Lettuce in boxes for the Fall and Winter!

Tip: Plant lettuce in boxes to be able to move inside.

Our lettuce has been sprouting towards the end of September.

We will be able to bring our boxes in when it gets cold outside and have lettuce all winter long!

Nutrition as Prevention

From http://www.facebook.com/GrowFoodNotLawns

Curry Corn Cabbage Chowder

Curry Corn Cabbage Chowder

Local: potatoes, corn, cabbage, milk, chives

Non-local: curry, salt, pepper

Chop up 4 medium potatoes.

 Boil potatoes & 4-5 corn cobs.

Saute 1/2 head of chopped cabbage in pan.

Blend potatoes, cabbage, & 4 cups of milk.

(Blend 1/2 at a time.)

Pour in pot.

Cut corn off cobs, and add corn.

Add 2 tsp curry, 2 tsp salt, & 1/4 tsp pepper.

Add some chopped chives.

Enjoy!

Homemade Whole Wheat Macaroni & Cheese

Homemade Whole Wheat Macaroni & Cheese

Local: Farmer's cheese, milk, egg, butter, wheat bread crumbs

Non-local: whole wheat elbows, salt, pepper, Parmesan (optional)

Cook elbows.

Stir 1 egg, 1 cup of milk, 2 cups shredded cheese, 1/4 cup melted butter, 

1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper.

Butter pan. Pour drained elbows into pan.

Pour cheese mixture over elbows.

Sprinkle with bread crumbs & Parmesan.

Bake for 20 minutes.

Broil for a few minutes to brown top.

Enjoy!

No more fake, orange mac and cheese ever again!!!

Tomato Basil Soup & Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Tomato Basil Soup 

Local: tomatoes, onion, garlic, butter, honey, milk

Non-local: basil, salt, pepper

Chop half an onion & 2 cloves of garlic 

and saute with half a cup of butter.

Dice 10-12 tomatoes.

Put tomatoes, onion, & garlic in a pot and cook until thick.

Add 2 tbs basil, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, & 2 tbs honey.

Add 4 cups of milk and cook until thick

I like to simmer this soup for about 4 hours.

(2 hours diced tomatoes, 2 hours with milk added)

I like using the first pour of the creamery milk because it is thicker.    

Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Local: bread (pumpernickel), butter, Farmer's Cheese

Banana Bread & Butter Pecan Ice Cream

Banana Bread & Butter Pecan Ice Cream 

Local: butter, pure cane syrup (optional), eggs,
whole wheat flour, milk, ice cream

Non-local: bananas, sugar, vanilla extract (optional), baking powder, salt

Preheat oven to 350.

Grease and flour a loaf pan.

Chop 2 bananas and mix with 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 cup sugar, 

1 tbs pure cane syrup (optional), & 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional).

Beat in 2 eggs and 1/2 cup milk.

In a separate bowl mix 1 1/2 cups wheat flour, 2 tsp baking powder,
& 1/4 tsp salt.
Add dry mixture to wet mixture and stir.

Add banana mixture and stir.

Pour batter into loaf pan.

Bake for appx. 50 minutes.

Serve with ice cream.

Enjoy!

Substitute pumpkin for pumpkin bread.
Add nuts if you would like!

Baked Linguini, Butternut Orzo, & Cucumber Salad

Baked Linguini, Butternut Orzo, & Cucumber Salad

Baked Linquini

Local: ground beef, tomatoes, onion, green pepper, garlic, farmer's cheese

Non-local: seasoning, organic whole wheat linguini

Make sauce: saute diced tomatoes, chopped onion, 

chopped green pepper, chopped garlic, add cooked ground beef & seasoning

Add sauce to cooked linguini and bake for 10 mins 

with shredded Farmer's Cheese on top.

Bake until cheese is melted.

Butternut Orzo

Local: butternut squash, milk, butter, onion, green pepper, garlic, honey

Non-local: seasoning, parmesan, organic whole wheat orzo

Make sauce:

 Bake 1 butternut squash in oven until soft.

Saute 1/4 onion chopped, 1/2 green pepper chopped, 

& 2 cloves of garlic chopped 

with 2 tablespoons of butter on the stove top.

 Blend ingredients with 2 cups of milk.

Heat sauce in a pot, add 1/2 cup grated parmesan,

 2 tbs of honey, and season with salt, pepper, & sage.

Add sauce to cooked orzo,

and bake for 10 minutes with parmesan sprinkled on top.

Cucumber Salad

Local: cucumber, tomato, onion

Non-local: balsamic vinaigrette, olive oil, seasoning (mixed for dressing)

Enjoy! 

Eggs at Nacoochee Valley Farm

Eggs at Nacoochee Valley Farm

$4

One of the highlights of our week is going to get eggs at
Nacoochee Valley Farm in their little egg building. 

Josiah loves putting the money in the box.

Bring your cartons back for them.

The farm carries Blalock sausage and lamb, as well.

Blalock Sausage and Lamb at Nacoochee Valley Farm

I saw Judy Hancock the other day,

and she told me that they do have blalock sausage and lamb in the barn

at Nacoochee Valley Farm.

The blalock sausage is sold in 2 pounds bags for $4 a pound.

She said that someone is in the barn between the hours of 9-4, Monday-Friday.

She said that if you don't see someone, 

just knock on the door to the left because they may be in the office.

Has anyone tried their sausage or lamb yet?

I am going soon!

Blackberry Syrup

Blackberry Syrup from the Sautee Market

$4.50

8 oz

Last week I purchased pure cane syrup from Nora Mill Granary.

I bought it because that was the only ingredient in the syrup.

I thought it would be healthy, but it is very strong and my family didn't like
it very much even when I diluted it and added melted butter.

So I bought this blackberry syrup at the Sautee Market yesterday.

The ingredients are blackberry juice, corn syrup, & sugar.

I may mix some of this with the pure cane syrup I already have or serve it as is.

I may use the pure cane syrup as a sweetener
in desserts like pumpkin bread and pecan pie.

I look forward to trying this syrup!

I am guessing that Josiah will love it!

Alternative to MFC Butter

Morning Fresh Farms Butter at Betty's

$3.19

Mountain Fresh Creamery was out of butter, so I went to Betty's and purchased this butter.

The company is based out of Hickory, NC.

Does anybody know anything about this company?

Thanks!

Honey Tip: Wildflower!

Wildflower Honey at Fritchey's

This is Berry Wright's honey with Pure Georgia Mountain Honey.

$3.45!!!!!

If you want a honey bear, Fritchey's sells the cheapest around.

The sourwood honey bear is $5.25, & wildflower is only $3.45!

We have both, and both taste wonderful!

Soap at Greenstone

Soap balls at Greenstone Soap

$4.50 each

Tea Tree & Lemongrass, Appalachian Wilderness

I love that Greenstone sells soap balls from their leftover molds.

The balls are between $1 and $3 cheaper than buying the square soap with paper packaging.

White Cornmeal

White Cornmeal

$5.95

I bought this cornmeal at Nora Mill Granary because I want to make cornbread muffins.

The man behind the counter said that this is their best selling cornmeal.

I look forward to trying it!

Pure Cane Syrup

Pure Cane Syrup

$6.95

We have been using this pure cane syrup that I bought at Nora Mill Granary.

I purchased it because it was the only syrup that they carried without other ingredients.

The syrup has a strong flavor, and I have been adding water and melted butter to it to help ease the taste.

I think next time I will try a different syrup.

Sausage, sweet potato hash browns, & cheesy scrambled eggs

Local: sausage, sweet potatoes, eggs, milk, farmers cheese

Non-local: oil, seasoning

"Yummy, yummy in my tummy," says Josiah.

He also said, "This sausage is delicious!"

Bulk order for Oct/Nov/Dec

Order was placed on Sept. 21

Total: $124.69

Bulk Order place with Nuts.com

Milk Chocolate Chips 1 x 1lb bag	$3.49
Brown & Wild Rice Blend 1 x 1lb bag	$4.99
Sea Salt 1 x 1lb bag	$1.99
Double Active Baking Powder 1 x 1lb bag	$2.99
Whole Wheat Couscous 1 x 1lb bag	$2.99
Oregano 1 x 1lb bag	$6.99
Basil 1 x 1lb bag	$3.99
Raw Sugar 1 x 1lb bag	$1.99
Organic Whole Wheat Spirals 1 x 1lb bag	$3.49
Organic Whole Wheat Elbows 1 x 1lb bag	$3.49
Curry Powder 1 x 1lb bag	$4.99
Thai Jasmine Rice 1 x 1lb bag	$2.99
Rolled Oats 1 x 1lb bag	$2.99
Popcorn Kernels 1 x 1lb bag	$2.09
Barley 1 x 1lb bag	$2.99
Organic Great Northern Beans 1 x 1lb bag	$2.99
Organic Dark Red Kidney Beans 1 x 1lb bag	$2.99
Organic Black Beans 1 x 1lb bag	$2.99
Organic Chickpeas (Raw) 1 x 1lb bag	$2.99
Organic Red Lentils 1 x 1lb bag	$3.99
Dark Raisins 1 x 1lb bag	$2.99
Organic Cacao Powder 1 x 1lb bag	$10.99
Roasted Sunflower Seeds (Salted, No Shell) 1 x 1lb bag	$2.99
Raw Almonds (No Shell) 1 x 1lb bag	$6.99
Roasted Cashews (Salted) 1 x 1lb bag	$9.99
Cart subtotal	$102.35

ADDRESS
Jessica P Evans 255 Teresa Dr, Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571-2928

SHIPPING
UPS Ground To arrive Tue, Sep 25	$19.39
Heat resistant packaging	$2.95

TOTAL	$124.69

Creamy Potato Cabbage Soup

Creamy Potato Cabbage Soup

Local: red potatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbage, green pepper, onion, garlic, milk, honey, (garnish) cheese & chives/green onions

Non-local: seasoning (salt, black pepper/red pepper, sage)

Chop up 2 sweet potatoes and 6-8 red potatoes and boil until soft.

Chop up 1/2 cabbage, 1/2 green pepper, & 1/2 onion, 

and cook on stove top until soft.

Drain potatoes.

Blend ingredients with 4 cups of milk in a blender or food processor.

You will not be able to blend all ingredients at once.

Today I blended 4 times, using 1 cup of milk each time.

Pour blended ingredients into a pot.

Add 1 tbs of chopped garlic, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper or red pepper, 

1 tbs sage, 2 tbs honey.

Season as you like to flavor!

Simmer for at least an hour to mix all of the flavors.

When serving, sprinkle shredded or grated cheese on top 

and garnish with green onions/chives.

Serve with bread or biscuits!

Enjoy!

Tip: There will be soup left over for you to freeze and save for winter months.

Veggie & Sausage Flat Bread Pizza

Veggie & Sausage Flat Bread Pizza

Local: whole wheat flour, milk, eggs, tomatoes, garlic, cheese, onions, peppers, sausage, honey, butter

Non-local: seasoning (salt, pepper, basil, oregano)

This is a pizza recipe made with local ingredients. 

I made it for dinner last night, and it was yummy.

The crust is yeast free, so it is more of a flat bread crust. 

Start with the sauce: 

Saute chopped garlic in a pot.

Blend 2-3 diced tomatoes and pour into the pot.

Add seasoning to your liking (salt, pepper, basil, oregano).

Add 1 tbs of honey.

Cook down for 30 minutes with lid off to thicken.

Make the crust:

Preheat oven to 400.

Lightly grease a pizza pan with butter or olive oil.

Stir together 1 cup flour, 1 tsp salt, 1tsp oregano, 1/8 tsp black pepper, 2 eggs, 2/3 cup of milk

Pour batter into pan. Spread evenly.

Bake for 20-25 mins until crust is set.

Make the pizza:

Add sauce, shredded cheese, and toppings.
(I cooked sausage in a pan and had it ready as a topping.)

Bake until cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.
(The Farmers Cheese melted down wonderfully. 
Next time I want to try the tomato herb cheese from 
Mountain Fresh Creamery.)

Broil an additional few minutes to brown the cheese a bit.

Slice & Enjoy!

Tip: Freeze extra chopped onions and peppers for pizzas in the winter.
Cook extra pizza sauce to freeze, too!

Mountain Fresh Creamery

Mountain Fresh Creamery in Clermont, GA

Ice Cream Flavors: Heath, Coffee, Butter Pecan, Cotton Candy, 

Chocolate Chip, Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry

Ice cream Prices Below . . . 

Cheese

$5.69

Sharp Yellow Cheddar

Tomato Herb

Buttermilk

Fiery Fiesta

They get their cheese on the 3rd Friday of each month, 

so I was a day early for the cheese order, 

and all they had left today was Fiery Fiesta which is a bit too spicy for Josiah.

I had a wonderful visit at the creamery, and Donna who worked there is very kind and knowledgeable.

I wasn't able to purchase their butter because they were out.

I look forward to trying their butter, cheese, and many ice cream flavors.

Quick milk pick up is at Betty's, IGA in Cleveland, gas station at 17 & 105.

My purchase today:

2 gallons of whole milk: $4.85 each

Half gallon of chocolate milk: $3.40

Half gallon of ice cream: $7.99

16 oz of ground beef: $6.99

1 lb Blalock sausage mild: $3.99

(They also have spicy sausage.)

Springer Mountain Farms Chicken

Springer Mountain Farms Chicken

$8.98

bought at Cleveland Ingles

Springer Mountain Farms is in Mt. Airy, GA

http://www.springermountainfarms.com/

They have a locator on their website to find where to buy their chicken.

6 breasts in a pack, individually sealed.

Farmer's Cheese at the Sautee Market

Farmer's Cheese at the Sautee Market

half round $11.95

whole round $21.95

Farmer's Cheese is not made locally, but it is sold locally.

It is a product of Sweden and the company in Connecticut imports the cheese.

It is a simple recipe that farmers can make at home with their own milk production. Farmers Cheese in the US and Poland is an unripened cheese that looks similar, at first glance, to cottage cheese. This style of Farmers Cheese is made by converting milk to curds then pressing the curds through a cheesecloth in order to drain the whey. The result is a mild, creamy and soft multi-purpose cheese.

Mountain Fresh Creamery gets their cheese in every third Friday, and the only cheese they had left when I went today was a spicy cheese, so I stopped and got this cheese at the Sautee Market.

I used it on our pizzas tonight and it melted great!

Hillside Orchard Apple Cider

Hillside Orchard Farms Apple Cider
based out of Lakemont, GA

$11.95

128 Fl Oz

Sweetwater Coffeehouse in Sautee sells Hillside Orchard Farms cider and jams.

Their jams are five pepper jelly, toe jam, & blackberry jam.

This is a great price for a gallon of cider.
I bought half a gallon of cider at Fritchey's for $5.75.

I am giving Josiah local apple cider instead of apple juice,
and I am adding water to his cup. He likes it just fine.

It is yummy!

Carolyn at Sweetwater just placed an order today for more cider and jams,
so they should be in soon.

http://www.sweetwatercoffeehouse.com/

http://retail.hillsideorchard.com/Home_Page.html

Support Sweetwater Coffeehouse & support Hillside Orchard Farms!

SUPPORT LOCAL!

Whole Wheat Apple Cobbler

Whole Wheat Apple Cobbler

Local: apples, whole wheat flour, milk, butter

Non-local: baking powder, sugar

Preheat oven to 325.

Cook 2 diced apples with 1/4 cup of sugar on stove top until soft.

Melt 1/4 cup of butter in dish.

Blend together 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 3 tsp baking powder,
& 1 cup of milk.

Pour batter in dish over butter. 

Sprinkle apple on top of batter. Do not stir.

Bake 1 hour or until golden brown.
Sprinkle some sugar on top towards the end of baking.

(I will occasionally throw a frozen banana in with the apples and sugar 

to add some creaminess to the cobbler. You can always add cinnamon or vanilla extract, as well.)

Enjoy!

Chicken Tenders & Sweet Potato Fries

Chicken Tenders & Sweet Potato Fries

The local dinner that Josiah loves!

Just add a salad to get some raw veggies. 

I made this with a tomato & cucumber salad.

Tenders

Local: chicken, flour, milk, egg

Non-local: seasoning, oil

Fries

Local: sweet potatoes

Non-local: seasoning, oil

Cucumber Tomato Salad

Cucumber Tomato Salad

Here is a quick and simple side dish to add raw vegetables to any meal.

Local: tomato, cucumber, onion

Non-local: balsamic vinaigrette, olive oil, seasoning (mixed for dressing)

Enjoy!

8 Signs of High Quality Foods

Fruits: When are they in season?

Going nuts over nuts.com!

We have discovered nuts.com!

Dylan's parents mentioned the company to us months ago because they bought some yummy chocolate covered sunflower seeds from them. 

We never looked at the site, went on it today, and sat with mouths watering.

So, Dylan and I decided to spend $100 this week on nuts.com to stock up on spices, baking needs, grains, beans, & nuts for the fall/winter. Dylan is splurging on cashews, and I am splurging on cacao powder to make chocolate bars. Some of these spices will last us a year or more! None of these products are local products, and you can't get them local, but buying them in bulk now will save us money and time in the long run. This will be an expensive grocery week, but it will help make other weeks less expensive. I look forward to receiving these items. I love a stocked pantry!

Food Tip: Stock up for winter

Can and freeze food for winter now!

I am reminding myself that if I make a sauce or soup,
I need to save some for winter because those vegetables won't be available locally.

I am stocking up now on freezable containers.

I need to go ahead and blanche vegetables to freeze every week.

Here is some 101 information on blanching and freezing vegetables. 

http://southernfood.about.com/od/freezingfood/a/aa082101.htm

You can freeze fruits, as well!
We are freezing fruits now for winter pies and cobblers.

Think of the various casseroles that you would like to make this winter,
and blanche and freeze those vegetables now.

We will be able to get grains, meat, and dairy throughout the winter,

but I know that it is important to stock up on fruits and vegetables now to continue eating locally grown.

Fried Green Tomatoes

Fried Green Tomatoes

Local: green tomatoes, flour, cornmeal, milk, egg

Non-local: seasoning, oil

Thinly slice 3 green tomatoes.

Prepare egg-wash: 1 egg and 1 cup of milk

Prepare breading: 1 cup whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup cornmeal, seasoning

Heat up oil in skillet.

Dip tomato slices in egg wash then breading and fry.

Broil in oven if you want them crispier.

You can serve them with any sauce.

Enjoy!

Egg Salad Sandwiches

Egg Salad Sandwiches

Local: eggs, pickles, apples

Non-local: mayo, mustard, salt, pepper

Blend:

4 hard boiled eggs, 2 diced pickles, 1/4 apple diced, 4 tbsp mayo, 2 tbsp mustard, dash of salt, dash of pepper

Use local bread, tomatoes, or greens with egg salad.

Enjoy!

Whole Wheat Pancakes

Whole Wheat Pancakes

local: whole wheat flour, egg, honey, milk, butter, syrup

(Add local fruit or nuts if you want!)

non-local: baking powder, salt, vanilla extract

Blend:

1 cup whole wheat flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tbsp honey, 1 egg, 

1 1/4 cups milk, 2 tbsp melted butter, 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cook on stove top.

Top with a local syrup!

Enjoy!

Josiah loved them this morning! Mmmmmm . . . 

Meal Ideas out of local food . . .

What meals can you make using mainly locally grown food?

Soups

tomato basil soup

mushroom cream soup

potato soup

corn chowder

french onion soup

vegetable bean soup

chicken veggie soup

chili

root stew
chicken veggie soup
gazpacho
watermelon soup

Sandwiches

grilled cheese

cucumber dill

tomato cheese

PB & J

egg salad
chicken salad

Salads

bean salad

corn salad

cucumber tomato salad

slaw

spinach salad
fruit salad

Sides

deviled eggs

sauteed veggies

sweet potato souffle

sweet potato fries

french fries

hashbrown casserole

root roast

sauteed/grilled/fried okra

fried green tomatoes
sauteed/grilled/fried mushrooms

turnip/collard/kale greens

squash casserole

corn casserole

green bean casserole
macaroni and cheese
onion rings
cinnamon apples

Main dishes

pizza (veggie, sausage)

quiche (veggie, sausage)

tomato pie
chicken & dumplins
lamb pot roast
chicken pot pie

Meat
chicken
fried chicken tenders
sausage
lamb
pork

Breakfast
quiche
frittata
eggs & biscuits
pancakes (berry)
french toast
fresh fruit
coffeecake

Sauces

Butternut Cream

Tomato Basil

Breads
biscuits
cornbread
acorn/blueberry/apple muffins
pumpkin bread

Desserts

peach/apple/blueberry  pie/cobbler
pumpkin pie

ice cream
watermelon

pound cake

cookies
custard
creme brulee
peanut butter pie/squares
pecan/acorn pie

Please comment! I would love some meal ideas!

Sweet Potato Fries

Sweet Potato Fries

Local: 4 sweet potatoes

Non-local: canola oil, seasoning

I made sweet potato fries tonight for a potluck in our local community.

They were great! :)

My desire is to cook meals and dishes out of local products . . . 

Butternut Tomato Cream Sauce

Butternut Tomato Cream Sauce

Blend Ingredients

Local: 2 baked butternut squash, 4 tomatoes, 1/2 sauteed onion & garlic, milk, honey

Non-local: seasoning, parmesean (optional)

Throw over your favorite grain or pasta.
You can garnish with the toasted squash seeds.
Enjoy! 

Finding ways to make meals that contain a large percentage of local foods.

Shopping List

Here are some of the local products that I know of.

Please comment on this post if you purchase something else local, and I will add it to the list.

Thank you for your help!

Dairy

Milk: Mountain Fresh Creamery (Quick pick up at Betty's, IGA in Cleveland, gas station at 17 & 105)
Ice Cream: Mountain Fresh Creamery
Cheese: Mountain Fresh Creamery, Farmers Cheese sold at The Old Sautee Store and Market
Butter: Mountain Fresh Creamery

Meat/Poultry/Eggs

Sausage: Mountain Fresh Creamery, Nacoochee Valley Farm
Chicken: Loganberry Farms, Springer Mountain Farms (online, Ingles, Quality foods in Cornelia, Bilo in Blairsville)
Pork: Double B Farms
Beef: Double B Farms, Loganberry Farms, Mountain Fresh Creamery (ground beef)
Lamb: Hemlock Hill Farm, Double B Farms, Nacoochee Valley Farm
Eggs: Nacoochee Valley Farm, DeFoor's, Loganberry Farm, Double B Farms

Grains

Bread: Country Bake Shoppe, Dragonfly Bakery, Hofer's Bakery, Sautee Market

Flour: Nora Mill Granary
Cornmeal: Nora Mill Granary
Pastries: Country Bake Shoppe, Loganberry Farm, Aunt B's Bakery, Hofer's Bakery

Produce & Plants

Produce: Fritchey's, produce stand across from Sautee Junction, Holland's Produce, Loganberry Farm, Stand across from Country Bake Shoppe
Garlic: Loganberry Farm, Fritchey's
Herbs: Loganberry Farm
Flowers: Fritchey's, Loganberry Farm

Dried & Packaged Foods

Rice: Fritchey's
Dried Beans/Peas: Fritchey's
Coffee/Tea: Sweetwater Coffeehouse, Jumpin Goat Coffee
Honey: Old Sautee Store, Fritchey's, Nora Mill Granary, Allison's Honey, Loganberry Farm, Jumpin Goat Coffee, Stand across from Country Bake Shoppe
Preserves/jams/jellies: Old Sautee Store, Fritchey's, Nora Mill Granary, Loganberry Farm, Stand across from Country Bake Shoppe, Sweetwater Coffeehouse
Dressings: Old Sautee Store
Syrup: Old Sautee Store, Fritchey's, Nora Mill Granary, Loganberry Farm

Juice & Wine

Juice/Cider: Fritchey's, Sweetwater Coffeehouse, Stand across from Country Bake Shoppe, Betty's

Wine: Nacoochee Valley Vineyards, Yonah Mountain Vineyards, Habersham Winery, Serenity Cellars

Soaps/Oils/Shampoo

Soaps and body oils: Greenstone Soap
Dog shampoo: Greenstone Soap

CSA

CSA Baskets: Loganberry Farm

Once a Week Farmer's Markets

Sautee Farmers Market: In front of SNCA on Sunday mornings from 9-Noon during growing season

Clarkesville Farmers Market: At A Garden for Wellness on Saturdays mornings from 9-Noon during growing season