Howdy from the farm! This last heat spell has kicked all the summer crops into high gear. The tomatoes are showing the first blushes of red, and cucumbers and eggplant are coming on strong. The transition to summer crops is upon us…so get ready to do some cookin’ and some eating. New this week are potatoes, dug from the soil this morning, it doesn’t get much fresher than that!

I just discovered this guide to local eating by Alice Waters, amazing chef and pioneer of the local food movement and I thought y’all might enjoy it.

Cheers!

-The Bakbraken Crew

An Eater’s Manifesto

From The Art of Simple Food: Notes, Lessons, Recipes from a Delicious Revolution

By Alice Waters

1.) Eat Locally and Sustainably

2.) Eat Seasonally

3.) Shop at Farmer’s Markets and Join a CSA

4.) Plant a Garden (It’s never too late or too early)

5.) Conserve, Compost, and Recycle

6.) Cook Simply, Engaging all of your senses

7.) Cook Together

8.) Eat Together

9.) Remember: Food is Precious

Classic Pesto

2 c. fresh basil

½ c. parmesan cheese

½ c. extra-virgin olive oil

1/3 c. pine or macadamia nuts

3 or 4 cloves garlic

A generous amount of salt and fresh black pepper

Preparation:

Put basil, cheese, nuts, and garlic in a food processor and pulse while adding olive in a steady stream. Taste and adjust salt and pepper to suit your palate. Enjoy fresh pesto over pasta, sautéed vegetables, potatoes, as a dip, or right off a spoon!

BBQ Roasted New Potatoes with Garlic and Thyme

 Preheat oven to 400 degrees or start up the coals)

3Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil

1 head of garlic, separated into cloves and peeled

5 or 6 sprigs of fresh thyme

Course Salt

Pepper, freshly ground

Preparation:

Scrub potatoes and let drain, if potatoes are fairly small and uniform don’t bother cutting them. In a shallow baking dish toss potatoes with olive oil, garlic, thyme, and salt and pepper. Add a splash of water and cover tightly with foil. Check the doneness of the potatoes with a knife after 40 minutes. 

If you prefer to BBQ the potatoes, fold them into foil packets and cover them with coals. Use coals that are white and dusty in appearance but still glowing inside. You may need to replenish the coals underneath as needed.