Nibbles of Tidbits, a Food Blog

It’s easy to grow a Pineapple in a pot, or at least Mr. Freis makes it look that way.

You don’t have to live in Hawaii to enjoy the splendor and luxury of growing a Pineapple.

It takes a long time to grow — At least 2 years before it first bears fruit.  Know that.

It’s a special day when your homegrown Pineapple is ready to pick and eat.  Exciting!

Cut it off the stalk, trim excess stalk if necessary and voila — You’ve got a Pineapple.

It’s like you chose a perfectly ripe, juicy Pineapple, but instead grew and picked it – Brilliant.

It’s a magnificent thing — I’m grateful for the visual experience, education and tasting.

Let’s get more Pineapple growing ASAP – It’s going to take a while, but it’s worth it.

We’re also growing grapes and may attempt Wine – Post title inspired by a B-52′s song.

Competitions & Contests Announced for 2013 OC Fair

Think you  bake one delicious apple pie, brew the best beer or have an uncanny knack for  making crafts? Enter [YOUR] 2013 OC Fair competitive entries for an opportunity to earn an award and have your winning entry on display for more than one million Fairgoers from July 12th – August 11th. The 2013 OC Fair invites locals to put their skills and knowledge to the test and sign up to compete in the many competitions and contests being offered this year.

Categories and divisions available this year include:

• Culinary/Wine/Beer: Baked Goods & Confections, Preserved Foods, Sugar Arts, Food Blog Posts, Table Setting Designs, Homemade Beers, Commercial Wines & Home Wines
• Crafts & Hobbies: Collections, Fiber Arts, Hand Crafts & Hobbies, Jewelry Arts
• Visual Arts: Woodworking, Photography & Non-Traditional Prints, Sculpture, Painting, Graphics, Ceramics, Student Video Festival
• Garden & Floral: Fruit & Vegetable, Cut Flowers, Container Plants, Floral Arrangements, Floral Design Contest
• Livestock: Market Shows (Orange County 4-H and FFA only): Beef, Calves, Swine, Sheep, Goats, Rabbits, Broilers, and Turkeys, Breeding Shows: Dairy Goats, Pygmy Goats, Open Angora Goats, Cavies, Poultry, Rabbits, Youth Breeding Sheep, Youth Egg Laying Contest, Educational Posters & Contest
• Youth: Collections, Culinary, Garden & Floral, Fiber Arts, Youth Fine Arts, Hobby & Craft, Jewelry Arts, Photography

The OC Fair competitive entries require online registration in advance and the deadlines for entry registrations are as follows:

• April 26 – Commercial Wine
• May 3 – Homemade Beer
• May 18 – Home Wine
• June 1 – Crafts & Hobbies, Visual Arts, Youth (Fiber  Arts, Collections, Hand Crafts & Hobbies, Jewelry Arts)
• June 7 – Livestock
• June 10 – Culinary Arts Baked Goods & Confections, Preserved Foods, Sugar Arts, Table  Design

Entry registration deadlines for Garden & Floral competitions vary, visit ocfair.com/competitions for the list of dates. Entry registration for all competitions is currently being accepted online at ocfair.com/competitions. For participants who need help with an online entry, the OC Fair has scheduled “Help Days” from May 29 – May 31, Wednesday – Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the OC Fair & Event Center Administration Building.

In addition to the traditional competitions, the OC Fair is also hosting Special Culinary Arts Contests for amateur cooks and bakers to show off their skills. Most contests are only open to adults 18 and older. Each contest will be judged and awarded live at the Fair. The entry registration forms and contest details are available online at ocfair.com/competitions in the Culinary Arts Guide under the “Culinary/Wine/Beer” section. Entry forms are due the Wednesday before each contest:

• Get Baking Cookie Contest – July 20 (Also open to ages 5-18) (Register by July 17)
• Hot! Hot! Hot! Chili, Wings or Salsa Contest – July 27 (Register by July 24)
• OC Cupcake Classic – August 3 (Also open to youth ages 5-18) (Register by July 31)
• Salad Daze Contest – August 10 (Register by August 7)

The 2013 OC Fair, themed Come & Get It, is July 12th – August 11th and brings 23 days of food, rides, exhibits, animals, music, action sports and fun, as well as the Toyota Summer Concert Series at the Pacific Amphitheatre, The Hangar and Action Sports Arena. The Fair is open Wednesday – Sunday. Concert tickets, action sports reserved seats and single-day general admission are available for purchase online at ticketmaster.com or from the on-site Box Office. The popular Super Pass, which offers the passholder 23 days of admission, is available for purchase online at ocfair.com from the onsite Box Office.

The OC Fair & Event Center is located off the 405 and 55 freeways at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. For more information, visit ocfair.com, become a fan at Facebook.com/OCFair and/or follow them at twitter.com/ocfair.

Note:  Press Release is from the OC Fair & Event Center and Photo Credit is here.

THANKS to the California Avocado Commission for all this goodness — Since we had so many Avocados, we ate a lot of Avocado dishes/meals.  You name it, we made almost everything.

Most are familiar Avocado favorites and some ideas came from others linked throughout.

We made them all from top down — Starting with Snow Crab Stuffed Avocados made with Mayo, Lemon Juice and Zest, Red Bell Pepper, Dill and Red Onion.  Simple, rich and amazing.

Continuing with a Veggie Croissant Sandwich made with Salad Bar Vegetables, Avocado, and Cream Cheese instead of Mayo.  An Egg Baked in an Avocado — Have you seen that one before?  It’s different and not bad.  And I could eat an Avocado with Good Seasons Italian Dressing (above) everyday.  It’s ready in minutes and always satisfies.  On to Mango Salsa.

Mango Salsa ingredients, plus Jalapeno are pictured above and combined below.

BLT Sandwich, plus A+, minus the L & T on this day.

Open-faced BLT, plus A, minus L — Avocado was mashed with a little Mayo.

Avocado Pizza (if you will) made with a Flour Tortilla, mashed Avocado drizzled with Olive Oil and Lemon Juice, topped with a Fried Egg, Cumin and Salt & Pepper.  I overcooked this Egg.

It could be better next time — The original is much more impressive.

Black Beans, Corn, Red Bell Peppers, Avocado, Red Onions, Jalapeno and Lime w/EVOO.

Cucumber Avocado Salad with Tomatoes, Green Onions, Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oil.

Avocado on Toast with Sriracha and Olive Oil — An unexpected new favorite.

Avocado with Grapefruit — Many say how well it goes together.  It’s okay.

And would you believe Avocado Ice Cream?

Ours was made with Avocados, Coconut Milk, Milk, Lime Juice and Lime Zest.

I didn’t think I’d like the Avocado Ice Cream, but did and would make it again.

Ahhhhhh Avocados, they’re wonderful to eat and moisturize well — Cheers to Avocados!

Dogs apparently love them too — I can’t believe we ate ‘em all and still want more.

Many thanks to the California Avocado Commission, Mission Produce and to California Avocado Growers, especially the Pinkertons for one of the best days ever.  We LOVE Avocados.

We recently traveled to Oxnard for a hands on tour with a California Avocado Grower.

It’s a special day when you start it with an outdoor brunch on a hill.

AVOCADOS — The Star of the day in every way.

We learned about growing techniques from Dan Pinkerton on his farm.

Bloggers from all around were invited to experience the California Avocado Story.

We RSVP’ed Y-E-S!

And you can see why we were glad to experience it all.

Avocado in EVERYTHING was the Menu — Starting with a Shrimp and Scallop Ceviche.

Bacon Smoked with Avocado Wood.

A very fresh Fruit Salad, including Avocados — It’s a Fruit you know, right!?

Omelettes with Tomatoes, Asparagus, Cheese and sliced Avocados.

Baby Greens Salad with Avocado.

Spring Vegetable, Sausage and California Avocado Frittata.

Warm Bagels with an Avocado Spread.

Grilled Fajita Potatoes with Avocados.

A Chocolate Mousse dessert made with Avocados.

Professionals also photographed Avocados’ glory.

My first plate (below) before going back for more Bacon Smoked with Avocado Wood.

Take all the Avocados you want they told us — Thank you!

We stuffed our face (and bags to go).

We loved the view, brunch and our friendly, informative tour guides.

Our drive was already worth it.

Then it was on to Dan and Susan Pinkerton’s other grove/farm/crop, along with Jan from the California Avocado Commission to pick our own Avocados and possibly drive a tractor.

Learning about tree buds and what to look for and hope for when growing Avocados.

The beautiful trees were loaded.

Looking to pick some Avocados.

As if all wasn’t enough, it was on to a tour of one of California’s leading Avocado packing houses, Mission Produce — It was truly a behind-the-scenes look at a farm-to-fork journey.

Hair nets please everyone — Oh goody.

Thousands of Avocados — Crates filled on farms and hauled off by tractors to be here.

First a cold wash to bring down the Avocados’ basking-in-the-sun temperature.

The cool-down is an important step to Mission Produce.

On to the belts and rollers, through specially made machinery.

First a wash, then light wax.

Now sorting — Second tier Avocados, Grade 2′s get tossed on top for separate packaging.

Others move on to be weighed, stickered by size and PLU, then packaged.

Each cup weighs then drops the Avocado — I think the heaviest lasts the longest.  Not sure.

Boxing Avocados to be shipped to grocery stores and restaurants near YOU.

You’ve seen them sold in stores and now you know the care involved — All is well run.

More Avocados to take home — Thank you!  And a 1/2 Avocado Stress Ball.  Does it look real?

We’re grateful for all that grows, those who grow it and those who get it to us.

What an amazing day — God bless California Avocados.

I like Pistachios, but its advertisers make me want Cashews – Ever seen a Cashew Tree?

We went to Michigan (and Wisconsin) – It’s where precious family live, eat, laugh, love, farm, can, build, cheer for the Packers, play cards, enjoy campfires, worship and hunt.

Once thriving century old family farms are deeply special — Wish I could go back in time.

It’s Winter and snow will be falling — I thought all was beautiful, but locals say to come back in the Summer or early Fall to see the changing leaves.  This visit we traveled through Menominee, Green Bay, Stephenson and Wallace (I think) and post the food angle about it.

The Portobello Sandwich is popular at the Serving Spoon – You’ll have to find it.

Their Reuben Sandwich was one of the best I’ve had — It was lean and flavorful.

Truck (below) has a Keg as a gas tank or maybe it was truly Beer.

Sweetie Freis family making Sauerkraut.

Keep it tightly covered and well pressed to make it best.

Freis family canning — Set for the Winter.

Pickles, Grape Juice and Tomatoes.

Peaches, finalized Sauerkraut and more all shelved in a large basement — Impressive.

Once strained, the Grape Juice was simply marvelous darling.

River view from a bro’s house in Wallace — It was campfire time every night.

Walking in the woods, walking in the woods, nobody walks in the woods — JK, we did.

Deer hunting season starts this week — Real action will soon be goin’ down here.

The Deer Whisperer (below) feeding ‘em before… Shhhhh.  Sorry, it’s how it goes.

Large bags of Deer Corn and Sugar Beets are sold in the U.P., not seen much in the O.C.

Good hunters have much respect for the animals — Put on that orange too.

There’s much respect for the Lord — No Alcohol before 11:00a.m. on Sundays.

I’ve never tried an Old Wisconsin Wiener — Have you?  It doesn’t sound sexy.

At a Fish Fry they say = A cool hometown bar that serves good Fried Fish on a Friday.

I had Cod, which may be available any day — Names and links to be added once known.

Gun safety is extremely important — I had good training before shooting my first gun.

What kind of gun was it you ask?  A 357 Magnum, thank you very much, and what the %&*$ happened – It was crazy, like skiing on a double black diamond slope the first time you ever go down a mountain.  It was intense and loud as all $*(% without ear plugs.

Venison in all forms abounds — Preparing a Roast for dinner.

Venison Sausage to start.

Cooked Venison with Gravy (below).

A family meal in the U.P.  It was super duper yooper for all – Thank you!

I had 3 plates of mostly the Ham, Cole Slaw and Scalloped Potatoes.

Played Rummy many times too, another first for me.  I play cards, but hadn’t played Rummy.

On the way back to Green Bay Airport we stopped at Seguins – A Cheese shop in Wisconsin.

They offer lots of Cheese samples, unique gifts, and local memorabilia to see, try and/or buy.

I’ve been recruited as a Packer’s Fan — I guess that means they’re winning the Super Bowl.

From what I’ve seen and learned from one visit, the above picture captures a genuine spirit that’s felt throughout the Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin — So happy together.

Have you seen, tried or received an Edible Arrangement?  They’re sure nice, but not cheap.

If you’re delivered one, save its bare bones – My Mom did and prepared them to live again.  The frame of an Edible Arrangement is basically a pot with a foam insert and plastic skewers.

Just cut and ADD FRUIT for an anytime array.

See here for ideas, buy one for its eventual bones or assemble a kit with craft store materials.

Chef Bailee and Lexi of Kids in the Kitchen created a fruit bouquet for a family birthday party, but didn’t want to be seen on camera this day due to teenage makeup concerns – Well, okaaaay then.  They enjoyed crafting it, an outcome sought most.  And it’s tasty too!

  Why not make it a family project?  You can come out now Lexi.

Considering the next color to be featured in our Food Coloring Series.  Perhaps 50 shades of GRAY?  We’ve previously highlighted orange, purple, yellow, green, blue, red, white, black, brown and pink.  What color should be next?  Gold is valuable.  Rust isn’t.  Silver?  That’s gray.

Truly free BC, or from a public garden today, as we must pay for property space to produce.

Grow your own food, FISH and pick fresh Herbs from communal locales along the way.  

While on a walk, look for Rosemary, Mint, Basil, Lemon, Lime and Orange trees and bushes offering Fruit and Herbs.  You’ll be surprised how many you see, especially those named here.  We appreciate ALL that grows and yields nourishment for life.  Air is the best of the free!

NOW is the window of time to enter a Competition at the Orange County Fair.

Did you know it costs less to enter a Fair Competition than it does to get in the Fair?

When you enter a Competition, you receive a Fair admission ticket – Enter here.

Do your Tomatoes look better than previous winners (above)?  If so, enter the Garden & Floral Competition.  Have you taken a dazzling photograph or do you paint?  Yes?  Enter the Visual Arts Competition.  Or view the complete list – There has to be a Competition for you.

Bottle Beer or Wine, can Jams or Pickles, or bake?  Enter the Tasty Creations Competition.

More Competition INFO can be read here and the specifics regarding all Culinary Competitions are linked here.  Enter most contests in May and June, and Single Day Contests (in person competitions, shown below) now or after the Fair opens.  See schedule here.  Good luck!

Don’t miss the sign up deadline(s) — You might just win.

Finally inside The Arboretum, our Los Angeles Fantasy Island this day – Ever been there?

We fed turtles (and crazy fish) Cheerios left on the dirt by others — They loved ‘em.

The turtles didn’t have much of a chance for a Cheerio with the big-mouthed fish in the water.

And birds stood by scouting for plentiful small fish (and whatever else).

Across the lagoon is the bell tower where Tattoo famously exclaimed “De Plane, De Plane.”

There’s beauty and wonder at The Arboretum — It’s an exploratory way to spend the day.

Bring a camera, cold beverage and good walking shoes to be prepared to see all comfortably.

Food Garden Coming Soon — For those who don’t eat insects, live fish and dirty Cheerios.

A peek inside the old Santa Anita Depot — In photo vintage cooking utensils weave between reflections of today, behind me and up close, as we reflect about life yesterday.  See it?

All this splendor is there for YOU to see.

Below is the Queen Anne Cottage seen on Fantasy Island.  Do you remember it?  Some outdoor scenes were filmed around the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden.

It sure was peaceful lounging on the Queen Anne Cottage porch.

Already an adventurous day, before heading to Santa Anita Park nearby for its last weekend.

What’s your State Food?  And do you agree?  Can you even read the list?  I’m not sure I can.  The photos definitely help.  CA Grapes for Wine sounds especially right with AK King Crab.

An Easter table setting awaiting a family meal.

Easter Cupcakes made by Kids in the Kitchen.

A backyard set for BBQ-ing, Ping Pong, Appetizers, Mimosas, doing nothing or anything.

Chef Lexi of Kids in the Kitchen cleaning the BBQ — Cute and helpful, a delightful combination.

Remnants of Candy, gifts and cards scattered throughout – Happy to be alive in Spring!

Hhhmmmm — Not sure where to start regarding the above, so instead report about the Carrot Soup I made and will post the recipe when prepared again and photographed.  It was a superb combination of Roasted Carrots, Chicken Stock, Caramelized Onions, Roasted Garlic and Fresh Thyme, puréed.  It was beautiful, complex and flavorsome.  The pictured Carrots weren’t used for my Soup, somehow it wouldn’t seem right!?  Should they put on pants?

Do you remember Orange Guy?  I thought he was so cute and wanted to peel him alive.  Well, I gave it a try and created Orange Dude, if you see what I’m sayin’ — It just happened that way.  The photos are minimized to tone down our rating.  Enlarge each for a better peek.

What excites me most here are these Orange Jellies I made for the first time — They are absolutely delicious!  I will soon be posting more about them, along with an easy recipe adapted from another.  All pictured utilized one glorious Orange.  It’s a sexy, sweet thing.

East is a good place to start from So Cal, or in my fridge to assemble a picnic for the next hill.  Hhmmm, contemplating as shown and doing nothing (yet) – Photo Credit on hump day.

Time is a great teacher, too bad it kills ALL its pupils.  Where did I read a variation of that?  Inedible Dahlias are on sale again – I just spoke with the nice gentleman that sells them.  He and his wife have a lovely garden of spectacular Dahlias in Costa Mesa.  Stop by before sundown, call if you can, or just park and walk towards their backyard.  They’re usually there.

Fresh cut Strawberries and Kiwis, if you get to them before the kids — Happy 1st Day of Summer to all and Birthday to Ami on the longest DAY of the year.  Yeah we’re hap-happy…

Colored view from the HB Pier in June — It happened the same day as this.

Can you believe the weekend Strawberry Tours have already begun at Tanaka Farms?  Time flies by too fast, but I’m happy to see it again.  We went last year and loved the experience.

Today is the first day of Spring – It’s time to start planting a few things to save on produce.

Why did we feel guilty eating these Carrots?  It’s probably because they seemed to be in love.  We got ‘em during our tour of Tanaka Farms.  Carrots are one of the amazing clues left by God — Read more about that here.

The largest Sweet Onions in town can be found at Tanaka Farms.  Continuing our report about our recent visit to Tanaka Farms — In addition to the Strawberries, we took home a giant Sweet Onion to make one of our favorite side dishes, Baked (or BBQ’d) Onions.

Tanaka Farms grows their Onions amongst the Strawberries.  They say it helps to keep certain pests away from the Strawberries and it sweetens the Onions.

Baked Onions aka Onion Candy is a much loved side we often enjoy with Filet Mignon and loaded Baked Potatoes.  We’ve previously posted the recipe here.

Without visiting the above recipe link, know here that it’s an Onion that’s tented in foil with Bacon Grease, Salt and Pepper — And then it’s baked in the oven or on a BBQ for about an hour.  This extra large Onion took longer (a little under 2 hours) and indeed it was incredibly sweet to eat.  It served two very well.

Baked Onions are so easy to make.  The rule is generally (1) Onion per guest — If getting them from Tanaka Farms, they can be shared.

If this doesn’t sound good to you, it’s understandable — We once appalled at the idea too, but they’re sooooo good.  You might be missing out.