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Archive for July, 2010
Friday, July 30th, 2010
John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, was an American legend who traveled the countryside on foot planting apple orchards during the first part of the 19th century. I think this folk hero would be pleased with the popularity of the apple today. Specifically as consumed in a glass as apple juice, artisanal cider or brandy.
Sweetgrass Farm Winery & Distillery in Union Maine makes an excellent apple brandy enjoyed solo or in apple pie (I personally believe most pies are better with brandy, whiskey or wine). According to the website each bottle contains the essence of 40 local apples. Divine.
Martinelli makes a good commercial apple juice, but if you can get it fresh or make your own by all means go that route. I pick up a jug of apple juice and/or cider when I pick apples or stop by one of the farmers’ markets near where I live. As the weather cools, the only thing I love more to drink in the morning than chai tea is mulled cider. I like mine even more with apple doughnuts (always purchased from a farm stand).
This weekend I am signing up for my share in the second annual Out on a Limb: Apple CSA via Rabelais Books. Each shareholder will receive 20 or more varieties of rare, interesting and highly flavored apples over the course of the season with a wide range of uses, appearances, histories and tastes. Each delivery will be a mix of dessert apples (apples meant to be eaten fresh) and culinary apples. Some of the varieties will be organically grown, others conventionally.
Each delivery of at least 1/4 bushel (approximately 10 lbs.) will be accompanied by a newsletter with descriptions, history, tidbits and lore about each variety, as well as recipes and ideas for how to best use them.
The CSA will cost $120 for the season. By my thinking that is a deal that would make Johnny Appleseed smile.
**If you sign up for the CSA at Rabelais and are at all interested in making/enjoying cider or hard cider, pick up a copy of Cider: Making, Using & Enjoying Sweet & Hard Cider by Annie Proux & Lew Nichols.
Photo Gourmet.
Posted in Books, Drink, Friends, Local Flavors, Midcoast Maine, Portland Maine | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
Don Lindgren, one-half the owners of Rabelais Books in Portland Maine, recommends these books for your kitchen…
Canal House Cooking No. 4 by Christopher Hirsheimer and Melissa Hamilton. I have been cooking a lot out of this one, including ‘burnt eggplant with tahini and pomegranate’ and ‘wild salmon and English peas terrine’.
Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi. This is a vegetarian cookbook (UK Import) from the author of Ottolenghi (one of my favorites from last year). I’ve made the ‘poached baby vegetables with caper mayonnaise’ and the ’sweet potato wedges with lemongrass creme fraiche” and much more.
Posted in Books, Portland Maine | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
When I hear about a former warehouse with a rubble-strewn back lot and a mess of Japanese Knotweed being turned into a container garden with bee hives, a greenhouse, vertical garden and compost I think two things - doesn’t everyone dream of this and someone is doing it! Maine based entrepreneurs Eli Cayer and David Homa call it Urban Farm Fermentory.
Did I mention this sprung up in a mere three months?
Cayer and Homa’s unique vision could help (further) reinvigorate Portland’s Bayside neighborhood where UFF is based, while helping more people make smart, sustainable choices. As advocates for eating locally grown food they are turning waste into things that are sustainable, nutritious, and educational. By positive problem-solving and sharing resources with local producers, including one that produces kombucha, Urban Farm Fermentory will help preserve a way of life our Founding Fathers practiced and which some days seems to have almost been lost to food industrialization.
For starters they are offering classes Tuesdays 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at 200 Anderson Street in Portland Maine. $15 suggested donation. Phone 207.633.7406 for information and the class schedule.
Read all about UFF in this article.
Photo Avery Yale Kamila, Portland Press Herald.
Posted in Do Good, Gardens, Local Flavors, Portland Maine | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
Thank you once again Molly Wizenberg for having such a fun and beautiful blog that pretty much always makes me laugh and offers terrific recipes. After vodka and gin, Pimm’s is a favorite during cocktail hour. Visit Orangette, Molly’s blog, for the recipe. Cannot wait to (hopefully) see her and (definitely) eat at Delancey (restaurant she owns with her maple syrup loving husband Brandon) in Seattle.
Photo Orangette.
Posted in Drink | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010
A friend gave me a short list of her favorite bloggers attending the blogging conference I am attending next month in Seattle. One of those blogs, the merry gourmet, is very quickly becoming a favorite. It is well organized with beautiful photographs and a reposting of this recipe for a Malted Milk Chocolate Cookie Tart from the July 2010 issue of Bon Appetit. This particular recipe needs to happen as soon as possible in my kitchen. I realize I just finished a marathon eating session on Isle au Haut and have two boxes of Black Dinah chocolates plus their Jimmies in my fridge, but come on this looks so darn good. Really, just try to resist….here is a picture (SEE BELOW) …one …two…three pattering of footsteps, grabbing of keys and wallet, door slamming, car starting or bike being pulled from garage and yup that is what I thought only dust in the wind you left behind on your quick departure to the market for ingredients. Hey, I’m right behind you!
Photo merry gourmet.
Posted in Baked Goods | No Comments »
Monday, July 26th, 2010
There is a large patch of Milkweed, outside the Inn at Isle au Haut creating a perfect breeding ground for Monarch butterflies. I could watch them eat all day, it is amazing. Line after line of leaf disappears so quickly. The cocoon (or chrysalis) is green with a tiny gold line - perhaps where the caterpillar sewed it up? The inn had two jars, each with one caterpillar - one in its chrysalis stage, the other eating. Diana (the innkeeper) named one “Twitchie” after watching him do what could be described as a combination of breakdancing and what one might look like dancing to reggae music. “Fatty” well he just eats a LOT. These photos were all taken in front of the inn.
Posted in Travel, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Monday, July 26th, 2010
For breakfast, Diana made Fresh Peach Muffins with coconut and walnut streusel that sunk into them. What put that completely over the edge was her delicious homemade strawberry butter. Then, she made a Baked Pancake with peaches, raspberries, and maple syrup. Of course it was delicious and the plate had to be cleaned. Then I needed to walk and bike a lot!
Consider this: Having walked a couple miles you find yourself on Boom Beach, which is made up of large smooth round rocks. You find a large enough rock, or combination of large rocks, and begin sunning. After an hour or so somehow you have found a way to be hungry again (after Diana’s large breakfast). How fortunate! She packed you a homemade lunch with a sandwich, bag of what amounts to a handful of trail mix, brownie, fruit, and mini bottle of pink lemonade with Maine blueberries.
Dinner is five courses. My first night at the inn the menu was: a hummus with homemade pita and marinated artichokes, Summer Squash Soup w/ Roasted Red Pepper Cream, Garden Greens with Shrimp Esceviche, Garden Chard Wrapped island caught Halibut with herb butter and Eggplant Napoleon, and Blackberry Pear Rhubarb Pie. Diana also makes homemade rolls for each dinner.
Posted in Comfort Food, Friends, Travel | No Comments »
Monday, July 26th, 2010
Rain, sun, fog - I got it all during my weekend on Isle au Haut. Unlike the weather, certain things such as the rustic charm and great food never change on the island. It is as beautiful as ever.
The island is located six miles out to sea from Stonington Maine and is home to the most remote sector of Acadia National Park. There is a year-round community of 45 - 50 and a significant summer population made up of day-trippers and summer residents. The year-round community is comprised of fishermen, two chocolate makers, retirees, and at least one famous writer. Paved/unpaved roads leading to trailheads and lush forest that feels like a fairyland. There is a loyalty among those who have spent significant time on the island, a true community with unwritten rules. A friendliness, which can be found in people willing to offer a lift in the back of their pickup into town (where the one tiny market, ranger station and post are located), and a feeling of freedom.
No surprise, I had a GREAT time!
The church spire is one of the first signs of the town.
The town dock, where the mailboat, that brings people onto the island from Stonington lands.
This Bittersweet Peruvian Chocolate Raspberry Tart from the Black Dinah Cafe was out of this world!
Kate was so sweet, she took time out from her busy chocolate making day to give my friend and I directions on where to hike. Went up Black Dinah Mountain and took in the scenery at Robinson Point, location of the island’s lighthouse.
There were so many raspberry bushes on the island. They provided a healthy and tasty snack while hiking.
Diana’s Lunch Buggy sells homemade sandwiches, whoopie pies, cookies, chips, and pink lemonade with Maine blueberries. I had “The Veggie” with pesto, cucumber, tomato, and I am not sure what all else for lunch. So good.
The view from the Inn at Isle au Haut is magical.
Posted in Baked Goods, Friends, Travel | 1 Comment »
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
Finally the end of the week. What are you up to this weekend? I am heading to Isle au Haut Saturday morning for my annual visit. It is a quiet island with one inn, a chocolate cafe, charming people, and picture perfect scenery everywhere. Some of you may have read a few highlights I shared in past posts. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Photos Inn at Isle au Haut, Diana Santospago.
Posted in Friends, Travel | No Comments »
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