Favorite Moments of 2013

As the year comes to a close tonight, I wanted to reflect on the delicious year I've had.  From amazing foodie travel adventures to meeting new food lovin' comrades and even making my debut in Slovak media, I'd say it was a very good year.  So without further ado, here are my top 5 highlights:

5.  Meeting new and awesome foodie friends at Alejandra Ramos' Sweet Escape food retreat was loads of fun.  Not only did we learn a lot about local food culture, including indulging in lots of fresh dairy, but we also did a bit of cooking, outdoorsy things and got plenty of R&R.  

4.  Spending qt with old friends is just as important as meeting new ones and we did a lot of that this year, including the fabulous meat celebrations we had at our friend Adam's annual Ribfest and also a whole hog pig roast, which we attended this fall.  

3. We're so lucky that our year has been full of amazing travels, during which we got to indulge in some of the most amazing, natural foods.  The trip that stands out most to me this year is our big West Coast adventure, where we drove along the coast from San Fran to San Diego (and we squeezed in Portland too!)

2.  It's no secret that 2013 was the year of hybrid foods, and I admittedly jumped on that bandwagon real fast. Not only did I try to make my own cronuts, I finally got to taste one through the help of my friend Taylor, and even got to meet the big man (aka Dominique Ansel) through the connections of my awesome Oci (aka Dad).  

1.  My #1 highlight of the year came quite recently, as my blogging adventures were featured on one of the major Slovak network tv channels called JOJ SK.  Dan and I had a lot of fun taping a short segment with JOJ's journalist, Mark Gabonay, but the biggest satisfaction came from the reaction from my family.  They were so proud!

I wish you all a wonderful new year, Astoria.  Thank you for your continued support, and here's to more delicious adventures in 2014!

Cows, Raw Milk and General Dairy Goodness at Jersey Girl Dairy

One of the most memorable parts of last week's Sweet Escape retreat, was the experience of visiting a local dairy farm called Jersey Girls Dairy.  I've been to several farms in my life, but most of them were during a time that I was young and not as eager to learn about their wonders.  This trip was totally different, as I was in a state of mind to learn and absorb everything - and I couldn't wait to try some delicious raw milk, eggs and other goodies.

About Jersey Girls Dairy:
When we arrived at Jersey Girls Dairy farm last week, we were welcomed by head farmer and proprietor, Lisa Kaiman.  She was punchy, charismatic and obviously really passionate about her farm and her lovely Jersey cows.  Listening to Lisa's stories, some of which were eccentric, no doubt, it was clear that she runs her farm in an honorable and sustainable way--producing happy cows and high quality dairy and meat products.

Lisa showed us around the entire dairy, except for the actual pasture, which we did see as we came in, but it was too wet out there as a result of a rainstorm just the night before.  This was OK though, as we still got to meet plenty of lovely cows that looked happy, healthy and pleasantly plump.  We got to see the milk room, as well as all the equipment that Lisa uses to get that delicious sweet milk out of her Jersey girls.  A special highlight for me was to see a day old calf and her proud mom, enjoying the company of her new "human" friends.  Overall, I loved seeing and understanding the whole dairy process from start to finish.

Farm Fresh Goodies:
And speaking of finish, I got my hands on some farm fresh milk, eggs and veal before we left the farm.  Lisa sells these openly (and on the honor system too) where you grab what you like and leave some money in a little wooden box, the trust and transparency of her business seeping into each aspect of her farm.

As for the raw milk, I've been drinking it each day this week with my cereal and it's been life changing.  Its beautiful eggshell color and silky taste makes me only too happy to wake up each day--and this is coming from someone who's not a morning person.  Another pleasantly surprising aspect is that the milk is really easy to digest, unlike the ultra pasteurized milk we get from the supermarket.  As a result, I experienced none of the issues that I do with the latter, when I get painful stomach cramps on occasion.  In terms of the veal, Dan and I are making meatballs out of it tonight, so stay tuned for more yummy details.

If you ever have the chance to visit Jersey Girls Dairy in person, I highly suggest you do - it may just change your whole perspective on the dairy process.  

Jersey Girls Dairy - 157 Thompson Road, Chester VT 05143
802.875.6576
www.jerseygirlsdairy.com

Making Homemade Nutella - You Heard Me!

One of the most amazing things we did during my recent Sweet Escape food retreat is a workshop on making common food pantry items from scratch.  Not only did we make homemade ketchup and a quick recipe for strawberry jam, but also created my favorite thing - that sweet piece-de-resistance - which is Nutella.

I couldn't believe we actually got our hands on an easy, homemade version of this delicious spread, and I look forward to trying it at home, with some creative variations.  The recipe I'm sharing below is based on  my observation, but I'll make sure to share Alejandra's official recipe when I get it.  I hope you enjoy it, and spread it on every yummy imaginable thing.

Alejandra's Homemade Nutella

Ingredients - makes a large 16 oz jar
4 cups of blanched hazelnuts
2 cups of powdered sugar
2/3 cup of cocoa (can be Dutch cocoa)
2 tsp of vanilla extract
4 tbs of hazelnut oil
A pinch of salt

Directions:
Place hazelnuts in a food processor and grind up until super fine.  Add cocoa and continue to mix until well incorporated.  Add salt, vanilla extract and hazelnut oil and keep mixing until everything is incorporated and forms into a creamy, spreadable consistency.  You'll probably still get something a little chunky, but it tastes wonderful and just like store-bought Nutella (if not better).

After the Nutella was done, we continued to spread it on everything in sight including delicious La Briola pretzel buns, graham crackers, strawberries, and from the spoon directly. I think you get the idea, and hope you enjoy making yours too!

My Sweet Escape to Vermont

For those of you who've been following my Instagram feed have probably noticed I was out of town this weekend - and for a very good reason.  It was my pleasure to attend my fellow food blogger, chef and expert, Alejandra Ramos' Sweet Escape retreat in Plymouth Vermont.

The weekend was catered (pun intended) to a food lovin audience, a large majority who also had blogs of their own.  It was a really interesting and diverse crowd, ranging from local New Yawkers and New Jerseyans, to folks from Texas and even Australia if you can believe it.  A beautiful, historic house called Good Commons was the home to this weekend's festivities and it's where the proverbial magic happened (all weekend long).

Not only did we get to take advantage of Vermont's local food culture by eating its local, delicious food, but we also got to see the town through the eyes of its many food artisans, including farmers, wine makers, fellow food bloggers and more.  I'd love to get into more detail about the whole weekend, which I'll do throughout this week, revealing some exciting recipes and kitchen tricks, but first, I thought I'd whet your appetite with this rich photo post.  Hope you enjoy and stay tuned for more Vermontian goodies.

Alejandra talks about cooking with maple syrup. Yum!

Wes, a Sweet Escape attendee and I massage some kale salad (and like it too!)

 Our first day brunch spread is impressive!

 A visit to Jersey Girls Dairy Farm

 Farmer Lisa at Jersey Girls Dairy Farm

Nancy Warner's Potlicker Oatmeal Stout Jelly

It's cheese time, courtesy of Vermont Creamery

 Insanely good s'mores bar - marshmallows courtesy of 240 Sweet 

My bodacious marshmallow creation - roasted coconut marshmallow with dark toffee chocolate and blueberries.

Homemade nutella. Yep!

 Having fun at the Plymouth Cheese Shop

 Beautiful old fashioned Howe Scales at the Vermont General Store

Vermont really is picturesque

 Delicious cocktail from Vermont Spirits

 Hunky bartender was an added bonus!

 Moscow Mule from Vermont Spirits

 A delicious Latin-style dinner

 Our entire Sweet Escape group

 My new friend Yolanda and me

 Alejandra and me

Hudson - the weekend's mascot (aka adorable troublemaker)