I just had to share this picture of the tomatoes I picked today from my humble little backyard garden. Isn’t that a lovely bunch. As you can see, this year I decided to really mix it up with a lot of heirloom varieties. Last year, I fell in love with the big, pinkish Brandywine tomatoes but I couldn’t find them this year. So, I opted for the Green Zebra, yellow cherry tomatoes, Mr. Stripey and your classic hybrid red. (Can’t remember what variety it is, sorry.)
»» Jersey Tomatoes
Filed under: Jersey Fresh,Jersey Tomatoes | Deborah Smith|3 Comments
When you live year round at the Jersey Shore, there is a short and sweet phrase that we residents proclaim with great pride: “I’m a Local.” It’s like a secret handshake or whispered password which ultimately leads to our commiserating over the lack of parking and bumper to bumper traffic. Now, we locals actually have a place to call our own with the newly opened 1940′s style I’m a Local Cafe and Cabana Club tucked away on the southern end of the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk.
»» I’m a Local
Filed under: Restaurants,Reviews | Deborah Smith, point pleasant beach|1 Comment
Sorry for the delay in this announcement everyone. It’s been one crazy week around here.
»» The winner of the Funnibonz Gift Pack
Filed under: Win It Wednesday | Deborah Smith|2 Comments
I have to admit something to you. I am a potato salad flunky. Yes, it’s true. I’ve only attempted to make potato salad a handful of times for good reason. My version always ends up more like mashed potatoes than anything close to traditional potato salad. Until now.
»» Austrian Potato Salad
Filed under: Recipes,Side Dish,Vegetarian,sides | Deborah Smith, potato, potato salad|5 Comments
This week’s winner is Erika from In Erika’s Kitchen and she REALLY REALLY wanted to win, so I am very happy that our shriveled up little shrooms will be put to very good use. Maybe she’ll even do a blog post for us using her prize. (hint, hint).
»» This week’s winner of the Dried Mushrooms from MarxFoods.com
Filed under: Win It Wednesday | Deborah Smith|1 Comment
On Sunday August 23, 2009 from 4 to7 p.m. the second in a series of Sustenance on the Farm Dinners will take place in the scenic fields of Starbrite Farm in Andover, Sussex County. Organic farmer John Krueger will take the guests on a farm tour and chef Andrea Carbine, a James Beard Award semi-finalist and co-owner of A Toute Heure in Cranford, will prepare an elegant farm-to-table five-course dinner centered around Starbrite Farm’s organic and heirloom vegetables, as well as grass-fed meat and poultry from Plaid Piper Farm. For those desiring to eat low on the food chain an elegant all vegetarian dinner is available.
Dessert featuring the exotic ground cherries grown at Starbrite Farm, Native to Central and South America.will be prepared by Chef Diane Pinder of Donna & Company Artisan Chocolates. Organic and biodynamic wines that will be paired with each course. Jon-David Headrick, importer of earth-friendly wines, will join us and educate us about the wines paired with each course. Live music during the dinner by solo guitarist Paul Meyers will bring an acoustic infusion of Brazilian rhythms and Jazz.
The proceeds from this Sustenance on the Farm Dinner will support Slow Food Northern New Jersey’s earth stewardship and food justice programs.
Family-owned Starbrite Farm is a fine example of environmentally responsible management of a certified organic farm. Owner John Krueger, who has a degree in Environmental Sciences from Cook College, Rutgers University, has been farming for over 20 years. He came to Starbrite in 2002 
and took over the operation the following year, at which time he began working with the Bloomfield-Montclair CSA (community supported agriculture) and selling at NJ farmers’ markets. Since then, four new CSA groups have been added and currently Starbrite Farm CSA groups provide vegetables, fruits, and herbs to more than 300 member families.
Sustenance dinners take place in farm fields, orchards, and historic sites. The farmer takes the guests on a guided tour of the farm, and during dinner guests hear from the farmer, chef, winemaker, and food artisans about the connection between our palates, our plates, and our planet.
Sustenance on the Farm Dinner at Starbrite Farm
»» Slow Food Northern NJ Farm-to-Table Dinner
Filed under: Events,new jersey | Deborah Smith, Slow Food|2 Comments
It all started at the Farmers’ Market on Sunday when I overheard an elderly man offer his personal advice to a woman who was buying corn, “You’re going to put some sugar in that water, right?” Her reply, “Oh, I always do.”
»» How to Cook Jersey Corn
Filed under: Cooking Tips,Jersey Corn,Jersey Fresh | cooking tips, corn, Deborah Smith|5 Comments
