Culinary Institute of America Students at Rancho Gordo
Here at Rancho Gordo we have a lot of guests but I really liked giving tours to some of the kids at the CIA up in St Helena. The California...
The Rancho Gordo Blog
Misc
Gluten Free Beans?
We get a lot of inquries about whether our beans are gluten-free or not. Apparently, if you have the allergy, consumption of even the smallest amount of gluten is not...
Noche Mexicana: More Images and Fun
Bean farmer Roberto demonstrates one way of making a nice crunchy tostada without deep frying. Lupe offers a platter of taquitos. The salsas she served with them were out of...
Noche Mexicana Tour: Making Tamales
I don't think you can take too many classes on tamal making. Each teacher has a slightly different trick or technique and it's always fun to get together and make...
Grits. Polenta. Mush. Hominy.....Explain the Differences to Me!
Any southerners out there? I need some help. Here is what I know: Ground dry corn is called polenta and mush.Dried corn that's been treated with wood ash, cal or...
New Books That I Like
A few titles worth your consideration: Mary Karlin's Artisan Cheese Making at Home is beautiful and inspirational. Home cheesemaking requires a little more dedication than breadmaking or ice pops, but...
Today's Lunchbox
I'm looking forward to lunch today. The main dish is pork in a chile sauce (anchos and guajillos). Then brown rice, then beans with some ricotta that had been fried...
Scenes From the Hacienda
Our trip to Mexico, Noche Mexicana, is really happening. It's sold out but I think we may have to do it again one day. In the meantime, here are some...
Poster for Noche Mexicana
Look what just came in from Hammer Press in Kansas City! The signed, numbered letterpress posters commemorate our Mexico tour. I was expecting something wonderful but I was really taken...
Harvesting Color Book Party at Jimtown
Carrie Brown writes that she's having a party this Sunday at Jimtown. I have the book already and it's a winner. This will be your chance to meet author Rebecca...
A Rare Night Out in San Francisco
We had a reception at the Colonial Arts gallery in San Francisco last night. There was tequila, tamales (from our heirloom corn) and cheesecakes made with our xoconostle marmalada. Plus...
Happy Father's Day
Due to logistics we're celebrating Father's Day today. The youngest admitted all he had was a homemade card and I said that's what I preferred. He said he'd feel burned...