This time of year, I run into two cooking woes. 1) What to make when I'm too tired and lazy to chop and prep and use every one of my pots and pants, and 2) what's a quick and easy bite to make/bring to one of the many holiday parties popping up on my calendar? This quick, easy, farm-fresh dish is the perfect solution to both! It takes 10 minutes, makes very little mess, and is an absolute crowd-pleaser! Enter: The Pawlet & Honey Crostini. During my Saturday shopping excursion at McCarren Park in Brooklyn for my Honey Roasted Carrots, I picked up a few additional items for my crostini. From Vermont's Consider Bardwell Farm, I perused a variety of delicious cow and goat cheeses. I was specifically searching for something that was soft and easy to melt, so I was directed to the "Meltlet" cheese, which is a version of their Pawlet. It was nutty and mild and perfect for a sweet and savory recipe. I bought 1/4lb ($5). I picked up a fresh baguette ($3) from New Jersey's Baker's Bounty. The outside felt nice and crusty, but the inside was soft and pillowy. The perfect type of bread for a crostini! The honey, which I picked up for my Honey Roasted Carrots last week, came from Nature's Way ($6.25/honeybear). There's something about fresh cheese that brings on an unstoppable craving for wine, am I right? Luckily, Borghese Vineyard was set up just across from the cheese stand, so I made my way over to pick my poison :). They had so many delicious bottles straight from their Long Island vineyard, but I settled on an easy-drinking red wine, the Petit Chateau ($17). Time to head home and assemble my delicious and festive treats! Here's how
This time of year, I run into two cooking woes. 1) What to make when I’m too tired and lazy to chop and prep and use every one of my pots and pants, and 2) what’s a quick and easy bite to make/bring to one of the many holiday parties popping up on my calendar? This quick, easy, farm-fresh dish is the perfect solution to both! It takes 10 minutes, makes very little mess, and
It always feels like there is a very short period after that Thanksgiving feast where you can rest and fill up on detoxifying veggies and wholesome foods in preparation for the onslaught of holiday cookies, cocktail hours, treats, and sweets that descend upon you each December. I try to take advantage of the wintry assortment of vegetables the NYC Greenmarkets have to offer this time of year. My go-to dish is roasted root vegetables. Warm, toasty, juicy, and satisfying, you can mix and match any root veg with an array of spices and flavorings to trick you into thinking you're eating something rich and sinful. I took a walk through Brooklyn's McCarren Park Greenmarket on Saturday and was immediately drawn to the vibrant orange carrots from Garden of Eve Farm. Parked right next door was Nature's Way Farm, with all of its delicious local honeys and honey products. The perfect (and absolute simplest) recipe came to mind: Honey Roasted Carrots. I grabbed a bunch of carrots ($4) and a honey bear jar of honey ($6.25) and I had everything I needed! You won't believe how easy this recipe is... INGREDIENTS: 1 bunch whole carrots, peeled salt & pepper to taste approx. 2 tbsp honey (you may use more or less for desired sweetness) 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat oven to 350F. Place washed and peeled whole carrots onto a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, salt & pepper. Toss to coat carrots evenly and spread them out into a single layer. Drizzle the surface of the carrots with honey. Bake until desired tenderness, 40 - 50 minutes. Cooking up these honey-roasted carrots will surely inspire you to get out there and support these amazing farmers who bring you fresh, flavorful carrots, sweet sticky honey, and
It always feels like there is a very short period after that Thanksgiving feast where you can rest and fill up on detoxifying veggies and wholesome foods in preparation for the onslaught of holiday cookies, cocktail hours, treats, and sweets that descend upon you each December. I try to take advantage of the wintry assortment of vegetables the NYC Greenmarkets have to offer this time of year. My go-to dish is roasted root vegetables. Warm,
The holiday season has arrived and it's time for giving, joy and festivities! There are tons of festivals and celebrations taking place just outside NYC this season. Spend a little extra quality time with your loved ones this year sipping cider and spirits, participating in icy competitions, shopping for local gifts, and more! Check out some of the featured events coming up in December and have yourself a merry little weekend getaway. Taste fresh Wassail and learn how to create this festive holiday beverage that warms your home and soul at Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard's Wassailing Weekends. The Central New York celebrations will take place from 10am - 4pm most weekends in December (Dec. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, & 23) leading up to Christmas! More on lodging here. No car? Grab an Amtrak up to Schenectady, NY and rent a car for a gorgeous 1.5 hour drive to the Mill. Or, book a ReachNOW and enjoy a road trip with family and friends! Ithaca Ice Festival returns to the Ithaca Commons, December 7-9, 2017! Ice Fest is an annual tradition in Downtown Ithaca! What holiday season would be complete without a celebration of cold weather and cold weather sports...like ice carving. Witness the nation’s finest ice carvers as they compete during a breathtaking competition in Downtown Ithaca. The festival features impressive display sculptures, fire demonstrations, and the ever-popular Ice Bar: an outdoor bar made entirely of ice, serving beer, wine, and hot cocoa, and a tasty Chowder Cook-off. Road trip upstate via ReachNOW or book a seat on Amtrak to Syracuse, rent a car and meander around the gorgeous Finger Lakes! Spend the weekend exploring the chilly and festive outdoors in Ithaca, lodging info here. Spend a festive holiday weekend in Dutchess County in the Hudson Valley, just a couple hours outside NYC.
The holiday season has arrived and it’s time for giving, joy and festivities! There are tons of festivals and celebrations taking place just outside NYC this season. Spend a little extra quality time with your loved ones this year sipping cider and spirits, participating in icy competitions, shopping for local gifts, and more! Check out some of the featured events coming up in December and have yourself a merry little weekend getaway. Taste fresh Wassail
I don't know about you, but with the holidays creeping closer and closer, I've got dessert on my brain! After my plentiful and autumnal shopping trip to the Union Square Greenmarket last week (check out the Overnight Oats post for all the details), my pantry and fridge were still spilling over with Breezy Hill Orchard apples and cranberries and Greenmarket Grains Project rolled oats. So I created a "part 2 recipe" from those leftover ingredients. A good tip to remember when shopping fresh and local at your neighborhood markets: one of the easiest ways to save money and reduce waste is to come up with multiple recipes from the same ingredients! This time I was totally inspired to make one of my all-time favorite treats: Cranberry Apple Crisp. It's gooey and delicious on the inside, crisp and buttery on the top, and those sweet apples and tart cranberries make the most perfect fall dessert...or breakfast, :). It's quick and easy to make and if you're somewhat baking-adverse (like myself), this takes way less precision than other technical baking. It's a great place to start, especially to gear up for all the baked goods, sweets and treats that are so fun to make (and eat) this time of year! Here's how I made it: INGREDIENTS: 1/2 C rolled oats 1/2 C + 3 tbsp all purpose flour, divided 1/2 C brown sugar (light or dark) 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp kosher salt 1/4 tsp ground ginger 1 stick butter, chilled and diced into small cubes 1/4 C granulated sugar Zest and juice of 1 lemon 4 apples, cored and sliced thin (I used a combo of Jonah Gold and Mutsu) 1 C fresh cranberries (or frozen, thawed) INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat over to 375F. In a mixing bowl, combine sliced apples,
I don’t know about you, but with the holidays creeping closer and closer, I’ve got dessert on my brain! After my plentiful and autumnal shopping trip to the Union Square Greenmarket last week (check out the Overnight Oats post for all the details), my pantry and fridge were still spilling over with Breezy Hill Orchard apples and cranberries and Greenmarket Grains Project rolled oats. So I created a “part 2 recipe” from those leftover ingredients. A
Hey, EscapeMakers! These past few summer/fall seasons, our team has had the privilege of posting up in the Greenmarkets across NYC and chatting with all of you about farm escapes, green travel, weekend getaways and more. We absolutely love hearing from you and getting your feedback on what you're searching for when it comes to the perfect escape. After having several people come to us with specific inquiries about local destinations that were wheelchair accessible and suitable for persons with limited mobility, we decided to put together a list!* We can't thank you all enough for smart questions and engaging conversations that inspire our content. While some agritourism destinations in the region are difficult to navigate or are still in the process of retro-fitting or getting ADA-compliant with things like adding accessible means of egress and power-assisted doors, many have identified readily-achievable barriers for removal and have made it convenient for everyone in your family to enjoy. Check out a few of these spots below and plan your escape this fall and next spring when growing season starts again!** 1-3 HOURS FROM NYC: Hawthorne Valley Farm Store (Columbia County, Hudson Valley): Hawthorne Valley is a biodynamic farm & store filled with beautiful Hudson Valley products. They strive to offer as many locally grown or produced fruits, vegetables, grocery products, and household items as possible and are committed to supporting local farmers and artisans. Their 18-year old cow Kohlrabi is featured in EscapeMaker's upcoming (and first-ever!) Agritourism Ambassadors Calendar for 2018, which benefits the farm. You can purchase yours here! For more on area lodging, click here. Crown Maple Estate (Dutchess County, Hudson Valley): Crown Maple Estate is located on 800 acres of pristine land at Madava Farms in Dutchess County, New York, and truly sets the standard of excellence in maple production and flavor. From bark
Hey, EscapeMakers! These past few summer/fall seasons, our team has had the privilege of posting up in the Greenmarkets across NYC and chatting with all of you about farm escapes, green travel, weekend getaways and more. We absolutely love hearing from you and getting your feedback on what you’re searching for when it comes to the perfect escape. After having several people come to us with specific inquiries about local destinations that were wheelchair accessible
Welcome back to the second edition of Plate & Escape! The autumn markets are absolutely bustling right now, so I was in my ultimate happy place, spending a morning at the Wednesday Union Square Greenmarket to indulge in the seasonal beauty and pick up a few things for this week's recipe, which celebrates the connection between you and your food. If you guys are anything like us, your fall has been utterly bursting with apples. From our annual Apple Palooza event to our Dutchess Farm Fresh apple-picking tours the past two months to our days sitting in the Greenmarkets, our crispers are BRIMMING with New York apples. But, alas, I just can't help myself: I was like a moth to a flame, drawn yet again to the gorgeous array of apples at Dutchess County's Breezy Hill Orchard. The Hudson Valley Orchard offers endless apple goodies. Honey Crisp, Gala, Jonah Gold, Mutsu...the apple varieties were just beautiful. They also have apple cider donuts, apple cider, baked goods, pears, and many more autumnal goodies. I picked up 5 medium-sized apples (a mix of Jonah Gold and Mutsu). And that's when I saw a giant, vibrant bucket filled with fresh cranberries. It felt particularly timely since I was shopping on November 1st, with Thanksgiving on my mind, that I added some cranberries to my culinary adventure. So I grabbed about 2 scoops of the little rubies (I spent $5 total for the apples & cranberries) and continued on. These fall fruits really had me thinking about warm spices and sweet treats, so it was at that moment that I decided on a two-part edition for these ingredients. First, Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats. Second? You'll have to tune in next week to find out. I wandered over to the Greenmarket Regional Grains Project and knew exactly
Welcome back to the second edition of Plate & Escape! The autumn markets are absolutely bustling right now, so I was in my ultimate happy place, spending a morning at the Wednesday Union Square Greenmarket to indulge in the seasonal beauty and pick up a few things for this week’s recipe, which celebrates the connection between you and your food. If you guys are anything like us, your fall has been utterly bursting with apples.
The Halloween season is upon us and that means it's time to pick pumpkins, carve jack o' lanterns, devise creative costumes, visit haunted houses and celebrate all the warm harvest feelings that emerge this time of year. What to do, where to go, and how to get there? We've got some ideas for you! For all you thrill-seekers, New York is your oyster when it comes to haunted experiences. The Haunted History Trail of New York includes dozens of paranormal locations that span across 31 counties! Plan a spooky weekend getaway at a haunted inn, embark on a ghost hunt, or tour ghost-inhabited old home. For an easy car-free trip, visit Dutchess County on Metro North Railroad for a haunted tour of Bannerman Island, majestic ruins on the bank of the Hudson, which has a haunted history dating back to the 18th century. Spend a spooky weekend in Central New York, where you can embark on a "subliminal, demented, original style walk-through horror attraction" at the Cayo Industrial Horror Realm! No car? Hop on Amtrak up to Utica and take a 5 minute cab over the warehouse of horror. After your frightful experience, delight in the fall foliage and explore one of the hundreds of "CNYFresh" locations in the region, including farms, wineries, breweries, distilleries, cider makers, farm-to-table restaurants and more! Book a ReachNOW, drive through the breathtaking fall foliage, and spend a weekend in Delaware County or Sullivan County in the Catskill Mountains of New York! Attend the annual kid-friendly Harvest Moon Ball in Andes or partake in a murder mystery dinner at Burn Brae Mansion in Glen Spey. Built in 1908, this recently restored mansion has been the subject of number paranormal investigations. Enter if you dare! In case you need to take the edge off of a night
The Halloween season is upon us and that means it’s time to pick pumpkins, carve jack o’ lanterns, devise creative costumes, visit haunted houses and celebrate all the warm harvest feelings that emerge this time of year. What to do, where to go, and how to get there? We’ve got some ideas for you! For all you thrill-seekers, New York is your oyster when it comes to haunted experiences. The Haunted History Trail of New York
Fall in the New York is unlike any other season. The air turns crisp, the residents return from their summer sanctuaries, and the vibrant yellows, oranges and reds drape across the endless trees throughout the northeast. So for this Columbus Day Weekend, take advantage of scenic train trips, outdoor adventures and opportunities to ogle at the fiery palette of fall foliage! Need some weekend getaway inspiration? We've got you covered. Take a day trip to Westchester County to the gorgeous rolling fields and scenery of Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture for Harvest Fest! Peruse delicious, local products at the farmers market, enjoy live music, embark on educational tours throughout the property and more! The festival takes place on Saturday, October 7 - make a weekend getaway out of it and explore some of the other amazing outdoor facilities nearby in Westchester County: Muscoot Farm, the Wolf Conservation Center, Hilltop Hanover Farm, Greenburgh Nature Center and more! Only an hour or so outside NYC, this trip is a great excuse to reserve some sporty wheels from ReachNow for a short road trip through the blazing fall foliage! Celebrate the "orchard to glass" movement during Cider Week Finger Lakes! From September 29 - October 8, the Finger Lakes is paying tribute to the oldest craft beverage in America: cider. Explore the legacy of New York cider found throughout the rolling hillsides of the Finger Lakes. Visit one of the endless cider events taking place throughout the week at one of over 50 participating locations. Grab a Greyhound bus from NYC up to Ithaca, NY - the central location for a long list of Cider Week events - so you can enjoy the stunning fall foliage dotting the landscape the whole ride! Explore the scenic waterfalls and gorges with an autumn hike
Fall in the New York is unlike any other season. The air turns crisp, the residents return from their summer sanctuaries, and the vibrant yellows, oranges and reds drape across the endless trees throughout the northeast. So for this Columbus Day Weekend, take advantage of scenic train trips, outdoor adventures and opportunities to ogle at the fiery palette of fall foliage! Need some weekend getaway inspiration? We’ve got you covered. Take a day trip to
Thanks to everyone who came out for Apple Palooza in the Union Square Greenmarket on Friday, September 15th! The winner of the Farm Fresh One Night Getaway is tickets number #014344. Please contact us if you have the winning ticket at 877-997-2726. Thanks!
Thanks to everyone who came out for Apple Palooza in the Union Square Greenmarket on Friday, September 15th! The winner of the Farm Fresh One Night Getaway is tickets number #014344. Please contact us if you have the winning ticket at 877-997-2726. Thanks!
We're in the thick of county fair season, EscapeMakers! Go take a ride on the ferris wheel, peruse antiques and artisanal goods, listen to live music, say hello to some four-legged friends, and get your deep fried everything just outside New York City! Take a look at the fairs near you (below) and plan your escape today. ESCAPE TO A LOCAL COUNTY OR STATE FAIR via ESCAPEMAKER.COM Booneville Oneida County Fair, NY 7/25 – 7/30 -- Lodging info Jersey State Fair, NJ 8/4 – 8/13 Delaware County Fair, NY 8/14 – 8/19 -- Lodging info The Vermont State Fair, VT 8/15 – 8/29 Little World’s Fair, NY 8/18 – 8/20 -- Lodging info Dutchess County Fair, NY 8/22 – 8/27 -- Lodging info The Great NY State Fair, NY 8/23 – 9/4 Luzerne County Fair, PA 9/7 – 9/11 -- Lodging info The Big E, MA 9/15 – 10/1 Orange Country Fair, CT 9/16 – 9/17 Long Island Fair, NY 9/16, 17, 23 & 24 For more info on county fairs, u-pick farms, wineries, craft beer trails, day trips and agritourism getaways, visit EscapeMaker.com!
We’re in the thick of county fair season, EscapeMakers! Go take a ride on the ferris wheel, peruse antiques and artisanal goods, listen to live music, say hello to some four-legged friends, and get your deep fried everything just outside New York City! Take a look at the fairs near you (below) and plan your escape today. ESCAPE TO A LOCAL COUNTY OR STATE FAIR via ESCAPEMAKER.COM Booneville Oneida County Fair, NY 7/25 – 7/30
