city slicker to country local

One of the Orange ‘locals’. Photo: Sophie Hansen

Then instead of a plated dessert, I sometimes serve a mound of fresh ricotta next to a handful of toasted hazelnuts, a pot of rhubarb compote and one of fresh honeycomb. Topped with a thin, sweet biscuit or ginger snap, everyone can then help themselves.

So as we begin the slow descent into late autumn and balmy summer barbecues give way to quiet evenings, calm suppers and pottering, now’s the time to make and do these delicious things.

How to make fresh ricotta

Photo: Sophie Hansen

3 cups (750ml) full-fat milk

1 cup (250ml) cream

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 large piece of muslin or cheesecloth (available at kitchen shops, fabric stores), you could also use a clean thin wipe

Photo: Sophie Hansen

2. Once the cream/milk mixture is at boiling point, remove from heat and whisk through the lemon juice. You should see it start to curdle almost straight away. Leave for five minutes and whisk again.

3. Pour into the lined sieve and either tie ends together with kitchen string, then tie to a wooden spoon and suspend over a bowl (I use an upended kitchen stool) or leave in sieve, resting over a large bowl for 30-45 minutes or until you are left with about 250 grams of ricotta and about three cups (750ml) of whey.

4. Use the latter in smoothies, instead of water, if making pizza dough or bread, or give to your chooks, dog or cats.

Making your own move  

This four-bedder in Berry would make a good weekender or permanent home. Photo: Supplied

If your dream is to embark on a treechange of your own, you might want to consider making the leap to Berry, on the south coast of NSW. 

With views of the rolling green hills of dairy country and also within walking distance of local cafes and boutiques, 71 Bundewallah Road is the place to indulge in a laid-back lifestyle – on the weekend or permanently.

An open-plan kitchen, large living and dining areas, along with an outdoor fire pit, make this the ideal weekender.

The property also comes with a studio, workshop space and farm shed, making it the perfect location to live full time and set up a home business.

The home is characterised by its large living and dining areas, and of course by its outlook. Photo: Supplied

Berry is just a two-hour drive time from Sydney and is also an easy commute of less than an hour from Wollongong and the job opportunities there.

The area itself still retains an active dairy industry, a staple of the region for many families for generations.

Raine & Horne’s Jacqui Crapp says the price guide currently sits between $1.8 million and $1.9 million.