In the forager’s universe, there’s no time like right now. From fiddleheads and ramps to morels and wild ginger, spring is the season for sourcing wild food. To get some first-hand spring foraging knowledge of our own, we caught up with Steve Stacey, forager and director of the Local CFC—a community food center in Stratford, Ontario—to learn how to scour the earth for edible buried treasure.
We’re kicking off our foraging series with the queen diva—the Beyoncé, if you will—of springtime foraging. It’s a plant whose annoyingly short season is only made more finicky by its remote growing region and temperamental nature: the fiddlehead.
When it comes to the spirit of the moment, L.A.’s hottest bartenders are all about agave. Whether it’s tequila blanco, reposado, or even a smoky mezcal these innovative agave cocktails are all about moving past the margarita and taking things up a notch to create a sophisticated, modern, and delicious tequila creation. So get your shaker and get ready to enjoy all the boozy goodness that L.A.’s best bartenders have to offer from the comfort of your home.
Never underestimate the humble egg. Sure, it may be tried-and-true, but it’s far from boring. In fact, when it comes to the realm of food trends, the egg’s been making the scene lately, topping everything from wood-fired pizzas to gourmet burgers. But, this cooking staple still has way more to offer. The fact is, eggs are easy to make, affordable, and can take center stage during all three meals.
For advice on the subject, we consulted Teri Lyn Fisher and Jenny Park, the talented ladies behind the celebrated food blog Spoon Fork Bacon. The two Los Angeles-based foodies have taken it upon themselves to put together dozens of delicious recipes devoted to exploring the versatility of eggs in their newly released cookbook, The Perfect Egg.
In The Perfect Egg you can expect a detailed breakdown of different types of eggs (from chicken to duck), a section on tips and tricks, and recipes for every meal of the day. It also includes a guide to choices like cage-free, free-range, pasture-raised, organic, and those high in Omega-3. (Fisher recommends buying pasture-raised eggs, like those from Vital Farms. The hens have more outdoor space and better living conditions than at many farms, and a happy hen means a healthy egg.)
“We hope people will take these recipes and get inspired to make their own, because it’s so easy to mix ingredients and create variations,” Park says. And, to help you do just that, Fisher and Park have shared some delicious egg recipes for you to try at home. They’re all super-easy to make, and you may even have all the ingredients in your fridge already. Now, let’s get crackin’.
Between feasting on decadent Easter and Passover dishes and celebrating National Grilled Cheese Month, April is a delicious time of year. In keeping with the culinary trend for Earth Day (April 22), we’ve rounded up six local ways to be an eco-conscious foodie in LA.
Compartés offers chic and eco-conscious chocolates.
Originally founded in the hopes of introducing European chocolate-making techniques and recipes to America in 1950, Compartés Gourmet Chocolatier has a long history in LA—and they’re eco-conscious to boot. Compartés chocolates feature fruits and spices from local farmers markets, and refrain from using any additives or preservatives. 912 S. Barrington Ave., Brentwood, 310-826-3380
One of Akasha’s farm-to-table dishes, comprised of local greens, watermelon radish, sungold tomatoes, humbolt fog cheese, golden balsamic dressing, and sunflower seeds.
With the original wood, steel, and concrete restored in its development, Akasha was built with sustainability in mind. The food is eco-friendly, too, made with organic and handcrafted ingredients that result in dishes such as aged New York steak with truffle salt, pan-seared sea bass with sorrel salsa verde, and masterfully crafted organic cocktails. 9543 Culver Blvd., Culver City, 310-845-1700
If you’re looking for cold-pressed juice or fresh nut milk that uses 100% organic ingredients, Moon Juice is for you. Even better, each bottle contains about three pounds of produce that is hydraulically pressed, raw, and ready for drinking. 507 Rose Ave., Venice, 310-399-2929; 2839 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake, 213-908-5407
Farm Box LA delivers the farmers market to your doorstep. Sourced from dozens of local, sustainable, and organic farms in the greater Los Angeles area, Farm Box LA gives you access to farm-fresh organic produce while supporting small, eco-friendly local farms. 888-888-8590; farmboxla@farmboxla.com
Qupé Sawyer Lindquist Vineyard makes great-tasting eco-conscious and organic wine in San Luis Obispo’s Edna Valley with a special focus on creating a biodynamic environment, all the way down to practicing responsible water consumption and monitoring their vineyard’s effects on the soil. Go for a bottle of their special reserve, “Sonnie’s” Syrah, which boasts a rich pepper and savory fruit taste. 2963 Grand Ave., Los Olivos, 805-686-4200
Sustainably sourced from one of the world’s only growing glaciers atop Mt. Shasta and bottled in eco-friendly 55% recycled glass bottles, Castle Rock is perfect for the eco-conscious water drinker. The brand even won the 2014 Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting award for best-tasting bottled water in the world. 4121 Dunsmuir Ave., Dunsmuir, 877-804-5090
