Anna Krusinski - The Farmstand Favorites Cookbook: Over 300 Recipes Celebrating Local, Farm-Fresh Food

The Farmstand Favorites Cookbook
Text copyright 2012 Hatherleigh Press

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or otherwise, without written permission from the Publisher.

Hatherleigh Press is committed to preserving and protecting the natural resources of the Earth. Environmentally responsible and sustainable practices are embraced within the companys mission statement.

Hatherleigh Press is a member of the Publishers Earth Alliance, committed to preserving and protecting the natural resources of the planet while developing a sustainable business model for the book publishing industry.

DISCLAIMER
This book offers general cooking and eating suggestions for educational purposes only. In no case should it be a substitute nor replace a healthcare professional. Consult your healthcare professional to determine which foods are safe for you and to establish the right diet for your personal nutritional needs.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
eISBN: 978-1-57826-456-8

Cover Design by Dede Cummings Designs
Photographs by Catarina Astrom

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S ustainable and healthy food has always been important to me. I believe its one of the keys to a better lifestyle, as well as being vital to keeping our planet green for generations to come. For as long as I can remember, Ive been enthusiastically sharing this passion with my family, friends, and the New York community. Its been a very rewarding experience for me, but there can never be too many voices supporting healthy eating, which is why its a real joy seeing The Farmstand Favorites Cookbook come to fruition.

Ive discovered that many people simply dont realize how easy it can be to make the switch to more sustainable and healthier options when it comes to eating. Everyday were inundated with ads for products that have been processed and mass-produced, which are empty of any real nutritional value. Weve fallen into a routine that can be tough to break free from. However, once you begin to make the right choices and seek out the healthy, more environmentally friendly alternatives, youll begin to see just how easy it is and youll quickly find yourself making new, better habits. Many of these options are available in the same grocery you visit each week, while others can be found at local farmers markets, sold by the very same people who grow or make them. The benefits of eating farm fresh foods extend beyond your dining room table and into your community. It supports local growers and businesses, and it means less energy is used in getting food from the farm to your table.

Choosing to eat farm fresh foods will open a new world of delectable culinary options. Hatherleigh Press Farmstand Favorites series has quickly become a favorite in my kitchen, with each focusing on a specific ingredient. There are always new flavors to explore, and because farm fresh ingredients are the key to better food, just making the right choices will make you feel like a rock star in the kitchen. Whether Im preparing a holiday dinner or just a quick meal for that one moment when the family comes together during a busy weekday, its always delicious if Im cooking with farm fresh ingredients.

I believe in sustainable food, but we have a lot of work ahead of us if we want a healthier, greener country. Choosing farm fresh produce, buying organic meat, and eating grass-fed beef are just a few of the easy and enjoyable steps in the right direction. It gets us back to our roots. Even by doing something as simple as snacking on local produce instead of greasy potato chips, youll be doing a favor for your body and the earth. Hatherleigh Press believes in this as much as I do and you cant go wrong with The Farmstand Favorites Cookbook as a guide to healthier, greener meals. Once you make the change to farm fresh foods, youll never want to look back.

Avis Gold Richards is the founder and CEO of Birds Nest Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit creative group that produces several television shows, documentaries, and short films for charitable organizations. Avis also launched The Ground Up Campaign a national campaign providing indoor edible academic gardens and curriculum to over 100 classrooms. Avis has produced and directed hundreds of episodes and films for national and local broadcast, websites, and events. Avis was recently nominated for three New York Emmy Awards and has won numerous Stevie, W3, Telly, Davey, and Aurora Awards for producing non-profit films and videos. Avis produced a public television series entitled Lunch for NYC Media, after the successful launch of her short documentary, LUNCH, which was in support of Earth Day Network. Following these successes, she also produced over 40 episodes for the television show Dylans Lunchbox, which aired on NYC Media, Plum TV, and Taxi TV. Avis is currently producing the second season of Dylans Lunchbox, which will be aired on NYC Media starting this fall, and the documentary Lunch 2: The Solutions, the sequel to Lunch.

M orning dawns. Streaks of sunlight peek through your window, beckoning you to arise. You roll out of bed and commence with the morning ritual to prepare for the day that awaits you. Shower, shave, brush your teeth, dress, apply makeup, gather your items for the day, kiss the family goodbye, then grab a cup of coffee and something quick to eat as you hurry out the door. While your routine may be slightly different, the reality is the same for most everyone. Although experts have been proclaiming the importance of starting the day with a healthy, homemade breakfast for years, it is still the most commonly rushed meal of the day, and is sometimes even skipped altogether.

Much like your morning routine prepares you for the events of the coming day, so does eating a homemade and nutritious breakfast. In fact, it is even more important. Enjoying a breakfast rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, grains, and other natural ingredients provides your body with the proper fuel it needs and helps set the tone of your entire day.

Kick start your weekend mornings by relaxing on the front porch with a loved one and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. Then move inside to enjoy a hearty breakfast of omelets and pancakes topped off with fresh fruit or pure maple syrup. On those weekdays when your schedule is more rushed and breakfast on-the-go is the only choice, opt to plan ahead and make your breakfast the evening before. Homemade muffins and breakfast squares that are made with fresh farmstand ingredients such as Strawberry-Blueberry Muffins () serve as excellent choices for busy workday mornings, while still providing your body with delicious natural goodness.