Humboldt Fog

Happy Monday! If you haven't already tried it, run to your nearest cheese shop and get some award-winning Humboldt Fog.  It is a light and creamy goat cheese made by Cypress Grove Chevre in California. I promise you will like it, even if you are not a huge goat cheese fan. It goes wonderfully with honey and a crisp white wine. I bought a huge chunk of it in Greenport, Long Island this weekend and was reminded of how much I love this cheese! Doesn't it look like a birthday cake?

Noble Handcrafted

“Nobel Handcrafted is a brand that embraces the collaboration of craft with the pioneering of our new American food tradition, a tradition that is being continually refined.”

A New Generation of Farmers

Speaking of farm-life, The New York Times just did an article on the growing trend of young farmers in the United States. It really does seem like everywhere you turn there are young couples buying land and having a go at it (we have seen a lot of them in Portland and even at the famer's markers in NYC over the past few years). Perhaps the overstimulation of our society is causing us to regress to simpler times? Regardless of why, it is always inspiring to me to see people who are not afraid to take a risk and do something special. Is this becoming the new norm?

Maple Weekend

This weekend (and next) is Maple Weekend in upstate New York. Visitors can taste all the fresh sap that they want, and attend one of the 20+ pancake breakfasts being held! There are vendors all over the state so it would make for a nice (and yummy) road trip. More info in today's New York Times article on NY State syrup making.

The Weekend

On Sunday we visited some open houses around Brooklyn Heights, and fell in love with an apartment that was just too small. Then we saw a few that were not quite right.  So the search continues...
Then we went to have a late lunch at Eat in Greenpoint.  If you have not been, go! They have wonderful local, organic food that is sooooo fresh. The menu changes daily so you will want to go back often.
Then we came home and I made vegan golden vanilla cupcakes with vanilla frosting (modified with vegan butter and almond milk), and sprinkled them with coconut and red sugar. For valentine's day, of course.

(Eat images via New York Magazine and Eat)

Eagle Street Rooftop Farm

The Eagle Street Rooftop in Greenpoint, Brooklyn is the best idea ever, we just wish we had thought of it. It's been around for a few years now, but we still haven't visited it (even though its only a few blocks away)! These images from The Selby are going to change that!

Sauerbraten

This tasty dish is an old German-Baltimore classic. We used to have it about once a year growing up and it was always a special treat. Also, it takes three days to make! I have been making my own vegetarian version for several winters now, so this year I decided that a snowy New Years weekend would be the perfect time. I usually mix-and-match a few different recipes, but here is a really good one. xxGina

(Photo via Gaststatten im Allgau)