Playing with Food
                                      with Your Culinary Companion, Chef Amee
Did you know that within the Phoenix
area there are over 20 Farmer's Markets
to buy fresh produce throughout the
year?

My friend, Elizabeth, is the
demonstrating Market Chef for the
market in Downtown Phoenix.  She
makes fantastic culinary creations with
the produce offered at the market and
offers samples to shoppers.  Stop by
and say Hi!
If you and your family are interested in taking a weekend trip to cultivate your gardening an
cooking interests, check out Apple Annie's Orchard in Wilcox, Arizona.  It is about a 3 hour
trip from Phoenix, but there is so much to do there if you plan it right.  Throughout the year,
they host many festivals including a Peach Mania Festival in July and August, The Apple
Harvest Celebration over Labor Day Weekend in September, and The Fall Pumpkin
Celebration in September and October.  They even have a Grandparents Weekend and
Antique Tractor Show in September as well.  They have a fantastic website so click on the
picture above and it will take you directly to their site.  Don't forget to check out their
Harvest Calendar to plan a trip to pick your favorite fruits or vegetables.

Apple Annie's Orchards, 2081 W. Hardy Rd., Wilcox, Arizona, 85643
I had the privilege of finding out about Farmer
Greg through a mutual friend. He has a
passion, similar to mine, and that is teaching
people how to grow stuff!  He is even
growing stuff in his own 1/3 of an acre lot in
the heart of Phoenix.  The pictures to the side
were taken when I visited his farm during one
of his tours this summer.  

He is growing many things at his farm, but
my favorites were the grapevines, apple and
peach trees, various herbs, lots of different
flowers, and baby tomatoes.  He even has a
chicken coup in his backyard that is located
not too far from his own outdoor shower.  
What kid wouldn't love to have a shower
outside, which by the way is located next to
his outdoor kitchen sink and stove.

He has workshops and classes all throughout
the year and offers tours to see his own farm.  
In the fall he will be holding several classes on
how to buy and grow trees in Arizona.  (I will
be there!)  

You can take a look at his website at:  
www.urbarnfarms.org
to learn more about Farmer Greg.
Chef Amee's
Garden
This fall, I
attempted to plant
another batch of
vegetables in my
garden: parsley,
cherry and pear
tomatoes, purple
bell peppers,
cauliflower, lemon
verbena, garlic, and
basil.  It has been a
labor of love with
some success.  
(Check out my
cauliflower head- it
was so yummy and
gorgeous!  The
tomatoes and garlic
are still coming, but
my basil doesn't like
the cold weather..

Now is the time to
plant your Arizona
garden- just go for
it and see what
happens.  But keep
this in mind, our soil
doesn't have a lot of
the nutrients it
needs to feed these
plants, so make sure
you buy some good
potting soil and
organic complost
for healthier plants.
Try it!
The Cook's Garden: The
Premier Seed Source for
Gourmet Garden Edibles

This catalog is an invaluable
resource for gardeners and cooks
everywhere.  Their catalog of
seeds in inspiring- perfect for the
experimental gardener like me!
Click here to locate
markets in your area:
http://www.foodconnect
.org/farmers_markets/i
ndex.asp
MaryJane Butters has become
one of my new heroes-- she is a
farmer, crafter, business owner,
educator, entrepreneur, and just
plain 'ole down to earth!
Iowa Public did a great piece on
MaryJane, and I just knew that
all of the farmgirls out there
would want to see it... Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=pcn21XuJNVI
MaryJane's Outpost - Unleashing
Your Inner Wild  
and
MaryJane’s Ideabook,
Cookbook, Lifebook - For the
Farmgirl in All of Us
And check out her two books
that have become my
favorites as well:
Created and hosted by Chef Amee Hoge