About

Why did I start this blog? I found myself constantly sharing recipe ideas for what to do with farm share produce with other folks, and figured I may as well write them all down in one place (and my FB page).

I have a threefold purpose:  first, I promote local eating, wherever you live, by sharing recipes that use local ingredients and appeal to a wide variety of eating styles. Second, I strive to make those recipes look as delicious as I can (work in progress). Third, I want those recipes easily searchable/findable/accessible (also work in progress).

To make it easy for you to find recipe ideas, I've created a Visual Recipe Index by Ingredient, categorizing the recipes by the vegetables or fruit that they use.  Got kohlrabi?  I've got more than 50 ideas for you, gathered from around the web.  Got too many ripe bananas?  Check the Banana Recipes Collection. My Visual Recipe Index by Ingredient is set up to help folks like me eating from the farm share.

We've been doing a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)  aka farm share since 2006.  My husband was away at school and read The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals and Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal (Amazon affiliate links).  When he returned, he announced that he wanted us to try a CSA.

Since my contribution to our partnership is running the home, it was up to me to make this CSA cooking thing work. I enjoy the challenge!  The first year, a lot of produce went to waste because I didn't know what to do with it, or how to store it, before it spoiled.

I've learned a lot over the years, from the different CSAs we've enjoyed in the places we've lived. My (formerly picky) kids have become accustomed to a wide variety of vegetables.

I strive to live a more frugal and sustainable life, in keeping with how I was raised (thanks, Mom & Dad).  I grew up with a home vegetable garden, compost, and recycling.  I'll blog about those topics too, since eating farm fresh food goes hand in hand with other environmentally friendly actions. For a peek into my blogging process, check out this post [it's got cake, too].

You can find my writing elsewhere on the web:
A guest post for Gastronomical Sovereignty sharing how to grow 2 cook's crops in one bed over 12 months can be found here.
A guest post for HOMEGROWN.org's CSA Cookoff series can be found here.

I was interviewed for the local paper! You can read that story here.



Our family is 2 parents, 2 kids, 2 now 1 composting pigs, a dog who photobombs my shots plus 2 now 1 elderly wiener dog who has some skills.  Boy how pets change when you start a blog. We're back to 3 dogs: Simon, Vincent, and Robert Barker in order of acquisition. I am grateful for my family's willingness to try new foods--and their love of leftovers!

This blog is my place to collect all that wisdom and share it with you to make your life easier, so that you don't waste your hard-earned money or miss out on something yummy.  I post recipes Mondays, Wednesdays, and often something pizza-related on Fridays.  My recipes feature ingredients from my CSA farm share, my garden, or great deals I find.  Usually it's not high-falutin' food, but it's always tasty.  To help you find recipes, you can look across the top for my Visual Recipe Index.  It's sorted by which fruit or vegetable used in the recipe.  Along the right side is my Recipe Index By Category, for when you don't have a pile of Swiss chard to deal with but instead feel like . . . maybe a pizza?  Enjoy!


Note: I contribute to my family’s income via this website.The biggest help is when you use this Amazon link when you get anything. It costs you nothing, and is this site's, and thus my, biggest [$11.97 last year was a smidgen less than the ad income] source of support. I recommend every product linked here personally because I have used these products and would recommend them to my neighbors and friends. Here's a page of My Favorite Things.Please feel free to contact me by email-- Kirsten AT FarmFreshFeasts DOT com 


The Pizza Paparazzi in action--with my sidekick Wee Oliver Picklepants


My Privacy Policy 


 Thanks for stopping by!


16 comments:

  1. The CP on the left appears to not enjoy vegetables.....just sayin.

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    1. I couldn't tell you why he looks so annoyed. Ever since we got them (used, of course, reduce reuse recycle and all that ;) he's been the better eater. I think he didn't like having me eye to eye. She was happily oblivious.

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  2. We used to have guinea pigs also; their "pig farm" was upstairs. Whenever we started chopping vegetables in the kitchen they would start whistling and chattering because they knew they got the extras!

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    1. Ours are in the living room (I know, but the rescue people were insistent) and they are hyperaware of any and all chopping and veggie bag rustling that goes on in the kitchen. Good thing they are cute! Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. Love CSAs! In fact, just today a piece I did for All Recipes about how to get the most out of your CSA came out.

    http://freshbitesblog.com/2012/10/farm-fresh-and-fantastic-how-to-stay-on.html

    I'm loving so many of the ideas you've got posted...especially the beets and goat cheese, so will definitely be giving that a try. Great blog!

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    1. That was a great read-thank you so much for sharing it with me! I bookmarked the master list of recipes. Thanks for stopping by!

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  4. Kirsten,
    Just popped over to say hello and love your site.
    We lived in Cincinnati for fifteen years and even had a restaurant there.
    Lovely to 'meet' you.
    Móna Wise
    www.WiseWords.ie

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    1. Móna,
      Aha! That explains the connection between you and Beth Yantek, who told me about your blog at hockey last month. Your site is lovely and I enjoy visiting it.
      Thanks for stopping by!
      kirsten

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  5. You've been nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award! By me! Check it out here, http://thenovicegardener.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/spreading-the-love-around/

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    1. How sweet-thank you so much for the nomination!
      I love learning about new blogs. Much appreciated.

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  6. Very interested to learn more about composting pigs! Do you have a good reference site you would suggest? Do you think they could live in peace with curious cats? Your advice is much appreciated.

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    1. Patti,
      We got our pigs from Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue and they were a wealth of info on pigs during our adoption screening process. Our pigs live in a penthouse in the living room on top of Simon's crate (pigs need room to run around, so you don't want them in those little pet store boxes) and I'd think they could live with curious cats but I've never tried it. They are very social and delightful.
      Here's a couple of sites: http://www.mgpr.org http://www.cavyspirit.com where we got some information.
      Thanks!

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  7. We have two dogs and two guinea pigs. We love them all and they are with us in the dining room of this new home and they were in the kitchen at the last one. Hyper aware of any fresh veggies coming out of that fridge. Thanks again for your lovely make ahead potatoes!!

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    1. Tara,
      I'm glad to know that we're not the only ones with pigs front and center of our lives!
      Happy Thanksgiving!

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  8. I just picked up my first CSA box today. We didn't even know what half the leafy greens were. The farm sent a link to your website. Thank you so much for your Visual Recipe Index by Ingredient. Turns out we have chard and kale, and we've already picked out a few recipes to try tomorrow. Thanks!!!
    -Holly in California
    hmoore_ver1@hotmail.com

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    1. Holly,
      I'm so glad you could identify your fresh veggies. It's so much fun figuring out what everything is, and what to do with it all.
      Happy eating--and thanks for stopping by!

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