Finger Lakes Food Revolution 2012

If someone were to ask me to explain to them what makes the Finger Lakes food and beverage scene so unique, I’d have say it’s the fact that we are fortunate enough to have it all.

We are literally sitting in the midst of four specific wine trails – Keuka, Seneca, Cayuga, and Canandaigua Lake. There are dozens of craft or microbreweries scattered throughout the region, and yes, there is even a handful of spirit producing distilleries here as well.

But don’t let me steer you into believing that the Finger Lakes is just about booze; it’s not.

We have a considerable number of local Finger Lakes dairies producing some of the most delicious farmstead cheeses you’ve ever tasted. We have access to pasture raised meats, farm fresh ingredients, u-pick farms, along with deliciously unique products produced right here in this region.

Also on the food scene, there are community supported agriculture programs, local farmers markets to explore, along with and farm to table dining experiences at an array of local eateries.  Not to mention,  agriculture food festivals galore; maple, grapes, potato, garlic, tomato, sauerkraut – take your pick.

And it only gets better.  This year the Finger Lakes Visitors Connection which promotes tourism in Ontario County, is hosting the Finger Lakes Food Revolution, all part of the annual Slice, Dice and Spice IV.  This event gives locavores like myself, and tourists who love Finger Lakes, the opportunity to nominate, vote, and support our favorite Finger Lakes foods, beverages, restaurants, food events, and locally made ingredients.

Do you have a something you favor from the Finger Lakes? You are welcome to participate in this event too.  Just visit the Finger Lakes Food Revolution website and get in on the nomination process which is currently underway.  Nominations are expected to wrap up in early December – so don’t miss your chance to join in on the fun, and let your voice be heard!

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The FLX Files

In the midst of re-organizing my blog I decided to dedicate a page to one of the most amazing regions of New York State -  the Finger Lakes (FLX).   Over my last two years of blogging  I have  portrayed this region in many of my blog posts, and it only seemed right to give those posts a place all of their own.  While strolling through the FLX files you’ll likely find photos, mentions, and stories about a specific foods, wines, places, and events here.  I welcome you to the place I call home.

Red-White-and Finger Lakes Wine

Are you a wine-ie

Say Cheese

Weekend finds, but no food post

Homemade pizza from the Finger Lakes

Willkommen to Germany

Wine, and more wine…1st stop, Eleven Lakes Winery

Finger Lakes Cork & Fork, an Event to Remember

Kitchen Disasters

A Day of Adventure

A Day at Willard Asylum for the Insane

Black & Blues

Picking blueberries and my mood

Calling All Foodies from the Finger Lakes and Beyond

Apple Filled Oatmeal Cookies

2nd Annual Finger Lakes Cork & Fork Partners & Pairings

Another Great Finger Lakes Cork & Fork

Making Homemade Wine

Writing (and) Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Holiday Gift Ideas with Pumpkin Cheese Bread

Willard Asylum for the Insane – Updates

Sunday Morning and Doughnut Holes

A historic event, a statue, and photos

Shiitake, Almond, Wild Rice Salad with Balsamic Dressing

In The Finger Lakes – Bully Hill Vineyard

A Surprising Walk

Cream Puffs, You, and The Finger Lakes

Get Out Your Soup Making Pot

Sunday Morning and Doughnut Holes

This Sunday morning I enjoyed my first cup of coffee while looking out our window at the thick blanket of snow that now covers the ground here in the Finger Lakes.   Shortly thereafter, I crawled out from under my warm blanket and made my way into the kitchen to whip up an amazing treat.

My inspiration to crawl out from under my warm blanket came after reading a post written by Heather at  Curly Girl Kitchen.   I ask you this, who could resist making  Vanilla Bean Sour Cream Cake Doughnuts? 

These doughnuts are baked, not fried.  For some reason they remind me of a cross between a muffin and a baked doughnut.  The flavor is delicious.

I modified the recipe slightly by using two teaspoons of pure vanilla extract in place of the vanilla bean.  I  quartered a naval orange and squeezed the juice of one of those quarters into the batter.  And lastly, I also added two pinches of cinnamon to my batter.  So, the name for my version of the recipe? Vanilla Orange Cinnamon Baked Doughnut Holes. I don’t have a doughnut pan so I broke out my trusty Babycakes Cake Pops maker which  worked like a charm, and I got about 2 1/2 dozen doughnut holes in all.

 

These are a great way to ward off any cold winter morning…

Food, a Kind Gesture

 

This week we found out that a friend of ours cancer has returned.  I’ve found there are few words that can be said to console someone in this situation.  I feel very bad for her.  She has a tough road ahead.

I often express myself by giving food.  Sharing a fresh loaf of bread, a casserole, or a small cake replaces those hard to find words like I’m sorry, I care, and I’m here if you need me.  I know that the simple gesture is a universal sign that nearly everyone understands. 

In this case, I made a small chocolate cake and my husband made some homemade split pea and ham soup, and some lasagna to show we care.

Delivering the food gave us the opportunity to show our support and she and her husband truly appreciated it. 

How do you show you care?  Are you good with words? What’s the last kind thing you did for someone?

Southern Charm

My hubby and I recently took a trip to Charleston SC.  I stayed busy on our carriage tour snapping pictures of the beautiful homes in the historic downtown area.  As a girl raised in the north I must say it wouldn’t take much convincing for me to move south.     We experienced all the sights and sounds of Charleston including great southern food, samples of  freshly made pecan pralines , the warm ocean breeze, shopping on Market Street, and southern hospitality.  Charleston is a definite must – especially if you have never been.

In between babies

 

Blueberry Oat Muffins

I decided I had to busy myself while the third baby duck hatched out of his/her shell so I whipped up a batch of Blueberry Oat Muffins – yummy. 

 Recipe as follows: 

1 cup heaping all-purpose flour

1 cup white sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1 cup oats

1 tbsp. cinnamon

2 tsp. vanilla

3/4 cup canola oil

3 eggs, beaten

2 tbsp. milk

a ton of blueberries

sprinkle with sugar on top when they come out of the oven

 Bake at 375  until done 

Oh, and here is number 3! 

Baby #3

 

Thinking and Chicken Alfredo Lasagna

I got to thinking today.  Does anyone read my posts?  I write, share, and wait…  No comments – good or bad.  Maybe I’m wasting my time.  Maybe I’m not.  I feel like Julie in the movie Julie & Julia.  Waiting patiently, and sometimes not so patiently, for that first comment to be posted.      

I guess it doesn’t matter.  This is more like a journal to myself.  Talking about things that would probably bore most of the people I talk to on a daily basis  to death…      

Tonight I made one of my favorite casseroles for dinner.  Chicken Alfredo Lasagna.   Here is a photo essay of  the making of it.      

Chunks of chicken cooking in olive oil & fresh garlic

 

Diced red onion, green bell pepper and fresh garlic

 

Mozzarella, feta cheese, cooked chicken & diced veggies

 

All baked and ready to eat!