Bits and Bites

-- Uncle Billy's Brew and Cue on Lake Travis will be starting a Sunday gospel brunch series, beginning May 27. Check their website for details, and the buffet brunch doesn't sound bad either!

-- Sagra's Sunday Supper Series is back this Sunday as well, five courses with vino, $55/person, reservations required. Umbrian truffle lasagna, anyone?

-- On May 30th, the Sustainable Food Center breaks ground on a new building and 2.3 acres of community garden plots, all located at the MLK Metro Rail Station, on MLK Blvd., one mile east of IH-35. Ceremony with Mayor Lee Leffingwell, Senator Lloyd Doggett and other dignitaries begins at 10 am.

-- While on the Italian topic, Silver Whisk in Lakeway will begin a month-long "Escape to Italy" cooking series in June.

-- Cannoli Joe's will be hosting a gluten free dinner with their Executive Chef Quirino Silvio on June 8th; $45/person, including wine pairings. 

-- Local tea house/producer Zhi Tea has developed some small plates created from locally sourced ingredients, as they look to create more food and drink memories for their clientele.

Bits and Bites

-- Do you miss the old Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival? (Rhetorical question, but yes.....) You can now get a little piece of history, the Austin Food and Wine Alliance will be selling past year's merchandise (t-shirts, wine glasses, etc.) at the Barton Creek Farmer's Market this Saturday, May 19th, from 9 am - 1 pm. Questions on what you might find? Email them directly at info@austinfoodwinealliance.org

 

-- Max's Wine Dive celebrates their 3rd birthday with a 4-course farmer's market dinner on Sunday, May 20th at 5:30pm, $75/person. Proceeds will also benefit the Settlement Home for Children.

-- Olive and June will be hosting two gluten-free dinners in honor of Celiac Awareness Month (May), on May 23 and 24 at 7:30 pm; click here to purchase ticket, 5 courses, $80/person.

-- For the last pairing event of the season, Jack Allen's is hosting a dinner with 4.0 Cellars, June 4, $65/person. Reservations: banquets@jackallenskitchen.com

-- Paggi House has updated their menu to encourage diners to try more smaller plates (prices also adjusted) of their New American cuisine, and are shifting to a bit of a more casual setting.

Say Cheese!

I had the pleasure of joining a fine group of fellow food bloggers last weekend as Farmstress Maggie, of From Maggie's Farm, taught us how to make ricotta cheese. It's actually quite easy, with no fancy equipment or ingredients needed. And the end product is delicious!

Joining Maggie and myself were Girl Gone Grits, Field and Feast, Stetted, and Seasonal Palate; Epicuriosities was with us in spirit though a migraine kept her home bound.

For the ricotta, start with raw milk, which Maggie picked up for us from a local farm.

Heat the milk slowly (medium heat) until it reaches 170 degrees, and hold it there for 10 minutes (try not to let it go over 180). 

Add half a cup of plain white vinegar, and stir. Immediately, you see magic before your eyes!

The curds and whey separate like *that!* Stir a little, and then pour contents into a strainer lined with a fine cheese cloth or butter muslin.

Once they whey has drained out (you can save it for other uses, like adding to your smoothie; Maggie actually just did a great post explaining about whey and what you can do with it), put your curds back into your pot (or a bowl), and season to your liking. It will certainly need at least a little salt! Dried herbs are preferable, as the fresh ones can go moldy if not eaten quick enough. We had a nice lemon zest and dried rosemary blend. 

You're now pretty much ready to eat it! One gallon of milk yielded just over 11 ounces of ricotta for me. Maggie says the fresh ricotta will last about a week in the fridge. Here's what I made with mine:

Maggie used us a guinea pigs, as she's hoping to make this into a fee-based class series. And you know what? She's a great teacher, and we had a lot of fun! I can't wait for our chevre class! :) Thank you Maggie!

Bits and Bites

-- The Austin Chef Showdown is Saturday, May 12 at the Mexican American Cultural Center from 11:30am - 2:30 pm. Hosted by the Mayor’s Fitness Council, guests can sample the tastiest healthy entrees from 15 restaurant finalists and vote on their favorite.

-- For a nice full list of places to go for Mother's Day brunch, check the Statesman. (And really, if you've waited this long to make reservations, you better get on it!) Ruth's Chris Steak House is also doing dinner on Sunday, from 5:30 pm onward.

-- Slow Food Austin is hosting a happy hour at Boggy Creek Farms, May 17 @ 6 pm, suggested $15 donation. Food will be from the farm's resources, and drinks will be warm-weather friendly!

-- Ski Shores Cafe on Lake Travis is offering summer movie nights, live music, and new dockside pick up of to go orders. See their website for more info.

-- Eater Austin shares their list of favorite pizza joints in town. I am still wondering what's happened to Mercury Pizza at South Lamar and Oltorf..... are they really going to reopen? Anyone know?

Bits and Bites

-- More Derby Day (May 5) happenings at drink.well and  J. Blacks Feel Good Kitchen and Lounge.

-- Con Olio Oils and Vinegar on Lavaca and 2nd will open on May 10th.

-- Sustainable Food Center's Farm to Plate dinner, May 10th, featuring Eastside Showroom/Hillside Farmacy chef Sonya Cote.

-- Peche has a new summer menu, featuring local, seasonal ingredients.

-- Elizabeth Street Cafe now doing happy hour with $2 off select drinks, and $2 off appetizer plates. They're also doing take out food too!

-- Trophy's Bar and Grill on South Congress will close, and be taken over by Larry McGuire (of Lambert's, Perla's, Elizabeth St., La Fresas), reopening in a few months. 

-- Mexia peaches were at Central Market Westgate yesterday! They're small overall, and smell good, though the two I bought need another day or so to ripen!

-- Central Market also held a media preview at the French Legation of their upcoming Passport France event, May 9 - 22. Glorious cheeses and baked goods! Crepes. Wines and champagnes. All CM's will have French products, wine tastings, and events at their stores.