I’m sure that you already know this, but this Saturday, the 2nd of May, is Green Up Day here in Vermont. To be honest, I’ve haven’t participated much in the past, but I will  definitely be out there this year, greening up with everyone else. It’s really for a good cause and you can clearly see the results afterwards.

When you’re shopping at the store, don’t forget to pick up a few Green Up bags at our office. They are completely free and you can have as many as you’d like.

Once you are bag-equipped, you can either head out to wherever you like, or contact your local coordinator and find where you might be most effective. All the contact information can be found here. 

Nana,
Kyle

I just added Frank’s recipe from last week’s sampling of Artichokes Barigoule to our Recipes page. Enjoy.

Quin ‘ec,
Kyle

We will be hosting an in-store beer tasting this Friday (tomorrow) from 3-6pm. We will be sampling a variety of beers from Rock Art Brewery.

Dehna hun,
Kyle

In response to the comment on the previous post, there are, of course many maple syrups to choose from when considering what to drench your waffles in. Personally, I like the syrup produced by our friends over at the Shaker Maple Farm. They have consistently offered the highest-quality product year after year. And, we just happen to have their new 2009 crop on sale at our store. Coincidence?

Once you’ve picked your particular producer, you also need to consider what grade of syrup to get. If you like a more mild maple flavor, as well as a thinner syrup, then Fancy grade is the way to go (it is also commonly referred to as Grade A Light Amber). I, personally, find it too watery for my liking. I usually opt for Grade A Medium Amber. It has a perfect balance of maple flavor and viscosity. However, there are many times where I feel like a strong, imposing maple flavor, and these are the times I reach for the Dark Amber. It is easily the most difficult grade to find, mostly due to the fact it is made later in the season, but is delicious detachment from the norm every once in awhile. Lastly, there is Grade B, which unlike its name may suggest, did not receive 10 points less on the Midterm than Grade A. Instead, Grade B has a very strong, almost overwhelming maple flavor, and for that reason is more commonly used for cooking and baking purposes, rather than an actual table syrup.

As for side dishes for a waffle feast, there are plenty of options. Me? I like a nice side dish of more waffles with my waffles. However, if you are making a meal, some classic breakfast sides are always good. I would suggest, as our commenter did, that you choose some Vermont Smoke & Cure bacon. It’s leaps and bounds better than anything Oscar Mayer has made, in my opinion. If sausage is more your cup of tea, or cup of sausage as it were, they make excellent sausages as well.

Sometimes people like toppings on their waffles. I might put strawberries, just so I have something to brush off, but honeslty, just a healthy helping of maple syrup is perfect or me.

All of the products that I have mentioned in this post are available at our store, so come by and pick up all the implements for your own waffle feast.

Nestaevahosevoomatse,
Kyle

I was going to bed last Friday night and just before I lost consciousness, I had one dramatic, unshakable thought. “Make waffles in the morning!” After my heart-rate came back down, I fell asleep. Then, at the crack of 10:30am, I sprang into action. I rushed to the store to get the proper comestibles.

I grew up being a Bisquick man. It’s not my fault, I didn’t know any better. It’s like the boy raised by wolves. Is it his fault he can’t balance a checkbook? Of course not. It’s the wolves’ fault, they’re notoriously poor financial planners. Anyway, as I said, Bisquick was all I knew. But something inside me told me that I should pick that day to emerge from my waffle mix cocoon. So, I made a hasty yet serendipitious selecton, and grabbed a box of Maple Grove Farms Buttermilk & Honey pancake/waffle mix. On the way home, I feared that this product would prove to be nothing more than a slightly more expensive Bisquick.

So I made the waffles, and you know what? They were so good. Not just good. So good! I don’t know what the heck I had been thinking all of these years. It’s like when Jim Carrey figured out he was on television in The Truman Show. Everything I knew before felt like a lie.

Point is, those waffles were fantastic. If you appreciate a nice waffle in the morning, or perhaps some pancakes instead, you’d be a fool not to give Maple Grove Farms a chance. They have a whole array of varieties as well. Perhaps blueberries are more your thing. No problem, you’re covered.

Khair,
Kyle

I just added Frank’s sample recipe from last Thursday. This time, it was a Spring Vegetable Pasta mixed with chevre from Vermont Butter & Cheese. Scrum-didly-umptious!

Tse,
Kyle

It’s that time of year again. Time to start thinking about your garden! If you are the do-it-yourself type of person and want to start from scratch, rather then waiting to buy sprouted plants, then it’s time to start preparing your seeds.

We are proud to carry an extensive selection of seeds from High Mowing Seeds. This is a great company out of Wolcott, Vermont, that specializes in offering only the finest, 100% organic seeds. For the past three years, I have personally used their seeds to start my garden, and I have always had exemplary results. Of course, that could simply be due to the fact that I am an amazing gardener, but I’d like to extend some credit to the seeds as well.

So, if you’re looking to save some money on your produce costs, or just have some extra vegetables around, you should really come pick up some seeds and get them going! You’ll find our large seed display in our Produce aisle.

Germination Salutation,
Kyle

If you were fortunate enough to stop in last Thursday and try Frankie’s Salsa Verde, I’m sure you thoroughly enjoyed its scrumptiousness. If not, then why not make some of your own? I’ve added his recipe to our Recipes page. It’s a super easy process with exceptionally yummy results.

Vi snakkes,
Kyle

Often times customers come in and ask us for a recommendation on a wine to serve.  Just as often, I have customers looking for Pinot Noir, one of the most popular grape varietals on the market today.  Pinot Noir is a “hit or miss” wine, for it often is relatively expensive to find one with the berry ripeness and the round balance.  This month, (April) we are featuring a Pinot Noir for your everyday sipping needs.

Mark West Pinot Noir has lovely balanced flavors of raspberry, cola and Asian spice.  This wine is now on sale for a stunning $9.99 a bottle, saving the consumer a whopping five dollars.  We have worked hard with our distributor to generate this great price and also have purchased enough to get us through the entire month.  Come in today and grab a bottle or two, or even a case.  Remember, we offer a 10% discount on full cases.

Mason Pomelo Sauvignon Blanc is a wine featured for those of you looking for those warm summer afternoons.  A great Sauvignon Blanc crafted by Randy Mason, one of Napa Valley’s most talented winemakers.  He seeks out stellar quality fruit from variety of premium vineyards.  This beauty is packed with delicious grapefruit and citrus flavors with a hint of herbal smoky minerality.  We have this wine on sale for $9.99 a bottle, saving the consumer one dollar.

Bottoms up!  Drink great wine in 2009!

Justin

I just wanted to let everyone know that today is French Onion Soup day in the deli. If that’s not a reason to call in sick/play hooky/fake your own death/sneak out of the house, then I don’t know what is. I just finished my second of what will likely be 6-7 bowls. Heavenly.

Mmm mmm good,
Kyle