Vollmer Farm

I don't know why it's taken me SO long to post about our favorite local farm. We discovered Vollmer Farm last summer and have been back at least 3 times. It's a little trek from our house but it's so worth it. They are about to open for the strawberry picking season and if you're within an hour's drive, I HIGHLY recommend checking them out! They have a market with their fresh (almost exclusive organic) produce as well as a shop with yummy jams, jellies and other tasty goodies. And finally, they have an ice cream shop with delicious homemade ice cream (and other tasty treats).

This afternoon we're planning to drive out and pick up a bag of their specialty lettuce, some fresh from the field asparagus and maybe even strawberries. I am so excited I can barely contain myself. This year they have also added 2 goats to welcome visitors. I openly admit that if we ever have land I want a couple of goats and a few chickens. Seriously.

Mark your calendars - Herbfest!

If you're in the Triangle area and are interested in growing your own [organic] culinary herbs this year, don't miss out on Wake Forest's Herbfest. The 10 day festival runs April 17th-26th. Despite my current condition (ha!) we're planning to go and pick up our 'usual' - basil, italian parsley and maybe dill and whatever else sounds good to me. We're still going to try to go some light gardening this season. It's just not summer without fresh herbs (and veggies!).

http://www.herbfest.net


"HerbFest is generally recognized as the largest herb and perennial festival East of the Mississippi providing the largest quantity and diversity of herbs found anywhere. It occurs yearly after the last frost date of the year on the first Friday following."

Quick Review: Holy Smokes BBQ

Yum. Yum. And more YUM.

I've driven by the place no less than a dozen times but never saw it. How could I miss it? It's in a shiny diner?!



On the recommendation of a co-worker, a proud Texan, Paul and I headed down to an area of Raleigh we rarely visit. She swore that their beef brisket was the best she'd had outside of TX in years. She also warned me that it wasn't your typical BBQ joint but all-in-all that was a high compliment.

When you first enter the shiny shell you are heartily greeted and asked if it's your first time. Why? Well, it's because you don't order like you normally would at a NC BBQ place. You order in sizes - 5oz/8oz/by the pound. It took us a few moments to agree on our sides and sizes, but we were super impressed with their homemade mac & cheese as well as fried okra. I went with their NC pork BBQ - smoked to perfection with a splash of spicy vinegar sauce. Paul had to try the beef brisket (he's always been a fan); ordered on the 'lean side.' You can't get a sandwich off the menu, but they'll be happy to provide a bun with your meat. Also, you must order dessert - we stuck with the traditional banana pudding.

Let me just say, it's worth the trip and the slight order befuddlement. The BBQ was moist, smokey, super tasty and craving worthy. They have 3 sauces - one vinegar based and 2 other original sauces. Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with anything on their menu. And seriously, it's fun to eat at a shiny diner, even if the table jukeboxes no longer work.

For a little more info, check out the
News & Observer write up (7/13/07) and visit their website.

Favorite Gadget Series - 3

It's time for another "Oldmarrieds favorite kitchen gadgets!" Ok, really, it's just time a for a new post!

Today's gadget is a mighty fine tool called a garlic press.


Mmmmmmm, fresh garlic

I can't quite remember where I first saw a garlic press used, most likely on a Food Network show, but I knew I had to have one. It may be considered a "uni-tasker" by the great Alton Brown, but man, it really saves me time in the kitchen.

Almost any time a recipe calls for "minced garlic" I pull out my handy garlic press. Simply pluck out a garlic clove from the garlic bulb, lightly smash with the side of knife to remove the paper skin and then plop into the press and viola! Minced garlic! Side note - be sure to press your garlic over the cooking vessel you prefer as you want all the tasty garlic juices to be in your cooking, not lost on a cutting board.

We bought our press at Ikea for the amazing price of $2.99. Sadly, you must pick up your own in store as they are not available for purchase online (hey, you just need to go to Ikea any way, it rocks! NC residents - Ikea Charlotte opens on February 18th at 9am, I'm not counting the hours or anything...). I would honestly have a hard time paying the $15+ I've seen them for at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Quick list of recent pregnancy cravings

I thought it might be fun to keep a running list of my most recent pregnancy cravings and if they've been fulfilled. My mind has been focused on food lately and I'm thankful I'm able to eat more normally again (the first 12ish weeks were rough!). In no particular order:

• Pickles - We ran out at home, must buy more (yes, I will admit to sipping a little pickle juice from the jar, yum!)
  
• Ice cream - Not with the pickles, but I love me some chocolate ice cream & milkshakes
  
• Sushi - I've abstained from the raw stuff since August, but I'm going to try my hardest to get some soon!
  
• Five Guys burgers - I had my first Five Guys burger about a month ago and have been craving them like mad since. Paul indulged me today by meeting me there for lunch, score!
  
• Chick-fil-a - since we're about a mile away from one at home, I've had this one often
  
• Citrus - I am loving oranges & grapefruits. We get our Broughton Band fruit this weekend!!!
  
• Turkey & Stuffing - Thank goodness Thanksgiving was last week, just in time!
  
• Mexican - Particularly from our local, not so good for you, place.
  

Every week brings a new craving!

Wait! Did I mention we're expecting on this blog? I don't think I have! See, I'm am blog-a-holic and post to a few, so in my pregnancy induced amnesia, I hadn't thought to bring it up here. So if you hadn't caught on, I'm pregnant and we're excited to be bringing 'oldmarried baby' into the world at the end of April in 2009!