Happy birthday America
Hello, Irvingtonians! I hope you're gearing up for a lovely 4th of July weekend with friends and family. After all the fireworks have trailed off into the night sky, the nervous neighborhood animals are back to sleeping peacefully, and the Tupperwares of potato salad have been washed, dried, and returned to their owners, we'll be there for you Sunday morning, bright and early.
Some of you will be taking advantage of the long weekend and America's big milestone to extend your celebrations through Sunday. We are here for you!
It's a big birthday, so naturally, there should be cake! Lucky us, Charlotte's Home Kitchen is here this weekend and both her cakes and her story couldn't be more wholesome. Originally from the UK but now living here in Rockland County, Charlotte, like many people, found herself unable to visit her family in England during the pandemic. She and her brother each created a sourdough starter at the same time as a way to connect during the separation, and, eventually, with a backyard of delicious ingredients, and a career and eye in and for design, her cottage bakery was born! She offers many delicious gluten and dairy free cakes, and this weekend she's bringing her seasonal specialty, the Dream Cake, only available now while her chamomile is in bloom and the strawberries are in abundance. This stunning cake happens to be red, white, and blue, as it also features blue lotus. Otherwise known as Egyptian water lily, this flower is traditionally used for relaxation and restful sleep, just like the chamomile it's paired with...
Charlotte will also have one of her most popular cakes, and the first one she ever brought to the farmer's market, her Love Cake. Made with pistachio, lemon, raspberries, rose, almond flour, and olive oil, I can personally attest to it being exquisite! Ask her about the sweet story of the Persian Love Cake that inspired this one... or about the health benefits of each of her ingredients! From the antioxidants in rose, the manganese in raspberries, and the potassium in pistachios.
Can't decide between the Love and the Dream cake? Charlotte will have special gift boxes of mini loaves, two of each kind. Best of both worlds!
But before cake you will likely grill. Grab yourself one of the massive cauliflower heads at Madura Farms — white or purple — and try these fantastic grilled cauliflower steaks, garnished with Halal Pastures dill and Kariba Farms nuts. Or how about this super easy, four-ingredient marinade halfsies chicken, featuring poultry from Letterbox or R&M?
Need a new recipe for potato salad, for round two of backyard parties? How about this recipe which is more about the herbs than the mayo...in fact, it has no mayo! And, if you go all traditional on the Fourth, maybe Sunday you can go a bit rogue and put lamb or fish on the grill. R&M Farm has the best ground lamb, and of course, you know Ryan at Pura Vida will steer
And with apricots bringing their beautiful sunrise-colored glow to the Caradonna tent, now is the time to celebrate them with this grilled apricot salad, or pair them with some Maplebrookburrata in this herby farro salad. Feeling even sweeter? This sunnyside up apricot pastry from the ever- reliable Zoe Bakes is both adorable and easy. If you have the itch to make ice cream, make this recipe for blueberry ice cream, since Mead Orchards' blueberries are knockout this season.
With Soupernatural's delicious new chia seed pudding, The Lentil Hub's addictive lentil mung crunchies and Kariba Farms' dried fruits, nuts, and veggies — our snack attack game is high! Get yourself something healthy to munch on when the cravings for crispy hit.
Music this week will be the always lively Milton — such a treat to have this incredible four piece band! Come ring in July with us! See you there.
