Information and resources for eating only food locally produced in Whatcom County
Category : Breakfast, Main Dishes, Recipes, September
Here’s a beef sausage recipe I created as a substitute for chorizo in a recipe for Caldo Verde from the Winter Harvest Cookbook (see my review of the book). While this does not make chorizo, the spicy flavor makes a good alternative. It’s really quick and easy to make from locally grown grassfed beef. Continue Reading
This recipe is reprinted from Winter Harvest Cookbook by permission of the author, Lane Morgan (p. 68). (Read my review of the book.) I chose a robust soup for our chillier fall evenings.
Category : August, Recipes, Side Dishes
Local hazelnuts, known to some as filberts, are a wonderful counterpoint to a lot of fruit and vegetable flavors. They also can add a crunchy texture to soft foods, and ground hazelnuts make a nice finishing touch as a topping for meat sauces, desserts, and casseroles.
This recipe uses hazelnuts to add some complexity to both taste and texture in a simple side dish. It’s a good example of how you can use just a few simple locally grown ingredients to create a memorable finished dish. Continue Reading
My daughter Joan created this delectable recipe, inspired by ingredients harvested from our home garden. Our garden is small, but we grow an amazing amount of food in it.
A caramelized onion topping is what really sets this recipe apart in terms of flavor. The sweetness of the caramelization and the slight bite of the garlic make a perfect taste combination with the creaminess of the Col White potato texture. Continue Reading
Category : About Food Sources, Events, Farm Stands, On the Farm, U-Pick Farms
| September 8, 2012 | ||
| 10:00 am | to | 5:00 pm |
| 10:00 am | to | 5:00 pm |
Next Saturday, September 8, is one of my favorite events every year–the annual Whatcom Farm Tour! It’s a free self-guided tour of farms around the County who open their gates to visitors from 10am to 5pm. A lot of the farms offer special events, rides for the family, tastings, and more during the day. Continue Reading
Pesky weed? Edible landscaping plant? Medicinal herb? Gourmet greens? Purslane is all of the above.Purslane (Portulaca olearacea–also called “pigweed”) is a determined and adaptive plant. According to a Whatcom County Noxious Weed Control Board* handout, a single plant can produce 240,000 seeds which can remain viable in the soil for up to 40 years. A small part of the plant can sprout into a whole new plant. If you pull it up, the plant can still go on to produce seeds, and if it’s anywhere near dirt it will root and grow again. It’s even a succulent (meaning it stores water), so can withstand a certain amount of drought conditions. (That means it’s also not an herb or vegetable.) Purslane takes hardiness to a whole new level. Continue ReadingCategory : Breads, Breakfast, Recipes, Vegetarian
Warm biscuits fresh out of the oven and dripping with melting butter–what a luxurious way to start a Sunday brunch!
Biscuits are quick and easy to make if you get the ingredients in the right proportions. Stir everything together, drop on a baking sheet, and bake for less than 15 minutes. It’s a perfect last minute option. Continue Reading
Is there anything like the taste of the first deep red strawberries of the year? Sweet-tart and juicy, local strawberries ripened on the plant before picking are a perfect example of the advantages of eating local foods. Berries shipped in from California and elsewhere and ripened in a box are just not the same quality.
Deep red color and fruity fragrance add to the sensory pleasures of this early local berry. This recipe takes advantage of all your favorite features of strawberries to celebrate their peak season. Continue Reading
Category : Whatcom Locavore Basics
When you first begin transitioning toward eating as a locavore (a person who eats only locally grown food as much as possible), you may experience sticker shock. Local food, especially organic, can be more expensive than its imported grocery store counterparts. There are ways, though, to stay within a food budget and still eat mostly local. Here are some ideas I’ve found helpful. Continue Reading
Category : May, Recipes, Side Dishes, Vegetarian
Recently I interviewed Krista Rome, who started the Backyard Beans and Grains Project on some farmland near Everson (see an article about that interview).
I purchased some cranberry beans from Krista to experiment with in my kitchen, and I asked her if she had any cooking tips to offer. When it comes to cooking with beans, Krista recommends keeping it simple. “Also,” she says, “don’t add salt or anything acid until the very end. It stops them from softening.” Continue Reading
Yorkshire Pudding is a classic dish in Great Britain. By tradition, it is made to accompany the Sunday roast beef dinner in England, and is part of their national cuisine. It’s often served with gravy at the beginning of the meal. Continue Reading
Category : Breads, Breakfast, May, Recipes, Vegetarian
Cooking is an essential part of eating as a locavore (a person who eats only locally grown foods as much as possible). Fortunately, flavorful local ingredients only require simple cooking methods. Continue Reading
Category : Bellingham, Farmers' Markets, Retail Stores, Where to Buy Local Food
Bellingham Dealsaver (sponsored by the Bellingham Herald) recently offered coupons for Veg Express, a food truck which operates at 700 Ohio St. just off I-5 in Bellingham. Though it’s been in operation for about two years, I hadn’t heard of it before. Continue Reading
