Category Archives: Food

Cooking With Gas

Posted on October 9, 2012 by AnnieRie

The grill kind. I wish we had gas for heat and cooking, but we don’t. So, I insisted. A really good grill. Besides, when the power goes out, I have the grill with a side burner.

the gas grill, in all its glory

It was cheaper to get me a good grill, than to run a gas line over a hundred yards to our house, then do the massive renovations to get gas heat and a gas stovetop. We grill mostly in spring and fall. Summer it gets just too hot and humid to stand over the grill. Today I wanted to check out the grill and make some sausage. I first had to clean out the inside as the field mice (or chipmunks) keep bringing things into the side burner.

Today it was peanuts and bird seed. Thankfully, the leaf blower cleans it out quickly. In winter, if we don’t use the grill, the mice build nests in it. We now know to use it often when the weather warms up a bit. Tonight I had some PA market Berkshire hog sausage.

I also made corn on the cob, and grilled up some naan to serve with pumpkin hummus.

Yes, you heard it correctly. Pumpkin hummus. Simple recipe. Roast a cheese pumpkin.

Blend the pumpkin (about a pound of it) with a can of chickpeas and two garlic cloves. Add lemon juice, 2 tbsp. A neutral oil like grapeseed, 2 tbsp. Spices like garam masala, or cumin, about 1 tbsp. A pinch of nutmeg and of cinnamon. I used sriracha to add some heat. A few dots of it. It came out really smooth, yet with a hint of heat. If you want it hotter, add more garlic and more pepper.

It ended up a bit too cold to eat outside, so we brought our picnic indoors. Sausage, naan, hummus and corn. And, a lovely VGV from Black Ankle. The pan holds some melted butter with garam masala, for the corn. VGV is a Viognier and Gruner Veltliner blend.

Eating mostly locally, as usual. And, loving the fall weather.

hocofood@@@

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Posted in Food, Wine and tagged cooking, Food, foodie, grilling, wine. Bookmark the permalink.

Masters of Wine … And Food

Posted on October 8, 2012 by AnnieRie

This is an extremely creative, interesting collection of people for a panel. Making for an entertaining evening. Sharing their thoughts and interacting with the guests at RdV on Sunday night. The after dinner discussion about the VA wines and where they want to go was worth the price of admission.

The panel in the caves at RdV

From left to right:
Rutger de Vink, RdV Vineyards, Delaplane, VA
Luca Paschina, Barboursville Vineyards, Barboursville, VA
Jim Law, Linden Vineyards, Linden, VA
Andrew Myers Sommelier, CityZen, Washington D.C.
Eric Ziebold Chef, CityZen, Washington, D.C.

The panel convened in the cave after the dinner, a Picnic-Style Reception by Chef Eric Ziebold, CityZen.

The Menu:

Assorted Fall Canapés served with Linden Vineyards Vidal Riesling
Canapés included such highlights as “pork and beans” made with assorted green beans and bacon, a veal terrine, sliced prosciutto and saucisson, an heirloom tomato salad, and seafood salad.

The first station on the terrace was:
Grilled Elysian Fields Farm Lamb Flank
Late Summer Squash Couscous
2009 RdV Vineyards, Rendezvous, Virginia

The second station outside:
Grilled Chesapeake Bay Rockfish
Hominy, Corn, Lobster Emulsion
1997 Linden, Fiery Run Red, Virginia
1998 Barbourville, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Virginia

The third station, inside the winery:
Marinated Beef Tri-Tip
Chanterelle Mushrooms, Marble Potatoes, Bone Marrow Vinaigrette
1996 Diamond Creek, Red Rock Terrace, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (from the chef’s cellar)

The last station:
Grilled Duck Breast
Roasted Figs, Fennel, Cornbread Croûtons,
Black Pepper-Foie Gras Emulsion
2009 Mount Veeder, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

The dining areas were situated around the first level of the winery and stations were spread out enough that you could always find very little traffic other than the immediate crush when they first opened the event. There were 60 people in attendance, ambassadors who have purchased packages of RdV to join, and a group that we found by talking to them that had been invited through MacArthur Beverages.

main dining area for the dinner at RdV

Let’s just say that by the end of the evening, the ranks of ambassadors grew as evidenced by the number of boxes being carried out of the winery.

2009 RdV Rendezvous

After the panel, dessert was served with coffee. At that point, we were so saturated with wine, food, and conversation that I completely forgot to record the particulars of the decadence on the plate. I will have to wait until Carol Joynt publishes her Washingtonian piece. At least her blog gave some pictures of fish on the grill out in the rain. I got the link finally and saw that the dessert was made with ginger shortbread, chocolate ganache, and marshmallows torched making a very sophisticated s’more.

Highlights for us included the opportunity to taste the 1998 Barboursville, as we still have two bottles in our cellar. Luca brought magnums to the event. This wine got so much better as it had the chance to breathe. At first, it was still closed in and more austere than the Linden 1997 Fiery Run. For us, the Linden and the Diamond Creek were our favorites, as we prefer mature wines. The Rendezvous and Mt Veeder, both 2009 vintages were way too young to drink. Of the 2009s, the Rendezvous was more approachable, but still not something we want to open yet. It needs to get that bottle age first.

Benefit of living here. Evenings like this in the Virginia mountain foothills.

Event Overload

Posted on October 7, 2012 by AnnieRie

This weekend is second in a string of picture perfect fall weekends when it seems every community, farm, winery and/or entertainment organization is creating a pile up (an amateur radio term used when large numbers of operators simultaneously try to contact one rare station). I couldn’t even begin to list every event happening in Howard County and the surrounding area.

Today, my husband popped up to the Columbia Amateur Radio Association (CARA) annual HamFest to pick up a few supplies and visit his radio compatriots, even though it is raining. He had to dodge biking racers on the way, I suppose, as the Ulman Cancer Fund half full triathlon originating at Centennial winds through our rural roads between us and the fairgrounds.

The Farm City Celebration ends today, the 7th. Here is a list of what remains on their schedule.

Howard County Farmer’s Market – three more weeks of markets until season ends
Oakland Mills Village Center
9:00 am – 12:30 pm

Apple Fritters, Hayrides, & Pick-Your-Own Apples, Beets, Broccoli, and Spinach.
Straw Maze & Boo Barn (ages 4 to 9)
Larriland Farm
9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Teddy Bear Farm Visits (Free hayrides for children who bring Teddy bear)
Folk singer Tony McGuffin entertains from 12 noon – 4:00 PM
Clark’s Elioak Farm
Open from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

2 crop large maze of corn & cotton opens.
Farm animals, Pick Your Own Pumpkins, Fall Decorations.
Scarecrow Making Workshop from Noon-3 PM
Narrated Hayride at 1:00 pm
($1.50 per person 2 and under free)
Sharp’s at Waterford Farm
Open from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Any of these events are a good trip now that the weather is changing. The leaves definitely rained down yesterday as the front whipped through. We dodged traffic that was backed up on I-97 heading into the Renaissance Festival in Crownsville, and the Boat Show traffic going into Annapolis. We were trying to get to a family wedding at the Academy. Made it in time only because we left super early. The Renaissance Festival ends the 21st of October. The Sailboat Show ends tomorrow and the Powerboat Show starts this coming Thursday. A short trip down to Annapolis gets people to major entertainment options the next few weeks.

Add to that, the Ravens play at 1 PM. thankfully, it is an away game or could you imagine the traffic there since THE ORIOLES have a playoff game tonight at the Yard.

For us, we will be trying to find the games on satellite radio while getting to a winery dinner today. Many festivals at local wineries. We made arrangements weeks ago to hear Luca Paschina, Jim Law and Rutger de Vink talk of their vision for where Virginia wines could go. A picnic style dinner prepared by Chef Eric Ziebold of CITYZEN will be served and the menu includes a 1998 Barboursville Cabernet and 1997 Fiery Run Linden, as well as the RdV 2009 release. An event we have been anticipating for a while. RdV’s chef dinners are just awesome events. Worth the splurge occasionally to attend. Or, any winery events this month. The red grapes are being picked all over the area. Festivals every weekend.

merlot at RdV

If we recover enough tomorrow, we will pop up to see the dedication of the new Glenwood Fire Station. With this station, we now have Glenwood, Clarksville and West Friendship, all equidistant from our home. The fire station is being dedicated Monday morning at 10 am. Tours following the dedication.

Add to all this, the next three weekends are just as event laden. How can anyone say there isn’t enough to do around here?

hocoblogs@@@

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Posted in Adventures, Community, Day Trips, Food, Howard County, Local Businesses, Weather, West HoCo, Wine and tagged amateur radio, community, day trips, farmer's markets, Food, foodie, hoco loco, Howard County, Linden Vineyards, local businesses, weather, West HoCo, wine. Bookmark the permalink.

Hey, Breaux!

Posted on October 5, 2012 by AnnieRie

Or, should I say Hey, Bro?

We needed to go to Harper’s Ferry today to get the last piece of my husband’s tower sections. With it, he will have all the necessary parts to put up his radio tower. He just needs the antenna(s) now. Pieces and parts all over the place. But, getting closer to pouring concrete.

I went along for the ride only on the condition I could stop at Breaux and pick up our cellar club allocations. The last time we were there, was in March. I blogged about how pretty the winery is, and how we took local cheese to have lunch there. The scenery is still wonderful. Definitely early for fall foliage, as the Blue Ridge mountains are still very blue.

view of the mountains from the terrace at Breaux

And, wouldn’t you know it? They sell ajvar. Never heard of it a year ago. Now, I am finding it everywhere. This version is garlicky and goes very well with the Rose.

The nice thing about Breaux is the fact that they are open every day. Not just weekends. For us, that is a benefit. Go there during the week and there are no limos, crowds, lines. They sell baguettes, cheeses, olives, spreads and cured meats like salami and prosciutto.

If you want something else to do this month (as if there isn’t enough going on around here), they have a harvest celebration next weekend (13th) and a farm tour the following weekend, the 20th and 21st. Trick or Treat the last weekend of October. They are only 50 miles west of Columbia, just south of Harper’s Ferry.

The red grapes are being harvested right now. It is perfect weather to sit out and enjoy the scenery.

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Posted in Day Trips, Food, Wine and tagged day trips, fall foliage, Food, wine. Bookmark the permalink.

Week Twenty Two of the CSA

Posted on October 4, 2012 by AnnieRie

A baker’s dozen. Thirteen items. That is what we got today. Three weeks to go.

sandy spring CSA week 22 of 2012

1 Head Broccoli
1 Bunch Dinosaur Kale
1 Bunch White Kohlrabi
1 Bag Loose Gold Beets
1 Head Green Leaf Lettuce
1 Head Green Escarole
1 Bag Sweet Potatoes
1 Bag Yukon Gold Potatoes
1 Bunch Gai Lan Chinese Broccoli
1 Long Island Cheese Pumpkin
1 Bunch Cilantro
1 Bunch French Breakfast Radishes
1 Bag Sweet Onions

As for value this week, it is pretty much off the charts. I did some comparisons from Wegmans and some from Harris Teeter. The numbers say this.

Broccoli $2.50. Broccolini (close to GaiLan) $3.50. Kale $2.50. Kohlrabi not found. Beets $2.50. Lettuce and Escarole $2.50 each. Sweet Potatoes $2.50 a pound X 3 pounds is $7.50. Pumpkin (I could only find exotic squash for $1.70 a pound times 3 pounds is approximately $5. Cilantro $2. Radishes $2. Yukon Gold Potatoes $5 for 3 pounds. Onions $2 each for organic, so $6.

Total for organic veggies comparing it to supermarket prices = $43.50 not counting the kohlrabi. We pay $29.72 a week for our organic box of veggies. Again, we see that buying from the CSA is a good value.

Now, kohlrabi. Not something we would have bought on our own. Actually, we love it now that the CSA has introduced it to us. My recipe from last spring.

kohlrabi

As for the Long Island Cheese Pumpkin, it is destined to become a pumpkin pie courtesy of this recipe.

And even though I was generous and used a low number for the cost of the leaf lettuce, this puppy was so huge it didn’t fit in the salad spinner. There will be lots of salads and lots of good food this week. It will be crazy though, since we have dinner engagements three times in the next week. Lots of lunch salads.

I need to pop over to In Her Chucks to add this to the linkparty and see what everyone else is cooking with their CSA veggies.

hocofood@@@

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Posted in CSA, Food, Locavore and tagged CSA, Food, Locavore, value of CSA. Bookmark the permalink.

Foodie, Meet Locavore

Posted on October 4, 2012 by AnnieRie

I have written before about how my two different “worlds” collide. The locavore in me who eats as much fresh local items as I can, and that inquisitive foodie that loves ethnic foods from all around the world, and searches for exotic spices, fruits and veggies.

Last night’s dinner reflected that conflict. It turned out to be extremely tasty. Italian whole grain flatbread with ajvar, pesto, chicken and parmesan on it.

I used the last of my pesto and the ajvar I made a week ago. We had been noshing on it and there was just enough left to spread over the flatbread. I had leftover roast chicken from a visit to Bistro Blanc Tuesday night, which I shredded and added on top.

pesto and ajvar

A little Parmesan from Roots. Some herbs, salt and white pepper. Simple, served with a side salad of arugula, grapes and almonds. And, we opened a very nice Verdejo from Paso a Paso. We found a number of inexpensive bottles of Spanish and Portuguese wines at Pine Orchards a few weeks back.

Thanks to my locavore friends in our food challenge, I discovered ajvar. I also found jars of it at Roots. VaVa Ajvar, and they also sell something called Lutenica. I bought one of the ajvar to compare to my homemade version. My husband agreed. My version is better. We will have to try the Lutenica though. To see how it is made.

According to the tag, this is a Macedonian version of the spread. My original recipe was Serbian. My recipe used vinegar and garlic. This one is milder due to the lack of those ingredients.

As for the flatbread, bought at Roots, I really like this quick and easy way to make dinner. There will be many more dinners made using my frozen pestos and ovendried tomatoes spread over flatbread.

hocofood@@@

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Posted in Food, Local Businesses, Locavore, Real Food, SSFC, Wine and tagged cooking, Food, foodie, local businesses, Locavore, real food, wine. Bookmark the permalink.

Fall Markets, New Finds and Old Standbys

Posted on October 3, 2012 by AnnieRie

Miller Library market has three weeks left after today. We are definitely kicking into fall. The best find today: Chestnuts

Love Dove Farm had chestnuts. It brought back huge memories for my husband. Of his dad roasting chestnuts over a coal stove. We will be roasting these on the grill tomorrow night. We also found fresh peppery arugula at his stand. I love arugula. That bite. That intense flavor when it is fresh.

My other big find was the order form from Stone House, where you can order pies, rolls and cakes to freeze and use all winter. We are no strangers to this great bakery. Love their dinner rolls, and their breads, like blueberry.

Once the markets are done, you can still find Stone House at local farms and events. Their brochure:

From TLV Farm, we picked up ground beef for the chili, fresh eggs, and the last of the local corn. Their corn is still sweet, even this late in the season.

If you live in East Columbia, check out the market tomorrow at the library. Friday at the hospital for west Columbia. Saturday the west countians come out to Glenwood. Sunday Oakland Mills. The markets end three weeks from Sunday. Get your best fall veggies and fruits while you can.

hocofood@@@

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Posted in Farmer's Markets, Food, Howard County, Local Businesses, Locavore, West HoCo and tagged farmer's markets, Food, Howard County, local businesses, Locavore, West HoCo. Bookmark the permalink.

A Great Day for Lunch at Atwater’s

Posted on October 3, 2012 by AnnieRie

Today turned out nicely. Instead of doing yard work, we decided to drive down to Atwater’s Bakery for lunch, and then hit the Miller Library market on the way home.

Today’s Tiffin Box Lunch included either mushroom or southwestern tomato corn. I had the mushroom. In the box, also, were oatmeal raisin cookies and a lovely chunk of rosemary roll.

creamy mushroom soup

the rosemary roll

We sat outside and watched the bustle of downtown Catonsville, then went in to pick up a sliced loaf of sourdough for my soups, and the chili I want to make Friday.

Atwater’s sourdough bread

I do like to sit outside the bakery and watch the world drive by. There were also a large number of people walking along Frederick Road, at 1 PM. Clearly, Catonsville is one of those places where there is a real sense of community. Many people walking up past us with purchases from the Wednesday farmer’s market, that goes from 10-1 on Wednesday mornings until the day before Thanksgiving.

A fun place to sit and people watch. The old post office building in Catonsville. And, yes, the “You Scream” sign is an ice cream store right up the road. For those who love to indulge. While in Atwater’s, you can also pick up Trickling Springs dairy products.

atwaters outdoor seating

I will get a post up later about the great finds at the Howard County Miller Library market today, like the FRESH CHESTNUTS from Love Dove. I do have to go make dinner now, though.

hocofood@@@

Beaucoup Precipitation

Posted on October 2, 2012 by AnnieRie

In other words. Lots of rain. Good soaking rain. The kind that pushes us towards a normal year where we don’t have to worry about the well going dry. I am a weather junkie. I love our local weather site, at RIMPO, here in Dayton. As I write, it is telling me we got 1.67 inches of rain today. My gardens love it. Particularly, the mums.

And. the herb gardens, which still have rosemary and thyme on steroids. I will be pushing the limit before harvesting the rosemary to hang and dry. I don’t want to harvest the thyme, as I do like it fresh, and creative wind barriers will keep it going even if we get a few frosts in the next two months. These perennials come back every spring, unless a blizzard buries them.

rosemary

English and silver thyme

The burning bushes have berries, and they are beginning to turn to that brilliant red.

burning bush

The marigolds are hanging in there. The sedum is also blooming out front.

The morning glories are giving up. They are putting out humongous amounts of seed pods, but the last blooms are fading fast. These plants are my best source to attract bees to the garden to pollinate my veggies. Even though they become a huge nuisance because they grow out of control, they do screen the garden and keep the honey bees and the bumblebees happy.

All in all, it was a fairly good summer in my gardens. The herbs went wild. The tomatoes did well, as did the cucumbers. I am about to plant 24 cloves of garlic this week, so next year I should get scapes, spring garlic and garlic to cure. This year I was too late and only got spring garlic. The cloves are ready to go in pots, and in the edge of the herb garden.

Here’s to rainy days, that nourish our gardens. And make our trees grow.

hocofood@@@

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Posted in Food, Gardening, Hobbies, Howard County, Nature, Weather, West HoCo and tagged Food, gardening, hobbies, Howard County, nature, weather, West HoCo. Bookmark the permalink.

Eating Locally: Day by Day

Posted on October 1, 2012 by AnnieRie

I eat locally most of the time. Between the CSA and the farmer’s markets most of my food is local. Our challenge was to blog about a local meal. These days the CSA drives what I eat. Days with lots of local items are normal.

I made French onion soup in the crock pot the other day. Onions from the local market. Stock from the Briggs Chaney market. I put the soup away until today.

onions caramalized in a basic stock

I also had leftovers from my tomato sauce, CSA potatoes and Berkshire hog kielbasa. The kielbasa was from Shearer’s. Bought on a road trip to Gettysburg. Sometimes I forget to take pictures, but the food is definitely local.

The soup was covered with Canela bread. And Bowling Green Farm Smoked Gouda.

What I love most about how my cooking has evolved is the change to building a meal around local foods. Like those killer onions and that Bowling Green Smoked Gouda. Believe me. My husband said this cheese is like butter on a plate, but with smoke. This is an awesome cheese.

Find some at the Howard County markets.

hocofood@@@

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