Author: Debbie

Jodi Coffee: Garden of Adventure {Foodie Friday}

There is nothing I enjoy more than fresh garden food. Farm to table. That is my forever trend. I have had or been around a garden my entire life. Around six years ago, I transitioned from traditional rows to a square foot garden. Growing more in less space was the perfect solution for a backyard gardener on-the-go like myself.

square foot garden double JPG

Gardening is something that is often passed from generation to generation. My grandfather inspired my dad’s love for gardening, and my dad inspired mine. I remember being very pregnant with my youngest when making the finishing touches to my square foot garden. My dad was right there with me. This year I was able to finally convince him to install a square foot garden is his own backyard. History repeats itself!

 

jodi and dadJPG

Square foot gardening tips from @thecoffeehousel for #ARWB #FoodieFriday.

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There are several reasons why a square foot garden works for me:

  • You can grow a lot in a small space.
  • It’s aesthetically pleasing. This is really nice for type A folks.
  • Few weeds means less maintenance. Mama ain’t got time for that.

Reasons why I love small space gardening:

  • It’s therapeutic.
  • It gives you a chance to experiment.
  • You have food in your backyard. This is the coolest. Watching something go from a seed to something edible on your plate never ceases to amaze me. Kiddos love it, too, and they tend to try things they normally would not.

Keep in my mind there are ups and downs in the adventure of growing food. Mother Nature is a beast. Some years you may have cucumbers growing out of your ears and peppers for Peter Piper to pick. Other times you may only have enough tomatoes to have one fabulous BLT and the rest are little runts that make salsa a time or two.

For me, it’s the adventure of the game. I learn something new every season.

I dive into unknown territory head first. I don’t follow the rules. I don’t grow what I know, but many times experiment and grow what I know nothing about. I enjoy growing different varieties: cucumbers of all shapes and sizes, heirloom tomatoes, peppers from mild to hot, and umpteen different greens to fill my salad bowl. I have three little helpers that I hope to inspire to have a garden one day. And maybe they’ll enjoy their veggies along the way as well.

Thankfully, I don’t have to rely on my backyard garden to feed my family. I am fortunate to be able to trust my true indulgence of locally grown goodies to the farmers of my local market. I am truly grateful of their knowledge, work ethic, and willingness to dig in the dirt and grow food in abundance.

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This year has been somewhat different. My focus is in many different directions and my garden has taken a back seat. It’s frustrating to me in some regard, but I’ve tried to stay positive and be grateful for all my garden offers.

The one and only pepper I harvested from a plant the entire season, but boy was it huge.

The massive amount of over-wintered swiss chard.

The tiny harvest of tomatoes.

Growing something for the very first time.

Saving seed.

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chardJPG

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Thankfully, the hubs and I love swiss chard. It’s super easy to grow, super easy to prepare, and super easy to cook. And to top it off, it’s super tasty. Oh, and how can I forget? It’s super healthy! Make sure to harvest the chard in the morning or evening when it’s not so hot. Strip the leaves from the stem and wash the greens several times. Be sure and check for little critters that like to hide in the folds and crevices.

Jodi

 

Jodi Coffee, who blogs at The Coffee House Life, is the mom of three beautiful and energetic little girls that ALWAYS give her something to blog about. She loves to try new things — food, travel and adventure. In her spare time…wait a minute. What is that? She enjoys training for triathlons, and is currently chasing a lifetime dream of crossing the finish line of her first IRONMAN. She is a backyard farmer, a farmers’ market manager and enjoys helping bring healthy opportunities to her community.

Alicia Dowell: Summer Squash Hash {Foodie Friday}

Celebrating the Bounty of Arkansas

The rising temperatures mean lots of fresh veggies straight from the garden.  If you can’t grow your own food or just don’t have time to add to your busy schedule, make your way to your local farmer’s market. I have made friends with a couple of local farmers since I lost all my plants to a huge storm. This means I have some great treats leaving with me from my local market on Tuesday and Saturday. The hues of yellow, white, green and red make me eager to make supper. 

In past years it has been hard to get my daughter to eat those delicious vegetables. I tried everything including frying some but no luck until this year.  I finally got her to believe squash and zucchini hash is the best thing. It was a simple idea which came to me. After a long day at work, I was tired and didn’t feel like spending a huge part of my evening cooking. Also with it being so hot already, I wanted something which could be left alone and not require me to stand over the stove. I had some squash and zucchini so I thought I would give it a try in some some hash – maybe even sneak in  one or two more items my daughter normally wouldn’t eat.

This hash is really easy and simple to make. If you have a child old enough to help, this is a great way to get them started in the kitchen.  Allow your child to help by washing the vegetables, peeling the onion (if they don’t mind onion) or cutting the vegetables. My daughter has expressed an interest of wanting to cook more and this has been a great opportunity for her to learn.

alicia dowell headshot

Simple Words by A

Born and raised in Arkansas, Alicia Dowell loves her home state. She grew up on her family farm in Southwest Arkansas. She was taught a deep love of caring for animals, growing a garden, and the slower way of life. Alicia married her college sweetheart and welcomed her daughter a year later. She can still be found in Southwest Arkansas on their one acre farm or on Instagram which fuels her photography habit

 

Capi Peck’s Summer Panzanella Salad {Foodie Friday}

Featuring Chef Capi Peck, sharing the bounty of Arkansas with #ArkansasGrown produce.

Capi Picture 1

This is one of my favorite things to make and eat in the heat of the summer when our Arkansas tomatoes are coming on strong.

 

Capi Peck's Summer Panzanella Salad
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For the bread
  1. 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  2. 6 cups 1-inch bread cubes, cut from French baguettes
  3. 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
For the vinaigrette
  1. 1 teaspoon minced garlic cloves
  2. 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  3. 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  4. 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  5. Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Remaining ingredients for the salad
  1. 2 large Arkansas heirloom tomatoes, cut 1-inch cubes
  2. 1 large cucumber, seeded, large dice
  3. 1 each red and yellow bell pepper, cut 1-inch pieces
  4. 1 Vidalia or other sweet onion, thinly sliced
  5. 25 large fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped or torn
  6. 3 tablespoons capers, drained
Instructions
  1. Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in large pan or stockpot over medium heat. Add the bread cubes and salt. Stir well to coat the bread. Cook, stirring often, until slightly browned, adding a little more oil if necessary. Set aside.
  2. For the vinaigrette, whisk garlic cloves, mustard, vinegar and olive oil together. Taste and add salt as needed. Set aside.
  3. Prep the remaining ingredients and place in a large mixing bowl. Add toasted bread cubes and vinaigrette. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes so that the flavors can marry.
  4. Optional ingredients: crumbled feta or blue cheese, Kalamata olives, diced avocado
Arkansas Women Bloggers https://arkansaswomenbloggers.com/

 

Sharing the bounty of #ArkansasGrown products @TriosLR @CapiPeck #ARWB #panzanella

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About Capi

Capi Peck is a Little Rock native who calls herself a “self-taught good cook”.  Her love of great food and cooking grew from her childhood experiences at her family’s establishment, the Sam Peck Hotel.  Capi’s grandparents ran the well-known downtown spot that brought a cosmopolitan flair and grand cuisine to Little Rock in the 1950’s and 1960’s.  As a tribute to her culinary roots, Capi serves a few of Sam Peck’s creations at Trio’s, the restaurant she has co-owned with her partner, Brent Peterson for nearly 30 years.

Capi is committed to featuring locally grown produce whenever possible. She supports more than eight Arkansas farming families by offering their produce on her ever-changing menu.

 

Strawberries from Caddo Crest Orchard in Guy

Strawberries from Caddo Crest Orchard in Guy

Capi serves as Chair of Little Rock’s Advertising and Promotion Commission and is immediate past president of the Arkansas Restaurant Association.

She is very committed to the No Kid Hungry Program, part of Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, where she serves as a volunteer chef in the Cooking Matters classes.

Capi is proudest of her extended family at both Trio’s.  More than 10 of her staff have worked with her for over 18 years and 4 have been part of the Trio’s family for 23 or more years.

About Trio’s (Courtesy of Trio’s Restaurant)

“Trio’s Restaurant, which began in 1986 as a gourmet shop with “good food to go” along with cookbooks, coffee, gadgets, and a well-stocked deli, has evolved into one of the finest dining and catering establishments in the state. Capi Peck and Brent Peterson have nurtured Trio’s from its inception. It is their “baby,” and it has grown into an award-winning restaurant known for innovation and consistency.

trios_outside
Trio’s patio

 

So many of Trio’s loyal customers began their culinary adventures more than 20 years ago as toddlers at the Trio’s table. And, for many displaced Arkansans, a visit home wouldn’t be complete without a meal at Trio’s with family and friends. Most important are the employees who were here almost from the beginning including Partner Stephanie Caruthers, who started at Trio’s as a baker in 1987, and directs the Catering Department. Apollos Merriweather, who many of you know from his catering work for Trio’s, has been part of the Trio’s team since 1988. Our catering would not be what it is today without Apollos! Eric Wilson began as a dishwasher in 1986! He runs the day kitchen line and is famous for his grilled chicken enchiladas. And, a few of the familiar faces of our floor staff have been with Trio’s for 10+ years: Richard LeSourd, Michelle Lee, and Wayne Pyland. Chef Shanna Merriweather, our Executive Chef, began as an apprentice while in culinary school. She’s a calm leader in the kitchen, and her culinary creativity shines throughout our menu.

The “Trio’s Family” extends far and wide, and Capi and Brent have successfully fostered the fundamental ideal of “hearth and home” in the staff at Trio’s. We all believe that ideal is the key to our success. And, of course, there’s the food!”

Note: Tri0’s was recently named the best Farm-to-Table Restaurant in Arkansas by Travel and Leisure Magazine.

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Jeanetta Darley: Rolling with Jams and Jellies {Foodie Friday}

Celebrating the Summer Bounty

The summer heat is bearing down on us.  I know I’m sweating through every inch I have on when I’m out in the garden.  But it also means that our gardens are bursting!  And not only are our home gardens but there tons of local farms over flowing with the berries and fruits.  U pick farms are a great way to support your local agriculture system and they help educate our kids on where their food comes from and the hard work that’s involved in producing it.

Ripening blackberries

“But what do I do with a bushel of peaches or 5 gallons of blackberries?”

I hear this all the time.  Truthfully, I say this to myself often.  And one of my favorite solutions is to make jams and jellies.  When I suggest this to one not initiated in the art of canning, I can see a wave of fear cross their face.  

Blueberry on the bush

“That’s one of them old timey arts that MeeMaw use to witchcraft up yummy stuff with.”

Now I would never weigh in on whether your grandma was capable of using a broomstick for more than just sweeping floors but it’s not that scary.  It’s a delicious form of magic we can all achieve.

Bowl full of raspberries

To me the hardest part about making jam and jelly is just getting all your supplies out and making sure they are clean.  And, of course, making sure the kitchen is clean and clear because you do need a good area in which to work.  If you can wash dishes and follow a recipe, you can make jelly!

Let’s just go over some of the basics.  A jam is a fruit spread that utilizes the juice and meat of the fruit.  It’s thicker than a jelly.  A jelly is made from the juice of the fruit obtained from either bought juice or boiling the skins of the fruit and pouring it through a strainer.  Jelly is clearer than jam.  Both are delicious.

  • Basic Supplies
    Waterbath canner with a canning rack
    Funnel (optional)
    Jar grabber (optional)
    Glass preserving jars with bands and lids
    A few basic kitchen items
    Large heavy sauce pan
    Measuring cups and spoons
    Kitchen knives
    Cutting board
    Large spoon & ladle
    Dish towels & oven mitts
  • Basic Ingredients
    Fruit and or juice
    Sugar
    Pectin (powdered or liquid)
    Lemon juice

Jams and jellies set, or solidify, because of the perfect ratio between the fruit, sugars, and pectin.  When you are starting out, follow a tried and true recipe out of your box of pectin.  Once you get your “jamming jelly” feet under you, start to experiment with new flavors and combinations.  If you can boil water, set a timer, and don’t mind standing at the stove to stir you can make your own jams and jellies before you know it.  So give it a try!

And what’s the worst that can happen?  So it doesn’t set.  Well believe me you’ll have some darn good syrup to put on ice cream, waffles, or pancakes.  Or cheesecake.  YUM!

Jeanetta Darley sidebar photo

 

Jeanetta is an artist, blogger, and sometimes homesteader.  She’s addicted to coffee, her garden, and chickens. You can see her art and read more stories at JeanettaDarley.com.  Or follow her on social media @jeanettadarley.

 

Talya Boerner: Cooking From the Farmers Market {Foodie Friday}

Celebrating the Flavors of Arkansas: Riceland Rice and the Farmers Market

Hundreds of farmers markets and roadside vendors are registered with Arkansas Grown, so odds are great, you’re able to enjoy locally grown produce no matter what part of the state you call home. Cooking and eating locally grown food is beneficial to our environmental and your health. Before I share one of my favorite recipes using local veggies, let’s talk about the benefits of buying locally. It’s important, y’all!

  • Did you know that for every dollar you spend locally, three dollars is pumped into your local community? This impact is called the Multiplier Effect.

Farmers Market Risotto

  • Buying local creates more local jobs. Not only do small business owners hire employees, these are the companies buying local advertising, printing, hiring attorneys, etc. In other words, buying local is a long-term investment in community.

shopping at farmers market

  • Buying fresh veggies from the local farmer’s market reduces overall environmental impact. Think about it… Oregon apples sold in Arkansas include the cost of transportation, congestion, and pollution. Buying local minimizes and nearly eliminates this. (And I have nothing whatsoever against Oregon apples.)
  • Local food is fresher, tastier, and in season.

White Truffle Oil

Going to the Fayetteville Farmers Market is one of the best things about Saturday morning. My husband and I typically go without a plan, buy whatever is fresh and in season, and then create supper using what we bought. And lots of times supper includes fresh vegetables—either roasted or stir-fried—and Riceland rice.

medium grain rice talya boerner
                                       Use medium grain rice for risottos.

My Farmers Market Risotto can be used with a variety of vegetables. On our most recent trip to the farmers market, we purchased two types of onions, red bell pepper, and asparagus. (For this dish, I roasted the asparagus separately and served it on top of the risotto.)

 

 

talya crop

Arkansas Women Bloggers member Talya Tate Boerner is a delta girl who grew up making mudpies on her family’s cotton farm in Northeast Arkansas. After thirty years in Texas, she has returned to the state she loves, settling in Northwest Arkansas. Talya draws inspiration from nature and appreciates the history behind food, family, places and objects. She blogs at Grace, Grits and Gardening and has been published in Arkansas Review, Front Porch and several on-line publications. Talya believes most any dish can be improved with a side of collard greens. Her debut novel, The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee, is available at Barnes & Noble, via Amazon, and at certain indie bookstores.

Twitter: @gracegrits
Instagram: @gracegrits
Blog: www.gracegritsgarden.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GraceGritsGardening/?ref=hl