Gilroy Garlic Festival or BUST

The trailer is loaded up and ready to head off to Christmas Hill Park for the 34th Gilroy Garlic Festival. Being right in our own back yard, this is one of our biggest shows of the year...


If you plan to head out, be sure to print out a coupon from our website (www.garlicfestival.com) and come visit us at booth #63.

If you can't make it to the Festival, you can still get the flavors of the festival at home by taking advantage of our $5 Flat Shipping deal... Just enter 5SHIP at checkout!!!

Fresh garlic on the way...

We have received several inquiries about fresh garlic availability. While we usually begin receiving garlic from our grower in mid-July, this year the harvest is running late due to the late rains we had this past winter.
Garlic is currently being harvested and wind rowed and we expect to have a full variety of fresh CA garlic the first week of August. We know that many of you are eagerly awaiting its arrival and thank you for your patience..

Garlic Festival Foods!

Farm Fresh Produce, Watsonville, CA

Farm Fresh Produce is just what it says; fresh from the farm fruits and vegetables as well as a selection of specialty foods! Stacey, our sales rep and demo person is seen there, occasionally, doing samplings of our fabulous garlicky products.  Try Garli Glaze over a block of cream cheese for a simple yummy appetizer.

Simple Summer Avocado Salad

                                                  

Simple Summer Avocado Salad

As simple and delicious as it gets! A great 4th of July and all around summer recipe......They're in!  California avocados; creamy, tasty and healthy!

Did you know that avocados don't ripen until they're picked?  I buy several and put 2-3 in the kitchen to ripen and keep the rest cool and dark to slow their ripening until I'm ready for them. And then........simply cut them in half, brush with lemon or lime juice, fill the cavity with Garlic Festival Spicy or Mild Salsa and arrange on a lettuce leaf or bed of greens.

Serve alone or mix the salsa with baby shrimp before filling the avocado or serve a couple of large cooked prawns on the side.   

PInteresting

Who else here has caught the Pinterest bug? I have been purposely avoiding the site lately because I know if I go there I will be sucked into a vacuum of inspiration from which I may not escape for hours :) I love visiting and finding new recipes, home projects and as an artist.. art inspiration.

Recently, for fun, I searched for "Garlic" to see what would pop up and as per usual a treasure trove of inspiration popped up. I am sharing just a few of my favorites with you here ...

How beautiful is this tattoo? I love it!

These look SO GOOD!! Recipe here:
http://www.mamajanskitchen.com/2010/04/easy-peasy-garlic-rolls.html

I just thought this was cute. Keep those vampires away!!

With it being harvest time for Garlic, this caught my eye. Soon we will have  fresh garlic and braids available for sale at Garlic Festival Foods. Can't wait! 

Friends, Food and Wine; Living in Paradise

Happy sipper

view from the deck

     Nestled in a tiny hidden valley near the Monterey Bay, just outside of the equally tiny village of Aromas, CA, sits the rustic, charming River Run Winery. River Run bears no resemblance to those huge corporate wineries that the Napa Valley is known for. Bounded by organic strawberry fields, apple orchards, still verdant hills and a river, it is aptly named.  River Run produces a selection of handcrafted, award winning varietals. At the top of my "favorites" list is the late harvest Zinfandel. Other offerings include the Coté de Aromas, Viognier, Negrette, and Carignane.  Today those in attendance got to enjoy the weather California is famous for; warm sun and a taste of an ocean breeze experienced in a beautiful casual setting.

      Happy sippers can enjoy the serene view, visiting with friends, strolls in the garden and generous samples of River Run's offerings while also enjoying the delicious appetizers created by hostess Kristine and chef and President of Garlic Festival Foods, Caryl Simpson. (garlicfestival.com) JP, host and wine maker is there to discuss his wines one on one with interested oenophiles. Those fortunate enough to live in the area or planning a visit can be apprised of future events by signing up for mailings at www.riverrunwines.com or visit them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RiverRunVintners.

flowers and food

A river runs through it

Garli Glaze from garlicfestival.com

JP and wine sippers 

the "lineup"

GARLIC FESTIVAL OLIVE STUFFED CHICKEN

GARLIC FESTIVAL OLIVE STUFFED CHICKEN

from garlicfestival.com

Serves four.

4 boneless chicken breast halves with skin

1 cup Garlic Festival^® Garlic Stuffed Olives, chopped coarsely

2 tbsp unsalted butter

Garli Garni (“the best seasoning in the world”)

1/4 cup whole almonds with skins

2 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Cut a 2” long slit in thickest part of each chicken breast. Stuff each with 1 ½-2 tsp olives, season with Garli Garni. Heat 1 tbsp butter in a nonstick skillet over moderate heat, then toast almonds, stirring often, until a few shades darker, 5 to 8 min. Transfer to a cutting board to cool (do not clean skillet). Increase heat to medium high, add chicken, skin side down to the skillet and sprinkle with remaining olives. Sauté chicken until skins are golden brown, 8-10 mins. Turn chicken over and cook, covered, over moderate heat until just cooked through, 5 to 7 min. more. While chicken is cooking, chop almonds. Add remaining butter and 3 tbsp water or white wine to skillet and heat, stirring, until butter is melted. Stir in almonds, parsley & pepper to taste. Spoon sauce over chicken.