A recipe for seasonal slaw

What’s currently in season in your garden? Carrots, chard, green onions, kale, lettuce, snow peas, spinach and radishes are just a few of the items that are popping up in farms and local gardens across the community.

Try this super easy kale slaw recipe (great for a last-minute meal), with fresh carrots and kale from the Durango Farmers Market, for a sure-fire win at your next potluck or family dinner.

Kale Slaw

Servings: 4-6

Ingredients:

½ cup white wine vinegar

2 tablespoons coarse grain mustard

2 tablespoons olive oil

½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

6 cups fresh kale, finely chopped

1½ cups shredded carrots

1½ cups broccoli slaw mix

½ cup chopped walnuts

Method:

Whisk together vinegar, mustard, olive oil and pepper in a small bowl; set aside.

Combine kale, carrots, broccoli slaw and walnut and mix well. Add vinegar mixture and toss gently to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving (the longer the better, because marinating helps to make the kale more tender).

Recipe adapted from www.ingredientsinc.net by Amanda Saunders.

James Ranch farm stand earns national recognition

James Ranch recently was highlighted in Epicurious magazine as one of the 12 best farm stands in the country, a list that includes farm stands in much bigger cities such as New Orleans, Portland and San Francisco.

“Head to this farm stand at the family-run James Ranch, where you can buy whey-fed pork, fresh eggs, vegetables picked that morning, and raw cow’s milk cheese all straight from the source. The view alone – of the mountainous San Juan National Forest – is worth the trek,” the article reads.

Iron Horse Chef contest returns to Farmers Market

Growing Partners of Southwest Colorado is hosting the 2014 Iron Horse Chef cooking competition, a two-part series that will take place from 9-11:30 a.m. July 19 and Aug. 2 at the Durango Farmers Market.

Chefs will have 90 minutes to shop and prepare dishes using all local foods distributed from the market. Dishes will be judged on presentation, taste, creativity and innovation in using local ingredients.

On July 19, the competitors will be Chef Dave Cuntz from Carver Brewing Co. and Chef Cliff Bornheim from The Ore House.

Event organizers say the goal of the competition is to highlight the talents of local chefs and to increase awareness of the affordability and ease of eating locally and in-season.

Amanda Saunders