Sunday, May 31, 2009

Farm Dinner



On Saturday evening, we went to dinner at a local goat cheese farm. We've enjoyed their delicious goat cheese, sold at our local Farmer's Market and food co-op, for the past year. Last summer they started featuring weekend dinners with different themes; our neighbors attended and raved about the experience, so we decided to tag along this year.

The theme for Saturday's dinner was "Celebrate Spring." The first event is iced tea and hors d'oeuvres.

It's BYOB, so we had already stopped by our local wine shop for a couple of bottles to go with dinner. We brought Beronia Rioja 2004 and Lirac Red Rhöne Wine 2006, knowing that lamb was the main course. Luckily, our neighbors remembered to bring cool white wine to start!



Here's the custom-built smoker/grill:



Before dinner we were given a tour of the farm. The goats were very happy to see us:



And these baby kids--unweaned--couldn't keep still, so excited were they. So adorable! Until one tried to eat my handbag...





The menu. All was incredible, but the cheese course was eye-wateringly amazing. All cheese is created on site, and made from the milk of the Farm's goats, with the exception of the Krotovina, which is a mix of sheep and goat milk. The Farm purchases its sheep milk from a nearby Amish sheep farmer. There was also a slice of honeycomb accompanying the cheese, which came from Farm beehives. All other produce and the lamb came from local farms.



Typically, the meals are served outside at long tables in a nearby field, but because the forecast threatened rain, we ate in the Farm's new barn:



It did start raining, but only after the dinner was nearly finished. As we were leaving, we glanced up at the rainy Prairie sky, and this beautiful break in the clouds.





13 comments:

M.Lane said...

That sounds so fantastic! I would like to have that custom made grill!

ML
mlanesepic.blogspot.com

Bee said...

This is just summer heaven to me. I'm so envious!

I loved your pictures of the sky, btw -- and of course, I must mention the handbag eating goats!

Cupcakes and Cashmere said...

wow, that sounds like such a lovely way to spend an evening!

Fantastic Forrest said...

I am so jealous.

Thanks for sharing, but I'd really like it if you could send some cheese!

I feel a need to recreate a small part of this experience here. Will go to the Portland Zoo and pet the goats (keeping handbag out of reach) then buy some Hot Lips pizza with big tasty dollops of goat cheese. Or maybe hit the Vancouver Farmer's Market and busy some goat cheese. Yum.

vicki archer said...

What a really fun thing to do - I can imagine the cheese course was superb, xv.

Kelli said...

This looks like SO much fun and such a great time! I wish I could have experiences like this one although hard to come by in Southern California.
I am a huge goat cheese fan, yummy!
Bon Weekend!

Maggie May said...

What a relaxing time. T hat windmill is gorgeous.

the Preppy Princess said...

Goodness, that looks like bliss. Sheer and utter bliss.
The baby goats going after your handbag are too cute!

Thank you for sharing all of the fabulous photos, that really made me feel like I was right there!

Have a wonderful Week to come!
tp

The Mrs. said...

That sounds so fabulous!

Anonymous said...

Looks amazing! Great pictures!!

Easy and Elegant Life said...

What a fine evening you had!

I'm toying around with smoking my own fish for breakfasts this summer. Now I want a custom smoker and grill..

You guys look great.

Marilyn *Pink Martinis and Pearls* said...

What a beautiful event and pictures. Looks so relaxing.

Miss Cavendish said...

I've been to something similar: a "slow food" evening with dinner made from all local ingredients and served al fresco on a farm. It's such a lovely experience . . .