Summertime has landed in all its sweaty glory after our unusually cool and rainy spring, and we couldn't be happier about it (my tomatoes are pretty stoked, too). All this heat and sun is getting the green things growing, as long as you keep them watered enough. This month's Small Bites has some fun summer thoughts to inspire you to make the most of the season.
Get a fresh perspective on your fig tree by using those big green leaves to wrap fish—you'll be rewarded with a distinctive coconut flavor imparted to the dish. Dig into some amazing eats at Mayan Fusion in Fort Bragg—now in a new location. And get out and enjoy summertime with some live music in the park by The Real Sarahs.
For anyone and everyone looking to expand their homesteading skills, the 2017 Not So Simple Living Fair promises to be a remarkable event. The 2017 Gala Wine Festival put on by the Mendocino College Foundation is not as educational but a must-go for food- and wine-lovers. And be sure to pick up the summer issue of Word of Mouth (and check out our companion piece, the Mendocino County Farm Stay Guide).
Happy summer!
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Fig Leaf Grilled Fresh Fish
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The leaves of the fig tree are not edible but when used as a packet for grilling fish they impart a surprising coconut flavor. You can use this recipe while you are waiting for your figs to ripen. Pick the fig leaves just prior to grilling so they are still soft and pliable.
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- Six 5 lb. wild salmon fillets from Princess Seafood or other fab fisherman you know. Rock cod, or local sable fish is also delicious.
- Tbsp olive oil
- tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- juice of ½ lemon
- slices from ½ a lemon
- sea salt
- fresh ground pepper
Rinse and drain the fig leaves, cutting off most of the stem. In a small bowl whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and spices until combined. Lay fig leaves out placing portion of fish in center of each one. Brush each fish portion with a bit of marinade and dust with salt and pepper. Lay a lemon slice atop each portion. Fold the leaves to make a packet, laying seam side down . You can pin with toothpicks (soak them if they are going on the grill) if the packets get unwieldy. Place on medium-hot grill seam side down flipping once, about 3-4 minutes each side. Its ok of the leaves develop a bit of a char. Place packets on a plate and serve with remaining marinade to drizzle on top.
Photo credit: By SuperJew (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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Good Eats: Mayan Fusion Restaurant in Fort Bragg
Mayan Fusion used to be tucked away in the Noyo Harbor so I am pleased that their new location in the former The Restaurant building on Main Street gets them more walk-by traffic. The new location is painted bright yellow and is packed with happy diners each time I am there.
This place is a great spot to stretch outside your comfort zone and try a Prickly Pear Sangria or house-made specialty like their Panuchos; a pan fried corn tortilla filled with black bean puree, pulled achiote chicken and fixings. I could not pick one item so I got the Tapa Trio with Empanada, Arancini (risotto balls with tomato-basil reduction) and the Salbute (handmade masa tortilla topped with lettuce, guacamole, pickled onion and queso fresco). Doesn’t just reading these words make you hungry? The husband got the fish tacos, how can you resist? And he was full to brimming by the time we left which is quite an accomplishment.
Treat yourself to lunch or dinner at this culinary gem in Fort Bragg. You will be glad you did. mayanfusionftbragg.com
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LOCAL FOOD EVENT CALENDAR
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13th Annual Goldeneye Winemaker Dinner . . . July 15
An elegant summer evening of artfully paired wine and food, this event is a smaller gathering of supporters of Cancer Resource Centers of Mendocino County. Chef Olan Cox will create a memorable meal, paired with wines chosen by Goldeneye Assistant Winemaker Katey Larwood. Seating is limited to just 48 guests. Tickets can be purchased through crcmendocino.org.
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Ozomatli and the Real Sarahs at Ukiah’s Sundays in the Park . . . July 23rd
Is there anything more quintessentially summer than a free concert in the park? Pack your picnic and grab your blanket and chairs and make a day of it. Major dancing will happen at this show. Music starts at 6pm at Todd Grove Park.
cityofukiah.com/sundays-in-the-park/
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Not So Simple Living Fair . . . July 28th-30th
A weekend of hands-on workshops and demonstrations celebrating rural living and homesteading skills all in one thriving venue. Are you eager to make your own cheese, hard cider, bread, blacksmithing, home building, wildcrafted foods, beehive, ...well you get the idea. NSSLF is the place to do it. A full schedule of workshops will show you how to do all this and more. “Packing with Llamas” and “ Small Scale Grain Raising” both sound fascinating. Perhaps you will grow your own quinoa this year. This event will expand your skills and introduce you to the experts living in our midst. There are also many opportunities for community building and fun like a pancake breakfasts and a potluck Saturday night with live music by Dgiin.
notsosimple.info/
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Mendocino College Foundation 2017 Gala Wine Festival . . . August 12th
This local wine bonanza will take place in a new location under a REALLY BIG tent on the athletic field at Mendocino College. This not-to-be-missed event raises money for the foundation to assist students attending Mendocino College achieve their goals. Special guest Mike McGuire is scheduled as special guest auctioneer. Rarely will you see this much fine wine, and fine food in one place for such a good cause. www.mcfgala.com
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Ranch Notes
About three months ago we bought a pig from a friend whose parting words were, "I think she had a visit from the boar yesterday ... she might be pregnant!" Indeed, three months later we are delighted to find eight squirmy baby pigs in the pig hut (a small shelter on posts that allows pigs to sleep warm and dry during the wet months when the ground turns to mud).
We've raised and butchered pigs for years but this is the first time we've had them as babies. They are just so dang cute I couldn't help but share some pics.
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Word of Mouth Summer Issue is out now.
Pick up your copy today or subscribe and have it mailed to your door for $25/year.
P.O. Box 277, Willits CA 95490
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Word of Mouth Farm Stay Booklet
Mendocino County has a growing agri-tourism sector and Word of Mouth wants to, well, spread the word! Our Art Director Torrey Douglass has designed a beautiful booklet sharing a handful of the great places to stay in Mendocino County. These are all working farms and ranches that include accommodations, some multi-room inns others a small cottage onsite.
If you want a copy for a $5 fee, email wordofmouthmendo@gmail.com or view online.
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