My Christmas Gift . . . . oh my gosh!!! A SOUS VIDE MACHINE!!!!!

I was floored this Christmas. Mark gave me a Sous Vide Machine. I am now in high tech foodie heaven. This thing (a very high tech water oven) will cook meats, vegetables and some fruits perfectly through temperature controlled water immersion. Think of Thomas Keller of the "French Laundry" when you see this in your kitchen . . . . yes . . . cooking in our household will now go from three stars to five stars with this contraption.




So this is what I cooked tonight . . . . Narrangansett Turkey Breast with pesto mayo on a bed of spring greens, hothouse tomatoes and garlic croutons . . . . the turkey was to die for. One of the best meat dishes that I have ever cooked. Next up is our lamb, chicken and the last duck that I have saved for this winter. Oh, and I have some great baby back pork ribs from Tide Mill Farm . . . . may put those in tonight and have them on Tuesday. Love this machine . . . . Thanks so much my big Honey!!!!

Buy Local . . . . Eat Well . . . .

Christmas Turkey and Availabilities for 12/17

Although a bit late . . . . our power was out most of the day yesterday due to the huge storm that has been crossing the country over the last few days. Strangely we did not get snow but warm thundery rain (almost 8 inches!!!!) and lots and lots of wind.

We still have some turkey's available for Christmas. Our local paper wrote a great article on our farm. Because of this article . . . the turkeys are selling fast so please contact me soon to reserve one.

Above is a photo of our Thanksgiving Narrangansett Turkey prior to cooking our big meal. Since I have had so many requests on how to prepare a heritage turkey ~ I will be uploading a video later this week. We had some technical difficulties with the video but everything should be up soon via You-Tube.

Here are the availabilites for this week. Please have all orders to me by this evening. Please return all glass jars for both Tide Mill and Olde Sow farm.

Thanks so much!!!

Olde Sow Farm:

Raw Creamline Milk
$5 per gallon
$3 per half gallon


Greek Style yogurt
16 oz jar $3.75 plain
16 oz jar $4.50 Flavored
Flavors are :
Cranberry Apple
Strawberry Rhubarb
Raspberry Peach
Chunky Cranberry
Fig, Meyer Lemon
Black Cherry
Key Lime
Strawberry Pomegranate
Honey
Blueberry
Blackberry
Orange
Boysenberry

Raw Jersey Cream- I am not offering cream this week but I would like to make a suggestion... I suggest that you order a 1/2 gallon of milk at $3 per gallon versus 1 pint of cream at $4 per pint. There is at least a pint of cream on each 1/2 gallon and it pours off quite easily!


Please return all glass jars and lids so they can be sterilized and reused! Thank You

Tide Mill Organic Farm:

Certified Organic, Maine Raised Produce Price/ Quantity Amount Requested
Produce Bag...A selection of fresh, seasonal vegetables $10.00 each
Beets from Peacemeal & Beech Hill Farm $2.50 per lb
Carrots from Tide Mill or Peacemeal Farm $2.50 per lb
Rutabega $2.00 per lb
Onions from Peacemeal Farm $2.00 per lb
Garlic, extremely limited quantities available $12.00 per lb
White Potatoes from Misty Meadows Farm (shepody) $2.00 per lb
Green Hubbard Squash $1.00 per lb
Small Red Kuri or Blue Kuri Squash (dry squash like buttercup) $2.00 per lb
Festival or Acorn Winter Squash $2.00 per lb
Sweet Dumpling/Delicata Winter Squash $2.00 per lb


Certified Organic, Pasture Raised Cow Dairy
Ricotta, Made by Garden Side Dairy with TMOF milk $6.50 per 1 lb
Order your whole milk yogurt from Tide Mill Creamery!
Whole, raw milk in 1/2 Gallon Glass Ball Jars $2.75 per 1/2 gallon


Whole, Raw Milk (in a Recyclable plastic pint) $2.00 per pint
Whole, Raw Milk in Recyclable Plastic Gallon Jugs $5.50 /gallon
Whole, raw milk in Recyclable Plastic 1/2 Gallon Jugs $3.00 per half gallon

Certified Organic, Pasture Raised Meats. Stock up for winter because our inventory won't last long! Frozen Pork and Beef.
For our meats: If you buy 25 lbs or more you get a .25 cents per pound discount. Buying 50 lbs gets you a discount of $.50 per pound.
CHICKEN...Available frozen only
Half Chickens $4.75 per lb
Whole breasts, (~1.8-2.5 lbs) with skin and bone $7.00 per lb
Boneless breasts $9.50 per lb
Drumsticks, 6 per pkg (~ 1.5 lb pkg) $4.00 per lb
Leg/thigh quarters (2 per package) $4.50 per lb
Wings 12 per pkg (approximately 2 lb bag) $4.00 /lb
Chicken Necks (2-4 lb bags) $2.00 /lb
Chicken Livers (~1.0 lb bags) $4.00 per lb
Dehydrated chicken feet (great for dogs or as gag gifts) $5.00 per dozen
TURKEY...PREORDER YOUR SMALL FRESH TURKEYS FOR CHRISTMAS
Small turkeys (10 lbs ish) $4.50 per lb
BEEF
Ground beef $5.00 per lb
Tenderloin Steaks $15.00 per lb
NY Strip Steaks $14.00 per lb
Ribeye $13.00 per lb
Beef Liver $3.00 per lb
Beef Suet $1.00 per lb
Short Ribs $6.00 per lb
Beef Roasts $6.00 per lb
PORK
Pork Chops $8.00 per lb
Pork Rack of Ribs $6.00 per lb
Pork Sausage (please specify hot or breakfast) $7.50 per lb
Pork Loin Roast $8.00 per lb
Ground pork $7.00 per lb
Fat Back $1.00 per lb

WREATHS...Tide Mill Balsams. Visit our website for pictures and more details.
Plain Balsam Wreath, double sided ~24 inches in diameter $7.00 per wreath
Plain Balsam Wreath with Pine, double sided ~24 inches in diameter $8.00 per wreath
Natural Wreath, double sided, ~22 inches in diameter with Raffi ribbon and cones $21.50 per wreath
Traditional Wreath, double sided, ~24 inches with red ribbon, cones, & reindeer moss $27.50 per wreath
Seaside Wreath, double sided, ~24 inches with burgandy bow, mussell shells & sea lavender $33.50 per wreath
Spray, ~ 15 x 20 inches with a red ribbon and cluster of cones $16.50 each
Box of Greenery & cones for your own holiday decorating $12.95 for 4 lbs of brush and 12 cones
Centerpiece $29.50 each
Kissing Ball $26.50 each
Table top Tree, ~24 inches high by 22 wide by 22 deep, decorated with cones, berries, & ribbon

Buy local . . . . Eat well . . . . .

Fresh Narranganset Turkeys Still Avaliable ~ Buying Club Will Resume Next Week

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Mark and Declan came back late last night with our processed batch of Heritage Turkey's. Your turkey can be picked up at our Farm Store Monday - Wednesday between 10 am - 5 pm. We still have a few available. I am also holding a few over for Christmas orders this year.

I find that this is the breed of turkey which has the best taste and texture . . . . think the "Essence" of turkey. It may be due to the breeding of these birds. They were bred in Rhode Island in the 17th century by crossing the Eastern Wild Turkey with a Spanish Black breed. Someone mentioned to me that these are one of the hardest heritage breeds to raise. We have been fortunate to not have any problems. Our turkey's are hatched from proven breeding stock. Our Tom is now four years old and his hens are between 2-4 years old. They are extremely hardy and healthy.

I will be taking some photo's and putting up some of our Thanksgiving recipes. I use my Grandfather's dressing recipe and have a certain way of cooking our turkey so it stays wonderfully moist. Mark likes to have just Turkey, Gravy, Stuffing, Cranberries, and Pumpkin Pie ~ who really has a large enough appetite to eat any more:)

Buy local . . . . . eat well . . . . .

Kilby Ridge Farm Availabilities for 11/19

Here are this week's offerings. Please phone or e-mail your orders to me by Tuesday evening. Pick up is on Friday between 12-6pm. Thanks so much!!!!

Olde Sow Farm:

Raw Creamline Milk $5 per gallon, $3 per half gallon


Greek Style yogurt 16 oz jar $3.75 plain or $4.50 Flavored
Flavors are :
Cranberry Apple, Strawberry Rhubarb, Raspberry Peach, Chunky Cranberry, Fig, Meyer Lemon, Blk Cherry, Key Lime, Strawberry Pomegranate, or Honey


Raw Jersey Cream- I am not offering cream this week but I would like to make a suggestion... I suggest that you order a 1/2 gallon of milk at $3 per gallon versus 1 pint of cream at $4 per pint. There is at least a pint of cream on each 1/2 gallon and it pours off quite easily!


Please return all glass jars and lids so they can be sterilized and reused! Thank You

Tide Mill Organic Farm

Nov.15th-Nov. 22nd. All products are Certified Organic.

Grown and Raised on Tide Mill Farm, unless otherwise noted.

New and/or Sale Items are Noted in red

Certified Organic, Maine Raised Produce
Produce Bag...A selection of fresh, seasonal vegetables $10.00
each
Beets from Peacemeal & Beech Hill Farm $2.50 per lb
Turnips from COMOC $2.00 per lb
Rutabegas from COMOC $2.00 per lb
Carrots from Tide Mill or Peacemeal Farm $2.50 per lb
Potatoes from Misty Meadows Farm (please specify yukon golds, whites or reds) $2.00 per lb
Blue or Green Hubbard Squash $1.00 per lb
Delicata $2.00 per lb
Butternut Winter Squash (tan, hour glass shaped squash with moist, orange flesh) $1.50 per lb
Buttercup Winter Squash (round, green squash with dry organge flesh) $1.50 per lb
Spaghetti Squash $1.50 per lb
Pie Pumpkins $1.00 per lb


Certified Organic, Pasture Raised Cow Dairy
Ricotta, Made by Garden Side Dairy with TMOF milk $6.50 per 1 lb
Whole Milk Yogurt, made with Tide Mill Organic Farm's cow milk...We are transitioning to $5.00 per quart
Rachel Bell of Tide Mill Creamery to begin to offer this yogurt on her own. The yogurt is no different than what you are currently getting, but look to order
it from Tide Mill Creamery, instead of Tide Mill Organics and also be on the lookout of other great cheese products made from Tide Mill Organic Farm's milk.
Whole, raw milk in 1/2 Gallon Glass Ball Jars $2.75 per 1/2 gallon


Whole, Raw Milk (in a Recyclable plastic pint) $2.00 per pint
Whole, Raw Milk in Recyclable Plastic Gallon Jugs $5.50 /gallon
Whole, raw milk in Recyclable Plastic 1/2 Gallon Jugs $3.00 per half gallon

Certified Organic, Pasture Raised Meats. Last week for fresh Chicken! Stock up for winter because our inventory won't last long! Frozen Pork and Beef.
For our meats: If you buy 25 lbs or more you get a .25 cents per pound discount. Buying 50 lbs gets you a discount of $.50 per pound.
CHICKEN...Available fresh or frozen this week.please specify if you have a preference
Whole chickens $4.50 per lb
Half Chickens $4.75 per lb
Whole breasts, (~1.8-2.5 lbs) with skin and bone $7.00 per lb
Boneless breasts $9.50 per lb
Drumsticks, 6 per pkg (~ 1.5 lb pkg) $4.00 per lb
Thighs, 4 per pkg (~1.50 lb pkgs) $5.00 per lb
Wings 12 per pkg (approximately 2 lb bag) $4.00 /lb
Chicken Necks (2-4 lb bags) $2.00 /lb
Chicken Livers (~1.0 lb bags) $4.00 per lb
Dehydrated chicken feet (great for dogs or as gag gifts) $5.00 per dozen
TURKEY
Small...8-12 lbs $4.50 per lb
Medium....13-17 $4.50 per lb
Large....18-21 $4.50 per lb
X-tra Large....22 plus $4.50 per lb
BEEF
Ground beef $5.00 per lb
Tenderloin Steaks $15.00 per lb
NY Strip Steaks $14.00 per lb
Ribeye $13.00 per lb
Sirloin Steaks $11.00 per lb
Beef Liver $3.00 per lb
Beef Suet $1.00 per lb
Short Ribs $6.00 per lb
Beef Roasts $6.00 per lb
Beef Stew Meat $6.50 per lb
PORK
Pork Chops $8.00 per lb
Ground pork $7.00 per lb
Fat Back $1.00 per lb
Leaf lard (render for purified lard to make the best pie crusts, biscuits, scones & dumplings)

Udderview Farm:

Fresh tubs (5 oz) $5.00
*Garlic & Herb
*Garlic & Dill
*Plain
*if someone would like a different flavor, I can accommodate

Italian Torte (6 oz) $8.00
...has a layer of sun-dried tomato and pesto (there are walnuts and pignolia nuts)

Marinated Chevre (5 oz) $8.00
Medallions of plain goat cheese in roasted garlic-infused xtra-virgin olive oil with herbs and peppercorn.

Feta Crumbles 3 oz/$2.50
Feta Chunks 5 oz $4.00
Marinated Feta 5 oz $6.00

CRANBERRIES! Harvest begins on September 20 and may have a limited amount of 1# in reclosable plastic bags. $3/#

Buy local . . . . . . Eat well . . . . .

An Important Link . . . . .

Just found this farm's blog a few weeks ago and have been meaning to post this think to a fantastic article written on the "Honest Meat" blog.

http://www.honestmeat.com/honest_meat/2010/09/so-you-say-you-want-a-food-revolution.html

It is a shame about their farm though. I do hope they travel to Maine and see what the farmers here are doing. Maine is a state where our farm numbers have actually INCREASED by 13%.

Here is a great article from the Bangor Daily News that describes what is happening on the Ag Front in Maine.

http://www.bangordailynews.com/story/Opinion/Reasons-for-optimism-about-Maines-farms,157023

Buy local . . . . . Eat Well . . . . .

Is Healthy Food Expensive? I Am About to Bust The Myth.

Pictured on my dining room table is my weekly order to a local food buying club (as some of you know we also host one here at our farm store - pick up is on Friday's).

These healthy and fresh items (picked hours before delivery) include:

4 Pounds Kale
1 Pound Heirloom Tomatoes
5 Bunches of Chocolate Mint
4 Dozen Eggs
1/2 Dozen Duck Eggs
1 Pound Brussels Sprouts
1/4 Pound Mixed Baby Lettuce
3 Large Bunches Beets
1 Pound Beet Greens
2 Pounds Russian Banana Fingerling Potatoes
1 Pound Swiss Chard
3 Bunches Scallions

All of the products above totaled $76.25. Round out this batch of produce and eggs with a gallon of fresh raw milk and a few cuts of pasture raised meats and a pantry stocked with bulk beans, rice, flour and various oils, condiments and spices ~ you can eat very well on $100.00 or less per week.

It is so sad to see what people buy at the grocery store. 9 out of 10 carts are loaded with processed boxed foods, soda's, chips, frozen entrees, etc. Most of these products are not only cheap but so easy to cook . . . . just heat and eat. The health consequences for eating foods loaded with the wrong kind of fats, preservatives, salt, etc. can lead to obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

We are three generations removed from routinely eating fresh, local foods and knowing how to cook from scratch (healthy meals based on primary ingredients). The local food movement in our own remote area of the country has begun to catch on and I believe will continue to grow. As local farmers/producers it is our job to not only grow and raise the healthiest, best tasting food but show everyone that - YES, it can be purchased reasonably with some simple menu planning and staples bought in bulk.

Future posts will feature some of my favorite (quick) recipes using locally produced products and staples that everyone should have on hand.

Buy local . . . . . eat well . . . .

Hen of The Woods Mushroom!!!

Over the past few years I have noticed a very distictive mushroom growing at the base of our neighbor, Ed's Oak tree. Last year Ed tried some of this mushroom as he was told it may be edible (and I thought so too) and called us the next day to say the mushroom was delicious and he was still alive to tell us about it. Please, if you are foraging for mushrooms for the first time ~ take your harvest to someone who can positively identify what you have picked and don't use yourself as a guinea pig.



This year Ed is down in Portland, ME while his mushroom has grown over the last week. Mark called him up yesterday and asked if we could harvest it. Ed said "go ahead but freeze some for me". Well, we harvested two from the same tree a 25 pound "Hen of The Woods" mushroom and a smaller 5 pound "sister" mushroom. We had these this morning sauteed with a mixture of our chicken and duck eggs scambled and they were great. This evening I made an old fashioned cream of mushroom soup with some raw jersey cream and milk from Olde Sow Farm ~ fabulous.



We froze the smaller mushroom for Ed and bagged up the rest for our freezer. Hen of the Woods is really one of the only mushrooms that can be frozen raw. I put up 18 2 lb bags of mushrooms for this winter (along with our chantrelles).



This mushroom is also known as "Mitake" and is not only a superb culinary gourmet treat but also boasts medicinal traits as well. It is reputed to stimulate the immune system in various ways. Google the mushroom and you can find out more about it.

We have enough meals to get us through until the next harvest in the fall...

Buy local . . . . forage. . . . and eat well.