Blog
Tea Time For Local Farmer
“If it’s hard to grow, I want to grow it,” says local farmer Sandra Newman of Forbidden Fruit Orchards in Lompoc. Her tea plants are no exception. Working with UC Cooperative Extension farm agent Mark Gaskell, Sandy is helping the UC Small Farm Program evaluate green tea as a small-farm crop for our area.
July 19. 2017 | | 0 comments
Food, Garden, Local Challenge, Other
Savoring Wildlands
What does it mean to live closely to the earth, or to have a relationship with the food we eat? Most of us don’t live off the land, but we still want to feel close to it, and we find ways through different roles: rock climber, hiker, gardener, fisherman.
July 12. 2017 | | 0 comments
Interwoven: Santa Maria’s Culture and Cuisine
As a child I imagined a red thread that wound around me and each person that I cared for. It looped around acquaintances. It zigged from friend to neighbor and knotted firmly around family members.
January 30. 2017 | | 0 comments
Fall Minestrone and Ribollita
Here is a fall version of our favorite Italian vegetable soup. Of course, you can make substitutions based on what you find at the market. Try onions instead of shallots, parsnips instead of carrots, chard instead of collards or potatoes instead of butternut squash.
November 30. 2016 | | 0 comments
Food, Local Challenge, Recipes, Recipes, Side Dishes
Thanksgiving Sweet Potatoes
Makes 8–10 servings 4 pounds sweet potatoes 1⁄4 cup milk, half and half or heavy cream 1–2 tablespoons butter 1⁄4 cup maple syrup Freshly grated nutmeg (optional) Salt and pepper Topping: your choice of homemade marshmallows, crumbled candied bacon or candied apples Preheat oven to 400°. Prick the sweet potatoes with a fork, place on
October 01. 2016 | | 0 comments
Food, Local Challenge, Recipes, Desserts, Recipes
Homemade Marshmallows
When did marshmallows stop containing marshmallow? Here’s a recipe that uses healthier ingredients than you’ll find in most packaged marshmallows and—most importantly—puts the marshmallow back in. You can find marshmallow root online. These make a great topping for the Thanksgiving Sweet Potatoes. 1 tablespoon marshmallow root 11⁄4 cup water, room temperature Coconut oil for greasing
October 01. 2016 | | 0 comments
