Moveable Feast Geneva

the farm

After an unseasonably cool spring, we are thrilled to see the weather finally coming around.  We've been getting beautiful, fresh produce from Heritage Prairie Market in Elburn including gorgeous little microgreens, savory garlic scapes, exquisite lettuces, and more.  We are super-excited for the upcoming growing season and all the amazingly fresh, local ingredients we'll have to play with.  

For those of you who don't already know about it, Heritage Prairie Market and Farm is on Brundidge Road at Rt. 38, just west of Geneva.  We've had a relationship with them for a few years, beginning with Bron's Bees Honey, which we sell in the shop and is produced by Bronwyn Weaver, who owns the farm with her husband, Bob.  Last summer we featured produce from Heritage Prairie in dishes here at the shop and on our catering menus.  This year, as their operation grows and they increase their plantings you can expect to see even more.  

We'll also be hosting a series of dinners called, Feast on the Farm, which will be held at the farm with Moveable Feast cooking dinners featuring local foods.  Tickets for Feast on the Farm dinners will be available at the farm or at Moveable Feast beginning in June.  Heritage Prairie also has an extensive lineup of programs, special events and goings-on scheduled for the whole summer, so stop by or check out their website at www.hpmfarm.com for more info.    

Humboldt Fog

In the spotlight this month is Humboldt Fog from Cypress Grove Chevre in Northern California.  We love this cheese & applaud its creator, Mary Keehn.  Mary was part of a pioneering group of American cheesemakers who shared a vision for a new kind of American cheese - naturally handcrafted according to traditional methods from the best quality ingredients.  This year, Cypress Grove celebrates their 25th anniversary & continues to win national & international acclaim for their beautiful cheeses. 

Humboldt Fog is a true American treasure.  With its pillowy white, bloomy rind, the 5 lb. wheel looks more like an elegant cake than a wheel of cheese.  Its defining characteristic is a thin ribbon of black vegetable ash running through the bright white center.  When cut, the contrasting layers resemble the early morning fog that drifts across Humboldt County.  The cheese ripens to perfection from the outside in, producing a creamy shell surrounding a fresh goat center.  The result is a flaky & firm, yet moist and mouthwateringly piquant cheese with a pleasant acidity and herbaceous finish.  Although made in the French tradition, Humboldt Fog is creamy and complex with a character that truly represents its 'terroir' of ancient redwoods & craggy coast near the Oregon border.  Stop in for a piece of Humboldt Fog during the month of April and mention that you read about it on the blog for a 10% discount on this amazing cheese!   

superfoods

The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest her or his patients in the care of the human frame, in a proper diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.  Thomas A. Edison

I love this quote from Thomas Edison because it reinforces my awe and wonder of the natural world.  It reminds me what an amazing creation the human body is with its ability to move with grace and flexibility, to grow strong with activity, and even to heal when injured or ill.  So I ask myself, "Why wouldn't I choose the best possible food every time I sit down to a meal or grab a snack?" 

In our mission statement, we make a big deal about Great Food and what that means to us.  We love to cook, so it's always been natural to us to eat fresh, whole foods.  Also, since we love the flavors, textures and natural beauty of food, eating locally whenever possible and getting our hands on the freshest available ingredients has been our habit since we opened Moveable Feast.  Now we're raising the bar even higher with the introduction of our Superfoods initiative.

When you come into the shop, check the case items for dishes labeled Superfoods.  We'll highlight dishes made with particularly good-for-you ingredients like quinoa (our featured superfood for February) or fresh farm eggs from pasture raised hens or local blackberry honey.  There will be additional information available on each ingredient, its nutritional value and tips on how to cook with it.  We hope you'll enjoy exploring these amazing foods with us!

do you fondue?

As many of you know, our cheese case is filled with an ever-changing selection of beautiful artisan cheeses from the States and abroad.  To share our excitement, we'll be featuring one cheese each month here on our blog with educational information, exciting recipes, interviews with the producers and more! 

This month, we're featuring an amazing alpine fondue custom blended by Jennifer, our resident cheese expert. For those of you who missed it, the fondue was featured on our Valentine's Day carry-out menu. Among the happy customers who brought home the ready-to-enjoy fondue kit were Kim and I. We were both blown away by the sweet, nutty, fruity flavors and smooth, creamy texture of the fondue. Jennifer's blend of Swiss Gruyere, Emmental and French Raclette melted together into smooth, creamy perfection, and it took only minutes to prepare.  Fortunately, we'll be continuing the fondue blend throughout the month of February (and perhaps beyond) so have your friends and family gather around the fondue pot for a cozy evening at home.  When you come in, mention that you read about it on the blog for a 10% discount on your package of Moveable Feast Traditional Cheese Fondue. 

on a mission

That's right... we're on a mission.  Many of even our most loyal friends and customers may not realize that here at Moveable Feast we actually have a mission statement.  Moveable Feast exists To Help Everyone Celebrate Life Through Great Food and the Joy of Entertaining.  So, what does that all mean and how does it relate to you, our customer?  Well, here's the breakdown...

To Help Everyone Celebrate Life - We can't help it... we simply love being alive and we want to share that spirit of celebration with everyone.  Whether you're planning a wedding for 350 guests or just need one of our famous Fairy Tale cookies to brighten your day, we're here to help you celebrate.

Through Great Food - So, what is Great Food, anyway?  Well, to us, it is food that is handmade using all-natural ingredients that have travelled the shortest possible path between harvest and table.  Great Food is prepared with careful attention by someone who is passionate about the art and craft of cooking.  Great Food is nourishing to the body and the soul. 

And the Joy of Entertaining - Throwing parties is FUN!  Or at least it should be.  But with busy lifestyles and hectic schedules, we understand that it's not always easy to entertain as much as you'd like.  That's why we're here to help, so you can enjoy your guests and let us do the work.   

welcome all!

Welcome all to our new blog!  Here we will keep you posted on everything exciting that's happening in food and entertaining in the beautiful Fox Valley and beyond.  Check back often to read about upcoming events, seasonal foods, new products, our favorite cookbooks and much more!  We'll even be sharing some of our favorite recipes and entertaining tips.  We hope you enjoy our posts and remember to comment regularly... we'd love to hear your thoughts!