Do you sometimes skip dessert just so you an have another serving of kale salad? Me too! Kale is truly an astonishing member of the brassica family, beloved for its deep green (sometimes purple) color and its wealth of antioxidants and healthy minerals. Its distinctive bitter flavor makes it a hit with savvy chefs all over the world. And it loves to grow right here on our windswept, fog-kissed coast.
To celebrate the mighty kale in all of its forms—from sprouts to salads and a gazillion main-dish casseroles—The Homeless Garden Project will be hosting Kalefest on Saturday, March 31, from noon to 4pm. Head on over to the lovely Natural Bridges Farm (on the corner of Shaffer Road and Delaware Avenue) and check out cooking demos by local chefs, take farm tours, buy raffle tickets, and enjoy live music, food, refreshments and kale's best accompaniment—beer. There will be plenty of kid activities and a blue-ribbon judging for the best kale chip.
The farmers at Natural Bridges grow four types of kale all year ‘round, so there’s plenty to see and do. Admission is $5 and includes everything but beer and food purchases. More information about the contests and event schedule can be found online at www.homelessgardenproject.org
Delicious Prankster The Italian translation of birichino is, roughly (since no Italian word is actually translatable), “prankster” or “trickster.” It happens to be the proprietary label of an outstandingmalvasia bianca. Weighing in at a mere $13.99 per bottle, the 2010 release of winemaker John Locke's fragrant white has been placed on the list of Top 100 Wines of 2011 by the San Francisco Chronicle. Perfect with foods ranging from duck confit to green olives and camembert to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, Birichino Malvasia Bianca 2010 is a bright, lively tipple that reveals persistent notes of peach, pewter and gardenia. It also boasts one of the most beautiful, neo-nouveau (if that isn't too redundant) labels in the business. It's available in all your favorite stores where delicious things in bottles are found.
Hot Plates If you haven't had the pleasure of tasting wine with wild-man winemaker Richard Alfaro, then you’ll get your first chance to do so Wednesday, April 4, at Hoffman’s Bistro. Beginning at 6pm, Alfaro will talk wines as you enjoy salmon rillettes plus 2010 Estate Chardonnay, lamb with cherry gastrique paired with 2009 Estate Syrah, and steak au poivre with 2009 Lindsay Paige Vineyard Estate Pinot Noir. Plus chocolate mousse—and all for $45 (plus tax & tip). Make res quick!
