11.09.2010

Farm to Fork Dinner


Have I mentioned my love for local produce here before? Ahem. I do have a bit of a thing for farmers markets, produce stands, local farms, roadside produce stands... you get the picture. Sunday night, I was treated by my dear sister-in-law to a locavore's dream: a Farm to Fork Dinner on a local farm! (Thank you Cathy, the best "Secret Santa" ever!)
The setting was picturesque; we gathered family-style at tables set under the exposed beams of the market stand roof. Draped in white linen and burlap, the tables boasted centerpieces that featured produce and flowers grown right on the farm surrounding us. As the sun set, candles were lit, champagne was poured and hors d'oeuvres were passed: tomato & mozzarella tartlets with basil puree, fried local grouper sliders with housemade tartar sauce and mini popovers with Florida grass fed roast beef & creamed horseradish.
We were seated and the artisan meal to follow was to die for, featuring a bounty of ingredients from farms and producers within a 70-mile radius of the area. The first course was a farm to fork salad with locally harvested greens, herbs & heirloom tomatoes, red onion confit, Humboldt Fog croustade and champagne-Dijon vinaigrette. It was paired with artisanal bread & local butter. This was followed by an appetizer salad of warm scallops, stone crab and crispy uncured bacon with an apple, walnut & freshly-shucked black eyed pea relish.

The main course was a fragrant and savory turkey pot-pie baked in acorn squash, and potato, leek & mushroom dauphinoise served family-style. Dessert was a caramelized spiced rice pudding with pumpkin pie ice cream. And yes, it was all every bit as delicious as it sounds! The evening was perfectly magical on every count, and a memory I will always hold dear to my local produce-loving heart.

4 comments:

Rose said...

OH! This just gave me goosebumps from start to finish! What a wonderful meal, in so many ways. I would LOVE to attend something like that! Is it an annual event? And you're right, that is the best Secret Santa gift I have ever seen.

Heather said...

I have never seen a pot pie baked in any kind of squash, that is so cool! What a beautiful way to highlight the joys of farm fresh meals.

asavoryspoonful@gmail.com said...

It was such a beautiful evening! Thanks for sharing it with me and being such a great sister! I had a wonderful time :) love, cathy

Deborah Sheehy said...

I absolutely LOVE Farm to Fork dinners. Osceola County Grown, located in St.Cloud, FL is about to have their 2nd Farm to Fork dinner and you're invited! A portion of the proceeds will go to helping to feed children without homes in Osceola County. So important. Join us by writing osceolacountygown@yahoo.com or by calling Deborah at 407 777 0602 for ticket information. Cost is $75 pp or $100 per couple. May 12th, 2011Hope you join us. Dine under the beautiful oak trees on our President's farm in St. Cloud.