June 2016 Sunset Dinner

We kicked off our 2016 Sunset Dinner season last week with a lovely dinner. We were very happy that we had a cooler week to prepare and host the dinner. Our chefs, Tim and Melissa arrived late Wednesday night and were up and checking out the farm early Thursday morning to gather ideas for the dinner. They purused the rows and came up with a plan!

When Saturday came around, it was time for the dinner. Our guests began to arrive around 5:30 and mingled a little bit before being served three appetizers: Fried Green Tomatoes, Stuffed Squash Blossoms, and Stuffed Patty Pan Squash. After collecting their appetizers, Andrew took them out for a tour of the farm. They got to learn about our no-till approach to farming, as well as many other ecologically sustainable focused farming approaches. The tour finished up near our cob structures on the farm, where Andrew was able to explain one approach to sustainable natural building that could be done. 

As the tour concluded, the dinner was ready! All of our guests sat down and were served the first course - a Kennebec Potato and Roasted Music Garlic Soup. Yum! This was followed by a Beet Tartare Salad with goat cheese. I wouldn't be lying if I said that I licked that plate clean - it was that good! The next course was the main one, a Braised Beef Short Rib with Mashed Yukon Potato and braised root vegetables. The short ribs were from a half cow that we purchased from Sierra Lands Beef, a compliment of Sierra Foothill Conservancy. The meat just melted in your mouth! Finally, it was desert time - an Almond Torte with Apricots. Both the almonds and apricots came from Serrano Farms in Le Grand, CA. It was the perfect way to end the evening. 

These dinners are a great way for us to create a space for individuals to sit down and share a meal together. It is true that some of our guests knew each other prior to the dinner, but there were new friendships made that night as well. I really love seeing people coming together over food. Food should be eaten and shared with friends and family around. It is a big part of our mission: building community through food.

Stay tuned for the dates for our other Sunset Dinners this year!

Andrew giving a farm tour. Notice our new high tunnel with its summer shade cloth on. We were able to put this up thanks to an NRCS grant this past year.

The menu!

Starting off with the potato and garlic soup while the sun is starting to set in the background.

Stuffed squash blossoms

Stuffed Patty Pan Squash

The soup!

Fried Green Tomatoes

Braised Short Ribs with Mashed Potato and roasted roots

Eating the main course as the sun goes down and the deck lights go on!