For Sean and Stevie

Posted on 28 Aug 2011

I look forward to the next time our paths cross and your stories follow.

The Parting Glass

Of all the money e’er I had,
I spent it in good company.
And all the harm I’ve ever done,
Alas! it was to none but me.
And all I’ve done for want of wit
To mem’ry now I can’t recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all.

If I had money enough to spend,
And leisure time to sit awhile,
There is a fair maid in this town,
That sorely has my heart beguiled.
Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips,
I own she has my heart in thrall,
Then fill to me the parting glass,
Good night and joy be with you all.

Oh, all the comrades e’er I had,
They’re sorry for my going away,
And all the sweethearts e’er I had,
They’d wish me one more day to stay,
But since it falls unto my lot,
That I should rise and you should not,
I gently rise and softly call,
Good night and joy be with you all.

This Weeks Recipe: Cold Blueberry Soup

Posted on 26 Aug 2011

This Weeks Recipe: Blueberry Soup

Photo from: Over the River and Through the Woods

Ingredients

  • 3 c. fresh blueberries
  • 1 3 c. local frozen blueberries
  • 3 c. water
  • 1/2 c. sugar
  • 2 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1/4 tsp. nutmeg, ground
  • 1 cinnamon stick, 3 inches long
  • 1/8 tsp. salt
  • 2 c. yogurt, plain or creme fraiche 
  • 4 slices lemon, thinly sliced

 
Directions
In a large saucepan, combine blueberries, water, sugar, lemon juice, nutmeg, cinnamon stick and salt. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Discard cinnamon stick and pour mixture into blender or food processor. Process until smooth. Pour into a large bowl, cover, and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. To serve, stir yogurt or creme fraiche, then stir yogurt into soup. Ladle soup into bowls or serve in a chilled soup tureen. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh sprigs of dill if desired. Serves: 4.

Passing it on Portland

Posted on 21 Aug 2011

Today, Working Hands Farm received a donation of $395 to purchase an Endless summer CSA box for a Portland family in need. I am writing you all with the hope that you will tell me a story of a family that needs a helping hand. When I was a child certain families stepped in and helped my mom to support my family by donating fresh produce and now we want to pass that gift on to others. So if you know a family that needs a helping hand we have 10 weeks worth of delicious veggies waiting for them.

Yours Truly,

Farmer Brian

Portland’s finest month produces a bounty

Posted on 13 Aug 2011

The Daikon is taking over Portland

Posted on 9 Aug 2011

A side note: Many thanks to Biwa for introducing this delightful veggie to me.

This weeks Recipe: Overnight Chinese Daikon Radish Pickles

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups chopped daikon

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)

Directions

In a mixing bowl, toss daikon with salt. Cover, and refrigerate until 1 to 2 tablespoons of water is released, about 30 minutes.

Drain and rinse daikon, removing as much salt as possible. Pat dry with a paper towel, and return to bowl. Stir in rice vinegar, black pepper and, if desired, sesame oil. Cover, and refrigerate at least 8 hours.

The brief history of the Dikon according to others

Humble yet surprisingly popular!  Daikon Radish (Raphanus sativus subsp. longipinnatus) is an everyday component of Asian cuisine.  In fact, it is the most widely grown vegetable in Japan.  You’ll find it with your meal at almost any Japanese restaurant.  It can be prepared almost anyway you like, including raw, fried, grilled, boiled.  My favorite by far though is having it in soup!  See our recipes page for a few ideas.

Eaten raw, Daikon has a spicy taste but becomes quite mild flavored when cooked.  In addition, it has an almost magical ability to bring out other flavors in the dish.

Not only does it taste great, but Daikon is also good for you.  It is very low in calories, helps in digestion and is a a good source of vitamin C, phosphorus and potassium.  There is even some evidence that it helps fight cancer.  Check out the facts on Daikon radish nutrition and health.

The word Daikon is made up of two Japanese words: dai, which means “large” and kon which means “root”.  There are many varieties grown (coming in many different shapes and sizes) but the most popular looks like a big white carrot (pictured above).  Other popular names for Daikon are oriental radish, Chinese radish or Japanese radish.

The First Supper

Posted on 6 Aug 2011

The First Supper

 

Quarter glasses of wine in half pint mason jars,

Left by those who had their fill.

Hazy visions of friends who wore smiles and

Massaged their cheeks, sore with laughter,

As if perfection came at no great cost.

The farmer stands alone

Looking out past the incodescent bulbs

Proud to announce the launch Portland’s Endless Summer CSA

Posted on 4 Aug 2011

So you wanna know what our Endless Summer CSA is all about?  Watch the incredible video that Juliet Zulu put together for us below.  So proud to be born and raised in beautiful Portland, Oregon.  Here’s to an Endless Portland Summer!

http://vimeo.com/27270805