In This Edition
Cracked Farro Pudding
Customer Profile: Glover Street Market's New Owner
Granary Tour: December 11th
Bountiful Gift Box On Special through 12/20
Seattle Farmers Markets December 18/19th
Crown S Ranch Delivers Bluebird Products
Notes from the Farmer
The “quiet” season is upon us here on the Rendezvous. That is if you discount the on-going sounds of the mills and the busy packaging room where the “Santa’s helpers” are fixing up and shipping gift boxes East and West. Though your farmer friend here gets to partake plenty, the fields have all been tucked in for the winter.
What an extended, glorious fall we had after a tumultuous summer indeed. We were able to continue field work right into the middle of November and essentially got most of the things done we’d hoped to. Neighbor Brad Martin was a big savior in that department and I’m pleased with the way we got a start on the straw decomposition heading into winter. Hopefully this will make for a mellow and easy to work seedbed come spring. Thank you Mother for another season of farming and farming experience. I’m not sure I’m anxious to repeat this years’ trials and tribulations, but experience is experience.
As we begin the run of this year’s grains we’re noticing a few things I want to address here. Most notably, due to excessive moisture this year particularly at the beginning of harvest, our emmer farro berries may not be as dark and shiny as in years past. Though the grain is plenty dry and nutrition tests are comparable to our status quo, the grain went through a couple of wetting and drying cycles that took some of the shine away. As well, you may notice a slightly shorter cooking time as there is more moisture in the berries than some years. In regards to the emmer flour, we’ve not noticed any significant changes in baking quality.
This said, we’ve run less than a thousand bushels so far, so what we’ve seen up to now may not be indicative of the year’s whole lot. My guess is there will be some variation throughout. Given our cleaning/milling line, we are able to stratify our grains so that we are always selling our number one grade as the whole grain emmer farro. And we blend some #1 with our very nutrient dense “splits” that come off our fanning mill to make up our flour. We are seeing some color variation with our wheat but we use most of it for flour and our flour seems to be coming off very nicely. Again, you may notice it a little heavier do to a little higher moisture content than usual. Our hard white seems to really be moving. Did I say I got to be involved at the granary, too….!
As always, your personal experience is very valuable to us. Please let us know of any concerns and of course, we take compliments as well!
Meanwhile, we’ve gone from a mild fall to a pretty brisk early winter with a low of minus 10 FH so far, and about 10 inches of fluffy snow on the ground. Stirrings are happening in the ski gear closet; Mariah and Larkin already have some sledding paths packed above the granaries here, too. AND, I’ve started getting out with our two Labs for some birds! Our “puppy” Tucker, now 9 months and closing in on 80 pounds, has some retrieving under his girth while 6 year old lady Teal leads the way. Ahh…winter!
Here’s wishing all of you the very best for the holidays. Please share with both those in need and with those you love. Hoping you get plenty of cozy times together around a hot mug after some of the fresh winter air. After all, this is what the “dark season” is for!
Very best to all, Farmer Sam
Bluebird News
 Organic Fruit Syrups & Holiday Gift Box Specials:
We now offer Piptone Farms organic Plum, Nectarine, and Apricot Syrup through our online Store. A pefect complement to our Emmer Pancake & Waffle Mix. You will also find our Bountiful Gift Box On Sale Now through December 2oth. Other gift options include a Pancake & Organic Fruit Syrup gift box-$22, Breakfast Gift Box-$28.00. All gift boxes come with a hand written Bluebird Note Card and can be shipped any where in the US. Please call our office at 1.888.232.0331 for any questions or special gift requests!
   
Our CSA's also make great gifts! Give 4 to 6 monthly deliveries of our fresh milled products to your loved one. Starting at $120.00
Granary Tour Dec 11th: Eat Emmer Coffee Cake and tour our granary Saturday, December 11th 1-3pm. Tour is from 1:30-2:00. Directions to our farm click here. Products and gift baskets will be available for purchase. Please RSVP brooke@bluebirdgrainfarms.com. Bring your addresses and let Bluebird ship for you.
Seattle Farmers Market Schedule:
Saturday December 18th U-District Market/Sunday December 19th Ballard Market & Cooking Demo- Cracked Farro Porridge.
***For Special Order pick up please call our office by December 10th***
Crown S Ranch has great meat! Crown S Ranch of Wintrhop delivers their organic grass fed meats to the seattle area regularly. If you are a Crown S Customer you can get free deliveries of Bluebird Products with your meat order. Next Delivery is December 19th. call us to put in your Bluebird order by December 10th. They also are offering great Holiday meat Packs-call their ofice at 996.3849 for more info about their meats and CSA offerings.
Bluebird Office/Granary Closed December 24th- January 2nd. Please call/e-mail our office by Friday December 17th for last BULK delivery of December.
Winter Solistice: December 21st
We wish you all a wonderful holiday season and thank you for the incredible support and kind words many of you have shared with us over the years. Our farm would simply not be operating without the continued support of each and every one of you.
In gratitude-
the Lucy Family
|
Recipe of the Month: Spiced Farro Pudding
This simple and delectable pudding recipe will take your holiday anxieties away. The sweet nutty flavor of Bluebird’s cracked Farro Porridge pairs beautifully with the citric tone of cardamom. The whole milk and vanilla celebrate the tradition of holiday pudding that the whole family can enjoy. This can be served for breakfast or dessert. We will be demonstrating this recipe at the December 19th Ballard Market, stop in and give it a try around 10a.m.
Recipe: Serves 4
1 Cracked Farro Porridge
1 Pinch sea or kosher salt
½ Teaspoon cardamom
3 Cups whole milk
½ Cup sugar
½ Teaspoon vanilla
½ Cup cream
1 Teaspoon rosewater (Optional)
¼ Cup roasted pistachios, chopped (roast for 6 minutes at 325 degrees)
Place the Farro Porridge in a medium saucepan over medium – medium high heat. Toast for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the salt and cardamom and stir to incorporate. Then add the milk, sugar, and vanilla and stir. Bring to a simmer and reduce the heat so that the pudding is simmering lightly. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Turn off the heat and mix in the cream and rosewater. Let the pudding sit for 5 minutes to absorb most of the liquid. Serve topped with chopped roasted pistachios.
*To reheat, just add a bit more milk to the pan or dish with the pudding, cover, and heat over low heat until hot.
Vendor Profile: Molly Patterson of Glover Street Market, Twisp, WA
 Bluebird featured the Glover Street Market about a year ago, but several things inspired us to highlight the store again. First, the Twisp market has been under new ownership since last March and has undergone a complete renovation. Second, not only does Glover Street sell a wide range of bagged Bluebird products such as whole grain emmer, pancake mix, and a variety of freshly milled flours, but Bluebird grains also feature prominently in several of Glover Street’s menu mainstays. And finally, with its wide variety of locally produced items—ranging from meat to dairy to body care to fabrics and jewelry—the Glover Street Market’s retail philosophy is just the kind that Bluebird likes to support.
When Molly Patterson bought the Glover Street Market in March of 2010, she knew that the backbone of the business was the cadre of loyal customers who had been shopping at the store for the past 18 years. Some of these customers might have had reservations about the new ownership, but they remained true to the store and what it represented. “I’ve learned a lot from these people,” says Molly. “They don’t shop at big box stores or online. If they need something on Sunday, they’re willing to wait until Monday when I open up, and if I need to order their product, they’re willing to wait for it.” She adds, “It’s been such a positive experience for me. Susie and Flor [former owners] cultivated such a loyal customer base. I’ve been overwhelmed by the support these customers have given me.”
Whenever possible, Molly tries to source her products locally and regionally, and the market has an impressive selection of local foods and other products. She also makes it economical for local businesses to purchase at the market through her business discount program. “I like being able to walk down the street to buy [products] at local businesses,” she says, “and then I see those business owners coming in for lunch or to buy groceries. And we all know that our money is staying right here in the valley. It feels good.”
Another pleasant surprise for Molly has been all the new people she has met as they come into the store. “One of the best experiences of owning the store for me has been meeting the seniors who come in. It’s a lovely group of people who I probably wouldn’t otherwise have met.”
Molly, who with her husband Jeff is raising three young boys, has been buying Bluebird products since Bluebird’s beginning, so it makes sense that the grains feature so prominently in her menu. “We serve Bluebird waffles every other day for breakfast,” says Molly, “and first-timers are amazed that it’s a whole wheat mix. It’s just so good.” She also uses whole grain emmer in what has quickly become a valley favorite: Molly’s signature curry bowl, with red coconut curry, broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, and emmer.
If you’re in the valley over the holidays, be sure to stop by Glover Street Market in Twisp to check out the new store design, as well as the beautiful new wine cellar, where wine is served with snacks for $2/glass every Saturday from 2pm-6pm. Gift ideas abound, too, from insulated soup containers to truffles to beeswax candles to homemade baby blankets. And for those who can’t wait to come in to eat Bluebird waffles at the Glover Street juice bar, there are Bluebird gift boxes of pancake mix and syrup, too.
|
