kefir Columns Columns: Tom Andersen Food & Drink 

From Ancient Origins to Your Kitchen: The Fascinating History of Kefir and a Simple Recipe to Make Your Own

By Tom Andersen Kefir is an ancient fermented tangy dairy drink. Evidence of kefir cultures have been found that were 4000 years old. It is said to have been a gift from the prophet Mohammad himself; can’t go wrong with that. There is an area at the bottom of Russia above the country of Georgia called the Caucasus where Turkey… Read More

Grow Oyster Mushrooms at Home

Have you been curious about growing mushrooms at home!? Come learn how at Mountain Feed. Saturday, January 6 from 11 am – 1 pm. Santa Cruz Fungi @scfungi will give a 2-hour comprehensive class on how to grow edible Oyster mushrooms at home. This hands-on workshop includes a mushroom’s lifecycle and a guided step-by-step demo on building your own mushroom bucket. Participants… Read More

Mexican Night at Aroma

Tacos & Tequila & Pozole, oh my! By popular demand we’re expanding our dining options for our new Mexican Night at Aroma! Our delicious handmade tacos have become such a hit, this Tuesday we’re adding pozole to the menu! Pronounced ‘po-zole-ay’ this is a savory pork hominy soup seasoned to perfection. Hearty and healthy, enjoy this autumnal offering with a… Read More
Food & Drink Valley People 

Santa Cruz Fungi: Popsicles With Benefits

By Julie Horner Cool cats looking for a chill experience this summer will be delighted to discover Santa Cruz Fungi “Popsicles with Benefits,” handmade medicinal mushroom-infused frozen treats. Founders and fungi fanatics Paul Lazazzara and Katie Sarna have a lifelong obsession with mushrooms and eating healthy. Based in Boulder Creek, the couple launched their nano business in 2020 and began… Read More
Egg custard pie Column Alison Steele Columns Food & Drink 

Egg Custard Pie

By Alison Steele Every year for my birthday I bake egg custard pies. It’s one of my mama’s favorites and seems to tickle fond childhood memories. Treats like spoon bread, egg custard, bread pudding, and cream pie were readily made on their small backwoods farm from fresh eggs, freshly skimmed cream, raw milk, and day-old bread. Becoming harder and harder… Read More
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
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