Think You Can’t Get Back to the Land in an Urban Society? Think again.

0 comments By The Kitchen Whisperer Filed in General, Go Green Tagged with , , , , , , , August 24th, 2010 @ 10:11 am

Sustainability: Anywhere.

Movies like Food, Inc. have helped open the eyes of many to the increasing distance growing between people and their food sources. As a result, the homesteading movement has gained major ground, and is sure to continue attracting new homesteaders into the future. This may seem difficult to do, considering how quickly rural areas are transformed into urban neighborhoods. Companies like FarmCurious, however, exist to solve that exact problem. FarmCurious was created by Nicole Kramer to help educate individuals interested in urban homesteading.  Kramer even facilitates the process by selling all the tools necessary for urban homesteading online!

More Than Just Information

FarmCurious has found a way to make urban homesteading education fun! Introducing the FarmCurious Urban Homesteading Party. These home presentations bring Kramer right to you for demonstrations and discussions on everything related to homesteading. Not to worry, you don’t have to be a homesteading aficionado to host one of these parties. Kramer will not only explain the benefits of producing your own food, but she will show you how to do it! Topics include making jams (preserving), making yogurt (culturing), brewing/wine making, growing your own produce, and conserving what you make. Best of all, FarmCurious brings delicious samples –for free! –and offers discounts on products purchased at the party!

Party with A Purpose

Kramer ultimately hopes to open her own brick and mortar store. In addition to hosting parties, Kramer can be found selling urban homesteading tools at events like Eat Real Fest August 27-29, and the San Francisco Underground Market on September 11 in Oakland’s Jack London Square to reach this goal. To learn more about FarmCurious Urban Homesteading Parties, check out the Educate tab on the FarmCurious website. For tips and stories straight from urban homesteader Nicole Kramer, go to her blog on FarmCurious!

Are You Ready For Some Football?? Tailgate Guacamole Recipe

0 comments By The Kitchen Whisperer Filed in Menus and Recipes Tagged with , , , , August 19th, 2010 @ 10:00 am

It’s now the middle of August, and you know what that means: Preseason NFL Football is back! Get your lawn chairs out, pack up the cooler, and head to the stadium of whichever team you happen to fancy. (Ahem…49ers) With fresh flavors that are just light enough for the tail end of summer, this guacamole recipe is perfect for preseason tailgating!

Guacamole with Nectarines and Corn
You can also find this recipe in our Appetizer Recipe Library!

Ingredients

Seeded Tortilla Points
2 Tablespoons flax seeds
2 Tablespoons sesame seeds
2 Tablespoons poppy seeds
8 ten-inch flour tortillas
1 large egg beaten with 2 Tablespoons cold water and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Parchment paper

Guacamole
2 ripe avocados, pits removed, flesh scooped out with a large spoon, put face down on a plate
1/4 cup red onions, finely chopped
1 nectarine, pitted and cut in 1/4-inch dice (can substitute a peach or papaya with skin removed)
1 ear fresh corn, kernels removed
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 chipotle in adobo, seeded and minced + 2 teaspoons of the adobo sauce
2 teaspoons lime juice
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon kosher salt

Methods/Steps

Preheat oven to 400ºF (or 375ºF convection if available).

Seeded Tortilla Triangles: Combine flax, sesame and poppy seeds. Using scissors, cut tortillas in half and then into wedges (4 triangles per half). Place tortilla triangles on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer; brush with egg/water/salt mixture. Sprinkle generously with seeds. Bake in the upper or lower third of the oven, switching the position to the opposite third halfway through the baking. Bake until crisp and lightly browned, about 10-15 minutes. Transfer to cooling racks and cool completely.

Guacamole: Mash avocado with a fork until coarsely mashed. Add red onions, nectarine, corn, garlic, chipotle, adobo, lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, and salt. Mix.

Pack: Scoop the guacamole into a small container with a lid, or even into a strong plastic baggie. Don’t forget the chips, ice, or cooler!

Serve: Mound the guacamole in the middle of a serving platter. Then nestle the chips in a sunflower pattern around the dip. Garnish with a sprig of cilantro.
Makes enough to serve 24

Want to see other fun appetizer recipes? Go to our Appetizers page!

Read previous entries
Read more recent entries