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Bucks Food Calendar: July 15, 2011

Lynne Goldman — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 20:06:52 +0000

At the risk of being corny (get it?), I keep wanting to break into song. Rodgers & Hammerstein, of course. “Oh what a beautiful mo-o-ornin’, oh what a beautiful d-a-ay…” or “…the corn is as high as an elephant’s eye!” (Both lines actually written here in Bucks, at Hammerstein’s place, Highland Farm, on East Street in Doylestown, now a Bed & Breakfast.)

It’s the weather that’s doing it to me, of course. Delightful weather any time of the year, but in mid-July? Who-weee! The weekend looks lovely, with the humidity holding off until Monday.

A wine staycation? Yep, look over the calendar below and notice all the regular events taking place at area wineries on both sides of the river. Sitting outside in such weather as this, with a glass of chilled wine in hand, soothes the soul. And you don’t even have to drive or fly someplace far away.

National Ice Cream Day. Who knew? Yes, this Sunday is National Ice Cream Day (the 3rd Sunday in July) and what better way to celebrate than visiting your local ice cream shop. See our previous post for a listing of ice cream places all over Bucks. We’ll be celebrating at the newest location of oWowCow Creamery which just opened last week in Wrightstown, just minutes from our home. Read all about it here.

To market, to market. Lots of berries are still out there to be had: blueberries, raspberries, black raspberries and blackberries. Peaches, of course, have arrived in earnest. Manoff Market Gardens says they should be picking their first white peaches this week. Get ‘em while they’re here. And fresh, local sweet corn is popping up everywhere. Look also for the first of the season’s sweet peppers, eggplant, field grown tomatoes, okra, and cabbages. Fresh picked cucumbers, green beans, zucchini, lettuces and summer squash will be in abundance. You are likely to also find fennel, carrots, red beets, celery, scallions, Swiss chard, dandelion greens and radishes. Many markets also offer a wide selection of mushrooms, 100% grass-fed beef, pasture raised poultry, pork, eggs, goat cheeses, yogurt and butter, breads, baked goods, raw honey, beeswax candles, maple syrup, and prepared foods plus handmade soaps and and other artisanal goods. (Thanks to Robin Hoy of the Wrightstown Farmers’ Market for her help with this list.)

For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Have a dee-lightful weekend. Follow Bucks County Taste also on Facebook and Twitter.

Friday, July 15:

Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [1-7 pm]
Ottsville Farmers’ Market, Linden Hill Gardens, Ottsville [4-8 pm]
Beer Tasting, Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [4-6 pm]
Friday Wine & Music @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Pennington, NJ [5-8 pm]
Wine Concert Series @ The Market at DelVal, Doylestown [6 - 9 pm]
Wine Concert Series @ Shady Brook Farm, Yardley [6 - 9 pm]
Friday Night Fireworks Express – New Hope/Ivyland Train, New Hope [6:15 - 10:30 pm]
Summer Wine & Music Series @ Crossing Vineyards & Winery, Washington Crossing [7 - 10 pm]
Born This Way Charity Dance (fundraiser) @ The Raven, New Hope [9 pm - 1 am]
Summer Fireworks in New Hope/Lambertville – New Hope, PA & Lambertville, NJ [9:30 – 10:30 pm]

Saturday, July 16:

Doylestown Farmers’ Market, Doylestown [7 am-12 pm]
Perkasie Farmers’ Market, Perkasie [8 am - 12 pm]
Plumsteadville Grange Farm Market, Plumsteadville [9 am - 12 pm]
Wrightstown Farmers’ Market, Wrightstown [9 am-1 pm]
Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [9 am-4 pm]
Wine Tasting @ Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [12-6 pm]
Music Fest @ The Stockton Inn, Stockton, NJ [12 - 9 pm]
Beer Tasting @ New Hope Beverage, New Hope [3-7 pm]
Saturday Wine & Music @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Pennington [5-8 pm]
Eat, Bark, Bid – Fundraiser for Lulu’s Rescue @ Rago Arts & Auction Center, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 10 pm]

Sunday, July 17:

National Ice Cream Day
Breakfast @ Riegelsville Fire Company, Riegelsville [8 am - 12:30 pm]
Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market, Flemington, NJ [9 am-1 pm]
Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market, Hellertown [9 am - 1 pm]
Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [10 am-4 pm]
Sangria Sundays @ Chaddsford Winery, Lahaska [11 am - 6 pm]
StringFever @ New Hope Winery , New Hope [4 - 6 pm]
Earth Center Coffee House, Tyler State Park, Richboro [6 - 9 pm]

Monday, July 18:

Soupcon Salon by Kindle Cafe @ Manon, Lambertville, NJ [7 - 9:15 pm]

Tuesday, July 19:

Langhorne Farmers’ Market, Langhorne [3:30 - 6:30 pm]

Wednesday, July 20:

Pierogy Wednesdays @ St. Anne Ukrainian, Warrington [9 am - 12 pm]
The Farmers’ Market @ Playwicki Farm, Feasterville [4 - 7 pm]
Global Dinner @ The Cafe at Rosemont, Rosemont, NJ [5 - 8 pm]
Complimentary Beer Tasting @ the Copper Leaf Grill, Buckingham [5 - 9 pm]

Thursday, July 21:

New Hope Farmers’ Market, New Hope [2:30-6:30 pm]
Uncle Dave’s 94 cents Ice Cream Cones @ Shady Brook Farm, Yardley [3 - 9 pm]
Lower Makefield Farmers’ Market, Lower Makefield [3:30 - 6:30 pm]
Clam Bake @ Logan Inn, New Hope [5 - 9 pm]
Sushi Night in the Wine Cellar – The Inn at Lambertville Station, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 10 pm]
Beer & Wine Barbeque Dinner @ Yardley Inn, Yardley [7 - 9 pm]

For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County.

Follow Bucks County Taste on Facebook and Twitter.

It’s peach season!

Lynne Goldman — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 18:31:55 +0000

I never used to like peaches. It was the fuzz. Gave me the chills. But somewhere along the way I got over it. And Fairview Farm peaches certainly helped. They are now in season and available in their farm market store in Pineville. They don’t have a website but they are just down Pineville Road from the intersection where the Pineville Tavern sits. Here’s a Google map (NOTE: Google lists it as “Lahaska Road” which is wrong; it is most definitely Pineville Road).

Peachy-Keen Weekend

A circus in your mouth

Rich Baringer — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 19:22:12 +0000

Remember this Seinfeld episode?

Kramer: Well, they’re in…

Jerry: What’s in?

Kramer: The Macanaw peaches, Jerry! The Macanaw peaches!

Jerry: Ah, right. The ones from Oregon that are only ripe for two weeks a year…

Kramer: Yeah…I waited all year for this (bites the peach). Ooooh, this is fantastic…Makes your taste buds come alive…It’s like having a circus in your mouth! Jerry, this is a miracle of nature that exists for a brief period. It’s like the Aurora Borealis!

Kramer may be exaggerating a little bit, but not much. When you bite into a fresh peach for the first time each summer, your taste buds do come alive. Sort of like you’ve never tasted anything quite so good before. (By the way, there is no such thing as a Macanaw peach.)

Peaches are one of my favorite fruits. But there is nothing more disappointing than biting into a dry, mealy, bland peach. And so, I present to you tips for finding a peach that will make you very happy.

Peaches, a member of the rose family (along with apricots, cherries, plums and almonds), don’t ripen after they are picked (although they do get softer). So it’s important to choose fruit that is already ripe.

First, look for an even background color of golden yellow for yellow-fleshed peaches or a creamy yellow for white-fleshed. That red blush that you often see doesn’t have anything to do with ripeness. Any green around the stem means it’s not ripe.
Look for a well-defined crease.
The flesh should give slightly. If it’s a bit hard, they will soften on the counter at room temperature. You can quicken the process by putting them in a paper bag.
If the skin is wrinkled or shriveled, put it down. It’s old and past its prime (I know the feeling).
The best indicator of ripeness, however, is smell. Take a nice big sniff…does it smell like you hope it will taste? If so, then that’s the one you want.

Store peaches at room temperature until they soften to the extent that you wish. Then put them in the refrigerator crisper drawer. They’ll last for 5 days to a week in there. Whatever you’re not going to use within that time, you should freeze.

For my money, the best way to eat a fresh, ripe peach is to eat it out of hand. You know, when the juice drips down your chin and all over your hand. Yum!

Another great way to bring out the flavors of a sweet peach is to grill it. The fruit should be slightly firm. Halve it, pit it and brush it with some vegetable oil. If you’re adventurous, sprinkle a little cayenne or other spice on it. Then grill over a medium fire until tender. It’s good as a dessert (with some good vanilla ice cream), but even better as a side dish for grilled fish or meat.

Of course, there are a million recipes for peach cobblers, peach brown betties, peach crumbles, etc. As usual, I turn to Cook’s Illustrated magazine for a great peach dessert. But hurry! Good peaches are only around for a short time—sort of like the Aurora Borealis!

BLUEBERRY-PEACH COBBLER WITH LEMON-CORNMEAL BISCUIT TOPPING (serves 6)
Published July 1, 2004

I’ve also made this with blackberries. If your peaches are firm, you can peel with a vegetable peeler. If they’re too soft for that, blanch for a minute or two and shock in ice water. The peels should come off easily. In the topping, low-fat or nonfat yogurt can be used, but it will be a bit less rich. This recipe can be doubled to serve a crowd. Use a 13″ x 9″ baking dish and increase baking times in steps 2 and 4 by about 5 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. Left-overs (if there are any) can be reheated in a 350° oven until warmed.

INGREDIENTS

For the filling:

2 pounds ripe, but firm peaches
1 cup fresh blueberries
¼ cup sugar
1 tsp cornstarch
1 tbsp lemon juice
Pinch salt

For the topping:

1 cup minus 2 tbsp unbleached all-purpose flour
2 tbsp stone-ground cornmeal
½ tsp grated lemon zest
3 tbsp plus 1 tsp sugar
¾ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
5 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into ¼” cubes
1/3 cup plain whole milk yogurt

HOW TO

Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 425°.
For the filling: Peel peaches; then halve and pit. Using a small spoon, scoop out and discard the dark flesh from the pit area. Cut each half into 4 wedges. Gently toss peaches and sugar together in a large bowl; let stand 30 minutes, tossing several times. Drain peaches in a colander set over a large bowl. Whisk ¼ cup drained juice (discard extra), cornstarch, lemon juice and salt together in a small bowl. Toss peach juice mixture with peach slices and blueberries; transfer to an 8″ square glass baking dish. Bake until peaches begin to bubble around the edges, about 10 minutes.
For the topping:While peaches are baking, in a food processor, pulse flour, cornmeal, lemon zest, 3 tbsp sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt to combine. Scatter butter over and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal, about ten 1-second pulses. Transfer to a medium bowl; add yogurt and toss with a rubber spatula until cohesive dough is formed. (Don’t over mix the dough or the biscuits will be tough.) Break the dough into 6 evenly sized, but roughly shaped mounds and set aside.
To assemble and bake: After the peaches have baked 10 minutes, remove them from the oven and place the dough mounds on top, spacing them at least ½” apart (they should not touch). Sprinkle each mound with a portion of the remaining sugar. Bake until topping is golden brown and fruit is bubbling, 16-18 minutes. Cool cobbler on a wire rack until warm, about 20 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

As you would expect, peaches are abundant at many of our local farms and farmers’ markets. Here are some places you can find peaches, according to the Penn State Co-op Extension. Check their websites or call to check for availability (click on the link below to see farm locations and phone numbers):

Active Acres Farm
881 Highland Rd.
Newtown, PA 18940
215-968-2192

Bechdolts Orchard
2209 Leithsville Rd, Rt. 412
Hellertown, PA 18055
610-838-8522

Bolton’s Farm Market
1005 Rt. 113
Silverdale, PA 18962
215-257-6047

Fairview Farm
831 Pineville Rd.
Pineville, PA 18946
215-598-3257

Lapinski Farm
1003 Middle Rd.
Dublin, PA 18917
215-249-3431

Manoff Market Gardens
3157 Comfort Rd.
Solebury, PA 18963
215-297-8220

Penn Vermont Fruit Farm
Rt. 113 & Rolling Hills Rd.
Bedminster, PA 18910
215-795-2475

Shady Brook Farm
931 Stony Hill Rd.
Yardley, PA 19067
215-968-1670

Snyder Farms
Rt. 313 & 5^th St.
Perkasie, PA 18944

Solebury Orchards
3325 Creamery Rd.
New Hope, PA 18938
215-297-8079

Solly Farm Market
707 Almshouse Rd.
Ivyland, PA 18974
215-357-2850

Styer Orchard
97 Styers Ln.
Langhorne, PA 19047
215-702-9633

Tall Pine Farms
1046 Swamp Rd.
Rushland, PA 18956
(Wrightstown and Doylestown Farmers’ Markets)

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Last Farm Tour and Potluck at Manoff Market Gardens

Lynne Goldman — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:44:32 +0000

The Bucks County Foodshed Alliance is hosting its final summer evening farm tour this Wednesday, September 2nd at the Manoff Market Gardens in Solebury.

The potluck supper begins at 6:30pm and is followed at 7:30pm by the farmer-guided tour of one of the area’s premier small farms. There is no charge and no need to register for the event: just come with a picnic dish to share and your own beverages, eating equipment and chairs.

Manoffs’ is at 3157 Comfort Road (between Laurel and Paxson roads), Solebury, PA 18963. The event is held rain or shine.

Gary and Amy Manoff began farming on Comfort Road in 1984. They are known for their white and yellow peaches and nectarines and 20 different varieties of apples, as well as strawberries, blackberries, melons, pumpkins and flowers. Pick-your-own crops include strawberries and pumpkins. The farm stand, open from spring through January, sells seasonal fruit as well as the jams, butters, peaches and applesauce they make from their own fruit. They also do gift baskets year-round. The whole family participates, and even Hale, the family’s Lab, gets into the act as the official welcoming committee.

For more information, contact Robin Hoy, BCFA executive director, 215.860.7081, ecorobinhood@comcast.net or log on to BucksCountyFoodshedAlliance.org.

The Bucks County Foodshed Alliance, founded in 2006, is a coalition of farmers, landowners, restaurateurs, educators, environmentalists and consumers working together to foster and expand a comprehensive, local, sustainable food supply in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. General meetings, open to the public, are held the first Wednesday of the month at the Wrightstown Village Library or other area venues of special interest.

Weekend Eats in Bucks County

Lynne Goldman — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:37:13 +0000

The forecast may not be sunny this weekend, but it is cooler and things are still happening. Kind of a relief after all the heat and humidity, and a nice taste of fall.

Alert to any backyard farmers currently overrun with tomatoes, zucchinis and squashes. Carousel Gardens, on Route 413/Durham Road just north of Newtown, is accepting any fresh produce and passing it on to Philabundance, the Delaware Valley food bank. Donations are accepted all day Friday (8 am to 6 pm) and Saturday mornings (8 am to noon). This continues until the last weekend in September. For more information, call Carousel Gardens at 215.598.0202 or see Philabundance’s Web site. (Non-perishables accepted too.)

On both sides of the river you can get some good firehouse food this weekend. Friday night is Rib Night at the Union Fire Co. #1 on 230 North Main Street in Lambertville from 6 to 9:30 pm. Yum. Up in Ottsville, the volunteer fire company is having a Summer BBQ and Beer Bash Saturday evening from 6 to 10 pm (249 Durham Road). And Sunday morning, check out breakfast at the Haycock Fire Company, 850 Old Bethlehem Road, in Haycock, near Lake Nockamixon.

Speaking of breakfast, and peaches, Solly’s Farm Market will try again this Sunday to hold their famous Peach Pancake Breakfast. Eating commences at 9 am, going till noon, weather permitting. A Peach pancake breakfast will cost you $7 per person. Solly’s is at 707 Almshouse Road in Ivyland (near Richboro).

If it’s not too late, see if you can go to the Quakertown Rotary Clam Bake on Saturday in Springtown from 3 to 7 pm. A great menu for a great price (see our Food Events in Bucks County calendar for details). Also in the Quakertown area, the Bucks County Jazz and Wine Festival is taking place at McCoole’s Arts & Events Place at Main and Broad Streets in Quakertown.

Finally, yet another reason to eat ice cream. Local ice cream maker, Uncle Dave’s, is having a festival at Shady Brook Farm on Sunday from noon to 4 pm. You can always eat ice cream. Even if it’s raining. Cheer you up. Really.

Get details on any of these events at our Food Events in Bucks County calendar. Have a wonderful weekend.

Peachy-Keen Weekend

Lynne Goldman — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:39:06 +0000

It’s been a busy week. We were thrilled at the wonderful article this past Wednesday by Betty Cichy in the Bucks County Courier Times /Intelligencer about Bucks County Taste. We were even more blown away by the site “hits” we got. Those of you who checked us out for the first time – thank you, thank you, thank you. And please come back. Be sure to tell us what you’d like to see on Bucks County Taste in the future. We’ve got lots in the works – interviews, reviews, interactive maps of food places in Bucks and more.

But…ah, the weekend is here with unseasonably comfortable weather. Tomorrow looks beautiful so get out and enjoy the sunshine and low humidity. Since we now have our Food Events in Bucks County calendar more easily accessible on the site, I won’t be doing as detailed a review of weekend events. Everything you need to know is just one click away now.

Tonight there are several fun events going on. Mark Cosgrove and Friends will be playing at Crossing Vineyards and Winery in Washington Crossing. Throw together a picnic dinner, buy some wine and sit back and enjoy some great blue grass music. Starts at 7 pm.

Brad’s Raw Chips is having another one of its now famous Chip Parties at the R.A.T. Gallery in Gardenville from 7 pm to whenever. Munch, munch, crunch…and it’s good for you too!

Peaches seem to be dominating the weekend. Great peaches are available everywhere. Try the local farmers’ markets as well as these local producers: Bechdolts Orchard (Hellertown), Fairview Farm (Pineville), Lapinski Farm (Dublin), Manoff’s (Solebury), Penn Vermont Fruit Farm (Bedminster), Shady Brook Farm (Yardley), Solebury Orchards (Solebury), Solly’s Farm Market (Ivyland), Styer Orchard (Langhorne), and Tall Pine Farm (Wrightstown).

Two peachy events are also taking place on Sunday. Shady Brook Farm is putting on a Peach Festival as part of their Sunday Funday series, from 12 Noon to 4 pm. There’s also a Peach Festival at the Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation from 3 pm to 6 pm in Bristol.

Peddler’s Village is putting on a village-wide Summer Food & Fun Fair & Sidewalk Sale. The Village will have summer foods sizzling on the grill and plenty of live entertainment. It will also be Peddler’s Village First Annual Community Days from noon to 4 pm each day on the Street Road Green, with nonprofit organizations exhibiting and sharing information.

Have a wonderful, safe weekend.

Tidbits: Healthy Donuts?

Lynne Goldman — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:13:20 +0000

Donut peaches have arrived at Manoff Market Gardens.

Boy, do they look good!

These yellow and white peaches are only around for a week so be sure to stop by Manoff’s soon.

Manoff Market Gardens
3157 Comfort Rd.
Between Laurel and Paxon Rds.
Solebury, PA 18963

Update from the Manoffs: “We’re picking the Sun Hi and Loring Peaches and more Raritan Rose white peaches, as well as the new White Nectarines and Fantasia Yellow Nectarines. We still have some Donut Peaches available. The Peach Festival is this coming Saturday, August 15th with hayrides, homemade peach ice cream and pies.”

Fresh Local Corn Sighting

Lynne Goldman — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:27:10 +0000

I know I’ve said it before, but it’s really here. Summer, that is. The first local corn is coming in (none of that Su’thun stuff). I know for sure you can get some at None Such Farm Market. Be on the look-out at your local farms and stores, and let me know where it pops up and how good it is.

And while we’re “sighting,” the first peaches are here too! We just had some from Fairview Farm, on Pineville Road (just down the road from the Pineville Tavern) this weekend and they were delicious (thanks, Sharon). Manoff Market Gardens on Comfort Road in Solebury also has peaches now, but Manoff reminds that these are “eating” peaches as opposed to the kind used for canning and jamming (not “freestone”). Those come in August. The Manoffs have a great blog too. Check it out.

Tidbits: Farm Fresh Cocktails

Lynne Goldman — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:55:02 +0000

If all the lovely veggies now showing up at local farmers’ markets don’t do it for you (??), here’s a Philadelphia Daily News article that highlights some delectable drinks you can make with local ingredients. That should motivate you to get out to the farmers’ market.

Here’s a couple of items that caught my eye on how to use the ingredients, particularly herbs. Recipes are included in the article.

Bistro St. Tropez chef/owner Patrice Rames is crazy about peaches right now … After blanching the fruit for two minutes to remove the skin, Rames dips it in ice water to stop the cooking process. Then he roasts the fruit, sprinkled with raw sugar, lemon thyme or mint and a little butter, in a 350-degree oven for 10 minutes. “I use the peach for a dessert with caramel or vanilla ice cream, but I also puree it for cocktails,” he said.

At Noble, the new restaurant on Sansom Street from Todd Rodgers and Bruno Pouget, the focus is on seasonality … Rodgers … creates a long list of cocktails using fresh ingredients, house-brewed ginger beer and cider and even homemade tonic. His two best sellers are the French 75, a mix of gin, citrus and champagne, and the Ti Jean, made with ginger beer, rye, lemon juice and mint. “The secret to getting added oomph from your mint is to smack it in the palm of your hand before you put it in the drink. That releases its natural oils,” he said.

Guess we’ve got some research to do this weekend.