A Press Democrat Blog

Eat this now

Seasonal Pantry at your fingertips

For the love of tacos

Wednesday, at 1:34 by

In today’s Seasonal Pantry, I sing the praises–and not for the first time–of traditional tacos. You can read that column, which includes recipes for Tacos al Carbon (meat) and Tacos Hongos (mushrooms), here. In the column, I promise to post links to other recipes for tacos and that call for tortillas from the Seasonal Pantry archives, so here they are. Do you make tacos at home? What is your favorite method and favorite filling? Please share in the comment section below. Snapper… Read More »

More Favorite Mexican Dishes

Thursday, at 12:40 by

As promised in yesterday’s Seasonal Pantry, here are links to some of my favorite Mexican dishes. In that column, which featured recipes for snapper ceviche, Drunken Chicken, orange, onion and jicama salad and strawberry-hibiscus agua fresca, I also promised a recipe for one of the best appetizers ever. It’s true–Queso Fundido, which is simply melted cheese with a few delicious embellishments, is so good that you risk ruining everyone’s appetite. You may even want to make it the centerpiece of… Read More »

Fresh From Our Farmers: Healdsburg Market Opens

Thursday, at 9:18 by

At 9 a.m. Saturday morning, the legendary cowbell will ring in the first Healdsburg farmers market of 2013. The opening of this market heralds the beginning of the abundant season, when we’re no longer gasping with delight at those first precious radishes and instead are racing to keep up with everything from fresh favas and green garlic to strawberries and zucchini. This year, the market opens with a new de-facto partner, SHED, located across the street from the market’s north… Read More »

A Beloved Ritual: Lamb for Easter

Wednesday, at 7:00 by

Leg of lamb is hugely popular for Easter. Here are several favorite recipes from the Seasonal Pantry archives, including the first recipe I ever published, Oven-Roasted Leg of Lamb with Sausage Stuffing & Mustard Glaze… Read More »

Cooking with Wine: Some Favorite Recipes

Wednesday, at 11:25 by

As I promised in today’s Seasonal Pantry, which you can read here, I’m posting links to some of my favorite recipes that call for wine. Because I use it so frequently, it is impossible to include all the recipes here. I’ve chosen those most suited to fall and winter and have also selected examples that defy the common wisdom of white wine with fish, chicken and vegetables and red wine with red meats. Cooking with White Wine: Firehouse Clams and… Read More »

Fresh From Our Farmers: Cotati Farmers Market

Monday, at 6:33 by

The Cotati Farmers Market opened for its 2012 season last Thursday afternoon, with both familiar vendors and vendors unique to this market. Saeturn Family Farm, located near Sonoma State University, sells its delicious strawberries and blackberries here and only here. A diverse selection of fresh produce is offered by two familiar farms, French Garden Farm of Sebastopol and Ortiz Farm of Santa. French Garden Farm has carrots, fennel, beets, kale, chard, salad mix, herbs, a big selection of lettuces, flowers… Read More »

Thai Larb, As Promised, with Variations

Wednesday, at 12:39 by

As promised in today’s Seasonal Pantry, here’s one of my versions of the classic Thai salad, larb. There’s not a lot of spaghetti squash left and so to make this with cabbage, which is traditional, or with rice noodles, which is delicious, see the variations at the end of the recipe. Thai-Inspired Lamb Salad with Spaghetti Squash • Serves 4 My favorite salad of Southeast Asia is Thai larb or laab, in its infinite variations. Most often it is made of… Read More »

Fresh From Our Farmers: Bodega Bay Market Opens

Wednesday, at 10:50 by

One of our tiniest seasonal farmers markets, the one in Bodega Bay, opened for its second season on May 27. The market is a delightful community affair, with a leisurely pace in a beautiful setting. When I arrived last Sunday at 10 a.m., the field where the market takes place was cloaked in fog and bathed by a brisk wind, one that chilled shoppers and vendors but did not threaten stall tents. By the time I left an hour later,… Read More »

Fresh From Our Farmers: Occidental Bohemian Market Opens

Thursday, at 10:56 by

When the Occidental Bohemian Farmers market opens for its 2012 season on Friday afternoon at 4 p.m., it will be with several vendors that sell only at this market, along with a few farmers that sell county wide and a few that attend just one or two other markets. Star Mountain, based on Coleman Valley Rd., launches the season with radishes, scallions, basil, arugula, dill, flowers and Meyer lemons.  Hands Full Farm  has eggs, flowers and two jams, strawberry and… Read More »

Fresh From Our Farmers: Launch of the Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers Market’s New Location

Friday, at 9:11 by

The Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers Market greeted Saturday morning from its new home in the southeast parking lot of the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. By 8:30 a.m., the market’s official opening time, it was full of shoppers. You could almost hear a collective sigh of relief, as two years of tension, anxiety, unhappiness and hard work receded and a new era was born. Although the space is about 25 percent smaller than its former location at the Veterans… Read More »