New Holland Farmers Market

What do you think about that? Changes are happening everywhere in Lancaster County. Check it out! Little towns, the likes of New Holland, are starting to comprehend the agricultural significance of the area that they live in. I am sure they knew all along, but important changes are sprouting up all over the place.

About seven years ago, New Holland revived its Business Association, which was filled with rigid, unwilling to change, keep it as it is, “if it is not broken…” status quo members. After hosting several successful events, including the Christmas in the Park event that grows each year, they are now seeing that changes must take place in order to compete in the future. With that being said, our very own Farmers Market, thanks to a visionary, has sprouted here in New Holland.

From its successful beginnings last year, the event began as a way to get exposure for the local farmers and opportunities to sell their goods. From home-grown produce, flowers and ornamentals to dairy items including cheeses and ice cream, the New Holland Farmers Market has surprises for everyone.

This year the Farmers Market will be adding special events throughout the season, including demos from yours truly. I was asked to do demonstrations throughout the season, bringing to light how to utilize the local’s larder in a recipe that they can bring home. Each demonstration will revolve around a certain theme and highlight the great items that are readily available in our area.

You know, I am looking forward to this; my family would say, “anything to be the center of attention”. They are probably right, but it is much larger than that. I look at this as a way to connect with the community. Here in New Holland, we are all dots who have been waiting some time for the “Culinary Wizard” to connect us; it looks like our time has now come. We here at the Harvest Moon are excited.

Friday Night Pizza Night

Hellooooo there,

Welcome back everyone. Here I am again spouting the mouth off on some odd culinary diversion to set my mind at ease. Nothing like the talk of food to put you on a different level, I that I am right about now at the end of the day!

We love to cook pizza here at the Harvest Moon You see, every Friday Night here is Pizza Night! I drive the guest crazy with the smell wafting through the house. A family tradition well for what is now four generations at least. My father's Mother has passed the cheese grater and rolling pin all the way down to my son. Nine years old and all ready in the sauce, (making it quiet good I might add).

You see; when all is set for the weekend, my son and I work on the pizza together, just as my father and I did years ago. I thought with two older kids, I would at least of one that would pick it up, but they were holding out for the last one I suppose. We, [my son and I] get all the ingredients together which includes:
1. Whole peeled tomatoes // 1 lg can
2. Fresh Garlic chopped fine // 3 cloves
3. Fresh Basil chopped fine // 2 sprigs
4. Oregano // 2 tsps
5. Salt to taste
6. Pepper to taste
7. Olive Oil 1/2 cup
8. Tomato Paste 1 sm can
9. Water to thin paste 1 sm can

Now mind you, I don't measure!!! So these amounts may be a bit off, but try it out. See what you like best, this is not Rocket Science here, your taste buds will tell you.

Put this on your favorite dough; go ahead, make a dough, I dare ya'!! That is what separates us big boys from the little ones; nothing better than a home baked pizza dough. Don't forget that before you put your dough on the pizza pan, you should put a little Crisco on the pan to make the bottom of the dough crispy. ( What about the burnt sweet sauce flavor that you sometimes get on the bottom of the pizza?) Try dropping a bit of sauce over the edge of the dough onto the pan.

Once you have the sauce on the pizza, top with your favorite toppings. Just remember, better ingredients make for a better pizza, so whatever you put on it, make it count.

Finally, bake the pizza at 350~ on bottom rack for about 15 to 20 minutes, move to top rack and let the cheese turn golden brown. Remove and slice. Enjoy!!! Mangiare!!

I Found a New Restaurant ( a Lancaster Restaurant Review)

Hey there,

I discovered something new the other day. Just on a whim, we decided to go to a restaurant that I have never tried. Skeptical for I never tasted the food before, I thought that it would be a good idea to broaden my horizons a bit. We decided to go to Lemon Grass Thai Restaurant on Lincoln Highway in Lancaster across from the Rockvale Square Outlets. A smaller place in a strip mall; but don't let this sway you from trying it out.

After sitting down and enjoying the comfortable atmosphere, we looked at our menus and decided to go with the lunch menu that they offered. A choice of three different soups; four of five different appetizers and the same with the main offering.

For a soup we tried the Thai Lemon Grass and The Chicken Coconut. Both were outstanding. The Coconut was especially wonderful, (although I Hate Coconut). A creamy blend but nothing heavy. Great unique flavor and something that I could have eaten given my background with coconut.

For the appetizers, we had the crispy rolls and the Thai Dumplings. Once again we hit a streak, both were wonderful. Full of great flavor and both very intriguing. The Dumplings were served with a sauce that was just right to compliment the flavors inside, being careful not to overpower the delicate flavor. What I liked most is that it was all homemade here.

Then the main dish. We choose the BBQ chicken and the Druken Noodles. The chicken that day was not to our liking. A little dry and not with much flavor. However the Druken Noodles were what I believe Thai Food is all about. What a unique flavor combination. All I could compare this to is the complex flavor of a great wine. Lots of herbs and spices going on that not all were figured out. We decided to send the chicken back and get a second Druken Noodle. I will come back and try the chicken another time to give it a second chance.

So my skepticism has been wiped away, (as far as Thai goes) and I will frequent this place as often as I can. Once again if you can believe it, this restaurant is right here in Lancaster County. About a half hour drive from the Harvest Moon Bed and Breakfast