manatawny creek winery's summer cooking class

Throughout the summer months, Manatawny Creek Winery premieres mid-morning cooking classes themed around one of their raved blends. Hosted by kitchen guru Colleen Norheim, July's cooking appreciation was flooded by Syrah inspiration, allowing the 12 course attendees (including myself) to swirl, sniff, sample and splash deep red liquids in varying delicious recipes.

Jumpstarting the late morning session with a mini-education about the high quality grape made famous in the Rhone region of France, Norheim lent her wisdom soon onto several of her personal recipes—all of which we learned to prepare firsthand.

Sculpting a garden veggie chili, plopped with ingredients like peppers, squash, baby bella 'shrooms, grapeseed oil, fresh off-the-cob corn, and of course, tons of Syrah, our mini-cooking station allowed for delectable scents to flood Manatawny's tasting room space.

The cluster of wine appreciators aside our spice-infused group were in charge of simmering Bing cherries in a hefty dose of the dry red, which we later used to conclude our just-prepared lunch with a layered cherry parfait. Additionally, all edible education attendees also constructed their own chocolate wine balls from crushed, creme-filled vanilla wafers, chopped pecans, dark cocoa, a splash of Syrah and a nice coat of powdered sugar.

For more information on the Berks County Wine Trail participant, or to attend a wine cooking course yourself, visit www.manatawnycreekwinery.com.

cozy cuisine of the kimberton fair

Although, I will confess that I am not necessarily a fan of carnivals, it is appealing to me to gorge on all the best eats of a local festival. And, what better way to spend a summertime evening, than to mosey around the grounds of my local stomping grounds and support nearby organizations.

Celebrating their 82nd year, the Kimberton Fair premiered this past Monday, entertaining local residents with a rousing week of kitschy rides, games and entertainment, aside a baking, canning and home craft exhibit hall, livestock displays and most importantly, a delicious mecca of marvelous, grease-laden eats.


The fire company, which organizes the yearly shindig, is notorious for their handcrafted doughnuts, which are above-par in comparison to any other fried cake bites. Sold in cinna-sugar, powdered sugar and plain, the holed sweet circles were cozy amongst freshly-roasted corn, fried Oreos, massive pulled pork sammies, and much more.

And now, while I spend the entire month of August detoxing from my bad-for-you chow fest, I suggest, if you reside in southeastern Pennsylvania, to attend the last day of the outdoor fair, and especially get comparable with some of the best handheld bites of Chester County.

Amani’s: A Farm-to-Fork Experience

Jonathan and Jeanine Amann continue to celebrate the farm-to-table movement at their restaurant, Amani’s BYOB.

In a cozy space on East Lancaster Avenue in Downingtown, the husband-and-wife operating duo reflected on their first year in business.

“We are very happy that guests have taken to us the way they have,” said Jonathan, who acts as the eatery’s executive chef. “Before we opened, there was nothing in the Downingtown area that allowed people to get excited about things like foie gras and escargot.”

Introducing diners to delicious details of farm-to-fork dishes, Jonathan sculpts first courses such as the yellow and red beet terrine topped with Amazing Acres goat cheese; the sautéed escargot nestled within a puff pastry shell and topped with fried egg; and steamed Littleneck clams served with Spanish saffron and cherry tomato sauce. They all exemplify sustainable cuisine in all its glory.

Continue reading at Downingtown Dish.

Amani’s BYOB is at 105 E. Lancaster Ave. in Downingtown. Visit www.amanisbyob.com or call 484-237-8179.

peaaaanut, peanut butter and jelly pockets

I never said I was a serious girl. And, if you read this blog, you can tell I can be rather silly.

So, when spotting this adorable change purse, I couldn't stop myself from grabbing the sandwich-like purchase. Trotting a peanut butter and jelly persona, this lovable purse companion is childish and cute, and easily a conversation piece.

As a duel pocket pleasure, with two zippers and a magnet smearing the peanut butter with the jelly, I am now able to giggle every time I spot my new trinkets' holder buried deep into my forever-large bags.

kutztown folk festival: a celebration of the pa dutch

As I have discussed it numerous times via this gushy blog, I am a full-blown Dutchie. My parents, who both come from PA-Dutch families, raised me in the heartland of Berks County, Pennsylvania, and I have always appreciated the classics of my native culture.

Praising the time-honored traditions of the PA Dutch seems like an appropriate task at heart, which is why I regularly make an appearance at the annual 19th-century-celebrating Kutztown Folk Festival.

A week-long fair covering traditional music, history and plenty of home cookin', the nearby collaboration also, for the last several years, has hosted my dad's bluegrass band, Blue Mountain Junction, as daily performers on their main stage.  
 

Also important to note, central to the festival is a gruesome history lesson, which is now legend in local Dutch culture. Each year, a group re-enacts the controversial execution of Susanna Cox, who was hanged in 1809 for killing her infant child. Festival director Dave Fooks believes in the importance of addressing the historic event. "It turns out that due to her hanging, the American appeals system began," he says. 

Although always more interested in more positive of perspectives, the festival features some seriously old-school entertainment. Costumed medicine men hawk syrups and creams, and Mennonites present a wedding re-enactment. Angora rabbit shavers are also on hand, transforming fresh fur into shawls in just minutes, as are established glass blowers. 

Of course, the menu is equally country: High-calorie eats include wurst rolls, ox roast sandwiches, apple dumplings, fried veggies and shoofly pie—all which may be washed down with birch beer aplenty.

There's one day left of the fest, so saddle your horse and buggy, and blast into the rural country scene.