Posts Tagged With: locavore

Why Local is Better than Loco

Posted on January 25, 2013 by rachelocal

I’ve hung out with Jules from Go Jules Go before. If you missed any of our escapades, take some time to catch up:

Here’s where Jules made me eat avocados at Cheesecake Factory.

And here’s where she drank all the beer.

Fortunately, our shenangians are on-going. We spent Monday together in New Hope, PA, and decided to meet at a Mexican restaurant called Blue Tortilla. I studied the menu beforehand, memorized the description of their guacamole (being a locavore can be a drag, because I rarely eat avocados) and knew my order by heart (pork carnitas with extra guac, please). But the unthinkable happened. BLUE TORTILLA WAS CLOSED!

Of course, there were other places nearby, even restaurants serving ingredients from local farms, but we had come to New Hope fully expecting to enjoy Mexican food. Thanks to Jules’ iPhone ingenuity, we discovered El Taco Loco and walked up Main Street, down a few side roads and into an alley to find it. And this is when I discovered six reasons why Local is better than (El Taco) Loco.

1. Local service is better than Loco service. At El Taco Loco, there is no service. You walk in, you look around for a few minutes waiting to be seated, you realize no one will seat you, you sit down, you wait for a menu, you find your own menu, you place your order at a little window at the back of the restaurant. The woman taking your order grunts at you, rolls her eyes, and does everything humanly possible NOT to interact with you.

2. Local bars are better than Loco bars. I’ve been to local restaurants that serve hand-crafted cocktails with organic vodka or include local wines on an extensive wine list. El Taco Loco has no bar; they barely wanted to give us water. Thank our lucky stars we planned on eating at a BYO, so Jules and I had 14 beers to share between the two of us (our husbands may have had a few, too).

Mmmmmm....beer

Mmmmmm….beer

3. Local ambiance is better than Loco ambiance. One of my favorite local places is tastefully decorated with white tablecloths and soft lighting. Loco decor included giant wicker urns and baskets filled with old tissues.

This is what happens when two bloggers get together and have to wait a really long time for their food

This is what happens when two bloggers get together and have to wait a really long time for their food

4. Local staff is better than Loco staff. After waiting an extraordinary amount of time for our food (it’s a good thing we had two servings of guacamole to abate our hunger), a member of the kitchen staff brought out a plate of something. “Fish tacos,” he said. We looked at each other. No one ordered fish tacos. He argued with us for a full five minutes before stomping back to the kitchen mumbling,”I guarantee you ordered fish tacos.” Apparently fish tacos and chicken tacos look exactly the same.

I know it doesn't look like it, but I was very excited about this guac (which was actually fresh and tasty)

I know it doesn’t look like it, but I was very excited about this guac (which was actually fresh and tasty)

5. Local dinnerware is better than Loco dinnerware. Usually, local restaurants have actual plates, or at least disposable plastic plates. At El Taco Loco, your food is precariously set in front of you on a piece of flimsy styrofoam. We even had to bring our own coasters.

The remnants of a half-eaten meal on a flat, styrofoam loco-style plate.

The remnants of a half-eaten meal on a flat, styrofoam loco-style plate.

'Stache glasses coasters courtesy of me and MaidaSomeArt

Custom ‘stache glasses coasters courtesy of me and MaidaSomeArt

6. Local food is better than Loco food. Without a doubt this is true (see above photo for proof). El Taco Loco didn’t even shred their own cheese–a tasteless no-no in this locavore’s book. Jules’ husband Peppermeister and I could have whipped up something local, spicy and delicious that would have blown those fish chicken tacos out of the Gulf of Mexico.

Given the circumstances, it may seem like Jules and I had a terrible time on our bloggy meet-up. Not so. El Taco Loco was kind enough (or apathetic enough) to let us take over the dining room for four hours. They came by to roll their eyes only a few times and when shifts changed, a friendly staffer took our beer bottles and cleared our plates. She didn’t even mind when we used their decor as photo props.

Posin' with our What Would Sexy Stalin Do? wristbands. Intrigued? Go to The Byronic Man to find out how to win one of your very own.

Posin’ with our What Would Sexy Stalin Do? wristbands. Intrigued? Go to The Byronic Man to find out how to win one of your very own.

After our long lunch, we headed out into the cold New Hope air to visit some shops, but we just ended up taking more ridiculous photos.

We are so cool

We are so cool

Creepy bear was speaking to me through the glass

Creepy bear was speaking to me through the glass

Good times

Good times

Uncle Jess should be jealous

Should Jules’ dog, Uncle Jesse, be jealous?

Jules, the dog whisperer

Jules, the dog whisperer

This is what sexy stalin would do

This is what sexy Stalin would do. (Best photo bomb ever, Peppermeister)

Wanting to get out of the cold (and stop embarrassing ourselves) Jules took us to the perfect place for a cocktail: church! Martha Brown Restaurant is a dining experience located in a renovated church. The bar is especially cozy and has those hand-crafted cocktails I was talking about earlier.

Fancy drinks

Fancy drinks

The old church sanctuary transformed into the posh dining room

The old church sanctuary transformed into a posh dining room

Sippin' on gin and juice

Cheers to church!

As you can see, the day turned out splendidly despite the loco Mexican food. I would go back to El Taco Loco just to enjoy a four-hour conversation with Jules (and the guacamole). I would even drive through a blizzard on the way back home. Oh wait, I already did that.

Blizzard on the way home

Trapped in the car on the way home in a blizzard with a man who just ate inferior Mexican food off of black styrofoam. There are not enough prepositional phrases to describe the torment.

Totally worth it

Totally worth it

If you’d like to win some art, head over to Go Jules Go. She’s hosting a giveaway for those awesome coasters or another custom item from MaidaSomeArt!

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Categories: Restaurant | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

One GOOD Thing About Winter

Posted on January 16, 2013 by rachelocal

This morning I woke up to a dark bedroom, hazy and gray with no light forcing its way between blinds and through curtains. Rationally, I thought it was 3 am and I still had hours of sleep ahead of me. A quick glance at my phone told me a different story; slumber was over and it was time to face the day. Looking outside, I saw a steely slate sky and the misty drizzle of cold rain.  Seeing as “day” decided to skip out on the world, I thought I should do the same and curl back up under the covers.

But I took the more noble route and reluctantly got in the shower, dressed, and headed for work.

That’s when I discovered something good about winter.  All my local Delawareans out there will be happy to know that Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative is offering a WINTER CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) which means 12 weeks of fresh, Lancaster County grown produce in the middle of winter.

I might be grasping at straws here, but the thought of fresh, organic winter vegetables grown by mostly Amish farmers melted my tiny winterized heart.

Here’s the facts about this CSA:

  • Cost is $250 for 5-8 items of fresh produce per week
  • Pick up locations are at Home Grown Cafe in Newark, Harvest Market in Hockessin, or Boyd’s Flowers in Wilmington
  • “Add-ons” are available, including cheese, bread, eggs, meat, canned goods, and even tofu
  • Online ordering is easy at lancasterfarmfresh.com. They even have payment options, so you don’t have to pay the entire $250 up front

Lancaster Farm Fresh’s summer CSA is AMAZING. Here’s a picture to prove it.

Full summer veggie share. WOW!

Photo from a shareholder with a full summer veggie share. WOW!

I can imagine the winter share is just as breathtaking with all those lovely root vegetables I adore roasting or adding to soups. It’s nice to know that even in winter when local choices are limited and grocery store produce is shipped and tortured just to get it on the shelf, I can count on area farmers to provide a superior alternative. I like to know how my food arrived on my plate. Reminds me of a Michael Pollan quote:  “At home I serve the kind of food I know the story behind.”

The deadline to order is tomorrow, January 17, by 2 pm. 

Foreboding clouds and miserable rain be damned; winter is looking up!

Categories: Local Farms, Local Stores | Tags: , , , , , , , | 25 Comments

I’ve-Overindulged-One-Too-Many-Times Red Lentil Stew

Posted on December 17, 2012 by rachelocal

You know the lyrics…

It’s that time of year when the world falls in love. Every song you hear seems to say….

Eat pies. And cake. Now try this ham with maple glaze. Wash it down with some fudge. 

This time of year is TERRIBLE for healthy eating. Cookies, pies, meat-heavy dishes, hot chocolate, copious amounts of red wine, and cheese plates are everywhere. Making good choices is difficult and overindulgence becomes a habit.

I’ve overindulged one too many times already (and we’re only half way through December!). The thought of another Snickerdoodle gives me hot and cold sweats and the sight of eggnog sends a wave of nausea through my entire body.

It’s times like these that I make a trip to a place I love but usually avoid–Whole Foods. Not that there’s anything wrong with Whole Foods. I just try to shop at local farm stands and farmers markets instead of chain stores. But this time of year, my favorite places are shut down for the winter months.

Walking through the front doors of Whole Foods, I am overjoyed to see the amount of fresh, local, and organic produce they offer; I swear I can hear angels singing (or is that Taylor Swift?).  Kale, beets, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, carrots–I grab them all.

I am a little dumbfounded, almost starstruck, when I visit the beans and grains section. So many choices! Such pretty colors! I bag up some lentils in hopes of making a healthy soup to get me through the week.

The resulting soup was so rich and flavorful that I never missed the lack of meat or Snickerdoodles. Although I will admit one thing–this soup goes great with a bold red wine.

I’ve-Overindulged-One-Too-Many-Times Red Lentil Stew

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon garlic chili sauce (you can find it in most grocery stores)

1 large onion, chopped

4 carrots, peeled and diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes

2 teaspoons ground coriander

1 teaspoon tumeric

1 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 cups red lentils, picked through and rinsed

8 cups stock (any kind, I used turkey stock)

Juice of one lemon

Yummy red lentils cook up faster than other lentils

Yummy red lentils cook up faster than other lentils

Heat oil in dutch oven or soup pot over medium high heat. Add the chili garlic sauce, stirring constantly for a few seconds. Add onion, carrots and garlic. Cook until soft, about 6 minutes.

Add the spices, salt, pepper, and tomatoes. Stir. Add the broth and lentils. Bring to a boil. Turn heat to medium low and simmer for 30 minutes or until lentils are tender.

Add the lemon juice and give it a good stir. Top with chopped parsley or cilantro.

You must make this.

You must make this.

This soup is my new favorite, because it came together so easily, but tasted complex. It thickens quite a bit and could easily pass for a side dish with fish or chicken.

So what about you? What do you crave after an overindulgent weekend? Or better yet, what are your FAVORITE overindulgences this time of year?

Categories: Fall Recipes, Local Stores, Recipes, Winter Recipes | Tags: , , , , , , | 110 Comments

Another Reason to Eat Local

Posted on October 12, 2012 by rachelocal

While running some work errands today, I happily listened to Here and Now on National Public Radio. John Lippert, a reporter at Bloomberg Markets magazine, shared his report “Danger on Your Dinner Plate.” I don’t usually like to be a harbinger of gloom and doom, but after discovering how lax food safety regulations are in our country and in other food import countries, I had to share.

Photo credit: Jamie Chung/Bloomberg Markets

I learned that 48 million Americans get sick and 3,000 die from food borne illnesses each year, a number that’s continuing to rise. I was surprised by this number, but even more surprised that most of those deaths are preventable with more stringent food safety audits.  Here and Now’s website explains it like this:

In a scathing look into the state of food safety, Bloomberg Markets is out with an in-depth report that says for-profit companies have quietly taken over much of the Food and Drug Administration’s role in inspecting food.

Third party auditors, as they’re known, are often hired by the food growers themselves, they sometimes don’t visit the plants they inspect and when they do, they only examine what producers ask them to. They also don’t have to make their reports public.

The Bloomberg report tells story after story of people who have gotten sick or even died from eating food that was graded safe by these auditors, including the 7-year-old Ohio girl who died in 2009 after kissing her grandfather in the hospital.

That light kiss on the cheek was enough for her to pick up the bacteria from the ground beef that had sickened him. The beef came from a company, Valley Meats in Illinois, which that same year had received a 95.5 out 100 safety rating from a third-party auditor.

The report is eye-opening and recounts some unsanitary (and often disgusting) practices happening at farms supplying food to Wal-Mart and other big name chains. See for yourself at bloomberg.com, or listen to the interview from today’s show:

So what’s a girl to do with this information? I could complain about the government, or be proactive and lobby for more stringent food safety laws (not a bad idea).  But I think I’ll take matters into my own hands and eat from local sources. When I know my farmer, I know how my fruits and vegetables are cultivated and how my meat and poultry is raised and processed, giving me peace of mind.

Food safety: yet another reason to eat local.

{This post part of Fight Back Fridays on Food Renegade}

Categories: Documentaries | Tags: , , , , , , | 9 Comments

I’m a Food Renegade

Posted on July 13, 2012 by rachelocal

Having Breakfast with Steinbeck the other day got me thinking about all the questions I have regarding our food choices in this country. I don’t usually like to cause a ruckus, but nothing gets under my skin more than the way our food is produced, packaged, and promoted.

So I’m fighting back.  In my way. I’m fighting back by buying local and knowing how my food is grown or raised. Countless people I know have the same questions about genetically modified foods, factory farms, pesticides, chemicals, and all the other scary ways our food is industrialized these days. Many even ask me questions as if I’m an expert, or tell me they watched a documentary that changed the way they think about food. I’m always beyond ecstatic that this little blog might influence even one person to eat healthier or shop local.

Now there’s another way to fight back. Become a Food Renegade.  Acting on a tip from my sister-in-law (a.k.a. the cutest pregnant woman on the planet) I checked out Food Renegade on Facebook, followed by a long look at their website. It’s like they’re doing all the research for me. If you haven’t heard of them, check them out!

Fight Back!

For all the bloggers out there, they offer a blogging carnival called Fight Back Fridays. If you are fighting back like I am, join the revolution; it never tasted so good!

Categories: Documentaries, Random | Tags: , , , , , | 10 Comments

I’m a Mostly Vegetarian, Sometimes Vegan, Always Locavore (Sort of)

Posted on June 16, 2012 by rachelocal

I called my friend Allison the other morning to discuss our upcoming summer plans. We always veer off topic so here’s how part of our conversation went. . .

Me: “I’ve been watching a lot of documentaries lately. Documentaries like Forks over Knives.”

A: “I can’t bring myself to watch it.”

Me: “Well, don’t, because it will change your mind about the food you eat.”

A: “I won’t watch it then.”

Me: “I’m thinking that what I’m really getting at with this locavore stuff is I really want to be [insert deep breath and short pause here]…a vegetarian.”

A: . . .

Me: . . .

A: . . .

Me: “I know, Al.”

A: “Rachel Nora, that is horrifying.”

Me: . . .

Of course I went on from there to explain my position…and then admit my obsession with grass-fed, locally raised beef…only to realize I could never give up dairy.

Allison’s reaction to my vegetarian confession parallels most everyone’s feelings about my locavore diet. Shop owners say, “ONLY local? That seems impossible.” Restaraurant owners sputter, “WHAT do you eat? And WHY?” This locavore concept is a foreign one to many in my part of the world.

So far through my local experiment, I’ve concluded that any eating habit change requires a lifestyle overhaul. Not only have my eating habits changed, but I now shop at new places, spend more time planning and preparing my food, avoid chain restaurants, eat more vegetables, and generally think about food from a completely different perspective. All the thinking about food and where it comes from and what it does to my body has raised the vegetarian question for me. But I’m still mulling that one over.

When all is said and done, I’ll probably bring a vegetable loaf to a party, like this guy. . .

Who else has considered becoming a vegetarian and stuck with it?

Anyone out there share Ron Swanson’s sentiments? (“So not only does this thing exist, but you have also deprived everyone of cake.”) I heart Ron Swanson.

 

{This post part of Fight Back Fridays on Food Renegade}

Categories: Documentaries, Random | Tags: , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Local Cheese and Personality at Fromage

Posted on June 6, 2012 by rachelocal

Walking into Fromage, a Cheese Boutique in Middletown is like reuniting with an old high school friend. Time has passed, but your affinity for each other hasn’t. Mainly because Christopher Pride, the proprietor, knows his way around some banter. The husband and I walked into the store while Chris chatted with a friendly couple buying cheese, bread, and meats for a dinner party. Oh, the banter I was privy to!  While listening and giggling on occasion, I looked around the shop.

Local items abound at Fromage! Chris offers a variety of local breads from Magnolia Bread Company in Sudlersville, MD. Magnolia grows the wheat and bakes the bread! Even the herbs and produce are directly from the farmer’s garden.  I chose a multi-grain baguette and a Peppadew Cheddar loaf to enjoy for dinner later.

Fromage’s bread window display

Lovely baguettes

Next to the bread is a display of balsamic vinegars and oils from A Taste of Olive based in West Chester, PA. The basil olive oil caught my attention right away. I tasted it (thanks to the tiny cups on hand for just that purpose) and fell in love, swooning when I imagined a perfectly ripe summer tomato doused with the golden green basil goodness.

Gold in liquid form

Making my way around the store I noticed truffles and chocolates from The Squirrel’s Nest, already a local favorite, and honey from Gage Family Beekeeping right in Middletown. Craig and Adrienne Gage attend the hives and jar the honey with the help of their children, Claire, Clayton, Kyle, and Ryan–a sweet, small business with an equally sweet product. Honey is such a good accompaniment to many cheeses (manchego + honey = yes please).

Gage Family Honey, maybe this is gold in liquid form too!

By the time I stepped up to the counter to look at the cheese case, I already liked Christopher because of his support of local food producers. But then we started talking, and I REALLY liked him.  While we bantered back and forth, I learned Chris is a retired Verizon field technician wanting to bring a little European culture to Middletown. Chris grew up in Philadelphia but his roots go much deeper than his Philly childhood. His family tree begins in Italy, complete with a vineyard still owned by the family. When traveling to his homeland, one of the hundred things Chris loves about Italy is the little neighborhood cafes. Combine those cafes with the markets he grew up frequenting in Philly and the concept for Fromage was born. Excellent, unique and tasty products served in a friendly, neighborhood atmosphere.

Christopher Pride in his fine domain

Our conversation veered to Chris’ passion, which is, you guessed it, cheese!  He joked that the cheese-stealing mouse on his menu sign is his own likeness at age 6.  “That’s how much I love cheese,” he said.

Christopher Pride, age 6

I asked Chris about his local cheeses. He carries a variety of Eve’s Cheese from Chestertown, MD. I tried the Italian Colby–tangy, yet smooth, blended with Italian herbs. When all was said and done I tasted about four cheeses, offered up to me with a side of banter from Chris. Each cheese was delectable, including a variety spiced up with Old Bay seasoning, a smokey and spicy gouda, and a Balsamic BellaVitano. A fellow customer raved about the Merlot BellaVitano.

Heaven in a refrigerated case

I settled on two cheeses–the local Italian Colby and the Balsamic BellaVitano. Even though the Balsamic isn’t local (in all fairness to me, this outing was before my all local diet began on June 4), I can never resist a nutty, fruity, and savory-sweet cheese. Before I left, Chris offered me some espresso, perfectly sweetened with sugar (one lump for me, two for him). While he made me the exceptionally good (and Italian) espresso, I didn’t have to coerce him too much to pose for a few photos.  (Would you like some ham with your cheese?)

Clowning around

The thoughtful cheese boutique proprietor, philosopher, and funny guy

The husband and I walked out of Fromage weighted down with bread, cheese, olive oil, and an extra gift from Chris–a sandwich of sorts with manchego cheese, multi-grain bread, balsamic vinegar, and local honey. I couldn’t wait to get home to enjoy my bounty with a glass of red wine.

Booty from Fromage

Mostly local cheese plus local bread, strawberries and tomatoes. What else could I possibly need?  Oh yeah, wine. See next photo.

A splendid evening on the deck with a little help from Fromage

Next time you’re in Middetown you must visit Fromage, a Cheese Boutique. Sit outside with a fruity glass of house-brewed peach iced tea, eat a panini with the cheese of your choice, or pretend you’re in Italy while sipping espresso with the perfect amount of crema.

While you’re there, you’ll learn something about cheese from Chris, who wants you to be a cheese aficianado too. I think Fromage needs a slogan – “Go for the cheese, stay for Christopher Pride.”

Fromage, a Cheese Boutique 10 West Main Street, Middletown, DE 19709 (302) 378-7297. Open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm (10 am to 7 pm on Fridays)

Categories: Local Farms, Local Stores | Tags: , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Two Lists for Local Eating

Posted on June 4, 2012 by rachelocal

Today’s the day; I am a locavore. As of right now, I will only eat locally sourced foods. I’m not gonna lie, I kind of feel like I’m going on a diet. I am, after all, purposely restricting my food choices. In an effort to allow my new locavore status to inspire me rather than scare me (I love Italian cheeses so much!), I decided to make two lists. The first list states the reasons I’m embarking on this All Local Experiment (I needed reminding). The second list is my personal guidebook for local eating, complete with any non-local, “luxury” items I can’t live without (like coffee). Let’s begin. . .

Rachel’s Reasons to be a Locavore

1. Taste – Foods grown or raised near your home are fresher. Ergo, they taste better. For example, pick a red, ripe strawberry and pop it in your mouth. Now, compare that strawberry with your average grocery store variety. Enough said.

2. Local Economy – When I buy from a local grower, I am supporting my local economy. I’m happy to support my CSA farmer Toby over at Bayberry Farm, because he’s trying to accomplish something admirable–provide fresh, quality food grown in a sustainable and natural manner as a responsible steward of the land. Go Toby!

I met Toby, my farmer, on Sunday. He is passionate about what he does, and I’m happy to support his efforts and also reap the benefits of his sustainable work on Bayberry Farm.

3. Environment – If my food is not packed in California and shipped to my local grocery store, I’m shrinking my carbon footprint. The average food item travels 1500 miles to reach me; so much unnecessary fuel and energy! Not to mention the chemicals a vegetable is treated with in order to sustain the journey, which leads me to my third reason. . .

4. Health – If I know how my food is produced or grown, I am confident it will not harm me (and will be packed with nutrition). I want to eat the healthiest food I can find, so why would I buy a tomato from an unknown, faceless grower in Florida when I can get a better one down the street from John?

Ah, I’m feeling better about this already!  Those three reasons are just the tip of the iceberg for me (I could go on and on about GMOs). I’m getting excited, so let’s talk about my guidelines for this local experiment. . .

Rachel’s Local Experiment Guidelines

1. Eat Local – Everything I eat will be locally sourced within a 100-mile radius of my front door AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE (from farmer’s markets, produce stands, regular markets like Harvest, and maybe the grocery store). I have yet to discover a coffee farm in Delaware, so as follows is my list of  necessary non-local items:

  • Coffee – I can buy from local coffee roasters, but alas, coffee does not grow in my backyard, and I cannot live without coffee. I simply cannot.
  • Lemons – This seems like a silly cheat, but I am addicted to fresh lemon water. I keep some in a pretty pitcher in the fridge and I swear it’s the only way I stay hydrated.
  • Cooking basics – Items I use a lot like salt, pepper, some spices, soy sauce and olive oil won’t be local. I did buy olive oil from California though, which is closer than my usual brand.

2. Support Local Restaurants – I like to eat out on occasion, so if I do, I will frequent my favorite restaurants trying to use local ingredients, like LBR 614, Home Grown Cafe, The House of William and Merry, Twelves Grill, and the many more I plan to discover this year!

3. Be Polite – If I am asked over a friend’s house for say, a barbecue, I will not be a food snob. Questions like, “Do you know if the potatoes in this potato salad were grown in the tri-state area? Also, did you make the mayonnaise in the potato salad with local, free-range, pastured chicken eggs?” or “This vintage 1964 Petrus wine is okay, but do you have any local wine?” are unacceptable and a little snotty. Also, if I’m invited out to dinner at a restaurant, I will try my best to suggest one of my local favorites, but if a friend is hell-bent on eating sushi, I will not burst any bubbles (and I love sushi!).

So how long will this local experiment last? I would like to say indefinitely, but for now, I’m coinciding it with my CSA share. From now until mid-October, I will eat only local foods. That will give me a chance to see how it goes as the seasons change. I’m excited to get started and I’ve already received encouragement from many people, including my friend Natalie, who just sent me this text message: “I am proud of you for doing this local initiative…you can do it!”  Thanks, Natalie!

And now (insert drum roll or dramatic music here) the local experiment begins. . .

Categories: Delaware Farms, Farmer's Markets | Tags: , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Twelves Grill and What I Did With the Leftovers

Posted on May 31, 2012 by rachelocal

There’s no better way to spend an afternoon than gallivanting around the countryside with a friend. That’s just what I did Tuesday with my friend, Natalie. We took to the road to find something good and local, and ended up in West Grove, Pennsylvania at Twelves Grill and Cafe.

Twelves is an elegant restaurant housed in a renovated 1883-built bank. You can even reserve space for your own wine in the walk-in brass vault to enjoy when you inevitably make your way back to the restaurant again and again (since West Grove is a dry town, Twelves is Bring Your Own Bottle) . How convenient!

Twelves Grill and Cafe with a storm brewing overhead

The owners, Tim Smith (also the Executive Chef) and Kristin Smith (General Manager), are proud of their local community and it shows. The restaurant space was renovated using local contractors, craftsmen, and designers, but best of all, Tim and Kristin source their menu items locally as much as possible. Tim shops farmer’s markets regularly and much of their beef and meat is Pennsylvania-raised.

When Natalie and I arrived, the staff greeted us warmly. This reception perfectly matched the ambiance of the restaurant. Decorated in tones of warm gold, brown, and a touch of coral, the tables sparkled and glowed in the waning evening light.

A table already set for a birthday celebration

Happily seated and reading the menu, Natalie and I wished we were ravenous. Everything looked good–from the cheese plate with local Swarmbustin’ honey to the filet mignon medallions. We settled on a bowl of the Cream of Local Mushroom Soup. I followed my bowl of soup with the Local Farm Salad, while Natalie enjoyed the Baby Spinach Salad. The entrees passing our table on the way to a lucky diner looked comforting and oh-so-delicious. The menu boasts many “From the Grill” items, like Pocono Spring Trout, organic salmon, and a grass-fed burger with bacon from Green Meadow Farm in Gap, PA.

Natalie and I enjoyed everything about our experience at Twelves, including an unexpected surprise: Our server, Felicia, was attentive, friendly and especially delightful since Natalie and Felicia knew each other from their middle school cheerleading days.

Cream of Local Mushroom Soup with Crab and Truffle Oil

Baby Spinach Salad with green apples, dried cranberries, buttermilk bleu cheese, tossed in shallot Dijon dressing

Local Farm Salad – Grilled asparagus, arugula frise, hard-boiled farm egg, toasted chevre, and warm bacon vinaigrette

Toasted Chevre always deserves a close up

Whether you want a latte in the morning, soup and salad at lunch, or a full-course dinner followed by dessert, Twelves Grill offers it all while respecting the local community and preparing local ingredients honestly.

One of the best parts of eating at Twelves was the bag I carried home containing the rest of that silky Cream of Local Mushroom Soup. The soup was so filling and decadent, we opted for leftovers. The next night I whipped up what I’m calling Twelves Leftovers Pasta with Mushrooms, Sun-dried Tomatoes, and Spinach. Here’s how:

Scanning the fridge I pulled out local spring onions, garlic, mushrooms from Kennett, and spinach fresh from my garden.

Local mushrooms

First, I put a pot of water on to boil while I sliced the spring onion and the mushrooms. The spring onion went into a pre-heated pan with a couple tablespoons of olive oil.

Beautiful spring onions

The onions sautéed for a bit while I finished chopping the mushrooms and the garlic. Into the pan went the garlic, followed by the mushrooms.

Mushrooms getting even more delicious

These ingredients mingled for a while before I tossed a couple pinches of kosher salt into the pan. Finally time for the secret ingredient–leftover Twelves’ Cream of Local Mushroom Soup. Because of the richness of this soup, it’s the perfect base for a pasta sauce. You could also use cream or half and half here (and I would add a handful of Pecorino Romano, too) if you’re not lucky enough to have any leftover soup on hand.

Creamy sauce

Wanting to build another layer of flavor into the sauce, I added a couple tablespoons of the sun-dried tomato paste waiting in the fridge for just such an occasion. And if I was going to add the paste, why not actual sun-dried tomatoes?

Sun-dried tomato paste. It comes in a tube, from Italy (sadly, Italy is not local)

Sweet and sassy sun-dried tomatoes make everything 80% more delicious

By this time, the pasta was al dente. I drained the pasta and reserved a bit of the water, just in case my sauce needed bolstering. The pasta went right into the pan. So did the spinach. I tossed all of this together and added a spoonful of the pasta water for good measure.

Local ingredients on their way to greatness

The pasta was the perfect marriage of local and Italian ingredients, especially topped with Pecorino Romano. I ate these leftovers as leftovers for lunch the next day. I can’t wait to go back to Twelves Grill to try the Prix Fixe Menu–pick three courses for $25 (served Tuesday through Thursday). I wonder what I’ll make with THOSE leftovers. . .

Twelves Leftovers Pasta with Mushrooms, Sun-dried Tomatoes, and Spinach

Twelves Grill and Cafe

10 Exchange Place

West Grove, PA 19390

610.869.4020

Categories: Recipes, Restaurant, Winter Recipes | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Local Treats + Cows = Somerset Farm

Posted on May 28, 2012 by rachelocal

“Who wants a treat?”

When my dad uttered these words, my eight-year-old self would fly into a  flurry of excitement. A treat meant ice cream. And ice cream meant Peaceful Meadows, a dairy farm in Massachusetts (my homeland). Not only does Peaceful Meadows have amazing ice cream treats, but it also has cows. Lots of them to watch whilst enjoying your Coconut Chocolate Almond Hot Fudge Sundae with extra (and homemade) whipped cream.  Nothing better in the world even now that I’m all grown up.

So imagine my pure joy when pulling into Somerset Farm, an ice cream place right up the street from my house. The family-owned business serves local Woodside Farm Creamery ice cream in a very Peaceful Meadows-esque setting. Cows included.

Somerset Farm on opening weekend

Surveying the flavor board, I discovered Somerset Farm offers more than enough flavors for every family member. After a taste test, I ordered the Chocolate Thunder, which rivals brownie batter. The husband enjoyed his Chocolate Peanut Butter on a sugar cone, while my brother tried the Motor Oil (coffee ice cream with caramel and chocolate swirls). My sister-in-law dared to be different with two flavors on one cone–Chocolate Thunder with a Cookies and Cream topper. We were satisfied with our choices and the price–only $7.50 for all that creamy goodness.

So many flavors! Next time, I’m mixing it up with Cherry Vanilla and Chocolate Thunder

This is Kaila, my sister-in-law, and perhaps the cutest pregnant woman I’ve ever seen

Don’t come between a pregnant lady and her ice cream

After sitting a while enjoying our treats, we stood near the fence to watch the cows grazing in the field next door. When I have an ice cream cone in my hand, I can concentrate on little else, so cow watching is the perfect accompaniment to ice cream eating. It requires no concentration whatsoever, except for maybe the occasional staring contest with a friendly cow.

Cows grazing

We decided this cow was on his way to a rave. Why else would he be wearing such a brightly colored nose ring?

This cow stared me down

My husband seemed overly eager to take a picture of me with the cows. I soon discovered the only reason he snapped my photo was because of the Chocolate Thunder all over my face.

Chocolate Thunder lipstick, strangely reminiscent of a shade called Browned Down Red I wore in  college (I love the 90s)

Families milled about as they ate their cones, checking out the cows or finding a spot underneath the magnificent tree on the property. I felt like I was on a Southern plantation when sitting under that tree. All I needed was a hoop skirt, corset, glass of lemonade, and a genteel Southern accent.

Cow petting

This tree is beautiful, the perfect place to enjoy a treat

Exactly where I’ll be sitting next time I visit Somerset Farm

Grabbing a cone at Somerset Farm is a relaxing way to spend a summer evening. Now I know exactly where I’ll go when someone says, “Who wants a treat?”

Somerset Farm
Corner of Denny and Frazer Roads, Newark, DE 19702
Open Thursday to Sunday, 4 pm to 9 pm
302.893.6494


Categories: Delaware Farms, Local Stores | Tags: , , , , , | 14 Comments

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