Tuesday, August 9, 2011

What's in Season in Cottage Country?


What local produce is in season during the month of August in Muskoka, Ontario?

Here is a list of delicious, local foods you can find at our farms and markets this month.

  • Maple Syrup
  • Honey
  • Meats
  • Fish
  • Raspberries
  • Corn
  • Shiitake Mushrooms
  • Garlic
  • Onions
  • Shallots
  • Eggs
  • Assorted Herbs
  • Sprouts
  • Tomatoes
  • Broccoli
  • Romanesco
  • Cabbage
  • Summer Squash
  • Beans
  • Zucchini
  • Lettuce Varities
  • Summer Turnips
  • Beets
  • Potatoes
  • Carrots


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Are you a fan of SAVOUR Muskoka or just discovering us?

Enjoy fresh, local food at the SAVOUR Muskoka Field-to-Fork Tasting Event on Sunday, August 14th, 2011 in Milford Bay at Brooklands Farm!

Enter to win a pair of tickets to the SAVOUR Muskoka Field-to-Fork, simply click here and follow the link.

Local Farmers' Harvest in Gravenhurst




Don't have time to find parking at a farmers' market and find the vendors selling fresh products? Or you work later than the market runs? You can still get your fresh produce and meats in Gravenhurst until 5pm on Friday and Saturdays!

Find fresh meat, eggs, fruits, vegetables, baked goods, perennials and annuals outside the Muskoka Heritage Building on Bethune Drive in Gravenhurst every Friday and Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm until September 3, 2011.

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Are you a fan of SAVOUR Muskoka or just discovering us?

Enjoy fresh, local food at the SAVOUR Muskoka Field-to-Fork Tasting Event on Sunday, August 14th, 2011 in Milford Bay at Brooklands Farm!

Enter to win a pair of tickets to the SAVOUR Muskoka Field-to-Fork, simply click here and follow the link.

Strategic Planning Begins for SAVOUR Muskoka this Fall

Starting this fall, SAVOUR Muskoka will be going through strategic planning sessions to develop SAVOUR Muskoka further into the organization's vision, mission, and goals. SAVOUR Muskoka is excited for the future and how the strategic planning will mold the organization and provide SAVOUR with a solid foundation with a clear vision and 3-year plan. Input from SAVOUR members and key community stakeholders will be requested during the strategic planning. With the assistance of a professional consultant, SAVOUR hopes to gain a concrete view of the events, activities, and overall awareness of what SAVOUR Muskoka is and will be as an organization.

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Are you a fan of SAVOUR Muskoka or just discovering us?

Enjoy fresh, local food at the SAVOUR Muskoka Field-to-Fork Tasting Event on Sunday, August 14th, 2011 in Milford Bay at Brooklands Farm!

Enter to win a pair of tickets to the SAVOUR Muskoka Field-to-Fork, simply click here and follow the link.

Field-to-Fork Ticket Giveaway



Experience local food like you've never experienced it before at SAVOUR Muskoka's 2011 Field-to-Fork Tasting Event!

Date: Sunday, August 14, 2011
Location: Brooklands Farm, Milford Bay, ON
1375 Butter and Egg Road, Milford Bay, ON P1L 1X4
Time: 1pm-4pm

Sample a variety of tantalizing locally-inspired food dishes and beverages from Muskoka's premiere Chefs and Restaurants, while learning about the vast amount of culinary and agricultural resources that Muskoka has to offer

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Here is your chance to win tickets to SAVOUR Muskoka's Field-to-Fork tasting event that will be taking place on Sunday, August 14th! Moose FM radio will be giving away tickets to the event throughout this week. Keep tuned at 99.5 fm during the morning show for your chance to win tickets!

Are you a fan of SAVOUR Muskoka or just discovering us?

Enjoy fresh, local food at the SAVOUR Muskoka Field-to-Fork Tasting Event on Sunday, August 14th, 2011 in Milford Bay at Brooklands Farm!

Enter to win a pair of tickets through RTO12 to the SAVOUR Muskoka Field-to-Fork, simply click here and follow the link.

Fall Farm Workshops with SAVOUR Muskoka


Fall is approaching at a steady pace and that means SAVOUR Muskoka is preparing their 2011 Fall farm workshop series. Topics such as canning and preserving, soil health and garlic, cranberries, beekeeping and harvesting honey, introduction to draft horses, and microgreens and sprouts are all potentials for workshops this fall.

If you have never been to a SAVOUR Muskoka workshop, you need to try at least one. These farm workshops give you information from experts and offers great educational value that is both interesting and refreshing. Not only are you taught by an expert, you also get to try delicious food samples made in front of you by a local chef! Locations, topics, and prices will vary for each workshop but all details will be posted on SAVOUR Muskoka's event page as the fall season gets closer.

Below you will see an example syllabus to give you an idea of what you can expect from a workshop.

Workshop Introduction: SAV 107 - Canning & Preserving is a three hour introductory workshop about canning and preserving locally grown foods. Canning and preserving are great ways to enjoy locally grown foods all year-round. This workshop shows individuals how to can and preserve food themselves to be able to enjoy throughout any season.

Workshop Description: Learn how to preserve locally grown foods and enjoy your favourite recipes all year round. This workshop will discuss basic principles and methods of food preservation, and will provide participants with knowledge and practice to increase chances of successful preservation. Themes that the workshop will touch on, but are not limited to, include:

1. History of canning and preserving and the evolution of food preservation techniques
2. Common preservation techniques and methods
• Water-bath canning
• Pressure canning
• Drying
• Freezing
3. Tools and equipment for food preservation
4. Canning and preserving safety
5. Choosing ingredients and recipes
6. Sources of supplies

Workshop Objectives: The workshop will help guide individuals in learning how to preserve food safely and effectively. Knowledge and experience gained from the workshop will enable participants to:
• Understand the common techniques and practices of food preservation
• Recognize safety concerns in food preservation
• Can or preserve a variety of local foods and/or food creations

Workshop Agenda:
• 1.00pm Arrival, networking and orientation
• 1.15pm Workshop introduction and overview
• 1.45pm Gallery tour and hands on demonstration of preserving
• 2.50pm Tasting and lecture
• 3:30pm Discussion and Questions
• 4.00pm Closing remarks

Workshop Cost:
$30 per person, limit 8 people per course

KEEP POSTED for the 2011 Fall Workshop Series on SAVOUR Muskoka's event page.

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Are you a fan of SAVOUR Muskoka or just discovering us?

Enjoy fresh, local food at the SAVOUR Muskoka Field-to-Fork Tasting Event on Sunday, August 14th, 2011 in Milford Bay at Brooklands Farm!

Enter to win a pair of tickets to the SAVOUR Muskoka Field-to-Fork, simply click here and follow the link.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Organic Greens with Toasted Pine Nuts, Feta and Blueberry Vinaigrette

Try this delicious summer salad!

¾ cup Muskoka Lakes Winery Blueberry Wine
1 garlic clove, crushed – Big Ass Garlic
1 tbsp. Sugar
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
½ cup canola oil
½ cup pine nuts
12 cps mixed organic greens – Grenville Farms
½ cup feta cheese, crumbled

- Mix the Blueberry Wine, sugar and garlic in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Transfer mixture to a food processor or blender and add the vinegar and mustard. While blending, slowly add the canola oil.
- In a dry pan over medium heat, toast the pine nuts. Stir frequently, making sure not to burn them.
- Divide the greens evenly between the plates. Top with pine nuts and crumbled feta cheese and drizzle with blueberry vinaigrette.

Recipe Submitted by: Sandra Morandin
Owner of Morandin Fine Foods
RR #6 Bracebridge, ON P1L 1X4
705.764.8065

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Are you a fan of SAVOUR Muskoka or just discovering us?

Enjoy fresh, local food at the SAVOUR Muskoka Field-to-Fork Tasting Event on Sunday, August 14th, 2011 in Milford Bay at Brooklands Farm!

Enter to win a pair of tickets to the SAVOUR Muskoka Field-to-Fork, simply click here and follow the link.

SAVOUR Muskoka Promotes Region as Dynamic Culinary Destination


At SAVOUR Muskoka our vision is to provide the consumer with a wide selection of regional culinary products, experiences and packages that are unique to Muskoka and that can be marketed successfully to the visitor market. We are working to successfully develop the Muskoka region as a dynamic culinary tourism destination, by promoting all sectors of the economy with an interest in local food and drink.

Overall, culinary tourism in our region has a proud history but its most recent chapter began in the 1800's with the arrival of tourists on steamship and train for summers at area resorts and cottages. Indeed, many of the first resorts evolved from farming operations started by settlers. At one time, much of the fresh produce consumed by visitors was grown locally and to this day Butter & Egg Road near Milford Bay serves as a reminder of the many farms that used to supply dairy products to tourists. Through SAVOUR Muskoka you now have the opportunity to experience the uniqueness of our culture through local food and drink. In December 2004, area representatives from the agricultural, hospitality, retail, and micro-processing industries came together and created a plan to promote the Muskoka/Parry Sound region as a dynamic culinary tourism destination.

You can now choose from a wide variety of quality culinary events, trails, packages and experiences as you explore Muskoka & Parry Sound. To ensure that what you buy is either processed in Muskoka or grown locally look for the SAVOUR Muskoka logo at area farmers' markets and retail locations. When you dine at Member restaurants, signature items will be highlighted with the logo indicating that they have been made with local product.

Are you a chef, restaurant owner, farmer, or culinary artisan? Learn about our membership by clicking here.

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Are you a fan of SAVOUR Muskoka or just discovering us?

Enjoy fresh, local food at the SAVOUR Muskoka Field-to-Fork Tasting Event on Sunday, August 14th, 2011 in Milford Bay at Brooklands Farm!

Enter to win a pair of tickets to the SAVOUR Muskoka Field-to-Fork, simply click here and follow the link.