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The opinions expressed in these blogs are solely those of the people who wrote them, and do not represent the views of WPSU or Penn State University.

Local Food Journey

Save the Date: Summer Solstice Celebration is June 16th

Posted by Emily Wiley on 05/18 at 08:54 AM

Mark your calendar for the 2012 Summer Solstice Celebration on Saturday, June 16th from 1-4pm at Tait Farm in Centre Hall. Locavores, landscape art enthusiasts, and interested community members are invited to attend the second annual event to benefit the Centre County Farmland Trust (CCFT).

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Local Food Journey

Field Notes and Mesclun Salad with Mango Chutney Dressing

Posted by Kim Tait on 05/17 at 08:44 AM

Farming is hardly ever a perfect world. It is often too wet or dry, too hot or cold—but then every once in a while along comes the perfect day.

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Local Food Journey

The Great Coffee Adventure: Allegheny Creamery & Crepes in Hollidaysburg

Posted by Naomi Elle Schwartz on 05/15 at 03:12 PM

Finding Allegheny Creamery & Crepes was unintentional. A fully-delicious-delectable accident that I am very grateful for! We had intended to check out another cafe in Hollidaysburg, but it wasn’t open when we thought it would be. Just imagine us, trudging slowly back to our vehicle, saddened, dejected, and desperately in need of the espresso/coffee/sugar-blended beverages that we regularly consume. Then I looked up, “Oh! Crepes! I love crepes!” I said to my husband “Maybe they would know of another coffee shop?”

So in we went.

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Local Food Journey

The Zen of Weeding

Posted by James Eisenstein on 05/14 at 02:14 PM

You may think that spending some 20 hours hand weeding asparagus would be an onerous task, but only because you haven’t had to slog through grading a big stack of blue books or papers. I’d much prefer the weeding, though my knees and back provide a dissenting view.

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Local Food Journey

Mother’s Day Brunch

Posted by Emily Wiley on 05/11 at 01:26 PM

Don’t forget to spoil your mother this weekend! Here are a few recipe suggestions for an extra special Mother’s Day brunch.

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Local Food Journey

Rhubarb Vinaigrette

Posted by Kit Henshaw on 05/09 at 10:18 AM

Serve this sweet and tart vinaigrette from Chef Harrison Schailey over mixed greens. Then toss with sunflower seeds or almonds and local strawberries for a satisfying spring salad. And don’t forget to share your favorite rhubarb recipe!

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Local Food Journey

The Great Coffee Adventure: The IngleBean Coffee House in Millheim

Posted by Naomi Elle Schwartz on 05/08 at 09:40 AM

One of my favorite things about independent coffee shops is how they’re grafted into the fabric of a community. They’re more than shops or restaurants; they are gathering places. They’re not just another “Starbucks” (no offense to my dear Sbux, I’m going back for a mocha one-a-these-days!); they’re a snapshot of small-town life. And even if a local coffee shop has only been around, say “just over a year,” when things are done right, it feels like the place has been around forever.

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Local Food Journey

Ten Tips to Get Your Garden off to a Great Start

Posted by Jamie Oberdick on 05/07 at 01:45 PM

Despite some recent backsliding into winter, spring weather is mostly here to stay. If you are like me, you are steadily spending more and more time in the garden, getting things growing to start the season. A good start is very important for a successful gardening season, as your plants are very young and tender at this point.

Here are ten tips, in no particular order, to get your garden off and moving toward a big harvest.

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Rhubarb Recipe Contest

Posted by Emily Wiley on 05/07 at 10:35 AM

Rhubarb stalks are typically boiled with fragrant spices or a squeeze of citrus, then combined with sweet fruit to make jam, or condensed into a sauce for pie filling. What is your favorite way to prepare this spring fruit? Share your recipe by Thursday, May 31st for a chance to win a pound of rhubarb from Jade Family Farm.

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Local Food Journey

Tequila Lime Chicken

Posted by Emily Wiley on 05/04 at 01:35 PM

Just in time for your Cinco de Mayo celebration: chicken marinated in a mixture of tequila, limes, garlic, jalapeno, and cilantro. Serve with scoop of guacamole and a side salad of corn, tomatoes, and black beans. And don’t forget about the sangria, or choose from a variety of margaritas at PBS Food.

¡Salud!

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Field Notes and Stir-Fried Asparagus with Shiitake Mushrooms

Posted by Kim Tait on 05/03 at 01:36 PM

This crazy spring just keeps on coming! Thankfully we are getting a bit of rain to settle the dust and take the dry edge off of everything.

The asparagus was starting to come on early last week, but rapidly retreated after a few cold days – so we have a just small amount for everyone. The early spring greens we planted in March are growing and this week we get to enjoy yukina savoy. Between the flea beetles and the extreme temperatures, it doesn’t look beautiful, but it still tastes good. This vegetable needs very little cooking, which makes it perfect in stir-fry, or as a late addition to Asian style soups.

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Sangria for Cinco de Mayo

Posted by Linda Weaver on 05/02 at 01:29 PM

What better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than with a pitcher of Sangria! This recipe has been adapted from Cook’s Illustrated and makes use of readily available ingredients. For the main ingredient—red wine!—I suggest a bottle of Mt. Nittany’s Rock Hill Red. It’s on sale now, two bottles for $20.

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The Great Coffee Adventure: Callao Cafe in State College

Posted by Naomi Elle Schwartz on 05/01 at 10:46 AM

Callao Cafe is the new kid on the block in State College. With a soft opening in November 2011, they’ve been open for about six months and going strong!

Tucked back in a little shopping center off West Aaron Drive on the North Atherton side of town (if you’re from State College, these directions are completely normal), Callao Cafe appears like a breath of fresh air. The place is not-too-big. Just enough room to grab a little table with a friend—for actual lunch or coffee and conversation. No solitary working here (no free wi-fi). I actually admire that move. Way to be counter-cultural, Callao Cafe!

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Local Food Journey

Winner of the Mushrooms Recipe Contest

Posted by Emily Wiley on 04/30 at 09:42 AM

Congratulations to Amy Grenoble of Sandy Ridge! Her recipe for vegetarian stuffed mushrooms is the winner of our April contest, and she is the recipient of a $25 gift certificate to Fasta Ravioli Company.

Continue reading for all recipe submissions and stay tuned for the start of our May recipe contest.

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Local Food Journey

Roller Coaster Ride of Weather

Posted by Tony Ricci on 04/30 at 09:33 AM

Last week brought with it a roller coaster ride of weather events – one day sweating into the black plastic as we lay out the onion crop; the next day freezing in an arctic wind as we try to tack down row covers to protect tender seedlings from impending frost. 

And, of course, there was the freak snow storm that came and went like a gaff from presidential candidate. It was horrible at the time, but we were over it by the next day, having forgotten what all the fuss was about as we went on with the daily task of surviving in an uncertain world.

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