Elderflower soda Alison Steele Column Alison Steele Columns Food & Drink 

Elderflower Soda

By Alison Steele The elderberry tree (Sambucus nigra) is native and to both Virginia and California. It waves its abundant white flowers in processions along mountain roads and stands watch in the corners of cultivated gardens in early to mid summer. My mother’s Mennonite Community cookbook, from 1950, offers recipes for pies, jams, jellies, vinegars, cordials, and wine including this… Read More
Steel Bonnet Brewing Scotts Valley Food & Drink 

The Women of Steel Bonnet

By Julie Horner Leslie Buchanan became lead brewer at Steel Bonnet Brewing Company in June 2020. Involved with the business since its early days, she earned the position. “When Donald and Susan asked if I’d like to take over the brewhouse, I was excited – and terrified.” From brewing to kegging, in an industry dominated by men, Buchanan quickly reached… Read More
condiment fixins herbs spices Columns Food & Drink 

Fermented Condiments

By Greg Roe and Mike De Smidt In last month’s column we introduced you to the history and process of brewing and fermenting one of our favorite summer beers, the German Kölsch. This month we’re going to add to the summer’s arsenal of fermented foods to accompany your backyard grill. Whether you’re grilling up burgers or dogs, be it beef,… Read More
Roasted Artichokes with Sage Blossoms and Lemon Balm Column Alison Steele Columns Food & Drink 

Roasted Artichokes with Sage Blossoms and Lemon Balm

By Alison Steele If you’ve been following along, you’ll notice that I love harvesting edible flowers to flavor our food. Reeling us in with color, then aroma, and capturing our taste buds with the melding of essential oils, flowering herbs are a complex flavor addition to any meal. Continuing the edible flower theme, this week’s recipe is nothing short of… Read More
Spring potato salad Column Alison Steele Columns Food & Drink 

Lured by Spring: Picnic Potato Salad

By Alison Steele Spring can’t help but lure one out with its flowers and trees loaded with blossoms and birds. Finding an adventure in nature has been essential for relaxation now more than ever. With summer just around the corner, a picnic is the perfect way to extend your day outside relaxing in the sun. Whether you’re heading to the… Read More
Nettles Song Soup by Alison Steele Column Alison Steele Columns Food & Drink 

Nettles’ Song Soup

Recipes from a Mountain Garden By Alison Steele Coming into Spring, the hiking paths are lined with nettles, miner’s lettuce, wild garlic, and  plantain. It’s fun to forage for wild greens, adding nutrients to our bodies when we need it most! Mother Earth knows how to grow mineral rich food even if our gardens are still too shady to grow our… Read More