I guess that modern efficiencies and miniaturization
make this more practical than in older times

Andrea says the pump draws very little electricity and it does not
run continuously but cycles on and off automatically.

That pump probably has a brain with more processing
power than my first TRS-80. I forget which artificial
intelligence pioneer it was who said that computers
would never have more brainpower than a hedgehog.

Is the result as copions and as tasty as more
traditionally grown with real dirt and stuff?

Copious, yes. Tasty, well the plants are lush and succulent with a
mild taste whereas Roslind's herbs get grown in flower pots out on
our deck and so they get sunburnt and stressed. Consequently their
flavours are stronger, more intense. I'd say Andrea's are a notch
superior.

Onteresting. It sounds as though you need both kinds.
For myself, I generally prefer stronger flavors, so
I'd probably go for stressed over coddled and dried
over fresh most of the time. Though basil and marjoram
both change completely with drying and become kind of
weird.

Hedgehog meatballs
categories: main, crockpot, Australian
servings: 5

1 Tb olive oil
1 md onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tb tomato paste
1 c hot water
400 g canned whole tomato, diced
500 g beef mince
1/2 c long-grain white rice
1 ts salt
1/2 ts ground cumin
1/4 c basil (optional)

Spray slow cooker with oil spray and turn on
to medium.

In a frying pan, saute onion and garlic in
olive oil on medium heat until transparent.
Add tomato paste and stir to combine (it will
start to stick to the bottom.

After 2 to 3 min add water to deglaze frying
pan. Tip into slow cooker and add diced tomatoes
and juice with 1/2 ts salt.

In a separate bowl add beef, rice, cumin and
remaining salt. Use clean hands (or gloves) to
combine ingredients. Split beef mixture in half
and then half again. With each of the four
portions, split into quarters again, leaving
you with 16 portions.

Roll each portion into a ball and place in slow
cooker. Pop the lid on and cook 5 hr on medium.
Remove lid, give a bit of a stir and throw in
freshly torn basil leaves. Put the lid back on
and cook for a further 30 min. Serve.

Camilla Baker, kidspot.com.au
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