Three Perfect Hudson Valley Picnics

The long winter is finally over and I want to share this fun, little piece I recently wrote for Hudson Valley Magazine with you. I got to choose three great picnic spots here in my beloved Hudson Valley and then design three meals made with local ingredients to go with the outings.

I chose a family favorite, the Saugerties Lighthouse, as well as the stately, beautifully manicured marvel known as the Vanderbilt Mansion, and Bear Mountain State Park, an active person's playground that is a bit closer to New York City.

The gorgeous Saugerties Lighthouse on the Hudson River. Photo by Mark (hatschski) via Flickr, copyright 2014.

As for the food, it was a sheer delight researching the many, delicious, locally-made options! Big thanks to my Facebook friends for their super-helpful suggestions including the remarkable baguette du perche at Cafe Le Perche in Hudson, Woodstock's very own Buddhapesto, apple chips from Wrights Farm in Gardiner (one of my favorite vendors at the Woodstock Farm Festival), saucisson provencal from JACüTERIE in Ancramdale and many, many more.

Here's the link to the article if you'd like to read more. Hope you enjoy eating OUT this spring and summer. Below are a few shots of the Saugerties Lighthouse experience to whet your appetite for picnicking.

The picnic table on the deck at the Saugerties Lighthouse on the Hudson River - tree at left is the big mulberry that offers delicious berries in season. Photo by Krissa Corbett Cavouras via Flickr, copyright 2007.

Boardwalk portion of the trail to the lighthouse. Photo by Daniel Mennerich via Flickr, copyright 2011.

You might also like:

• Strawberry Shortcake from Fresh-Picked Berries at Story Farms in Catskill, NY
• The Huguenot - A Unique Farm-To-Table Partnership in New Paltz, NY
• Restaurant Review: The Phoenicia Diner Gets a Serious Facelift 

For more delicious recipes, gardening ideas, foraging tips, and food-related inspiration "like" the Garden of Eating on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter and Pinterest.

I'll Drink To That - How Hard Cider Is Helping to Save Apple Orchards

A few years ago, the good folks at Glynwood noticed that New York State's apple orchards had declined by a shocking 25% in just five years. Unacceptable! They stepped in to help keep a time-honored way of life and thousands of acres of prime agricultural acreage alive.

Their solution was inspired - by helping to boost the popularity of hard cider, a dry, sophisticated drink that bears little resemblance to the sweet, fizzy six-pack ciders you can get in a grocery store - they hoped to create a sustainable market for New York's apples. And so far, it's working remarkably well!

I wrote more about it recently for Civil Eats - you can read the short piece here.

And this seems like a good time to mention the fact that hard cider is the perfect drink for a Thanksgiving feast. Apples are a natural pairing for every single dish on that groaning table...

Visit the Cider Week site to find out if there are events and tastings taking place in your area this month and next. If you're lucky enough to live here in NY's Hudson Valley, check out Cider Week Hudson Valley.

You might also like:

• Three Hudson Valley Farm-To-Table Restaurants You Should Know About
• Finding Our Way Back To Food - An Interview with the Author of Kitchen Literacy
• Kings of Corn: Talking with Curt Ellis & Ian Cheney

For more delicious recipes, gardening ideas, foraging tips, and food-related inspiration "like" the Garden of Eating on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter and Pinterest.