Jefferson's Kitchen

What struck me about Thomas Jefferson's kitchen in Monticello was what a likeness it has to Julie's kitchen color!

Stone Barns - no Blue Hill

Garden home brew

Pigpen

A happy lamb is a chewing lamb

Hen and Eggmobile in background


Bee Keeping

The barn

Farmers Market- Meat Purchases

http://www.stonebarnscenter.org/

Stone barns is an amazing center for agricultural education just about a 40 minute drive north of the city. Please look at the website for background and info. This is a wonderful place to take kids for the afternoon. The restaurant on site- Blue Hill- is booked months in advance so we didn't go. We took the livestock tour and met some nice pigs and sheep instead.

By Request - Recipe

FIG CHUTNEY - delicious when served alongside smoked ham and cheese

From Artisanal Cooking by T. Brennan and A. Friedman

makes 1-1/2 cups~

1-1/2 cups red wine
1/2 cup port
1/4 cup sugar
2 star anise
1 pound black mission figs, stems removed and cut in half lengthwise
1-1/2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
salt

1. Put the wine, port, star anise, and sugar in a 2 qt. pot and set over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, then lower the heat and let simmer until reduced by half, approximately 15 minutes. Stir in the figs. Let simmer until syrupy, approx. 1-1/2 hours.

2. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the lemon juice, and season with salt. Let cool, and refrigerate in an airtight container.