Wednesday November 02, 2011
With the following dedication in her book, Put 'em Up: "For all of the home cooks who nourish family and friends, culture, and tradition," you can see why I wanted to interview Sherri on my radio show. Sherri dispells myths about the water bath canning method and also shares that there are many ways of preserving your harvest - freezing, stringing hot peppers, fermenting and canning. Her book is approachable, easy to follow and full of great recipes.
I am about to make a few jars of her Apple Chutney for holiday gifts. Sherri tells me it will be a HUGE hit!! I'll blog about it soon!
Listen to her interview here - so fun!
Wednesday November 02, 2011
In the spirit of giving thanks for my sponsors - this week the focus is on Stonyfield.
I'll never forget when I first moved to Boston in February 1991, one of the highlights of my new city was discovering Bread and Circus. Bread and Circus was acquired by Whole Foods but was essentially a precursor to Whole Foods. And, one of my favorite foods that I discovered at Bread and Circus was Stonyfield Farm Yogurt from Londonderry, NH. I thought is was so cool to buy a "local" yogurt vs a big brand and it tasted so much richer and delicious.
So, you cannot even imagine the joy that I experienced when they agreed to be a sponsor.
Allow me to list some of the reasons I love Stonyfield and Gary Hirshberg:
The obvious - their delicious, organic yogurt.
Gary's book - specifically his commitment to the mission and his views on sustainability and stewardship of our planet.
Stonyfield's role and message in Food, Inc.
Stonyfield's Greener Cow Project.
Stonyfield's philosophy and message resonate with me. Here it is:
" We were on a mission to make the planet healthier even before we were making yogurt. Today, we make it our mission to work towards all sorts of healthy.
Our mission: We’re committed to healthy food, healthy people, a healthy planet and healthy business.
Healthy food. We will craft and offer the most delicious and nourishing organic yogurts and dairy products.
Healthy people. We will enhance the health and well-being of our consumers and colleagues.
Healthy planet. We will help protect and restore the planet and promote the viability of family farms.
Healthy business. We will prove that healthy profits and a healthy planet are not in conflict and that, in fact, dedication to health and sustainability enhances shareholder value. We believe that business must lead the way to a more sustainable future."
THANK YOU STONYFIELD for all that you do!! And, in particular for all my friends fighting breast cancer:
Wednesday October 26, 2011
It was such a treat to interview Sara Baer-Sinnott, President of Oldways, an organization at the forefront of the sustainable food movement with a focus on heritage foods and heritage food pyramids. Sara shares some sage thoughts about being a parent - she raised 2 children who are now 22 and 24. She reflected that it is a parent's job to raise responsible adults. One way to accomplish this is to make meals a priority!!
Here's a quote from Oldway's mission:
"At Oldways, we are more determined than ever to help everyone, everywhere, live longer and healthier lives. We will do this by continuing to encourage people to seek out the joys and pleasures of good foods and drinks, well prepared and consumed with pleasure, in the company of family and friends. That is the profound and worthy mission that drives us and our partners every day."
Oldways and Heirloom Meals are on a similar journey. Listin to Sara's interview here .
Exciting news: Oldways is launching an African Heritage Pyramid in November - it will get you thinking about your heritage pyramid!!
Monday October 24, 2011
For the next several Mondays I will be giving THANKS to each of my Heirloom Meals' Thanksgiving sponsors. First up is Pete and Gerry's Heirloom Eggs. 
Pretty much, hands down the perfect sponsor for Heirloom Meals. Not only do they raise and sell organic, heirloom eggs, they are a family-owned business from New England. They are philosophically aligned with Heirloom Meals' desire to use only real, in season ingredients that are either local or sustainably grown.
Their mission:
"At Pete and Gerry's, we are a family farm that has produced high quality eggs for four generations in Monroe, NH, in the heart of the White Mountains. We believe in providing you, our customer, with fresh organic, cage free, omega-3 eggs from hens that are Certified Humane. As our family farm has grown our commitment to you has remained unchanged and we hope that you will enjoy our eggs as much as we do!
Happy chickens lay better eggs™"
Many of you know that I have chickens and Pete and Gerry's is my go-to egg when my chickens are in a laying lull or if I need more than my flock produces!! They also have chickens that lay those gorgeous blue eggs. When you buy their eggs, it's like Easter all the time!!
Pasture-raised eggs are healthier and rich in omega3 and have a deep orange yolk and are full of flavor. Try making a frittata or some custard with their eggs and you'll taste and see the difference. Worth every extra penny!
Thank you Pete and Gerry's! You have helped me realize a dream!
Sunday October 23, 2011
Of the things I have had to come to terms with regarding farming and animal husbandry that I hate the most are animal deaths and disappearances. This week produced a double whammy. I went out to open the chicken house and first stopped in the ice house shed to spread some chicken food and there lie a dead chicken. My heart sunk. It was one of my bantams with those cute feathered feet and cheerful demeanor's. I immediately got Jim to remove the body and couldn't watch! Then I opened the hen house and I noticed there was only one polish chicken. Jim investigated the crime scene and noticed a ton of white feathers. We deduced that the perpetrator killed 2 chickens but only could carry one. And we think we know who did it....a bob cat. Two days later, right by the spring, the bob cat sat ready to pounce but Jim and Burt were on the scene and chased off the killer. Bob cats are such gorgeous wild animals. It is difficult to be angry at such a beautiful animal that was doing what comes naturally. So, we will continue to let our chickens live a happy life free-ranging, eating bugs and grass and accept nature's will. Nevertheless, it doesn't mitigate the sadness I experience when it happens.
Here are the chickens this morning drinking from the spring. Could I ever deny them such a luxury by keeping them caged?
Friday October 21, 2011
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A couple of weeks ago I harvested my eggplant. Most farmers I know had small eggplant harvests. But for whatever reason, I had a banner crop. I made fried eggplant, breaded eggplant, stuffed eggplant and it just seemed we couldn't possibly eat it all. So, the next option was canning. I really didn't like the idea of pickled eggplant but i scoured my cookbooks and found a recipe that used my favorite Indian spices and thought, I could do this...of course, as usual, I didn't have all the ingredients. And, guess what, I concocted!!
So here are the photos and I'll post the recipe tomorrow. It is quite yummy and I already used it with sauteed cubed chicken breast over rice for a flavorful dinner.
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