Notes from Nikki-Curried Spinach and Garlic Scapes

Photo by Kiah Graham

You kow the haverst season has officially begun when Nikki offers up her amazing recipes.  Enjoy!

Spinach, Cauliflower, and Coconut Curry

I am so pleased to be sitting down to type my first recipe of the season! This may seem like an odd thing to be cooking during a heat wave, but, truth be told, I turned on the air conditioning. I know, I totally caved. All this heat and humidity and it's still May! I just couldn't do it. Plus I had spinach and garlic scapes from Inverbrook in the fridge, along with a head of cauliflower that desperately needed to be used or it was headed to the compost pile. Add to those a flourishing cilantro plant that was trying to bolt (why can't I grow cilantro?!), and the rest is history. It had to be done. A lovely curry over rice. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. You can always wait for a cooler day to make it. :-)

Ingredients

4-6 T cold-pressed, organic coconut oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
2-3 garlic scapes, chopped (or 3-4 cloves of garlic minced)
2-3 T of your favorite curry powder
sea salt
1 bag of Inverbrook spinach, washed, stemmed and torn into appropriately-sized pieces (however you like it [you can also substitute a bunch of kale or chard])
1 head of cauliflower, cored and broken or chopped into small florets (bite-szed)
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (optional)
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (use 2-3 cans if you're omitting the chicken)
1 can coconut milk (not light)
1 28 oz can chopped tomatoes
Generous handful of chopped cilantro leaves

Steamed basmati rice

1. Saute the onions and garlic scapes in 2-3 T coconut oil over medium heat until the onions are translucent.
2. Add the curry powder and stir to combine.
3. Throw in sea salt to fit your liking.
4. Add the tomatoes and coconut milk and bring to a simmer.
5. If you are using the chicken, brown it on both sides in 2-3 T coconut oil in separate pan over medium high heat. Once it is finished browning, place it in the pan with the simmering tomatoes and coconut milk.
6. Add the cauliflower to the simmering tomatoes and coconut milk and simmer until the cauliflower is soft and the chicken is cooked through.
7. Add the spinach to the mix, stirring until wilted.
8. Add in the chickpeas.
9. Turn off the heat and add the cilantro.
10. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
11. Serve atop a bed of steamy basmati rice.

Partnering with FIG West Chester

I am pleased to announce that I will be a blog contributor for the "hyper-local, super-social community builder that believes in the power of creative communication" know as Fig West Chester.  For (very happy) personal reasons I have been spending much more time in the borough of West Chester as of late, and it makes sense that I further cultivate the relationship between the charming town and its surrounding agricultural community with this partnership. 

For those who are not familiar with the Inverbrook Farm blog, let me take a moment to introduce myself.  My name is Claire and I am a founding partner and farm manager of Inverbrook Farm CSA and Friday Farmstand.  You can find out about becoming a member and buying products from the farm at our website www.inverbrook.com. 

The blog is largely geared toward the seasonality of the farm--highlighting vegetables, herbs and flowers that are included in the weekly CSA share or at the Friday Farmstand.  I still have a handfull of CSA shares available, if you are interested in signing up check out this link. The blog includes recipes ideas from CSA member, doula, and mother of four Nikki Graham.  This recipe idea from last year's season seems most appropriate, as local strawberries have begun to appear at the farmstands and farmers markets in our area.

This new collaboration with FIG will provide just the impetus I need to look beyond the farm every once and a while; to highlight the amazing agricultural bounty that lies within our local landscape.  Chester County has a rich agricultural heritage that now includes wine, cheese, meats, fruits, ferments and all kinds of vegetables.  We are developing a terroir of our own.  I look forward to sharing this culinary exploration with you all, in the meantime I encourage you to get out and taste the delicious diversity the can be found at our local markets, farm stands, and CSAs.

Photo by Kelly G

Spring Inspiration--"It all turns on affection"

Photo by Pam Spalding

I cannot believe it has been almost 3 months since I last posted on the blog; especially since I should be using the blog to promote the fact that I still have CSA shares available, see website for details.  I have had all kinds of inspiration for potential posts, its just been a very busy spring--full of garden work and events--so difference from last year when the long cold winter kept me indoors pining away for warm dry weather.  This year is just the opposite, instead I am counting these recent rainy days a blessing.  I am have be longing for the excuse to be inside and catch up on paper work and farm promotion.  Plus, until very recently, the garden was dangerously dry. 

But enough about the weather.  What finally prompted me to post on the blog, is the wonderful Wendell Berry.  Not a surprise to anyone who reads my blog on a regular basis.  I am a huge fan, and so often incorporate quotes or poetry into my posts, that it has become sort of joke around the farm.  This however is a special occasion.  On Monday, Wendell Berry delivered a National Endowment for the Humanities Jefferson Speech at the Kennedy Center entitled "It All Turns on Affection"  click link to watch speech or if you prefer to read it click this link.  It begins around minute 11.  The speech is sober, studied, timely, inspirational, and brilliant.  I was tearfully humbled to be part of the local food economy he referenced in the speech.  If you have an hour, I strongly recommend taking the time to watch it.  Turns out I am not the only Wendell Berry fan--click here to read Mark Bittman's recent piece for the New York Times.  Like Mark Bittman I believe Wendell Berry is a true American Hero.

“Because a thing is going strong now, it need not go strong for ever,” [Margaret] said. “This craze for motion has only set in during the last hundred years. It may be followed by a civilization that won’t be a movement, because it will rest upon the earth.
E. M. Forster, Howards End (1910)¹

Celebrating the Light of February

Happy February.  It is a month I always look forward to because it ushers in two important “events” for the farming and sustainable farming community. The first event is all about sunlight.  The days are once again long enough to promote new growth in plants. I have blogged about this fact before, citing winter gardening guru Elliot Coleman—click here to read the 2011 February Johnny Seed blog post full of links to Coleman’s winter gardening advice.

The celebration of light, fire, renewal, and the eventuality of spring are the central themes of Imbolc, St/Goddess Brigit’s Day, and Groundhog Day—all occurring on February 1st or 2nd when the day length crosses the "magic" ten hour threshold. Usually the weather is cold and blustery outside, so the reminder that growth is possible, is a welcome "flame" of hope to get one through the late winter months. I am not quite sure what to think of today’s weather, I will save my rant about global climate change for a future blog posting. I think we can agree that “things” are not quite normal. Click here to read a posting from CSA member Molly Daly for the CBS Local News about the strange recent weather.

The second event is the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture’s Farming For the Future Conference, that coincidentally also occurs at the beginning of February. The conference is always a wellspring of inspiration and timely knowledge. I encourage you to explore the write up (and links) of the two keynote speakers: Shannon Hayes and Brain Halweil on the coconference website.  After a very tough 2011 farming season, the PASA conference is just what I need to renew my sense of excitement about the season to come. See the video below made after last’s years twentieth anniversary conference and you will get a better sense of the fun, community and knowledge that awaits all those who attend.

Happy Imbolc, Happy Groundhog Day—let us celebrate the lengthening day length and the hope of spring to come.

Winter Yoga Retreat at the Farm

This Fall the very talented and spirited yoga instructor Julia Horn held a retreat at the farm--
click here to read a follow up posting.   I am pleased to announce that Julia will be returning to the farm on January 28th to conduct a Winter focused yoga retreat; and this time she is opening up the retreat to the local community.  If you are interested read her letter below that includes details for signing up for this afternoon retreat. 

Happy winter, all.
What a time. I luv this season because I luv every last excuse to cuddle in and well, do just that, cuddle. Into myself, into a book, you name it. Winter is such a beautiful season for bringing that much needed balance to our hectic and busy lives. One of the best ways to truly learn this turning inward is to look to the stunning examples that surround us in the natural world- everything gathering inward so that rebirth and the explosive expansion of life might be possible. And just as nature makes herself sparse and simple in these moments, we too, can relinquish our outward sprawling expressions and instead look inward- towards our little wise bits that lay quietly inside.

I would love to invite you all to another season at Inverbrook farm- next saturday, January 28th. Our harvest retreat was such a wonderful day, that we decided it would be so great, not to mention wise, to learn at every season, the way of the land. And also as it relates to the growth of the food that we eat. Connecting to a wider consciousness of our land and nourishment are some of the most upliftingly grounded practices I know.

Join me for a day of bundling up, romping around the farm to offer aid wherever we can, to be inspired by the dirt, the country air, the trees, the critters and to turn in, for a winter practice. In front of an open fire, we will practice yoga together and stoke our own internal fire, deep in the bones where we may be in need of a little warming. We will then settle into a softer practice of yin and restorative as winter warrants, to gaze into the embers of the heart and bring to consciousness the wisdom that is there, through deep quiet soft silken listening.

Following the practice we will cook together a wintry feast of locally sourced organic foods and enjoy the company of each other (maybe even throw in a round of my all-time fave- charades- yiperz!).

Transportation provided.
Investment- $35-55 sliding scale.
Leaving west philly at noon (Jan 28th) and returning after dindin.
Please feel free to forward on and invite your favorite cuddle buddies!
Email or call to reserve- missjuliahorn@gmail.com
484.535.1251
And if i don't see you on the farm, may you be surrounded in warmth and luv,
Julia
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Three Birds Bouquets-Perfect for Valentine's Day

Over the next couple of weeks I will be featuring some of our wonderful farm partners.  With Valentines day a little less that a month away, I wanted to mention 3 Birds Bouquet--the local flower CSA that delivers to the farm Wednesdays from June to September. 

I cannot think of a more perfect Valentine's Day gift-surprise that special someone in your life with not one, but twelve beautiful bouquets.  For more information about the cut flower CSA read the info below (taken from the 3 Birds website):

2012 Cut Flower CSA

As a member of our CSA…

You will receive an arrangement of fresh cut, seasonal flowers once a week for 12 weeks, dependent on supply of flowers (shares are variable due to weather, etc.) from June to September.

Flowers will be available for pick-up Wednesdays at Inverbrook Farm in West Grove, PA. Delivery to your participating business is also an option (dependent upon geography and number of orders from business).

Our locally grown, organic flowers offer an alternative to imported ones, which means you get fresher blooms, a smaller carbon footprint, and the knowledge that you are supporting community-based agriculture.

Shares are limited (and filling up fast!) We encourage you to sign up now to ensure your share simply by emailing us or giving us a call. One share is $100. Registration is open until February 15, 2012.

Gift certificates are available!

This would make a fantastic, thoughtful, lasting gift for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, anniversaries, or birthdays.
How to Register:
First, email to 3birdsbouquets@gmail.com with your intention.
Next, write a check payable to “Three Birds Bouquets” for $100 and send to:

Three Birds Bouquets
354 Little Elk Creek Road
Lincoln University, PA 19352

Reduction Resolution

Photo by Kelly G

"We learn from our gardens to deal with the most urgent question of the time: How much is enough?" - Wendell Berry

Whereas the Holidays are all about indulgence and excess; the New Year ushers in a time when many seem to focus on reduction. Whether it is cleansing and detoxifying, meditating and exercising or cleaning up our homes and offices—it seems like many are making the all important connection between the health of our bodies, spirits, and environment with the simplification of our lives. Reducing waste related to our eating and cooking habits has been the subject of numerous articles recently and I thought I would share some links of interest. 
Links:
Yes Magazine’s Ten Tips for a Zero Waste Household

Alternet’s Compost Cuisine: Amazing Ways to Make Delicious Food Out of Garbage

Mother Earth Posted this article on their Facebook site recently about how to store fruits and veggies without using plastic

Nourishing the Plant posted this article on reducing food waste

Here at Inverbrook Farm we compost our garden scraps. If you are a member of the CSA we offer to take your food scraps, that way if you do not have a home composting system we can do it for you. If you are interested in signing up for the 2012 CSA Season (a great way to keep you diet resolution) please check out the farm website. We are offering a special $50 discount for those who sign up before the end of January. Best wishes with your New Year Resolutions.