Goat Milk

Bega Group has expressed interest in acquiring Fonterra’s Oceania operations, a move that aligns with Fonterra’s strategy to focus on dairy ingredients and foodservice.

Australian food and dairy company Bega Group is pursuing an informal merger clearance from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for a potential acquisition of Fonterra’s Oceania business unit. This unit includes operations in New Zealand and Australia and was put on the market last year, as part of Fonterra’s strategy to exit its consumer-facing operations and concentrate on dairy ingredients and foodservice channels.

Bega Group believes an acquisition of these assets would enhance outcomes for both the company and the wider dairy industry in Australia. However, Bega Group will be competing with other potential buyers, including French dairy giant Lactalis, which has already submitted a proposal to acquire Fonterra’s assets.

Other speculated bidders for Fonterra’s assets include Canada’s Saputo, Japan’s Meiji Holding Co., and the US investment company Warburg Pincus, although these have not been confirmed. Meanwhile, Bega Group intends to work closely with Fonterra Group on this potential acquisition.

Bega Group, headquartered in Bega, New South Wales, is known for its popular brands such as Vegemite and Bega Peanut Butter. The company reported a revenue increase of 3% to A$1.8 billion and a 44% rise in normalized EBITDA to A$110.3 million for the first half, with net profit after tax growing to A$35.9 million from A$13.3 million a year earlier.

It is a simple dish, but its flavours and textures are the heroes. The earthy sweet beetroot partners with salty blue cheese extraordinarily well.

Pearled spelt is a grain that can be used a lot like pearl barley or bulgur.

This recipe requires less than 30 mins Preparation time, 30 mins to 1 hour  Cooking time, Serves 4.

Ingredients:

• 100g/3½oz blue cheese, such as gorgonzola or creamy Irish blue cheese, crumbled
• 200g/7oz #ad pearled spelt
• 3 tbsp live plain #ad yoghurt
• 300g/10½oz vacuum-packed beetroot, steamed, ready-to-eat and chopped into small chunks
• 20g/¾oz fresh dill, finely chopped, plus a few sprigs to garnish
• 1 lemon, juice only
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• handful walnuts, roughly chopped and toasted
• salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

• Cook the spelt according to the packet instructions. It usually needs to be boiled for just under 30 minutes, or until tender. Drain and set aside.
• Place the beetroot in a bowl. Mix the spelt with the beetroot, then add the yoghurt, dill, lemon juice and oil. Season with about 15 twists of a pepper mill and add salt to taste.
• Toss the walnuts and blue cheese over the spelt and garnish with a few dill sprigs.

*Recipe Tips

The spelt keeps very well in the fridge for 2–3 days – the longer you keep it, the more intense the colour will become.

Sweet, tangy and earthy flavors combine in this delicious vegetarian lentil stew.

Walnuts add texture and crunch to this dish. Pair them with goats’ cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.

This recipe requires less than 30 mins Preparation time, 30 mins to 1 hour Cooking time, Serves 4.

Ingredients:

• 100g/3½oz soft goats’ cheese #ad
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1 bay leaf
• few sprigs oregano
• 300g/10½ oz Spanish pardina lentils or other green lentils
• 600ml/20fl oz fresh vegetable stock
• 2 ripe vine tomatoes, skins removed and chopped
• 75g/2½oz caster sugar
• handful shelled walnuts #ad

For the dressing

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp sherry vinegar
• ½ tsp finely chopped chives
• ½ tsp finely chopped mint

Directions:

• Heat the olive oil in a sauté pan over a medium-low heat and gently fry the onion, carrot and celery for 15 minutes, or until soft. Add the garlic and fry for another minute, then add the bay leaf, oregano and lentils. Pour in the stock and add the tomatoes. Bring to the boil, then cover and simmer for 30–35 minutes, or until the lentils are starting to break down and make a lovely thick sauce.
• Meanwhile, line a baking tray with baking paper. Put the sugar in a pan with 2 tablespoons of water and dissolve over a low heat. Bring to the boil and cook for 4–5 minutes, or until you have a golden-brown caramel, then add the walnuts and mix together to coat. Tip the walnuts onto the prepared tray and leave to cool.
• To make the dressing, mix the ingredients together in a bowl.
• To serve, spoon the lentils into four warmed bowls, add a scoop of goats’ cheese #ad to each bowl, then top with the caramelised walnuts and some dressing.