Cape Cod's Hidden Gem: The Greenbriar Jam Kitchen

I was blessed enough to have grown up on Cape Cod.  Whenever we visit my parents (which is often),  one of my daughters' favorite spots is this magical little place in Sandwich called the Greenbriar Jam Kitchen.  It's a little cottage set on a pond with gorgeous gardens and trails surrounding the property.  It was started by Ida Putnam in 1903 and still operates using Ida's recipes in the original turn-of-the-century kitchen.  Part of the Thorton W. Burgess Society, they offer workshops and a large educational center.    (You may have heard of the Thorton Burgess, he was the creator of Peter Rabbit.  A museum in his honor is in downtown Sandwich.) 
It's a great place for nature-lovers of all ages.  Children can even meet the real Peter Rabbit there!  For more info, or to place a mail order with the Jam Kitchen click here

Louise is one of many helpful and friendly Jam Kitchen employees...

"Tis a wonderful thing to sweeten the world

which is in a jam and needs preserving."

...Thornton W. Burgess, 1939, to Ida Putnam

I most heartily agree with Mr. Burgess.  I covet the quick-to-sell-out raspberry jam and always make sure to stock up before summer's end.  

A couple of  pics of the grounds:

I took a little time to relax on the front porch and watch all the butterflies flutter by. (Notice the large bag of jam next to me.  I bought 8 jars!)

The Last of Summer's Bounty

Every weekend from May through October, I try to visit our local farmer's market.  June and July are my favorite months with an abundance of fresh berries, luscious tomatoes, and gorgeous flowers.  Now that we are well into August, I'm beginning to notice that my favorites are short in supply.   So, I'm trying to suck up the last of summer's bounty before fall sets in.  
This weekend the menu consists of: tomato and cucumber salad, grilled eggplant, corn salad, and fresh zucchini with couscous.  My goal for next week?  Fresh berry cobbler.

Here are a few picks from my local farmer's market.

I wouldn't be Italian if I didn't like (ok, love) bread.  But, I'm picky too, so I stock up on this bread.  Like the sign says, "The Best Bread on the East Coast" and it's made of whole grains to boot!

What goes perfect with bread?  Fresh cheese, of course!

Flowers AND tomatoes, now you're talkin'!

Here are the root vegetables.  We'll be seeing more of these in the coming months.  I'll take the garlic!

I leave you with the berry cobbler recipe I'm trying this week...Bon Appetite!


Cobbler Summer Berry Cobbler

Ingredients (Serves 9)

2 cups blueberries
2 cups blackberries
2 cups raspberries
3/4 cup granulated sugar, plus 1 Tablespoon
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon coarse salt, plus a pinch
Juice of 1 lemon
1 1/2 cups flour, plus more for shaping biscuits
2 teaspoons baking powder
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
3/4 cup half-and-half, plus 2 Teaspoons for brushing
Fine sanding sugar, for sprinkling

Vanilla ice cream, (optional)

Directions

1.Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, combine berries, 3/4 cup sugar, cornstarch lemon juice, and a pinch salt. Stir gently to combine. Pour into a 9-by-9-by-2-inch baking dish.

2.In a medium bowl, combine flour, remaining tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and baking powder. Using a pastry knife or your hands, cut in butter until the mixture has the consistency of sand. Add 3/4 cup half-and-half, and stir just until mixture comes together. With lightly floured hands, form into nine 2-inch biscuits. Place on top of berries. Brush biscuits with half-and-half, and sprinkle with sanding sugar.

3.Bake until biscuits are golden brown and the berries are bubbling. Let cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour. Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.


Read more at Marthastewart.com

The Prairie Flower Rides Again

I'd like to give a little "shout-out" to Tom at Zane's Cycles in Branford, CT.  He worked some magic for my daughter yesterday, turning her dusty, vintage, banana seat bike into a sparkling (albeit scratchy) "old school" riding machine.  Now, she can ride in style this weekend with her friends.
To the vintage bike lovers out there, this is a circa 1979 All-Pro Prairie Flower.  It was a steal at $5 at a yard sale.  It took about $50 to replace the wheels and inner tubes and to clean it up.  I love it and I can't wait to watch my daughter ride it (after I get a spin of course)!  Thanks Tom!

For more info on the best cycle shop on the East Coast, go to http://www.zanes.com/ .