Tampilkan postingan dengan label feast. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label feast. Tampilkan semua postingan

Minggu, 08 Mei 2016

A Wild Winter Feast



Post Thanksgiving, we felt that a wild feast was in order so we invited a group of friends, neighbors and family to join us in celebrating together over an enchanting spread of both homegrown and locally foraged wild edible delicacies.  On the menu...homegrown Cornish hens and rabbit roasted in the cob oven with butternut squash, wild green salad with miso vinaigrette, wild oyster mushroom soup, tomato-chard quiche, sauteed apples/sweet potatoes/onions-w/figs and walnuts, rabbit pot pie, braised parsnips and celery root, pumpkin bulgar pilaf, and cranberry onion relish.  (We still have yet to catch one of the wild turkeys so prolific in our area!)



For dessert; steamed persimmon pudding, pineapple guava sorbet, apple sauce cake, popping corn, and caramel apples.  Our beverages were hot yogi chai and pomegranate ginger water kefir.  Not bad for a spontaneous soiree.  We enjoyed and gave thanks for the bounty and good company.  As we approach the beginning of this winter season we are staying mindful of each and every blessing and the quiet simplicity of nature and family that we cherish so dearly. 


Be with those who help your being.  
Dont sit with indifferent people, 
whose breath comes cold out of their mouths.  
Not these visible forms, your work is deeper.

A chunk of dirt thrown in the air breaks to pieces.  
If you dont try to fly, and so break yourself apart,  
you will be broken open by death,
when its too late for all you could become.  
Leaves get yellow. The tree puts out fresh roots 
and makes them green.

Why are you so content with a love that turns you yellow?
-Rumi

Read More..

Senin, 21 Maret 2016

Three Saucey Beverages

papaya pineapple agua fresca
Weve been busy in the kitchen lately.  I thought I would share some recipes for our favorite DIY beverage specialties.   These are the recipes that we make religiously and they are way better than anything you can buy in the store!

Jamaican Sorrel
If you have never had this tropical drink you are in for a treat.  The hibiscus flowers and lemon are high in vitamin C while the ginger is a blood purifier and creates heat in the body making this a great beverage to consume when you are feeling a little low.  Not to mention the deep red color is stunning.  Sorrel is a staple in our house all year long.  

Ingredients:  fresh organic ginger root- lots, dried hibiscus flowers, juice of fresh lemons, cinnamon sticks, filtered water, sweetener of choice
fresh hibiscus flowers
The first rule of making sorrel is- use as much ginger as you like!  We use a very generous amount!  Now bring a large pot of water to a boil. Wash ginger root removing any dirt and cutting off any thick pieces of skin.  Either grate ginger by hand or cut into pieces and blend in blender with more water.  Add to pot of boiling water.  Add about six cinnamon sticks-you can also use powder.  (Sometimes I throw in a few pieces of astragalus root too.)  Add more water until pot is 3/4 full.  Cover and allow to simmer on low for several hours.  Remove pot from heat, uncover and add 2-4 handfuls of hibiscus flowers, stirring well and allowing to steep for at least an hour or as long as overnight.  Gently reheat without bringing to a boil, sweeten to taste, add fresh squeezed lemon juice to taste and stir well.  Strain and pour into bottles which you can store in the refrigerator.   

Agua Fresca
This is the easiest and most versatile of beverages to make as long as you have a good blender.

Ingredients:  any ripe fruit (the juicier the better), filtered water, sweetener of choice

Simply  wash and peel your fruit then blend with water and sweetener until you have a thin uniform liquid.  You can either strain and bottle or drink with the pulp.  Some nice combinations...papaya/pineapple, papaya/orange, cucumber/lime/mint, watermelon/ginger, the possibilities are endless.  Agua fresca is usually thought to be a cooling summer drink but we enjoy it year round.  

Kombucha
Ingredients:  organic black or green tea, organic sugar, kombucha scoby, large crock or gallon glass jar with wide mouth

Kombucha is easy to make and there are a variety of recipes online.  Click here for a basic recipe.  Experiment and have fun!  Some favorite kombucha additions; elderberries, fresh squeezed juice, hibiscus flowers, or rose hips. 

kombucha with mother forming on surface

*last two photos courtesy of http://www.welike2cook.com, and http://nycpink.blogspot.com
Read More..