Like honey? Try Tupelo Honey.

29 Monday Jan 2018

Posted by Bob and Robin in Boise Food Adventures, Food, Food Photos, Food Trivia, Honey, What's For Dinner?

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And I do like honey. The natural honey from Weiser, ID is really good. Idaho Honey Apiaries, 426 Krause Rd, Mathews Farms in Weiser, to be exact.
And those of you who read this blog and follow it, know that I use 99.9% Idaho products. Especially Idaho farm products – eggs, beef, lamb, chicken and all kinds of produce.
But there are some times when I defer to the 0.1% of the time when I leave the trend and go outside of Idaho. Honey. My favorite, hands down, is Tupelo Honey! (Tupelo, MS was named after the tupelo tree!) It is a fruity, floral and slightly tan. It is delicious! From healthywithhoney.com, “…The center of all tupelo honey producers is Apalachicola River, in the Florida Panhandle. Tupelo honey is produced wherever tupelo trees bloom, all over southeastern USA, but the purest and most expensive version (certified by pollen analysis) is produced in this valley.”
Tupelo honey is a high-grade honey produced in a small region in North Western Florida and Southern Georgia from White Ogeechee Tupelo trees. The honey color is light golden amber with a greenish cast. It has a mild floral and fruity taste. The aroma is cinnamon and floral. The honey is produced from the Ogeechee tupelo (southeastern United States) Nyssa ogeche, commonly referred to as Ogeechee tupelo, white tupelo, river lime, ogeechee lime tree, sour gum or wild lime is a deciduous tree.

Nyssa ogeche (Ogeechee tupelo) in bloom

“Tupelo honey’s high fructose content resists crystallization for years. Because of its light floral aroma and balance it goes well with strong blue cheeses (Roquefort, Stilton, Gorgonzola, Cabrales cheese etc.) and fruit such as fresh roasted peaches. Some diabetics use Tupelo as a sweetener because of its high fructose (levulose) content.” [honeytraveler.com]
Since Tupelo trees grow in swampy areas and beekeepers want the hives close to the trees, it is common to place the beehives on platforms to avoid flooding along side of the swamp. Some beekeepers still use boats to access their hives. In Florida, beekeepers keep beehives along the river swamps on platforms or floats during tupelo bloom to produce certified tupelo honey, which commands a high price on the market because of its flavor.

Tupelo tree grove.

Tupelo floral content can be as high as 95% although only 51% is required by the state to be labeled, “Tupelo Honey”… The tree, first discovered by William Bartram along the Ogeechee River in Georgia, it is also known as Swamp Gum, Sour Tupelo-Gum, Bee-Tupelo, Tupelo Gum and Ogeechee-Lime Tree. It produces 1.5-inch-long, showy red fruits that ripen in autumn. The juice can be used as a substitute for limes, hence its common name. The Tupelo Honey Festival in Wewahitchka, Florida, referred to as “Wewa” by locals, is celebrated annually on the 3rd Saturday of May at Lake Alice Park. Here is a link to more info for the Tupelo Honey Festival It is a great place to try to buy fresh Tupelo honey and talk to the beekeepers that have upheld the traditions that have made Tupelo honey famous.

Tupelo Honey

The only place in Idaho that I know of that has Tupelo Honey on the shelf is the Boise Coop, in Boise. A 13.5 oz jar should run about $6.73. If you would rather, you can go directly to one source at Swanson Vitamins, and they do have the honey from YS Eco Farms, but only in season! Enjoy the honey. We do!

Boise Farmers Market Opens April 1!

30 Thursday Mar 2017

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop, Boise Area Food Adventures, Boise Farmers Market, Food, Gaston's Bakery, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Locavore, Meadowlark Farms, Next Generation produce, What's For Dinner?

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Here is the latest from the BFM.

Welcome to the 2017 Farmers Market Season!
We are excited to get started on Saturday. Although the late winter has been cool and wet, you will be pleasantly surprised to see all the delicious fresh produce that will be at The Market!

Join us for a slice of Birthday Cake and take home first-of-the-season fresh greens plus oh so much more. What’s Fresh!

Produce/Agricultural
Apples
Asparagus
Baby Cucumbers
Bedding plants
Carrots
Container Gardens
Dried Fruit
Green Garlic
Dried Herbs
Fresh Herbs
Curly Kale
Lacinato Kale
Mache
Micro Greens
Miner’s Lettuce
Salad Mix
Tomatoes
Heirloom Seeds
Hanging Strawberry Baskets

Specialty Foods
Pickled Asparagus
Baked Goods
Pickled Beans
Custom Spices
Granola
Hard Cider
Herb Blends
Hummus
Jam
Jelly
Organic Kombucha Tea
Pickles
Salmon Bacon
Smoked Salmon
Tamales
Teas
Wine

Protein
Grass-fed Angus Beef
Pastured Raised Chickens
Duck Eggs
Chicken Eggs
Grass-fed Goat
Pasture Raised Lamb
Pasture Raised Pork
Sockeye and Coho Salmon
Smoked Meats
Sausages

Dairy
Artisan Cheeses
Goat Cheese
Goat Yogurt
Ice Cream
Raw Milk
Yogurt

On-Site Foods
Baked Goods
Coffee
Cookies
Crepes
Matcha Lattes
Sambusas
Tacos
Tamales
Waffles
Wood-fired Pizza

Cold Weather Plants!
Next Generation Organics is bringing fun 24 packs of hearty cold weather plants. They are ready to go in the ground right now!

Delicious Hot Samples!
Desert Mountain Grass-Fed Beef, will be cooking up some samples on opening day!
Ed says, “Come and getcha some!”

“Snack Size” Opening Day Steals!
Lampe Granola will be offering “snack size” steals at $1.50 a bag! Grab ’em while they last!

Fish Three Ways!
C&G’s Wild Alaska Salmon will have frozen fillets of sockeye and coho salmon. Plus smoked salmon strips and salmon BACON
Tasty treats!

Who’s at The Market This Week
Farmers & Ranchers
Brown’s Buffalo Ranch
C&G’s Wild Alaskan Salmon
Campbell Tailor Made Beef
Desert Mountain Grass-fed Beef
Feathers n Horns
Fiddler’s Green Farm
H & H Tomatoes
Kelley Orchards
Lost River Meats
M&N Cattle Company
Malheur River Meats
Matthews Family Farms
Meadowlark Farms
Next Generation Organics
Ohana No-till Farm
Peaceful Belly Farms
Purple Sage Farms
Ribier Gardens
Rice Family Farms
Smith Berry Farms
Snake River Seed Co-op
True Roots Organics
Volcanic Farms

On-Site Food Vendors
Il Segreto Wood Fired Pizza
Funky Taco
Haji’s International Foods
Tamales Nelly
The Great Crepe
Two Trees
Waffle Me Up
Wanna Macha
Prepared Food Purveyors
Acme Bakeshop
Apple Lucy’s Pies
Big Walls Bakery
Blue Feather Bakery
Cherino’s Bloody Mary Mix
Ferranti Fresh Pasta
Form & Function Coffee
Gaston’s Bakery
Lampe Granola
Meriwether Cider Company
Molly’s Mills
Neckar Coffee
Oma & Popie’s Wing Dressing
Potter Wines
Sevz Kitchen
Snake River Winery
Stack Rock Cider
Sunshine Cookie Company
Sweet Valley Cookie Company
The Jelly Lady
Urban Rustic Gourmet

Selected Artisans
Apis
Firefly Garden Art
Red Chair Lavender
Scented Room
T&S Metal and Glass

Orange Upside Down Skillet Cake and Egg Thread Soup with Asparagus

16 Monday Jan 2017

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Asparagus, Baking, Captain's Shack, Cast Iron, Dessert, Dinner For Robin, Dinner With Family, Eggs, Food, Food Prep, Housemade Soup, Idaho Eggs, Idaho Vegetables, Local Markets, Photos By: Bob Young, Prep Work, Recipe - Dessert, Recipe - Soup, Recipe By: Captain's Shack, What's For Dinner?

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Egg Thread Soup, Mascarpone, Orange Upside Down Cake

Here is a wonderful – and very easy to do – Orange Upside Down Skillet Cake that we adapted from Rachael Ray. (Recipe in PDF) Really a super, good variation on the traditional Pineapple Upside Down Cake. We topped the cake with a Tiramisu Mascarpone instead of the whipped cream. Change the orange to lemon and use Limoncello instead of Grand Marnier and you might have another variation. The variations are limitless. Then also check out the Egg Thread Soup with Aspagagus found after the cake – Eat dessert first, Life is too short! Left-Click the photos to see them enlarged.

Caramelizing the orange slices. I use a mandolin to get the thin slices.

Cake batter is poured on top of the carmalized oranges.

Cake batter is poured on top of the carmelized oranges.

The cake is cooked and is now cooling before removing it from the skillet. Nice brown edges.

Put a platter over the skillet, turn it upside down and the cake should come out easily. If not, tap it lightly to encourage it.

Cross-section of the cooled cake.

Orange Upside Down Skillet Cake
Tiramisu Mascarpone Topping

And here is the awesome Egg Thread Soup with Asparagus:

Egg Thread Soup with Asparagus

It’s been a cold and snowy couple of weeks. Spend more time in kitchen to warm up.

Soft Cheeses Visited

24 Tuesday May 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in Boise Food Adventures, Cheese, Food, Food Photos, French Foods, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Report By Robin, Soft Cheese, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Cheese

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Soft Cheese

Robin wrote this wonderful explanation particularly for the TVWS (Treasure Valley Wine Society) Board, but I think it needs to be read by a wider audience. And, she is certified in cheese knowledge. There is a photo at the end of the article of the cheeses she is talking about. Enjoy!

“Triple Cream Cheeses
for
TVWS Board mtg. May 24

USA Cowgirl Creamery Petaluma and Pt. Reyes station – Organic Mt. Tam
$29.99/ lb Cows milk

French St. Andre Triple Cream Brie from near Burgundy, France
$14.99/lb…. Cows milk

La Tur Caseificio dell Alta Langa, Italy
Pasteurized Cow, Goat and Sheep 3 milk Soft ripened cheese.
$25.99/lb

Bread $2.49 Grapes $8.50 @$3.99/lb

Broadbent Selection NV Vino Verde $8.99

Macedon 2015 Pinot Noir – Macedonia north of Greece. $14.99

Americans consume 33lbs of cheese/year
There are 2000 varieties of Cheese first made ~ 8000 BC. Some Milk was stored in the stomach of an animal which added rennet and by jostling the milk separated into curds and whey. Animal sources of milk include not only cows and goats, but also sheep, water buffalo, yaks, camels, horses and reindeer.

Styles:
FRESH: cream cheese, ricotta, mozzarella, feta, chevre.
SEMI SOFT: provolone, gouda, port salut, havarti, fontina, raclette, comte.
SEMI HARD: cheddar, edam, swiss, gruyere, emmental, parmesan, asiago? Pecorino Romano.
WASHED RIND: munster, limburger, tallegio, salt brined and bloomed rind – Brie, Camembert.
BLUE: Maytag, Gorgonzola, Stilton, Roquefort.
Accompaniments: grapes, dates, nuts, figs, herbs and pepper. ”

“A meal without some cheese, is like a beautiful woman with only one eye.” (Brillat-Savarin 1700’s)
“The moon is made of a greene cheese.” (John Heywood 1546) But in 1546 greene meant unaged, not green in color.

And here’s Robin’s information on Cheese Tasting –

“

CHEESE TASTING BASICS

Observe: color, texture, shape, condition. Descriptors: smooth, rough, sticky, downy, soft, hard, creamy, grainy, cylindrical, wedge, crumbs, slices, moist, dry.

Olfactory: smell the aroma: fresh, milky, fruity, mushroomy, earthy, floral, toasted, spicy, nutty, cauliflower-like.

Taste-slowly sample to release flavors. Consider flavors, textures and any lingering aftertaste. Descriptors:acidic/sharp/ tart, sweet, sharp, salty, bitter, creamy, yeasty, malty, fruity, robust, caramel, custardy, toasty, peppery, zesty, spicy, tangy. Texture: open or closed, soft, hard, firm, gritty, grainy, crumbly, chalky, springy, smooth, meaty.

Take notes: use a simple point rating score system. ie: 0-4 for poor, ok, good, great, sensational.

With wines look for a: compliment – Brie with sparkling , contrast – Blue with dessert wines, or clash – Blue with red table wines may leave a metallic aftertaste.”

2016 Treefort/Foodfort Boise

26 Saturday Mar 2016

Posted by Bob and Robin in Beef, Beer and Ale, Beer and Food, Beer Tasting, Boise Adventures, Boise Restaurants, Duck, Food, Food Photos, Idaho, Idaho Beef, Idaho Breweries, Idaho Chefs, Idaho Grains, Idaho Greens, Idaho Polenta Floriani, Idaho Polenta Roys Calais, Idaho Vegetables, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Modern Hotel, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Restaurants, Sausage, Special Beers, What's For Dinner?

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Foodfort, Treefort, Vinvinos

Well I did go this year. The first time since the first one that was held 4 years ago in 2012. What drew me this year? Janie Burns and probably the fact that the organizers added Idaho food products, thus Foodfort!

The Treefort Music Fest is a five-day, indie rock festival which is held at numerous venues throughout downtown Boise, Idaho in late March.The 2014 festival took place March 20–23 with the featured acts Built to Spill, The Joy Formidable, and Poliça; the 2015 festival, scheduled March 25–29, featured TV On The Radio, Trampled By Turtles, and Emily Wells, and locals Built to Spill and Josh Ritter. Treefort has been called “the west’s best SXSW alternative” and “Boise’s preeminent artistic, cultural and musical happening” which has “morphed from quirky music festival to consuming community event.” It has also been characterized as having become a “nationally renowned gathering just by maintaining its personable close-knit vibe” and a “music lover’s joyous mayhem” which showcases the soul of Boise. [Wikipedia]

Here’s some of the venue – Beer, Food and Entertainment.

It was very full and busy.

All ages jumping rope!

They were very good!

See?

And these folks.

To a hand-stand!

There were many local and Idaho breweries represented. Some very good micro breweries and nano breweries.

Chef Richard – James Beard Nominee – from Vincinos.

He uses local rainbow carrots in some of his dishes.

He made, for public consumption and enjoyment, Lamb with Polenta and Tomato. It was superb!

He made, for public consumption and enjoyment, Duck with Polenta and Tomato. It was superb!

The folks from Juniper were there also.

Juniper provided Kuboto Beef with Farro. Again, all Idaho products!

The Modern Hotel supplied us with a delicious Sausage and Lentil dish.

I heard the Michael from Acme Bakeshop was working on a new bread and had samples. I did not see him. But maybe next week when the Boise Farmers Market opens for the season. Find them from 9am to 1pm at 10th and Grove in Boise.

Just For The Fun of It!

15 Monday Jun 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in Captain's Shack, Classes, Crab, Food, Food Photos, Food Photos 60mm, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Seafood, What's For Dinner?

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camera lenses, food photos, Food Photos Trials, light source, photos

There are times when one just must “play”. “Playing” can take the shape of many forms. In my case, and precisely now, it is playing with camera lenses using a constant light source. And right now, it is the light coming through the window in the kitchen. Full sun today; Bright; Intense; Hot. So let’s take just one subject: A piece of Crab Strudel. Let’s look at the different way different lenses look at the subject. Personally, I like #3 best. Which one do you like?

(1) 18-55mm lens (Standard camera lens); 55mm, 1/3 sec, F/5.3. Natural light.

(2) 60mm Fixed; 1/125; F/4; Natural light.

(3) 60mm Fixed lens; 1/50 sec; F/3.2; Natural light.

Boise Farmers Market Expands Program

23 Saturday May 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in Boise Adventures, Boise Farmers Market, Buy Idaho, Comfort Food, Food, Food Carts or Trucks, Green Beans, Green Peas, Greens, Healthy Eating, Heirloom Carrots, Heirloom Squash, Heirloom Tomatoes, Herbs and Spices, Idaho Greens, Idaho's Bounty, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Meadowlark Farms, Next Generation produce, Onion, Peaceful Belly Farms, Photos, Photos By: Bob Young, Purple Sage Farms, Special Events, Special Information, Spinach, Spring Greens, Spring Plants, Spring Vegies, Traditional Food, True Roots Produce, Watercress, What's For Dinner?

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Boise Farmers Market, Mobile Market, Next Generation produce, Purple Sage Farms, spring vegetables, True Roots produce

The BFM, Boise Farmers Market, has come up with a novel idea – Take the market to those who can least afford to attend the market at 10th and Grove or any other market in the downtown corridor. In other words, hook up a trailer to a vehicle and take the produce to different neighborhoods. New idea? In the 21st Century, maybe, but I can remember the farmers coming to our neighborhood – in Delaware – and my Mother buying fresh produce that way in season. Look at what they are doing. If you need to enlarge the photos to see them or to print them, Left-Click the photo. From the BFM website, “Spring produce galore! Look for strawberries, asparagus, lettuces, mustard greens, radishes, rhubarb, micro-greens and a whole lot of love. Plus, the debut of the BFM Mobile Market on Saturday, May 23rd!”

The schedule of where the produce trailer will be.

As this poster says, “The Boise Farmers Market and the Boise Parks and Recreation are bringing fresh local produce to your neighborhood this summer! Shop for Fresh-From-The-Farm fruits and vegetables while your kids play in the park. The Mobile Market accepts SNAP benefits. For more information, please contact Janie Burns at (208) 863-6947 or at info@boisefarmersmarket.com.” You can also check the website at The Boise Farmers Market.

The Mobile Market

Map of the service and schedule for the Mobile Market.

Boise Parks and Recreation are helping with this project. Thank-You Boise Parks and Rec!

Hopefully, some of these produce vendors will have some of their produce on the Mobile Market. I know you will be able to purchase fresh, farm eggs from Meadowlark Farms. And maybe bakery items in the future.

True Roots produce.

Purple Sage Farms

Maybe some live plants? If not, fresh tomatoes should be available in season.

Olivin – Olive Oil and Vinegar Bar

20 Friday Mar 2015

Posted by Bob and Robin in 5-Stars, Boise Adventures, Food, Healthy Eating, Herbs, Italian foods, Local Markets, Oils, Olivin, Photos By: Bob Young, Special Information, Things To Do, Tuscan Cuisine, What's For Dinner?

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balsamic vinegar, Boise, Napa Valley Olive Oil Company, olive oil, Olive Oil & Vinegar Taproom, Olivin

I remember the last time I was able to taste good balsamic vinegar. I was in “Little Italy” in San Francisco. And the last time I could try a good olive oil, I was in Sacramento, at Corti Brothers, and in Napa at the Napa Valley Olive Oil Company. Now we have Olivin in Boise, at Olivin – Olive Oil & Vinegar Taproom, 218 N 9th Street, Boise, ID 83702, where you can sample both olive oils and different balsamic vinegars – the best of both worlds. A wide variety of herbal infused olive oils and balsamic vinegars are available to sample. They will offer recipes for enjoying their products. Here is an excerpt from their website.

Olivin, a play on the words Olive Oil and Vinegar, is a unique specialty store located in beautiful downtown Boise. Olivin Olive Oil and Vinegar Taproom allows the customer to taste the high quality extra virgin olive oils and vinegars before purchasing. There are over 30 olive oils and vinegars offered to taste for free!
Owner, Joyce Renoff became passionate about the business when she retired after a 40 year career in real estate. Joyce wanted to try something fun so she started working in an olive oil and vinegar taproom in Annapolis, Maryland. She fell in love immediately with the store and found her passion!
The idea of Olivin came about after visiting her daughter in Boise. Joyce adored the city of Boise and the people of Idaho. Joyce quickly realized that an olive oil and vinegar taproom would be a perfect fit for the people of Boise who are dedicated to their health.

Here are some photos of our visit. Enjoy! Let them know you heard about them on this blog.

This is what they are all about.

Here is how you get to sample some different olive oils. These “tanks” are located throughout the store.

A closer look at the sample tanks.

The balsamic can be tasted in a similar fashion.

We bought a bottle of olive oil and of balsamic.

Boise Farmers Market Last Day

19 Thursday Dec 2013

Posted by Bob and Robin in Boise Farmers Market, Food, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Organic Foods, Special Events, Things To Do, Thought For The Day, What's For Dinner?

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eat local, indoor venue, local farmers market

I just received this information. And it has been a great saeson. I am so glad that they found an indoor venue for the market these past several weeks. We look forward to their return next Spring and maybe, just maybe, they will be able to continue year around. Hope so! Please do support them this last Saturday. Thanks.

Snake River AVA Wine Dinner Extravaganza

11 Monday Nov 2013

Posted by Bob and Robin in Dinner With The Winemaker, Food, Hells Canyon Winery, Idaho Chefs, Idaho Wine, Interesting Information, Party Time, Snake River AVA, Special Beers, Special Dinners, Special Events, Special Information, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners, Zhou Zhou Winery

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Hells Canyon Winery

This word just in from Hells Canyon and Zhoo Zhoo Wineries in the Snake River AVA.

“Hells Canyon Winery/Zhoo Zhoo Holiday Wine Dinner
at The Dish

The Robertson family from Hells Canyon Winery/Zhoo Zhoo will be teaming up with The Dish (205 N. 10th St., Boise) for a holiday winemaker’s dinner on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m.

Chef Jered Couch has put together a six-course menu of contemporary offerings designed to pair with select wines from this Sunny Slope estate winery. The dinner, to be held in the restaurant’s mezzanine, costs $100 per person (tax and gratuity not included). Seating is limited for this pre-pay event. To reserve a spot, call The Dish at (208) 344-4231

Steve Robertson, owner of Hells Canyon Winery, is an exceptional Chef and knows how to pair the wines with dinner. For those of you in Boise, do you remember Annabel’s or Mussels Fish Market? Steve owned and operated both places and held some awesome seminars on cooking that I took. Even though Steve will probably not be in the kitchen for this event, I feel confident that he will be “tasting” and matching the entrees. Knowing the talent level of the Chefs and the Winemakers, this should be an awesome evening. Cheers!