Immune Boosting, Stress Relieving Ginger & Turmeric

I thought this was worth sharing again as I’m stocking up on this. I plan to have some available at the farmers markets this weekend.

Our farm still has fresh ginger and turmeric. You can pick up while it lasts, every Saturday at Webb City Farmers Market and Joplin Empire Market.

My friend Mary recently shared with me what she did with the ginger she received in her CSA share. She made Ginger, Turmeric & Lemon Honey Bombs! With the arrival of the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I found this to be a timely treat. Add a teaspoon or two to hot water, add it to tea or juice, or slather it on bread. This supercharged mix will nourish your body, mind and spirit.

Continue reading

Chili Relleno Casserole with Roasted Anaheims

By popular demand, I’m sharing the recipe! This is super simple to make. I use our farm’s roasted anaheim chilies. They are mild but have a nice chili flavor!

This is a delicious breakfast side served with tortillas, bacon or sausages and topped with sliced avocado, salsa and cilantro.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups anaheim chilies, roasted, peeled, and chopped
  • 2 beaten eggs
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8 or 9 inch casserole dish.
  2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and stir until well mixed. Place in the prepared casserole dish. Bake 45-50 minutes or until set.
  3. Remove from oven, let stand for 5 minutes.

Did I write “welcome February” in my last post?

Ok, I’m totally rethinking that.

This is our first experience with sub zero temperatures for an extended period. I haven’t peeked beneath the row covers yet so I don’t know the extent, if any, of damage to our crops. Today at least the sun is shining clear and bright. Right now it’s 60 degrees in the high tunnels. We’ll know more on Friday when temps are forecast to be above freezing. Stay tuned…

The temperature at OakWoods Farm this morning February 16, 2021.

It’s also kidding season here at the farm. It seems like those babies decide they want to be born on the absolute coldest days of the year. Two hypothermia babies out of 11 and hopefully no more. They have both fully recovered and have been happily returned to their mamas thanks to Doug’s loving care.

Little doe born yesterday morning and her momma left her out in the cold. After warming her up, Doug gave her colostrum to give her some energy before taking her back out to her momma.

On the upside, the snow cover is providing much needed moisture for spring growth! And we’re seeding tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, scallions, onions, lettuce, kale, chard. Plus, cilantro, parsley and basil. We delayed transplanting seedlings this week due to the extreme temperature. We have a lot of work to do to catch up next week.

For Winter Farmers Market, it’s  too cold to harvest this week. We will be back at market (weather permitting) on Saturday February 27.

Stay warm and safe!

Karen

P.S. If you know people you think would be interested in happenings at our farm, please forward this to them and encourage them to sign up at Subscribe Here.

Winter Farmers Markets

Well, winter is settling in now and all our outer gardens have been put to bed until spring. I am breathing a sigh of relief and enjoying the slower pace of the winter season. It’s a regenerative time for both people and the planet.

2020 is behind us and we’ve been planning for 2021. Doug, Stephen, Mark and I are excited about expanding our protected cover growing space this winter by adding more high tunnels. We will be able to grow more produce for you.

As we end 2020 and begin a new year, I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your business and your continued support of OakWoods Farm. I know that you have many options in the marketplace for purchasing produce. Thank you for choosing us. We are committed to providing you with the freshest and best quality organic produce and look forward to serving you in the years to come.

And now on to Winter Farmers Markets…

Although we have slowed down a bit for the winter, and take a break over Christmas and New Year’s, we are tending winter greens in the high tunnels. And believe it or not, there’s still weeding, seeding, and transplanting to do. We’re bringing microgreens, lettuce, spinach and kale to winter farmers markets on Saturday’s at Webb City Farmers Market and Joplin Empire Market. Stop in and chat with us.

Wishing you a new year filled with wonder, contentment, friendship, joy — and abundant good health!

Karen

Doug weeds lettuce in high tunnel 3.

Kale Yeah Baby!

It’s greens season here at OakWoods Farm and kale is one of our favorite superfoods. It’s one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. Kale is loaded with all sorts of beneficial compounds and it works well in dishes from salad to soup. And locally harvested kale is the best! Come visit us this weekend and pick up a bunch at Webb City Farmers Market and Joplin Empire Market.

Here are some of my favorite ways to prepare kale:

Kale Chips. Try lightly crushing the chips and adding them to popcorn. Our farmhouse Cayenne Chili Pepper Salt adds a tasty kick to this recipe. https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/kale-chips-51186450

Kale Smoothie. You can be as creative as you want with smoothie ingredients. Green smoothies provide fiber, calcium and vitamins A, C and K, as well as powerful phytochemicals. I like to add a scoop of protein powder. https://www.thekitchn.com/kale-smoothie-recipe-23059434

Kale Salad. Substitute your favorite apple and you can use parmesan instead of pecorino. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/kale-and-apple-salad-recipe-2112013

Kale Pesto With Pasta. Use any pasta you like. Mama JoJo’s has fresh pasta at Webb City Farmers Market. https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/kale-pesto-with-whole-wheat-pasta

Ricotta, Kale & Mushroom Toast. I like to top this toast with a fried egg. Mushrooms are available from Salt and Light Farmhouse and Mo’ Mushrooms. https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/ricotta-kale-and-mushroom-toast

And of course, Zuppa Toscana. Pick up a hearty bread to dip in the soup from The Bearded Baker or Farmhouse Bakery at Empire Market or from Reddings Mill Bread Company at Webb City Farmers Market. https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/copycat-zuppa-toscana-5565099.

– Farmer Karen

OakWoods Farm Response to COVID-19

OakWoods Farm is taking the Covid-19 pandemic seriously. In this tumultuous time, people need healthy, local food now more than ever. In addition to social distancing, washing hands, and other good practices; it is equally important to eat well and keep your immune system fed, healthy and strong.

Doug, Stephen and I are committed as farmers to keep growing safe, clean, local, nutrient-dense produce for you.  We grow food that helps build and boost our family’s and communities’ immune systems. We will continue supplying our local family’s tables, natural grocery stores and wholesale customers with fresh, local, healthy produce.

We are GAP (good agricultural practices) and Food Safety trained and we take food safety seriously. We are following the CDC precaution by continuing the washing of hands and sanitizing of all work surfaces and equipment that comes in contact with the food that we feed to our community. We have always done this, and we will continue to do so throughout the future.

We know a lot of folks will be limiting social interaction, and so we want to let you know that we have an on-line ordering option with delivery to 3 pick-up locations plus here at the farm. You can always call me to make special pick-up arrangements.

Click here to head to our store OakWoods Farm

Our markets, Webb City Farmers Market and Joplin Empire Market will remain open and are also working to keep your shopping experience safe. More about ordering options soon.

Maybe more than any other moment in my life, I am grateful today to tend a farm and market garden; what a blessing it is to grow food and distribute it to people to nourish their bodies and their immune systems. It takes on a whole new meaning when the whole world doesn’t make sense.

We can do this!

Always share kindness,

Karen

2019 Opening Day at Webb City Farmers Market

Welcome Farmers Market spring and summer season! Come and celebrate Easter weekend with us! We’re bringing plenty of organically grown, fresh harvested local greens to Webb City Farmers Market and Joplin Empire Market. Featuring our OakWoods Farmhouse 8 variety lettuce mix. Plus our spinach mix which contains different varieties selected for taste, texture and color, and a selection of microgreens, fresh parsley and mini head lettuce. Continue reading

Immune Boosting, Stress Relieving Ginger & Turmeric

Our farm still has fresh ginger and turmeric. You can pick up while it lasts, every Saturday at Webb City Farmers Market and Joplin Empire Market.

My friend Mary recently shared with me what she did with the ginger she received in her CSA share. She made Ginger, Turmeric & Lemon Honey Bombs! With the arrival of the hustle and bustle of the holidays, I found this to be a timely treat. Add a teaspoon or two to hot water, add it to tea or juice, or slather it on bread. This supercharged mix will nourish your body, mind and spirit.

Continue reading

Chili Seasoning Mix Is Back

Just in time for cold weather and snow! Got a crowd to feed?  A batch of our chili is a warming meal. A gourmet blend of our farm’s own tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, garlic and blended peppers is sure to please. We have a mild and a hot chili mix. Simple and fast to prepare, it’s a great taco seasoning too.

Pick some up while it lasts every Saturday at Webb City Farmers Market and Joplin Empire Market. Or order from our store.
Continue reading