Category Archives: Locavore

If It’s Thursday …

Posted on April 10, 2014 by AnnieRie

… it must be market day.

Or maybe I should say basket day. Three months ago I decided to try out Friends and Farms, until the spring CSA starts up. Turns out I really like the variety of protein and the surprises like this one.

That would be the buttermilk. Back when I started with the CSA I enjoyed the challenge of cooking with new vegetables. Now, we get grains, beans, polenta, monkfish, and other items that aren’t on my normal shopping list. It makes me think outside that rut filled box (mixing metaphors here) that we all fall into. Cooking in our comfort zone.

Looking ahead, next week is a doozy. Catfish and grits.

This week, bangers and mash.

Along with the suggested chicken and waffles. Since I don’t have a waffle maker, I am considering scones or cornbread. Or maybe blueberry pancakes using up some of my Larriland berries from the freezer.

This week we are slowly moving into springtime. With my favorite tomatoes other than those I grow.

Hummingbird Farms hydroponic tomatoes. Grown on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

This week’s basket was huge.

I had to use the wide angle setting. And this is a small basket.

We got edamame. That was a bonus. Spring greens. A mess of collard greens. Those tomatoes. Potatoes. Apples. Pea shoots. Onions. The bangers. Chicken. Breakfast sausage. I got yogurt for the eggs, and eggs for the milk. My standard switch. Grains Galore bread from the Breadery.

So far, it has been easy to use up the protein. The dairy, a little harder. The frozen items I occasionally forget to make, but I do get to them. We love the edamame as an appetizer.

So, today, I hit Wegmans for some tuna. Grilled it with the potatoes. Made a great salad using some spring mix, pea shoots, the last of the cucumbers from an earlier basket.

I mean, after all, it is springtime and the weather just invited grilling. Since it may rain tomorrow, I am thinking it will be banger and mash night.

#hocofood

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Posted in Food, Friends and Farms, Locavore, Real Food, Weather and tagged cooking, CSA, Food, foodie, Locavore, tomatoes, weather, wegman's. Bookmark the permalink.

How To Forget About Winter

Posted on April 9, 2014 by AnnieRie

Winter? What Winter? How quickly we forget about winter when the temperatures start to rise and the sun comes out.

We spent two hours putting in the first row of the spring garden. Tilling. Planting kale and Swiss chard seeds and white onion sets.

After a scheduled community garden member trip to select spring plugs and seedlings from Sharps coming up, we will finish the planting and put in the row cover. Best to keep the bunnies from noshing on those tender greens.

Big difference from a few weeks back when the snow was on the ground.

Today while we were out at the Conservancy, there were four busloads of school children doing service learning. At least six different plot holders were planting, tilling, building raised bed boxes and just flat out enjoying the warmth of the spring sun.

We stopped for a snowball before heading home. The first snowball of the season is always a treat. Spearmint with marshmallow. Our traditional favorite.

The next week looks to be filled with those days that make me stay here in Maryland. The perfect spring days. Cherry blossoms are popping out. Forsythia is starting to bloom. I will have daffodils within the next two or three days. Followed by the hyacinths and the tulips.

Add to that the Coop to Coop tour this Saturday. I also should head out to England Acres and pick up a few petite filets to grill. Or maybe that last package of venison tenderloin from the freezer. Or the first kofta of the season. The possibilities are endless.

Putting away the soup pot and getting out the spices.

Oh yeah, as I said, Winter? What winter?

#hocofood

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Posted in Farms, Food, Gardening, Hobbies, Locavore, Weather and tagged cooking, farms, Food, foodie, howard county conservancy, Locavore, weather. Bookmark the permalink.

Farmers Market Updates

Posted on April 7, 2014 by AnnieRie

Farmers Market spring season officially kicks off in our area this weekend. Burtonsville Milk Lady Market on Rte. 198 west of US29 and East of MD 97 opens Sunday April 13th at 10 am.

This market, new last year, has a few of my favorite vendors and I head there occasionally to get some treats and pick up some excellent meats from Orchard Breeze.

Orchard Breeze also comes to Olney. They were there in the winter and will be back, I assume, when Olney opens on Mother’s Day.

I usually search for what is happening in the local food world here in Maryland using Maryland’s Best web site. Click on the Find Me Local tab and put in your zip code. I chose to search for Farmer’s Markets within 20 miles of my house and it came up with 45. Not 100% accurate yet for this year, but it is updated regularly.

For example, it still shows markets at Glenwood and East Columbia, both of which have been removed from the Howard County Farmer’s Market web site.

I do know there will be a new Saturday market in Ellicott City. Haven’t heard of vendors yet, although Breezy Willow did tell those of us who follow them on Facebook that they will be there.

In my spring searching for flowers, herbs and vegetables (the planting kind), I generally hit the local markets to get seedlings and small pots of plants.

Many of my herbs came from Glenwood and East Columbia courtesy of Tomatoes Etc and Greenway Farms. They had some unique varietals that I like to plant.

The three remaining Howard County markets, Wednesday at Miller Library, Friday at HoCoGeneralHospital, and Sunday in Oakland Mills will open the first week in May.

The Wednesday morning Catonsville market opens in May also. I know Atwaters Bakery sells at that one. I call it my free parking location to pick up some of their specialties without having to feed the meters or find parking on Frederick Road at the bakery/café.

With my Friends and Farms basket, and (crossing my fingers) my CSA starting back up in May, the markets are my filler. Which means little or no shopping at grocery stores.

Eating seasonally and supporting local vendors is important to me. I find the opening of the spring markets that sure sign of the change in the weather.

There will be reports and updates as I find out more about this year’s vendors at the local markets.

#hocofood

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Posted in Farmer's Markets, Farms, Food, Locavore and tagged farmer's markets, Food, local businesses, Locavore. Bookmark the permalink.

Carpe Java

Posted on April 3, 2014 by AnnieRie

Seize the Coffee. Some days I feel I need that kick to get started.

Thanks, Iron Bridge for the awesome coffee cups. Today was a bit dreary, but yet warm enough to feel like spring really may be coming.

Highlights: picking up the Friends and Farms basket.

And, heading up to the community garden to plant a few garlic chives.

I keep searching for the signs of spring in the yard, and they are getting closer.

As for the basket, those hamburger patties just scream “Fire up the grill!”.

The cod is destined for a fish and chips dinner. More on that later this weekend.

There were the usual eggs. Some nice looking Colby cheese. Cremini mushrooms. Apples, potatoes, kale, Bibb lettuce and carrots. Frozen broccoli and squash puree.

AND POPCORN.

I love getting popcorn. So much fun to make. There will be fancy popcorn while watching the final four this weekend.

Getting into that spring mood now. The garden will be coming soon. The grill is up and running. One more day of rain, and then a lovely weekend.

#hocofood

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Posted in CSA, Food, Friends and Farms, Gardening, Locavore, Real Food, Weather and tagged CSA, Food, foodie, gardening, local businesses, Locavore, real food, weather. Bookmark the permalink.

Buyer Be Aware

Posted on April 2, 2014 by AnnieRie

Words of wisdom when using a new supplier or visiting a new market. In our case, making assumptions without due diligence.

We are pretty good about checking the source of our food. I read the labels religiously, and remember most of the time to ask questions. Still, I make those little mistakes. Mostly though, my little mistakes aren’t life threatening.

I did learn something new the other day while browsing a recipe comment file. Not all the butter I have been buying is “just butter”. Some of them include “natural flavoring”. From what I can ascertain, many butter makers include “flavoring” which actually is being used to enhance the color of the butter.

I bought Amish roll butter at Shrewsbury last week. It is not the same as the fresh roll butter we saw at Manheim yesterday. Not a bad product from Shrewsbury but one I won’t buy again. Because it has the additives that make me sneeze

My Trickling Springs butters are nothing but “Sweet Cream”.

Check out the butter you normally buy. See if has any additives. I have learned, through my allergies, when there are additives in my food.

That’s why I prefer buying more and more from local sources, or from small farms and artisans. I can ask the questions I want and get information.

Spring is coming. Soon, the local markets will be opening. Howard County markets are producer only. Around us, you could be seeing items that aren’t sourced locally. Yesterday it was obvious that the outdoor vendors with items like pomegranates and bananas were selling what they bought wholesale, and not locally sourced.

Not that it is bad, just that knowing what we are getting is important to some of us. And, we certainly love the quality items we find at our local stores and markets.

#hocofood

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Posted in Farmer's Markets, Food, Local Businesses, Locavore and tagged cooking, farmer's markets, Food, foodie, local businesses, Locavore, real food. Bookmark the permalink.

Two Stop Shopping

Posted on March 27, 2014 by AnnieRie

As I blogged yesterday, I did the weekly pick up down on Gerwig Lane for this week’s Friends and Farms basket, then I headed over to Wegmans to get those K cups, olive oil, and a few other small items.

Of course, I never get out of there without at least two bags of stuff.

Like the fixings to make a Greek salad, since we got cucumbers this week in our basket.

I have learned to put extra items on my list by signing in on Sunday night and choosing what I know we will use. This week I added extra Asian pears, cucumbers and Bibb lettuce.

Our meats this week included turkey sausage, pork butt and chicken breasts. It was an egg week, and for me, the substitute yogurt for the eggs, and the eggs for the weekly milk, rounded out my protein and dairy.

I won’t need to purchase anything else to make dinners and lunches next week.

The pork, with the sauerkraut, and the pears will make a great dinner.

We also got frozen strawberries. Right now, I am enjoying refreshing drinks made of strawberries and seltzer.

I picked one of my favorite Breadery breads. Kalamata olive and rosemary.

We also had spring mix, sweet potatoes, onions, and broccoli crowns.

Dinner tonight was inspired by those cucumbers, and the mix of lettuces.

At Wegmans, I hit the olive bar and also picked up some Campari tomatoes. I had the last of the Bowling Green Feta in the fridge, so Greek salad got made.

The tuna. Pan seared with sesame seeds and sea salt. The last pieces of the tuna we bought last month. The fingerlings. A splurge at Wegmans. Since all I have in the house are the sweet potatoes from today’s basket. Half the plate. The Greek salad. A piece of that lovely olive bread.

A glass of pinot noir. What could be better for dinner?

#hocofood

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Posted in Farms, Food, Friends and Farms, Local Businesses, Locavore, Winter Eat Local and tagged cooking, CSA, farms, Food, foodie, local businesses, Locavore, wegman's. Bookmark the permalink.

The Runaround

Posted on March 26, 2014 by AnnieRie

It’s what I am currently doing to fill in those voids in my pantry and fridge.

Wegmans has a few things I like, and can’t get elsewhere. So does Roots. And, Harris Teeter.

But, they are no longer the primary source of the foods we eat.

The CSAs and the Friends and Farms basket now comprise the bulk of my food sources.

Plus, what is in the freezer, from my garden and from places like Larriland.

Roots is my source for cereal, bulk foods and specialty items like coconut oils.

Thankfully, Clarksville isn’t that far away.

As for Wegmans, they are the only source for two standard items in our kitchen.

Shelf stable non dairy creamer, unflavored, for me.

A really good choice for K cup coffee, this San Francisco Bay one.

We are still getting the coupon books, even though Wegmans has decided I don’t come there often enough to send me the Menu magazine. I asked. They said, I don’t do enough business with them.

Interesting reply.

Harris Teeter. The grocery store we use for other shopping. Mainly on Thursdays, since they give seniors like us a 5% discount on Thursdays.

So, tomorrow, while getting my Friends and Farms pick up, I will hit Wegmans to use the coupon for coffee, which we need.

I have to admit. It is not what I thought I would be doing, four years ago, when I retired. Interesting that the changes I made to focus on local buying, and small business emphasis, have shaped where I go and what I purchase.

#hocofood

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Posted in Community, Food, Friends and Farms, GGSAC, Howard County, Local Businesses, Locavore, Real Food, Retirement and tagged community, cooking, Food, foodie, Howard County, local businesses, Locavore, real food, wegman's. Bookmark the permalink.

Beef or Wine?

Posted on March 23, 2014 by AnnieRie

Trying to decide what was the star of tonight’s “mostly local” dinner. The fall apart tri-tip, or the fifteen year old VA wine.

I think it was the wine.

That’s not to say the beef was underwhelming, because it certainly was a highlight of the meal. Slow cooked in the oven. With sliced onions and green peppers.

I was going to do tacos, but we were in the midst of spring clean up and I needed a meal to cook all by its lonesome in the oven while we worked with the landscapers to get things all ready for springtime.

Nice to be all mulched, weeded and swept up. In case spring every arrives here in Maryland.

I cooked the beef in a covered dish on a low (190 degree) setting in the oven. With a splash of red wine. A glug of olive oil. Peppers, onions, garlic. The peppers and onions and beef in baskets from Friends and Farms.

Late this afternoon I emptied a can of black beans into a small amount of beef broth, with about 4 ounces of corn (IQF, from Friends and Farms). Made a black bean and corn side dish. Microwaved a couple of potatoes.

Piled it all on a plate and served it with the local wine.

Yes, this wine is fifteen years old. Yes, this wine is from Virginia. You wouldn’t know it though, if you tasted it blind. The equivalent in taste and nose, to a fine Bordeaux. Cherries all over the nose and the taste. No sense of age. No mustiness. Absolutely beautiful. Glad I have a couple more of these down there somewhere.

Jeff left Linden to head out on his own, years ago. Many of us love his wines at Glen Manor. Can’t beat something this special.

Who needs to go out and eat “meh” food at chain restaurants. Give me good food and good wines from around here and bring on springtime!

#hocofood

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Posted in Food, Friends and Farms, Local Businesses, Locavore, Weather, Wine, Winter Eat Local and tagged cooking, Food, foodie, Linden Vineyards, local businesses, Locavore, VA wine, weather, wine. Bookmark the permalink.

Grillin’ Tuna

Posted on March 22, 2014 by AnnieRie

Hooray, springtime arrived for a day! It will probably be gone tomorrow but you know we should celebrate when we can.

My grilling choice was influenced by a post on a new local blog. The picture of the ahi reminded me we had lovely tuna steaks in the freezer, after a buying spree from Friends and Farms last month.

We chose some extra tuna and put it away anticipating a lovely day like today.

Turns out this was a really local feast. The tuna, green beans, green pepper, and sweet potato all came from F and F baskets.

Add to that one awesome 2001 Elk Run Cabernet. That’s right. 2001.

Who would have known that Maryland Cabernet could be soft, subtle and compliment the tuna so perfectly.

Grilling was a real joy today.

Simple tuna. Brushed with Italian vinaigrette.

Veggie packet.

Green beans from the IQF packet. Scallions. Green pepper. Sun dried tomato and garlic from the olive bar at Harris Teeter (seriously, get a container of stuff from them and use it everywhere). Italian vinaigrette for the marinade.

Spring may only be a day long around here, but tonight. Dinner was regional sourced, and excellent.

#hocofood

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Posted in Food, Friends and Farms, Local Businesses, Locavore, Real Food, Weather, Wine, Winter Eat Local and tagged cooking, Food, foodie, grilling, local businesses, Locavore, MD Wine, real food, weather, wine. Bookmark the permalink.

It’s Taco Time!

Posted on March 20, 2014 by AnnieRie

Well, it will be this weekend. I have to make the corn tortillas for that to happen. Otherwise, we got all the fixings in this week’s basket from Friends and Farms.

Cilantro. Check.
Tomatoes. Check.
Jalapenos. Check.
Tri Tip Steak. Check.
Onions. Check.
Cheese to shred. Check.

All I need is some lettuce and maybe some sour cream or guacamole. I also was thinking of some corn and black bean salsa, using that frozen corn.

Tonight though we made the fresh mahi mahi.

I was going to grill, but it was too windy. I ended up baking the fish in a white wine and lemon olive oil sauce, with pepper. Baked a couple of potatoes. Mixed some corn with scallions and Rotel tomatoes with lime and cilantro. Added a bit of fresh cilantro.

Nice dinner.

We also got the usual, honey whole wheat bread and eggs. As for fruit and veggies, there were radishes, Swiss chard, green peppers and apples.

Meal planning made easy. There will be a frittata, too.

Not missing the grocery stores at all. I even picked up a container of unsalted butter to bake breakfast goodies next week for the community garden kick off meeting.

#hocofood

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Posted in Food, Friends and Farms, Locavore, Real Food, Winter Eat Local and tagged cooking, Food, foodie, Locavore, real food. Bookmark the permalink.