Dinner On The Farm, Paradise Farms, Homestead, Fla.

Homestead, Fla.—What’s better than dinner on a South Florida farm? How about a six-course dinner, made out of local ingredients, hosted on a certified organic farm and served with all the fresh microbrewery beer you can drink for just $55 a person.

From left to right: Monica Walch, Chef Andrew Gerson,
Aniece Meinhold, Chef Cesar Zapata, Dinner On The Farm,
Paradise Farms, Homestead, Fla.
Copyright 2014 by Helen A Lockey

Last October, on a sunny Sunday afternoon such a dinner happened. It was held at Paradise Farms where The Brooklyn Brewery Mash Tour joined forces with Minnesota based, Dinner On The Farm and three Miami based companies: The Federal Food, Drink & Provisions, Bee Heaven Farm and Sublicious Farms.

Tropical fruit salad dessert created by Aniece Reinhold, made with
Bee Heaven Farm dried organic tropical fruit,
Dinner On The Farm, Paradise Farms, Homestead, Fla.
Copyright 2014 by Helen A Lockey

"Dinner On The Farm is a family oriented, affordable, no tables, bring your own cutlery organization," said Monica Walch, founder of Dinner On The Farm.  

Tangy starfruit, tangerine Komulicious, Dinner On The Farm,
Paradise Farms, Homestead, Fla.
Copyright 2014 by Helen A Lockey

The event started with luscious samples of organic tropical dried fruit from certified organic Bee Heaven Farm, tangy sips of starfruit, tangerine Kombulicious (unpasteurized kombucha) from Sublicious Farms, smoky bites of roasted zucchini appetizers, and indulgent gulps of fresh microbrewery beer from The Brooklyn Brewery.

Roasted organic Paradise Farms grown oyster mushrooms
with corn puree, Dinner On The Farm, Paradise Farms,
Homestead, Fla.
Copyright 2014 by Helen A Lockey

A short tour of Paradise Farms, by owner Gabriele Marewski came next giving Chef Andrew Gerson, of the Brooklyn Brewery, and Chef Cesar Zapata of The Federal Food, Drink & Provisions, a chance to finalize their dishes.

Delicious, colorful, local organic food, Dinner On The Farm,
Paradise Farms, Homestead, Fla.
Copyright 2014 by Helen A Lockey

Tables loaded with food were waiting for the hungry audience of 20 or so people when they came back to the outdoor pavilion. "Ninety percent of everything today was Florida sourced," said Chef Gerson, waving an arm over the table.

Foraged green and herb salad with edible flowers, Dinner On The
Farm, Paradise Farms, Homestead, Fla.
Copyright 2014 by Helen A Lockey

A fresh salad of forged greens, edible flowers and herbs was followed by a scrumptious tomato ceviche decorated with papaya flowers. 

Avocado, tomato ceviche with sour orange, edible flowers,
and red onions, Dinner On The Farm, Homestead, Fla.
Copyright 2014 by Helen A Lockey

Smoky, roasted oyster mushrooms with creamy and crunchy corn went well with the mug of Brooklyn Brown Ale I had chosen to drink. The ale also went very well with the creole seasoned Florida Pompano fish course.

Florida Pompano fish dish with creole seasoning and micro-
greens, Dinner On The Farm, Paradise Farms, Homestead,
Fla. Copyright 2014 by Helen A Lockey

Dessert came from the imagination of Aniece Reinhold, of the Federal Food, Drink & Provisions. It was a tropical fruit salad using both dried and fresh jackfruit along with watermelon, edible flowers, micro-mint and fresh whipped cream. 

The night ended with applause for the chefs and the farmers.

If you are interested in getting into one of these affordable dinners you can go to The Mash By Brooklyn Brewery or Dinner On The Farm.

You can also check out Paradise Farms for thier affordable Brunch In Paradise series.

6 Florida Vegetables And Slow Cooked Pork Yumminess

Slow cooked pork is yummier with fresh local Florida vegetables. This meal can be used with other vegetables local to your area if you don’t live in Florida but the key is to use local ingredients.

Six Florida grown vegetables with slow cooked pork

The idea came from some beets I had stored in the fridge. Several weeks ago I bought them from a Pahokee, Fla.

This past weekend, I bought Florida grown creamer potatoes and yellow zucchini from Fong Farm, Mississippi grown sweet potatoes from another farmer, and Belle Glade grown tomatoes from Seed To Bloom at the Saturday morning Wellington Green Market.

Then I bought Boynton Beach grown Bonita sweet potatoes from Solace Farm at the Sunday morning Jupiter Farmer's Market in Harbourside Place.

My one pound boneless pork roast came from a Winn Dixie Supermarket, as did the barbeque sauce I used to season the dish.

You can buy your meat from whomever you want and use your favorite barbeque sauce.

Peeled Florida grown beets, creamer potato, bonita sweet potato
and
Mississippi grown sweet potato

All the root vegetables need to be peeled and cut into one-inch quarters. The tomatoes just need to be quartered.

To keep the calories a bit lower, you can pour in one cup of water instead of oil or stock.

Place the pork roast in a slow cooker, top with all the vegetables and pour in the water. Cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours or LOW for 8-9 hours. Make sure to turn over the meat half way through the time.

The meal is done when the internal temperature of the meat reaches 180 degrees.

ENJOY

Shadowood Farm, Organic In Palm City, Fla. UPDATED

Palm City, Fla.--Are you looking for fresh, locally grown organic produce? Then the Saturday Market at Shadowood Farm is for you. The farm, owned by Bob and Sarah Fenton, began in 1984 and 26 years later started the Organic Food Garden. The Saturday Market runs from November 1st, 2014 to May 9th, 2015.

The Organic Food Garden on Shadowood Farm, Palm City, Fla.
Copyright 2015 by Helen A Lockey

This small weekly market is held on the farm property from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. But even though it is small there are still several delicious vendors. They sell vegetables, herbs, raw honey, organic herbal teas, skin care products, baked goods and more. Bring cash and a cooler.

All the items grown in the community style Organic Food Garden are available for purchase at the Saturday market. However, because of certain regulations, some vendors require membership to purchase their products.

The Saturday Market is located at 6220 SW Martin Highway, Palm City, FL 34990

To find out more about Shadowood Farm, their rentable garden spaces, and their Organic Food Garden membership you can go to their website http://shadowoodfarm.com