Posts by Edible East Bay
Follow the Blue Bottle Coffee Cart
Ramblings of the Blue Bottle Coffee Cart How it rolled here, there, and back to where it started at the Temescal Farmers’ Market By Cheryl Angelina Koehler Summer 2006: Rockridge and Temescal residents are in a swoon as Urban Village Farmers’ Market Association brings them their own neighborhood farmers’ market. There in Oakland’s DMV…
Read MoreSplit Jaw • Split Pea
By Garth Grimball | Illustration by Jessica Caisse “You know how I always say I’ve never met a soup I didn’t like?” It is remarkable how many stories my grandfather begins with this rhetorical question. The man lives for soup and talks about it at length to anyone, so much so that my family…
Read MoreHappy Acre Farm
Recipe for a Happy Acre Two young farmers, one selfie-loving mutt, and a baby in the broccoli crate By Cheryl Angelina Koehler Photos by Helena and Matthew Sylvester Recipe by Chef Anna Buss Jump to recipe Farming as a vocation often calls to mind dire reports on the demise of the family enterprise and…
Read MoreCommunity Minded
Be In Community at East Bay Community Space and The Well Visit two adjoining spots on Telegraph Avenue, East Bay Community Space and The Well CafĂ©, where you can enjoy affordable workshops and events and an impressive selection of teas, drinking chocolates, and gluten-free foods. Want to take part in a curated tea…
Read MoreFavorite Fish Tacos of the East Bay
What is it about fish tacos? Our publisher can’t go anywhere that has fish tacos on the menu and not order them. “I love the way the fried batter and the sliced cabbage give two kinds of crunch, and that bit of spicy heat always makes my day,” she says, “however I’ve…
Read MoreZucchini Noodle Salad with Peas, Radishes, and Romanesco
From What’s in Season? Recipe by Barbara Kobsar | Illustration by Charmaine Koehler-Lodge Serves 4–6 3 medium zucchini ½ cup chopped green onion 2 or 3 radishes, trimmed and sliced thinly 2 cups blanched Romanesco florets 1 cup English peas Dressing 1 cup cottage cheese (for a mild dressing) or 1 cup crumbled blue…
Read MoreDisposable-Free Dining
Berkeley takes another step forward in its commitment to reducing waste in our landfills The City of Berkeley has taken its commitment to zero waste a step further, passing new legislation that changes the rules on throwaway cups, containers, and other disposable food ware. In late January, the Berkeley City Council gave a unanimous…
Read MorePelé Aveau’s Split Pea Soup with Ham
From the story Split Jaw • Split Pea By Garth Grimball | Illustration by Jessica Caisse Serves 8 1 pound green split peas 2 tablespoons butter 1 medium onion, diced 1 large carrot, diced 2 celery stalks, diced Pinch of cayenne 1 tablespoon curry powder 3 sprigs thyme 1 bay leaf 2 quarts chicken stock…
Read MorePrerna’s Roti
From Chicken Curry Day by Prerna Singh Indian meals are never complete without roti or one of any number of other wonderful flatbreads. There are endless ways to make Indian flatbreads, and it mostly varies by region. For instance, soil in the southern part of India is very good for rice crops, so breads…
Read MoreAnna’s Kale-Arugula and Toasted Cashew Pesto
Chef Anna Buss started her food journey on an educational farm in Israel, where she learned how to grow and cook with seasonal ingredients. On moving to the Bay Area, she worked as a farmers’ market chef for the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association and also for Frog Hollow Farm. A longtime member of…
Read MoreBenchmark Pizzeria Opens in Oakland
A Pizza Nerd Makes His Mark Peter Swanson’s Benchmark Pizzeria spawns a second location By Alix Wall | Photos by Kala Minko Melissa Swanson, Jennifer Moffitt, and Peter Swanson take charge of Benchmark’s new restaurant on the corner of Washington and Ninth in Old Oakland. Peter Swanson is a self-described pizza nerd. Through seven years…
Read MoreA MODERN TAKE ON PINOLE SEED CAKES
From Indigenous Food at CafĂ© Ohlone By Anna Mindess | Photos by Cynthia Matzger “Our name for pinole in Chochenyo is muyyen,” says Vincent Medina. “It’s one of the first foods we’ve worked to learn about. A mixture of native seeds—chia, redmaid, amaranth, tarweed, etc.—it’s loved by our people in those old days, and that…
Read MoreGarden Allies
Friends, partners, collaborators, cohabitors . . . Grown together, plants can be more than the sum of their parts By Joshua Burman Thayer | Illustrations by Cheryl Angelina Koehler Did you know that plants form alliances? Like humans, plants do better when they associate with other plants for mutual benefit, such as to procreate,…
Read MoreWhat’s in Season?
Produce harvested at its peak is your sure bet for flavor and freshness. By Barbara Kobsar | Illustration by Charmaine Koehler-Lodge February Dense in texture but mild in flavor, cauliflower offers endless possibilities in salads, pastas, soups, snacks, sauces, hummus, and even mac and cheese. We find it in a myriad of colors these…
Read MoreEditor’s Mixing Bowl
They say that appearances are everything, and that certainly goes for a magazine cover. In order to succeed, a print publication must quickly convince folks walking by to reach out and take a copy home for a closer look. In theory, a dog stepping up to announce the Spring 2019 issue of Edible East Bay…
Read MoreSource Guide Spring 2019
edible EAST BAY Source Guide Join our Edible East Bay community. Advertise and thrive. niki(AT)edibleeastbay.com 415.994.6595 Arts, Education, & Entertainment CALIFORNIA ARTISAN CHEESE FESTIVAL Indulge yourself in Cheese Bliss. Tours March 16–24. Festival March 23–24 in Sonoma Wine Country. artisancheesefestival.com MRS DALLOWAY’S Full-service, indie neighborhood bookstore. Wide variety of garden books, cookbooks, and…
Read MoreMad Science Mocktails & Miraculous Miracleberries
Join the mad scientists at Counter Culture Labs in Oakland and learn to make liquid nitrogen ice cream, farm cheese, Fight Club soap, mad science mocktails, and more. Come for a full day of Valentine’s workshops or choose one or two favorites. Cost: $20 per workshop. See details and signup links below: Saturday February…
Read MoreSummer Starts
Gardener’s Notebook Now is the time to sprout your summer crops from seed. In April and May when you purchase a $4 tomato or $3 pepper start, that plant was started from seed way back in February. The nursery worker who started it was thinking ahead to the vegetable-growing season, and you can too! …
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Read MorePut a Song in Your Heart
Enjoy a delightful and intimate Valentine’s Day celebration at Alameda restaurant C’era Una Volta. With a Song in my Heart features songs about love and romance performed by four extraordinary singers. The evening starts with a four-course meal and wine, with a portion of the proceeds donated to the James Toland Vocal Arts, which…
Read MoreExplore Palestinian Food and Agriculture
Kristina’s Bookshelf Zaitoun: Recipes and Stories from the Palestinian Kitchen by Yasmin Khan (W.W. Norton, 2019) Yasmin Khan describes herself as an adventurous eater. She’s also a human rights activist whose work took her to Palestine, where she explored the food and agriculture of the region and visited the kitchens of Palestinian cooks. She describes…
Read MoreTruffle Time
Celebrate Alice Medrich and Bay Area chocolatiers as you indulge in luscious samples and find gifts for Valentine’s Day. Taste confections, bars, and truffles from Charles Chocolates, Lonohana Estate Chocolate, Barlovento Chocolates, Humphry Slocombe, Dick Taylor Chocolate, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co., Laura Chenel Cheese, Dandelion Chocolate, and Alexandre Family Farm. Alice Medrich will be signing books,…
Read MoreCelebrating Black Farmers through Film
Join Pollinate Farm & Garden and Farms to Grow, Inc. for the third annual Black Hands in the Soil, an evening of film about the legacy of Black farming in the United Sates and around the world. The evening’s feature documentary, 40 Acres and a Mule, details the early struggles of Black farmers in the…
Read MoreLearn to Prepare Vietnamese Dishes in Your Own Kitchen
Kristina’s Bookshelf Vietnamese Food Any Day: Simple Recipes for True, Fresh Flavors Andrea Nguyen (Ten Speed Press, 2019) Bay Area food writer and cookbook author Andrea Nguyen (Into the Vietnamese Kitchen, The Banh Mi Handbook, The Pho Cookbook, Asian Dumplings, and Asian Tofu) was born in Vietnam and came to the United States from Saigon as a…
Read MoreGet the Scoop on Sustainable Food and Farming
Join this gathering of farmers, ranchers, food experts, and homesteaders for Sierra Harvest’s annual Sustainable Food and Farm Conference. You’ll learn about best practices, tour area farms, and get ideas for enhancing your home garden, farm, or food business. Participants craft their own curriculum, choosing from 20 workshops including fire preparedness, seasonal meal planning, basic and emergency…
Read MoreSquash for Dessert!?
Kabocha Squash Crème Caramel Recipe by Anaviv’s Table Chef Kadie Vita The chefs at Anaviv’s Table relish each season for the unique produce that becomes available. So if winter is making you feel a little blue, Chef Kadie Vita has the perfect antidote, this delicious Kabocha Squash Crème Caramel. Kabocha, a Japanese winter squash,…
Read MoreNik Sharma Visits Market Hall
Come meet Nik Sharma, San Francisco Chronicle food columnist and author of the blog A Brown Table, at Market Hall on February 2. You can get a signed copy of his first book, Season: Big Flavors, Beautiful Food, and have a chance to taste some of the book’s recipes like Curry Leaf Popcorn Chicken; Deviled Eggs with…
Read MoreSpark Joy in Your Fridge
Organizing guru Marie Kondo is bringing mindfulness to cluttered closets around the world, but we have yet to see her tackle a refrigerator. It’s not for lack of opportunity—a fridge shelf packed with foods in various stages of freshness isn’t all that different from the messy closet drawers Kondo loves to purge, and her…
Read MoreProtect your Topsoil Through the Winter
Gardener’s Notebook Pelting rains, driving winds, and what looks like a creek flowing through your backyard. These winter storms make it hard to remember that just a few months ago, Northern California was up in flames and blackened by smoke. The challenge now is to protect your soil and give it a bit of…
Read MoreDo You Love Cheese?
If so, start planning now for California’s premier cheese event, the California Artisan Cheese Festival. Seminar presenters have just been announced and include Planet Cheese author Janet Fletcher; cheese expert Juliana Uruburu; American Cheese Society Certified Cheese Professionals Vanessa Chang and Rachel Perez; Cheese Twins and Food Network celebrities Charlie and Michael Kalish; and co-founder of Culture Magazine Lassa Skinner. Seminar topics…
Read MoreSwaptime for Gardeners
Scion: A detached living portion of a plant—such as a bud or shoot—that can be grafted onto rootstock to create a new plant that joins the strength of the rootstock with the desired characteristics of the scion. Gardeners interested in having heirloom varieties of fruit growing in their yard do this sort of grafting. At…
Read MoreGreat Deals, Memorable Meals
Explore Oakland’s booming food scene during Restaurant Week, when eateries throughout the city offer prix-fixe lunch and/or dinner menus. You’ll find tasty meals for $10, $20, $30, $40, and $50 at spots like Benchmark Oakland, Clove & Hoof, Nido, Reem’s, Lake Chalet, and many other places. New this year: Enjoy interactive dining experiences where…
Read MoreMake 2019 the Year You Don’t Let Food Go to Waste
“If you haven’t chosen a New Year’s resolution yet, I recommend a commitment to waste less food,” says Xouhoa Bowen, founder of Community Impact Lab in San Leandro. Like most of us, Xouhoa found herself frequently throwing out food that had spoiled—until she took the Stop Food Waste Challenge to find out how much of her…
Read MoreStart Your New Year on an Organic Farm
What’s winter like on an organic farm? Come find out by helping with seasonal chores at Cloverfield Farm in El Sobrante. Learn new skills as you assist with grape pruning, dormant fruit tree spraying, blackberry clearing, seed starting, and vegetable transplanting. Activities are offered for all ages and abilities. Wear work clothes, sun hat, and…
Read MoreWe’re Angling for the Best Fish Tacos:
What’s Your Favorite? When you get that fish taco craving, where in the East Bay do you head? Artist Margo Rivera-Weiss is mapping readers’ picks. Send us an email [editor@edibleeastbay.com] or post your favorite fish taco spot where we can find it on Instagram (use #eebfishtaco in your post), Twitter, or Facebook.
Read MoreVegan Holiday Cooking
Kristina’s Bookshelf Christmas holidays are filled with delicious foods like cheeses, roast beasts, grilled fishes, and desserts rich with butter. In short, typically not a lot of vegan fare. Three new books are stuffed full of delightful, creative vegan dishes to keep you covered for both big festive meals and casual at-home cooking. …
Read MoreSow a Cover Crop
Gardener’s Notebook Too many holiday visitors hanging around the house? Get the team outside to tend the earth in a family affirmation of healthy food! December is prime time for planting an edible ground cover to nourish and protect your soil and also create some good food for the table. By planting these easy-to-sow cover…
Read MoreMercado Latinx Pops Up in Jack London Square
Artisans from Mercado Latinx join farmers, makers, and crafters for a pop-up at the Jack London Square Farmers Market. CUESA welcomes 27 local Latinx artists, chefs, designers, and crafters to the market. Come shop for an assortment of holiday gifts along with farm-fresh market produce. Info: here Sunday December 16, 10am–3pm Jack London Square Farmers…
Read MoreWinter Open House at Buena Vista Wood
You’ll find an enticing selection of affordable handcrafted goodies at this convivial open house, held this year at Buena Vista Wood, a rare brick home built in 1936 with exquisite redwood detailing and expansive views of the Bay. Among the many items for sale are homemade jams, mustards, shrubs, cordials, seeds, vinegar pickles, dried…
Read MoreSimple Goodness from Local Author Cal Peternell
Kristina’s Bookshelf Almonds, Anchovies, and Pancetta: A Vegetarian Cookbook, Kind Of by Cal Peternell (William Morrow, 2018) Looking for a charming little gift book or ideas for simple meals during the holidays? The latest release by Chez Panisse chef and devoted home cook Cal Peternell has 60 recipes that rely on three ingredients: almonds,…
Read MoreHow to Donate Food from Catered Events
At this time of year, holiday festivities abound—and with them an abundance of food, sometimes more than guests can eat. If you’re hosting a catered event at home or work, plan ahead for the donation of any trays of extra food with these tips from StopFoodWaste.org. At least a few days before the event,…
Read MoreHoliday Pop-Up Shop
Edible East Bay Cover Artists’ Works at UC Botanical Garden Pop-Up Gorgeous gift items created by Edible East Bay cover artists Rigel Stuhmiller and Helen Krayenhoff are among the offerings at the UC Botanical Garden’s annual holiday pop-up market. It’s a great place to find unusual handmade gifts created by area artists and businesses.…
Read MoreCrazy for Crafts?
Finding holiday gifts can be a fun adventure when you combine it with a visit to the farmers’ market! For the next three Saturdays, the Downtown Berkeley Farmers’ Market hosts the Ecology Center’s Winter Crafts Fair right alongside the booths where farmers sell their fresh seasonal produce. Come meet local artists who make…
Read MoreDonate a Box!
It’s a win-win to give the gift of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables from a local farm. A great way to do this is with a produce box or holiday basket through a local CSA (community-supported agriculture) farm. One option is Farm Fresh to You, which runs a CSA program with its farm Capay Organic and…
Read MoreInspiration From the Farm
Kristina’s Bookshelf Earth to Table Every Day: Cooking with Good Ingredients Through the Seasons By Jeff Crump and Bettina Schormann (Penguin Random House, 2018) Quick Bite: Slow Food advocates and chefs share 140 basic, seasonal recipes for everyday cooking that rely on easily-available produce. What Looks Good: Apple and Walnut Salad with Radicchio;…
Read MoreWhat’s at Your Farmers’ Market this Week?
Our publisher/editor Cheryl Angelina Koehler sent this photo from last Saturday’s farmers’ market in Chico, a city in California’s northern farm country that’s been much in the news lately due to the tragedies wrought by the Camp Fire. Cheryl goes there each quarter to help Edible Shasta-Butte publisher Candace Byrne get her magazine to press, and the…
Read MoreBondolio Olive Farm Welcomes Rolando Beramendi
Enjoy an authentic Italian experience as you meet Rolando Beramendi, author of Autentico: Cooking Italian, the Authentic Way, at Bondolio Olive Farm and Mill. Beramendi, the founder of Manicaretti Italian Food Importers, will sign copies of his book and talk about artisan Italian ingredients and foodways. Visitors can tour the olive mill, purchase pizzas…
Read MoreShop Your Community: Check Out Your Local Farmers’ Markets!
Here’s a fun outdoor alternative to online shopping: Stroll through your local farmers’ market and enjoy the bustling energy and good spirits. Peruse the offerings and sample locally grown fruits, veggies, herbs, nuts, jams, honey, and olive oils. Our East Bay markets are bursting with wonderful foods, handmade products, and special holiday items…
Read MoreFood Shift Marks Seven Years
Join Food Shift for a celebration and fundraiser at Encuentro in Jack London Square. Guests will hear about Food Shift’s new catering program and be part of a conversation with activist Joanna Macy about the times we’re in and the impact of Food Shift’s work to reduce food waste. Take home small-batch food products like…
Read MoreCarrot Top Salsa Verde with Roasted Root Vegetables
Perfect for a winter day, this side dish pairs starchy roasted root veggies with a savory fresh herb sauce made from the carrot tops, adding a new dimension of flavor and making use of the whole vegetable. Salsa Verde 3 tablespoons capers, drained 2 whole cloves garlic, peeled 5 anchovy fillets (optional) Tops…
Read MoreTend Your Soil
Gardener’s Notebook As you clear out your fall tomato beds, take a little time to give some love to your garden’s soil. Then seed in some fava and garlic to grow through the winter months. Safety First If you’re preparing a new growing space at your East Bay home, you might want to bring…
Read MorePortion Planning Made EasyÂ
When family and friends roll in for the big Thanksgiving dinner, it’s sometimes hard to gauge how much food you’ll need to keep your guests full and happy. That’s where the handy Guest-imator comes in, developed by Save The Food. Plug in the number of eaters you expect, make some menu choices, and voila! There’s your…
Read MoreTeaching Kids About Local Food Systems
Berkeley’s Center for Ecoliteracy announces the release of a series of hands-on lessons about where food comes from and how it gets to our tables. Available at no cost, Abundant California provides ten lessons designed for grades 3–5. Its focus is on local food systems, highlighting popular California crops and the specific phases of growing, harvesting,…
Read MoreMake it Tasty, Make it Flaky!
Wondering how to make a simple pie crust that turns out flaky and delicious? Check out this video from the innovative bakers at Two Chicks in the Mix to help you get it just right. The chicks also offered this advice for holiday cooks and hosts: “Creating a memorable holiday gathering is all about making sure…
Read MoreSeasonal Inspiration
Kristina’s Bookshelf Ciderhouse Cookbook: 127 Recipes That Celebrate the Sweet, Tart, Tangy Flavors of Apple Cider By Jonathan Carr, Nicole Blum and Andrea Blum (Storey Publishing, 2018) Inside: A family of cider makers shares 127 recipes for dishes that incorporate cider in creative ways. Pantry basics like cider syrup, molasses, quick pickles, and vinegar add flavor…
Read MoreTop Cap Mushrooms
It all started with a shiitake mushroom fascination. At the time, Morgan Proctor and Greg Olson both had administrative positions in urban offices and were living in a small space in Oakland with no outdoor area for plants. Given their shared interests in nature, nutrition, and gardening, and after being wait-listed at a community garden,…
Read MoreCésar Turns Twenty
Hail CĂ©sar Twenty Years in the Heart of the Gourmet Ghetto By James Mellgren | Photos by Cherie Azzopardi CĂ©sar, the popular Berkeley tapas bar, turned 20 years old this year. In human years, that isn’t old enough for CĂ©sar to order one of its own cocktails, but it’s a significant milestone nevertheless in the…
Read MoreDIY Herbal Gifts
Homespun Herbal Gifts for the Holiday Season Story, Recipes, and Photos By Anna Marie Beauchemin Clinical Herbalist, East Bay Herbals Herbal medicine is an age-old tradition steeped in the belief that the plants and foods around us hold medicinal value. It embodies the concept that the natural world is integral to our wellness, and that…
Read MoreRecipes for an East Bay Lunar New Year
Recipes by Carolyn Phillips Illustrations by Margo Rivera-Weiss Last February, Edible East Bay staff illustrator Margo Rivera-Weiss helped friends Ruth and Michael Chen usher in the Year of the Dog as they made jiao tze (or jiaozi) according to an old recipe they carry around in their heads. Anticipating the approach of the Year of…
Read MoreAnaviv’s Table Opens in Richmond
Arnon Oren at the entrance to his catering kitchen, now moonlighting as Anaviv’s Table. Richmond Flowers at Anaviv’s Table This new dining spot offers elegant food in a surprising setting By Alix Wall | Photos by Stacy Ventura Most guests at this dinner party didn’t previously know each other, yet the conversation flows with the…
Read MoreSalt Cod & Potato Cazuela
From CĂ©sar Turns Twenty by James Mellgren with photos by Cherie Azzopardi Recipe reprinted with permission from CĂ©sar: Recipes from a Tapas Bar by James Mellgren and Olivier Said, Ten Speed Press, 2003 This is one of the oldest dishes on the CĂ©sar menu. It has garnered legions of fans, and the few times it has…
Read MoreLocal Delivery by Piikup
MEET PIIKUP the local company that brings our magazines to you It was a very hot day at the O2AA West Oakland Artisans Festival in June 2017, but a stroke of luck landed our Edible East Bay booth next to the Civil Pops cart. Those deliciously healthy, Oakland youth–made, frozen-fruit treats were drawing a steady…
Read MoreSource Guide Winter Holidays 2018
Arts, Education, & Entertainment ECOLOGY CENTER Building a sustainable, healthy, and just future through farmers’ markets, education, curbside recycling, and advocacy. 2530 San Pablo Ave, Berkeley. 510.548.2220. ecologycenter.org FRINGE FLOWER COMPANY Seasonal, locally sourced, farm fresh flowers for daily delivery and special celebrations. 1489 Newell Ave, Walnut Creek. fringeflowers.com KITCHEN ON FIRE Award winning cooking…
Read MoreSavory Winter Vegetable Cobbler from Anaviv’s Table
From Anaviv’s Table Opens in Richmond  by Alix Wall, photos by Stacy Ventura Serves 6–8 Filling 2 cups medium-diced butternut squash (peel before dicing) 2 cups medium-diced celery root (peel before dicing) 1 cup medium-diced purple daikon radish 1 medium red onion, diced 1 large fennel bulb, diced 1 cup shredded chanterelles (or other wild mushrooms) 1 teaspoon minced…
Read MoreEditor’s Mixing Bowl
Anticipation is a word I easily associate with the approach of the holiday season. It’s that wistful feeling from childhood, when we scribbled our names in catalogs next to pictures of toys as little voices in our excited dreaming heads called out to our parents to bestow these things upon us. I always drew two…
Read MoreJapanese Vegan Hot Pot
From Top Cap Mushrooms: Story, photos and recipes by Rezel Kealoha Hot pot is a great way to entertain a group on a cold winter’s night. If you are unfamiliar with the tradition, here’s how it’s done: Each guest at the table has a small soup bowl set on a plate with chopsticks, soupspoon, and…
Read MoreHerby Lion’s Mane Farmers’ Market Tacos
From Top Cap Mushrooms: Story, photos and recipes by Rezel Kealoha Serves 2 For the plates: 4 tortillas 2–3 tablespoons plain hummus (or garlic and chive flavor, if you can find it) 2–3 tablespoons pickled ginger Handful of baby arugula Handful of fresh herbs (parsley, mint, and chives make a good combination) Lime wedges For…
Read MoreNiles Pie’s Vanilla Buttermilk Custard Pie with Passion Fruit Curd or Cranberry Goo
“Passion fruit curd is outrageous. I want to bathe in it.” —Niles Pie Co. founder Carolyn Berke “We have been lucky recipients of lots of passion fruit this season from a generous neighbor whose vines are having a great year,” says Niles Pie Co. founder Carolyn Berke. “Passion fruit curd is deeeelicious on and in…
Read MoreAn Edible Hedgerow in the City
An Edible Hedgerow in the City By Joshua Burman Thayer “Thrush in a Fig Tree” illustration by Rigel Stuhmiller In our densely packed urban areas, space is at a premium. Courtyards, corridors, driveways, and narrow strips along property lines can seem lost for gardening use, but there are strategies for filling those zones with plants…
Read MoreGailan with Oyster Sauce (haoyou jielan) from All Under Heaven
Illustrations by Margo Rivera-Weiss Recipe by Carolyn Phillips Farmers grow what their land and the market will support, so in diverse California, that means plenty of traditional Asian produce. The Old Oakland Friday market is particularly known for its wide selection of Asian vegetables, which home cooks with a working knowledge of Asian culinary…
Read MoreNew Opportunities for Home Cooks
The Future of Food is … Home Cooked? A new California law legalizes sales of home-cooked food, bringing new food experiences and meaningful economic opportunities By Jaspal S. Sandhu | illustrations by Lila Rubenstein DĂa de los Muertos signals the start of high season for tamales. On a recent Tuesday morning, I’m driving along East…
Read MoreReady Set Reuse!
Nohemi Perez, co-owner of Ed’s Cheesesteak, packed this BLT in a GO Box for Paul Liotsakis, who launched GO Box in the Bay Area. Ed’s Cheesesteak is a GO Box vendor and also serves as Oakland’s wash site for the boxes. GO Box brings reusable take-out containers to Oakland By Rachel Trachten Photos by Cheryl…
Read MoreCooking with Gratitude
Cherishing What We Have and Wasting Less Around the world, feasts of gratitude for a good harvest are among the oldest traditions, marked by a rest from working the fields and plentiful meals. An abundance of food is at the center of our Thanksgiving celebrations as well, yet few of us have a deep connection…
Read MoreNear Breton
Far Breton Recipe and photo by Debbra Mikaelsen Although there is often a stack of cookbooks on my nightstand for bedtime reading, much of my food curiosity comes from fiction. I first heard of Far Breton when a character in Kate Atkinson’s latest novel fondly recalled the dish. A Google search led to David Lebovitz’s…
Read MoreWitty Tunes for Foodie Families
Songs about liver, ten thousand pancakes, and eating worms? Absolutely! These are just a few of the topics Gunnar Madsen covers in his 2018 Parents’ Choice Awards Gold Medal–winning CD, I Am Your Food. Kids and kids-at-heart will appreciate the singer-songwriter’s charming, catchy tunes and clever, sometimes poetic, lyrics. Chew on this: “Liver, it’s the…
Read MoreSmall Press, Big Pig, Clever Hen
In the world of book publishing, small presses can introduce and take chances on new authors. They can publish smaller runs of books that may not, at least at first, draw a large audience, as well as shorter books that experiment with form and offer content that might be viewed risky by larger publishing houses.…
Read MoreLess Plastic, More Beeswax
Story by Rachel Trachten Lily Rockholt demonstrates melting the beeswax by ironing. The cloth is ready to use after ironing and cooling. “Use less plastic” was the rallying cry for those attending the Ecology Center’s workshop on making a beeswax-cloth food wrap. Lily Rockholt, the Ecology Center’s events coordinator, led a group through…
Read MoreBarbara’s Mandarin, Fennel, & Avocado Salad
6 mandarin oranges, peeled and sliced crosswise into ÂĽ-inch rounds ½ fennel bulb, thinly sliced (reserve fronds for garnish) 2 avocados, peeled, pitted, and sliced 1 small shallot, peeled and thinly sliced ÂĽ cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar Salt and fresh ground black pepper Divide orange slices between 4 salad plates. Layer…
Read MoreWhat’s in Season?
Produce harvested at its peak is your sure bet for flavor and freshness. By Barbara Kobsar | Illustration by Charmaine Koehler-Lodge November Root vegetables like beets, parsnips, turnips, horseradish, daikon, radishes, and potatoes are the market stars this month. So are sweet potatoes, which come in two main types: The golden-skinned, pale-fleshed varieties tend to…
Read MoreBuild Your Resistance to Colds and Flu
As fall sets in and we prepare for winter, come learn about some herbs historically used to resist and recover from seasonal illnesses. East Bay Herbals offers this workshop on the uses and benefits of popular cold and flu herbs and which herbs aid with recovery from different illnesses. Free, but please register: here Herbs…
Read MoreTurn Your Olives Into Olive Oil
Ever wondered how olives become olive oil? Come find out on Community Milling Day, when Il Fiorello Olive Oil Company invites the public to bring harvested olives to the mill and watch the process firsthand. When you return the following week, you’ll bring home some freshly milled oil made from combining all the participants’ crops.…
Read MoreJam On at Holiday Craft Fairs
For over 12 years, readers of Edible East Bay have enjoyed Barbara Kobsar’s “What’s In Season?” column. Meet Barbara at the Walnut Creek Farmers’ Market and several upcoming holiday craft and gift fairs, where she’ll be selling her Cottage Kitchen jams, pepper jellies, and apple pies made with local produce. At the fairs, you’ll also find a…
Read MoreHazelnut Buckwheat Crisps
From the story Baking Up a Sweet Career From Scratch by Samantha Nobles-Block These thin, snappy, nutty cookies are perfect with coffee or as an after-dinner treat paired with dark chocolate. Note: For accuracy, bakers like to measure their dry ingredients in grams. A kitchen scale can help you achieve success with this and other recipes.…
Read MoreThrills, Chills, and Farm Animals in Temescal
Bring the whole family to the Temescal Farmers’ Market for plenty of Halloween happenings, including a costume photo contest, petting zoo, raffles, and pumpkin giveaways. Meet friendly farm animals and enter the haunted farmers’ market Instagram photo contest to win a farmers’ market basket valued at $100. Free. Info: here Temescal Farmers’ Market Sunday…
Read MoreKeep Democracy Alive
Enjoy the fare at participating Bay Area restaurants on October 25 and help assure that all eligible voters can cast a vote in the upcoming midterm elections. Restaurants and bars will donate a portion of all proceeds to the National Voter Protection Action Fund, which combats voter suppression and protects elections, and the Alliance for…
Read MoreIrresistible Olives
Mark the start of the olive harvest by watching the SĂ©ka Hills Olive Mill in action. Discover the exciting flavor of olio nuovo (early-harvest, unfiltered extra-virgin olive oil) as you are guided through tastings of olive oil, wine, honey, and nuts in the SĂ©ka Hills Tasting Room owned and run by Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation. The…
Read MoreBBQ Pros Go Mano a Mano
Which pitmaster can create the perfect mix of rubs and seasonings, manage the fire, and cook up the tastiest ribs? This high-energy cooking competition—dubbed a “caveman-style BBQ throwdown”—is also a fundraiser for Sprouts Cooking Club. Come enjoy delicious food, wine, live music, and a silent auction at the lovely Retzlaff Vineyards. All proceeds go to…
Read MoreExplore the Flavors of the Islamic World
Feast: Food of the Islamic World by Anissa Helou (Ecco, 2018) Anissa Helou has lived and traveled extensively throughout the Mediterranean region and the Middle East, and she has written several cookbooks on cuisine from the area. Her latest effort, more than 500 pages, is perhaps the most extensive yet. It features breads, rice…
Read MoreHop on the Harvest Fun at City Slicker Farms
Come spend a lively day at the West Oakland Farm Park and join in for hand-on activities and cooking demos by local chefs. Workshops offer lessons in planting, composting, and making fire cider. Live music, pumpkin decorating, and mural painting by Los Pobres Artistas add to the fun. Free, but donations welcome. Info: here …
Read MoreApples, Pumpkins, and Costume ParadesÂ
The Diablo Valley and Moraga farmers’ markets welcome the community to special harvest festivals this weekend. Halloween fun is front and center with a kids’ costume contest and parade offering prizes for the best and most creative costumes. Kids also get their own goodie bags and a tasty apple. The whole family can join in…
Read MoreFall Planting Guide
Gardener’s Notebook by Joshua Burman Thayer As the days shorten and the stress of the sun lessens, we’re in a prime window for planting perennial evergreen species that can provide your household with edible abundance. That window stays open from early October until the third or fourth day of our first big storm, when the…
Read MoreFiber Arts Come to Berkeley Hort
At Berkeley Hort’s popular annual trunk show, Nevada County fiber artists share handmade items for perusal and purchase. Come see a lovely collection of clothing, hand towels, scarves/shawls, yarn, blankets, and rugs. Watch a magical demonstration of indigo dyeing by Eileen Lee (mzfiber.com) and snack on savory okonomiyaki prepared by Okkon Japanese Street Food. Enjoy…
Read MoreWhoopie Pies
Recipe excerpted from Rose’s Baking Basics © 2018 by Rose Levy Beranbaum. Photography © 2018 by Matthew Septimus. Reproduced by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved. (Adapted by Edible East Bay.) WHOOPIE PIES This recipe is said to have originated in the Pennsylvania Dutch country. Although it is called “pie,” it is actually…
Read MoreA Baking Master Teaches the Basics
Rose’s Baking Basics: 100 Essential Recipes, with more than 600 Step-by-Step Photos by Rose Levy Beranbaum (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, September 2018) Anyone with a sweet tooth, take note! Rose Levy Beranbaum, who has been baking for nearly 40 years and teaching others along the way, has a new cookbook that’s an excellent everything-you-need-to-know baking…
Read MoreFamily Fun at Two Olive Festivals
Eat, Dance, and Play in an Olive Grove Bring the whole family to this lively fest to enjoy food, wine, live music and dance, and special activities for kids. Shop for olive oil and olive wood products, specialty foods, and honey. The Olive Festival is an annual event presented by the Mission San Jose Chamber…
Read MoreOakland Spirits Beckon
Feel the Halloween spirit on Local Food Adventures’ spooky walking tour filled with tricks and tasty treats. This 90-minute tour highlights some of the Piedmont area’s hidden gems, including the final resting places of famous and infamous Bay Area residents. You’ll get to taste La Farine’s eerily red velvet cupcakes, visit the Chapel of the…
Read MoreBring on the Pumpkins!
The harvest season is in full swing each October weekend at Orchard Nursery. Come enjoy pumpkins galore, a local makers’ market, activities for kids, and live music, and be sure to meet the friendly farm animals. This year’s scarecrow theme is DĂa De Los Muertos, especially timed with favorite staff movie Coco. Events vary each…
Read MoreBuild Strength in Community at the Gill Tract Farm
Join friends and neighbors for a day of fun, good food, farm chores, and reflection at the Gill Tract Community Farm. Help out with farm work, clean up the creek, and take part in the seminar “How Urban Agriculture Can Cool the Planet.” The event promises activities for kids, a lunch featuring farm-fresh veggies, and…
Read MoreEnter a World of Saffron, Rose Petals, and Family Stories
Bottom of the Pot: Persian Recipes and Stories By Naz Deravian (Flatiron Books, September 2018) In Bottom of the Pot, Naz Deravian, a Los Angeles-based writer and home cook, shares her world of saffron, rose petals, pistachios, dried limes, tamarind, memories, music, and poetry to introduce over 100 recipes. She describes the book as “a…
Read MoreEmeryville Spotlights the Arts
The arts are thriving in Emeryville, with eye-catching works on display at the city’s annual juried exhibition. Come enjoy paintings, sculpture, photographs, ceramics, textiles, glass works, and poetry by 115 artists and craftspeople who live or work in Emeryville. See new works by established artists and be among the first to appreciate emerging talent. The…
Read MoreCookies & Beer, Together at Last
You know you’ve secretly wanted cookies and beer together, but elegant desserts like madeleines, French almond cakes, and biscotti always get served with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk. Now’s the time to jump out of that rut. Alameda bakery Donsuemor has brewed up some inventive new couplings to help you celebrate Oktoberfest in style. Working…
Read MoreCandidates’ Forum Focuses on Food
Access to healthy food, food workers’ rights, and the impact of agriculture on the environment will be front and center when District 15 State Assembly candidates Jovanka Beckles and Buffy Wicks come together on October 3 to discuss important issues related to food. The 15th Assembly District, the seat currently held by Democrat Tony Thurmond,…
Read MoreFeel the September Heat
In 2017, Edible East Bay artist Helen Krayenhoff created the third in her series of simple recipe books, 12 Pepper + Chile Recipe Ideas. It seems the dried chili ardor hasn’t cooled as she’s continued her collaboration with John Beaver at Oaktown Spice Shop to design and produce this handsome poster to celebrate Chili Month…
Read MoreA Recipe for Cocktail Week
What a way to enjoy the season’s watermelon! Try this recipe and have some extra fun by entering our Cocktail Week Instagram contest. Contest info: Snap a picture of yourself at your favorite East Bay bar or eatery and post it on Instagram with the tag #oaklandcocktailweek and @edibleeastbay for your chance to win two tickets to…
Read MoreGet Behind the Wheel!
The SF Cheese Fest expands to two days this year, offering a sampling of education and pleasure. The theme of “4 x 4” honors the event’s fourth anniversary along with the four milk types (cow, goat, sheep, and water buffalo) available for cheesemaking in California. Come meet cheesemakers from around the state and taste cheeses…
Read MoreDinner Theater Gets Naughty
Immerse yourself in a naughty, pleasure-filled dinner theater experience as the Soiled Dove brings you back in time to an 1890s saloon and dance hall in San Francisco’s Barbary Coast red-light district. Presented by performance and art collective Vau de Vire, the action takes place under a 12,000-square-foot Tortona Big Top installed in downtown Oakland.…
Read MoreEat Real Turns Ten
For a taste of street food done right, check out the Eat Real Festival, marking its 10th anniversary this year. Come hungry to sample a variety of regionally sourced, sustainably produced foods and drink, from barbecue and falafel to brews, ciders, and espresso. Sign up for a class on cheesemaking, malting, or fermenting, and check…
Read MoreArt, Arbor, and Architecture
Tour the garden and art at Oakland’s 1913 Guy Hyde Chick House, designed by Bernard Maybeck, as you enjoy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, a silent auction, and entertainment in the garden. The evening event is a fundraiser for the Plant Exchange, which offers swap events throughout the year for local gardeners to share plants and garden equipment. Funds will help…
Read MoreHoney Heaven
Come on over to Biofuel Oasis for samples of honey, kombucha, and fermented veggies. Participate in one of the free urban farming workshops. Subjects cover planting a fall/winter edible garden, making kombucha, inoculating logs with mushrooms, and growing sprouts and microgreens. Bring your questions about beehives and honey bees for Biofuel Oasis worker-owner Jennifer Radtke…
Read MoreArt in the Nursery
Come meet local artists, including Edible East Bay cover artists Shari Arai DeBoer, Helen Krayenhoff, and Celia Wedding. Enjoy exquisite drawings, paintings, and pottery in a garden setting with live music performed on the patio. Pop-up food is by Okkon Japanese Street Food serving their okonomi yaki, and Uji Time offering Japanese fusion desserts: mochi ice…
Read MoreA New Look at Soul Classics
SOUL: A Chef’s Culinary Evolution in 150 Recipes By Todd Richards (Oxmoor House, May 2018) Soul, a terrific new cookbook by self-taught James Beard Award–nominated Chef Todd Richards, is great inspiration for making use of the colorful abundance of late summer and early fall produce in markets right now. Richards’ mantra is that chefs…
Read MoreClimate Friendly Cuisine for Pros
Food service professionals: Learn to minimize food waste, reduce your carbon footprint, and attract eco-conscious consumers. Bay Area nonprofit Acterra serves up a full-day educational conference for those working in restaurants, hospitals, schools, corporate campuses, catering, entertainment venues, and other institutions. The focus is on the profitability of sustainable and climate-friendly practices like plant-forward meal planning,…
Read MoreA Flavorful Dish for the High Holidays:
Braised Chicken Thighs with Almonds & Honey Recipe by Sandy Sonnenfelt, courtesy of Market Hall Foods. Food styling & photography by Asha Loupy, courtesy of Market Hall Foods. During the Jewish High Holidays, treat your family and friends to a chicken dish rich in North African and Spanish flavors. Sandy Sonnenfelt, Market Hall Foods’ director of…
Read MoreRockridge Fun Spills Out to the Streets
Come celebrate the beloved neighborhood of Rockridge at this lively outdoor festival. Enjoy foods, cocktails, tastings, and demos from local vendors at festival food courts. The popular Picnic with Market Hall features favorite local shops. Bring the whole family for live music and dance, a prize wheel, carnival games, and a photo booth. Free. Info: here or…
Read MoreRelish the Flavors of the Sierra Nevada
This farm-to-fork festival celebrates the bounty and flavors of the Sierra Nevada region. Taste your way through dishes prepared by local chefs using ingredients from nearby growers and producers. Each dish is paired with the perfect local wine or brew. The festival also offers a marketplace of locally handmade goods as well as the Sierra…
Read MoreTry a Bumblebee and a Great White. Stand in Awe of the Giant Pumpkins!
Urban farmer Charlie Costello invites the community to MariLark Farms’ annual tomato tasting and gathering of local gardeners. Come sample tomato varieties grown at MariLark— like the Bumblebee, Great White, and Red Laundry— as well as others brought by guests. See the variety of veggies on this thriving urban farm, including Charlie’s impressive (and still…
Read MoreMeet the Local Wild Cherry
Meet a Local Wild Cherry: Prunus ilicifolia On a recent stroll along the north bank of the Carquinez Strait in Benicia, I came upon a California native plant loaded up with edible cherry-like fruits. Prunus ilicifolia, aka hollyleaf cherry, evergreen cherry, or simply California wild cherry, was called islay by California’s Salinan tribespeople. The Salinans…
Read MoreHere’s to Oakland!
Oakland celebrates its unique bar heritage and community with $10 cocktails inspired by the city’s culture and history. Find drinks like the White Fang, Oak-ness Monster, Kamala Harris, and Blindspotted as more than 40 bars and restaurants from Oakland, Alameda, and Emeryville collaborate in a celebration that includes small business owners, the spirits industry, and…
Read MoreCalling Chalk Artists and Chocolate Lovers
Bring your creativity and your sweet tooth to this all-ages event, this year celebrating its 20th anniversary. Everyone is welcome to create a sidewalk chalk drawing along Shattuck Avenue in North Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto. Enjoy treats like chocolate rum gelato, dark chocolate truffles, Oreo shakes, bittersweet chocolate pudding, and chocolate ganache cupcakes as you stroll…
Read MoreRaise a Glass in the Livermore ValleyÂ
Join the fun as 35 Livermore wineries offer tastings along with local food, crafts, and music. Enjoy barrel samples and food pairings, take vineyard tours, and relax with lawn games and bocce ball. You can extend the celebration to the following day (Monday September 3), when most wineries will waive tasting fees for guests with…
Read MoreSay No to Plastic and Yes to Beeswax!
Looking to use less plastic in your daily life? Instead of buying another roll of plastic wrap, make your own reusable beeswax cloth food wrap. These wraps are perfect for covering containers in the fridge or keeping bread, vegetables, or cheese fresh. Learn about materials used in this wrap and take home your own handmade…
Read MoreWhat’s at Your Farmers’ Market This Week?
Pick up some fresh Kadota figs and try out this delicious fig salsa, perfect with chicken, fish, or tofu.
Read MoreBaking Inspiration from the Garden
Kristina’s Bookshelf Sticky Fingers, Green Thumb: Baked Sweets that Taste of Nature By Hayley McKee (Hardie Grant Books, 2018) I love earthy recipes that let you pick your ingredients directly from the garden. Flowers, herbs, and edible plants abound in Hayley McKee’s cookbook, looking like they were just brought in from the yard (as they probably…
Read MoreLet Them Eat … Brioche!
Tour Lafayette’s Town Hall Theatre and sample dishes in the Brioche Challenge on August 25. Whether Marie Antoinette actually said “Let them eat cake,” “Let them eat brioche,” or neither of these, you’ll have fun on a Local Food Adventures tour and tasting event to celebrate Town Hall Theatre’s new production of The Revolutionists. Take…
Read MoreIt’s an Apples and Hops Garden Party
The UC Botanical Garden celebrates two favorite plants at this garden party, where you can sip local beer and cider on tap and munch apple cider donuts while enjoying live music. Free craft activities and Bernie’s Best apple juice are available for kids. Bring a picnic or purchase food from an onsite taco truck. At the…
Read MoreSource Guide Fall 2018
Arts, Education & Entertainment BAUMAN COLLEGE Nutrition Consultant and Natural Chef training programs encompass the revolutionary ideas and scientific approach to nutrition. baumancollege.org EAST BAY WALDORF SCHOOL Where Children Thrive. Located 20 minutes from Berkeley at 3800 Clark Rd, El Sobrante. eastbaywaldorf.org EMERYVILLE CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS Gala opening on October 5. Exhibition runs October 6–28. emeryarts.org…
Read MoreAsian Vegetable Seeds
Autumn in the Kitazawa Test Garden Story by Helen Krayenhoff | Photos by Scott Peterson Meet Maya Shiroyama, current owner of Kitazawa Seed Company. Established in Oakland in 1917, Kitazawa specializes in seeds for traditional Asian vegetables and also introduces newly bred varieties for home gardeners and commercial growers. Seed producers spend years trialing and…
Read MoreMariLark Heirloom Tomato Risotto
From: A New Take on Giving Away the Farm By Rachel Trachten One day as Costello was touring the garden at the French Laundry in Yountville, a worker gave him a few of their tomato plants. Charlie saved the seeds to share the plants with others. He calls these beauties “Red Laundry.” (Photo by…
Read MoreFeed Your Soil With Compost
While fall may be the best season to savor local fruits and vegetables, it’s also a great time to plant them. Thanks to a mild Mediterranean climate, East Bay gardeners can grow and harvest fresh produce all winter long. When planting your winter garden, make it thrive by feeding your soil with compost. Compost boosts…
Read MoreIs Dinner Hiding in Your Fridge?
Think You Have Nothing Good to Eat? You Might Be Surprised! We’ve all stared into a fridge full of assorted foods and thought there’s nothing good to eat. But with a touch of creativity, you can make magnificent meals with what you have on hand. Watch the video below and see how a father and…
Read MoreBerkeley’s First Little Herb & Spice Shop
When Jim Murdock opened his first Lhasa Karnak location on Earth Day 1970, it was just a little store within Shambhala Books in the heart of Berkeley’s hippie haven on Telegraph Avenue. The concept was popular enough that he soon opened his own storefront down the street. Standing behind the counter at his spiffy…
Read MoreA Sharp Couple
Bernal Cutlery and Clove & Hoof By Kristina Sepetys | Photos by Scott Peterson Bernal Cutlery, the beloved San Francisco culinary knife shop, has opened an outpost in Oakland right next door to Clove & Hoof Butchery and Restaurant. The location isn’t accidental. Josh Donald, owner of Bernal Cutlery and author of Sharp: The Definitive…
Read MoreEditor’s Mixing Bowl
T he slightly gritty feel of the paring knife cutting through the skin of a perfectly ripe avocado … the oily-smooth resistance while twisting the halves apart … two buttery-green surfaces revealed … a drizzle of peppery extra-virgin olive oil, a sprinkle of fleur de sel, and you have a great-but-simple moment to celebrate. It comes…
Read MoreQuince Candy and Syrup
From the story Baking Up a Sweet Career From Scratch by Samantha Nobles-Block Quince has lots of pectin, which makes this apple-like fruit a natural fit for candy making. Once you get comfortable with the recipe for these sparkly treats, get creative by adding a chopped apple or beet or any other variation that sounds appealing.…
Read MoreHow Marykate McGoldrick Found Her Baking Groove
Baking Up a Sweet Career From Scratch Pastry chef Marykate McGoldrick’s path to Camino and beyond By Samantha Nobles-Block Photos by Cayce Clifford One spring evening in 2010, a 37-year-old public school teacher named Marykate McGoldrick welcomed three San Francisco restaurateurs into her tiny Oakland apartment. The Lee brothers, owners of Namu Gaji and Namu…
Read MoreWho’s Hungry for Change?
During trying times, despair can gnaw at you. And yet, in the face of all that is difficult, monstrous, odious, unfair, and unjust in this country, it is also true that there are many citizens doing their level best to make a difference in their communities and beyond in the face of great odds. One…
Read MoreSharing the Bounty at MariLark Farms
A New Take on Giving Away the Farm By Rachel Trachten Charlie Costello wants to give you free tomato plants and teach you to save seeds. Last year, Costello gave 400 tomato plants to East Bay gardeners for their schools, urban farms, and homes. This year, he’s on track to share just as many, or…
Read MoreAvocado Adventure Chetwyn Farm
Avocado Adventure in Zone 16 Living the green dream at Hayward’s Chetwyn Farm BY CHERYL ANGELINA KOEHLER | PHOTOS BY EMMA NAJARIAN The tumbledown 1890s-era farm tucked into a barely accessible fold in the hills above Hayward was one of those properties real estate agents feel reluctant to show. In spite of its proximity to…
Read MoreMap of East Bay Food Justice Organizations
Margo suggested we share this recent story written by members of the Phat Beets crew in collaboration with Food First.
Read MoreOakland Cocktail Week
Week of September 15–23 Cheers to Oakland’s Low-ABV Cocktail Crafters (and all the rest) At the dawn of the contemporary craft cocktail age in the early aughts, San Francisco swiftly became Northern California’s darling of the scene, with bars like Bourbon & Branch and Trick Dog gaining national recognition as top drinking destinations. Oakland wasn’t…
Read MoreMK Gold Bakery Huckleberry Tart
From the story Baking Up a Sweet Career From Scratch by Samantha Nobles-Block Foragers with an eye on their secret huckleberry patch or anyone lucky enough to find farmed huckleberries at a farmers’ market will want to try this luscious tart. No huckleberries? Try it with blueberries or blackberries, which we did for this photo shot…
Read MoreMK Gold Bakery Rye Ginger Cake
From the story Baking Up a Sweet Career From Scratch by Samantha Nobles-Block Deep, dark, rich, and spicy with the heat of ginger. Use the darkest organic molasses and brown sugar you can find. Yields one 9-inch cake ½ cup sugar ½ cup dark brown sugar, packed 1 cup grapeseed oil or rice bran oil 1…
Read MoreHazelnut Buckwheat Crisps
From the story Baking Up a Sweet Career From Scratch by Samantha Nobles-Block These thin, snappy, nutty cookies are perfect with coffee or as an after-dinner treat paired with dark chocolate. Note: For accuracy, bakers like to measure their dry ingredients in grams. A kitchen scale can help you achieve success with this and other recipes.…
Read MoreWine Words
Digging Deep on Terroir Book review by Derrick Schneider Wine and Place: A Terroir Reader By Tim Patterson and John Buechsenstein UC Press, January 2018 People who have pursued fine wine are probably conversant in terroir, the French word that connects a food’s flavors to a place of origin, even if only to notice the…
Read MoreHooked on Cult Crackers
Crunchy, Seedy, and a Little Bit Cult-y Swedish cracker culture comes to Berkeley Story and photos by Anna Mindess As a kid growing up in Malmö, Sweden, Birgitta Durell took knäckebröd (crispbread) for granted. These mostly rye-based crackers are eaten there daily, paired with everything from pickled herring to lingonberry jam. Many Swedes still make…
Read MoreToasted Walnut and Beet Dip
By Barbara Kobsar | Illustration by Charmaine Koehler-Lodge ½ pound beets, roasted and peeled (see What”s in Season?) 1 cup walnut pieces or halves 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil Salt and pepper to taste Spread walnut pieces on a baking sheet…
Read MoreContents Fall Harvest 2018
RECIPES Barbara Kobsar’s Walnut & Beet Dip MariLark Farms’ Tomato Risotto MK Gold Bakery Buckwheat Madeleines MK Gold Bakery Berry Tart MK Gold Bakery Rye Ginger Cake MK Gold Bakery Hazelnut Crisps MK Gold Bakery Quince Candy Easiest Chicken Curry Ever EXPLORE Events at Ardenwood Historic Farm Source Guide Guide to Good Eats Ongoing Edible Events Upcoming Edible…
Read MoreAlmanac Beer Co.
Fruit Forward Almanac brings California beer terroir to Alameda By Derrick Peterman Soon after they met at a home brewing club in San Francisco, Jesse Friedman and Damian Fagan discovered they shared a novel approach to brewing: Both were experimenting with ingredients from the farmers’ market. “We tried lots of different fruits, and in some…
Read MoreWhat’s in Season?
Produce harvested at its peak is your sure bet for flavor and freshness. By Barbara Kobsar | Illustration by Charmaine Koehler-Lodge PEARS It’s pear season! One of the earliest European-variety pears to arrive at market is the Bartlett, easily recognized by its bell shape, semi-soft flesh, and yellow-to-red skin color. The green-skinned d’Anjou; small, sweet…
Read MoreFood Shift
Catering with a Conscience Your next catered meal could have surprising ripple effects. Food Shift has expanded its campaign against food waste by branching out into catering, offering tasty meals that provide local jobs while keeping food out of the landfill. Food Shift collects surplus fruits and veggies from Imperfect Produce and the San Francisco…
Read MoreMK Gold Bakery Buckwheat Madeleines
From the story Baking Up a Sweet Career From Scratch by Samantha Nobles-Block Madeleines are best eaten the day they are made, so make some tea or coffee and invite friends over to help you enjoy them. Black cardamom, smoky and floral, is lovely here (if you can find it), but green cardamom is delicious as…
Read MoreSource Guide Fall 2018
Arts, Education & Entertainment BAUMAN COLLEGE Nutrition Consultant and Natural Chef training programs encompass the revolutionary ideas and scientific approach to nutrition. baumancollege.org EAST BAY WALDORF SCHOOL Where Children Thrive. Located 20 minutes from Berkeley at 3800 Clark Rd, El Sobrante. eastbaywaldorf.org EMERYVILLE CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS Gala opening on October 5. Exhibition runs October 6–28. emeryarts.org…
Read MoreGuide to Good Eats Fall 2018
Alameda C’era Una Volta 1332 Park St 510.769.4828 ceraunavolta.us Tuscan cuisine and seafood specialties in a European setting with additional outdoor seating. Recognized by L’Associazione Cuochi Fiorentini. Dinner and weekend brunch. Catering available. Julie’s Coffee & Tea Garden 1223 Park St 510.865.2385 juliestea.com Alameda’s one-of-a-kind spot for coffee, tea, herbal tonics, wholesome eats, and tea…
Read MoreMeet the O2 Artisans Aggregate
Get to know a community of West Oakland artisans committed to developing environmentally friendly practices for manufacturing and agriculture. Meet local crafters, farmers, and artisans and peruse the high-quality goods they produce on site. Enjoy live music, food, beverages, and a friendly vibe. Free, but please RSVP. Info: here Third Annual O2AA Open Studio &…
Read MoreGet Dirty on a Local Organic Farm
Each season, Cloverfield Farm invites volunteers into their organic farm to lend a hand with seasonal farm chores. Activities are geared to all ages and abilities: You can help prepare vegetable beds, plant seeds into flats, clear cover crops in the orchard and vineyard, and pot rooted grape vines and olive trees. Wear your grubby…
Read MoreStone Fruits and Family Farms
Kristina’s Bookshelf Earlier this summer, I joined my friend Victoria for her annual pilgrimage to Wolfe Ranch in Brentwood, where she goes for Blenheim apricots. Located 40 minutes from Berkeley down a winding country road and across a small bridge, this family-owned orchard sells apricots, cherries, peaches, plums, and other fruits. The sunny morning we visited the quiet, bucolic…
Read MoreDon’t Compost Those “Expired” Eggs Just Yet!
Not sure if your eggs are still fresh? If the date has passed, they may still be good to eat. To find out, do the float test. Place the egg in a glass or bowl of water. If it sinks, the egg is still perfectly fine to eat. If it floats, send that egg to the…
Read MoreTomato Time in the Capay Valley
The tomatoes are luscious and ready for tasting at Capay Organic’s annual festival. Sample an assortment of heirloom and cherry varieties, along with local olive oil and honey. Tour the farm, ride a tractor tram, visit the animals, and make herb salt with organic farm herbs. Bring your dancing shoes since the live music by…
Read MoreFarmers’ Market Cocktails at Jack London Square
Find out what happens when talented East Bay bartenders get inspired by farmers’ market produce. Take in a beautiful sunset on the Bay and enjoy a drink made with local stone fruit, melons, berries, or tomatoes. New this year, find a variety of dinner options available for purchase. All proceeds support education programs offered by…
Read MoreSip, Sample, and Stroll
Make your way through downtown Walnut Creek sampling tasty food and wine while also supporting the Diablo Ballet. Spend a lovely summer evening enjoying tastes from a variety of local eateries. Proceeds support the Diablo Ballet’s PEEK Outreach Programs, bringing arts education to underserved students and incarcerated teens. Cost: $39 through July 26, then $45.…
Read MoreLivermore Tasting Adventures
Get ready for a food and wine adventure in the Livermore Valley! On Thursday, 20 winemakers join up with Bay Area chefs to compete for top honors in food and wine pairing at Casa Real. Guests are invited to taste these delectable combos and vote for the People’s Choice winner. On Friday through Sunday, visit…
Read More1951 Coffee Hosts Holocaust Refugee Sylvia Ruth Gutmann
Author and Holocaust survivor Sylvia Ruth Gutmann speaks at 1951 Coffee, a cafĂ© that trains and hires refugees and educates the community on refugee life and issues. Gutmann will speak about her experiences during World War II and how those experiences are reflected in the child separation and resettlement happening in the United States today.…
Read More It’s Hawaii July on Treasure Island
Come spend the day on Treasure Island, where this month’s Treasure Fest theme is Hawaii July. You’ll find terrific food, beverages, crafts, and antiques, including Hawaiian dishes, refreshing tropical cocktails, vintage tiki kitchenware, and Hawaiian apparel. DIY workshops, kids’ games, and entertainment keep the whole family engaged. Pets are welcome and parking is free. Admission:…
Read MoreKristina’s Bookshelf
Buzz: The Nature and Necessity of Bees by Thor Hanson (Basic Books, 2018) Bees provide honey, contribute to the beauty of flowers, and supply as much as a third of the foodstuffs we eat. But they’re also at risk of disappearing. This is the topic of concern that Dr. Thor Hanson, a Guggenheim Fellow, Switzer Environmental Fellow, and award-winning…
Read MoreFor the Love of Avocados…Keep them Fresher, Longer
Did you know that July 31 is National Avocado Day? Show your love and appreciation of this tasty and nutritious treat by storing them properly. Unripe avocados should be left on the counter to ripen at room temperature. Place avocados in a paper bag with an apple to ripen more quickly. Once ripe, store avocados…
Read MorePlant for the Future with Edible Hedges
Gardener’s Notebook Do you have a property line with nothing growing on the border or an annoying view of a road or apartment building? Plant for the future by installing an edible hedge. Pineapple Guava Originally from Brazil, pineapple guava (Feijoa sellowiana) brings together two valuable qualities: It’s tropical and also quite drought tolerant. This…
Read MoreKids in the Kitchen
Kristina’s Bookshelf New Favorites for New Cooks: 50 Delicious Recipes for Kids to Make By Carolyn Federman (Ten Speed Press, 2018) A new cookbook by Berkeley native Carolyn Federman might provide just the support you need to get your children busy in the kitchen. Federman has had a long tenure in food education, consulting on…
Read MoreJam On!
Love to make marmalade? Jive on jam? Churn out chutney? Enter your favorite seasonal creation in CUESA’s summer preserves contest. Top three winners will take home food-related prizes, and everyone is welcome to taste and vote for the People’s Choice. Also happening at the Summer Jam: Becky Courchesne of Frog Hollow Farm gives a jam-making demo,…
Read MoreFruit-Growers Delight
Fruit lovers and growers get ready for the international Festival of Fruit, which features garden and nursery tours and lectures by prominent orchardists and expert growers of exotic fruits and vegetables. No registration is required to attend the Saturday vendor day showcasing a variety of products for edible gardening. Sponsored by the Santa Clara Valley…
Read MoreArt is in Bloom at Alden Lane NurseryÂ
Come out to Alden Lane Nursery to stroll under majestic oaks and enjoy locally crafted art, food, wine, and music. More than 40 artists display and sell their works, and Livermore winemakers share tastes from their selections. The nursery is in full bloom, with special displays and sales on offer. Kids can take part in…
Read MoreBon Appétit!
Come celebrate Bastille Day with all things dĂ©licieuses, including French cheese, croissants, and charcuterie. Sample new foods, find items for the French corner of your pantry, learn to make sausage, and enter to win prizes. Specials on French products are available at Berkeley and Oakland Market Hall Foods shops throughout July. The July 14 Bastille…
Read MoreLove the Planet! Go Plastic-free in July
Plastic is pervasive and difficult to recycle; much of it ends up polluting oceans and rivers and harming sea life. Throughout July, the Ecology Center hosts multiple events as part of Plastic-Free July, an international effort focused on how and why to reduce single-use plastics in daily life. Learn about disposable-free dining, plastic-free personal products, and…
Read MoreDid You Forget What’s in Your Refrigerator?
Ever Forgotten What’s In Your Fridge? It’s the height of summer and fruits and vegetables are at their prime. This seasonal abundance makes it easy to overfill our refrigerators. With each new shopping trip, food that you already have can get pushed to the back of the shelf and forgotten. An easy way to reduce…
Read MoreBryant Terry
Afro-Vegan: Farm-Fresh African, Caribbean & Southern Flavors Remixed by Bryant Terry (Ten Speed Press, 2014). The chef, food justice activist and author of Vegan Soul Kitchen and The Inspired Vegan reworks and remixes some favorite ingredients and classic dishes of the African Diaspora to present more than 100 delicious new recipes. Notes include Terry’s insights…
Read MoreBlack Women, Food, and Publishing
Kristina’s Bookshelf Last December, chef and writer Tunde Wey published an essay in the San Francisco Chronicle titled “Black Women Are the Future of the Food Industry.” The piece generated a lot of conversation and inspired the upcoming event, “Black Women, Food, and Publishing.” Oakland resident and vegan chef/ author Bryant Terry will moderate a…
Read MoreWhy Does the Farm Bill Matter?
Congress continues to debate passage of this legislation that many Americans don’t fully understand. The Food & Environment Reporting Network (FERN) has put together an excellent video explaining the basics of the bill and why it’s important to people who care about food, farming, and anti-hunger programs.
Read MoreSolstice Garden
Gardening at the Solstice We have arrived at the summer solstice, the time of year when daylight lasts the longest and the sun is as far north as she gets. Here are some ways to transition your plants from spring to summer growth. In North America, the month following summer solstice (which in 2018 was…
Read MoreOver the Moon for Olive Oil
Come taste a variety of California extra-virgin olive oils and learn how to choose, use, and store them. Tastings take place in Market Hall’s Berkeley and Oakland stores through the end of June and offer special pricing and prize giveaways. Pacific Sun award-winning oils are featured on Saturday, June 29. Info: here Market Hall Foods…
Read MoreCalling All Cyclists Who Love to Eat Local!
Cyclists who appreciate farmland and local food will want to hop on for this tour of farms and ranches protected from development by MALT, the nonprofit Marin Agricultural Land Trust. Enjoy West Marin’s lovely coastline and valleys as you ride past farms and ranches that produce much of the cheese, meat, and seasonal fruits and…
Read MoreHerbal Self-Care Â
How can we use herbs and gentle daily practices to care for ourselves? Join Maribeth Helen, herbalist and author of Self Care in Uncertain Times, for a workshop that offers a guided plant meditation and tools for supporting our best selves while navigating daily stressors. Bring a journal, something to write with, and a tea…
Read MoreShop Your Fridge First
Too Much of a Good Thing? Ever bought food you already had or composted food you didn’t eat? You’re not alone. To reduce food waste and save money, plan the meals you’ll eat at home and list items needed. “Shop” your fridge, freezer, and cupboards for ingredients first. Get your free, handy shopping list to help…
Read MoreTime to Clean Out Those Cupboards!
At the Kitchen Exchange, you can trade in kitchen items you no longer need for others you really want. Hosted by The Plant Exchange and ITK Culinary, the event also features two cooking demos led by Doug Eng, founder of ITK Culinary. Bring your pots and pans, dishes, cutlery, linens, small appliances, glassware, and storage containers.…
Read MoreA Big Pig and a Small Press
Kristina’s Bookshelf In the world of book publishing, small presses provide a valuable alternative to large corporate publishing houses. With less overhead, small presses can introduce and take chances on new authors and publish smaller runs on books that may not, at least at first, have a large audience or generate a lot of revenue.…
Read MoreGo Buggy in the Garden
Get to know the world of insects, from plant-eating bugs to bug-eating plants! Kids and adults will enjoy this interactive event that looks at “good bugs,” “bad bugs,” and insects that travel through water, soil, or air. Visit stations presented by garden docents and community organizations featuring live insects, butterfly crafts, honey tasting, and more.…
Read MoreCoCo San Sustainable Farm
Explore Farming and STEM this Summer Spend a fruitful summer learning about urban farming and gardening. The CoCo San Sustainable Farm is holding a free summer camp where teens and young adults can learn to build planting beds, start seeds, install irrigation, and grow fresh organic vegetables. Discover how our food systems interact with bees, weather,…
Read MoreSip & Sail on the Bay
Mike and Anne Dashe welcome wine lovers to a sailing adventure on the San Francisco Bay. Enjoy your favorite Dashe Cellars wines and a Parisian picnic while savoring the view from the deck of the classic schooner Freda B. Cost: $138 general public ($118 for club members). Tickets: here Winemaker Picnic on the Bay Saturday June…
Read MoreWhat’s at Your Farmers’ Market This Week?
We found fresh Romano beans at the Old Oakland market to use with recipes from two fellow Edibles, South Florida and Houston. Enjoy Stewed Fresh Romano Beans with Tomatoes and Oregano and a Fig, Corn, and Green Bean Salad.
Read MoreLook Sharp
Kristina’s Bookshelf Sharp: The Definitive Guide to Knives, Knife Care, and Cutting Techniques, with Recipes from Great Chefs By Josh Donald (with Molly Gore), photography by Molly DeCoudreaux Chronicle Books, 2018 Experienced cooks will tell you that good knives are fundamental to good cooking, and that’s certainly a message at Bernal Cutlery, a much-loved shop in…
Read MoreHappy Birthday CUESA!
Join CUESA, the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture, to honor its commitment to farmers’ markets, groundbreaking education, and sustainably grown food. CUESA celebrates 25 years of community nourishment with a party featuring 40 top restaurants and 20 bars and wineries. Meet CUESA’s community of farmers, chefs, and changemakers, and enjoy a silent auction,…
Read MoreSave Those Seeds
Saving seeds is surprisingly easy, and it is important for biodiversity and food security. Urban gardener Rebecca Newburn, co-founder of Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library, teaches the basics at this free class. Come learn how to save and share seeds from your tomatoes, lettuce, beans, peas, squash, and more. Info: here or 510.482.7844 Read more about…
Read MoreSummer Sampler Workshops
Herbs for Wellness Interested in herbalism? You’ll learn to make a variety of healing products, including some that help protect your skin from the sun, as Anna Beauchemin of East Bay Herbals offers three free community workshops. Find out how easy it can be to prepare medicinal teas, healing oils, and salves. Free. Info: here Medicinal…
Read MoreLove Salad?
Keep Your Lettuce Crisp and Delicious Summer is salad season, and Bay Area farmers’ markets are brimming with many varieties of lettuce. Bought more than you can use right away? StopWaste’s how-to videos show how to keep lettuce and other leafy greens fresh, or how to revive them when they’re already a bit wilted. Keep…
Read MoreGrowing Moringa
Gardener’s Notebook By Joshua Burman Thayer Moringa Can Be a Boon to Your Garden Have you heard of Moringa oleifera? An amazingly fast-growing perennial, moringa is edible from root to shoot. High in iron, it offers a nutritional boost to people as well as animals, and can be a real boon to your garden or orchard…
Read MoreEating My Way Through Italy
Kristina’s Bookshelf Eating My Way Through Italy: Heading Off the Main Roads to Discover the Hidden Treasures of the Italian Table By Elizabeth Minchilli (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2018) Elizabeth Minchilli’s new book, Eating My Way Through Italy, brings to mind the best qualities of the Lonely Planet guidebooks, which many of us discovered in the mid…
Read MoreMeet Elizabeth Minchilli …Â
In her newest book, Eating My Way Through Italy: Heading Off the Main Roads to Discover the Hidden Treasures of the Italian Table, Elizabeth Minchilli takes readers on a culinary journey that celebrates Italy’s regional specialties. Join her at Market Hall and taste some of the Italian pantry items mentioned in the book. No charge…
Read MoreDiaspora Dinner Honors Chef Tanya Holland
The Museum of the African Diaspora (MOAD) hosts the second annual Diaspora Dinner, this year honoring Chef Tanya Holland of Brown Sugar Kitchen. Join MOAD’s chef-in-residence Bryant Terry for a champagne toast at the museum followed by a multi-course dinner prepared by Holland and the St. Regis San Francisco culinary team. Chef Holland and Shakirah Simley, co-founder…
Read MoreWhat’s for Dessert?Â
Chef Kellie Joe from Chicks and Love Pizza Catering is whipping up a seasonal dessert on June 10 at the Walnut Creek Contra Costa Certified Farmers’ Market. Come watch her prepare a delicious surprise you won’t want to miss. Seating is limited. Info: here For eight years, Kellie Joe and Vanda Chong, known as the…
Read MoreGrassy Goodness
Come celebrate grassland culture and a dedication to good food at this event hosted by Friends of the Petaluma River, True Grass Farms, and the Petaluma Grazing Collective. The organizers value the role grazing animals play in managing the health of oak savannas, grasslands, and coastal prairies. They’re honoring the work with a day dedicated…
Read MoreIt’s a Double Header Celebration at Camino in Oakland
Camino Restaurant celebrates its tenth anniversary with two special parties this weekend to thank customers for their support over the past years. Come see the restaurant and taste the wonderful cooking of Executive Chef Russell Moore, who co-owns Camino with his wife, Allison Hopelain. Info: here Camino Cocktail Party Friday May 18, 6pm– late Camino Restaurant…
Read MoreNew World Peppers
Kristina’s Bookshelf Peppers of the Americas: The Remarkable Capsicums that Forever Changed Flavor By Maricel El Presilla (Ten Speed Press, 2017) When I’m shopping at Mi Tierra Foods or Monterey Market, I’m always intrigued by the assortment of El Guapo and El Mexicano brands of dried, whole peppers in cellophane bags with green, red, and…
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