Seasonal Eating in Late Winter

As the winter drags on, it can feel like the local food options are becoming really scarce. Fortunately, we live in an area with plentiful local food producers and winter farmer's markets. We've decided to pull together a late winter menu featuring local & regional food items. These are some of the classics that we cook week after week during winter. Here are some products we love and few recipes that are perfect for this time of year:

Sweet & Savory Breakfast

Deep Roots Milling rolled oats or pancake mix, Back Creek Farm maple syrup, local bread toast with honey or jam from Agriberry or Jam by Daniel

Bellair Farm bacon and/or breakfast sausage, eggs, hot sauce or salsa, maybe a side of Gathered Threads kraut!

LUNCH & DINNER INGREDIENTS

PRODUCE: storage potatoes, carrots, beets; leafy greens, microgreens (pea & sunflower shoots, zesty radish/mixed microgreens); mushrooms

DAIRY: Virginia cheese, yogurt, milk, butter & cream

EGGS & MEAT: chicken, pork, beef, and lamb (ground & chops from Meadows Pride Farm) ; plus ground turkey & chicken (from Spring Creek Meadows Farm.)

Recipe Ideas

Apple & Blue Cheese Toast - a classic any time of year - use apples or pears, and local cheese of your choice

White Bean & Barley Soup - or any brothy soup; use Bellair chicken stock or tomato soup as a based and add whatever you have

Winter Grain Salad - use any seasonal greens & storage veg; dress with local cheese & vinegar (easy to personalize)

Ramen - Ramen noodles in bone broth, with garlic & greens, top with a soft-cooked Bellair egg!

Pork Stew or Posole - Use a Boston Butt with aromatic veggies & spices; use chipotles con adobo for a more traditional posole

Slow Cooker Beef- Osso Bucco (shanks) or Korean-style Ribs, a hearty foundation to build dinner around (and excellent leftovers)

Apple Cider Braised Pork Chops - Apple Cider is a great ingredient! This mustardy-apple gravy was amazing.

Apple Sorghum Galette - Local apples/pears & sorghum syrup, we've restocked Deep Roots Milling bread & all purpose flours

Below are just a smattering of items that you can find in the Barn Store on Saturday’s from 10 am-2 pm. You can also preorder these Friday home delivery or for pick up at the Saturday IX Market - just order by noon on Thursdays.