Chilling Out with Easy Summertime Treats!

As many of you know, our COOKIES FOR KIDS' CANCER Bake Sale took place over the weekend. It was an overwhelming success, raising a whopping $1,536.72 to fund research for kids' cancer treatments! A HUGE THANK YOU belongs to those of you who baked the goods to sell. We were truly moved by your generosity. Everyone who baked, baked something truly special and put their heart and soul into their donated items. Thank you, thank you, and thank you again! We'd also like to thank the folks who purchased goods at the bake sale. There were so many people giving over and above the price of the cookies that our donation jar was full in no time.

Thanks for your Help with our Bake Sale!

As the summer progresses, we still have many exciting events happening at ACORN FARM. We put out a few new classes last week, as well. One has filled but we still have a little room in the other - see below!

SATURDAY EVENT:
I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM . . .

Saturday, July 23rd, noon-3 pm - FREE! No registration needed!

We all scream for ice cream! Come into the store on July 23rd to get a taste of summer. We'll be demonstrating all sorts of summer treat-makers, from Ice cream machines, Zoku Instant Icy Pop makers, to an easy-to-use ice cream sandwich mold! We'll even be showing a superb ice cream scoop invented by a local couple. We're hoping they'll be able to make an appearance on that day to tell you all about it.

As you can see, there are lots of sweet reasons to be in the store on July 23rd. Come down for a taste of summer. You KNOW you want to!

Saturday, July 30th - 10am - 5pm

RED BAG SATURDAY

ATTENTION RED BAGGERS! It's just a couple weeks before our third RED BAG DAY of the year, so put it on your calendar in big RED letters! We've got loads of great goods just waiting to go home with you at a 20% discount. Are you a part of our Kitchen Cash Club but haven't received a Red Bag? Any member of our KITCHEN CASH CLUB with two or more purchases recorded on their Kitchen Cash Card, is eligible to receive a Red Bag. Four times a year our Red Baggers can come in on RED BAG SATURDAYS and shop for most items in the store at 20% off. There won't be another Red Bag Day until the end of November so don't miss this one!

Make sure you come in to get your Red Bag BEFORE July 30th as they cannot be used on the day they are issued. Not a member of the Kitchen Cash Club? Come in and register. It's fast, free, fun, and....well..... REWARDING!

SAVE THE DATE:
POLISH POTTERY SALE - KICK-OFF PARTY

Thursday, August 11th - 5-8 p.m.
Sale continues through August 14th!

It's our biggest event of the year! Our 8th Annual Polish Pottery Sale will kick off with our Polish Party on Thursday, August 11th with Polish Food, Polish Dancers, drawings, and more! Not to be missed, this is a great event, drawing Polish Pottery fans from all over! Every single piece of polish pottery in the store will be on sale for 20% off the normal price. We'll have an absolutely grand selection of everything from tiny pitchers to lovely covered roasters. Pass the word along to your friends. If they like polish pottery, they're going to LOVE this!

FAREWELL TO SUMMER - only 3 spots left!

with Chef Steven Grostick

Wednesday, August 31st - 7-8:30 p.m. - $40

As summer comes to a close, we'll be celebrating the fabulous flavors of farm-fresh vegetables. You just don't get those flavors any other time of year. Let's enjoy the harvest together with this menu! If weather permits, we might move this class outdoors, to enjoy the wonderful end of summer!

Lemon Blueberry Vodka Spritzer - the name says it all!
Shrimp burgers--delicious, right? A little panko, some scallions, bound together, seasoned and cooked to perfection, topped with a remoulade and put on a bun.
Corn chowder shooters - As corny as Kansas in August. Steven will put his spin on this fresh-off-the-cob delight
Fried green tomatoes- a traditional dish with a sauce/relish/salsa that will depend on what interesting ingredients Steven finds at the Farmer's Market.
Jicama salad - Oh my! When we first tried this recipe, three of us ate the whole batch. Amazing flavor, simple ingredients, you'll LOVE it! Avocados, red onion, oranges, and more.
Granitas - A light and refreshing summer dessert for a sweet ending. We'll serve two kinds; cucumber-basil and a watermelon-lime!

Happy Cooking!

Kathy Magaluk and all of us at Acorn Farm

Melting Hearts with Chocolate Treats

When its Valentine's season, chocolate takes on a special role as a representative and token of love with its complex dimensions mirroring love itself. In this issue, we're getting ready for the season of love with three chocolate treats, Lacy Nib Cookies on a Strawberry Salad, Gooey, Double-Chocolate Mocha Cookies, and Chocolate Pots de Creme. Yes, we think chocolate says it best!

COOKING CLASS OPENINGS

We hope you enjoyed RED BAG SATURDAY last week! Now you're probably gearing up for some Big Game fun and feasting. If you're looking for some great ideas for your menu, pop into the store for some inspiration. We have a large variety of soups and dips to round out your menu as well as some wonderful cookbooks to spark your creativity. Throw in a little bit of football decor and you're all set.

We're in the middle of a great class season with a whopping total of 4 spots left in our entire schedule! The first two are in our ITALIAN CLASS, which should be a delicious departure from the standard things we all know how to make. The second two openings are in our GREEK CLASS. Besides the wonderful sea bass and other Mediterranean specialties, we'll also be featuring their big Bean Bake. The lowly bean has never had it so good! This year's food trends are all about pulses - the dried beans, peas and other legumes that we sometimes take for granted. They're beautiful foods, high in protein and fiber, but low in fat! Go with the trend and start off with this dish! Two spots left. Get 'em while they're hot!

Wednesday, February 17 - 7:00 - 8:30pm, $40 - Two spots left!
Thursday, February 18 - 7:00 - 8:30pm, $40 - FULL!

THAT'S AMORE

with Chef Steven
You've no doubt read about our trip to the Amalfi Coast in April. This is our cooking school's nod to Italy for those of us unable to join the tour! Come and learn to make some dishes that you haven't prepared before. There's more to Italian cuisine than just spaghetti and pizza!

Crostini with Artichoke Paste - Mozzarella & roasted tomatoes - now THAT'S amore!
Broccoli & Salsicci - Broccoli rabe with sausage and fennel
Risotto Pescatore - A lovely seafood risotto.
Panzanella Salad - Of course, we'll put bread in the salad! Mangia!
Limoncello Mousse - Made with ladyfingers and sprinkle of fresh berries. What's not to love?

Wednesday, March 16 - 7:00 - 8:30pm, $40, just 2 spots available!

IT'S ALL GREEK TO ME!

The Mediterranean region plays host to some of the fabulous flavors of the world. Lots of fresh, sun-ripened tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic, fish fresh from the sea, and a bounty of vegetables. We thought you'd enjoy these traditional dishes.

Big Bean Bake - Just like Uncle Nikolos used to make! Elevate the lowly bean by simmering in a rich, herbed tomato sauce, brightened with citrus!
Briam - The recipe that will be in every Greek grandmother's cookbook! A delicious Greek roasted vegetable dish, hinting at ratatouille, but flexible with whatever is in season. Throw in a few potatoes and some goat cheese for good measure and you'll be hooked.
Sea Bass - Fresh fish and Greece go together like America and apple pie. If you want to know how to prepare it to perfection, look to the folks who eat it nearly every day! Great for your health, but even better for your taste buds!
Rizogalo - An exquisite grown-up rice pudding with wine-poached fruit. You'll be a fan, for sure.
Mini Thyme Breads - Baked in a flower pot or a little popover pan. Lots of thyme, lots of butter, lots of yum!

Happy Cooking!

Kathy Magaluk and all of us at Acorn Farm