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Category Archives: Cooking
Laurey Masterton: a pioneer who kept pushing
When it was time to choose a spot to have my western NC book-release party in 2011, I immediately said: Laurey’s in Asheville. The cafe, run by chef and owner Laurey Masterton, embodied everything I love about the local foods … Continue reading
Posted in Bees, Buncombe County, Cooking, Dining
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Everyone is clucking about local turkeys
I’ve seen plenty of wild turkeys in my day, but I’d never been around farm turkeys much until I wrote “Farm Fresh North Carolina.” When I was researching the book, in 2008, regular folks getting farm-raised turkeys for their Thanksgiving … Continue reading
Dig deeper with Taste Carolina food-farm events
I got to hang out with some of my favorite food purveyors last night — Farmhand Foods, which distributes local, pasture-raised meats, and April McGreger of Farmer’s Daughter Brand, sweet-and-savory queen of all that is preserved or fermented. And I … Continue reading
Fermenting food in a few easy steps
I’m bubbling over with excitement after my workshop on fermenting! OK, maybe that’s a bit of an overstatement, but it was very interesting to get a primer on the process that I’ve been reading so much about over the past … Continue reading
Posted in Cooking, Durham County, Food
Tagged April McGreger, lactofermintation, The Farmers Daughter, wild fermentation, wild fermenting
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Let ‘Chefs of the Mountains’ be your guide
First, there was the “Food Lovers’ Guide to the Triangle.” Now there’s “Chefs of the Mountains: Restaurants & Recipes from Western North Carolina” (John F. Blair, $19.95), by food critic John E. Batchelor. John doesn’t know it, but he helped … Continue reading
Southern cooking: it’s a sides show
Lina found me crying over an ugly green plastic box the other week. I was reading through my mom’s recipes (she died in 2009), on yellowed index cards in her hand-writing. Her famous salmon cakes, always served with cole slaw … Continue reading
It’s settled! Il Palio vs. Weathervane on July 23
I was already feeling lucky to be asked to judge one of the Fire in the Triangle chef competition sponsored by Got to Be NC. Then I learned I’d be judging the semifinals, on July 23, meaning I’ll get to … Continue reading
Posted in Cooking, Dining, Orange County, Wake County
Tagged Fire in the Triangle, Got to Be NC
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Cooling off in Canada, then back for Fire in Triangle
It’s so hot in North Carolina that I’m fleeing to Canada. Seriously. OK, so the trip was already planned. I hope to check out a few farms around Montreal and of course sample some farm-to-table fare. I haven’t done my … Continue reading
The best collard greens you’ll ever eat
Happy New Year from Farm Fresh North Carolina! Looking back, kudos to everyone who supported farmers and dedicated themselves to fresh food in 2011. And to those who bought my book, a special thanks! What a fantastic year I had promoting it … Continue reading
Posted in Cooking, Guilford County, Recipes, Wake County
Tagged Collard greens, collard recipe, Jay Pierce, Lucky 32
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Culinary/ag education in Charlotte and beyond
Thought I’d share this recent email and my answer, as it contains some good farm-fresh culinary/agricultural education resources in Charlotte and beyond. Dear Diane, My brother is an aspiring chef living in Charlotte. He is very passionate about sustainable farming and farm … Continue reading
Posted in Chatham County, Cooking, Food, Mecklenburg County
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Say cheese! And then learn how to make it
I used to hear about a cheese-making class once or twice a year. Now they’re popping up like mold spores on your favorite Stilton. Here are a couple in NC in November. Sleepy Goat Farm in Pelham (Caswell County) has just … Continue reading
Posted in Caswell County, Chatham County, Cooking, Dining, Goats
Tagged Abundance Foundation, Sleepy Goat Farm
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Food and race; High Country tour; learn to write, paint and cook in a day; food classes; and more!
Mark your calendars for these farm-food events in the Tiangle and the mountains: Thursday, Aug. 4: “Eating the Other: Food, Race and You,” discussion of race as it relates to agribusiness, farmers’ markets and the slow food culture. At Southwest Regional … Continue reading
Sweet Potato Pie Ice Cream: a Carolina classic
In honor of National Ice Cream Month, I present to you a recipe from my book for the most Carolina-centric flavor possible — our state vegetable, the one we produce the most of nationwide. That’s right, the sweet potato. This is one … Continue reading
Posted in Cooking, Hoke County, Recipes
Tagged Raft Swamp Farms, Southern Pines farmers market
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Asheville’s Tupelo Honey Cafe puts out cookbook
Tupelo Honey Café is one of those landmark dining spots that actually deserves its popularity. Tourists and locals alike go to the Asheville restaurant for Southern comfort food with a modern twist. It’s a high-volume place (and a second location … Continue reading
Posted in Beer, Books, Buncombe County, Cooking, Dining, Food, Recipes, Wine
Tagged A Southern Season, breweries, brewpubs, Brian Sonoskus, Elizabeth Sims, Green Tomato Salsa, Grits, Regulator Bookshop, Southern food
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Farm Fresh public party and other Triangle farm-food events
All “Farm Fresh North Carolina” events below are free and open to the public. Bring your farm-loving friends! Monday, March 7, at 6 p.m. at Fullsteam Brewery, 726 Rigsbee Ave, Durham. “Farm Fresh North Carolina” book launch party featuring farmers … Continue reading
Meaty events in Winston-Salem and Chapel Hill
A couple meaty events are coming up Sunday and Monday from chef and writer Deborah Krasner, author of “Good Meat: The Complete Guide to Sourcing and Cooking Sustainable Meat” ($40, Stewart, Tabori & Chang). On Sunday, Dec. 5, Vermont resident … Continue reading
