December Random Bites

Food Gifts:

I love receiving food gifts for the holidays, especially locally made products.

I recently tried Muirhead's fantastic tomato jam, pumpkin butter, green tomato mincemeat (yes!) and balsamic dressing.


All products are made naturally in Ringoes, NJ and everything was delicious, especially that green tomato mincemeat!

Barbara's family has owned the company since 1974 and all recipes are homemade.
You can mail order here from her site.

A great idea for the holidays instead of bringing that "2 buck chuck" from Trader Joe's to someone's home, just sayin'.


First Time:

This was my very first pomegranate.
I had never bought one before and had no idea what to do with it, but it was .99 and very pretty, so I had to take it home.


After watching a YouTube video, I cut it in half then placed it in a bowl of cool water. With my fingers, I pulled apart the membranes to be rewarded with little treasures, pomegranate seeds! The membrane pieces will float to the top easily.


So easy!




Princeton Bites:

I am a big fan of farm to table. Farm to fork. Farm to mouth.

Local. Locavore. Eat what's in season. Grow your own food. Eat tomatoes only in the summer.
Slaughter your own chickens (ok, that might be pushing the envelope a bit, but you can find local chickens if you really want to).

Agricola is a farm to table restaurant across the street from Princeton University, in the heart of lovely downtown Princeton.
Latin for "Farmer", Agricola is a beautiful restaurant, serving amazing local artisanal products.


They have a great selection of artisanal bourbons, vodkas and gins, as well as an extensive wine list.

I'm pretty hard on NJ restaurants, because everyone seems to do the same thing. We are the red sauce state.
I get a lot of flack for saying that over the years, but I speak the truth.

But there are some people in the Garden State doing amazing things these days.

How about a kale salad w/ pickled mushrooms and roasted cauliflower? I'm in.

In house smoked Berkshire ham with potatoes and grainy mustard. Delicious.


Beet cake with goat cheese icing and beet chips for dessert (I did not tell you know who that the icing was goat cheese.........he loved it).

This is delicious food that is good for the soul as well as your tummy.

Can't wait to go back.

Agricola
11 Witherspoon St.
Princeton, NJ 08542
609-921-2798


Nagging:

And why aren't you following me on instagram?
Maybe it's because when I registered a while back, I never put the name Stacey Snacks in, so no one can find me.


Well, if you want to see what I'm making and eating for lunch and dinner daily, then tune in.
Here is the link: http://instagram.com/staceycaron23

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Comments

Katie C. said…
Supposedly the easiest way to get the seeds out of a pomegranite is to cut it in half, then hold it upsidedown over a bowl and whack it with a wooden spoon. Pick out any white stuff and eat!
Stacey, please make my fennel and pomegranate salad if you love pomegranate. I froze my extra arils in a mason jar. It was one of my best finds this year.
Tracy S said…
Good timing! I just started following you the other day.
Also, excited to check out the Princeton place, I always like your suggestions!
Meghan L said…
I've been to almost all of the restaurants you've recommended. Can't wait to try this one. Love Princeton! And farm to bistros are my favorite!
Carrie Anne said…
We ate at the bar last night at Agricola, really great!
Thanks for the always great restaurant reviews in this limiting food state of NJ! I love Princeton!
Patsy said…
I'm an instagram follower (blenniesmom)!! Loved your vacation pix in Turks + Caicos.
Joanie said…
I made your bread pudding recipe this past weekend. Oh my gosh!! It tastes just like the pudding I had in New Orleans - love it.

I will so make this again.