tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35056795289710990722024-03-12T20:00:59.876-04:00RedRoots - Local GoodnessFollow us for plenty of good eats and good times as we cook, eat and travel our way through South Florida’s Redland agricultural region and beyond. We’ll meet a variety of unique farmers, growers, and artisans along the way, learn a few things and find unique ways to enjoy the best ingredients the season has to offer. We hope you’ll join us in our quest in search of all things local and delicious! RedRootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139606431847480483noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505679528971099072.post-81299553224647283532020-02-13T18:08:00.000-05:002020-02-13T18:08:03.812-05:00In Memoriam - Hani Khouri <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixB7SBbmxcnONmkHCdD0i3NSHnFglVy3Ahusyk2fLEQV6H-ISkt0ZRD2wedktKoeSmmk5FQaqeyx2Z3WnRmduvPzGvvFplHlFXzonrkncUnaTvoh1fgxP28obk-F3VN3V62u2NkAM3Tds/s1600/hani-khouri-cheese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="480" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixB7SBbmxcnONmkHCdD0i3NSHnFglVy3Ahusyk2fLEQV6H-ISkt0ZRD2wedktKoeSmmk5FQaqeyx2Z3WnRmduvPzGvvFplHlFXzonrkncUnaTvoh1fgxP28obk-F3VN3V62u2NkAM3Tds/s640/hani-khouri-cheese.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Photo Credit - Edible South Florida</span><br />
Far too many seasons have passed since my last blog entry. Once a passion project that held all of my attention, it has taken a (very distant) back seat to more pressing interests and responsibilities. Becoming a parent has a way of shifting your focus... <br />
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However, if ever there was a time to take to the blogosphere once more it is today, having learned of the passing of a very kind and knowledgable man who humored the persistent emails and Facebook messages of a hungry local food blogger in search of delicious Redland eats many, many years ago.<br />
<br />
Edible South Florida did a very touching write up which I encourage you to read. Hani was an exceptional man who reached many of us through his love of food, craft, and tradition. Thank you, Hani for feeding us and nourishing our community with food from the soul. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://ediblesouthflorida.ediblecommunities.com/food-thought/memoriam-hani-khouri-businessman-chef-goatherd">In Memoriam Hani Khouri</a><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">“If you bake bread with indifference, you bake a bitter bread that feeds but half of man's hunger.” </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">- Khalil Gibran</span><br />
<br />
If you would like to help the Khouri family. Please visit their Go Fund Me page:<br />
<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/hanikhouristroke">https://www.gofundme.com/f/hanikhouristroke</a> <br />
<br />
Until next time -- RR <br />
<span style="-moz-appearance: unset; -moz-box-align: unset; -moz-box-direction: unset; -moz-box-flex: unset; -moz-box-ordinal-group: unset; -moz-box-orient: unset; -moz-box-pack: unset; -moz-context-properties: unset; -moz-control-character-visibility: unset; -moz-float-edge: unset; -moz-force-broken-image-icon: unset; -moz-image-region: unset; -moz-orient: unset; -moz-osx-font-smoothing: unset; -moz-outline-radius: unset; -moz-stack-sizing: unset; -moz-tab-size: unset; -moz-text-size-adjust: unset; -moz-user-focus: unset; -moz-user-input: unset; -moz-user-modify: unset; -moz-window-dragging: unset; -webkit-line-clamp: unset; -webkit-text-fill-color: unset; -webkit-text-stroke: unset; animation: unset; backface-visibility: unset; background-blend-mode: unset; background: unset; block-size: unset; border-block: unset; border-collapse: unset; border-end-end-radius: unset; border-end-start-radius: unset; border-inline: unset; border-radius: unset; border-spacing: unset; border-start-end-radius: unset; border-start-start-radius: unset; border: unset; bottom: unset; box-decoration-break: unset; box-shadow: unset; box-sizing: unset; break-after: unset; break-before: unset; break-inside: unset; caption-side: unset; caret-color: unset; clear: unset; clip-path: unset; clip-rule: unset; clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); color-adjust: unset; color-interpolation-filters: unset; color-interpolation: unset; color: unset; column-fill: unset; column-rule: unset; column-span: unset; columns: unset; contain: unset; content: unset; counter-increment: unset; counter-reset: unset; counter-set: unset; cursor: unset; cx: unset; cy: unset; display: unset; dominant-baseline: unset; empty-cells: unset; fill-opacity: unset; fill-rule: unset; fill: unset; filter: unset; flex-flow: unset; flex: unset; float: unset; flood-color: unset; flood-opacity: unset; font-synthesis: unset; font: unset; gap: unset; grid-area: unset; grid: unset; height: unset; hyphens: unset; image-orientation: unset; image-rendering: unset; ime-mode: unset; inline-size: unset; inset-block: unset; inset-inline: unset; isolation: unset; left: unset; letter-spacing: unset; lighting-color: unset; line-break: unset; list-style: unset; margin-block: unset; margin-inline: unset; margin: unset; marker: unset; mask-type: unset; mask: unset; max-block-size: unset; max-height: unset; max-inline-size: unset; max-width: unset; min-block-size: unset; min-height: unset; min-inline-size: unset; min-width: unset; mix-blend-mode: unset; object-fit: unset; object-position: unset; offset: unset; opacity: unset; order: unset; outline-offset: unset; outline: unset; overflow-anchor: unset; overflow-block: unset; overflow-inline: unset; overflow-wrap: unset; overflow: unset; overscroll-behavior: unset; padding-block: unset; padding-inline: unset; padding: unset; paint-order: unset; perspective-origin: unset; perspective: unset; place-content: unset; place-items: unset; place-self: unset; pointer-events: unset; position: fixed; quotes: unset; r: unset; resize: unset; right: unset; rotate: unset; ruby-align: unset; ruby-position: unset; rx: unset; ry: unset; scale: unset; scroll-behavior: unset; scroll-margin-block: unset; scroll-margin-inline: unset; scroll-margin: unset; scroll-padding-block: unset; scroll-padding-inline: unset; scroll-padding: unset; scroll-snap-align: unset; scroll-snap-type: unset; scrollbar-color: unset; scrollbar-width: unset; shape-image-threshold: unset; shape-margin: unset; shape-outside: unset; shape-rendering: unset; stop-color: unset; stop-opacity: unset; stroke-dasharray: unset; stroke-dashoffset: unset; stroke-linecap: unset; stroke-linejoin: unset; stroke-miterlimit: unset; stroke-opacity: unset; stroke-width: unset; stroke: unset; table-layout: unset; text-align-last: unset; text-align: unset; text-anchor: unset; text-combine-upright: unset; text-decoration-skip-ink: unset; text-decoration: unset; text-emphasis-position: unset; text-emphasis: unset; text-indent: unset; text-justify: unset; text-orientation: unset; text-overflow: unset; text-rendering: unset; text-shadow: unset; text-transform: unset; text-underline-offset: unset; top: 0px; touch-action: unset; transform-box: unset; transform-origin: unset; transform-style: unset; transform: unset; transition: unset; translate: unset; user-select: text; vector-effect: unset; vertical-align: unset; visibility: unset; white-space: pre; width: unset; will-change: unset; word-break: unset; word-spacing: unset; writing-mode: unset; x: unset; y: unset; z-index: unset;"><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/hanikhouristroke">Hani Khouri - Go, Fund Me</a>https://www.gofundme.com/f/hanikhouristroke?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/hanikhouristroke?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet">Hani Khouri - Go Fund Me</a></span><br />
<span style="-moz-appearance: unset; -moz-box-align: unset; -moz-box-direction: unset; -moz-box-flex: unset; -moz-box-ordinal-group: unset; -moz-box-orient: unset; -moz-box-pack: unset; -moz-context-properties: unset; -moz-control-character-visibility: unset; -moz-float-edge: unset; -moz-force-broken-image-icon: unset; -moz-image-region: unset; -moz-orient: unset; -moz-osx-font-smoothing: unset; -moz-outline-radius: unset; -moz-stack-sizing: unset; -moz-tab-size: unset; -moz-text-size-adjust: unset; -moz-user-focus: unset; -moz-user-input: unset; -moz-user-modify: unset; -moz-window-dragging: unset; -webkit-line-clamp: unset; -webkit-text-fill-color: unset; -webkit-text-stroke: unset; animation: unset; backface-visibility: unset; background-blend-mode: unset; background: unset; block-size: unset; border-block: unset; border-collapse: unset; border-end-end-radius: unset; border-end-start-radius: unset; border-inline: unset; border-radius: unset; border-spacing: unset; border-start-end-radius: unset; border-start-start-radius: unset; border: unset; bottom: unset; box-decoration-break: unset; box-shadow: unset; box-sizing: unset; break-after: unset; break-before: unset; break-inside: unset; caption-side: unset; caret-color: unset; clear: unset; clip-path: unset; clip-rule: unset; clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); color-adjust: unset; color-interpolation-filters: unset; color-interpolation: unset; color: unset; column-fill: unset; column-rule: unset; column-span: unset; columns: unset; contain: unset; content: unset; counter-increment: unset; counter-reset: unset; counter-set: unset; cursor: unset; cx: unset; cy: unset; display: unset; dominant-baseline: unset; empty-cells: unset; fill-opacity: unset; fill-rule: unset; fill: unset; filter: unset; flex-flow: unset; flex: unset; float: unset; flood-color: unset; flood-opacity: unset; font-synthesis: unset; font: unset; gap: unset; grid-area: unset; grid: unset; height: unset; hyphens: unset; image-orientation: unset; image-rendering: unset; ime-mode: unset; inline-size: unset; inset-block: unset; inset-inline: unset; isolation: unset; left: unset; letter-spacing: unset; lighting-color: unset; line-break: unset; list-style: unset; margin-block: unset; margin-inline: unset; margin: unset; marker: unset; mask-type: unset; mask: unset; max-block-size: unset; max-height: unset; max-inline-size: unset; max-width: unset; min-block-size: unset; min-height: unset; min-inline-size: unset; min-width: unset; mix-blend-mode: unset; object-fit: unset; object-position: unset; offset: unset; opacity: unset; order: unset; outline-offset: unset; outline: unset; overflow-anchor: unset; overflow-block: unset; overflow-inline: unset; overflow-wrap: unset; overflow: unset; overscroll-behavior: unset; padding-block: unset; padding-inline: unset; padding: unset; paint-order: unset; perspective-origin: unset; perspective: unset; place-content: unset; place-items: unset; place-self: unset; pointer-events: unset; position: fixed; quotes: unset; r: unset; resize: unset; right: unset; rotate: unset; ruby-align: unset; ruby-position: unset; rx: unset; ry: unset; scale: unset; scroll-behavior: unset; scroll-margin-block: unset; scroll-margin-inline: unset; scroll-margin: unset; scroll-padding-block: unset; scroll-padding-inline: unset; scroll-padding: unset; scroll-snap-align: unset; scroll-snap-type: unset; scrollbar-color: unset; scrollbar-width: unset; shape-image-threshold: unset; shape-margin: unset; shape-outside: unset; shape-rendering: unset; stop-color: unset; stop-opacity: unset; stroke-dasharray: unset; stroke-dashoffset: unset; stroke-linecap: unset; stroke-linejoin: unset; stroke-miterlimit: unset; stroke-opacity: unset; stroke-width: unset; stroke: unset; table-layout: unset; text-align-last: unset; text-align: unset; text-anchor: unset; text-combine-upright: unset; text-decoration-skip-ink: unset; text-decoration: unset; text-emphasis-position: unset; text-emphasis: unset; text-indent: unset; text-justify: unset; text-orientation: unset; text-overflow: unset; text-rendering: unset; text-shadow: unset; text-transform: unset; text-underline-offset: unset; top: 0px; touch-action: unset; transform-box: unset; transform-origin: unset; transform-style: unset; transform: unset; transition: unset; translate: unset; user-select: text; vector-effect: unset; vertical-align: unset; visibility: unset; white-space: pre; width: unset; will-change: unset; word-break: unset; word-spacing: unset; writing-mode: unset; x: unset; y: unset; z-index: unset;">https://www.gofundme.com/f/hanikhouristroke?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet</span> <br />
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<span style="-moz-appearance: unset; -moz-box-align: unset; -moz-box-direction: unset; -moz-box-flex: unset; -moz-box-ordinal-group: unset; -moz-box-orient: unset; -moz-box-pack: unset; -moz-context-properties: unset; -moz-control-character-visibility: unset; -moz-float-edge: unset; -moz-force-broken-image-icon: unset; -moz-image-region: unset; -moz-orient: unset; -moz-osx-font-smoothing: unset; -moz-outline-radius: unset; -moz-stack-sizing: unset; -moz-tab-size: unset; -moz-text-size-adjust: unset; -moz-user-focus: unset; -moz-user-input: unset; -moz-user-modify: unset; -moz-window-dragging: unset; -webkit-line-clamp: unset; -webkit-text-fill-color: unset; -webkit-text-stroke: unset; animation: unset; backface-visibility: unset; background-blend-mode: unset; background: unset; block-size: unset; border-block: unset; border-collapse: unset; border-end-end-radius: unset; border-end-start-radius: unset; border-inline: unset; border-radius: unset; border-spacing: unset; border-start-end-radius: unset; border-start-start-radius: unset; border: unset; bottom: unset; box-decoration-break: unset; box-shadow: unset; box-sizing: unset; break-after: unset; break-before: unset; break-inside: unset; caption-side: unset; caret-color: unset; clear: unset; clip-path: unset; clip-rule: unset; clip: rect(0px, 0px, 0px, 0px); color-adjust: unset; color-interpolation-filters: unset; color-interpolation: unset; color: unset; column-fill: unset; column-rule: unset; column-span: unset; columns: unset; contain: unset; content: unset; counter-increment: unset; counter-reset: unset; counter-set: unset; cursor: unset; cx: unset; cy: unset; display: unset; dominant-baseline: unset; empty-cells: unset; fill-opacity: unset; fill-rule: unset; fill: unset; filter: unset; flex-flow: unset; flex: unset; float: unset; flood-color: unset; flood-opacity: unset; font-synthesis: unset; font: unset; gap: unset; grid-area: unset; grid: unset; height: unset; hyphens: unset; image-orientation: unset; image-rendering: unset; ime-mode: unset; inline-size: unset; inset-block: unset; inset-inline: unset; isolation: unset; left: unset; letter-spacing: unset; lighting-color: unset; line-break: unset; list-style: unset; margin-block: unset; margin-inline: unset; margin: unset; marker: unset; mask-type: unset; mask: unset; max-block-size: unset; max-height: unset; max-inline-size: unset; max-width: unset; min-block-size: unset; min-height: unset; min-inline-size: unset; min-width: unset; mix-blend-mode: unset; object-fit: unset; object-position: unset; offset: unset; opacity: unset; order: unset; outline-offset: unset; outline: unset; overflow-anchor: unset; overflow-block: unset; overflow-inline: unset; overflow-wrap: unset; overflow: unset; overscroll-behavior: unset; padding-block: unset; padding-inline: unset; padding: unset; paint-order: unset; perspective-origin: unset; perspective: unset; place-content: unset; place-items: unset; place-self: unset; pointer-events: unset; position: fixed; quotes: unset; r: unset; resize: unset; right: unset; rotate: unset; ruby-align: unset; ruby-position: unset; rx: unset; ry: unset; scale: unset; scroll-behavior: unset; scroll-margin-block: unset; scroll-margin-inline: unset; scroll-margin: unset; scroll-padding-block: unset; scroll-padding-inline: unset; scroll-padding: unset; scroll-snap-align: unset; scroll-snap-type: unset; scrollbar-color: unset; scrollbar-width: unset; shape-image-threshold: unset; shape-margin: unset; shape-outside: unset; shape-rendering: unset; stop-color: unset; stop-opacity: unset; stroke-dasharray: unset; stroke-dashoffset: unset; stroke-linecap: unset; stroke-linejoin: unset; stroke-miterlimit: unset; stroke-opacity: unset; stroke-width: unset; stroke: unset; table-layout: unset; text-align-last: unset; text-align: unset; text-anchor: unset; text-combine-upright: unset; text-decoration-skip-ink: unset; text-decoration: unset; text-emphasis-position: unset; text-emphasis: unset; text-indent: unset; text-justify: unset; text-orientation: unset; text-overflow: unset; text-rendering: unset; text-shadow: unset; text-transform: unset; text-underline-offset: unset; top: 0px; touch-action: unset; transform-box: unset; transform-origin: unset; transform-style: unset; transform: unset; transition: unset; translate: unset; user-select: text; vector-effect: unset; vertical-align: unset; visibility: unset; white-space: pre; width: unset; will-change: unset; word-break: unset; word-spacing: unset; writing-mode: unset; x: unset; y: unset; z-index: unset;">https://www.gofundme.com/f/hanikhouristroke?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link-tip&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet</span>RedRootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139606431847480483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505679528971099072.post-78519640184973297792015-07-17T12:06:00.001-04:002015-07-17T12:07:05.198-04:00Redroots Outdoor Kitchen - Wood Smoked Bonito<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am a firm believer in making lemons from lemonade, literally and figuratively. I apply this waste-not-want-not approach to just about everything, including fishing. As a responsible fisherman or hunter its your duty to take care of the resource, use what you catch and return what you don't, it's pretty simple. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'd love to say that this frugality is based on solely on conservation, its not entirely so. It's also driven by my desire to use off-the-beaten-path ingredients. In this case the much maligned Atlantic Bonito (and yes its Bonito, not Bonita as some people say) Its name means "beautiful" in Spanish and this little hunk of fishy goodness really is a looker. Silver with dark whimsical scrawl marking on its flanks. These little guys are plentiful, eager to bite and will give you a run for your money on light tackle. I love them for all those reasons, but most people don't, that's because they have very dark flesh and are a little gamier than most people care to eat. Europe is a different story, people love them over there and use them fresh, canned and every which way you can imagine. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0TSAqx7zpcOBb3bw9hYkWjNbzHVPjFkGmHmRimCMZOP40ci_LkM0W6sVVl5E0aFiT7yToltbT6QL3yy-nZFuLf6olqCzvfRf2fiPKZjiAww8ilLHzD5dEZUftmL6Lab955QH0PhbniI/s1600/Bonita.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0TSAqx7zpcOBb3bw9hYkWjNbzHVPjFkGmHmRimCMZOP40ci_LkM0W6sVVl5E0aFiT7yToltbT6QL3yy-nZFuLf6olqCzvfRf2fiPKZjiAww8ilLHzD5dEZUftmL6Lab955QH0PhbniI/s320/Bonita.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlantic Bonito; <i>sarda sarda</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBDTd-_TVQqFxTEakwUNTFb1r5BDkaLzW8OYl6gr4K6qUkPBNgL9nilv2hv5_ooV8ld4KL8O9k9ECmoT1OmtsvzlEXHW6TowVo4MkVsauWzvQ9U1oh-BhV7B2b9bEcxba67Y6hI8-wRA/s1600/bonito3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBDTd-_TVQqFxTEakwUNTFb1r5BDkaLzW8OYl6gr4K6qUkPBNgL9nilv2hv5_ooV8ld4KL8O9k9ECmoT1OmtsvzlEXHW6TowVo4MkVsauWzvQ9U1oh-BhV7B2b9bEcxba67Y6hI8-wRA/s320/bonito3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruby red Atlantic Bonito fillets. Photo credit: http://www.elizabethminchilliinrome.com blog</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So when we ran into a nice Bonito bite a few miles off the coast of Ft.Pierce I decided I would make good use of these delicious little footballs. My approach was to fight fire with fire. Their flesh is bold and robust, so my approach was to season it the same way...and smoke it! </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First order of business, break it down! I butterflied this one for ease of smoking. Basically cut off the head, remove innards, cut all the way to the tail and "crack" in half, exposing the ribs and spine, remove them with a sharp fillet knife. And then, the most important part of the prep...remove the bloodline. This dark piece of flesh runs the length of the fillet and is responsible for 90% of the "fishiness" associated with Bonito. Thankfully it's easy to remove. Just make a "V" cut along each side of the fillet and pull out, done. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since I was treating it like game, I gave it a good soak in <b>flavored brine</b> overnight. For this I used:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 gallon water</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1 Cup kosher salt</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2/3 cup turbinado sugar</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4 bay leaves</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the peel from a large lemon </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3 garlic cloves</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day I dried the fillet thoroughly and gave it light brush with some canola oil and a good rub with a variation of my rib rub, minus a few ingredients. Here is what I used (you'll have some leftover):</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">REDROOTS SMOKED FISH RUB</span></span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">1/4 cup turbinado sugar </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">1/8 cup kosher salt </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">2 Tbs Garlic salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 Tbs Onion powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 1/2 tsp Celery salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">1/4 cup Smoked Paprika </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 Tbs Chili powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 Tbs Fresh ground black pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 1/2 tsp dried Sage</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">1/2 tsp ground Allspice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">1/4 tsp cayenne pepper</span><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3lXi7Lt1fQjVaDYVrQ18kJkbFhfI7cuWQ7nxvOXEQpdhCntmxXgPOSsecblsqREMrjWO9FCObkZa4BewNGPzg_-n539w0xibRKmCUxPLNC-5HxLDNYPPiUb7prhVsEZociNBknm6S0w/s1600/bonito.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3lXi7Lt1fQjVaDYVrQ18kJkbFhfI7cuWQ7nxvOXEQpdhCntmxXgPOSsecblsqREMrjWO9FCObkZa4BewNGPzg_-n539w0xibRKmCUxPLNC-5HxLDNYPPiUb7prhVsEZociNBknm6S0w/s320/bonito.tiff" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished product: Pecan smoked Bonito! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once the prep is done you'll want to fire up your smoker. I used pecan wood for this particular recipe but you could also use applewood or cherry to good effect. Be sure to put a pan of water in the smoker to moisten the fish and give the grill a spray with some non-stick spray. Total smoke time was about 3 1/2 hours, low and slow, you'll know it's ready when the flesh flakes off. Enjoy sliced with lemon juice, on a cracker, or in fish dip.</span></span><br />
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RedRootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139606431847480483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505679528971099072.post-91351469402764890802015-05-04T19:00:00.000-04:002015-05-04T19:00:00.697-04:00Redroots Kitchen - Easy Weeknight Meals
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Oven baked fish fillets in Creole Sauce</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYLewkkPMxHOp5H45knulQrWyxQZbqFb7sFYWTyyPQ2zvTR0A-kVPwBv8bNQsHR-nRauEnQlDgLSq0AJ92ol_6lrnRSlnen_fgEX_o0diIjjEEjcZm5jwEMUwEbpmxBFLgjL0ClwOIYY/s1600/photo(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWYLewkkPMxHOp5H45knulQrWyxQZbqFb7sFYWTyyPQ2zvTR0A-kVPwBv8bNQsHR-nRauEnQlDgLSq0AJ92ol_6lrnRSlnen_fgEX_o0diIjjEEjcZm5jwEMUwEbpmxBFLgjL0ClwOIYY/s320/photo(1).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here at Redroots we believe food should be crafted with care
but not overly fussy. Our sweet spot lands somewhere at the intersection of simple
and delicious. This particular recipe is definitely simple AND delicious so it certainly meets
our stringent gustatory requirements! Not to mention that it features many ingredients you most likely have on hand, making it a great choice for a weeknight meal. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvIiwv1zIF39ANP_N_VnBdhD-TSwdDH5U9QzOvV4dgXIYWeSOwMUcNqFU1MecR5oZwPrb_H5mdZ9IXGW7sS1tezQCGBQsP19nLj8Us44WLp7XU3BZ5Vs07sm_C6hXolY8rv2b79JbAJs/s1600/allFish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvIiwv1zIF39ANP_N_VnBdhD-TSwdDH5U9QzOvV4dgXIYWeSOwMUcNqFU1MecR5oZwPrb_H5mdZ9IXGW7sS1tezQCGBQsP19nLj8Us44WLp7XU3BZ5Vs07sm_C6hXolY8rv2b79JbAJs/s640/allFish.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A seasons worth of deliciousness </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Having already eaten all of the fish I’ve hooked, speared or
otherwise convinced to jump into my cooler over the course of the previous summer,
I went ahead and used some Alaskan cod that I had left in the deep freeze.
However, any firm fleshed fish would do, (think grouper, tilefish,
hogfish, mahi and any of their delicious ilk). If for some inexplicable reason you
have tilapia in your fridge you can use that too. The sauce is a riff on
your basic Creole sauce give or take a few ingredients. Honestly this sauce is good
enough to make old flip-flops delicious so feel free to get creative.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRLwyNjIjv6NBczeRxAM-UdhWtJtx6jQt8sts4HNWUJrnEG2XRE169b8Dgz5Y9LZECIWtIUlC-KK1XMVEn5VLl0lFKUrWxt03TXyJk0htvXU4S7Uw1TnzvdN4_FLj_1hP57yC-DOr97U/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRLwyNjIjv6NBczeRxAM-UdhWtJtx6jQt8sts4HNWUJrnEG2XRE169b8Dgz5Y9LZECIWtIUlC-KK1XMVEn5VLl0lFKUrWxt03TXyJk0htvXU4S7Uw1TnzvdN4_FLj_1hP57yC-DOr97U/s320/photo+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Clockwise from top left: sliced yellow peppers, basil, stuffed olives and white onion</span></td></tr>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Before you go about
chopping:</b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Grease
a baking dish that is large enough to hold the number of fillets you’re making,
set aside</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
- Preheat
oven to 425°F (<i>Kitchen tip</i>: if you have a large enough toaster over you can use that instead of your conventional oven)</div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">For the fish:</b></div>
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3 - 4<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Firm white fish
fillets (Grouper, Tilefish, Hogfish, Mahi, Cod etc.)</div>
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Season liberally with Salt + pepper and sweet paprika to
taste, set aside</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">For the sauce:</b></div>
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½ Lg. yellow onion, sliced thin</div>
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1 yellow, red or green bell pepper, sliced thin</div>
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3 garlic cloves – minced</div>
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1 16oz. can chopped tomatoes </div>
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1 8oz. can tomato sauce</div>
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bunch basil leaves, chopped</div>
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½ cup green olives</div>
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¼ cup capers</div>
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½ cup water or stock</div>
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1 Tsp. Sweet paprika</div>
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few dashes Worcestershire sauce</div>
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Salt + pepper to taste</div>
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Oilve oil</div>
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<br /></div>
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- <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heat a large skillet
over medium heat, let it get hot.</div>
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- <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once it comes to
heat, add your olive oil, enough to generously coat the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>bottom of the
skillet. Wait until oil heats up. </div>
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- <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>add in peppers and
onions, season with salt and cook until translucent.</div>
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- <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>add minced garlic
and basil, stir and toss until well coated.</div>
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- add in the tomatoes, olives, capers, a few good dashes
Worcestershire sauce and stock. - Taste and season with S+P as needed and wait
until it starts to bubble. Taste again, if its </div>
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missing anything trust your palate and go for it! </div>
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- Set aside. </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The set up</b></span>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Ladle ½ of the sauce into the greased baking
dish</div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Lay the seasoned fillets on top and cover with
remaining sauce</div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Put in the oven for 20 minutes or until fish is
done. Fillet should be white in its thickest part, not translucent. If it needs more cooking add another 5 minutes in the oven. </div>
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<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>Serve with rice, quinoa or parsley potatoes (recipe
below)</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Parsley Potatoes </b></div>
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6 red potatoes peeled</div>
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Olive oil</div>
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Minced garlic</div>
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Bunch flat leaf parsley chopped</div>
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Kosher salt + pepper</div>
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<br /></div>
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- Steam or boil your potatoes in lightly salted water for 20
– 30 mins till done</div>
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- Combine Olive Oil, garlic, parsley and salt & pepper
in a bowl. Stir and make a paste</div>
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- drain off potatoes, place in a bowl and toss with parsley mixture, serve. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B3yNS2SLTziBT9ukgLE915l3K_GMQQTrpcgyiBfMhs7jMQWjLqWVpMV6HWyLX0MgMKOxaIxkQAQ5scK3xZ53zVf2peDvzthmRl7f7MN3Q80wu45YMiskcW1w3mYQDhHM8kC0oj-iSOA/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-B3yNS2SLTziBT9ukgLE915l3K_GMQQTrpcgyiBfMhs7jMQWjLqWVpMV6HWyLX0MgMKOxaIxkQAQ5scK3xZ53zVf2peDvzthmRl7f7MN3Q80wu45YMiskcW1w3mYQDhHM8kC0oj-iSOA/s400/photo+2.JPG" width="397" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Smothered beneath that rich sauce are some delicious fillets </span></td></tr>
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RedRootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139606431847480483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505679528971099072.post-11617960013247524722013-04-10T10:26:00.002-04:002013-04-10T10:26:59.988-04:00Oxtail and Barley "Risotto" or Reason #247 to own a slow-cooker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-PWjIL5R1bZR8HyWoCSvXEdAG0Xg_6JHhvx1H2T2d7F6VMSumP21Y1TJrr9GcAy1rikwM1RgTOVbWWgrzeZ49SIkvhix4C4oPnjBIKgQ04QPt98DbA_Bxe-LQKyQ7HcTqvCGn5M8erQ/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bua="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-PWjIL5R1bZR8HyWoCSvXEdAG0Xg_6JHhvx1H2T2d7F6VMSumP21Y1TJrr9GcAy1rikwM1RgTOVbWWgrzeZ49SIkvhix4C4oPnjBIKgQ04QPt98DbA_Bxe-LQKyQ7HcTqvCGn5M8erQ/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Five years ago Mrs.Redroots and I got a slow cooker as a wedding present. For four years the stainless and ceramic apparatus sat quietly in our cupboard waiting to be unleashed. I must confess, before this year I was never a fan of these behemoths. I always saw slow cookers as oversized uni-taskers that took up space and could never produce real flavor since there was no caramelization to add depth. Oh how wrong I was. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The thing with slow cookers is that you need to do a little bit of flavor building prior to putting everything in the cooker. That means browning meats and sautéing veggies till they loosen up and begin to release flavor. After that it’s a waiting game as low & slow heat coaxes out the flavors stored deep within. The best part is that once everything is in, it’s a hands-off operation. It basically cooks itself while you’re at work, asleep or doing chores around the house. You can definitely do this on the stove top but I guarantee it won’t be this easy. Here’s a recipe I prepared recently that is sure to make you a slow-cooker convert.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oxtail and Barley “Risotto” with Florida Grown Vegetables<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Into the slow-cooker:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2-3 lbs of Oxtail </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 ½ cups hull-less barley (Bob’s Red Mill)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">4 cups beef broth</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">¼ cup sherry or red wine (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 lg zucchini </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 lg summer squash</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 red pepper </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 onion</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2 stalks celery</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 leek</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2 cloves garlic</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">6 yellow new potatoes </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kosher Salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fresh cracked Pepper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Olive oil (extra virgin…the ONLY kind there is as far as I’m concerned)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0070c0;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finish with:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">2 tbs fresh grated Parmesan</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Juice from ½ lemon </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chopped parsley</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Season your oxtail generously with kosher salt and pepper and brown in a heavy skillet over Med-Hi heat with a bit of olive oil. Once browned toss oxtail pieces into slow cooker. Dice all your fresh from Florida vegetables and quickly sauté in the same pan till onions are just transparent. Add to cooker. Pour in the beef broth set on high for 8 hours or until barley is tender to the tooth. It should give with a soft “pop” when you bite into it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Once the barley is ready stir in the parmesan and lemon juice into the “risotto” and serve with a bit of chopped parsley and a lemon wedge. Voila, you’re done. Now dig in and enjoy!</span></div>
RedRootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139606431847480483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505679528971099072.post-1247160955701028612011-06-29T21:46:00.002-04:002011-06-29T23:22:05.112-04:00Babies in the Tomatoes! A book review and high praise for locally grown fruit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCqlsoVMUV5Ze0l1-to6Lcifx58cCmYCUV7WlkXjZNeS5stDgnnvRW7CZikorChq-6P7c7Uc5Zfx57fB6SJTdxUmZoqqE7lBojTzbu_LlurAbJE8ItDpD06NHoRVohCQKk4K_55TRQBc/s1600/AP+Photo+Alberto+Saiz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCqlsoVMUV5Ze0l1-to6Lcifx58cCmYCUV7WlkXjZNeS5stDgnnvRW7CZikorChq-6P7c7Uc5Zfx57fB6SJTdxUmZoqqE7lBojTzbu_LlurAbJE8ItDpD06NHoRVohCQKk4K_55TRQBc/s400/AP+Photo+Alberto+Saiz.jpg" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Photo of La Tomatina festival in Spain - AP Photo - Alberto Saiz</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">“In my hungry fatigue, and shopping for images, I went into the neon</span><br />
<pre><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">fruit supermarket, dreaming of your enumerations!</span></pre><pre><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> What peaches and what penumbras! Whole families shopping at </span></pre><pre><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">night! Aisles full of husbands! Wives in the avocados, babies in the tomatoes!</span></pre><pre><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">--and you, García Lorca, what were you doing down by the watermelons?”</span></pre><pre><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"></span></pre><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 8pt;">“A Supermarket in California” from the book “Howl” by Allan Ginsberg, Berkeley, CA 1955</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 115%;">Full poem read by A.Ginsberg here: <a href="http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15306"><span style="color: purple;">www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15306</span></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHl9iFHRHdWFekxvyvDjMfqwryaHAbKIszB335fviN56hhyphenhyphenNHJxog9_dVcgPkBV0AhZSXqQYGSi2_2pJlNt7mCvYU_Lr0ZNe692PusnqFXVoAxO7dJ-UgPTKiPmqF30k1UqxiGCbeunYA/s1600/DSCN0920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHl9iFHRHdWFekxvyvDjMfqwryaHAbKIszB335fviN56hhyphenhyphenNHJxog9_dVcgPkBV0AhZSXqQYGSi2_2pJlNt7mCvYU_Lr0ZNe692PusnqFXVoAxO7dJ-UgPTKiPmqF30k1UqxiGCbeunYA/s400/DSCN0920.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Redland grown heirloom tomatoes. Beautiful, scars and all.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> Chances are if you read this blog, you’ve had a really good tomato at some point in your life, more than likely you’ve probably had several memorable ones. All it takes is one bite to convince you that THIS was the best tomato you’ve had. You may have grown it, bought it at a farmers market or maybe it was a gift from a friend with a bumper crop of garden tomatoes. At some point this past winter you probably sliced one open, sprinkled it with a little sea salt and quietly indulged it its freshness. My guess is that it was probably tart and sweet with a savory touch. The more you ate, the more you realized how big the flavor really was. However it ended up in your mouth I’m sure it was one hell of a tomato. It was so good that you are probably drooling a little bit right now as you think about it. Well I’m here to tell you that you are not weird for doing so, and no, you are not alone. A good tomato is a thing of wonder that shouldn’t be as hard to find as it seems sometimes. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQHa16npGpe5pu__-68lkcbromicey9L65D4FG72ZVlco05x526a_7Cyb0yYFtexTdFnlEqFbAN-ubL7H_ndhel-sPCzxKJuhkXCcz0vthvxzg1uuj3TTgPHVu-30BcRdQWsXGSoXN0Q/s1600/DSCN2276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQHa16npGpe5pu__-68lkcbromicey9L65D4FG72ZVlco05x526a_7Cyb0yYFtexTdFnlEqFbAN-ubL7H_ndhel-sPCzxKJuhkXCcz0vthvxzg1uuj3TTgPHVu-30BcRdQWsXGSoXN0Q/s400/DSCN2276.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Albacore salad with mini-heirlooms and homemade Greek-style yogurt</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfIFPffnV3UjvJ5GM0OtNq0V1Hp1bVEdbPLEYgvlxKoR4boCq-hDwbE2qNA0BtOtxz5Tqu50bbkHulQI2aBUcn1SuUBP4APKMzN_9XQlgblBBzcpYnpjZNof0iPQVmt9I69Hak_Q5Msw/s1600/Howl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfIFPffnV3UjvJ5GM0OtNq0V1Hp1bVEdbPLEYgvlxKoR4boCq-hDwbE2qNA0BtOtxz5Tqu50bbkHulQI2aBUcn1SuUBP4APKMzN_9XQlgblBBzcpYnpjZNof0iPQVmt9I69Hak_Q5Msw/s200/Howl.jpg" width="141px" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">So what’s with the babies in the tomatoes and the literary types loitering amongst the melons? Well, that’s easy. It's one of my favorite poems, so why not. I love the imagery; the setting of it is interesting. If you <a href="http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15306">click the link</a>, you can hear Allan Ginsberg read it himself, he sounds like a super smart robot hippie (it’s dead on, uncanny really). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">“Babies in the Tomatoes!” is such a funny mental picture, every time I see a big gleaming pile of those uniform, red, unblemished tomatoes you get at big box stores. I see them and I remember Ginsberg’s babies chilling in big pile of them. If they come from the Sunshine state they are probably the “Florida Round” variety and with a name like that you are probably expecting a </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">straightforward and un-fussed with tomato. I've been burned by so many of these perfect looking beauty pageant tomatoes that </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I’ve come to expect nothing but disappointment from them. They look great! All sun ripened and fresh looking. Simple, red, and round. But as soon as y<span style="color: black;">ou take one bite you realize the lights are on but no one is home, they are completely lacking soul. You might as well be eating a red water balloon; it’s a big grainy mouthful and it tastes like it was made in a lab. What’s going on? </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwtUDqqNXZqTMNNj7TE1RENPAuzUawwZUsRYkYpJBsxTztVbstOG3NiKf8YMT3NroH5c7MUGar6HbDg1Wg2K1Dz9Hex70JPqIDjLVuRoSSeBN7086kZlsVn1np2JSDMIZEbHmTuMOXFw/s1600/tomato1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwtUDqqNXZqTMNNj7TE1RENPAuzUawwZUsRYkYpJBsxTztVbstOG3NiKf8YMT3NroH5c7MUGar6HbDg1Wg2K1Dz9Hex70JPqIDjLVuRoSSeBN7086kZlsVn1np2JSDMIZEbHmTuMOXFw/s320/tomato1.jpg" width="238px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You say "tomato," I say "crap"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">What hides behind the Pantone perfect hues? What lurks under the glaring fluorescents and dripping misters? (and what <i>IS</i> Garcia Lorca doing over by those watermelons?)...Do we know the road that this food traveled to get here? The hands that picked it, the backs that stooped to bring us the season’s bounty? What do they put on these things to make them look so good anyway? We may know part of the story, but the truth is there is a lot going on behind that bright and flawless exterior. There are things we don’t know about going down in the humid farmlands of the western edge of the Everglades…until now.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6sOh331TDxy16QWi6JUMVxz7aiHbPi-UoFanedhzEI6vhSyiqymxuGWDghmS1khlDs45YcjScma_TsJktDTu9cpmI_C6qkJOnu4i0Cy6T1KRR4y8Id6g604xORBoK8tX6JLLFy65MLU/s1600/Superfudge_1_Large.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq6sOh331TDxy16QWi6JUMVxz7aiHbPi-UoFanedhzEI6vhSyiqymxuGWDghmS1khlDs45YcjScma_TsJktDTu9cpmI_C6qkJOnu4i0Cy6T1KRR4y8Id6g604xORBoK8tX6JLLFy65MLU/s200/Superfudge_1_Large.jpeg" width="131px" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jb5QH5ny4jrtOx9RnhzqvixfOXb8KLrAdhZwCl7l7b6WQBhCj0ko8nXgmpfTg559wYjG2ve8pfW-AYztHgYc3IkvlCg6BO7Vt_mP4bFcytDn3_KHniy3cJ_RpYgkmSWWUjldkF02dZI/s1600/Tomatoland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jb5QH5ny4jrtOx9RnhzqvixfOXb8KLrAdhZwCl7l7b6WQBhCj0ko8nXgmpfTg559wYjG2ve8pfW-AYztHgYc3IkvlCg6BO7Vt_mP4bFcytDn3_KHniy3cJ_RpYgkmSWWUjldkF02dZI/s200/Tomatoland.jpg" width="133px" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">That is the topic of Barry Estabrooks' new book <i><u>Tomatoland</u></i><u> <i>– How modern industrial agriculture destroyed our most alluring fruit</i></u>. last Wednesday Mr. Estabrook stopped by Books & Books in the Gables, it’s a great venue, and as he well noted “theres a bar!” His delivery was approachable, intense and light hearted at the same time, a feat only possible by people well versed in what they write about. Sometimes you go to a book signing and well, your mind can start to wander. This one on the other hand was entertaining. He struck me as a person who is passionate about what he does and lives the life he writes about and so I am looking forward to reading his book. I bought myself a copy and plan on making it next on my summer reading list, (I can't believe I’m almost done with <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;">Superfudge already</span></span>!) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Abe Froman - Sausage King of Chicago</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirieH0RawHUOgHHEWf7WJxL1OIiq5t6F1NmSImFxogVrm7KJQZQq4k0NPIM2RX4V29ZC84wdbYuvHf3YWjNveL38oJQkn9mpJWsSz8Lxk2VBU-KBYgmMpEIrJ_QYWPU55ozqFwtNp3zf4/s1600/redhotel5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirieH0RawHUOgHHEWf7WJxL1OIiq5t6F1NmSImFxogVrm7KJQZQq4k0NPIM2RX4V29ZC84wdbYuvHf3YWjNveL38oJQkn9mpJWsSz8Lxk2VBU-KBYgmMpEIrJ_QYWPU55ozqFwtNp3zf4/s200/redhotel5.jpg" width="133px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Dude, he said tomato! DRINK!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The turnout at the event was good; Emissaries from the hinterlands beyond South Miami were there. Amongst the attendees were moms, hipsters, hipster- activists (think Sally Jesse Raphael glasses and an ironic <i><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;">Save Ferris</span></span></i> t-shirt), foodies, foodies with tattoos about food, garden gurus, women of the earth, crotchety old men, elves, chichi-mamas, patchouli-hounds, some tomato growers, and a few regular people just getting into the whole “what’s in my food?” thing. There was interest in the topic and that’s a nice thing to see. They have these events often and it’s a nice chance to meet authors and grab a coffee…or a drink. THERES A BAR! No drinking games though. But it’s nice to kick back with a beer or a glass of vino and listen to people speak about something they are passionate about.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s hard to review a book you haven’t read. So I’ll talk about the chat and the overall subject matter as it was discussed. This book seemingly peels back the layers of a world unknown to many but one that influences all of us and the communities in which we live. As well said by Mr. Estabrooks, it is a complicated and delicate topic; covering topics beyond just the greatness that is the tomato, or should be. <i>Tomatoland</i> digs deeper into the path tomatoes take from field to table. There are elements of modern day slavery, labor abuse and rampant pesticide use. It’s not a pretty story but one that is worthy of discussion and one which we should be made aware of. We eat tomatoes probably a few times a week, so we should probably know as much as we can about it in order to make good decisions about what we consume. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsy9-_ogMiKYdvXdnI2yrTr2QPEO5sdyGJY-ylernKISOv3ocIedMAohdw46OhxrsnaON4zcnOMcJAQicACZn0106cfEFd9zzflgTrqqXHclQ9t9HnQckQwLe-1D7tQ-Mt9jumrn9Mqw/s1600/DSCN0615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsy9-_ogMiKYdvXdnI2yrTr2QPEO5sdyGJY-ylernKISOv3ocIedMAohdw46OhxrsnaON4zcnOMcJAQicACZn0106cfEFd9zzflgTrqqXHclQ9t9HnQckQwLe-1D7tQ-Mt9jumrn9Mqw/s400/DSCN0615.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">A nice haul from a winter market trip. Where did it come from? The Redland! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Some reviews have said it’s in the vein of Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle” and Eric Schlosser’s “Fast Food Nation” so I’m sure it’ll be a good read. And apparently it’s not all doom and gloom, as Mr. Estabrook mentioned at the close of the chat: the book offers some answers and solutions to what can be done to bring back a tasty tomato. It's a simple idea with many working parts. Tomatoes…who knew they could be so damn complicated! Some of you may know Barry Estabrook for his food related writings in The Washington Post, New York Times, <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/barry-estabrook"><span style="color: black;">The Atlantic</span></a>, Saveur, and Men’s Health as well as his role as contributing editor to the now defunct Gourmet magazine. In which he won a James Beard award for his article on<a href="http://www.gourmet.com/magazine/2000s/2009/03/politics-of-the-plate-the-price-of-tomatoes"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;">tomato pickers in Florida</span></span></span></a> (the genesis of this book). I enjoy reading his articles as well as his blog; <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;"><a href="http://politicsoftheplate.com/"><span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;">Politics of the Plate</span></span></a></span>. If you haven’t read his work, I urge you to click on the above links and Google away till you find some of his articles, its good stuff! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJS-QCOs-VoJtiaemakwz1L5OOSUdZrI1ourad3AbzTGR7ENKP1c24N_p28s3cOI70FAksLTtzzjpGGi13oVTEox5CVuNwqOjauVWnJ5YF0fDkQWdO92Ytv4NxiURDaJ-F7NxoVI9WquE/s1600/birthcert" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJS-QCOs-VoJtiaemakwz1L5OOSUdZrI1ourad3AbzTGR7ENKP1c24N_p28s3cOI70FAksLTtzzjpGGi13oVTEox5CVuNwqOjauVWnJ5YF0fDkQWdO92Ytv4NxiURDaJ-F7NxoVI9WquE/s400/birthcert" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In case anyone missed it, this is the Presidents birth certificate, can we take a look at the economy now?</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">You ever notice that whenever immigration and labor are discussed things tend to get a little tense? It’s a difficult topic to address. Tempers flare, opinions are brandished, blast-shields go up and once that rabbit is out of the hat, words like “socialist” and “long form birth certificate” start getting tossed around and it becomes a “no fun zone” rather quickly. That’s why I tend to avoid those conversations and keep politics to myself but in the case of Tomatoland, these topics are tightly woven into the fabric of this story, it’s an essential part of the story. But regardless of personal politics I like to think we can all agree on humanity and in doing what’s right for people, or at least it’s nice to believe that we do. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjbQiA-bvrUhc47VAiVeIuLWvVTob_ARhroVryItmBOqa3vAmNy5ntBdmO_Vw-sE48Ra2lJC4FeUHNxdhdCPYp3xrdYJcHmIIJxl6CCc4W6YTLyKmsCHr788mg4tpfvVv4NCPZCqDCYo/s1600/DSC00402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjbQiA-bvrUhc47VAiVeIuLWvVTob_ARhroVryItmBOqa3vAmNy5ntBdmO_Vw-sE48Ra2lJC4FeUHNxdhdCPYp3xrdYJcHmIIJxl6CCc4W6YTLyKmsCHr788mg4tpfvVv4NCPZCqDCYo/s400/DSC00402.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whats not to miss about this! Another delicious haul of winter local goodness</td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I have to be honest with you, recently I had my head stuck deep in the clouds no thanks to what I am calling “post harvest season slump”...(Pfizer is working on a pill to combat PHSS as we speak, it renders your taste buds useless but it helps) It was weird, I was really bummed out at the end of the growing season, all the fresh greens and nice weather, it’s kind of one of the reasons you live here. But thanks to my wife saying that she missed the blog (nice to have a personal cheerleader) combined with the syrupy sweet smell of the summers first mangos and lychees, I can honestly say I’m back on the horse. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">A quick thanks my friend, Kristen Jayd from the Homestead Farmers Market, for cluing me into the event. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1W7b0nd6Jkubk62S985myDtmTh9R59ctw9ANGrOtxI7yrIbRJtxJRQxLFZ7hGgcY19A4eB6yllpSASz7JK16Hyb0Nat_95YG2Gwcmn34nqqlvHeqMjfZ6klSeobMZQmNdRFcgdlc0QPU/s1600/DSCN0918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1W7b0nd6Jkubk62S985myDtmTh9R59ctw9ANGrOtxI7yrIbRJtxJRQxLFZ7hGgcY19A4eB6yllpSASz7JK16Hyb0Nat_95YG2Gwcmn34nqqlvHeqMjfZ6klSeobMZQmNdRFcgdlc0QPU/s200/DSCN0918.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Redland raised heirlooms!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">But back to tomatoes…what’s the big deal anyway? Well…As a species it seems we are obsessed with them, in 2008 the world production of tomatoes was 129 million tons! The entire multi-million dollar industry of Florida winter tomatoes is possible because of the Eastern seaboards lust for this fruit. People up north pined for that sweet, tangy summertime delicacy deep into the winter of their discontent. Those red winter tomatoes were a ray of sunlight to cleave their slushy, shivering misery in twain (ok maybe that’s a bit much, but they did want tomatoes pretty badly). And so, an empire was born in the Sunshine state (natural requirements of the tomato plant be damned!). Mankind (and cheap labor, petroleum based fertilizers and pesticides) would find a way to grow dry-loving plants in soggy swampland, and so they did, and here we are today in the winter tomato capital of the world. Not too bad for a little fruit from the dry lands of Latin America. But what we eat today bares only a passing resemblance to the fruit that the conquistador Hernan Cortez brought back to the Spanish court. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Truth is modern-day tomatoes are a shadow of their former selves. That’s why I am so partial to heirloom varieties. It’s only with heirloom varieties that we can taste what one day was the norm, 90% of the time you can count on an heirloom to deliver the goods. Why? Because long ago, before modern agriculture went off and spent that summer backpacking in Europe and then came back listening to techno, smoking cloves and looking all industrialized and revolutionized, someone way back then, ate a great-great grand pappy tomato and said “WOW! That’s worth saving!” Heirlooms are super tasty and grow well in most gardens, especially if it’s a local heirloom, since they can be more forgiving about pests and fluctuations in temperature and water. The result is a hardier plant more used to growing in those conditions (the genius!) I’ve heard stories of a summer fruiting “Everglades cherry tomato” that is supposed to be really good; I’m still looking for one to put in my yard and in my salad. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-myUnJlHIrfC4meE5KIa7Zb77AilfNOUCI_Zm78Jcv3Xy67BqNoGg6kSRMN_p2rG9xXGOONTXvJgiivrG4aTK9qfDpUOwdPeRrvZApeNoPp96NMatUiDoc1iYkM_-XHEhBi_CoZ8M7K4/s1600/Tomato2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-myUnJlHIrfC4meE5KIa7Zb77AilfNOUCI_Zm78Jcv3Xy67BqNoGg6kSRMN_p2rG9xXGOONTXvJgiivrG4aTK9qfDpUOwdPeRrvZApeNoPp96NMatUiDoc1iYkM_-XHEhBi_CoZ8M7K4/s200/Tomato2.bmp" width="161px" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="hw1"><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>heir·loom</b></span></span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;">(âr<shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"> <stroke joinstyle="miter"></stroke><formulas><f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></f><f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></f><f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></f><f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></f><f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></f><f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></f><f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></f><f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></f></formulas><path gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" o:extrusionok="f"></path><lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></lock></shapetype><shape alt="" id="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 16.5pt; width: 3pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><imagedata o:href="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/prime.gif" src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Crrovira%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_image001.gif"></imagedata></shape>l<shape alt="" id="_x0000_i1026" style="height: 10.5pt; width: 9.75pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"> <imagedata o:href="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/oomacr.gif" src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Crrovira%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_image002.gif"></imagedata></shape>m<shape alt="" id="_x0000_i1027" style="height: 16.5pt; width: 2.25pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"> <imagedata o:href="http://img.tfd.com/hm/GIF/lprime.gif" src="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Crrovira%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_image003.gif"></imagedata></shape>) <i>n.</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">1. </span></b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">A valued possession passed down in a family through succeeding generations.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">2. </span></b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">An article of personal property included in an inherited estate.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">3. </span></b><span style="color: #0070c0; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">A cultivar of a vegetable or fruit that is open-pollinated and is not grown widely for commercial purposes. An heirloom often exhibits a distinctive characteristic such as superior flavor or unusual coloration.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Heirlooms of all types are a labor of love, selected, cared for and preserved for future generations to enjoy by individuals who understood the importance of saving and perpetuating these flavors, every bite is a testament to their dedication and we owe these people a “cheers” next time we open a worthy beverage, “To Flavor!” This may be a highly romanticized version of events, but I like the thought of it. That people long ago also cared about the food they ate and how it tasted. That like people, heirlooms each carry their own distinguishing characteristics; they are varied and different to the point of seeming flawed but the guts are true to the core. Simply put, they got soul baby! And you can taste it! </span></div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVQ0M0FFNYIXmo_2eI3mPeu5H7NIHmGi6vS_QMuFk9AWRowGzOVDxpVZ8ytOmPFxe7WkwbZNTE1mMSJUgTODAmR5rtbsyCZHcYf6zXm0827qIjLWgRiujdRaElHB5UCU91AwBkEoY2p0/s1600/miles-davis_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVQ0M0FFNYIXmo_2eI3mPeu5H7NIHmGi6vS_QMuFk9AWRowGzOVDxpVZ8ytOmPFxe7WkwbZNTE1mMSJUgTODAmR5rtbsyCZHcYf6zXm0827qIjLWgRiujdRaElHB5UCU91AwBkEoY2p0/s320/miles-davis_l.jpg" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">COLETRANE = SOUL</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiIeysu92BCM4Q5g9Ecvk7y4ng5OEztDtRIvWplufkIHu2ilUkiyeYN02UZglN6e4qU42jxGBGFKBzFe3kBmoxfQbi5F-zUH5C2XzPGAZmTcl3hOfRoDZOh0FzVn_sOaURlTuTWb9zas/s1600/KennyG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiIeysu92BCM4Q5g9Ecvk7y4ng5OEztDtRIvWplufkIHu2ilUkiyeYN02UZglN6e4qU42jxGBGFKBzFe3kBmoxfQbi5F-zUH5C2XzPGAZmTcl3hOfRoDZOh0FzVn_sOaURlTuTWb9zas/s320/KennyG.jpg" width="253px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">KENNY G = NOT SO SOUL</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">To put it in pop culture terms, let’s just say Heirlooms are the <span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;">John Coltrane</span></span> of tomatoes (sans the little heroin problem). They are just solid, unadulterated soul-beasts, oozing flavor from every pore; they can’t help but be <i>so smooth</i>! In contrast, commercially grown tomatoes can be more like </span><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;">Kenny G</span></span>…sure its music, but it all kind of has that same bland flavor, you know what I’m talking about...it’s a tomato, but without the stuff that makes it a tomato…you dig? </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLB7Uxw1RPTT1AkhjqB1crde2-cY7Y85HmVjQfM7GNbEaV4WWDMKGZyhOucETSmTlbxYIJTLfg0PAlFOYZJIDwcKO8Y8N7htJojbpuvu8BMo7DtGUQ_KRJhMTvvBgkDP3X1qSy9sV0t_M/s1600/DSCN0930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLB7Uxw1RPTT1AkhjqB1crde2-cY7Y85HmVjQfM7GNbEaV4WWDMKGZyhOucETSmTlbxYIJTLfg0PAlFOYZJIDwcKO8Y8N7htJojbpuvu8BMo7DtGUQ_KRJhMTvvBgkDP3X1qSy9sV0t_M/s320/DSCN0930.jpg" width="320px" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A box of conventionally grown heirlooom tomatoes from Teenas Pride</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKjw9QRDyjOEvGDp04WsKq4bwuXs4EU2vBjffSnXCQwTjQizxXz_RyzVxkCyjqPZ_grIFG36afr8Y4Ow32-3NbBtLhOu5s8ADLqVO30d4Ehf9p0pkYiPNtUneGS1YG6tbdp0_e4ThXOk/s1600/DSCN0705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKjw9QRDyjOEvGDp04WsKq4bwuXs4EU2vBjffSnXCQwTjQizxXz_RyzVxkCyjqPZ_grIFG36afr8Y4Ow32-3NbBtLhOu5s8ADLqVO30d4Ehf9p0pkYiPNtUneGS1YG6tbdp0_e4ThXOk/s320/DSCN0705.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green Zebras - look green, taste ripe!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: white;">“So where can you get these marvelous tomatoes you keep talking about?!” That part is also easy, at least in the winter, just head to your local farmers market. Chances are there will be at least one grower with some solid tomatoes. I already have my “delicious tomato people” identified, my favorite come from Margie at <a href="http://csa.farmigo.com/store/beeheavenfarm">Bee Heaven Farm.</a> (check out the new farm store!) Certified organic and always bursting with flavor, always tasting as good as they look. Her busy tent is a fixture at lots of markets in South Dade. I also have gotten some tasty beauties from <a href="http://www.teenaspride.com/">Teenas Pride</a> in the Redland, and from <a href="http://wordenfarm.com/">Worden Farm</a> out in Punta Gorda. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;"></span>It’s</span> easy to find good lcal tomatoes in winter, it gets a bit tougher in the summer though, I think the variety goes down a bit, You can get some good ones that come from Central & North Florida this time of year. The main thing to do is talk to the vendors and find out where their stuff comes from, most will be happy to tell you, and if they don't then maybe consider buying from someone who can tell you about what they sell, the good ones always do. </span></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: white;">My main market stops are <a href="http://www.pinecrest-fl.gov/index.aspx?page=424">Pinecrest Farmers Market</a> and <span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/homestead-farmers-market-homestead">Homestead Farmers Markets</a> as well as the <a href="http://earth-learning.org/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=90&-12-4-S-Miami-Farmers-Market-Opening=&Itemid=77">South Miami Green Market</a>, all of them are great places to find local and close to local tomatoes and produce. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">One of the things said in closing at the <i>Tomatoland</i> reading was that tomatoes “are only as good as what you put in them”, something true of just about anything, including people. This struck a chord with me that night for some reason. Well, who am I kidding I know the exact reason this caught my attention and that’s because Mrs. Redroots and I are expecting a little sprout this coming December, our first, so I find myself thinking about babies a lot more often than I used to. It’s a notable responsibility shift for us; a big dog is one thing…babies…are a whole other ballgame. (That is easily the understatement of the year I realize that). But game changers are good, or so it says in the other book I’m reading; <i>Spending Money, Peace of Mind & Me Time: 100 Things Fathers-to-Be Can Say Goodbye To.</i> I’m joking of course, Today we found out that we will be having a son, and I can't wait to meeting him and show him the world in which we live. I'm going to be someones dad...wow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span> <br />
<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Undoubtedly as soon as you hear the news that you will be someone's parental unit, the thoughts of what one must do to raise an upstanding citizen run through your mind. It’s your responsibility to make sure they are safe and loved and fed. To make sure they learn right from wrong, have solid common sense (this is a huge one) to speak correctly and openly. To be kind and fair, know how to cook and always remember their table manners. Bread on the left, drinks to the right. To know that the only permissible utensils for eating ribs are your hands. </span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">To know how to eat crawfish properly. You know…simple stuff, dreams we ALL have…except for maybe some of that really specific food related stuff… But there will be time enough for all that once he's born; right now we’re enjoying our little sprout as he grows every day, feeding him summers flavors, getting him used to enjoying local food and making sure he’s healthy, what an amazing time. So who knows what adventures await us in the coming season?! What foods, what feasts will come. Only time and fortune will tell. I’ll be sure to post some of the good stuff we come across this summer. Until then keep it as local as your cravings will allow and thanks for reading.</span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifh950IZudhhnyy-3602twAQJFMKnxOBq1bC_MR_ngoa4O995NJ4b8IoxEeQ2TxViiaSVlilwp8Z5DPkDXHo_Bw0pckz8fzYfiBoXH1fyeyhusBsnSPu4BQJUJjDNlTlAlS7wkW9i9r2I/s1600/skunkApe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifh950IZudhhnyy-3602twAQJFMKnxOBq1bC_MR_ngoa4O995NJ4b8IoxEeQ2TxViiaSVlilwp8Z5DPkDXHo_Bw0pckz8fzYfiBoXH1fyeyhusBsnSPu4BQJUJjDNlTlAlS7wkW9i9r2I/s320/skunkApe.jpg" width="265px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"IT'S A BOY!"</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">High five-ing my sons Godfather; </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">the Skunk Ape </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">in Ochopee, Big Cypress</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">R.</span>RedRootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139606431847480483noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505679528971099072.post-21586694367232369202011-03-04T14:09:00.000-05:002011-03-04T14:09:54.412-05:00Adventures in BBQ, Secret Recipies & the Joys of Eating Local - Pt.1<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Its been a busy couple of weeks for Redroots and that suits me just fine! We've explored BBQ joints in Liberty city, eaten amazing local produce including lucious <a href="http://redroots-localgoodness.blogspot.com/">Loquats</a>, catered a meal for 18 using local ingredients and been a guest on a radio show TWICE! This post weaves all that together with the added bonus of my special rib rub recipe, I've never shared it before, so here it goes. Sit back, relax and enjoy the local goodness...</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;">Here's some of that amazing BBQ we ate at Mama Lucy's in Liberty city</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As I mentioned, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Redroots-Local-Goodness/133325940053040">Redroots</a> was invited to be a guest on a local radio show to talk about the joys of BBQ. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">While I am NOT a professional cook or BBQ expert I understand the deep roots and nuance of this style of cooking and can hold my own at the 'cue, but more importantly I know how to EAT it like a pro. My weak spot is baby back ribs and pulled pork...although I can confidently say NOTHING bad ever came off a barbecue grill. Simply put, BBQ is food for the soul, its smokey, delicious and satisfying to the core. If someone says they don't like BBQ...they are to be highly suspected...because lets be honest, that's just not normal.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKielujAa5EJ7jVDRI_lpvYFwDgD5DRPn-m9uDRsyIRhYpsHHYUU2iHc1U29deWPp0cfTPSbIBzxEQq_of1HEy0fzyvjfUAY8Bhr3zMOcbOQnCXzxIhPsvCMdcDh2u34lgvfDb2AMhK-Q/s1600/listen305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKielujAa5EJ7jVDRI_lpvYFwDgD5DRPn-m9uDRsyIRhYpsHHYUU2iHc1U29deWPp0cfTPSbIBzxEQq_of1HEy0fzyvjfUAY8Bhr3zMOcbOQnCXzxIhPsvCMdcDh2u34lgvfDb2AMhK-Q/s320/listen305.jpg" width="159" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The show I was asked to be on is called <a href="http://www.listen305.com/">Listen305</a>, it offers a fresh and down to earth take on a diverse spectrum of topics relevant to our community. It airs Mondays at 7pm on 880AM & live online at <a href="http://880thebiz.com/">880thebiz.com</a>. You can find a link to the enticing BBQ episode </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">on the <a href="http://listen305.com/">Listen305</a> website as well as on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Redroots-Local-Goodness/133325940053040#%21/pages/Redroots-Local-Goodness/133325940053040">Redroots-LocalGoodness</a> Facebook page.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A few weeks ago I did my first Listen305 show (titled Eat305-Listen with your mouth full). I got a call from <a href="http://www.kristinjayd.com/">Kristin Jayd</a>, friend & founder of the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Redroots-Local-Goodness/133325940053040#%21/pages/Homestead-Farmers-Market/149762205060659">Homestead Farmers Market</a>. She asked me if I'd like to join her on a radio show all about local food, our challenge was to prepare a meal for a group of people using ingredients from the market. We had a week to plan, source and execute and they would be recording the show LIVE as we cooked...say no more, that's my kind of challenge! We had a blast rustling up the ingredients, calling the farmers, cooking up a storm and extolling the joys of eating fresh & local! Below is the menu for the night, once you see the amazing line up you'll quickly realize eating local can be easy & delicious! The food, the company the conversation, it was all perfect. I can honestly say it was one of the best meals I've had in a while. You can listen to THAT show on the <a href="http://www.listen305.com/">Listen305</a> site as well. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">MENU FOR LISTEN305 - LOCAL DINNER</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before we dive into the menu, I really want to stress the point that neither Kristin nor I are professional chefs. We're just two people who share in the common joy of preparing & eating good food with fresh, local ingredients. Please know that any one of these dishes can be easily prepared with basic tools and kitchen skills. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fact that they look delicious is directly related the freshness of the ingredients combined with the imagination of the cooks that prepared them...doesn't take much more than that to put a great meal on the table. Think about it, these foods were in the ground, growing on trees (or swimming in the ocean in the case of the shrimp) a few days or hours before we prepared them. They can't help but be beautiful and fresh. And it didn't take any major effort or increased cost to get them. Just a single trip to the farmers market and our imaginations is all we needed. So as you will see, eating local & buying local pays off in spades. Now on with the menu.... </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvmtlayKpz-t7grS72kwZ7s0eyw9R_Sfk7iw7PyrlAFuZiqAXpc6kmUCXPAqPGXVy1urTDS13OxYpUgHLzwBPvBVu3yVkpq5sYi8kcQ8BR6Ew906zQvOnro8GW5CbiZHxnWTR3Tx9sII/s1600/cevice.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvmtlayKpz-t7grS72kwZ7s0eyw9R_Sfk7iw7PyrlAFuZiqAXpc6kmUCXPAqPGXVy1urTDS13OxYpUgHLzwBPvBVu3yVkpq5sYi8kcQ8BR6Ew906zQvOnro8GW5CbiZHxnWTR3Tx9sII/s400/cevice.bmp" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Key West Pink Shrimp Ceviche by Redroots</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Key West Pink Shrimp Ceviche served on Organic Avocado halves</b> - featuring veggies, avo's and citrus from <a href="http://www.pikarco.com/VeggieBox.htm">Bee Heaven Farm</a> and finished with some AMAZING local sea salt from Midge at <a href="http://floridakeysseasalt.com/">Florida Keys Sea Salt</a>, you may think salt is salt...but boy are you mistaken! We served this up with some freshly fried corn tortilla chips from Morenos Tortilla Shop in Homestead, WOW.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Local Organic Greens Salad with Edible Flowers & FL Grapefruit Vinaigrette by Kristin Jayd</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Organic Mixed Greens Salad with Edible Flowers & Grapefruit Vinaigrette </b>- all ingredients sourced from Bee Heaven Farm. Light, crisp and oh so fresh. It was a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLB7Uxw1RPTT1AkhjqB1crde2-cY7Y85HmVjQfM7GNbEaV4WWDMKGZyhOucETSmTlbxYIJTLfg0PAlFOYZJIDwcKO8Y8N7htJojbpuvu8BMo7DtGUQ_KRJhMTvvBgkDP3X1qSy9sV0t_M/s1600/DSCN0930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLB7Uxw1RPTT1AkhjqB1crde2-cY7Y85HmVjQfM7GNbEaV4WWDMKGZyhOucETSmTlbxYIJTLfg0PAlFOYZJIDwcKO8Y8N7htJojbpuvu8BMo7DtGUQ_KRJhMTvvBgkDP3X1qSy9sV0t_M/s400/DSCN0930.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heirloom Tomato & basil Salad by Redroots</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Fresh Heirloom Tomato & Basil Salad</b> - Ingredients sourced from <a href="http://www.teenaspride.com/">Teenas Pride</a> and again, that amazing sea salt from the Florida Keys! It just punches up the flavor like you wouldn't believe!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmKu3mHHVkEajWhWuW61rT0NTfXKGFkV-YX4bTWNvt72bieDZidWUBvmXFytnmYLtkTzBz7qUTxFIB4Apqs36cjgDwHZiMkQZ2H7WI5cTMmr266pAQv38MHpYatmRnfunePZY86i96o0/s1600/DSCN1043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmKu3mHHVkEajWhWuW61rT0NTfXKGFkV-YX4bTWNvt72bieDZidWUBvmXFytnmYLtkTzBz7qUTxFIB4Apqs36cjgDwHZiMkQZ2H7WI5cTMmr266pAQv38MHpYatmRnfunePZY86i96o0/s400/DSCN1043.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Roast Root Veggie Soup & Red Pepper Drizzle by Kristin Jayd</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Roast Potato, Turnip & Cauliflower Soup served with Roasted Red Pepper Drizzle</b> - ingredients sourced from local conventional growers, Sam Accursio & Sons. This pureed soup was rich, creamy and very flavorful. The red pepper drizzle really opened up the flavors and gave it an awesome contrast. A simple dish that packs a big punch. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15JsOhNaDZd7s7D4zEOUzJWx5Wh2qG54s3WQmlcREK_J_5uaTHL5KnCKozc7gQ_nlZJuV4knonDZ5SHvSwN9L-x7DzC8XIjd1OvbxfrawWdmCq39L4GaLWLQhLFNrePuvHxeup9JXHOA/s1600/DSCN0900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15JsOhNaDZd7s7D4zEOUzJWx5Wh2qG54s3WQmlcREK_J_5uaTHL5KnCKozc7gQ_nlZJuV4knonDZ5SHvSwN9L-x7DzC8XIjd1OvbxfrawWdmCq39L4GaLWLQhLFNrePuvHxeup9JXHOA/s400/DSCN0900.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Candied Kumquats by Redroots / Cheescake by Mrs. Redroots - Eugenia</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Florida Orange & Goat Cheese Cheesecake with Candied Kumquats</b> - Local kumquats, candied in local mango/lychee honey & spices served atop my wife's famous goat cheese cheesecake. Silky, sweet and with a hint of citrus,it was simple and amazing . The cheese came from Hani Khouri at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/Redland-Mediterranean-Organics/102241013769">Redland Mediterranean Organics</a>. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKna_XfaLMfp6xv9H6zXa-SiIEZNdjyj0GDrK-lxmvW8vSDj9evzEAi0nub_zS6faymX4nYxPQh54omLR5T3jawVh7WxaHxJZWYlEarwGkPGpNAvCtzlABDS2vqnEczrwQGWz5UdT4uc/s1600/DSCN0967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKna_XfaLMfp6xv9H6zXa-SiIEZNdjyj0GDrK-lxmvW8vSDj9evzEAi0nub_zS6faymX4nYxPQh54omLR5T3jawVh7WxaHxJZWYlEarwGkPGpNAvCtzlABDS2vqnEczrwQGWz5UdT4uc/s400/DSCN0967.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Local Strawberry Sorbet by Kristin Jayd</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>Fresh Redland Strawberry Sorbet & Chocolate Goats milk Ice cream with Cocoa Nibs</b> - Strawberries for the sorbet sourced from Acursio & Sons, honey from Bee Haven Farm and the chocolate ice cream was made by Hani Khouri at Redland Mediterranean Organics. The combo of fresh strawberries and rich chocolate went off like a firecracker. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdoXT-iNM6nUuGGAvnVGc-kEcXllrGTJ8spSQ71-TyrvMB3xvFCtpiI4FQbHon4r07ABY_uW3z46NMa2Bm0TBoNQSkFIQC-R8cxXEnhnbfBoKAaRn2SxMP8Z6aivONtTjYC3Kf09rBuvM/s1600/MVice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdoXT-iNM6nUuGGAvnVGc-kEcXllrGTJ8spSQ71-TyrvMB3xvFCtpiI4FQbHon4r07ABY_uW3z46NMa2Bm0TBoNQSkFIQC-R8cxXEnhnbfBoKAaRn2SxMP8Z6aivONtTjYC3Kf09rBuvM/s200/MVice.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Croqueta Tubbs - keepin' it real in pastel</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Anyone who has spent more than five minutes in Miami knows that food is most definitely a "relevant topic" as it plays a major role in our daily lives. From the "cafecito" & butter drenched cuban tostadas at your local "ventanita" to sweet & briny stone crabs, crispy yet tender conch fritters and everything in between. Miami is hooked on food. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How much does Miami love its food? Here's a little known fact, Miami Vice's Sonny Crockett was originally named "Sonny Croqueta", after the city's deliciously famous Cuban import. His signature piece of wardrobe was to be a croqueta smeared wife beater & guayabera, but unfortunately the look & name didn't test well with focus groups outside of the 305...He was to be played by Steven Bauer or "Joecito" form Que Pasa USA. Fresh from Scarface success, "Joecito" was distraught upon hearing the news of the character shift, he was never the same again...this is of course <u>ALL</u> fiction, except for the part about Miamians loving food.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As usual, I digress...Miami is unequivocally a town built on guilty pleasures...of all sorts. And if the 80's taught us anything its that as long as there is a steady stream of illicit drugs and money being funneled through your city and all you have between you and the bad guys is a duo of hard-ass vice cops with pet gators, living on sail boats and driving million dollar cars on a civil servants salary, then you just cant keep a good thing down. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And BBQ is most definitely a good thing and a stand out in the Magic City...particularly because GOOD barbecue is a relatively scarcity in these parts (<em>see how we just brought it all back on track, its like this train never went of the rails...thank you for your patience</em>)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCeWvgeoAtMxDZtwDtusmzBNtPnnMxconkLQ3BBVQ6daX7LDoFiGCcsMQGxllrJEjlzlm6dgt5muf5p5LvfHhjRlAiuNszZ3Ap8hyphenhyphen4O0h7xzIOnGxVTplmvui92nnqIQISpabRVoY59o/s1600/DSC00001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCeWvgeoAtMxDZtwDtusmzBNtPnnMxconkLQ3BBVQ6daX7LDoFiGCcsMQGxllrJEjlzlm6dgt5muf5p5LvfHhjRlAiuNszZ3Ap8hyphenhyphen4O0h7xzIOnGxVTplmvui92nnqIQISpabRVoY59o/s400/DSC00001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Recently we headed out to Liberty City on a Sunday to find us some good 'cue, and we found it. Sitting there on NW 22nd Ave & 119th, looking somewhat weary and worn by age was <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&sugexp=ldymls&xhr=t&cp=0&qe=MjIwMSBOVyAxMTl0aCBTdA&qesig=GaEi71LElI_PL9UxW4SnPA&pkc=AFgZ2tkAcUZibY89dfFz2cVlFgKHYdGsG4E8vu6qK4r00w-2QJztUzxos6qgq9_h5_ivHZMM16DrB7pJbq6-TON2DWPMVa3mgA&bav=on.2,or.&wrapid=tljp129908726298400&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=2201+NW+119th+St&fb=1&gl=us&hnear=Kendall,+FL&cid=0,0,16133749869773536766&ei=oX9uTcS3FMOBlAeD8NBD&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1&sqi=2&ved=0CBUQnwIwAA">Mama Lucy's</a>. The Formica counters, the decal on the window that read "Where the SOSS is the BOSS" and the four drum style grills belching sweet oak wood smoke gave me a clear indication that this place was an institution. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Ten minutes later, upon my first bite of SOSS soaked ribs I would confirm that to be true...I have to tell you, I know we're trying to stay local but...you owe it to yourself to make the drive. Another place worth a trip and my personal favorite rib joint is <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&sugexp=ldymls&xhr=t&cp=0&qe=MjIwMSBOVyAxMTl0aCBTdA&qesig=GaEi71LElI_PL9UxW4SnPA&pkc=AFgZ2tkAcUZibY89dfFz2cVlFgKHYdGsG4E8vu6qK4r00w-2QJztUzxos6qgq9_h5_ivHZMM16DrB7pJbq6-TON2DWPMVa3mgA&bav=on.2,or.&wrapid=tljp129908726298400&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=2201+NW+119th+St&fb=1&gl=us&hnear=Kendall,+FL&cid=0,0,16133749869773536766&ei=oX9uTcS3FMOBlAeD8NBD&sa=X&oi=local_result&ct=image&resnum=1&sqi=2&ved=0CBUQnwIwAA">Shivers BBQ</a> in Homestead (pronounced <i>SHY-vers</i>) the ribs, briskets and everything on the menu is the BOMB. again....make the drive. Here are some pics from our most recent delicious field trip to Mama Lucy's. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibfcVR89bwgOVpeEO91ukTx5qbNpeOjQMZu6J21t0HFJW4xsUr8fpi8JtidNOp9pBEhzf9bvtO86aY1TGfCV0Tf9vqNqFMCw7iX3w6-djh8UzDwU3kETsU4JRgdHkuLiT6Lf-y_ICB2g/s1600/DSC00004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibfcVR89bwgOVpeEO91ukTx5qbNpeOjQMZu6J21t0HFJW4xsUr8fpi8JtidNOp9pBEhzf9bvtO86aY1TGfCV0Tf9vqNqFMCw7iX3w6-djh8UzDwU3kETsU4JRgdHkuLiT6Lf-y_ICB2g/s400/DSC00004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxM_-Pa1NK0q79WF9lhwzHZ-3wAH5QsVvoTuWvbszsSIJuNHZNOT8SVxuS7SFLv_OdoavaGY82W9Os0B9ROxHnQO45-tZZYylBtgTHbVBiyjYrlT4nn03G4RYuRlnzY4rhB6fUZ9V6fCk/s1600/DSC00010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxM_-Pa1NK0q79WF9lhwzHZ-3wAH5QsVvoTuWvbszsSIJuNHZNOT8SVxuS7SFLv_OdoavaGY82W9Os0B9ROxHnQO45-tZZYylBtgTHbVBiyjYrlT4nn03G4RYuRlnzY4rhB6fUZ9V6fCk/s400/DSC00010.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heres that BOSS SOSS</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDiIy1xZxje6tSHKP49aLI-wYzeQihovjPpImYFzEQPfKQ5Rj4jtMs311XmEYL_20VfCvO84Dk6-8o8BsAb5q0MxH6j5erqwREfhiGhtduvoLe1Umd-_oVSjKr90N0NRFm2FuviFbOlw/s1600/DSC00012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDiIy1xZxje6tSHKP49aLI-wYzeQihovjPpImYFzEQPfKQ5Rj4jtMs311XmEYL_20VfCvO84Dk6-8o8BsAb5q0MxH6j5erqwREfhiGhtduvoLe1Umd-_oVSjKr90N0NRFm2FuviFbOlw/s400/DSC00012.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That's Pit Master <span style="color: blue;">Jack and his Soss-chef prepping our ribs</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1ZaO78ncHoNQ8jvxqM4tnu5545_74oHKdssWy2mR2ZrTiQbfbuSZpN4asA4lSrEEWDQCjJlKH8WgVyqKyV9gfSaqzXKrFunuji1R7pF71GH0EahkDCyue7K6ADCMkOevmkr428fq-ag/s1600/DSC00024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx1ZaO78ncHoNQ8jvxqM4tnu5545_74oHKdssWy2mR2ZrTiQbfbuSZpN4asA4lSrEEWDQCjJlKH8WgVyqKyV9gfSaqzXKrFunuji1R7pF71GH0EahkDCyue7K6ADCMkOevmkr428fq-ag/s400/DSC00024.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Maximum Coverage!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1agXSluSNqKCA_J4070rtdGG6GPAJTBMp8vJ4ckuEOrW7ZQgAHbwZCxKdNEEUYaiYHn3kMjpapN5db44I4L9qluiWXhs0DyyNLCTSDCsVtoBmSiPgwPbOfmxSSKALLqLjgg-4kEpR9Xw/s1600/DSC00027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1agXSluSNqKCA_J4070rtdGG6GPAJTBMp8vJ4ckuEOrW7ZQgAHbwZCxKdNEEUYaiYHn3kMjpapN5db44I4L9qluiWXhs0DyyNLCTSDCsVtoBmSiPgwPbOfmxSSKALLqLjgg-4kEpR9Xw/s400/DSC00027.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Cheap-o White bread, the mark of any good BBQ joint </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial;">We covered a lot of this on the BBQ radio show already but as an extra little something, or "lagniappe" as they say in 'Nawlins, I wanted to share my own special rib rub recipe with you. We briefly discussed rubs on the show and to me, a good dry rub is key to developing flavor. So its into the legendary red binder we go..."what the hell is the red binder?" you ask...Its a simple red plastic organizer in which I </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">keep my favorite, sauce stained & time tested recipes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">In this red binder you will find instructions for such mouth watering meals as fried turkey, creole shrimp & grits, lemon & garlic roast chicken and many more. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Basically, a</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">nyone who comes to the Redroots kitchen for a meal and sees the red binder out on the counter should know they are in for a treat. In short, the red binder IS Redroots. Here's an quick look at what you may find in it...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYZkXvaOh51a1UUh8-oY1X3t0BkW-hc7G3wjT2ZOXFY5arw6fxlMIC-fNVbFqOjw_HnY_A19fW0g0WrUXT9ala06e1PlV1K6SGMM7O0qIRGj0-1ZrumE_81InsaygKVuGwbrP93FAjh0/s1600/friedTurkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYZkXvaOh51a1UUh8-oY1X3t0BkW-hc7G3wjT2ZOXFY5arw6fxlMIC-fNVbFqOjw_HnY_A19fW0g0WrUXT9ala06e1PlV1K6SGMM7O0qIRGj0-1ZrumE_81InsaygKVuGwbrP93FAjh0/s400/friedTurkey.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Juicy & Tender - Redroots Signature Fried Turkey</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GzjVnHvnBVKWDoBSiQas5BtFNGn71G94ZTSoobjzJKLizlp3xnv-SZtKea0HrAL1EY4wt3WDlDDhnxfzCR8pHD2xFNVfxjP9_ijFg561GHPrbzjQvy7UziUh5D9pqinx9_Zlx1lfmJE/s1600/PumpkinFlwr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GzjVnHvnBVKWDoBSiQas5BtFNGn71G94ZTSoobjzJKLizlp3xnv-SZtKea0HrAL1EY4wt3WDlDDhnxfzCR8pHD2xFNVfxjP9_ijFg561GHPrbzjQvy7UziUh5D9pqinx9_Zlx1lfmJE/s400/PumpkinFlwr.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue;">Crispy & Delicious Beerbatter Squash Blossoms</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGFJBZ98lv86TbksPJG6Nys-ktGwQTEtGjWM-mDxZW78jutdh1rSDzK9sK9-AtZ3oMxllPxc2mYskPqSB36CH9nI9Nm7TqW_OAl4HwYaVUtvnho7g4pGEuGHDKOBtxie_Y7-Cbm7rs3M/s1600/BraisedRibs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGFJBZ98lv86TbksPJG6Nys-ktGwQTEtGjWM-mDxZW78jutdh1rSDzK9sK9-AtZ3oMxllPxc2mYskPqSB36CH9nI9Nm7TqW_OAl4HwYaVUtvnho7g4pGEuGHDKOBtxie_Y7-Cbm7rs3M/s400/BraisedRibs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: blue; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Favorite - Braised Beef Ribs with Redland Root Veggies</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial;">Good Recipes are funny things, many times our initial instinct is to keep a good one to ourselves and thereby create the all-powerful mystique of the "secret recipe". Often times that secret can be deciphered with a little research and an alert palate. At the risk of sounding Zen, when you take a bite, just be open to flavor and it will open itself to you. Take a bite, close your eyes and let your mouth tell you what it's enjoying. Little by little the ingredients start revealing themselves to you, its kind of like magic. The more you do this, the better you get and in turn, the broader the tools and tastes available to you in the future.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">M</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">y sister-in-law, whose cooking skills I hold in very high regard, shared this recipe with me a while ago, I now share it with you...she IS from Texas and they know a thing or two about barbecue so you may want to take some notes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Over time I've made some tweaks and given it my own touch, something I recommend you do too. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">For me, a large part of cooking happens before I even step foot into the kitchen. I lay it out first in my mind; I think of flavors, consider techniques and planning needed to execute the dish I want to put out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Cooking also happens while you are eating. I love to savor my food and really taste it. In our house meal time is a "sit down and pay attention" affair. We enjoy our time at the table, talk and try to really taste what we eat. As I eat the meal I wonder what I would do different next time, what worked, what didn't. That's</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> something I urge you to do as well. Don't be afraid to experiment in your kitchen and don't be afraid to fail, because it will happen and that's OK. once you come to grips with that, the world is your oyster. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">So without further ado, I present to you... </span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial;"><b>REDROOTS RIB RUB</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">1/4 cup Brown sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">1/4 cup granulated sugar </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">1/4 cup Seasoned Salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">2 Tbs Garlic salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 Tbs Onion salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 1/2 tsp Celery salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">1/4 cup Paprika (Hungarian if you got it)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">2 Tbs coarse ground Coffee, preferably something bold like espresso & NOT instant</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 Tbs Chili powder</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 Tbs Fresh ground black pepper (try not to use pre-ground pepper, its not the same)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">1 1/2 tsp dried Sage</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">1/2 tsp ground Allspice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">1/4 tsp cayenne pepper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">pinch of ground cloves</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and store in an sealed container in a cool, dry place. I like to save the big canisters of garlic or onion salt, wash them out and keep my rub in there. It's sealed and since it has the holes in the top it's easy use. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This is MY take on rub, try this one or take elements from this that you like and make your own. Soon you will have your own signature rub that's made just the way you like it. Again, think about the flavors you enjoy, do you like a spicier rub? more garlic? You make the call, its your rub.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">In the case of this rub, you can't really stay local with it, with a few exceptions like using local coffee (<a href="http://baldbakersblend.com/">Bald Bakers Blend</a> from Knauss Berry Farm) or maybe Sea Salt from the Keys etc. You can also try to use locally grown herbs. But if you can't, don't beat yourself up about it. Just balance it out by making your side dishes with local vegetables ;). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Once you have this rub prepared you can use it on pork, chicken or whatever you like but the key is to give the meat a good coating and really rub it in. Make sure it gets into every nook & cranny. Once you have accomplished this, wrap it up in plastic wrap and store in your fridge for a few hours up to overnight. Over time the spice mix will seep into the meat and give an amazing flavor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So you've made your rub, now what? Its time for cooking...and THAT my friend is the follow up blog post because like good BBQ, you cant rush it and I don't want to bog you down with the many "ins, outs and what-have-yous" although what comes next is easier than you could imagine...so this is a test of patience, but rest assured that by next week you'll have the tools to make some kick ass ribs at home worthy of Mama Lucy herself.</span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;">Up next, Part 2: Real BBQ on a GAS grill - It CAN be done... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">In the meantime, keep it local, keep it fresh, keep it on Redroots!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">R.</span>RedRootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139606431847480483noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505679528971099072.post-9440590578410085212011-02-23T10:34:00.000-05:002011-02-23T10:34:51.781-05:00I'm Loco for Loquats!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This Monday I headed out to the <span style="color: blue;">Homestead Farmers Market</span> (<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue;">Mo</span><span style="color: blue;">ndays 2p-6p @ Losner Park on Krome Ave</span></span>) for the weeks fix of local goodness, and as usual, it didn't disappoint. The </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.pikarco.com/VeggieBox.htm">Bee Heaven Farm</a> tent was filled with fresh organic greens, vegetables and fruit. Hani from <a href="http://www.hanisorganics.com/">Redland Mediterranean Organics</a> was on hand with plenty of </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Falafel, goat cheese and tabbouleh to go around and since it was Presidents Day, they had a band up on stage jamming out. Not a bad place to get your greens if you ask me. Here are some pics of this weeks edible highlights.</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQuFYjZcJwRxmA03npn1McPfsPcbWn3PuuAG9A6RzykAthiWB42EVz6P1ZGjsvYD8rfH6VaYvC7A1kubNogJikg8qq9iLXpgYPwqnVUDqpKShMnZSl6_GFtYcAITPTO_47L7LTt4GT3k/s1600/DSC00400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQuFYjZcJwRxmA03npn1McPfsPcbWn3PuuAG9A6RzykAthiWB42EVz6P1ZGjsvYD8rfH6VaYvC7A1kubNogJikg8qq9iLXpgYPwqnVUDqpKShMnZSl6_GFtYcAITPTO_47L7LTt4GT3k/s400/DSC00400.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmer Margie of Bee Haven Farm handling some urgent farm business on the phone </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKt7RszuDl7-PK70LxitWhkvpa3Gkmn0YsTPJcUJFQxzxvZS0EVzWYS1UokP4UBSDbgZfs9AsdSoTwC9sZZp0bx2n9fp3OE1-r9Cocy5bZJogg_THsglDthVphF5mGbDFKAYtD-YzMOU/s1600/DSC00409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzKt7RszuDl7-PK70LxitWhkvpa3Gkmn0YsTPJcUJFQxzxvZS0EVzWYS1UokP4UBSDbgZfs9AsdSoTwC9sZZp0bx2n9fp3OE1-r9Cocy5bZJogg_THsglDthVphF5mGbDFKAYtD-YzMOU/s400/DSC00409.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Edible flowers! A really nice way to dress up your salad or dining room table</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYF0UujTTVHCKiEhzk1nUF7s2PaFMIgo0F7sQrGksWCwcN5wSDl7rh1zZlxFQtB6GvOvy3Gygw6DqWVl2g6Ro29NF66Bc-_e8v6_o4KXm1BhN3SqavB21OMpzDVskIK5AR6BD2AA5S500/s1600/DSC00405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYF0UujTTVHCKiEhzk1nUF7s2PaFMIgo0F7sQrGksWCwcN5wSDl7rh1zZlxFQtB6GvOvy3Gygw6DqWVl2g6Ro29NF66Bc-_e8v6_o4KXm1BhN3SqavB21OMpzDVskIK5AR6BD2AA5S500/s400/DSC00405.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My latest obsession - Redland Red Skin Potatoes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUqkPy_iGZC6q9PaiYLYElZGZCRMxsaEWwFsSrlZVrDIO1ZsNpX5ov2uHb5d0mlI1bi15buMQNc5ZUOtimI9uOYL9CkN3jRLvZumcQqJlO1wjVBhZZQAwjM8dFqnOeQSzoPK3tmR-hx8/s1600/DSC00404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUqkPy_iGZC6q9PaiYLYElZGZCRMxsaEWwFsSrlZVrDIO1ZsNpX5ov2uHb5d0mlI1bi15buMQNc5ZUOtimI9uOYL9CkN3jRLvZumcQqJlO1wjVBhZZQAwjM8dFqnOeQSzoPK3tmR-hx8/s400/DSC00404.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heirloom pole beans </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLMTiYBylGdFTkd77o7BwFDWh0bUqM16sAxxB992Nrs9kUrIjoKHq4LmKF360THKPdXAkNSxglPhHBwMj4JwPsB5viZhjiBzsNHA2MTR6kHXlqs2BnDJPe0-1cFH4LdQiymhGMPcyqTA/s1600/DSC00413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLMTiYBylGdFTkd77o7BwFDWh0bUqM16sAxxB992Nrs9kUrIjoKHq4LmKF360THKPdXAkNSxglPhHBwMj4JwPsB5viZhjiBzsNHA2MTR6kHXlqs2BnDJPe0-1cFH4LdQiymhGMPcyqTA/s400/DSC00413.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nope, those aren't carrots, those are radishes! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRZta7M6peHBBK7_FUlC_hnsXtnF05BO61KmeDUNiDfgvbdu4M2K3rLfW6SUW34NU89L54sibj2XNEHek8aAKpscpHRXeb5j-WLMyHwm2TxCd57TW1QKiunifdiV8gVAKD7OPJRAhgQU/s1600/DSC00414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRZta7M6peHBBK7_FUlC_hnsXtnF05BO61KmeDUNiDfgvbdu4M2K3rLfW6SUW34NU89L54sibj2XNEHek8aAKpscpHRXeb5j-WLMyHwm2TxCd57TW1QKiunifdiV8gVAKD7OPJRAhgQU/s400/DSC00414.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free-Range Organic Chicken eggs - I was SO happy to see these</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQbEH_HZCvWEuOuUblnrfASfVJBC1sk4570VbV1waHZUqvxcNX2TWDsUEjA3XViV5bVtum9WlFol8JhUA8emScPyxREZfaFxIErHsK-jUz6h3ZOVc0iXyLjgSclL4HYql-BUI5zIaHYg/s1600/DSC00398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQbEH_HZCvWEuOuUblnrfASfVJBC1sk4570VbV1waHZUqvxcNX2TWDsUEjA3XViV5bVtum9WlFol8JhUA8emScPyxREZfaFxIErHsK-jUz6h3ZOVc0iXyLjgSclL4HYql-BUI5zIaHYg/s400/DSC00398.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More radishes, these are the red & green "Watermelon" variety</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmAeQrVjDWLjAz-VdmWFhdBcMDK0ctkmDBeBIpE2BjMtC5nsXssyUs2jxmHGsQniXxAfrgYPpeAR7q4i6EpfwF99eYKCncB6ccjboPWIPXRupilq9UGDudkxEpvkFRd67n1CVIERsYMU/s1600/DSC00412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmAeQrVjDWLjAz-VdmWFhdBcMDK0ctkmDBeBIpE2BjMtC5nsXssyUs2jxmHGsQniXxAfrgYPpeAR7q4i6EpfwF99eYKCncB6ccjboPWIPXRupilq9UGDudkxEpvkFRd67n1CVIERsYMU/s400/DSC00412.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Things were buzzing at the Bee Haven Tent!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Among all of the above, I stumbled across a little box with a big surprise inside. There, sitting on the table at the Bee Heaven Organic Farm tent alongside all the usual awesome organic produce was what looked like a box filled with tiny golden pears. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">They were about the size of a small egg, firm for their ripeness and possessed a thin, deeply yellow skin. In short, a quietly beautiful piece of fruit. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Arial;">Being abnormally attracted to strange things, I immediately asked Farmer Margie what they were. "Loquats" she answered. Ah, that most unfortunately named fruit. I had heard about them on occasion but at last it was nice to "put a face to a name". And WHAT a name, LOQUAT...</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">I mean, come on...Loquat rhymes with "squat"...and nothing good ever happened in a sentence that contained the word "squat". </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Not being one to turn down an opportunity to sample an unfamiliar flavor, I looked beyond the name and picked up a box to take home. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsVoZcggyCHJCz_bP4-6gyrjmCxGxqoNBYIVfpp1TMqrNYo-97nrCV8xJkpTcHNaNQHlV0VvH_Rb1I79rYcTISvHr3M9vdDh3R0WqQsszJyoqMyP6Uy7FWAnSwnaeCmPlUV_CcdQVgF8/s1600/DSCN1099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsVoZcggyCHJCz_bP4-6gyrjmCxGxqoNBYIVfpp1TMqrNYo-97nrCV8xJkpTcHNaNQHlV0VvH_Rb1I79rYcTISvHr3M9vdDh3R0WqQsszJyoqMyP6Uy7FWAnSwnaeCmPlUV_CcdQVgF8/s400/DSCN1099.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Originally from southeastern China & southern Japan, Loquats are also known as "Japanese Plums". It is a fruit with a long and globetrotting history. Horticulturists have had a field day with the Loquat, creating, discovering, cataloging and promoting over 800 different varieties since the 1700's. Alas, like most things from abroad, Loquats found a welcome, sunny home in the fertile soil of South Florida sometime around 1867. For more "specific & scientific" information on this curious fruit, visit the <a href="http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/loquat.html#Origin%20and%20Distribution">Perdue University - School of Horticulture</a> site. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuidQbDPyHhPK4_OJVuIiGRlZj8nq6LI22-AZmGXUne4hoTiuFYPo6pYul8BNtHdwr-IORWwGTOCreXSHkdpDZ3YrWOPolAaKX6H6sDBD0D7SKip1jcNU_EDJV2EFSPcU0zKCzpNIJtjA/s1600/DSCN1097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuidQbDPyHhPK4_OJVuIiGRlZj8nq6LI22-AZmGXUne4hoTiuFYPo6pYul8BNtHdwr-IORWwGTOCreXSHkdpDZ3YrWOPolAaKX6H6sDBD0D7SKip1jcNU_EDJV2EFSPcU0zKCzpNIJtjA/s640/DSCN1097.jpg" width="479" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Meanwhile, back at the lab...</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">I put my paring knife to work and sliced into one. Whats inside? Two to three shiny seeds and from there...nothing but firm, juicy golden colored flesh, ripe (pardon the pun) for the snacking. The flavor and consistency is very much like a plum except with a beautiful hint of citrus flavor, it's tangy and sweet at the same time. My mouth was very happy... </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gUXnzn7JADd1yY2O-vHSJX6of7OQuJkhyphenhyphenoaneCdKSfPxmuEOM5thTs9899hjSlCQWeKAkK2D1ZF5uQs16pRmlNqsxEOfP4g_3Mu5ujngbNYoiFiFzNIOPplYP_CInxhRdu3BJASe_Uo/s1600/DSCN1096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gUXnzn7JADd1yY2O-vHSJX6of7OQuJkhyphenhyphenoaneCdKSfPxmuEOM5thTs9899hjSlCQWeKAkK2D1ZF5uQs16pRmlNqsxEOfP4g_3Mu5ujngbNYoiFiFzNIOPplYP_CInxhRdu3BJASe_Uo/s400/DSCN1096.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDbUNXOoWfel2ws5uv-KXtNJt_yf3eMA-GGiqgkLTlPmzbWDeWodeW7Pizc69ITwxJpeVWWdLrJOAOJpc6_Se26v352FeAC6FqykDpov17Rk3w3NrUT17MdVqD-VwRt6h5hKfX-OBwrY/s1600/transmogrifier.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDbUNXOoWfel2ws5uv-KXtNJt_yf3eMA-GGiqgkLTlPmzbWDeWodeW7Pizc69ITwxJpeVWWdLrJOAOJpc6_Se26v352FeAC6FqykDpov17Rk3w3NrUT17MdVqD-VwRt6h5hKfX-OBwrY/s200/transmogrifier.gif" width="155" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;">That was it, I was hooked, I am now officially "loco for loquats". Being as Loquat season is just kicking off, my palate is on the long, delicious road to Tasty-Town for the next few months. The wheels in my brain are now turning as to what to do with this new found treasure. Jam? Ice Cream? Sweet & tangy BBQ sauce? Maybe a simple little Loquat gallette? Who knows!...these ideas will "transmogrify" themselves into local goodness in the coming weeks so stay tuned...</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">(my thanks to Calvin & Hobbes for the questionably used vocab word...I knew those hours of reading would pay off!) </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">In short, these tangy, sweet & delicious fruit have found a home in my kitchen for many seasons to come and for that, I am happy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Now mind you, Loquats aren't the kind of thing you find at your local grocery store and this is due to various reasons. Among them are consumer demand, possible shipping & storage issues and the publics general lack of familiarity with the fruit. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">The good news though is that down here in South Florida, it <u>IS</u> the sort of thing you can encounter at your local farmers market with relative frequency. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As consumers we are so used to thinking of fruit as "grapes, apples, bananas & oranges" but luckily down here in South Florida we are exposed to a universe of different fruits and vegetables, many of which are available year round.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOqa4ezBGs9uus6rz2V-grrdgtMHt2yxTLALZTZ-SRiUQ7wEHsxCuEuffFS9O_lAaboSRDUi0HS_paUrjW7D79h93I7bzt86YTTFPDhgKJY7qBC5NKgsjIxyz1dIo0YkKdWLL7vro2Xk/s1600/fruit_festival_home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOqa4ezBGs9uus6rz2V-grrdgtMHt2yxTLALZTZ-SRiUQ7wEHsxCuEuffFS9O_lAaboSRDUi0HS_paUrjW7D79h93I7bzt86YTTFPDhgKJY7qBC5NKgsjIxyz1dIo0YkKdWLL7vro2Xk/s320/fruit_festival_home.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what shows up when you Google "Fruit"...tell me Loquats aren't sexy now!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial;">Things like Carambola, Lychee, Longans, Sapote, Canistel, Dragonfruit and many other "out of the ordinary" fruit are seasonal staples of our local fields & groves. So why not explore these flavors and expand your knowledge of what grows in your community while supporting growers who dabble in the unique. Who knows, you might just enjoy it. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFNXqx68yfS61152jyvzcU5JfQwjsInnS4Ywl-omjWmMUI5AEgWR3fApHrAFlNP0WWTBKFtAe2XFDbVcLJbsOUr9LUsI-e9EZN5B_1OnQsAYNcNReQJd2UpZCsygBUEzu5x4pSnAe3L4/s1600/DSC00410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFNXqx68yfS61152jyvzcU5JfQwjsInnS4Ywl-omjWmMUI5AEgWR3fApHrAFlNP0WWTBKFtAe2XFDbVcLJbsOUr9LUsI-e9EZN5B_1OnQsAYNcNReQJd2UpZCsygBUEzu5x4pSnAe3L4/s400/DSC00410.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canistel or "egg fruit" - a creamy, sweet orange colored fruit that's worth a taste</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS17ZBoLYkAS0jg5UFsIRzwrUyNa1egOzoj6IrXeYGGoFEPzEPOBO7a75foXvR3GqDYTCyjcGuTuofARXbyfvw9tTjYt3R1ehgpMaU8JCfnTcgE1i_A8yM-cmvVmuiMwxElwT_PEcvFRg/s1600/Dragonfruit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS17ZBoLYkAS0jg5UFsIRzwrUyNa1egOzoj6IrXeYGGoFEPzEPOBO7a75foXvR3GqDYTCyjcGuTuofARXbyfvw9tTjYt3R1ehgpMaU8JCfnTcgE1i_A8yM-cmvVmuiMwxElwT_PEcvFRg/s400/Dragonfruit.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dragonfruit in bloom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpd_sbuS-S7s100HLgs0udkwIG0W9etrz2pHSUaLmf8EPHQHR75hpLJG_EGaXm5xIKMx-JeFACybtC38R0QKd-Aamq5NRJ4_BXIRID5WwArdxfApdQ3yA-oQA0AvjEonwfns3araNuXa0/s1600/DSCN0737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpd_sbuS-S7s100HLgs0udkwIG0W9etrz2pHSUaLmf8EPHQHR75hpLJG_EGaXm5xIKMx-JeFACybtC38R0QKd-Aamq5NRJ4_BXIRID5WwArdxfApdQ3yA-oQA0AvjEonwfns3araNuXa0/s400/DSCN0737.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bumpy, lumpy, sweet and delicious Dragonfruit</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTN3V0XDbff8689WclnJX16FMgoZn2p4i29N4dGHrFu1V-UpbhQZNdexTWx7z0KQpP7xDyXhJI2ugR0jN4JweX6po4kkOxip1LBe2AxlGwo6VYjL6Zfn4_vlXedlc8pKHaD-tqYqMydU/s1600/DSCN0740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTN3V0XDbff8689WclnJX16FMgoZn2p4i29N4dGHrFu1V-UpbhQZNdexTWx7z0KQpP7xDyXhJI2ugR0jN4JweX6po4kkOxip1LBe2AxlGwo6VYjL6Zfn4_vlXedlc8pKHaD-tqYqMydU/s400/DSCN0740.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The softer side of the Dragonfruit - edible, seeds and all</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial;"> So if there is one takeaway from all this, it's to be open to new flavors and don't be afraid to explore. A good way to do this is to make a point of picking out one thing you wouldn't normally buy, look for the odd, the strange and go for it. Ask </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">the farmer what to do with it and take it home and try it. Whats the worst that can happen? You are out five bucks and you have something to throw in your compost pile...you do compost don't you?...(no worries, that's a future post and easier than you can imagine.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Nine times out of ten, what happens is you "discover" something new and delicious and all of a sudden, the unfamiliar becomes familiar. You now have new tastes to savor and new ingredients to experiment with, plus you'll have something cool to show your friends from up north when they come down to visit. In the meantime you've helped sustain variety in our markets as well as contributed to the livelihoods of farmers in your community. All for eating a simple piece of fruit. Just goes to show that small gestures can often make a big difference.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55Lv17e18fPUpGMx62GPHDfwRwzfmn7qhYQBtEj66Btwv70t4NvCrxZGqTbSKJT8WCyohglDreKEkZlH_WR8D30dbEA6i38qFbdfoOTXLBbNMIDRoPS0HjREv7pTjOkOGyVIek-ciDGo/s1600/Romesco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi55Lv17e18fPUpGMx62GPHDfwRwzfmn7qhYQBtEj66Btwv70t4NvCrxZGqTbSKJT8WCyohglDreKEkZlH_WR8D30dbEA6i38qFbdfoOTXLBbNMIDRoPS0HjREv7pTjOkOGyVIek-ciDGo/s400/Romesco.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking for unfamiliar AND delicious, scoop up some Romesco - it's like a very tender broccoli and so good</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jLt7YpfP-sXRq7_bW8odGlufT9wLtUNbgKwsIgcFexNA6On2Ucd6yoK_jK49fHhyqKJmeEpqMOJepXJ29UUhVomZVXR9EtI4UcRFv9ZEb3qYk0NVrmxzz2C8TbHDjsBe5GDwiUItE48/s1600/DSC00402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jLt7YpfP-sXRq7_bW8odGlufT9wLtUNbgKwsIgcFexNA6On2Ucd6yoK_jK49fHhyqKJmeEpqMOJepXJ29UUhVomZVXR9EtI4UcRFv9ZEb3qYk0NVrmxzz2C8TbHDjsBe5GDwiUItE48/s400/DSC00402.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This weeks haul - Fresh eggs, radishes, collards, Rangpur limes, lettuce, parsley, grape tomatoes, red skin potatoes & turnips. All organic and all under $40 bucks. Compare that to your next grocery store receipt </td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial;">That's all for today readers, thank you for taking the time to enjoy Redroots and I hope you get excited about exploring more about the food you eat and the people that grow it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Keep it local, keep it fresh, keep it on Redroots! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">R.</span>RedRootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139606431847480483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505679528971099072.post-15797074728820664462011-01-28T18:49:00.000-05:002011-01-28T18:49:46.809-05:00Redlands Road Rallye: Mr. Toads Wild Ride, with Produce!<div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt04Bvl91io8Ku-Uy18ddsl6kxYs5fTYQKJI3lb1gkXRMaf2QUluISeUzoAjLtYHv1shcz6fc5Li7qWyHhj0QqbVjWXzKNRAKLrmcSsyR5GJzxXCHXmtGR279PyCG4gCOsDAaT8l-YxcQ/s1600/Toad_map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt04Bvl91io8Ku-Uy18ddsl6kxYs5fTYQKJI3lb1gkXRMaf2QUluISeUzoAjLtYHv1shcz6fc5Li7qWyHhj0QqbVjWXzKNRAKLrmcSsyR5GJzxXCHXmtGR279PyCG4gCOsDAaT8l-YxcQ/s400/Toad_map.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>U</b>p for a bit of a road rally are we? An invigorating drive through the country where caution is thrown to the wind and adventures of the most delicious sort happen with childlike spontaneity?...Well we have just the solution for your escapist desires...behold, the <a href="http://redlandriot.com/Rallye.html">Redlands Road Rallye</a>. This yearly event is hosted/organized by Robert Burr a fellow lover of the Redlalnd and 7th generation Floridian, the dude knows his stuff. A nice guy with a great idea he designed this "liesurely, self guided tour of the redland" as a showcase of the best the region has to offer and a scavenger hunt of sorts. You drive around, you find clues, you see the sights and eat some delicious items all while discovering a beautiful part of your own backyard. It's been going on for a while, check out their website for more info & details </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://redlandriot.com/">redlandriot.com</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>W</b>hy the extra 'E" in Redlands Road Rallye, I can only assume it's there to give this event a more Continental feel. But what I DO know is that it was a <u>lot</u> of fun and we will be doing it again next year, permitting of course that this whole "2012" thing is either BS or the result of us "doing the math wrong" as some scientists speculate (and I use the word "scientist" in the loosest possible way). IF we are NOT doomed to a fiery death by huge Mayan-esque aliens probing us with space cacti (as some other "scientists" have speculated) then we'll definitely do it again. R</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">ead on and I think you'll decide to join in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> <span style="color: #38761d;"></span><span style="color: #3d85c6;">TEAM</span> <span style="color: red;">REDROOTS</span></b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1qMHUdl47tppM1ZNmhGCrzIhpEP2UMBBihTn3SIXJeGVrTLESguf9GttxFUH_qBxPF0S-f67gjY9lfMzwcrCpEeJlMcJRldTxCzmrGf5bPhRpFORyNdgdrHRD9SEiI5Dp6Sr5mfhGrxk/s1600/Rally1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <img border="0" height="200" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1qMHUdl47tppM1ZNmhGCrzIhpEP2UMBBihTn3SIXJeGVrTLESguf9GttxFUH_qBxPF0S-f67gjY9lfMzwcrCpEeJlMcJRldTxCzmrGf5bPhRpFORyNdgdrHRD9SEiI5Dp6Sr5mfhGrxk/s200/Rally1.jpg" width="132" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Me & The Missus</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="150" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYemA3dSdN9BI9NoE14XXBWwzfyGVe36rlH0PW_H-mM4CMpSJNLWBWZwXzz14CC4F3G8Olo6UyUtZRFJFOH5bjxctAyOXEjmO6WknuuLwiGPCa2Fzs0-nR3nF_HGok4qSa12YMz53TaZ4/s200/Rally2.bmp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lilly & Kevin - Backseat Drivers!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border: medium none; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrE98-4Lq8-odiXJKNvWlGQzNL-_GojjNyKGhpXc-tyrDmYVxWeOdN0ZNn2WCGkVnJpl5uJEGi0pX3AJ_NQtHQOycJxUXiEB96vrJFMFS9fDbufwQoiWGQVr3NhGbNB88lL_rnBydzbk/s1600/CrockettandTubbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; height: 200px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 199px;"><img border="0" height="200" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzrE98-4Lq8-odiXJKNvWlGQzNL-_GojjNyKGhpXc-tyrDmYVxWeOdN0ZNn2WCGkVnJpl5uJEGi0pX3AJ_NQtHQOycJxUXiEB96vrJFMFS9fDbufwQoiWGQVr3NhGbNB88lL_rnBydzbk/s200/CrockettandTubbs.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Tezo & Tracy, AKA Tubbs & Crocket</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Holding down the fort while we rally!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>T</b>his year Team Redroots was comprised of a crack team of rally racing specialists. Here's the roster:</span></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="color: blue;">ME</span></b> - Pilot, guide & raconteur </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">EU (my wife)</span></b> - Photography, navigation & iPod duties</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="color: blue;">LILLY</span></b> - Photography, color commentary & delightful sarcasm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="color: blue;">KEVIN</span></b> - Demolitions expert, muscle & intimidation</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>B</b>efore I go on I'd like to take a minute to thank the little people. The "nuts & bolts" of Team Redroots if you will. Our deepest gratitude to our amazing support crew comprised of renegade tank mechanics, Cherokee Indian "wind-talkers", a few CIA "wet works" operators, a blind Rastafarian psychic, K-9 Sleep Assault Dogs and a kid that got fired from Jamba Juice for being, and I quote, "<span style="color: magenta;">too fruity</span>"...ironic no?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>W</b>e had such a good time doing this crazy event, it makes all the difference when you get together with people that enjoy spending time together, every experience is made that much better, my thanks to Eu, Lilly & Kevin for being the perfect mix of spontaneous, funny & crazy. The kind of people you don't mind riding around with in a car for 10 hours and THEN having a 4 hour post race meal with...not that I was counting the hours, that's just the math. This kind of compatibility is important when choosing a rally team.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So who is this team? My wife, Eu, Museum professional, academic, my unwavering partner in crime and eager participant in all our hair-brained schemes is always ready, this was no exception. She is the master of the ipod playlist and has an eye for photography that I truly admire. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>L</b>illy is a bad ass interior designer with her own blog,(<span style="color: #38761d;">insert shameless plug here ---> </span><a href="http://lillypondering.blogspot.com/">lillypondering.blogspot.com</a>) She's not one of those "HGTV-couple-of-throw-pillow-and-a-glue-gun" types, she's the real deal, she went to school for this people.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Her hubby Kevin, man of mystery, is rumored to have killed a man using nothing more than a pair of Ray-Bans, he wont talk about it, so that's all I know.<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>L</b>illy and Kevin drove ALL the way down from the quaint fishing village of South Beach with their Greyhound/Clydesdale, Tracy, to slum it "country style" with us backwoods folk. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We had all been anticipating this trip for quite some time, and it was one of those events where everything happened at the right time and in the right way, it really was an amazing time. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Enough jibber-jabber! <b>LETS RALLY!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">STAGE 1 - CAULEY SQUARE</span></b> - <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>SW 224th Street and US1</b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.headinjurytheater.com/phantom%20scooby%20doo%20unmask%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" s5="true" src="http://www.headinjurytheater.com/phantom%20scooby%20doo%20unmask%201.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just off of US1 and 224th Ave, under the dense shade of Strangler Figs exists a bizzaro little enclave of shops housed in a turn of the century wooden houses & surrounded by lush tropical foliage. Originally built as a train station in Flagler days, it's been home & host to various shops, restaurants and purportedly even a cat-house. One of the shop girls once told me they had seen "<i>orbs of light and shadows among the trees</i>". Ghosts or not, it does seem like the kind of place Shaggy & Scooby would say "ZOINKS!" in...but not to worry, it's probably just old man Smithers and some glow paint!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here is a brief historical overview courtesy of the Rally Website - <a href="http://redlandriot.com/">redlandriot.com</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>"When Flagler’s railroad reached Goulds in 1903, William Cauley could easily pack his tomatoes and ship them north on a daily basis. This millionaire farmer and businessman developed a series of warehouses and offices, a bar and grill and residences within a ten acre plot along side the railroad tracks. Many of the small wooden homes still standing were hand built by pioneers of South Dade in the early 1900’s" - <a href="http://redlandriot.com/">redlandriot.com</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The area has been preserved and there are a few restaurants, antique shops, an aviary, art & jewlery shops and my personal fave a saltwater aquarium shop. We walked around getting our answers and finding the clues. </span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Cauley Square is quirky and a great start to the trip. Here are some cool pics of the place.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVrSREaAqK_3EbEwWp5CwtDVfxqw3QDHmt49btUDZUlVdLSwZdZ0lz4eDDWuNttXwX-nC5vR7QWEnZFBzBKLZSKoUtE2sRm3TPol2qHXz73Wbj0XHK-BJxmkpAxMk0EAVLt41PfBJ8yk/s1600/cauley1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVrSREaAqK_3EbEwWp5CwtDVfxqw3QDHmt49btUDZUlVdLSwZdZ0lz4eDDWuNttXwX-nC5vR7QWEnZFBzBKLZSKoUtE2sRm3TPol2qHXz73Wbj0XHK-BJxmkpAxMk0EAVLt41PfBJ8yk/s400/cauley1.jpg" width="327" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkx6ip5Mq_glPmEI4WgZqnSB29gKZRbo6m6uMFkA6rrSLnGx8RHqiGcLuT829k4jsXtgIVLGDXFBwWPDv4ZWncZivznvH-4zC-oN9YE3HUMokcx5GPc3B-ExO6VKKLu5t-w7YvwuphPs/s1600/koi.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkx6ip5Mq_glPmEI4WgZqnSB29gKZRbo6m6uMFkA6rrSLnGx8RHqiGcLuT829k4jsXtgIVLGDXFBwWPDv4ZWncZivznvH-4zC-oN9YE3HUMokcx5GPc3B-ExO6VKKLu5t-w7YvwuphPs/s400/koi.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">STAGE 2 - BURR'S BERRY FARM - </span><span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">12741 SW 216th St</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Burrs is a nice little roadside stand right on 216th St., actually really close to US1. They have been around forever and are a traditional stop on our forays into the Redland. They have a U-Pick strawberry field in the back which honestly has the sweetest berry's I've ever eaten, I mean DAMN GOOD. We usually pick up a pint to make smoothies, they're like candy. </div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Burrs also has great shakes, homemade peanut butter which is the BOMB, jellies of all flavors, fresh made tomato sauce and pickles and not to mention a veritable smorgasbord of all things strawberry: strawberry shortcake, strawberry cupcakes, shakes and just about everything else you can imagine with strawberries. We were too busy stuffing our faces with cakes and pies to to take too many pictures so enjoy what few we DID snap....</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1O1nchstUHGk6iewEo3zSlpEmvbWSPNqmQYw6tTSD9X6l6U8FqOR1tbg7Jn1Mz0dj0rFxx04lxcRun2-NiBthO4yFx7gc9qlUz9TTMweAdXOAztbShLoOoz-vtFH_9Wi1wNoapGnyMo/s1600/Burrs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1O1nchstUHGk6iewEo3zSlpEmvbWSPNqmQYw6tTSD9X6l6U8FqOR1tbg7Jn1Mz0dj0rFxx04lxcRun2-NiBthO4yFx7gc9qlUz9TTMweAdXOAztbShLoOoz-vtFH_9Wi1wNoapGnyMo/s320/Burrs2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykBvDQPbcgUaV7nB0Xhx2xeXWLvU8RhKZ0OnjedhLFuzNYDwz0EIXDCJgT3bsORRD5XykYRPk9fh3dFj9I7c4kNlv3yts02CEu3rCApNULKbEFw1dbotolshYP3oS2gjJe5kjptRYx_o/s1600/berrycake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykBvDQPbcgUaV7nB0Xhx2xeXWLvU8RhKZ0OnjedhLFuzNYDwz0EIXDCJgT3bsORRD5XykYRPk9fh3dFj9I7c4kNlv3yts02CEu3rCApNULKbEFw1dbotolshYP3oS2gjJe5kjptRYx_o/s320/berrycake.jpg" width="213" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVSa29I64A4SailerlRBvk6J5RMoCA0lYwJfmKwzQjNwY3nzegXBNRlP79qMuddeWrcPznIstSe1hNMtU16yus__3h_IiGf2cMiwOvpAcROgi2vUxrmXSWD0CgCIdWuCD8KBY5sY7V5w/s1600/berrys.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHVSa29I64A4SailerlRBvk6J5RMoCA0lYwJfmKwzQjNwY3nzegXBNRlP79qMuddeWrcPznIstSe1hNMtU16yus__3h_IiGf2cMiwOvpAcROgi2vUxrmXSWD0CgCIdWuCD8KBY5sY7V5w/s320/berrys.bmp" width="213" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhT0tWjdACH4JUTD7OP83Y6SclxTL3994ZB9v8kC4nkbUH663i2JCBlDxE8_GpRMOwn4aCIklN01_F3RwHFT-8MscAzio2YB4UfWYNm93mZc-CCxKqfiidwGZbcVdfb3dzB1g1vAl7M0/s1600/PBJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXhT0tWjdACH4JUTD7OP83Y6SclxTL3994ZB9v8kC4nkbUH663i2JCBlDxE8_GpRMOwn4aCIklN01_F3RwHFT-8MscAzio2YB4UfWYNm93mZc-CCxKqfiidwGZbcVdfb3dzB1g1vAl7M0/s320/PBJ.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heres that homemade PB I was talking about...the creamy one RULES!</td></tr>
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</div><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>STAGE 3 - KNAUSS BERRY FARM - <span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;">15980 SW 248th Street (thats Coconut Palm Dr)</span></b></span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A Redland institution! This place has been around forever, run by Ray & Barbara Knauss and their families. Because of the black brimmed hats, bonnets & beards many people think they are Amish or Quakers or what have you, turns out the are Dunkers (no that doesn't mean they take it to the hole like D.Wade) Dunkers, are an offshoot of the German Baptist church. </span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">All you need to know is that they make the best damn cinnamon rolls (the sticky kind) and baked goods, shakes, jellies etc etc etc...just think "delicious" and they have it. They are even roasting their own coffee beans now, called Bald Bakers Blend its really yummy (and a closer alternative to my personal favorite; <a href="https://www.babyscoffee.com/">Baby's Coffee</a> just outside of Key West). Being the coffee whore that I am, I am always looking for some nicely roasted beans, and brother, this place has em! </div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">My advice, GET THERE EARLY the lines are literally out the door and down the block to get the rolls and baked goods. The line for the shakes is a bit shorter, both in theory, are worth the wait...but unless you have a few hours on hand...get up a little earlier and get your fix. If you're looking for produce you can skip the line and go right in to buy them (imagine that, no line for the veggies). They also have U-Pick tomatoes & strawberries in the back and good to note is that they open from about Thanksgiving until April, they DON'T open on Sundays and they DON'T take American Express (or any plastic) just straight up cash on the barrel head. Here's some pics.</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQYX0Rh9GJJR9x5i0oZ3EjPCetFeyod6j3VAIH2qAbus1mN8lkpQYKmWRJcQtLCk05cmKf5UzBqitGYqJfh3kPyVIsH2eNmOv4WJYvnFmToBv6qxObbV_3nBu2HwKoytZNyl_y5Q4n54/s1600/squash.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQYX0Rh9GJJR9x5i0oZ3EjPCetFeyod6j3VAIH2qAbus1mN8lkpQYKmWRJcQtLCk05cmKf5UzBqitGYqJfh3kPyVIsH2eNmOv4WJYvnFmToBv6qxObbV_3nBu2HwKoytZNyl_y5Q4n54/s320/squash.bmp" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Squash! These are awesome on the grill - slice lengthwise, salt, pepper, olive oil and done!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWTsoeW7bR8iAASTkoFA4q61-g7wkiSxYuyn4F5foYFXttmRCTaiB6dkui4HmO7zihvR20j-DY-H6yuj5W80HLmOnbwPa-oqo6pPk7mWP5VrbtmwHnET1ATJjOmlDvmZbf-X3kc9pBYc/s1600/chives.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWTsoeW7bR8iAASTkoFA4q61-g7wkiSxYuyn4F5foYFXttmRCTaiB6dkui4HmO7zihvR20j-DY-H6yuj5W80HLmOnbwPa-oqo6pPk7mWP5VrbtmwHnET1ATJjOmlDvmZbf-X3kc9pBYc/s320/chives.bmp" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nice Fresh Scallions, also great on the grill</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6S0v1X3U9UTfK0ofhY9S-Pd-Vt2KmMBULg5lfM-IT2VWuqb66t8acm8SwNrPR93uJLUXALUA7QLZUeRo3DweBCxVE4AaENs3fAaSut-M1kgWvqPs_QKLnO8nHh7xZ4pkT-T12xe7Jr4/s1600/jelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6S0v1X3U9UTfK0ofhY9S-Pd-Vt2KmMBULg5lfM-IT2VWuqb66t8acm8SwNrPR93uJLUXALUA7QLZUeRo3DweBCxVE4AaENs3fAaSut-M1kgWvqPs_QKLnO8nHh7xZ4pkT-T12xe7Jr4/s320/jelly.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade Jellies!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr07HAS-xUX-q0yTeaYHTg3W-rwbzAen440eiduNnAo5W1kVIWsYdDSYyTegzef4TJvp5-t2Vu_hKxiZ4p8v_YNGByF3NzNHV8HiIpNzq2ZNyixNixXhjsTpfQNWAAfZf3OUq4HYt6_Jc/s1600/bKnauss.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr07HAS-xUX-q0yTeaYHTg3W-rwbzAen440eiduNnAo5W1kVIWsYdDSYyTegzef4TJvp5-t2Vu_hKxiZ4p8v_YNGByF3NzNHV8HiIpNzq2ZNyixNixXhjsTpfQNWAAfZf3OUq4HYt6_Jc/s400/bKnauss.bmp" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thats Mrs.Barbara Knauss herself at the produce counter, She's a very sweet lady</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">STAGE 4 - FRUIT & SPICE PARK - </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular;">24801 Redland Road </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_lA-PBXZRjrSSz5OHatLdgkhBeBh_jXSNGeEVbdajKOWl1qWp-0KADyMKwBkL2vLfz2wK_7lQPheTXYIerXIYi6NUW2sfgJfg78ervgKEvoHdUINqF-bH6V0q5kN4r02p_WgFTgeGOQ/s1600/spice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0_lA-PBXZRjrSSz5OHatLdgkhBeBh_jXSNGeEVbdajKOWl1qWp-0KADyMKwBkL2vLfz2wK_7lQPheTXYIerXIYi6NUW2sfgJfg78ervgKEvoHdUINqF-bH6V0q5kN4r02p_WgFTgeGOQ/s320/spice.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular;">This was a quick stop, they had the Redlands Heritage Festival going on that day so it was packed. It looked like a lot of fun but we were on a mission. So it was a quick in quick out situation. I have yet to spend too much time in this park, I've been here for the festivals they do here every now and again and it's cool, lots of fruit & spice trees and you can even eat the FALLEN fruit form the trees, don't pick it from the trees..they have snipers. We hit a roadside fruit stand on the way out for some quick snack action and we were on our way to the next stop....</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">STAGE 5 - R.F. ORCHIDS - </span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular;">28100 SW 182nd Ave</span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am a sucker for orchids, especially the Vanda variety (I actually have the Vanda orchid named after Barbara Knauss, I picked it up here last year) so R.F Orchids is a very special place for me. RF stands for Robert Fuchs (pronounced FEW-KS)</span>.<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The natural way you want to pronounce this is the WRONG way, I'm telling you from personal experience...(the look on the old lady's face was priceless)...but I digress. </span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mr. Fuchs family have been in the Homestead/ Redland area forever. The grounds of this place are gorgeous, it feels like you are someplace else. Somewhere where wood nymphs and fairies have picnics under trees and unicorns fart cupcakes. It's beautiful and a site to see. </span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mr. Fuchs gives tours of the grounds around his house at 11a & 3p on weekends. You'll see some rare plants, an amazing pool and a natural limestone pool with some huge fish and his pet gator Wanda. If you want to see what the garden of Eden probably looked like, this is a must. He is the nicest man and very patient. A great stop on any tour of the Redland. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OaefgKEk9njMW6m_L3SPzNxgLpxJkgArcJ9BDTVAQE6zp_LPm0wUCpPZZk8ngDRRMJwsMGYRFAr1xBkQpm9btK1JKzxn_pwC3fhtWMkdObRSOc_dJ8XT5sEXwI0mWCvNrNSMVhmQidQ/s1600/orch1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OaefgKEk9njMW6m_L3SPzNxgLpxJkgArcJ9BDTVAQE6zp_LPm0wUCpPZZk8ngDRRMJwsMGYRFAr1xBkQpm9btK1JKzxn_pwC3fhtWMkdObRSOc_dJ8XT5sEXwI0mWCvNrNSMVhmQidQ/s400/orch1.bmp" width="266" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjcv-Dg5mYmfBr-qN2RGeA2lMzJBNcagH68N0Z66HKt67H-YuYYOs_BOSeXHJRC5Qd18Y6REXmhwUXBDtgjbhVFVYxRnAhbNAKNt8HkMIMxn9ewYmN5qGtXSlu0syPk3FfHLuBTRZ1c4/s1600/orch4.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjcv-Dg5mYmfBr-qN2RGeA2lMzJBNcagH68N0Z66HKt67H-YuYYOs_BOSeXHJRC5Qd18Y6REXmhwUXBDtgjbhVFVYxRnAhbNAKNt8HkMIMxn9ewYmN5qGtXSlu0syPk3FfHLuBTRZ1c4/s400/orch4.bmp" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">STAGE 5 - HOTEL REDLAND - </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular;">5 South Flagler Avenue, Homestead, FL</span></b><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNav_nHzsSHMX0Y6gy77rdb20wP2lDVznp-BIVMvHPKNq7xqZCQ68Co91aVPZO6LuZbKz6JlLejr87Hu26gvFxJgnkLEUrx6JeKr43XSfu9li-ebjYiJCLpizbd69VmeM-bi33NWNMZo0/s1600/redhotel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNav_nHzsSHMX0Y6gy77rdb20wP2lDVznp-BIVMvHPKNq7xqZCQ68Co91aVPZO6LuZbKz6JlLejr87Hu26gvFxJgnkLEUrx6JeKr43XSfu9li-ebjYiJCLpizbd69VmeM-bi33NWNMZo0/s320/redhotel2.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> This was one of our stranger stops along the tour, an awesome one, but one sprinkled with a little extra dose of WTF. By this stage in the tour we were all feeling a bit parched, lucky us we discovered that the hotel had a bar, bonus! We decided to have a cocktail before moving on, a decision that we would remember for some time to come. But first a bit of a back story, turns out this quaint little hotel is up for sale, like IMMEDIATELY, there's even a sign inside that says "If you wish to buy this hotel, let us know" or something to that effect. A shame because it could be lost forever should it fall into the wrong hands (i.e. Wallgreens, Publix, or anyone not giving two F's about a decent locally run watering hole in a town that has very few of these. </span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On a sunny beautiful day like the one we were blessed with you want something refreshing and soothing for the palate. A Madras hits the spot like a champ. For the un-initiated a Madras is nothing more than Vodka, cranberry juice and a splash of OJ, served over ice that's it. It's very nice. </span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii680yK2GnlRzV-8JXhhfFWaEgwaKxBYBoC7dVcaVdME9wKDusHF3LTESVJVPmPPBejYOMzHrVfj1Rpm8sLwKQ_cMMDG1nhZePQY0kfqGLq7AC3w7Yao6FZupVSs4BrjFk9wo9aII6enc/s1600/redhotel5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii680yK2GnlRzV-8JXhhfFWaEgwaKxBYBoC7dVcaVdME9wKDusHF3LTESVJVPmPPBejYOMzHrVfj1Rpm8sLwKQ_cMMDG1nhZePQY0kfqGLq7AC3w7Yao6FZupVSs4BrjFk9wo9aII6enc/s400/redhotel5.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exhibit A: 15oz worth of vodka served with two pennies worth of OJ & Cranberry...for FOUR BUCKS!!!</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>The following account has ZERO exaggeration, seriously</i>: We bellied up to the bar and ordered 4 of these, I'll make a long story short and tell you that the barkeep (very nice lady) served us four 16oz. glasses with 3 ice cubes and about 15oz worth of vodka each. A splash of OJ and Cranberry, <u>literally</u> measured out in the bottle caps....This was a GLASS FULL OF VODKA. After I picking my jaw up from the floor I asked for limes she said they were out because they were selling the place and not restocking the bar. </span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The tab came out to $12 bucks even....yeah, my jaw dropped again, four bucks for a tumbler full of vodka!...I can see why maybe they are going out of business. I left the barkeep a nice tip and we walked out the door to the wrap around porch still trying to understand what had just happened. After all, $12 bucks at a bar on South Beach or South Miami gets you a plastic cup full lukewarm tap water and a dirty look from the server "Welcome to Miami, now pay me".</span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Needless to say, ONE of these was enough. I even ran out to the car to get some limes and more ice to fool my taste buds. I drink as much as the next guy, but a glass full of vodka, come on, what do I look like, Boris Yeltsin! (timely reference I know, those born after 1985 just pretend I said Lindsey Lohan). Lets move on...</span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yR9nTY3W6Fu0Pn0X9G99LqWU9c3VfBT6QdJmJJF3Qaf5DocFSC3dRgSzgREUG6SMlZkFv9XvclpxxTWKPCfnoi7iO2N1sIlqtduoyMmNWIboYYAha0sIt73ZfKTBkdtSAWOscsEOpYE/s1600/redhotel1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yR9nTY3W6Fu0Pn0X9G99LqWU9c3VfBT6QdJmJJF3Qaf5DocFSC3dRgSzgREUG6SMlZkFv9XvclpxxTWKPCfnoi7iO2N1sIlqtduoyMmNWIboYYAha0sIt73ZfKTBkdtSAWOscsEOpYE/s400/redhotel1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Yeah, you don't want none of </span><u style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">this</u><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">..."</span></td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So we waited the buzz out for a bit and decided; LETS HAVE TACOS!!! yeah...the drinks were that strong...and good.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">STAGE 6 - FLORIDA PIONEER MUSEUM</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Before the obligatory taco stop we had another checkpoint on the way. The Florida Pioneer Museum. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5v2dGXk5LuTKXxPYlwaPWJcqvlykLICtOyuia4rGO9sftjWTUbSggLDbTFnZPXPTb5eTGw-HlFZw4mTVys9zdJSt7NapDg7yzUziR66HsKOGi0Td7tE1UwX7sCP8hjy8hvtwXD20sco/s1600/pioneer+museum.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC5v2dGXk5LuTKXxPYlwaPWJcqvlykLICtOyuia4rGO9sftjWTUbSggLDbTFnZPXPTb5eTGw-HlFZw4mTVys9zdJSt7NapDg7yzUziR66HsKOGi0Td7tE1UwX7sCP8hjy8hvtwXD20sco/s320/pioneer+museum.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now, I'm in no way admitting or condoning any sort of driving under the influence, that would be wrong, but I did notice that colors seemed a little bit brighter, music sounded a little bit better and my car knew exactly where to go.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our walk through the Florida Pioneer Museum started to feel surreal. I'll let the pictures do the talking....</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuE-55Tnj53hXXlxspMNuu8dpU6TCEJMdMKkl2_Eo9AzU7VGYFqqVEjxQQNjmdlfRv7LIAgOi866b3RwxFQPkbuxHPltlif23Y5yEXRgaTG2gQPf8iYKyZOO0wK5xQabmI7bYJpoGYG4/s1600/dolls.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuE-55Tnj53hXXlxspMNuu8dpU6TCEJMdMKkl2_Eo9AzU7VGYFqqVEjxQQNjmdlfRv7LIAgOi866b3RwxFQPkbuxHPltlif23Y5yEXRgaTG2gQPf8iYKyZOO0wK5xQabmI7bYJpoGYG4/s320/dolls.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a healthy dose of creepy lying around</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zwDUkQhi8WfHL2eSou8YCRZyTjS2mng8a8Kh5jmBicHzzYuQuYx-2xm150hQVlMtaiZGitRl-EM-e8p8-kHbJeJEhHvv5p-WGWrGLZ1HdmntdEYDzSHaY2ACNjluP5r50AVC-fBDVog/s1600/patent.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-zwDUkQhi8WfHL2eSou8YCRZyTjS2mng8a8Kh5jmBicHzzYuQuYx-2xm150hQVlMtaiZGitRl-EM-e8p8-kHbJeJEhHvv5p-WGWrGLZ1HdmntdEYDzSHaY2ACNjluP5r50AVC-fBDVog/s320/patent.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the clues</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Q2xw8eRref37GJz6nDGtBAtbGwqtbbJXhvlZ9wdBXqWW9787OCfvlXyZgdrJZ_PZyDtflpFrlPGtYRh-9jPQJmQiRBrKwA6XjYP5_97XW2Pq1wKTO6okZIamzX6M6HaKENNAcs6x2W0/s1600/pioneer+OldMan.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Q2xw8eRref37GJz6nDGtBAtbGwqtbbJXhvlZ9wdBXqWW9787OCfvlXyZgdrJZ_PZyDtflpFrlPGtYRh-9jPQJmQiRBrKwA6XjYP5_97XW2Pq1wKTO6okZIamzX6M6HaKENNAcs6x2W0/s320/pioneer+OldMan.bmp" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I would have gotten away with it too if it werent for you pesky kids!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpyDY2hKqkXRV47z4BVj-wWgFU5AE5LGjYdaX-6wGmdAlfrQFnjZ-AiVqtuaI_qjWd0QHfnguiHT3XaYYYJ_m82bby4cSVpSknmnYkjm0hTB8XMPTF_EYI-oup2AKpCG7CLNe7nJzFjw/s1600/pioneer4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpyDY2hKqkXRV47z4BVj-wWgFU5AE5LGjYdaX-6wGmdAlfrQFnjZ-AiVqtuaI_qjWd0QHfnguiHT3XaYYYJ_m82bby4cSVpSknmnYkjm0hTB8XMPTF_EYI-oup2AKpCG7CLNe7nJzFjw/s320/pioneer4.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool little Seminole dolls</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzonXKBo7G0H7sgFQScNEV778hKzS4P60s_AEaGdBJh_l4KaaqITZVOCgLhtT9EGnnS769XGA-lHYkaQ8GSwljmon7_Mc66n9N5-9EYm3e8n-DTbB4gO9E53JXKcW4q9hlRnPw2NXu-cY/s1600/pioneer5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzonXKBo7G0H7sgFQScNEV778hKzS4P60s_AEaGdBJh_l4KaaqITZVOCgLhtT9EGnnS769XGA-lHYkaQ8GSwljmon7_Mc66n9N5-9EYm3e8n-DTbB4gO9E53JXKcW4q9hlRnPw2NXu-cY/s320/pioneer5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Z2qHkz3AcDYS5HrDBwRc4Q15TtgX8NwrNBvjW6ueuTAc7y7MsoNgqEi7UUh05QRalQixB6v8VfQylyHiCifP2IAA_sBPPNXzEYKpcX0oUKcGyarftHXwLXJ2s6qO-el1uwA_JZYu2jQ/s1600/pioneercrck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Z2qHkz3AcDYS5HrDBwRc4Q15TtgX8NwrNBvjW6ueuTAc7y7MsoNgqEi7UUh05QRalQixB6v8VfQylyHiCifP2IAA_sBPPNXzEYKpcX0oUKcGyarftHXwLXJ2s6qO-el1uwA_JZYu2jQ/s320/pioneercrck.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ahZv67A3mWOay6GLAQF0JjKDHupAYYfehIEzxu7IGIzyo0gDuOLtWmseFPrigjt7LeNcWkotU5DYOy31zg88SfMj8Y0J9sAjKybsHL4UxAdKCmG2YTSUb7bARJ_9X8ik8SFSe9KPTws/s1600/pioneercreepy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ahZv67A3mWOay6GLAQF0JjKDHupAYYfehIEzxu7IGIzyo0gDuOLtWmseFPrigjt7LeNcWkotU5DYOy31zg88SfMj8Y0J9sAjKybsHL4UxAdKCmG2YTSUb7bARJ_9X8ik8SFSe9KPTws/s320/pioneercreepy.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like I said, creeeeeepyyyyy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDb11mPgpYZopQYQBePCxiVwKL7RJK_Bg9WPCjTEjb1weLfbNsjeHe4TBD3Ce9p_7k9g8DGBOtMCq_LqruGdNG7y0hISO6wO1qzxipk0RutJCnQI-r8knF_pnoYl4xR7IWdm6fV1gGImA/s1600/pioneerRadio.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDb11mPgpYZopQYQBePCxiVwKL7RJK_Bg9WPCjTEjb1weLfbNsjeHe4TBD3Ce9p_7k9g8DGBOtMCq_LqruGdNG7y0hISO6wO1qzxipk0RutJCnQI-r8knF_pnoYl4xR7IWdm6fV1gGImA/s320/pioneerRadio.bmp" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin testing out the 1st pair of Bose heaphones</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymKcrbQFBzdsOLQlwux4pCUc5LT5Q_x-gWZsjrmhszqZbGBQVDilfK5JyRQTUh2L_Tfqa__Y0YDJq9Vl4eyFMeWUX_8AwwRh5Kv28kqoIX1YxkQXfTpbEHMiW-Re2jij_H-Yy1-HASSY/s1600/record.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymKcrbQFBzdsOLQlwux4pCUc5LT5Q_x-gWZsjrmhszqZbGBQVDilfK5JyRQTUh2L_Tfqa__Y0YDJq9Vl4eyFMeWUX_8AwwRh5Kv28kqoIX1YxkQXfTpbEHMiW-Re2jij_H-Yy1-HASSY/s320/record.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An original Edison Phonograph</td></tr>
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">PIT STOP - TAQUERIA MORELIA</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You ever notice how sometimes you find great things in the most unexpected places? Like that $10 bucks in the pocket of the pants you just washed or a bum with a golden radio voice living at a stoplight, or even an Easter egg full of diamonds (what, that's never happened to you?)</span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well that's the case with Taqueria Morelia, a tiny taco shop built right next to a Valero gas station on 344th (Royal Palm Ave) on the way to Robert Is Here in Florida City its my absolute favorite taco joint ever, it's up there with the taco truck I used to go to religiously when I lived in Northern California (God how I miss those Carnita burritos)...and that's saying A LOT. </span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Morelias beef rib (suadero) tacos are unique and amazing, but then again, everything is amazing. The food is authentic, there's a flat screen blaring the latest Rancheras everywhere your head turns, the servers are nice and the cooler is filled with Jarritos. The burritos are big enough to choke a horse and there's a "serve yourself" salsa & toppings bar that's always stocked & fresh. The place is completely utilitarian, no frills, but always spotless. In short, Morelia's got it where it counts. Big taste no BS </span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">No pictures here. We came, we ate, we left satisfied....as always<br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">STAGE 6 - ROBERT IS HERE FRUIT STAND - </span><span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular;">19200 SW 344th St. Homestead </span></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After getting our taco fix we were ready to go again. Next stop Robert is Here fruit stand. We come to this place quite a bit, it's always fun and a great place to get your heirloom tomatoes when in season. They have fresh fruit & veggies in the front, great shakes and a petting zoo in the back. Again, I'll let the pictures do the talking...</span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljcfmRnm3JpFVOxXY1RQN6yr8PHdwRUec7P8ynYHZWnw-1T-sApdA2mS_fegjbfAk8Q3hbDqQMv_t2lnuNO-mjXloBPdytUriw43lMJoWLgqt1Pf2CB3HSBtViuNy_Fv2gczH9qZ-XrU/s1600/dunky.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgljcfmRnm3JpFVOxXY1RQN6yr8PHdwRUec7P8ynYHZWnw-1T-sApdA2mS_fegjbfAk8Q3hbDqQMv_t2lnuNO-mjXloBPdytUriw43lMJoWLgqt1Pf2CB3HSBtViuNy_Fv2gczH9qZ-XrU/s400/dunky.bmp" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guys is being a real ass...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApCs9cDUGmazmDaQqGdMNByWMtevSHzJ2QmH5igJBGN47jyyc2lJtcKzjldOXg5xqmiaHQMTBIsKEEaV_Dv7njKPDQgTxDY9HE9PukfRFGj-FVhJ0BVmQd7Zi-levilgC52KWBLVMwAE/s1600/haul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApCs9cDUGmazmDaQqGdMNByWMtevSHzJ2QmH5igJBGN47jyyc2lJtcKzjldOXg5xqmiaHQMTBIsKEEaV_Dv7njKPDQgTxDY9HE9PukfRFGj-FVhJ0BVmQd7Zi-levilgC52KWBLVMwAE/s400/haul.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some goodies for the week</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlQNtFeVU5iuaEioVB5b7hp8MOajiJ8293rQcxaOp9djeAVSgf7C0q0tlo4LTZWj7utemx26cgER66nAv61-8G5Vfmk6cYl3_pn8PJI40nKnANUO5E2SpqQuadKWyUkYX_q4h0f-uoUI/s1600/bee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlQNtFeVU5iuaEioVB5b7hp8MOajiJ8293rQcxaOp9djeAVSgf7C0q0tlo4LTZWj7utemx26cgER66nAv61-8G5Vfmk6cYl3_pn8PJI40nKnANUO5E2SpqQuadKWyUkYX_q4h0f-uoUI/s400/bee.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even bees need a little honey every now and then</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JnCgIllTszKrAwSHjDZy7Q5g5EF5LY5s2vnTFBm0DC06mI2Wu6AqCeOSA5PegoGX5cWIfhHdq0CJNfUfoQhRPFRGqQkezzyysak0i0AlwpNdWRDGCXUP02UcvMQJGY3Vf7e_8jhkhzU/s1600/carambola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JnCgIllTszKrAwSHjDZy7Q5g5EF5LY5s2vnTFBm0DC06mI2Wu6AqCeOSA5PegoGX5cWIfhHdq0CJNfUfoQhRPFRGqQkezzyysak0i0AlwpNdWRDGCXUP02UcvMQJGY3Vf7e_8jhkhzU/s400/carambola.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carambola or Star Fruit Tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-E2Ocn8bUKu15x5VxkJSUfwRqQqiGgGZY4t0VuHkLxlFJ99u06PIVbbxgK2SIBw0Wj5sfYmjRGe0kNTs0nsrSFt03fyFy5xtOQxbzeBW2H3G0Z4-esKjB9FjWkh8cYf_0rLLvES6IKI/s1600/chiksMan.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-E2Ocn8bUKu15x5VxkJSUfwRqQqiGgGZY4t0VuHkLxlFJ99u06PIVbbxgK2SIBw0Wj5sfYmjRGe0kNTs0nsrSFt03fyFy5xtOQxbzeBW2H3G0Z4-esKjB9FjWkh8cYf_0rLLvES6IKI/s400/chiksMan.bmp" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicks man...</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlB13Dz_qK8gm2hPyC9MaFr-OKv3kexAzGuxO-8JVh7yQNQRJBP7y3De4CS5l-85XNkuKSxWHUuZGn76hNeXd7auHVMFMcmG0sIXI6qm32AoGYh97vpf7eZbavNpG2VyphzWut9SIpsZA/s1600/ducky.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlB13Dz_qK8gm2hPyC9MaFr-OKv3kexAzGuxO-8JVh7yQNQRJBP7y3De4CS5l-85XNkuKSxWHUuZGn76hNeXd7auHVMFMcmG0sIXI6qm32AoGYh97vpf7eZbavNpG2VyphzWut9SIpsZA/s400/ducky.bmp" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChmpc5ZZbeyGF0yIrDW6_7-rnPSpwTKHXeJ1I27iIDrD9Ag2kXPcFwlSmITWimw0bWvBTC03CPIl1Cm_Vp4V5CDldrZwO2i2vBbqwbyOrnBKpiY1XXm_aOxdWLA-Xu-2CN2xE11zPNjc/s1600/limes.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChmpc5ZZbeyGF0yIrDW6_7-rnPSpwTKHXeJ1I27iIDrD9Ag2kXPcFwlSmITWimw0bWvBTC03CPIl1Cm_Vp4V5CDldrZwO2i2vBbqwbyOrnBKpiY1XXm_aOxdWLA-Xu-2CN2xE11zPNjc/s400/limes.bmp" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious Key Limes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKEhePY_DrluJprI6CRqvf-i7yYjDsy3iTtxYFnatL92-awVtQb11X9kIcnCvC5M90hLOOqsfx6SpitBv1s8e5MT7WOcbQ-zrP3-pEJq-E9svaAgDdUp5hjdbNGPR0IqN5mkv-ki4mQg/s1600/ofrenda.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKEhePY_DrluJprI6CRqvf-i7yYjDsy3iTtxYFnatL92-awVtQb11X9kIcnCvC5M90hLOOqsfx6SpitBv1s8e5MT7WOcbQ-zrP3-pEJq-E9svaAgDdUp5hjdbNGPR0IqN5mkv-ki4mQg/s400/ofrenda.bmp" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our offering to the Rally Gods - Kumquats, Pomelo & Paper Shell Pecans</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhseIK_7X9uDNgMQ6uoB4VF80vkQ-RLh2JZaWysGjA_Q1-Bhn_3SJQxyIK-YUshRhvG1UiFMRLyMW1I4pBFm7zqn7yNvwXkPCaTO_AfJwNiIYOk13dWxOLZ1qo3qu17V7_vFLekrnWCBbg/s1600/Ulgli.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhseIK_7X9uDNgMQ6uoB4VF80vkQ-RLh2JZaWysGjA_Q1-Bhn_3SJQxyIK-YUshRhvG1UiFMRLyMW1I4pBFm7zqn7yNvwXkPCaTO_AfJwNiIYOk13dWxOLZ1qo3qu17V7_vFLekrnWCBbg/s400/Ulgli.bmp" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Ugli Fruit, a cross between a tangerine & a grapefruit, from Jamaica Mon!</span></td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><b><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">STAGE 7 - FINISH - SCHNEBLY REDLAND WINERY BY 5:00 - </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular;">30205 SW 217 Ave</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At long last, we had completed the days activities and with the sun setting over the fields we were ready to turn in our answers, Lets win this thing!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1YVXSnFU4CgWe0N-PgTUEC3jxOvn6BGDkBbghC8zJzcyMIsvzNyu6wh3pcK9pJtLMiT-3AO-EHQxcV63C_4PRcpQbBRMdRmtyQLIx8ANgUUAAlnvRUwYRcVGsoFH5Vw9kXTPA3tsLmw/s1600/bubbles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1YVXSnFU4CgWe0N-PgTUEC3jxOvn6BGDkBbghC8zJzcyMIsvzNyu6wh3pcK9pJtLMiT-3AO-EHQxcV63C_4PRcpQbBRMdRmtyQLIx8ANgUUAAlnvRUwYRcVGsoFH5Vw9kXTPA3tsLmw/s200/bubbles.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We arrived at the winery, it was packed! We found our pending answers and turned in our sheet. Now it was time for some bubbles and some of the Key West Pink Shrimp Ceviche I had made special for the trip. It had been chillin' (literally) in the cooler the whole day on ice and was begging to be enjoy We grabbed a table outside, bought a couple bottles of Schnebly's Passion Fruit sparkling wine (our favorite) and settled in to enjoy some nice herbed goat cheese & crackers and that pink shrimp ceviche. The afternoon was simply amazing, not a cloud in the sky, just pale blue and huge. No humidity and just around 72, I'm talking perfect. Until out of nowhere a dark little cloud appeared and rained on our little parade...</span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now I'm not talking about a real cloud, no I'm talking about a person that was acting like a dark little cloud. A frantic winery attendant came up to us and told us rather curtly "The owners are right over there, today is not a picnic day, so you have to put away whatever that is...thanks". But in that way that "thanks" really isn't "thanks" but more like "F-You"...you know what I mean? I guess we looked like her kids because that's how it felt to be honest. There were no signs anywhere, just the one that's always outside that says "No outside coolers"...nothing about "No Outside Food & Drink" and if that's what they mean I recommend they go make another sign saying that. </span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmU9l7sgQ-JqdULZCbquvxG6KR0Bo-J3g6IwzHvIotbYIc-SQ9ONcXQ9xBfBd7qys8SSalE_yEmbKP9mutxHeuoao1csu3tecBaGb2FlXfzV-6e8YTc5fwotR-mKnqQbCr_yOHq3Mr1Jg/s1600/cevice.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmU9l7sgQ-JqdULZCbquvxG6KR0Bo-J3g6IwzHvIotbYIc-SQ9ONcXQ9xBfBd7qys8SSalE_yEmbKP9mutxHeuoao1csu3tecBaGb2FlXfzV-6e8YTc5fwotR-mKnqQbCr_yOHq3Mr1Jg/s400/cevice.bmp" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's that ceviche I whipped up ;)</td></tr>
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mind you there were people everywhere with things to eat they didn't buy at the winery. I guess she didn't see that or the $75 bucks worth of stuff we had just bought at the winery. So we decided to say "thanks" to her too and bust open the ceviche and ENJOY IT and that we did. We weren't going to let someone elses bunched panties ruin our perfect day.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGPwJM5YQhbrsN-ARysDe0el7S8N5B4L54Q_vOkVva9iM6D7pIlCBVZp1DOBDpUK0FA1J2yCDBOdXV-tEl-jZ_hTPSWM8e7k9ck5J5dZdDKPJJM3ro7KRfHZT64hnceL_Qvcp13R_xy0/s1600/crazyface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGPwJM5YQhbrsN-ARysDe0el7S8N5B4L54Q_vOkVva9iM6D7pIlCBVZp1DOBDpUK0FA1J2yCDBOdXV-tEl-jZ_hTPSWM8e7k9ck5J5dZdDKPJJM3ro7KRfHZT64hnceL_Qvcp13R_xy0/s400/crazyface.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is what happens when you say "Dont make the crazy face!"....you get the Crazy Face!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiED_NC1nwHMFmh3DFtlWHMAilKNEHoOh-S-fsaK58toP9Kkt9FSP8NpouPDK2wWDdDifDlc_k7Ra-5zZognibhvL05csNPQd5ruIlftspLlMGRiD_FetcTRClpmjpf2cfpmHyTWOrkuI/s1600/bubbles2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiED_NC1nwHMFmh3DFtlWHMAilKNEHoOh-S-fsaK58toP9Kkt9FSP8NpouPDK2wWDdDifDlc_k7Ra-5zZognibhvL05csNPQd5ruIlftspLlMGRiD_FetcTRClpmjpf2cfpmHyTWOrkuI/s320/bubbles2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A glass, er, cup of the good stuff - Passion Fruit Sparkling!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We've been to Schneblys many many times before, always bringing friends and family for tastings at the bar, it's a cool place. Hell, we've weve bought cases of the stuff, we've given it as gifts, we are fans of this place. And to have someone come up like that really puts you off. </span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm not saying you shouldn't go, by all means go and check this place out. Its cool. I know everyone has a bad day every now and then and the place WAS packed. However, its never good to treat your customers rudely. Just be sure to ask if it's OK to bring goodies just in case. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thought I'd share in case the owners follow my blog ;). </span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After enjoying our picnic, we were ready for our win!....The good news, we got 100% of the answers right! The not so good news so did 10 other teams...so to the tie breaker! Heres visual proof of our feat!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDmdrLwvhH5WVnTMELiRTBjL_-uzxapu_zVmrzzoKsfsiNFnAP-DgdPo3VvhX7_N_FPaHwoPnVRyWKSIckg-H5lY5ugj0pD57Wg1kj9u-joDlRqh4uXmQcDrHZ7kHHPufgYRBEXLdwn0/s1600/Kevin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDmdrLwvhH5WVnTMELiRTBjL_-uzxapu_zVmrzzoKsfsiNFnAP-DgdPo3VvhX7_N_FPaHwoPnVRyWKSIckg-H5lY5ugj0pD57Wg1kj9u-joDlRqh4uXmQcDrHZ7kHHPufgYRBEXLdwn0/s640/Kevin.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "zero" is for zero wrong, should have put 100%!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"> <span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: black;">The tie breaker question was something preposterously obscure like "</span><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">who was John Stephenson Winkleheimer, how did he make his fortune and what was his companys name, and what was Mrs. Winkleheimers bra size</span></span></i></span><span style="color: black;">". A bit of knowledge that could have been easily been gleaned at the Florida Pioneer museum had we not just been served a fishbowls' worth of Vodka at the Redlands hotel...let's just say focus was not our forte at that stage in the rally. Not to mention we had 30 seconds to answer correctly...yeah..ok</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;">Bellys full, souls satisfied, we agreed that we had won our own individual race and decided to make the trek back home. There was still a dinner to put together, puppies to take out, a firepit to start up and good times still to be had.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0sVLcGCh0_Bv84nKU8gcP-VmamO5a-HknB6EM6xTko6itPeyBTWPF3SiSREnG5KjVQXW7CAW02o0vdkFjYRXo1aeEKdHNSVUi96a1CA7lbNwCMwkcosbfW9vgRjX_U7wHJcjICXRLTI/s1600/lemonade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0sVLcGCh0_Bv84nKU8gcP-VmamO5a-HknB6EM6xTko6itPeyBTWPF3SiSREnG5KjVQXW7CAW02o0vdkFjYRXo1aeEKdHNSVUi96a1CA7lbNwCMwkcosbfW9vgRjX_U7wHJcjICXRLTI/s400/lemonade.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lilly made us a refreshing strawberry lemonade when we got back and....</span></td></tr>
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<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honey, Fig & Goat Cheese muffins! Hot Diggty Dawg!....and speaking of dogs...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ER4RV23TkAfzXUXGyLV6gpYnRZzCqf5vUGxtHr9EmyyolF-v3dHWfa6UJa0o1FMHAObeg1LYJmWqTN1voIUGoif7RQ3qey8lhy8_EbR75CDOp9Te_VFdtRbIG8gPiJJlpfynRdtqmDw/s1600/sleepy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ER4RV23TkAfzXUXGyLV6gpYnRZzCqf5vUGxtHr9EmyyolF-v3dHWfa6UJa0o1FMHAObeg1LYJmWqTN1voIUGoif7RQ3qey8lhy8_EbR75CDOp9Te_VFdtRbIG8gPiJJlpfynRdtqmDw/s640/sleepy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This pretty much sums it up, the Redland Road Rallye was a smashing success!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well, we've come to the end my friends, I hope you've enjoyed our crazy little story as much as we did. Maybe next year you'll decide to put a team together and try it our for yourself.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the meantime, keep it local, keep it fresh, keep it on Redroots-Local Goodness!</span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">R.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>RedRootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139606431847480483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505679528971099072.post-83967861360423355152010-12-02T13:11:00.001-05:002010-12-02T13:11:56.756-05:00Bay Rum Makes the Old Spice Guy Smell Like A Pansy...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I</b> know at some point in your life you've asked that age old question... "How can I, modern cube dweller, smell like a swarthy, rum drinking, fist swinging, girl in every port, ready for danger 19th century West Indies sailor</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Natural Bay Rum aftershave ...That's how!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuLK_UySTi4xKbYn-0M7AYEOgdeCsr6eF9uZFoc2OboDoioVscNrMg5-C1qZ24NwtiLstTWmlYWxoZVAvwwMaD4AsE5Q0jVl2XwQpCvBnbEaPCy2OiKcjG7h0ZGhsEpH0zJ1YHKaMduM/s1600/west_i1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSuLK_UySTi4xKbYn-0M7AYEOgdeCsr6eF9uZFoc2OboDoioVscNrMg5-C1qZ24NwtiLstTWmlYWxoZVAvwwMaD4AsE5Q0jVl2XwQpCvBnbEaPCy2OiKcjG7h0ZGhsEpH0zJ1YHKaMduM/s320/west_i1.jpg" width="314" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>B</b>ay Rum has been around about as long as Methuselah...(and if you know how old he is please let me know)...but really, this odoriferous concoction was made and routinely used by sailors in the West Indies around the 19th century. A true "local" product it was made from the leaves of the West Indian Bay tree (<i>pimenta racemosa</i>), Jamaican dark rum & spices. This concoction was them combined in a bottle and set to "mingle" in a dark place below decks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>T</b>he result? a herbaceous cologne perfect for masking </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">the briny odors of hard working sailors hoping to gain the affections of governors daughters, feisty harlots and other comely port side beauties. With an initial nose as bold as a cannonball yet mellowing quickly to be as delicate as a westerly trade wind, Bay Rum did right by the rum soaked Limeys, Privateers and their ilk. Nowadays this sweet nautical elixir can </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">be used by you, the modern male (or female), to mask the ungodly stench of printer toner, </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">ass-berry scented office candles and crappy office coffee.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbfkitgDCcpn4M7-uSvGE-5CyOflL84HhyE9WMLOhsFmYb8QA2Mw0YVDR7eXtwqj25mY9uM-65LyVpCE2QhxkjH7bmKQfDoWFWOIR6vH2t4t3_TQd7cFPbDaKEJrLWgMVdapQFwRwFvo/s1600/Cabin_Boy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYbfkitgDCcpn4M7-uSvGE-5CyOflL84HhyE9WMLOhsFmYb8QA2Mw0YVDR7eXtwqj25mY9uM-65LyVpCE2QhxkjH7bmKQfDoWFWOIR6vH2t4t3_TQd7cFPbDaKEJrLWgMVdapQFwRwFvo/s320/Cabin_Boy.jpg" width="223" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>I</b> know you must be saying "I signed up for a blog about the Redland, not this Cabin Boy perfume-o-rama BS</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">"...stay with me.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYpvzHspN_mRhfzmde6xZMEdo-BZjQQOIz5nGptYNFM99IqXCDspAthTQMnRy3PtyCZbRd4TqBFM9P64hDRSl8v5axgD_ObWN1KOAKLrNDbMDtTI6MbVuEizz9g8m5xHD_sEn2Dp-Lto/s1600/Zamia+Floridiana_Coontie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYpvzHspN_mRhfzmde6xZMEdo-BZjQQOIz5nGptYNFM99IqXCDspAthTQMnRy3PtyCZbRd4TqBFM9P64hDRSl8v5axgD_ObWN1KOAKLrNDbMDtTI6MbVuEizz9g8m5xHD_sEn2Dp-Lto/s200/Zamia+Floridiana_Coontie.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Coontie - Zamia Floridiana</span></td></tr>
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<b></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>T</b>ucked away deep in the Redland, around 320th Street and 197th Ave is a great nursery called Caseys Corner. They carry native and "almost-native" plants, trees, shrubs & palms. Saw Palmetto, Coontie, Old Man Palm, Citrus of all shapes and sizes, even thornless Florida Blackberry bushes.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Florida Blackberry!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <b></b><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>C</b>asey's Corner is one of my favorite stops for plants in the Redland, I like it because of the personal attention, great variety of unique plants and the fact that they use many organic and earth friendly methods in their culture and pest control practices. They use ladybugs & praying mantis for pest control. I myself use ladybugs in my yard and can say that they are GREAT at controlling pests. Their larvae are awesome at attacking all sorts of bad critters, can't recommend them enough. They also use powdered <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neem">Neem</a> tree & Neem oil as well as organic soaps to control scale and other pests. It's places like this that really typify the diversity of the Redland and how more and more producers are leaning towards sustainable methods, native plants and overall high quality in their products. It's very exciting to see this kind of energy and interest blossoming in this area. Who knows what else will happen in the coming years. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTTW642_ZY8nc5_DYxgkFyin9bvCDS7I-9H_ywAlUrwkcy7gvBbWjdpengi-shRNq5Q-3ejJpCNbcqI7NsNLC9orKY8fAAaogxtQyu8m2ANCu0-kGqlWNYyavATnfJjd9e8vbgYAhE9E/s1600/CordiaDentata+Tihuilote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="165" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTTW642_ZY8nc5_DYxgkFyin9bvCDS7I-9H_ywAlUrwkcy7gvBbWjdpengi-shRNq5Q-3ejJpCNbcqI7NsNLC9orKY8fAAaogxtQyu8m2ANCu0-kGqlWNYyavATnfJjd9e8vbgYAhE9E/s200/CordiaDentata+Tihuilote.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cotton Candy Plant in bloom</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">thats the berry in the top left</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>T</b>he f</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">irst time I visited the nursery, Casey walked us around the property passing us samples of every kind of fruit & herb you could imagine. All at once, and in an almost Gene Wilder/Willy Wonka type experience we were tasting and viewing so many unique plants and fruit it made our heads spin.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> Some of the flavors that still linger in my mind are the confection-sweet berries of the cotton candy plant (<i>cordia dentata),</i> the heady perfume of All Spice leaves (<i>pimenta dioica</i>), plump & sweet Florida blackberries and the true-to-its-name Cranberry Lettuce, a plant with deep red maple like leaves that taste amazingly like cranberries. I could just imagine it mixed into a salad of various greens, walnuts & goat cheese drizzled with a citrus vinagrette mmmmm...</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoTNjNIlX9N3ysgmnf29bPw1TtZuMLRkJS5nRidnW6oP4ATZYvMLGEHHXQ5pW4JBJVX4uQdWktEICV6FTTs97UGGokW8JpgNDdxAE535T0lENx4UiJXmqJbll83msOLKXeq4sLPjUMLM/s1600/DSC09106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqoTNjNIlX9N3ysgmnf29bPw1TtZuMLRkJS5nRidnW6oP4ATZYvMLGEHHXQ5pW4JBJVX4uQdWktEICV6FTTs97UGGokW8JpgNDdxAE535T0lENx4UiJXmqJbll83msOLKXeq4sLPjUMLM/s320/DSC09106.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>D</b>efenitely o</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">ne of the most memorable plants of that trip was this Lemon Bay Rum Tree or <i>Pimenta Racemosa Citrafolia</i> it had the deep scent of bay leaves but with a rich lemon punch. It's complex scent lingered in my brain for weeks afterwards. Apparently they are hard to come by so I knew I had to back for it.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>L</b>ast week found me in the Redland on a pre-thanksgiving landscape mission. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">I stopped by Caseys to pick up some Saw Palmetto & Coonties for a corner of my yard I'm dedicating to native palms & cycads. Low maintenance, disease resistant, tolerant of drought and pests; they create a very cool tropical atmosphere and are extremely easy to take care of. I asked about the Lemon Bay and she said she only had one left, done...I bought it and planted it that same day.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd26MvOUF4erALL3WUjgNTao7yee2ojGfD6xFTTdWHk1PT46aA-amaIqsFMYvk_xv_V-G7YWBUVj8S_WFtY7UFClx0-5UOArKEGrC9P9DjrG18WMk-IYhGMMc5ur_6lLDoGuRj197vyMk/s1600/DSC09108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd26MvOUF4erALL3WUjgNTao7yee2ojGfD6xFTTdWHk1PT46aA-amaIqsFMYvk_xv_V-G7YWBUVj8S_WFtY7UFClx0-5UOArKEGrC9P9DjrG18WMk-IYhGMMc5ur_6lLDoGuRj197vyMk/s320/DSC09108.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>T</b>he Lemon Bay Tree (<i>pimenta racemosa citrafolia</i>) is a close, hard to come by cousin of the West Indian Bay Tree (<i>pimenta racemosa</i>). Both are natives of the Caribbean islands but are very well adapted to our South Florida (Zone 10) soil & weather patterns. It's an amazing little tree. Full, tall & very green with shiny foliage. And the smell...wow. Each leaf smells intensely of lemon, and if you inhale deeply enough I swear you can smell Coca-Cola...I'm thinking secret ingredient number A24-9...</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>W</b>hile Lemon Bay is not related to the bay leaf we cook with (<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bay_leaf">laurus nobilis</a></i>), you can use. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Lemon Bay in cooking too. One of the best ways to capture the flavor is to grill it with fish. Simply make a foil pouch, place the fish inside, add one large leaf, butter, kosher salt, pepper and seal it up & grill on med high heat until done (10min x inch of fillets thickness). The result is a delicately scented fillet you wont soon forget. I also added some leaves to my turkey brine this year along with some florida orange zest & locally grown sage, it made for some mighty fine fried thanksgiving turkey. </span><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>I </b>was curious as to what else I could do with my new favorite plant, so a few Googles later...I found myself wrapped up in ancient crypto-apothecary lore and now I'm writing a blog entry about homemade Bay Rum...we are living in extraordinary times my friends...</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_8j4lPu8hr9ZTRa4hYUGjJn58uRqibw7NDLX39lLV1ICy5hv04sFD_OTgm3tp1qvcPSZYHY3AVYxIIkagTl9BqlE-wqmY-SGJ2aMpIVWTpZ8ECMF86wdqYQSypaix5-r5JsrzAk17bBc/s1600/DSC09105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>E</b>nough wandering! back to the Bay Rum....you could go the easy way and buy Bay Rum at your local Walgreens (just drive to a corner, any corner, I'm sure you'll run into one)</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> OR you can do the fun thing and make it your own damn self! Its easy and rewarding...how many guys do you know can say they make their own aftershave...I thought so. So here's the deets...</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRyOWpCz2twthifAu3WLv2kn9509UVvLK_KNpzXtpJwRI4FXwGI9YM4M8-B4fPSXe_SvCHxjmz3elKP6j1rVL3LGnGpgYB2hkw7cGqbC1jbwVgT7iyhqQTr9JUIESntt0rwDNKqoPTs8/s1600/History2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRyOWpCz2twthifAu3WLv2kn9509UVvLK_KNpzXtpJwRI4FXwGI9YM4M8-B4fPSXe_SvCHxjmz3elKP6j1rVL3LGnGpgYB2hkw7cGqbC1jbwVgT7iyhqQTr9JUIESntt0rwDNKqoPTs8/s1600/History2.gif" /></a></div><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Bay Rum Aftershave</span></b><br />
<ul style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">4 Ounces Vodka</span> (something cheap, like Popov...remember, rhymes with "top off") </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">2 Tablespoons Dark Jamaican Rum</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">6 fresh West Indian Bay Tree Leaves or Lemon Bay Leaves </span>(I used my lemon bay leaves, Don’t use the bay leaf they sell at the grocery store)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">6 Whole Allspice berries, slightly crushed</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">1 Stick of Cinnamon</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue;">Fresh Zest from a Small Florida Orange</span> (<i>the zest is the colored part of the rind, w/o the white inner layer (that's called the pith) You can get the zest with a "zester" , microplane or just use a really sharp paring knife to cut around the orange</i>)</span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhafBw7jac38WBj3D1wzfCT70pC8mT-lRHc1eE_CVQf9ndScH6C8Qs1mGj67CDEkbTZRECEiye6wnWo7vlcmEUAr4chmYHtjqylbilac5EhXRYimU-22pbWgddVKVvzMu246XUSAV6Fc/s1600/DSC09111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhafBw7jac38WBj3D1wzfCT70pC8mT-lRHc1eE_CVQf9ndScH6C8Qs1mGj67CDEkbTZRECEiye6wnWo7vlcmEUAr4chmYHtjqylbilac5EhXRYimU-22pbWgddVKVvzMu246XUSAV6Fc/s320/DSC09111.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;">Main plant ingredients left to right: Orange peel, Allspice, Cinnamon & Lemon Bay Leaves</td><td class="tr-caption" style="color: #0b5394; text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> </b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqgbJlqp4IF_O6zaF0HZNY-F3eHYy9s0korT-3nEqNOSwui1CM5a3oAj8EjJIbV62iDpzsEXF2zoiSyqx4JOPlwOs-xAsuFx0MFqqr_z7s1QUPNuo7Ly-oSTrik36lD6SxkO4d61DINo/s1600/DSC09117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqgbJlqp4IF_O6zaF0HZNY-F3eHYy9s0korT-3nEqNOSwui1CM5a3oAj8EjJIbV62iDpzsEXF2zoiSyqx4JOPlwOs-xAsuFx0MFqqr_z7s1QUPNuo7Ly-oSTrik36lD6SxkO4d61DINo/s320/DSC09117.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>How To Make it Do what it Do</b>: combine all ingredients in a mason jar or similar clean glass container, set in a cool dark place, not the fridge, and let sit for about 2 weeks. Strain the contents through a few coffee filters until all solids are strained out. Put the finished product in a worthy bottle (those Grolsch beer bottles with the flip top are perfect). </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Splash it on after a shave or add a dab to your face on your way to the marina...the ladies down at the dock will thank you for it ;). And if aftershave isn't your thing you can also use it as a room fragrance, just drop some scent reeds into the bottle and voila, your living room is now West Indies scented!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSQo-wiChh6J4bSE4Xw-s1eKWWloyCUnIxkqpYHLLMeQeB0FR0GxfwD9hvOj6zKzYJXKITQqKt41hMHjMPwaf344jF0yU5AYV5c-Pux9_AwVRvvHbL4FU66wMjKJkXgePEyN5ALcSseo/s1600/Grolsch-Swing-Top-Bottle.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I </b>hope you've enjoyed this left turn into the obscure, good luck to you in your homemade aftershave endeavors and now if you'll excuse me I have to go tie the jib to the yardarm so we can make the sheet fast and tack true to the Trades...but first I think I'll freshen up with some homemade Bay Rum...</span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>K</b>eep it local, keep it good, keep it locked on Redroots! ;)</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">R.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>RedRootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139606431847480483noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505679528971099072.post-16826919255095408622010-11-17T18:05:00.000-05:002010-11-17T18:05:44.575-05:00Apple Varieties Disappear from U.S. Markets : Slow Food USAHey guys, sorry for the lapse in posting. I've been super busy with my "real job" but I have a few posts lined up ready to roll. I found this on Alice Waters FB page, she's the founder/chef of Chez Panisse in Berkely, CA and renaissance woman of all things local & sustainable. An inspiraion to me and many.<br /><br />This article is about the dissapearing varieties of heirloom apples. Heirloom varieties of fruits & vegetable are such amazing things. Each of them endemic to a specific region or genetic line, most times considered "ugly" since they dont often look like the commercial varieties that have been raised for looks rather than taste (sounds ridiculous doesn't it? but very true) but absolutely BURSTING with flavor. Here in the Redland we can get many strains of Heirloom tomatoes (my favorites are the green zebras) but thats a whole nother post ;).<br /><br />Till next time, keep it local, keep it fresh, keep it good<br />R.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.slowfoodusa.org/index.php/slow_food/blog_post/apple_varieties_disappear_from_u.s._markets/">Apple Varieties Disappear from U.S. Markets : Slow Food USA</a>RedRootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139606431847480483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505679528971099072.post-67816130207290979252010-11-01T12:08:00.000-04:002010-11-01T12:08:30.636-04:00What is the Redland and why should I care...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHR4QtzpPiUxPX7Zruf_S2BHU7fUijee_SdtUU1Xwy9GRBz0f1eeyWdaG_Lf2uqVLZAahb6_BGnFGRBjRHTC6eDndsTWMmsfm0VavYJY1mKsJy7nb8Lq4PW1dsIptDxi83DloDLVIxVGk/s1600/Redroots+-+handfull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHR4QtzpPiUxPX7Zruf_S2BHU7fUijee_SdtUU1Xwy9GRBz0f1eeyWdaG_Lf2uqVLZAahb6_BGnFGRBjRHTC6eDndsTWMmsfm0VavYJY1mKsJy7nb8Lq4PW1dsIptDxi83DloDLVIxVGk/s400/Redroots+-+handfull.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>T</b>here it is folks, what you are looking at is a fistful of South Florida's finest agricultural soil. It's rich reddish hue is what gives this region of South Miami-Dade County its name, The Redland. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3ZFY0pLwH0Oaio3rMwLC4rSibIypIrjQNhM23EaJ1GgOZVPziPX9AppTTlzoEB-WEXjZlC5Df4g1d7hcAItfCbcxmuyvGxML-_SY1wdRfRzXneZ3Pb2NUIAcTtrZ4Zinl7mx9nVWN0c/s1600/DSC08014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3ZFY0pLwH0Oaio3rMwLC4rSibIypIrjQNhM23EaJ1GgOZVPziPX9AppTTlzoEB-WEXjZlC5Df4g1d7hcAItfCbcxmuyvGxML-_SY1wdRfRzXneZ3Pb2NUIAcTtrZ4Zinl7mx9nVWN0c/s400/DSC08014.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>T</b>his fertile little corner of Florida produces lots of commercial crops such as tomatoes, green beans, strawberries and corn. But tucked away in the back roads amongst the shady groves and lush foliage there are small farms and farmers dedicated to more exotic fare. <a href="http://www.fayettevillefarmersmarket.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/100_15091.jpg">Heirloom tomatoes</a>, <a href="http://bradsbudsandblooms.com/images/carambola%201.jpg">Carambola</a>, <a href="http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/ncnu02/images/mizrahi-2.jpg">Dragonfruit</a>, Mango, Avocado, <a href="http://www.ishs.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/lychee.jpg">Lychee</a>, <a href="http://www.oahufresh.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Longan.jpg">Longan</a>...the list goes on and on. Many of these farms are operating organically, others practice conventional agriculture methods but regardless of their means of production the variety of this region is breathtaking and delicious. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReTmcfJzIAz1NawDCwzrO05DsugE7OMxzzz8IbCBA0skJ_rrU3y5ybDwLmkrBlOUrz5b3isZ5Nk7B1BBUYe8HaHmuf37d6Tf8Wec0bCSPfmeIgEzVMb_POL3zHAMYULoqXRjxAKb_YUA/s1600/Redland+Aerial+satelite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiReTmcfJzIAz1NawDCwzrO05DsugE7OMxzzz8IbCBA0skJ_rrU3y5ybDwLmkrBlOUrz5b3isZ5Nk7B1BBUYe8HaHmuf37d6Tf8Wec0bCSPfmeIgEzVMb_POL3zHAMYULoqXRjxAKb_YUA/s400/Redland+Aerial+satelite.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUR7NcqYaUdZRMkdTmtAn80LHSzPGTSFkeG5C0ImKCOvjPzBNwkJO0_263LNNpnYJnNZ4xyGCskT1EG5UbU5g-ukr6Bfajg6JMaw_OvkP0T9B2Fm3xTN_H8dVnMaV_uToEHVd1LSQn9Tw/s400/Redland+Aerial.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Roughly the area we are talking about</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUR7NcqYaUdZRMkdTmtAn80LHSzPGTSFkeG5C0ImKCOvjPzBNwkJO0_263LNNpnYJnNZ4xyGCskT1EG5UbU5g-ukr6Bfajg6JMaw_OvkP0T9B2Fm3xTN_H8dVnMaV_uToEHVd1LSQn9Tw/s1600/Redland+Aerial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>I</b>n future posts I'll be including a lot of photographs, a lot of times it'll just be a "photo safari" edition with small captions. The idea is that you get inspired and excited to come out and explore for yourself. One of the good things about driving around out there is that the roads are built like a grid, like the rest or Miami so you can't really get lost.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I</span> </span></b>have a deep rooted appreciation for agriculture in all its forms. It's a family tradition. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">My grandfather was a rancher and farmer. A quiet and stoic man who still rode horses well into his 80's and tended his land until his 90's. An important figure in the islands agricultural community and avid contributor to the sport of Paso Fino horses, he made agriculture his purpose and livelihood just as generations before him had. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqP0tbbw6Flr-ZMSviMYTQZpifMd8L9rcJbrDRinkThb3eqbXqWZWbgxqTLeiN-g77h95UMVBqxJ_-j8HFjnpccncfGhXHa4mF8gBo5lDUkXn1qy5BZXKMXaLHljJsOc57v3qADyoCCo/s1600/002_paso_dulce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlqP0tbbw6Flr-ZMSviMYTQZpifMd8L9rcJbrDRinkThb3eqbXqWZWbgxqTLeiN-g77h95UMVBqxJ_-j8HFjnpccncfGhXHa4mF8gBo5lDUkXn1qy5BZXKMXaLHljJsOc57v3qADyoCCo/s320/002_paso_dulce.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Dulce Sueño, legendary Paso Fino stallion belonging to Genaro Cautiño.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;">Dulce Sueño is buried on my grandfathers ranch, La Tuna in Guayama, Puerto Rico</span><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaPsYdX4AJQQQEKjWw1P0TZELskfnjfWbX-fxi0M6nm4Q_BOISNISffCPVSXxt5Y2EBDYCUOoVWmHCe8d1QIODt1gL-QSWVAEEK7Peu7BGOu69aRDmmcC_H9pC2roGpT_r4K8XT_WUyQ/s1600/Papa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaPsYdX4AJQQQEKjWw1P0TZELskfnjfWbX-fxi0M6nm4Q_BOISNISffCPVSXxt5Y2EBDYCUOoVWmHCe8d1QIODt1gL-QSWVAEEK7Peu7BGOu69aRDmmcC_H9pC2roGpT_r4K8XT_WUyQ/s320/Papa.jpg" width="172" /></a>My dad (<i>here on the left in his Cajun party get up</i>) left the farm for the wilds of International Development Banking but he still carries that love for dirt and horses he knew as a kid and kept it alive for us. With visits to the ranch, stories of the glory days and wily moustache he helped instill the appreciation of tradition and all things agrarian. </div><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b>U</b>nfortunately in our native Puerto Rico they pay more to "plant cement" than to plant crops and traditional farmers and ranchers have found it increasingly more difficult to stave off developers and urban encroachment. In the case of my family, the family farm was sold and a development of cement boxes was slapped upon it, smothering generations of growth and harvest. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>T</b>he real estate bubble has left many empty promises in it's wake. Half finished housing developments lay empty and useless on previously fertile farm land. It's a sad site to see. I hope we learned something from all that, and hope we don't further encroach on the things that make this area different. It's not the shopping center with the Walgreens and the Publix on every corner that give this corner of Miami its character. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVXswDzsuhyphenhyphenzD9LiBVBa1WdeaolhhGL1O_9uKTY4cOfpVqsr6tjvMJvoigR3aUqbjcdj3mEyKqFTrbxqmdsKDCNX6IW912BFsPQ16pQ3eNPt9mGZekc_tgGcbTbUZORSipW4rS8oZA0g/s400/urban+sprawl.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A snapshot of the agricultural border close to Homestead.</span> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVXswDzsuhyphenhyphenzD9LiBVBa1WdeaolhhGL1O_9uKTY4cOfpVqsr6tjvMJvoigR3aUqbjcdj3mEyKqFTrbxqmdsKDCNX6IW912BFsPQ16pQ3eNPt9mGZekc_tgGcbTbUZORSipW4rS8oZA0g/s1600/urban+sprawl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZPsGdOEXAwezdARgdj2DojrT9VfdcVWFlcybIuZRXR0bwiA12ttKVp081Eh6cgd_ZfQMFp17X4VWrRCxcnARwDJZ8cLP7fFpEVMSqNvOKUtZxknI2p9Un4Ky_TfGyRmpnSvSyY9XgvM/s400/urbanSprawl3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">One of the many unfinished housing developments in southern Miami-Dade Co. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZPsGdOEXAwezdARgdj2DojrT9VfdcVWFlcybIuZRXR0bwiA12ttKVp081Eh6cgd_ZfQMFp17X4VWrRCxcnARwDJZ8cLP7fFpEVMSqNvOKUtZxknI2p9Un4Ky_TfGyRmpnSvSyY9XgvM/s1600/urbanSprawl3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJzLirn6flD6Sl76ay4mSpaIQ-UMtho9u3egnijku02F59EePu27RNII1g0QwIqxpqHsEtnrLGHuDb8unMYq5DMIEmjPgDgDdX6AqqoVHamzfBWaiVmgs5wW-1Y92na2M1kYVMquLJwc/s400/urbansprawl4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Will it spread? Agricultural lands adjacent to new residential construction</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaJzLirn6flD6Sl76ay4mSpaIQ-UMtho9u3egnijku02F59EePu27RNII1g0QwIqxpqHsEtnrLGHuDb8unMYq5DMIEmjPgDgDdX6AqqoVHamzfBWaiVmgs5wW-1Y92na2M1kYVMquLJwc/s1600/urbansprawl4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's <span style="background-color: white;">the remnants of generations past that connect new and old Floridians to this unique area, the small farms, the surviving architecture of our pioneers, </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;">the diversity of the land and its people and the ingenuity with which they make a living. I'll take that over a drive-thru Starbucks any day.</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span> Development is fine and good, when its done responsibly. Lets do it in a way that makes sense and reinforces our lives and how we relate to our community. When we understand and appreciate something we are less likely to destroy it. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4H7pYCy9NPZvSM-6luo9XXPhGMmyrKGIehxxgCCKCGQdakDHXvaHjPr2nNHJJBcm97aH4gzNbrc3QvHc-4RmvOlH4z5tf_Gqv7N48O2lczDTFJDkAB_mgrhJaxL-QQ1AfHMw-1eufuYc/s1600/DSC08142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4H7pYCy9NPZvSM-6luo9XXPhGMmyrKGIehxxgCCKCGQdakDHXvaHjPr2nNHJJBcm97aH4gzNbrc3QvHc-4RmvOlH4z5tf_Gqv7N48O2lczDTFJDkAB_mgrhJaxL-QQ1AfHMw-1eufuYc/s400/DSC08142.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial;">This blog is my attempt to share my love for the area in the hopes that we all come to appreciate it and do what we can to conserve it. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">This blog will feature local produce, producers and maybe even some recipes on how to get the most from this local goodness. We'll explore the many faces and cultures that shape this unique area and we'll also feature some of the unique agribusiness operations in the area such as ornamental fish farms, orchid nurseries and bonsai gardens. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">So in a nutshell, it'll be a virtual tour of one of our favorite places. I hope you enjoy the ride. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">R. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsF_tQbr1kXoFettx9mfihkd7iboAQXm5xZWTPkwuY1NvS0_xEHL2iaimdsWmaBLFSiWEmxVP0vi_tWZSQzlMw_vv1wv-mtkE8otV7HqDFDBltGRAiraYZQ9tCwwv_PYOjd6yEWrNJ-g/s1600/RedSign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsF_tQbr1kXoFettx9mfihkd7iboAQXm5xZWTPkwuY1NvS0_xEHL2iaimdsWmaBLFSiWEmxVP0vi_tWZSQzlMw_vv1wv-mtkE8otV7HqDFDBltGRAiraYZQ9tCwwv_PYOjd6yEWrNJ-g/s400/RedSign.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span>RedRootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139606431847480483noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3505679528971099072.post-66334450310294942292010-10-12T11:42:00.000-04:002010-10-12T11:42:18.636-04:00Welcome to the RedRoots Blog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdvIaS0vSISBr_J8guvJBy2nxWZqlxyxzYBSarN20aMs6jWvTxHSwvym67xl89frebTwX8dTiMPBqpetOKmmXEYjsJzzOheq0eBnQRmH0JTSXgfkbru6YlOs2yqOALIeNxA6Fiw9KexE/s1600/RedSign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdvIaS0vSISBr_J8guvJBy2nxWZqlxyxzYBSarN20aMs6jWvTxHSwvym67xl89frebTwX8dTiMPBqpetOKmmXEYjsJzzOheq0eBnQRmH0JTSXgfkbru6YlOs2yqOALIeNxA6Fiw9KexE/s400/RedSign.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>W</b></span>elcome to the first entry into my little experiment. I'm trying this new thing called "blogging" just a few of us pioneers doing it so far but no doubt it'll catch on like wildfire soon enough. Just like everything else I've "pioneered"...Hypercolor T-shirts, cordless telephones, unleaded gasoline...the sky's the limit. There's just no telling where this "interweb" thing will take us. Who knows maybe one day we'll be able to create a vast virtual network of friends that we never actually meet or see but instead interact with by trading inspirational quotes and quips and embarrassing pictures...the future is an open book...a book of faces...like a face..book...nah, that's crazy talk. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>A</b></span>ll jokes aside, this blog is about one of my (and my wife's) favorites things. Exploring the Redland and enjoying the bounty it offers. What is the Redland? It's one of the most amazing little corners of farmland in South Florida...but that's a separate blog post (the next one). We'll chronicle the seasonal bounty of the area and highlight some cool things along the way. Hopefully you find it as interesting as we do, it's all about the local goodness. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0_7kqsT3jsxuiSyIa0q4YC_-Q5btaTuOC-rNeThDUGIctWaiRQu3-bYA4LxM_ChRYbH6hqtKiR8oxpEA5TwdceSPjQ249k-5yzZ5QAEHsbdMZluu4gvPIaCH0b2R6eYB8HshGgP3M3Q/s1600/Redroots+-+dirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0_7kqsT3jsxuiSyIa0q4YC_-Q5btaTuOC-rNeThDUGIctWaiRQu3-bYA4LxM_ChRYbH6hqtKiR8oxpEA5TwdceSPjQ249k-5yzZ5QAEHsbdMZluu4gvPIaCH0b2R6eYB8HshGgP3M3Q/s400/Redroots+-+dirt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>M</b></span>y wife has been exploring the Redland since she moved to Miami as a kid. Visiting the famous Knauss Berry Farm to eat the delicious homemade cinnamon buns and shakes with her family. Naturally it was one of the things she introduced me to when I moved down here in '05 (just in time for Katrina & Wilma, welcome back to hurricane country sucka!). Since then we've been exploring the side roads and country lanes of this incredible area wondering when we would get some acres, renovate an old house, raise some barefoot hippie kids and tend the land. That part hasn't happened yet but...baby steps.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We baby stepped our way to the funky little town of Cutler Bay, closer to the Redland than Kendall and worlds away (You actually talk to your neighbors here! What a concept!). This is now our base camp and staging point for our Southerly exploration and there's no place like home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I</b></span>n this world that we are living in now, with the crappy economy, rampant corporate corruption and soul crushing homogeneity of the things we eat its comforting to visit a place like the Redland. It gives us a chance to connect with the food we eat and the people that grow it. We'll explore the options available to us as consumers, we'll eat with the seasons and try to source our food as close to home as possible. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAWtCZiXzCdDFcdfXu6j1xBQfV7pGFW_ABBKqpJWgMn-zQ5t3b1ogjm_MJWJqBI5liYJRUiZVyjj2ZgeyDWfgVL0cH7wgfVu2-xsW8gYzywYyrAauQUIkHOiHfnHXHk7sIokExMkTBbY/s1600/DSC08144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyAWtCZiXzCdDFcdfXu6j1xBQfV7pGFW_ABBKqpJWgMn-zQ5t3b1ogjm_MJWJqBI5liYJRUiZVyjj2ZgeyDWfgVL0cH7wgfVu2-xsW8gYzywYyrAauQUIkHOiHfnHXHk7sIokExMkTBbY/s320/DSC08144.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>M</b></span>y goal is to get most of what is on my plate from less that 150 miles away. Now this isn't possible for everything and lord knows I'll need to make an exception for my California wines and other goodies but if you can make small changes like buying Florida oranges instead of ones shipped in from South Africa (this was the case at Publix last week), then you are doing <u>something</u> and that's the best you can do. You are supporting local agriculture, cutting down on pollution and fuel consumption and getting a fresher product on your table. Start small, start local, read labels and make a difference for you and your family. It's a wonderful start to something that will improve the way we all eat and live. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So join us on our forays into farm country, It's amazing what you find in your backyard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">R.</span>RedRootshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10139606431847480483noreply@blogger.com0