tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625Fri, 13 Sep 2024 21:42:12 +0000Grant Family Farms CSAhttp://the300lbman.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)Blogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-6997948011104933112Tue, 12 Jan 2010 13:49:00 +00002010-01-12T05:50:12.623-08:00I found this at my local CostCo and was surprised by the quality. This is a smooth, sipping tequila with hints of anise, caramel and a bit of smoke. A $24 bottle thats comparable to $50 bottles from Milagro.http://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2010/01/kirkland-anejo-tequila.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-5318423943385845694Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:54:00 +00002009-12-12T10:54:17.627-08:00Every year I visit Santa Fe, NM in the fall to experience the various festivals and enjoy the great food. During my visit, I make a point of visiting the farmers market and stocking up on some local chilies. I've been buying Chimayo chilies for their great flavor and spice - they make a wonderful green chili stew.The green chili stew starts off with about a half bushel of roasted Chimayo chilies.http://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/12/fall-tradition-green-chili.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-4750092294262704985Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:21:00 +00002009-12-12T10:21:08.268-08:00A great CSA season comes to a close with week 26. As I look back over the last 26 weeks, we've had an amazing bounty of vegetables. While there were some weeks where I couldn't believe there was still more kale or cilantro, I was exposed to many things I've never cooked before, which expanded my cooking repertoire! Additionally, I learned about what grew in our Colorado seasons - so often we're http://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/12/weekly-blog-on-grant-family-farms-csa_876.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-2951012627039573429Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:12:00 +00002009-12-12T10:12:50.161-08:00Week 25 continues the fall harvest with a nice variety, including:SpinachBrussel sproutsKambocha squashPumpkinDiakon radishBroccoliRadishesBeetsCarrotsPotatoesChardThe brussel sprouts were fantastic - I removed them from the stalk, then cut an x into the base off each sprout. I boiled them for 7 minutes in salted water. I removed and then tossed with a mustard butter with truffle oil.http://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/12/weekly-blog-on-grant-family-farms-csa_8496.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-3023719538951685623Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:05:00 +00002009-12-12T10:05:48.377-08:00Another great food week with brussel sprouts on the stalk!This week I made a curried butternut squash soup with cilantro oil and creme fraiche.The recipe was adopted from Deborah Madison's Greens Cookbook. The soup starts with simple vegetable stock made from carrots, zucchini, celery, onion, potato, parsley and curry spices (cinnamon, clove, garlic, coriander, cumin and cardamom). Cook http://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/12/weekly-blog-on-grant-family-farms-csa_4188.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-3412344676806595725Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:53:00 +00002009-12-12T09:53:36.430-08:00This week's harvest includes:Baby greensBroccoliBeetsCarrotsPotatoesSpagetti squashDino kaleCurly kaleSpinashCabbageThe napa cabbage from Grant Family farms continues to be beautiful - this week I made another slaw. I also made a quick version of creamed spinach. Cook down the spinach until soft, then add butter, and milk. I also added some diced chipotle chilies for some extra spice.http://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/12/weekly-blog-on-grant-family-farms-csa_5519.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-8444296399569119649Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:41:00 +00002009-12-12T09:41:35.966-08:00This weeks basket included:Baby greensCabbageCilantroNapa cabbageRed leaf lettuceCurly kaleGreen chiliesRed skinned carrotsBeetsPotatoesButternut squashThis week I made a slaw with the napa cabbage and carrots. Slice the cabbage as thinly as possible. Shred the carrots, and add to the cabbage. Salt and let sit for about an hour. Using cheese cloth, squeeze out the moisture as best you can. Make ahttp://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/12/weekly-blog-on-grant-family-farms-csa_2075.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-8311406183459221007Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:34:00 +00002009-12-12T09:35:15.392-08:00This was a great harvest week - hard to believe its November with fresh greens like these. Additionally, this week's basket included these beautiful red skinned carrots that had amazing flavor - probably the best carrot I've ever tasted.Baby greensSpinachOnionsCabbageLettuceChardBeetsCarrotsLeeksGreen chiliesCauliflowerButternut squashCilantroI had a couple of heads of cabbage from the past http://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/12/weekly-blog-on-grant-family-farms-csa_7374.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-1209070336448593018Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:19:00 +00002009-12-12T09:24:48.553-08:00The produce continues, this week's basket includes:Baby greensRainbow chardBroccoliRed new potatoesLeeksOnionsRomaine lettuceMini pumpkinsSquashNo inspired recipes this week, just plain old good food! I roasted the squash (Kabocha i think) and served with a bit of butter, salt and pepper. The Kabocha squash has a very delicate, custard like consistency.http://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/12/weekly-blog-on-grant-family-farms-csa_6717.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-2456504535603839026Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:03:00 +00002009-12-12T09:04:19.312-08:00Fall has definitely started! Decorative corn and squash are included in this week's basket, but we've still got some reminders of sumer with lettuce and tomatoes. CornSquashSpagetti squashCeleryBaby greensGreen chiliesCarrotsOnionsRomaine lettuceCurly kaleCurly parsleyThis week I used the onions, green chilies (including those from week 18) and last week's cilantro to make a quick rice dish. http://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/12/weekly-blog-on-grant-family-farms-csa_12.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-1462791631308001620Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:49:00 +00002009-12-12T08:50:43.182-08:00Week 18 baskets:CucumberSmall pickling cucumbersGolden BeetsEggplantGreen chiliesAcorn SquashPumpkinFlat leaf parsleyCurly parsleyCilantroCabbageSwish chardCeleryOne of my favorite dishes for this week is a simple roasted beet salad with blue cheese. Start off by lightly coating the beets in olive oil, then wrapping each individually in tin foil. Roast in a 350 degree oven until tender, you http://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/12/weekly-blog-on-grant-family-farms-csa.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-2541268485743434046Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:21:00 +00002009-10-13T20:21:52.064-07:00Week 17 continues with a nice variety of vegetables, including:Baby GreensCilantroGreen PeppersBroccholiTomatoesCucumberEggplantGreen BeansCeleryRainbow ChardYukon Gold PotatoesCornAnd Beer!Over the last few weeks there has been a lot of eggplant so we've taken to making eggplant parmesan. First peel and slice the eggplants into thick rounds. Salt both sides of the slices liberally then lay out http://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/10/weekly-blog-on-grant-family-farms-csa_2839.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-4661587519627446648Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:17:00 +00002009-10-13T20:17:02.446-07:00Week 16 continues with the beautiful produce, although not nearly the size of last week's enormous basket. This week included:WatermelonZucchiniEnglish peasFava beansTomatoesGreen peppersCucumberEggplantCarrotsRadishesCornBaby GreensThis week many of the veggies went into a simple succotash - to spice things up a bit I added a bit of fennel pollen at the end. This complimented the vegetables http://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/10/weekly-blog-on-grant-family-farms-csa_13.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-1105350602718648227Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:09:00 +00002009-10-13T20:15:05.221-07:00The CSA posts are a bit backlogged due to a hectic work travel schedule but, not to fear, I've still been cataloging the weekly basket (with a little help)!Week 15 is one of the largest baskets of the year, including:Baby GreensGiant BeetYellow OnionCipollini OnionCarrotsParsleyGreen BeansZucchiniEggplantTomatoesCornCeleryCabbageSpinachRomain LettuceWatermelonMusk MelonAll this produce made it http://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/10/weekly-blog-on-grant-family-farms-csa.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-1635409849611675045Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:22:00 +00002009-09-23T06:23:23.542-07:00Holy tomato Batman! This week we had several pounds of perfectly ripe and delicious tomatoes - they're nothing like the bland, stiff and orange tomatoes that you find at most grocery stores. These are deep red all the way through - the red that only comes from vine ripening. They are juicy and tender. Finally comes the flavor - the perfect expression of summer's bounty.This weeks basket http://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/09/weekly-blog-on-grant-family-farms-csa_23.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-1813986481343770332Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:26:00 +00002009-09-21T04:26:02.723-07:00I purchased a Zojirushi induction rice cooker and have been experimenting with cooking steel cut oats in it. One of the great features of the Zojirushi is the timer setting - this allows me to put the oats and water in at night, and program them to be done by 6am the next morning. Add one portion of oats to three portions water, a bit of salt and start the Zojirushi using the porridge setting. Anhttp://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/09/steel-cut-oats-in-zojirushi.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-3525936296659459501Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:29:00 +00002009-09-21T04:27:11.391-07:00For my next review on the Denver Restaurant Review, I'm working on Denver's Twelve Restaurant. Twelve has been open for 9 months and received some positive mentions from local press and folks in the industry. Look for the review due out in about a week!http://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/09/twelve-restaurant-under-review.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-2585000911272746099Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:00:00 +00002009-09-17T07:15:36.779-07:00I just returned from several days in San Francisco where I enjoyed great meals at several of the city's hot spots.A16 - despite Chef Nate Appleman's departure, A16 continues to serve up outstanding dishes. I sat at the Chef's counter and observed masterful cooking in the 800 degree wood fired oven. I sampled two appetizers - the roasted chanterelle mushrooms, and the roasted peppers. The http://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/09/san-francisco-food-hot-spots.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-2855364380857090722Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:33:00 +00002009-09-16T05:33:03.786-07:00Faced with a Saturday night at home, an average movie and a couple of hours to kill, I decided to liven things up with Orin Swift's 2005 Papillon. This Bordeaux style blend from California was the second wine I purchased from the local CostCo (the first was The Prisoner - see my other post here). At $50, this bottle was a hefty one, both on the checkbook and physically. The bottle itself is the http://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/09/seduced-by-papillon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-1210519993020844211Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:51:00 +00002009-09-14T20:52:49.566-07:00Grant Family Farms CSAWeek 13 marks the half way point in this year's Grant Family Farms CSA membership, and has me thinking of the experience to date. So far the experience has been an enlightening reconnection with the local food chain - learning to what's in season, what grows in Colorado, and how to make great food out of it. While the Cherry Creek farmers market may have tomatoes in May (when you question the http://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/09/weekly-blog-on-grant-family-farms-csa_14.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-6346792800114121348Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:28:00 +00002009-09-14T20:53:06.661-07:00Grant Family Farms CSAWeek 12 was donated to a friend since I was out of town, enjoying the great food and restaurants of San Francisco (more to come on that later).However, here is a quick overview of the week's produce:CollardsSpinachSalad greens LettuceRadishesCucumber ZucchiniBeetsYellow squashCornhttp://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/09/weekly-blog-on-grant-family-farms-csa.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-5215628824917884173Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:33:00 +00002009-09-14T20:53:15.841-07:00Grant Family Farms CSAThis week's basket included a wider variety then the greens of early summer - squash, potatoes, and tomatoes are coming into season and expanding the menu!The harvest:PotatoOnionTomatoBeats (large and small)Hot peppersYellow wax beansYellow squash (perhaps patty pan)CucumberRed leaf lettuceCarrotsItalian zucchiniThe potatoes, onions, and squashes made a wonderful roast vegetable dish - slice eachhttp://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/08/weekly-blog-on-grant-family-farms-csa_30.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-1785223626703802977Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:19:00 +00002009-08-30T14:20:10.868-07:00I recently purchased an induction Zojirushi rice cooker - over the course of the last month I've been experimenting with a couple of different rices and recipes. So far one of my favorite creations was a dried cherry, vanilla, sugar and white rice porridge. This was an incredible hot breakfast alternative to oatmeal. Overall the Zojirushi does a good job with rice and certainly takes a lot of thehttp://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/08/perfect-rice-with-zojirushi.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-224997089279004680Tue, 25 Aug 2009 03:36:00 +00002009-09-14T20:53:26.591-07:00Grant Family Farms CSAThe horror ... The horror ... Week 10 went dramatically wrong when i forgot to pickup the weekly basket. Sorry for you regulars expecting an update but no new news this week. Week 11 shows up tomorrow so expect a full report this coming weekend! Yours truly - a very hungry Critic.http://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/08/weekly-blog-on-grant-family-farms-csa_112.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5817325580937966625.post-7023772139854117005Tue, 25 Aug 2009 03:32:00 +00002009-09-14T20:53:34.680-07:00Grant Family Farms CSAWeek 8 was an abundant amount of produce and we had to work to get through it all - still had beets, green beans and kale left when Week 9 arrived.The picture includes a little bit of each item, but not all the produce. Week 9's basket included:SpinachEnglish PeasGreen PepperCornSquashTomatoZucchiniCabbageBaby GreensEggplantCollard GreensI experimented a bit with the produce and one created a http://the300lbman.blogspot.com/2009/08/weekly-blog-on-grant-family-farms-csa_24.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Ryan Craig)0