The Creamery at Twin Maple Farm
June 10, 2013
I’m excited to share with you a recent project, after taking a bit of time off this year. Back in February, we visited Twin Maple Farm, and a few weeks ago returned for a 3-day weekend getaway to capture the true beauty of spring in the Hudson River Valley. Not only did we get a behind the scenes lesson in cheesemaking, but were able to spend our afternoons wandering the gorgeous hills and trails around the farm during a much needed city detox. If you’re ever in the area I highly recommend checking it out. You can read more about it here.
The Creamery at Twin Maple Farm
Swoon Kitchenbar
March 11, 2013
If you’re hungry and in Hudson, I recommend spending a lunch or dinner at Swoon Kitchenbar. Their fresh, locally sourced menu changes weekly based on the season, and it was top of my list to check out. To keep with our cheese trend of the day, we opted for a sampler plate including Humble Pie, a cow, sheep milk blend that was creamy and tangy from Woodcock farm in Vermont, Ewe’s Blue, a sheep’s milk blue veined cheese from Old Chatham Sheepherding in New York, and of course our favorite Hudson Red from Pampered Cow. The shoestring fries with spicy aioli were a perfect extra snack. Although we stopped in during a quiet midday hour, the bar is known to attract a crowd and the tables fill up quickly in the evening hours, so be sure to get there early for a seat.
Ewe’s Blue cheese
Fries
Bread & Olive Oil
Cheese plate
Cheeses of New York
March 3, 2013
During our weekend upstate, we certainly got our fill of cheese. Some favorites included Sprout Creek Farm’s Point of Origin– a raw cow’s milk cheese that is aged with Red Hook’s Sixpoint Ale, another local favorite. This unique beer/cheese combo is soft, pungent and buttery with lovely hints of malt and coffee. Next stop was a bit further north at Pampered Cow’s creamery at Twin Maple Farm. Situated in a picturesque country landscape a short drive from Hudson, we were lucky enough to get a private tour and learn a bit about the cheese-making process. Best known for their Hudson Red– a funky, washed-rind, raw cow’s milk cheese, we also got a sneak peek of their truffle cheese, which was amazing, and their garlic cheese curds were another favorite of mine. I can’t wait for a return visit and photoshoot this spring when everything is in bloom.
Hudson Red & Point of Origin Cheese
Sprout Creek Farm’s Point of Origin
Sprout Creek Farm
Pampered Cow’s Truffle Cheese
Hudson Red
Inside the creamery
A Hudson Preview
February 22, 2013
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend! Here’s a preview of my recent Hudson River Valley excursion. One of those spontaneous trips planned in a matter of just a couple days, the jam-packed itinerary allowed us to see and eat our way through the beautiful region.
Hudson River Valley
New England at Christmas
December 13, 2012
It was one of those weeks that I was in need for a spontaneous adventure. I called up my best friend in Boston, told her I was venturing there, and we were going to drive up the New England coast to Maine. I’d never been this time of year, and it was rather pleasant, not having the summer tourist crowds, but instead the cozy Christmas atmosphere. Our first stop was the historical town of Newburyport, where we grabbed some cinnamon buns, ham and cheese croissants and a breakfast turnover from the Chococoa Baking Company before strolling around the cobblestone streets to do a little shopping. To warm up, we stopped at Plum Island Coffee Roasters and for very seasonal, delicious drinks– The North-Pole Mocha and the Snowflake Latte. Before long we hit the road again, driving up to Maine to hit as many antique shops as possible along Route 1 before the end of the day. At this point, I decided to retire the camera, but we finished up our daytrip in one of my favorite places– Perkins Cove– for some butternut squash soup with a smoked pork sandwich and clam chowder with bacon and chervil drop bisquits from MC Perkins Cove. The northern sun had since set, families had gone home, and we drove home along the dark windy coastal roads, being lit only by house’s Christmas lights and blaring Bruce Springsteen’s Santa Claus is Coming to Town.
Nubble Lighthouse & Cinnamon Buns
Holiday Inspired Drink Menu
Ham & Cheese croissant
Newburyport
Breakfast turnover
The Regis in Red Lodge
November 10, 2012
Amongst the options for a Sunday breakfast in Red Lodge, Regis Cafe is quite the popular choice. Early morning starts out quietly, but the tables soon fill up with locals and visitors alike– from churchgoers to adventure enthusiasts stopping through town. With a high concentration of sustainable and organic food, the meals are unbelievably fresh. And if you’re in the mood for some grocery shopping, the shelves against the walls resemble what you’d find down the aisles of Whole Foods, so you can always grab that box of Annie’s Mac and Cheese to make for dinner on your way out.
Pineapple French Toast
Pineapple French Toast & Coffee
Bacon, eggs, toast and fruit
Bacon
A Hiker’s Lunch
November 5, 2012
New York is still recovering in the days following Hurricane Sandy, and my heart goes out to all those less fortunate than myself as they continue to look forward. I’ve finally returned to the office, and slowly we’re getting back into the daily routine. Meanwhile, I’ve sorted through a hiking excursion from Montana in a desert area known as Weatherman Draw, containing the largest collection of Native American rock art on the continent. I recently put together a menu inspired by a hiker’s lunch. It included everything that can be prepped ahead of time, and easily transported to location. We made open grilled chicken and steak sandwiches, a side of beans and trail mix, and Ocean Spray’s sparkling cranberry juice cans for a refreshing taste to quench your thirst.
String beans and grilled chicken sandwich
Trail Mix
Sparkling Cranberry juice
One of many Pictographs
Grilled chicken
Desert landscape
Desert Landscape
Steak sandwich
Roberts Cafe
October 25, 2012
Roberts, Montana is a small town that you very easily could pass without even realizing it. But if you’re being attentive on the road, you just might notice the little side street that holds a post office, art gallery, farm supply shop and cafe. This no frills diner had a very homemade artistic feel to it. The food was what you’d expect at a diner– we ordered a standard eggs/toast and grilled cheese, but it’s certainly one of those places off the beaten path that was worth a visit.
Roberts Cafe
Grilled Cheese and Fries
Tator Tots
Eggs & Toast
Montana Kitchen
October 20, 2012
The first snow of the season was falling, and there was nothing quite like staying in, preparing some local Montana fare for dinner. Earlier in the day I ventured over to Babcock & Miles, one of my favorite specialty food shops I had previously photographed, to pick up organic chops of Icelandic lamb from Willow Spring Ranch, feta goat cheese from Amaltheia Organic Dairy and some fresh herbs from their garden. To go with the lamb, we made salad and potatoes. And for breakfast the following day, a berry smoothie and fritadas were the perfect start before a day hiking.
Cheese, crackers and raspberry jam
Goat cheese, crackers and raspberry jam
Garlic
Fresh ingredients
Preparing the lamb
Salad
Smoothies at sunrise
Fritadas for breakfast
A Taco Bus in Red Lodge
October 15, 2012
One of my favorite places to escape the hustle and bustle of New York is Red Lodge, Montana. Nestled below the towering Beartooth Mountains, we grabbed lunch at Taqueria Las Palmitas my first afternoon in town. This school bus turned taco truck could possibly have some of the best tasting Mexican around, for quite the deal– only $1.50 per taco. And it gets extra points for its unique location. Parked off the main street alongside historic log cabins, this wouldn’t be a place you’d expect to stumble upon, but well worth a visit. We filled up on tacos and quesadillas while chatting with a local guide sharing adventure stories from Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu, and of course the nearby treks of Red Lodge.
Chicken tacos
Pork tacos
Quesadillas
Tacos
a camera in the kitchen 