Heirloom Meals

We're MOVING

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 21:41:00 +0000

...that is, the blog is moving to a new URL as part of our new website.
Please note the changes and I hope you enjoy the new site and the blog.

BLOG: http://heirloommeals.com/blog/
WEBSITE: http://heirloommeals.com/

We are LIVE! Wednesdays at Heirloom Meals Radio with Diane Perry Gardner

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 23:35:00 +0000

Sometimes you meet someone, even if it's on the radio that you feel you've known your entire life!! Meet Diane Perry Gardner. Truly, she a kindred spirit!! Diane bridges her move from South Carolina to Madison, CT with her love of food, family and cooking. And she did it by writing cookbooks - first very local with "What's Cooking Madison?", then she branched out to to the whole state with "What's Cooking Connecticut Shoreline?" and then spread her wings further with her recent book, "What's Cooking in New England" which is a collection of tried and true recipes from real people that Diane has tested and photographed. Check it out - you can even find some of Diane's southern specialties!! www.whatscookinginnewengland.com
I know we need a Diane, take two, on the radio show. Thank you Diane!!

Carole Murko 20101201 1300.mp3

Tabletop Tuesdays - A Trio of Desserts

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 01:09:00 +0000

How can you resist??

Pumpkin cheesecake

Maple Cream Pie with gluten free crust

Cranberry Raisin Pie

What I love about this arrangement is the desserts are three different heights so it adds interest to what everyone already knows will be a sweet sensory overload. It also begs the question are they in height order of deliciousness? Only my Thanksgiving guests know the answer. But, really, isn't it a matter of taste?

Ms Murky Monday- Many Hands Make Light Work

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 01:27:00 +0000

Even though I had to ask....the troops performed!! My step-daughters, Meredith and Caroline and their Aunt Madeline and Uncle Paul washed, peeled and chopped sweet and regular potatoes in record speed for our Thanksgiving fete.
Paul pitched in with his caramelized onions and Matt performed his magic on the sweet potatoes.

It was truly a delightful Thanksgiving.

Hoofs, Claws and Paws - Kissing Icelandics

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 19:32:00 +0000

What I love about our Icelandic horses and Icelandic's in general are they are truly the golden retriever of horses. Mild mannered, playful, gentle and cute!! Their winter coats are so thick and soft.
Does any one else love the smell of horses? I think it is distinct and heavenly!!

Carole's Concoctions-Brussels Sprout

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 18:54:00 +0000

Want to turn even the staunchest brussels sprout hater into a lover? We'll tell you how and talk brussels sprout today because you may actually eat them a few more times during the holiday/winter season.

My simple approach:
Wash. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper.
Put on a parchment paper lined roasting pan, and roast in upper portion of oven at 400 degrees for 20 - 30 minutes until golden brown.
They get browned, crispy and almost caramelized.

Pop them in your mouth for an unexpected treat!

We are LIVE! Wednesdays at Heirloom Meals Radio with Loring Barnes

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 00:54:00 +0000

On this eve of Thanksgiving, a holiday to give thanks and celebrate the harvest, count our blessings and share food with family and friends, it is fitting that our guest is a Mayflower descendant, Loring Barnes. Loring is the 10th direct descendant of Governor William Bradford of Massachusetts, and her Dad is named Bradford. Much of her Dad's side of the family remains in Plymouth.
Loring's namesake, Thomas Loring, was the "Collector of Customs" for President Abraham Lincoln. Loring traces her lineage to Miles Standish and some other folks too, such as: Loring, Barnes, Brewster, Belcher, Adams among many from the original Mayflower passenger manifest.
Loring shares with great energy and enthusiasm some of her family recipes and the importance of Thanksgiving as an opportunity to indulge in a long and plentiful meal and enjoy being with friends and family. Loring shared her easy make ahead three cheese party potatoes and I will make them and post the recipe soon!! They sound and look DELICIOUS!!

Enjoy the show and I wish each and every one a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Carole Murko 20102224.mp3

Tabletop Tuesdays - Thanksgiving Themed

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 22:33:00 +0000

What can I say, I am a sucker for cute and sometimes borderline tacky table accoutrement!! These suit my fancy and are fun for a day or two to set the stage for the real tabletop decor - the FOOD!!

Ms Murky Monday- Take Two

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 22:34:00 +0000

Exciting news!! Liberty Medical has contracted us to make 8 more videos before year-end.

So, amidst the Turkey and stuffing, I will be testing and developing 8 more diabetes-friendly heirloom recipes.
How do these sound?

1. Chicken Piccata served with brown rice and broccoli
2. Tuscan Pork Tenderloin Stew made with onions, carrot, cannellini beans, and spinach served w/or without brown rice
3. Scrod roasted with cherry tomatoes, capers and garlic served over a bed of spinach and mashed sweet potatoes
4. Curried Lentil Soup
5. Huevos Rancheros
6. Blueberry Yogurt Coffee Cake
7. 3 hors' dourves - salmon mousse (made with smoked salmon an lite creamcheese) served on cucumber rounds, prunes stuffed with walnuts and blue cheese, Easy Guacamole
8. 2 salad dressings - yogurt blue cheese and mustard viniagrette and how to wash, dry and store 5 days worth of salad greens.

I am one thankful girl!!!!!

Hoofs, Claws and Paws - Burtee's Dinner

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 20:46:00 +0000

Ever wonder what the king of all dogs gets to eat in my household?

The wait is over. Burtee, as you might expect, does not eat canned or store bought dog food. Every week a new batch of homemade food is cooked up fresh. Generally, I get 5 pounds of organic ground turkey and 3 pounds of a combination of organic sweet potatoes and regular potatoes. I cook the ground turkey on top of the stove until well done and simultaneously boil the potatoes. Then, I mash the potatoes and add the meat and mix them together. I serve it with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

I also make, boiled chicken breast with rice and carrots. Jim knows that if he's ever hungry, Burtee's food, which is stored in the fridge, is fair game!!

One of these days I'll share with you why I make his food. But until then -- BONE Apetit!!

Carole's Concoctions-Turkey Talk

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 21:10:00 +0000

Wow, Thanksgiving is less than a week away and I am now just beginning to think about my menu. In many ways, cooking a meal for friends and family is a snap compared to preparing for 8 video shoots or catering a party for 125 people. In fact, I think it might be down right relaxing - how about that!!

Here's my menu:

15-18 lb turkey to insure LEFTOVERS!!

Italian Sausage and Bread stuffing

Wild rice stuffing for my love, Jim

Roasted Brussel sprouts

Whipped Potatoes and Celeriac

Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow Topping a la Matt

Caramelized shallots a la Paul Finnerty

Gravy

Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry Raisin Pie a la Paul

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving 2009 - Meredith and Me

Farmer Thursdays-Berkshire Grown's Holiday Farmers' Market

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 21:43:00 +0000

...should not be missed!!

Vendors at the Great Barrington market include Allium Restaurant + Bar, Asia Luna, Berkshire Mountain Bakery, Berkshire Orchids, Berkshire Organics, Berkshire Wildflower Honey, Cedar Farm, Consider Bardwell Farm, Cricket Creek Farm, Earthborn Garden, Farm Country Soup, Farm Girl Farm, Farm House Bakers, Foggy River Farm, Good Dogs Farm, GooGoo Gourmet, Indian Line Farm, Jaeschke’s Orchard, Justamere Farm, Klara’s Gourmet Cookies, Leahey Farm, Lorna Herbals, Maiden Flower Farm, Markristo Farm, Mayflower Farm, Maynard Farms, Moon in the Pond Farm, North Plain Farm, Ooma Tesoro, Shaker Mountain Canning Company, Taft Farms and Zehr & Sons Mushrooms. Berkshire Grown will also be present.

WHEN: Holiday Farmers’ Markets will take place at the Williams College Field House on Latham Street in Williamstown (10 am – 2 pm) and the Searles School Gymnasium on Bridge Street in Great Barrington (9 am – 1pm.) PLEASE NOTE THE NEW LOCATION FOR THE GREAT BARRINGTON MARKET.

We are LIVE! Wednesdays at Heirloom Meals Radio - Julia Usher's Journey to Cookie Swapping!

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 21:42:00 +0000

Sometimes the pull of the kitchen, the love and memories of one’s childhood, and a desire to do what you love is so strong that it lures you away from a successful career, complete with graduate degrees and status. I write these words, not about me BUT of Julia Usher, baker and author of Cookie Swap.

Spend an hour hearing Julia share her story....how the influences of her Mom, grandmother and great grandmother, and of her Dad’s work ethic, all combine to provide Julia with a varied and interesting life full of family, cooking, education, engineering, consulting, wedding cake making and now inspiring others to bake and share through her gorgeous book, Cookie Swap.
You can buy the book on Julia’s website www.juliausher.com. I can’t wait to have a cookie swap party!! Thank you Julia and I look forward to your cake and cookie decorating book.

Carole Murko 20101117 1300.mp3

Ms Murky Monday- Lights, Camera, Action

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 13:04:00 +0000

Kitchen transformed into a set to shoot 8 videos for Liberty Mutual - making heirloom recipes diabetic friendly. We are rolling. Four videos on Monday, four on Tuesday. And, guess what? The recipes are delicious and healthy!! What a concept.

Hoofs, Claws and Paws

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 19:41:00 +0000

Sometimes the news with animals isn't always good. This week we witnessed cruelty in the chicken coop. What I've observed with chickens is as the ladies age, the roosters are very mean to them. So much for respecting your elders. One of the older girls was molting and growing back her winter feathers and the other chickens picked on her. She was outcast and scared. She is now in chicken heaven, in peace - at least that's how I see it.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Carole's Concoctions-Diabetic Friendly Heirloom Recipes

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 19:29:00 +0000

Gearing up for the 2-day shoot on Monday and Tuesday. About to head out to buy ingredients and will spend weekend prepping and making each of the following dishes in 3 stages of completeness:
1st: Completely cooked and plated for beauty shots
2nd: Partially done
3rd: All individual ingredients measured out and in ramekins or mixing bowls

Pumpkin Cupcakes

2 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ginger

1 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp allspice

4 eggs

4 Tbsp canola oil

2/3 cups applesauce

1 cup lowfat buttermilk

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 3/4 cups pumpkin

Makes 18 cupcakes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In a medium bowl whisk together the first 8 ingredients (all the dry ingredients).

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, canola, applesauce, buttermilk, brown sugar and pumpkin. Once that is well blended, add the flour mixture in 3 batches to make sure it is well incorporated.

Fill cupcake tins about 3/4 full. I recommend using a non-stick cupcake tin. Place in middle of the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes until your tester comes out clean and the cupcake springs back when you touch it. Remove from oven and let cool before icing.

Icing

1 8 oz packages of low-fat cream cheese

2 Tbsp skim milk

1 tsp vanilla

3 packets stevia

zest of one lemon

Blend until smooth with an electric mixer. Ice the cooled cupcakes and enjoy.

Apple Cheesecake Torte

Crust

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

3 Tbsp melted butter (or margarine)

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

Cream Cheese Filling

2 - 8 oz. packages of low fat cream cheese at room temperature

1/2 cup sugar ( or sugar substitute)

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs at room temperature

Apples

2 large tart apples such as Granny Smith - peeled, cored and sliced

1/4 cup sugar (or sugar substitute)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all crust ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Press into bottom and up about 1” of the sides of a 10 inch springform pan. Bake for 5 minutes, cool to room temperature.

Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees.

Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Spoon mixture into crust.

Mix apples sugar, cinnamon and vanilla. Spoon over cream cheese mixture and then sprinkle with walnuts.

Bake for 15 minutes and then reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake another 45 minutes until your tester comes out clean. Cool on a rack and then carefully remove sides of springform pan. When completely cool, turn upside-down, remove bottom of pan, place plate on top and flip over. And ENJOY!!!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip cookies (gluten free as well!!)

1 cup chunky peanut butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 large egg

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat Oven to 350

Mix all ingredients together.

Spoon onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes in middle of oven until golden.

Chicken Breast Cacciatore

1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

4 garlic cloves, pressed

1 Tbsp paprika

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1 28 oz can diced tomatoes

1/2 cup minced parsley

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 450.

Mix the EVOO, garlic, paprika and 1/4 cup parsley in a small bowl. Place chicken breasts in a baking dish and spread 2 Tbsp of the olive oil mixture on top of the breasts. Add the remaining olive oil mixture to the diced tomatoes and then pour over top. Place in middle of the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Top with remaining parsley and serve over brown rice with a side salad.

Roasted Pork Tenderloin and root vegetables

2 small pork tenderloins

1/4 cup EVOO

1/4 cup dijon mustard

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbsp rosemary, minced

1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

salt and pepper to taste

4 sweet potatoes, sliced

3 onions, sliced

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 apples, peeled and sliced

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400.

Mix the EVOO, mustard, vinegar, garlic, rosemary, s and p together. Rub over pork. Place pork in rack in middle of roasting pan. Toss the potatoes, onions, garlic and EVOO together and spread in bottom of roasting pan. Bake for 40 minutes. Remove pork, tent with tin foil and let sit; meanwhile put veggies back in oven for the 5-10 minutes that the pork is resting. Slice pork to desired thickness, place on platter with vegetables.

Leftover Brown Rice Stir-Fry

Leftover rice - 2-4 cups

3 Tbsp EVOO

Any and/or all the following veggies:

1-2 onions, chopped

2-3 cloves of garlic, minced

3-4 carrots, peeled and sliced

1 green or red pap per, chopped

broccoli

mushrooms

1/4 cup low-sodium, gluten-free soy sauce

1 egg (optional)

In a large frying pan or wok, heat 2 Tbsp olive oil. If using all, start with onion, then add mushrooms and pepper, then carrots, garlic and broccoli. Saute until browned and desired doneness. Toss the brown rice with 1 Tbsp of EVOO and add to veggies. Turn the heat up so the rice browns for about 5 minutes. Add the soy sauce which nicely deglazes the pan and then add an egg if desired.

Turkey Meatballs

1 lb ground turkey (can also use grass fed beef)

1 garlic clove, minced

1 slice whole grain bread soaked in 1/4- 1/2 cup skim milk

2 Tbsp minced parsley

1 egg

1/4 cup pecorino romano OR parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375

Mix all ingredients together until well-blended. Roll into balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 20-30 minutes until nicely browned, checking and turning as you go.

Use your own sauce or a jar but make sure no sugar added!! Add turkey balls to sauce and heat. Serve over whole wheat spaghetti.

Jen’s Simple Pizza

1 whole wheat lavash wrap

For red sauce:

1 small can tomato sauce

1 clove garlic, sliced

1 Tbsp EVOO

pinch red pepper flakes (optional)

dried oregano, basil or italian seasonings

salt and pepper to taste

low fat shredded mozzarella

Preheat oven to 400

Heat the EVOO in small saucepan. Add garlic, pepper flakes, and seasoning and heat for about a minute being careful not to burn the garlic. Add the tomato sauce and cook over low-medium heat. Spray the baking sheet with pam. Place the lavash on baking sheet and add sauce and a handful of shredded cheese. Bake for 10 minutes or so until cheese is melted and bubbling.

For the white topping:

2 onions, sliced

2 Tbsp EVOO

Crumbled goat cheese or feta

Sliced olives

Arugula and balsamic vinegar (optional but delicious!)

Saute onions until golden. Spread on lavash, add cheese and olives and bake as above. Throw a handful of arugula on top of oven-hot pizza with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar for a special treat!

Farmer Thursdays-Meet Farmer Lisa

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:57:00 +0000

Lisa Dachinger is a dear friend. Lisa grew up in NYC and now lives the life of a farmer. She is a first generation farmer who became a farmer because she's passionate about feeding her family the freshest and most nutritious food possible.

Over the past 20 years she has grown vegetables and eggs and has evolved into raising the finest grass-fed lamb, pork and veal.

Lisa will be our Thursday blogger starting next week - November 18th. She will chronicle her move to a farm in Richmond, MA where she has increased her herd and is taking on new and different challenges.

Welcome Lisa and we all look forward to hearing about your journey - the ups, the downs, the rewards and perils of being a woman farmer.

Tabletop Tuesdays - Hot Pot Top Tip

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 15:46:00 +0000

Try saying that three times fast!!
How many times have you lifted a pot lid to peak or check on the progress of your dish to find you've scorched your fingers? Granted some of the All-Clad pots now have heat-resistant lid and pot handles, but many don't.
And leave it to my oh-so-clever Mom to come up with a solution for one of her pots. Check it out:

Two wine corks - how simple!! Love you Mom :-)

Ms Murky Monday- Liberty Medical Diabetes Videos

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 19:49:00 +0000

Well, well, well.....it's Monday already and there is much to do. Next Monday and Tuesday we will be shooting 8 webisodes for a company called Liberty Medical.

My mission: Make 8 Heirloom Recipes diabetic-friendly.

The recipes I will be doing:

Pumpkin Cupcakes

Apple Cheesecake Torte

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip cookies (gluten free as well!!)

Chicken Breast Cacciatore

Nana's No-Fail Baked Fish

Roasted Pork Tenderloin and root vegetables

Turkey Meatballs

Jen’s Simple Pizza

The recipes are written and tested. The cool thing is, with the exception of the cupcakes and torte, my other recipes are healthy in their own right and did not need tweaking!!

So stay tuned as I share this journey with you!! And remember, November is National Diabetes Month!!

With diabetes becoming an epidemic, I am happy to be involved in a project to help people eat better.

Hoofs, Claws and Paws

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 15:58:00 +0000

Sunday morning at the farm....About 6 weeks ago I wrote about the hatching of one chick. I am happy to report she (I hope she's a she) is looking like a miniature chicken and is foraging for bugs happily with her Mom.

Meanwhile, the others find pecking around in the barn the best spot for nourishment.

And Burt and Uni continue to be up to their old BFF tricks... checking out all the sights, smells and sounds.

I LOVE our animals - always a source of amusement. Oh and the horses and cows are doing great. They had an extra member of the herd this morning - a BIG Buck. They all stared in amusement as the buck gracefully hopped over the electric fence. I think they have buck envy!!

Carole's Concoctions-Mystery Meat Revealed

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 23:15:00 +0000

aka Italian-style Meatloaf a la Nana/Mom/me :-)

In our family meatloaf is basically a giant meatball baked in the oven with a surprise in the middle. The surprise that my Nana put in the middle were a couple of hard-boiled eggs. This remains a great mystery to me. As a kid, I would surgically remove the hard boiled eggs. I found them completely unnecessary and their texture and taste not quite right. I am BUMMED for never asking my Nana why she added the eggs. And my Mom doesn't really know why, she just knows "that's how it was done!" Not quite the anwer I was expecting. So, I have eliminated the eggs but added my own surprise. Other than that, this is our meatloaf recipe:
2-3 onions, caramelized
4 Tbsp olive oil
3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 lbs of a combo of ground veal, beef and pork in equal proportions (if you are lucky enough to have a good butcher they can do this for you!)
2 eggs
1 kaiser roll, or 2 slices of bread or in my case, 1 gluten-free roll
1 cup milk - whole, low-fat or skim - whatever you have on hand
2 Tbsp parsley, minced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 cup grated cheese - pecorino romano OR parmesan
1 jar or can tomatoes, pureed in blender
Surprise Ingredient - need to scroll through recipe!!

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Caramelize the onions in 2 Tbsp olive oil. This takes about 20 + minutes. Add the minced garlic at the end so it doesn't get burned but cooks enough to get aromatic and soft.

While the onions are caramelizing, soak the roll in the milk until is is mushy and breaks into pieces.

Mix the meat, eggs, salt, pepper, parsley, grated cheese and soaked roll together until well blended.

And the add the caramelized onion and garlic mixture. This is truly what makes this meatloaf so good!!

Put 2 Tbsp olive oil in your baking dish and place in your preheated oven to heat the oil.

Once the oil is hot, form the bottom layer of your meatloaf in the heated oil and add sliced CHEDDAR CHEESE before you put your top layer on.

Pour your pureed tomato sauce over the top and bake for about an hour until bubbling and slightly browned on top.

Serve with roasted regular and sweet potatoes or mashed and sauteed spinach.

And Enjoy!!

PS - Leftovers are O-U-T-R-A-G-E-O-U-S!!!

Farm Girl Farm Thursdays-Laura Meister Sums Up the Season

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 15:29:00 +0000

Hello Farm Girl Farmers!

It really is hard to believe this is the season’s closing newsletter. Each season has its own highlights and its own challenges, but this one was on the whole so much sunnier and yield-I-er than 2009, that I can’t help but feel a little sad to see it ending. Of course, with each season, I learn more about how to do things better next time, and we have many ideas, intentions and plans for next season already brewing. But, and this is where you come in, we want your feedback, too.

WHAT DID YOU THINK?

I will email out and also have copies at the table of our end-of-season questionnaire that is designed to help us understand your experience as a CSA member of FGF. How did you use your veggies, how many people are you feeding, what did you get sick of (if anything!), what did you long for more of. If we see a pattern and there is something we can do to change our field plan to accommodate a change, we’ll do it. For example, 4 and 5 years ago the message was clear: MORE ONIONS, PLEASE! So, we grew more onions. On our very limited land, more of something inevitably means less of something else, so we want to know if you felt overloaded with something. This year, for example, we clearly had too much land in watermelons—so we’ll cut back on that crop a bit next year and reallocate that space to grow more of the things we never had enough of (in my opinion beets and carrots). So please fill out your questionnaires!

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2011

If you loved your farmshare and farmers so much this year that you can’t wait to sign up again for next year, then sign up before December 31 and get this year’s share price. After the January 1, the price will go up incrementally to reflect rising production costs. The advantage to FGF to have some early bird sign-ups is huge—your early infusion of cash helps us manage our year-round overhead--although we are not producing vegetables in the winter months, many of our expenses continue around the calendar.

MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION: WHAT DO WE DO ALL WINTER?

We put the farm to bed between now and Thanksgiving or the first week of December. We’ll have a few things to harvest for the pre-Thanksgiving Holiday Farmers Market on November 20. After that I enter the headscratching months: I spend December through February catching up on all paperwork, opening (if not reading) my mail from April thru November, bookkeeping, taxes, etc, which give me a basis to evaluate the season and write a new business plan for 2011. From there I begin to sign on new CSA members, make a new field plan, revise the seeding calendar and order seeds—that last one is a monumental task that reminds me of writing my masters’ thesis.

In addition, I am very excited to report that I was accepted into a class called Whole Farm Planning for Women in Agriculture, a 10-class workshop sponsored by Pioneer Valley’s Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA). There will be 15 of us from all over the state, whose businesses are at least a few seasons established but who have less than 10 years experience in farming, meeting on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the winter and spring, to determine, under the guidance of several mentor (established! successful!) women farmers, next directions for our own operations. I hope to emerge from this work with more clarity about medium- and long-term goals, and a sense of the priorities—tractor first or new greenhouse? More land now or later?

And as if that won’t be enough time in the classroom, Vivian and I together will participate 5-day workshop on soil and plant health called Nutrient Dense Crop Production, held by the Real Food Campaign (our sessions will be held at Hawthorne Valley Farm).

EVENTS TO KEEP YOU HAPPY EVEN THOUGH CSA IS OVER FOR NOW

Don’t forget that Berkshire Grown is hosting two Holiday Farmers’ Markets this fall: Saturdays, November 20 and December 18. The markets on both dates will be held simultaneously in North and South Berkshire County—the North County market will be at the Williams College Field House from 10 am til 2 pm and the South County market will be at the old Railroad Station, where the summer market is held, from 9 am til 1 pm. Last year the Thanksgiving market was a huge hit, so many vendors, so many customers—there was a wonderful charge in the air.

And, on November 8th Berkshire Grown and Mezze Bistro in Williamstown will be hosting a reception—Getting to Know Berkshire Grown, Celebrate NoCo-- w/ nine central and north Berkshire County chefs preparing food f.rom 10 area farms to show the abundance of products that north county has to offer. The event is from 5:30 to 7:30 at Mezze, 777 Cold Spring Road (Rt 7) Williamstown, $25 for Berkshire Grown Members. See berkshiregrown.org or call the office for more info: 528-0041.

It has been my privilege to grow your vegetables this year. Best wishes for a happy healthy winter, and hope to see you all at the distribution table next June.

Enjoy the veggies!

--Laura Meister, Farm Girl Farmer

Tabletop Tuesdays - the Power of an Heirloom Spoon

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 14:47:00 +0000

Sometimes it's just a well-worn serving spoon that brings someone back to their grandmother's kitchen. In this case, it's Jim's grandmother's serving spoon that he inherited when his Uncle Junie died. In fact Jim reminded me that he was the only relative that wanted the old worn spoons. Most of his cousins and even his brother and sister viewed it as junk. But Jim views this old hotel silverware as a priceless, meaningful connection to his past. Now can you see why I love Jim and why we are together. We are truly sentimental.

What's really special about this spoon is how it is clearly worn on the left side from years of serving up those home cooked meals!! Everytime we use this spoon I can see it transports Jim to his grandmother's table.

Ms Murky Mondays - thank you Fairview Hospital

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 19:39:00 +0000

It can't be Monday, is it? I suppose that's what happens when one doesn't heed grandmotherly wisdom, and REST and drink plenty of fluids when one is ill. Seriously, I thought I had done so but my type-A personality defines rest as a couple of hours on the couch emailing etc. And I had to pay. I was sick enough to warrant a trip to the ER. And now thanks to the good Dr. Sabatelli in the Fairview Hospital ER, and some strong drugs I am feeling much better. The only problem - I missed the entire weekend!
I hope to get back to normal soon and will welcome my typical day with open arms. A dose of sickness is a great reality check. I have a great life!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Carole's Concoctions-Nana's Recipe to Soothe a Sore Throat

radio@heirloommeals.com (Carole Murko) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 20:02:00 +0000

I don't know what it is about old wives' tales and concoctions but many of them are truly useful and actually work. I, for one, will always go for a natural remedy as I think we are an over-prescribed, over-medicated society. I'll stick to aspirin, chicken soup and hot lemon and honey any day over nyquil.

Oh and yes, you guessed, I've been sick for a couple of days - fever, dry cough, aches - not fun. But, I swear that when I sip hot lemon with honey, my throat feels better!! This is what my grandmother and Mom gave us and now I am self-administering for my sore throat.

Try it:

Start with a lemon, place on counter and roll it under the palm of your hand for 30 seconds to loosen the juice, cut it into quarters, place in small saucepan with a cup or two of water, bring to a boil.

Put a Tbsp or any amount of honey you like (to taste) in a mug, pour hot lemon juice through a strainer into mug, stir and let the soothing begin!!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! Feeling better already!!