Johnny’s Offcuts and Jacques’ Potato Ragout

February 22, 2012 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

Folks, I’m going to let you in on one of the Inner West’s best kept foodie secrets…

My friend Johnny runs DeliVer, a thriving, passionate business supplying high-end deli produce to restaurants and providores all across Australia. Apart from a huge range of cheese, oils and antipasto, he also supplies premium small goods – San Daniele Prosciutto, Spanish Jamon, Bresaolo and the like – all carefully hand sliced and vacuum packed for distribution and resale.

Johnny is very particular about what goes into each packet, and as a result there are often large quantities of leftovers and offcuts. These are sold at a discounted price through his retail cheese shop in Haberfield. They’re seriously cheap – often up to 80% off their retail cost.

Let me give you a couple of examples – off the bone leg ham retails for $49.99/kg and Coppa, a traditional cured pork, for $39.99/kg – the offcuts of both are just $8.99/kg. The bags of Coppa below cost me less than $3 each…

For $19.99/kg, I often pick up end pieces of San Daniele prosciutto (normally $79.99/kg) or Spanish Jamon ($89.99/kg)…

These are only available through the Haberfield shop and definitely worth looking out for if you get a chance to visit.

I normally use the meats in filled breads, pasta soups or as pizza topping, but I was delighted to come across this Jacques Pépin recipe which seemed a perfect foil for them. It’s from his latest cookbook and television series…

The potato ragout is, according to Jacques, a simple dish from his childhood. It’s easy to prepare, and originally made with strips of rinsed salt pork or pancetta. Jacques wrote that it could also be made with leftover ham or sausage, so it was simple to extrapolate to Johnny’s offcuts…

I used 300g of mixed meats, chopped into strips…

Potato Ragout
(based on a recipe from Jacques Pépin’s Essential Pépin)

300g pancetta or assorted cured meats
1 tablespoon peanut oil
2 large onions, cut into 8 wedges
2 tablespoons plain (AP) flour
1 tablespoon crushed garlic
3 bay leaves
1 sprig fresh thyme
2 – 3 cups water
1 kilo waxy pototoes, peeled and cut up if large

1. Cut the meat into strips. Heat the oil in a large saucepan or dutch oven and fry the meat until well cooked and crisp, stirring occasionally. Add the onions and cook for a few minutes more, until lightly browned.

2. Add the flour and stir well, cook briefly until brown, being careful not to burn it. Add the garlic, bay leaves, thyme and water, stir and then bring to a boil.

3. Add the potatoes and bring back to a boil, then turn the heat down and simmer, covered, for about an hour, or until the potatoes are soft and well cooked. Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary.

A comforting, easy to eat dish which, thanks to a healthy supply of Johnny’s offcuts in the fridge, I can now make at a moment’s notice!

Posted in Recipes | Tagged Jacques Pepin ragout, Paesanella cheese shop Haberfield, potato ragout | 67 Comments

67 Responses

on February 22, 2012 at 12:10 am heidi

This looks like dinner!
I have some ham sliced off the bone and a large bag of waxy yellow potatoes in the pantry!
Thanks, Celia- I’ve been wondering what to do with the rest of that ham. I’ve made quiche, ham steaks, bean soup, and used it in a chef salad and still I have ham!
- on February 22, 2012 at 2:22 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Heidi, I hope you like this! It was supposed to be made with small Yukon gold or fingerling potatoes, if you have any of those…
on February 22, 2012 at 12:23 am thecompletecookbook

Now, if I just lived closer…
:-) Mandy
- on February 22, 2012 at 2:22 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  …you’d come over for potato ragout, and maybe bring a fresh fig tart? :D
  - on February 22, 2012 at 4:05 pm thecompletecookbook
    
    Done deal Celia. Oh that would be fun, wouldn’t it. :-)
on February 22, 2012 at 12:53 am Sous Chef

I do love a bargain, especially when you can cook up such a tasty looking meal.
- on February 22, 2012 at 2:23 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Sue, I can’t resist a bargain, and these really are. The prosciutto offcuts are my favourite..
on February 22, 2012 at 1:25 am emily @ wellcookedlife.com

I’m thinking by the time I have him fly the meats to the US, it might negate the discount…but love finding out about insider tasty bits.
- on February 22, 2012 at 2:24 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Em! It really is a special treat for those of us who live in Inner West Sydney! :)
on February 22, 2012 at 3:14 am sallybr

So, you see that now you get me more and more tempted to emigrate to Australia, right?

sure, why not? I went from Brazil to USA. USA to Brazil. Brazil to France. Franc to US

it’s about time I get a bit more daring… ;-)
- on February 22, 2012 at 2:25 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Oh yes. We’ll just have to track down an Aussie university that’s worthy of yours and Phil’s talents.. :)
on February 22, 2012 at 4:21 am Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide

Amazing stuff.
- on February 22, 2012 at 2:25 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  You’re kind, but it’s actually very simple fare. But it was very delicious! :)
on February 22, 2012 at 5:21 am tania@mykitchenstories

Thanks for the heads up on the offcuts…. you’ll probably be sorry you mentioned it…..! The potato ragout looks exactly like the perfect foil and a great idea that even teenagers would like…. PS fields of gold is one of my favourite songs
- on February 22, 2012 at 2:26 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Enjoy Tania, they always have heaps! Love Sting.. :)
on February 22, 2012 at 5:35 am hotlyspiced

What a bargain. I’ll have to make the trip to Haberfield Celia, it would be well worth it. You plated that dish so beautifully. What a great recipe. I’ll be trying that with my new purchases from Haberfield!
- on February 22, 2012 at 2:26 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Charlie, thank you for saying that, I’m not the world’s best plater-upperer. :) I hope you make it to the shop, there’s lots of treasure to be found there!
on February 22, 2012 at 6:30 am InTolerant Chef

What a generous discount indeed. I must admit I would have been sorely tempted not to share this find!
I can get off cuts at my Deli, but they throw in all the manky bits and gristle and I can’t always be bothered going to the effort of sorting through. Your Johnny is a good man for sure!
I grew up with potato stews like this, so it definitely looks like comfort food, Yumm!
- on February 22, 2012 at 2:28 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Becca, as I said, Johnny’s a pedant, so there’s often quite a lot of offcuts to go around. And there aren’t any manky bits because my friend Dottie packs the bags, and she’s just as fussy about quality as Johnny is! :)
on February 22, 2012 at 6:36 am Joanna

I love these tales of everyday food and all the people you meet in your travels Celia – that’s a quick supper after my own heart !
- on February 22, 2012 at 2:29 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Joanna, I’m glad you liked it, it’s a very warming dish. It was nice to let the potatoes be the star of the dish – I’m going to buy some new season baby Royal Blue potatoes and try making it again! xx
on February 22, 2012 at 7:11 am shuhanlee

i’m a fan of a bargain, and when you want to eat well, from free-range healthy animals, it’s usually a bit of a price hike. I usuallye nd up opting for cheap cuts or offal, and this has opened my eyes to a new way of scoring a good deal- by getting offcuts, brilliant!
- on February 22, 2012 at 2:30 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks for stopping by! The other bargain to be had is ham bones and the like for soups – Johnny gives those away for free! :)
  
  https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2011/02/09/free-ham-bones-from-paesanella/
on February 22, 2012 at 7:17 am teawithhazel

that’s culinary alchemy celia..
- on February 22, 2012 at 2:30 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Jane, that’s very kind, but it’s just a simple dinner.. :)
on February 22, 2012 at 8:13 am Amanda

Ooh, lucky you – I’d love to have that kind of resource nearby. It must give many of your everyday meals a genuine gourmet touch!
- on February 22, 2012 at 2:32 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Amanda, the downside is the kids are completely spoilt! Big Boy will ask for “San Daniele prosciutto, please” – won’t eat anything else! :)
  
  My friend Moo told me that Mercato in Adelaide now has an online store, in case it’s of interest:
  
  http://www.ilmercato.com.au/
on February 22, 2012 at 8:47 am Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella

What a great find! Definitely worth a visit for sure! :D
- on February 22, 2012 at 2:33 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Let me know when you head out this way, and I’ll meet you there! :)
on February 22, 2012 at 8:50 am Claire @ Claire K Creations

What a bargain! I just need to find my own Johnny here in Brisbane. Potato ragout sounds wonderful.
- on February 22, 2012 at 2:33 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Claire, I’m sure there is one! :)
on February 22, 2012 at 9:41 am Jane

Celia … you are so big-hearted … but how will I ever get in the door on Saturday after this! The fruit bread you gave us on Sunday is still sustaining me … xxx
- on February 22, 2012 at 2:34 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  I’m glad you’re enjoying it, love. Have I mentioned recently how happy we are to have you guys back home? :)
on February 22, 2012 at 11:08 am Lizzy (Good Things)

Celia this sounds delicious and such a bargain!
- on February 22, 2012 at 2:34 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Lizzy! It’s hard to resist goods of this quality at those sorts of prices! :)
on February 22, 2012 at 1:23 pm The Wild Wood

Looks like I’ll have to find Haberfield! they have so many wonderful treats on their website.
- on February 22, 2012 at 2:35 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Elaine, it’s a great place to spend some money – lots of shops there to explore!
on February 22, 2012 at 3:00 pm Liz

Another excuse to travel down to Sydney with the esky!
- on February 23, 2012 at 7:18 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Indeed! :)
on February 22, 2012 at 6:55 pm The Wild Wood

Celia, I didn’t see your note about queenie until just now; how very sad.
All of your family and her’s will miss her dearly.
- on February 23, 2012 at 7:18 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Elaine, thank you, Pete will especially miss her, she was his favourite..
on February 22, 2012 at 8:30 pm Anne

just saw about Queenie – our dear old chook Ebony has just died too – preceeded by very thin eggshells too. a Sad day when the dear old girls pass on. . .
- on February 23, 2012 at 7:17 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Anne, she wasn’t all that old, just over two years, but I think something just stopped working. Thanks for your kind comment.. x
on February 22, 2012 at 11:41 pm Melanie

So sorry to hear about Queenie. She was a lucky girl to have such a nice home.
This dish sounds wonderful. I think I’d try it w/ pancetta. I don’t have potatoes too often anymore because I’m tired of the same old way of preparing them. Thank you for the idea!!
- on February 23, 2012 at 7:16 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Mel, thank you. We’re still quite sad about it, but we hope she enjoyed her time with us. The original dish was supposed to be made with pancetta! :)
on February 22, 2012 at 11:56 pm ChopinandMysaucepan

Dear Celia

Thanks for the info. Sometimes, offcuts in soups and stews are some of the tastiest! Great that they are all vacuum packed as well!
- on February 23, 2012 at 7:15 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Chopinand, the vac packing is a lifesaver – often when we’re out of things to eat, they’ll be a little bag of offcuts hiding in the back of the fridge.. :)
on February 23, 2012 at 12:09 am Sally

Comfort food is the best. How did you manage to make vacuum packed meat look appetising? I don’t know how – but you did!
- on February 23, 2012 at 7:14 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Sally, thank you for saying that. I was concerned the photos wouldn’t do the offcuts justice, they really are premium quality, no nasty bits in there… :)
on February 23, 2012 at 5:30 am niasunset

http://photographyofnia.com/2012/02/22/i-am-honored-by-your-awards-thank-you/
Dear Celia, you are one of my nominated bloggers for the Liebster Blog Award, Thank you, with my love, nia
- on February 23, 2012 at 7:13 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thank you Nia, that’s very kind of you! :)
on February 23, 2012 at 8:29 am Marilyn

Sorry to hear about Queenie.

Big hugs, Maz. :-(
- on February 23, 2012 at 7:13 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Maz. xx
on February 23, 2012 at 5:02 pm Jan

Sorry to hear about Queenie, Celia. That’s how four of our chooks have died too. All preceded by thin shelled, or no-shelled eggs. Our remaining two chooks are both plump, healthy and bossy; they tend to get around as if joined at the hip, but are not laying eggs – maybe they think it’s too risky:-( Lucky you having off-cuts of San Daniele, I love that prosciutto.
- on February 23, 2012 at 6:41 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Jan. The other girls are all looking well, we’ve been watching them like a hawk today..
on February 23, 2012 at 8:12 pm Nomsie

You should have heard the scream inside my head when I read about quality of the product and the discount and that it’s only across the city in haberfield! hahaha my sister and I will have to pop over for some lunch and check it out…oooo that pasticeria on the corner might get a visit too :)
- on February 24, 2012 at 4:18 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Perfect! That’s exactly what I wanted to do – let fellow Sydneysiders know so they could pop in and stock up. There’s heaps there! :)
on February 23, 2012 at 10:27 pm Tes

Wow it looks like you have amazing supplies to your kitchen :) The dish looks fantastic :)
- on February 24, 2012 at 4:17 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Tes, thank you! We are blessed to have access to so much good food!
on February 24, 2012 at 10:49 am Lucas @ CoverVersions.tv

*looks up how to get to Haberfield*
- on February 26, 2012 at 9:55 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Lots to see when you do get there, Lucas! :)
on February 26, 2012 at 5:17 pm Dredgemeister's Missus

Can I report – preferably without any further comment from others – that following a colonoscopy, this is the perfect comfort food. And let me tell you, I needed comforting on Friday night. Thank you Celia. In case I was not clear: NO BUM JOKES FOLKS. THANK YOU ALL.
- on February 26, 2012 at 7:59 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  I’m glad it helped, love. :)
on February 28, 2012 at 12:52 am Norma

I am so sorry about Queenie.
- on February 29, 2012 at 7:06 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Thanks Norma.. x
on February 28, 2012 at 9:20 pm Dredgemeister's Missus

Turns out cooking potato ragout is as soothing as eating it. Thought I’d share.
- on February 29, 2012 at 7:06 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Seriously girl, we are turning into old hippies, you and I.. ;-)