The Taste of a Local New Year

Welcome to 2017, our tenth anniversary as a  local food  distribution business.

The availability of local food has come along way in the  past 10 years. It has been a pleasure working with the many dedicatied producers who work extremely hard trying to make a difference in their community, supplying healthy susatainable food. We look forward to continuing and expanding on this effort. But none of this is possible without all of you who are taking the effort, time and believe buying local does make a difference.

This is also the start of an exciting new venture with the addition of Furnace Falls Farm.
 
 Furnace Falls Farm is a picturesque farm that is located right across the road from our market. It consist of an historic farmhouse built in the early 1900s, various out buildings and a wonderfull large white barn,  plus great land for vegetable gardens.

Why the Name you may ask? It is a fititng name which connects my ancestors on both sides of my family. Furnace Falls used to be the name for the neighbouring town now known as Lyndurst. It was the site of the first iron smelter in Upper Canada and also the home to grist, saw, flour, and carding mills,  and hotels.

My ancestors on my Mom's side were instrumental in establishing  business in the town of Furnace Falls, while back on the farm  my Dad's ancestors farmed land adjacent to the town. One of the original properties was this piece of property we are calling Furnace Falls Farm. I like to think this is the beginning of a life-long building of our local food system  from my past. 

Now you know why I am so rooted in agriculture and keeping communities alive: it is a big part of my past.

I am so excited about this addition it is hard to contain myself from spilling everything now. But I am going to contain the excitment and lead you through our plans as things develop. You will just have to look forward to the next update .

So,  back to work I go...

It is the first week of January and so begins the cycle of planning, ordering, planting and growing. I must admit I look forward to the dreaming stage, though others in my family fear the ratio of seeds to greenhouse space is sometimes a bit off (sorry Rick). Another greenhouse perhaps is the solution! so let the planning continue !! 

With all this talk about history and local food, it is time to start the year off with a recipe from the past and all local ingredients. The pea shoots are a replacement for the greens that were in the original recipe, which called for lambs quarters . 


CHICKEN & PEA SHOOT FARMHOUSE PIE 

1 onion , chopped - Patchwork Gardens 
1 garlic clove,  chopped  - Patchwork Gardens 
1 lb boneless chicken breast, diced - Mensen |Farm 
4 medium potatoes - Corn Acre Farms 
1/4 cup butter - Stirling Butter
2 1/2 cup milk - Limestone Creamery 
1/4 cup flour - Ironwood Organics, Against the Grain, Sonset Farm
1/2 cup pea shoots , finally chopped - Patchwork Gardens 

Instructions 

1. Preheat oven 350 degrees
2. Fry onion and garlic in oil for 2 minutes then add diced chciken and cook for 5 minutes till browned. 
3. To make a quick white sauce melt 1/2 cup butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the flour. Gradually add the milk to the flour mix, and whisk as you add the milk. Heat till sauce thickens, keep whisking to prevent lumps.
4. Then add 1/4 cup pea shoots  and season  to taste.
5. Combine the white sauce and chicken mix into a large rectangular dish .

Mashed potato  topping 

1. Boil the potatoes till cooked . Mash through with 1/4 cup butter abnd a bit of milk and then add remaining pea shoots .
2. Spoon over chicken mixture

Bake for 20 minutes 
Serves 6
Enjoy!

Have a Great Week. 
Rick & Wendy & Leigha 
Thanks for supporting Local Producers 
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