Think Outside the Barn

Friday Fixin's - Bronco Burgers

Here is a new burger recipe, from allrecipes.com, that my husband made last weekend. I was pretty hesitant to try this, and you may be too when you look at the list of ingredients, but trust me these burgers are good. My only suggestion would be to make them slider size and more of an appetizer rather than a whole burger because they are very filling. Enjoy!

Bronco Burgers

Ingredients:
3 fresh jalapeno peppers (we only used two)
2 pounds ground beef (find from a local producer or at the farmers' market)
salt and pepper to taste
1 egg
2 tablespoons steak sauce
2 tablespoons minced white onion
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (like Happy Dog's Hot Sauce)
1 pinch dried oregano
1-1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
2 tablespoons crushed Fritos® corn chips
4 large potato hamburger buns
4 slices pepper jack cheese

Directions:
I scaled this recipe's ingredients to yield 4 servings.
1. Preheat a grill for high heat. When the grill is hot, roast the jalapeno peppers until blackened on all sides. Place in a plastic bag to sweat and loosen the blackened skin. Rub the skin off, then seed if desired, and chop.
2. In a large bowl, use your hands to mix together the chopped jalapenos, ground beef, salt, pepper, egg, steak sauce, onion, hot pepper sauce, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, garlic salt and Fritos®. Divide into 4 balls, and flatten into patties.
3. Grill patties for 10 to 15 minutes, turning once, or until well done. Top each one with a slice of pepper jack cheese and enjoy.

Governor Nixon Requests Major Disaster Declaration in Missouri

**From the Office of the Governor Press Release

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Gov. Jay Nixon yesterday requested from President Barack Obama a major disaster declaration for 32 Missouri counties to assist individuals, to speed recovery and to help get Missourians back to work in the aftermath of flooding, excessive rain and severe storms that have affected much of the state.

The State Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency continue to perform joint damage assessments in nine other Missouri counties and the city of St. Louis. Additional jurisdictions will be added to the request based on the results of these assessments.

"Since the spring, Missouri communities have been hit by flooding, strong winds and excessive rainfall which have left severe damage in their wake," Gov. Nixon said. "I am asking the President to issue a major disaster declaration so that counties, local governments and individuals that have sustained severe damage because of the storms and flooding will have the resources to rebuild and recover."

Gov. Nixon's request for public assistance includes the following counties: Adair, Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Cass, Chariton, Clark, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Howard, Jackson, Lafayette, Lewis, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Putnam, Ray, Schuyler, Scotland, Sullivan and Worth.

Based on assessments performed as of July 26, Gov. Nixon's request for individual assistance includes the following counties: Andrew, Buchanan, Cass, Daviess, Holt, Jackson, Livingston, Marion, Miller, Ralls and Schuyler.

Joint damage assessments are still being performed in the following counties: Audrain, Callaway, Knox, Linn, Monroe, Pike, Randolph, Shelby, St. Louis and the city of St. Louis.

Citing the extraordinary hardship and losses caused to agricultural areas, Gov. Nixon also has asked Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to designate 55 Missouri counties as primary disaster areas, which will permit assistance for farmers from the USDA's Farm Service Agency.

For more information contact the Missouri Farm Service Agency at (573) 876-0925.

Tomato Day at Fahrmeier Farms

Heirloom tomatoes are the summer food craze, but which ones are the best? What is the difference in the types and colors? Well, AgriMissouri member, Fahrmeier Farms is hosting a Tomato Day at their farm on Saturday, August 7 from 5 to 11 p.m. so you can find your favorite heirloom tomato. (I think you'll find several)

Fahrmeier's grow many types of produce but specializes in their famous "Fahrmeier Reds" and heirloom tomatoes. Tomato tastings are just part of the event, area chefs will also be on hand to demonstrate and sample tomato inspired dishes, there will be carnival games for kids and live music for just $5 per person. Enjoy a buffet dinner featuring produce grown at Fahrmeier's for only $10 more. Wine tastings from Three Trails Winery at Fahrmeier Farms will also be featured.

Fahrmerier Farms' is located just west of Lexingon, Mo on 24 highway. Make sure to watch for signs. For more information about Tomato Day visit Fahrmeier's Market on Facebook or their website.

MU Greenley to Host Ag Field Day August 10

A donated 700 acre farm of the University of Missouri's will be the location for a weather-related research field day.  MU's Greenley Memorial Research Center is dedicated to conducting research on profitable crop production, making this research center the perfect place for ag groups to come together to learn how to adjust to the excess rain, flooding, storms and other problems that have hit Missouri farmers this year.

This year's field day will take place on August 10.  The morning tours will begin at 8 a.m. and will cover topics such as nitrogen loss, pest management and beef. These tours will lead into the afternoon when there will be a free lunch at the barn on the Greenley Memorial Research Center's farm. The afternoon will continue with more tours covering drainage and subirrigation. 

Missouri Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler will be a special guest at the Greenley field day and will be speaking to those who attend.  Other Missouri Department of Agriculture staff will also be in attendance as well.  We hope to see many attend this exciting field day where you have the opportunity to learn about all different aspects of agriculture, as well asl tour one of the University of Missouri's dedicated research centers.

For more information on the MU Greenley field day you can visit the Greenely Center website or call (660) 739-4410.

Missouri Farmers’ Market Video Series – Farmington Farmers’ Market, Farmington

Here at the Department we’re in the thick of things with Farmers’ Market season, but often find ourselves reflecting on last year’s season and the plentiful bounty we saw at markets all over the State in 2009. So we dug up some videos featuring Missouri Farmers’ Markets to share with you throughout the year and hope you’ll join us in seeing what new things these markets have to offer in 2010.

Farmington Farmers’ Market

This week’s farmers’ market isn’t just a market located in southeast Missouri; it’s a story full of old traditions and new. From fresh produce, breads, jams and jellies to compost, plants and flowers, a visit to the Farmington Farmers' Market and you're sure to head home with all your fresh food needs.

Stan Berkbuegler makes his own compost, working 6-8 years to develop the perfect product for any home gardener! Just ask to hear one of his testimonials and see how his compost and compost mix can help your garden grow! Shirley Dempsey was growing organically before organic was hip. She’s been an organic gardener for 25 years before anyone in the area even knew what it meant. Boy, have times changed! People are now seeking organic specifically and Shirley is a wealth of knowledge on the importance of taking a holistic approach to growing food.

Market Vitals

Days and Hours: Wednesdays 2pm – 5pm and Saturdays 7am – 11am (April – Oct)
Vendors: A producer and grower only market, Farmington Farmers’ Market has produce, flowers, eggs, baked goods, honey, compost and much more!
Location: Karsch Blvd in VFW parking lot in Farmington, MO 63640

Know Local, Buy Local, Eat Local: Wind Ridge Farm

We couldn't think of a better time to include Wind Ridge Farm as our AgriMissouri feature member of the week.  Although it has been a fairly hot summer, many families in Missouri are still enjoying the pick-your-own varieties of peaches, blueberries and blackberries at Wind Ridge Farm in New Melle.  It's not only a family bonding experience, but the children will love the wagon rides to and from the best picking spots!

If you go to the Wind Ridge Farm website, you can find their updates for their next pick-your-own adventures.  As of now, the next peach picking will be Thursday, July 29 from 8 a.m. until noon and blackberry picking will be Friday, July 30.  Keep checking back to their website for more picking dates and times.

If you're a first time fruit picker, you can also visit the Wind Ridge Farm website to get picking tips.  These tips are helpful to read before you visit the farm and they will also help you pick like a pro!

Find driving directions to this AgriMissouri business here - Wind Ridge Farm, 3511 Hwy F, New Melle, MO 63365

Friday Fixin's - Grilled Green Tomatoes

Last week I picked up a copy of Everyday Food at the grocery store. I really like this magazine as it has recipes that don't usually require a lot of ingredients or time but are still flavorful. The feature I really like is that Everyday Food highlights vegetables that are in season and shows you several different ways to use those products. In this July/August issue one of the crops featured are tomatoes. 

One of the recipes that caught my eye in this issue is Grilled Green Tomatoes with Creamy Basil Sauce. I thought the only way to eat a green tomato was fried or in relish. I hope to try this recipe this weekend as we have several green tomatoes on our vines. I found the recipe fun and interesting so I decided to share it with you.

Grilled Green Tomatoes with Creamy Basil Sauce

Ingredients
Sauce:
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves - visit your local farmers' market
1 small garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Tomatoes:
3 green tomatoes cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 tablespoon olive oil
coarse salt and pepper, to taste

Directions
In a food processor combine mayonnaise, basil, garlic and lemon juice. Process until the basil is finely chopped (add 1 to 2 teaspoons of water if needed).

Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Clean and lightly oil hot grill. Brush olive oil onto tomato slices and season with coarse salt and pepper. Grill until lightly charred and softened, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a platter and spoon sauce over top. Serves 4

Flickr photo courtesy of Hammer51012.

The Sights and Sounds of the Old North Grocery Co-op

As we reported last week, the Old North Neighborhood Grocery Co-op of St. Louis held a grand opening ceremony last Saturday. Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler was on hand to congratulate all involved in this exciting project. To learn more about the Old North Grocery Co-op and hear some of Dr. Hagler's remarks, watch this video, courtesy of MO.gov:

Cole County Farmers’ Market – Jefferson City, Missouri

Earlier this month on an episode of Barefoot Contessa she made a super easy and very delicious looking Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya. Realizing I could get most of the produce fresh, in season and local, I headed straight to the Cole County Farmers’ Market for my dinner bounty.

Sometimes the comment section for online recipes can be dangerous, and can turn a reader off with such things as “lots of chopping” and “lots of prep," but finding the rhythm of chopping pretty therapeutic and commenters saying it was worth the elbow grease, I went forth. In the recipe below I made a few amendments which I’ve noted. The outcome, as you’ll see in the slideshow, was a little bit spicy and a lot delicious. I love one-pot dishes, especially when you can use in-season produce picked ripe when it has the most flavor! Visit our Farmers' Market Directory to find a farmers' market near you!

Market Vitals
Days and Hours: Tuesdays 4pm – 6pm, Fridays 4pm – 6pm and Saturdays 2pm – 4pm
Vendors: About 15 local growers and producers
Location: K-Mart parking lot, 2304 Missouri Blvd in Jefferson City, Missouri

Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya
Copyright 2010, Amelia Durand, All Rights Reserved
6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
•1 tablespoon olive oil
•1 pound sausage, such as kielbasa or andouille, sliced
•1 pound smoked ham, cubed – Burgers Smokehouse in California, Missouri
•1 tablespoon butter
•1 medium onion, diced – find fresh produce at your local farmers’ market
•1 cup diced celery
•1 green bell pepper, cored and diced
•1 red bell pepper, cored and diced
•1 cup seeded and diced tomato
•3 garlic cloves, minced
•1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced OR 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
•2 teaspoons diced fresh oregano
•1 teaspoon diced fresh thyme
•2 tablespoons tomato paste
•6 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade
•3 cups long-grain rice, rinsed – I used 1.5 cups brown rice w/ same amount stock
•3 bay leaves
•2 teaspoons kosher salt
•1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
•6 to 8 dashes hot sauce, optional (recommended: Tabasco) – I used Sriracha
•1/2 cup chopped scallions, divided
•3/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, divided
•1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
•1 pound medium shrimp, deveined (20 to 24 count)
Directions
Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or black iron pot over medium heat, add the kielbasa and saute for 8 to 10 minutes, until browned. Remove the kielbasa to a bowl, and set aside. Add the ham to the same pot and cook 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove to the bowl with the kielbasa, and set aside. Add the butter, onion, celery and peppers to the same pot and saute for 8 to 10 minutes, until the onion is translucent. Add the tomato, garlic, jalapeno or cayenne, oregano, thyme, and tomato paste and cook until all the vegetables and herbs are blended well. Add the stock and bring to a rolling boil. Stir in the rice, and add the sausage, ham, bay leaves, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Return to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. Add 1/4 cup of the scallions, 1/4 cup of the parsley, the lemon juice and the shrimp, and stir well. Cover the pot, remove it from the heat and allow the jambalaya steam, for 15 minutes, before serving.
Garnish with the remaining 1/4 cup scallions and 1/2 cup parsley, and a dash of hot sauce, if desired.
Source: Barefoot Contessa

Heat Your Ovens for the First Lady's Pie Contest

It may be hotter than normal outside, but there is never a bad time to bake a pie. If you love to bake or even like it a little, this year, First Lady Georganne Nixon is hosting a pie contest at the Missouri State Fair where you can test your skills in a friendly competition. Mark your calendars, gather your ingredients and heat your ovens - the First Lady's Pie Contest is Thursday, Aug. 19 at the Home Economics Building on the State Fairgrounds in Sedalia. The deadline to enter is Aug. 2.

Check out the video below featuring First Lady Georganne Nixon...

Don't forget to enter now. Visit MO.gov or MoStateFair.com for more info. And get baking!