AgriMissouri

Bobo Noodle House in St. Louis

I've mentioned before that I truly enjoy the blog, St. Louis Eats with Joe & Ann Pollack. I love food and they have very detailed reviews of restaurants that I put on my list to visit when I'm in St. Louis. Today I was catching up on my reading of their blog and saw their review of Bobo Noodle House. You may be wondering, "Sarah, why is this such a big deal?" Well it's because Bobo Noodle House is a new AgriMissouri member.

They just joined a couple months ago. Zoe is getting some of the sauces they serve in their restaurant bottled so that patrons can enjoy them at home as well. I have not had the chance to visit the restaurant yet and didn't know much about it until I read the blog. Now I'm intrigued and can't wait until my next visit to St. Louis.

Farm to School Program Informational Workshop

Today started as a Monday, you know a little tough to get back in the groove? That's the way my Monday started but but I'm beginning to perk up. I've had my morning soda (I don't drink coffee) and I found a cool workshop to tell you about.

Unfortunately it's not open to the general public but if serving farm products in your local schools is of interest to you, encourage your local school food service director and school administrators to attend this meeting. Below is information about the workshop from Bistro Kids blog

Farm 2 School 2008: Kansas City Educational Course

On Wednesday, November 19th the University of Missouri Extension, with funding by the North Central Regional office of USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program, will offer a day-long course for Extension Educators, School Food Service Directors, School Administrators, Community Developers and Policy Makers to gain a better understanding of how Farm to School programs in Missouri can be achieved and the impact that they can have on our local communities. 

The Co-Director of the National Farm to School organization, the nation’s leader in farm to school assistance AND a representative from the Kerr Center of Oklahoma, the Midwest’s leader in farm to school assistance will present on happenings from around the country and discuss how those ideas can be implemented here in Missouri.  You will also have the chance to speak with individuals involved in farm to school projects that are currently happening in West-Central Missouri this school year.

Farm to School projects from around the country, as well as around the globe have allowed local communities to reconnect to their local agriculture communities, instilled better nutritional habits, increased the economic vitality of rural communities and provided agricultural education to children in rural, suburban and urban schools. 

Come see how other communities are benefiting from Farm to School and determine if your Missouri school, community, farmers and economy could benefit too. To register for the Kansas City site’s program call Sharon Naylor at 573-882-3776 or email her at naylors@missouri.edu

Patric Chocolate, AgriMissouri Member, Featured on Blog

Every so often I do a Google search to see what new food blogs are out there or if any AgriMissouri members are being featured on blogs. It's sort of like searching for a needle in a haystack but today I found the needle!

Susie, who writes the blog Artisan Food Adventures and Discoveries, discovered Patric Chocolate, from Columbia, Mo., at Fog City News in San Francisco. How cool!

Owner, Alan McClure, has a wonderful chocolate bar. I got the opportunity to try his chocolate at a meeting last week and it is a real treat. For those of you who grew up on milk chocolate, you need to try Patric Chocolates.

Visit Susie's blog, she is a self described "life-long artisan food fanatic," you'll find lots of unique and local products. You can also visit the Patric Chocolate blog to learn more about chocolate.

Tailgate Food for Mizzou Homecoming

I was visiting the Missouri Beef Council (MBIC) web site today and learned that "95% of tailgaters prepare their food at the stadium." So, I'm guessing most of you are grilling (like me & my friends). Since this week is Mizzou's Homecoming and I'm an alum, I thought today would be a good time to talk about tailgating.

When you plan for the tailgate this weekend, what's the most important part? The meat! Whether its brats, steaks, burgers or hotdogs, make sure you're getting the best quality to impress your guests. Missouri producers offer a variety of meats that will make you the star of your tailgate. Don't forget the great AgriMissouri sauces and rubs to go with your barbecue. If you're looking for a new recipe to use this weekend, visit MBIC's Recipe page.

I must be honest I always get to bring a side for the tailgate because I live close to Columbia and it's easier for me to whip up something rather than my friends from out-of-town. Cheeseballs are one of my favorite sides to bring because they are easy, easy, easy (did I mention they're easy) to make. Cream cheese, a little butter and the mix, stir, chill, roll in the topping and you're done! One of my favorites is Sweet Pepper Jelly from Laurie's Kitchen.

Another one of my tailgate and general party favs is even easier than the cheeseball. Take a block of cream cheese and spread pepper jelly on top of it. Buy a box of crackers and fans can dip their crackers in the cream cheese, utensils aren't even needed (although it's a little cleaner if you use a knife). AgriMissouri has several members who make tasty pepper jellies. Country Goodies (Centralia), Blessing Times (Kansas City) and Garden Goodies-Fruity Peppers (Brookfield) are some good options.

Let me know your favorite tailgating foods. Go MIZZOU!

Guest Blogging

I've been guest blogging on the A Look at Missouri Farmers' Markets the last two days while my coworker and fellow blogger is out of the office. Stop by and read about the new Agritourism and Farmers' Market Maps and the Osage County Agritourism Council Tour. Katie will post more on the tour here tomorrow.

Sarah

Waste not... Worry not!

I came across an article in the Kansas City Star today about people who rummage through other people's garbage for food.  They call themselves "freegans" and according to the Kansas City Star, "they're doing it not because they're homeless or destitute, but as a statement.  It's their own personal way to criticize the amount of waste in America, where an estimated 90 billion pounds of food is discarded every year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture."

I am not condoning dumpster diving... don't get me wrong.  But I do know that I used to throw away quite a bit of food simply because I didn't know what to do with it.  I always wondered if there was something that I could do to decrease my food waste.  Over the past few years I have come up with ways to utilize scraps of veggies, extra coffee beans and more to decrease my waste.  ENJOY!

If you have leftover scraps of veggies that you're afraid will go bad before you eat them all, I have a great idea that will turn your veggie scraps from potential trash to a stellar snack in minutes!

Veggie Pizza

1 tube croissants

1 tub chive and onion cream cheese

Veggie scraps

1 1/2 cup Shredded Cheese

Roll out croissants flat on a cookie sheet and bake for the indicated amount of time.  Let crust cool for a few minutes.  Spread cream cheese over crust (this is easier to do when the crust is still warm).  Sprinkle your veggie scraps across the cream cheese and top with cheese. 

This makes a great appetizer for parties and gatherings!

If you are at the bottom of the coffee bean bag and don't have enough beans left to grind for a pot of coffee, try this easy tip to keep those coffee beans out of the trash can!

Take a vanilla candle and light.  When the wax has melted across the top, extinguish the candle.  When the flame is out, put a few coffee beans in the melted candle wax and let it harden.  Every time you light your candle after that will be a vanilla bean vacation!

If you are interested in composting to help turn your waste into usable product, visit Missouri Department of Natural Resources and enjoy all of their helpful tips for composting!

Interesting St. Louis Food Blog

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day. I got to spend some time with my mom so it was really enjoyable.

Speaking of enjoyable, yesterday I ran across a really cool, local food blog. It's called St. Louis Eats and Drinks with Joe and Ann Pollack. They are very experienced food writers in the St. Louis area and their blog is filled with everything from a review of Stone Hill Winery's Norton Tasting, opinions of restaurants, food history, locations of St. Louis farmers' markets to recipes. It is very interesting. Their blog is a great food resource for the St. Louis area.

Missouri Wine Blog

My friend and, now, fellow blogger, Danene Beedle, is the Missouri Wine Girl for the Missouri Wine and Grape Board. She attends events all over the state promoting Missouri's wonderful wines. Now she's started a blog to keep all of us updated on events and to help us learn more about Missouri wines.

In her first week of blogging, I've learned about the Branson locations of Stone Hill Winery and Mount Pleasant Winery, the Columbia Wine Festival and the Vignoles wine varietal. She's got a fun personality that shines through in the blog so click over and read about Missouri wines.

Flickr photo courtesy of prettywar-stl.

Looking for Organic Produce

The Kansas Food Circle posted a list of farmers' markets in the Kansas City area on their blog earlier this week. Check out the post if you are interested in finding organic produce and fruit.

Missouri Farmers' Market Map

The sun is shining here in Jefferson City after two days of almost constant rain. I'm sure in the middle of the summer we'll be complaining because it hasn't rained but for right now, I'm glad it's stopped.

The sunshine reminded me that several farmers' markets are opening this weekend, mainly in the larger cities but still, farmers' market season is upon us. This means we will be able to eat fresh, local veggies from now until late fall. What could be better?

You may be wondering, how can I find out if my farmers' market is open or where is the closest farmers' market? Below area couple links where you can find information online or, shortly, AgriMissouri & the MO Farmers' Market Association will be printing the 2008 Farmers' Market Map. This is a great tool to leave in your car, that way you can reference it while you're traveling this summer.

AgriMissouri Farmers Market Page
Missouri Farmers' Market Directory
A Look at Missouri Farmers' Markets Blog

FYI Markets: contact AgriMissouri ASAP if you have not updated your profile in the AgriMissouri Buyer's Guide to reflect your 2008 season.