Thursday, August 28, 2014

Hard to believe summer is coming to an end. I have already seen a few trees with leaves that are changing!! I had this discussion recently with someone from work, that the old you get the faster time goes. Sure seems true!

I finally got my first "real" tomato from my garden! WooHoo! I was afraid the local squirrels were going to eat everything! I've been able to get some small Japanese eggplants, some red and yellow red bell peppers and a few cherry tomatoes. The tomato is from one of the plants we got from Janell's friend DeeDee-so it's either Italian or French.

If memory serves me, there were many tomatoes just like this at the French farmer's market.

A friend of mine asked me to make a birthday cake for her now, 18 year old daughter, Megan. What do you think? She wanted a cake with a Hawaiian theme. I can't say that I am much into fondant and all that fancy stuff. Give me buttercream any time! :-) I am planning on taking some cake decorating classes from Craftsy. I don't remember if I wrote in an earlier post, but I am baking for Creme Cafe in Reno, now. Just a part time job. Beth Carter is the owner and has pretty much turned me loose in the kitchen to bake what I want. How sweet is THAT? (OK, bad pun, lol) I am also helping with her catering. She'd like to offer cakes (wedding cakes and other fancy cakes) for catering, and while I think I can do nice cakes, I'm not into the fancy-shmacy cakes you see on TV. Still....I like pushing myself and I enjoy learning new things. All I need is practice!

The farm-to-table is coming up, Saturday, September 13. The Menu is set, We have almost everything set up and ready to go. Interested in hearing the menu?

Appetizers: Cheesy Summer Spirals
Grilled Flatbreads with Carmelized Onions, Sausage and Manchego
Roasted Red Pepper Soup Shooters

Salad: Mixed Green Salad with Aged Raspberry Balsamic and Toasted Almonds

Entrees: Braised Lamb Shanks with Gemolata and Baked Polenta
Pimenton Roast Chicken with Crispy Potatoes and Delicata Rings with Sage
Farmer's Market Papparedelle

Cheese Course from Wedge-a Cheese Shop

Dessert: Peaches and Vanilla Panna Cotta
Cantucci di Prato (little biscotti style cookies)

Sounds yummy, yes? We sold out weeks ago-I still can't believe it! People hear we are having a farm-to-table dinner at the Old 1862 Ranch and they want a ticket! Yay!

Life is about to get a whole lot busier!