From our friends at Valley Table Magazine

July 2009

Events Around The Valley

NYS Beer Fest
July 18
Terrapin Catering, Staatsburg
Terrapin Restaurant brings you the coolest Beer Fest to kick-off summer. Featuring small-batch craft beer, all you can eat Terrapin BBQ, unlimited brew samples, live music and door prizes. $39 pp ($19 designated drivers). Advance purchase recommended. terrapinrestaurant.com

Sweet Summer Treats
The Village Tea Room, New Paltz
As long as the strawberries last, get to the Village Tea Room for chef/owner Agnes Devereux’s individual strawberry shortcakes: homemade biscuits, Ronnybrook farm cream whipped, and sweet berries from Dressel Farms. While they last–strawberry rhubarb pie and strawberry mousse may also be available. With the arrival of local cherries, comes black cherry, black forest cake. Follow the progression of the season with an ever-changing array of sweet summer treats. thevillagetearoom.com

Insider’s Tour
July 10
Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture, Pocantico Hills
Come for an intimate behind-the-scenes view of Stone Barns. Walk through green house, planting fields and livestock areas. (Due to the amount of walking, not recommended for children under 12.) info@stonebarnscenter.org

Farm to Table Spring Honey
July 26
Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture,
Pocantico Hills
Bring the entire family for an up-close farming experience. Harvest greens and veggies in the greenhouse and field; collect eggs. Followed by a simple and delicious snack in the resource center, using spring honey and other seasonal foods. Leave with recipes. Space limited. info@stonebarnscenter.org

Bounty of the Hudson Wine Festival
August 1 & 2, Noon- 5PM
Millbrook Winery, Millbrook
Annual event of Shawangunk Wine Trail showcasing Hudson Valley wines, epicurean delights, farm-fresh local produce and live music. Featuring all 11 Shawangunk Wine Trail wineries, plus Millbrook, Oak Summit and Silver Stream wineries. Advance tickets: $25. At door: $35. gunkswine.com

Taste of Columbia County Bounty Dinner

August 3, 5-9PM

Columbia County Fairgrounds, Chatham
Local star chefs feature locally grown products in innovative dishes. Over 20 restaurants and 30 farms come together to celebrate the bounty of Columbia County. Local beers and wines served. Tickets and info at: columbiacountybounty.com

Farmers markets are in full swing around the valley and sour cherries arrived with Fishkill Farms at the Beacon Farmers Market last week. For the perfect sour cherry pie, try this recipe from Pam Clarke at Hudson Baking Company in Milton (or rush over to try one of hers while they last). To find a farmers market near you, click here.

Sour Cherry Pie
Pam Clarke-Torres of Hudson Baking Company
Valley Table Issue 32

Crust Ingredients

Prepare double pie crust for 9-inch pie.

Cherry Filling Ingredients

4 to 5 cups fresh sour cherries, pitted (reserve juice from cherries as you pit them)

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch or 3 tablespoons tapioca (or a combination, to taste) as thickener

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 to 2 tablespoons butter

Method

1. Combine thickener and sugar and stir well.

2. Put the reserved cherry juice into a small saucepan, add the sugar mixture and bring to a boil. Add cherries and lemon juice and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until cherries are warmed.

3. Add almond extract and butter; stir until butter melts.

4. Place filling in lined pie pan and cover with a top crust or a lattice.

5. Bake on lower rack of oven at 450F for 10 minutes and then 350F for about 40 to 50 minutes. Cool on rack.

For more great recipes using the best ingredients of the season, check out the Valley Table’s recipe archives at www.valleytable.com

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