Why a Salad Costs More Than a Big Mac

Because there are no lettuce lobbyists, that's why.  (Chart courtesy of Physicians' Committee for Responsible Medicine.)

Cooking Classes

Jolene Struebbe, an adjunct culinary instructor at the Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State and after school cooking instructor at Norwood High School, is offering a series of classes stressing the use of local, seasonal and cleanly grown ingredients. 

Quiches and Tarts
Monday April 5 or Monday April 19
6 - 9pm
Learn to make a homemade pie crust, form and fill the crusts to make a variety of seasonal and savory tarts, mini tarts, tartlets, free form tarts and quiches.  Class is vegetarian friendly.  $55.

Mother's Day Tea Celebration
Monday May 3, 6 - 9pm (if demand supports it, class will repeat Saturday May 8, 10am - 1pm)
Finger sandwiches, scones, miniature desserts.  $55.

Sensational Summer Entertaining
Monday June 21, 6 - 9 pm or Saturday June 26, 10am -1pm
Two complete menus: Southern Frogmore Stew, cornbread, fresh fruit trifle, fish tacos, farmers' market-inspired side dish, peach pie.  $65.

All classes held at Jolene's home in North Avondale.  For registration call Jolene at 513.221.4018 or contact her via email.

Murphin Ridge Inn

I'd been meaning to get out to Murphin Ridge Inn (750 Murphin Ridge Rd, West Union 45693) in Adams County, and when I heard Joanne Drilling was the new chef there, I was especially interested in visiting.  So this week while I was attending a seminar in Piketon (about 30  miles beyond Murphin Ridge; both are just off Rt 32) rather than camping out at the Comfort Inn Piketon I decided to take my husband along and check out Murphin Ridge.

We don't do dining reviews here on Cincinnati Locavore, but I have to say the meal was impressive.  Highlights were the onion bisque soup -- one of the best things I've eaten in a while -- and the crab mashed potatoes that accompanied my husband's steak.  I'd go back just for either.  The dining rooms are in the 1810 brick farmhouse, and it is charming.

They source out of their own garden for a nightly special they call "Will's Harvest" (Will's the gardener -- we saw the ruins of last year's garden beside the guest house) and they source a lot from local farmers, including the large Mennonite and Amish populations nearby.  Their wine list includes selections from local wineries Kinkead Ridge and Harmony Hill, which was refreshing to see as often restaurants sourcing locally don't extend the practice to their wine list.

Soapbox on Cincinnati's Local Foods Movement

There's an article on Soapbox today about local eating in the area.

Workshops for Market Gardeners

Have you thought about growing a market garden and selling at local farmers' markets but aren't sure where to start? Turner Farm is offering a series of workshops to help new market gardeners start selling at farmers' markets.

EARN A LITTLE “GREEN” BY GROWING GREENS
Discussion will focus on varieties of greens that grow well and sell well, along with tips on how to raise them year round.  Led by Melinda O’Briant.  February 2nd, 7:00-8:30 pm.

TRAFFIC STOPPERS:
Start a conversation at your market table by growing unusual produce
Discussion will focus on fruits and vegetables such as jerusalem artichokes, broccoli raab, garlic scapes, tomatillos, and others that grow well but aren't commonly seen at area farmers' markets. Led by Melinda O’Briant and Nancy Ogg of Shady Grove Farm. February 23, 7:00-9:00 pm.

Attend one or both. Fee for each class is $12. Turner Farm, 7400 Given Rd, Indian Hill 45243.  Reservations can be made by calling the farm at 561-7400 or emailing them.

Basics of Herbalism Workshops

Local herbalist Abby Artemisia is offering a Basics of Herbalism series of workshops.  The first, Herbal Teas for Winter Wellness, is February 6th at Imago.

From the announcement:

In this class we'll talk about the different types of tea, i.e. black, green, white, herbal, etc.  We'll discuss herbal options for immunity boosting in this chilly season.  You'll learn how to create a tea that's not only healthy, but tasty, too!  There will be plenty of easily digestible (pardon the pun) information about the herbs and the various techniques for steeping tea.  And...you'll even get to create your very own tea blend to take home!

Saturday, February 6, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM, Imago Earth Center (700 Enright Avenue in Price Hill, Cincinnati)  $25, space limited to 20, reserve here.

Slow Food Cincinnati Kickoff Meeting Jan 27

Slow Food Cincinnati is having their 2010 kickoff meeting 6:00pm, Wednesday January 27th at Park+Vine (1109 Vine St, Over-the-Rhine, 45202).

From the evite:

Please join Slow Food Cincinnati for our 2010 Kickoff Meeting at Park+Vine downtown!  We are excited to meet Slow Food Cincinnati Members and food enthusiasts alike for an evening of delicious local food and beverages, conversation, and information about our group.  The event is free of charge, however we welcome any donations to offset the costs of refreshments.

Please bring your appetite, ideas, and interest in supporting good, clean, fair food.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

For more information on becoming a registered Slow Food member, please visit slowfoodusa.org.   We welcome both Slow Food members and non-members to this event.

Free (donations gratefully accepted), but reservations required.  To reserve your place, visit their facebook page.

Winter Farmers' Markets at Our Ohio

Our Ohio has a listing of winter farmers' markets. (If your market isn't listed, tell the market manager to contact Our Ohio.)

SW Ohio Beekeeper School March 27th

Southwestern Ohio Beekeeper School is open for registration.  The daylong school features multi-track programs designed for the beginner and experienced beekeeper.  This is a highly-regarded beekeeping school -- local beekeeper Richard Stewart of Carriage House Farm says:

"This school has a long history and is very popular, so much so that last year registration closed two weeks after opening with this year expected to go even quicker. The lectures are top notch, every major bee supply vendor in the business is present...If you only attend one beekeeping school ever, this should be the one hands down!"

 Saturday March 27th 8am - 3pm at the Oasis Conference Center (902 Loveland-Miamiville Rd, Loveland 45140).  $35 per person.  Lunch is provided.  Registration is by mail, first-come, first-served, and is limited to 300.  Download the forms here.  Last year's school sold out early, so don't delay. 

Review of Dojo Gelato at EpiVentures

EpiVentures has reviewed Dojo Gelato, a local artisan gelato maker who sell at Findlay Market and around town.