The Hamptons & Long Island Homegrown Cookbook Book Signing at Plant-O-Rama

The 18^th Annual Plant-O-Rama Horticultural Trade Show & Symposium is produced by the Metro Hort Group – an Association of Horticultural Professionals in the New York City Tri-State Region. 

Plant-O-Rama has long been considered the crown jewel of horticultural events – bringing together horticultural and gardening professionals, garden designers, plant enthusiasts, urban farmers and agriculturists - to learn from the Horticulture leaders who speak and lecture at the all-day symposium.

Plus there are the authors’ talks and book signings – which is where I come in! 

I am thrilled and honored to be invited to participate in this year’s Plant-O-Rama Authors book talks and book signings with my book, The Hamptons & Long Island Homegrown Cookbook.  

goo.gl/0Moqvo

I am eager to see my former Brooklyn Botanic Garden family – I was privileged to work at the Garden as Director of Communications for many glorious years.

I also can’t wait to spend time with my Metro Hort and plant friends, especially – (and in no particular order…)

Bob Hyland – a dedicated and respected plantsman, garden designer and former vice president of horticulture at BBG.  

Bob was the genius who created the dreamy Bluebell Wood at the Garden. 

Today, the more than 45,000 Hyacinthoides hispanica 'Excelsior' bloom under the oak, birch and beech trees, there.

It is a favorite site of many romantic heart-clutching visitors and lovers not to mention the site for shooting glamorous, otherworldly TV shows, movies, and videos. 

I remember one memorable shoot when musician Dave Matthews shot his “Dream Girl” video with - who else? Julia Roberts as his Dream Girl. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4bFX1ZEKyA

(At that time, Julia lived upstairs from us in our Manhattan apartment building.  She brought the twins with her to the shoot.  So it all seemed liked wonderful serendipity and unimagined beauty all 'round...) 

The morning of the shoot was all misty and mysterious making it all that much more magical…

Bob moved to Portland, Oregon and is now the owner of Hyland Garden Design & Contained Exuberance http://www.hylandgardendesign.com

Panel moderator, Ken Druse, is a garden communicator extraordinaire, garden photographer, writer and author – with – what is it -- more than 16 books in his portfolio now?? 

For a full listing and link to buy Ken’s books:

goo.gl/K5BnBT

His iTunes radio podcast, Real Dirt covers the world of gardens, featuring interviews with intriguing and visionary garden luminaries, notables and artists -- including, ahem, me!  http://www.kendruse.typepad.com (scroll down a few)

 

Ken is a horticulturist, a sustainable garden lover and a BIG promoter and mentor to young professionals in the green industry. 

At the same time, Ken is a generous networker and has been ever so good to me this way too – looking to make the garden and plant connections that will benefit the entire horticulture community. 

I am proud to say I've been a card-carrying member of the Ken Druse fan club since -- forever! 

https://www.facebook.com/ken.druse

Ken is a nice garden sprite... and a true Hort Hero.  

Speaking of Hort Heroes, there is the inimitable Charles Yurgalevitch, Director School of Professional Horticulture, The New York Botanical Garden. 

And as part of Metro Hort’s Board of Directors, Charles serves as Secretary.   

Charles is tireless in his devotion to the SoPH students  -- always looking to educate and showcase the next-generation of green industry environmentalists and professionals. 

In fact, he launched the very successful "Hortie Hoopla" last summer, inviting all the interns from area parks, botanic gardens and arboreta for a first-ever day of lectures, Garden tours, and networking. (duchess designs.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-new-york-botanical-garden-hosts.html)  

Look for the encore event this summer.  

Plus Charles is a foodie!

And I am keen to reconnect with fellow author, Marta McDowell, who I met on the Metro Hort’s tour of Greenwood Gardens early last fall. 

There was the group of us “training” it from NYC to the nearby train station in Short Hills in the Garden State – not far from Marta’s home -- and she was kind enough to give some of us a lift in her “garden express!” 

At that time she told me about her upcoming book and I warmed to the charming subject immediately. 

Now her book is out and is a big success: Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life, The Plants and Places That Inspired the Classic Children’s Tale

My garden writer friend, Anne Raver wrote about Marta’s book in a recent NY Times article, too. 

Here is a whimsical video about the book:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlCldbhsl8w&feature=youtu.be

I don’t yet know the other authors but I am very much looking forward to meeting them and learning about their plant and garden books.

The schedule for the Authors Talks is:

Author Talks and Book Signings

Lily-Pool Room 10am to noon and again from 1-3pm

Leeann Lavin, Hamptons and Long Island Homegrown Cookbook

Bill Logan, Air: The Restless Shaper of the World

Susanne Lucas, Bamboo

Marta McDowell, Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life, The Plants and Places That Inspired the Classic Children’s Tale

Vincent Simeone, Grow More With Less: Sustainable Garden Methods

Here is the full listing of the day’s schedule and a link to purchase tickets:

January 28^th, 2014

9:00am to 4:00pm

Link to tickets:  brownpapertickets.com/event/515529

Full listing for the symposium and trade show: http://metrohort.org/index.php/archive/18th_annual_plant-o-rama/

Overview of Plant-O-Rama 2014

8:45 am: Welcome & Sponsor Acknowledgment

9:00 am: NEW DIRECTIONS IN HORTICULTURE:


A layered look at plant and garden trends
David L. Culp, VP, Marketing & Sales, Sunny Border Nurseries, Kensington, CT Mr. Culp has his finger on the pulse of the nursery and horticulture industry, particularly perennial plants. Hear Dave interpret “where we’ve been & where we’re going.” What’s up with layered planting styles, container gardening, demand for multi-season garden shrubs, “green” and other trending garden colors, native plants, naturalistic planting methods, and more. Dave is author of the 2012 award- winning book The Layered Garden: Design Lessons for Year-Round Beauty from Brandywine Cottage. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.

10:15 am WHAT WILL THE FUTURE OF HORTICULTURE LOOK LIKE?

Panel discussion moderated by Ken Druse, award-winning garden communicator, author and photographer
A group of young professionals give us a look into the future of horticulture in
a challenging, fast-changing world. Topics include soil consciousness, water, public gardens, education, growing food, climate change, technology, social media, and making a living in our profession. We hope the audience will participate with questions and comments.
Morning speakers focus on public horticulture, garden design & urban agriculture. Katherine Aul (partner, Staghorn Design Studio), Kristen DeSouza (superintendent, Allen C. Haskell Park), Rebecca McMackin (director of horticulture, Brooklyn Bridge Park), Kelly Norris (horticulture manager, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and co-owner of Rainbow Iris Farm), Gwen Schantz (chief operating officer, Brooklyn Grange)

AFTERNOON SYMPOSIUM SESSION (repeat of morning)
12:45 pm 2 pm
NEW DIRECTIONS IN HORTICULTURE: A layered look at plant and garden trends
DISCUSSION: What will the future of horticulture look like?
Afternoon speakers focus on nursery production and management, plants and
conservation & youth education. Jason Austin (nurseryman, RareFind Nursery), David Daley (Children’s Garden educator, Brooklyn Botanic Garden), Nate McCullin (horticulturalist and facilities coordinator, New England Wildflower Society/ Garden in the Woods), Rebecca McMackin (director of horticulture, Brooklyn Bridge Park), Kelly Norris (horticulture manager, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and co-owner of Rainbow Iris Farm)
3:30 pm
CLOSING RECEPTION & SILENT AUCTION RESULTS —BBG Palm House

Exhibits – Free Admission All Day!

8:30 a.m.–3 p.m.	Plant Catalog Display Members’ Room FREE! Take home 2014 plant and seed catalogs while supplies last.
9 a.m.–4 p.m.	Palm House Trade Show A Trade show with 50 exhibitors representing the NYC metro region’s premier specialty nurseries and wholesale growers, pottery distributors, horticultural suppliers, soil and compost companies, public gardens, and greening organizations. Exhibitor list in formation—check metrohort.org for updates.
10 a.m.–noon 1–3 p.m.	Author Talks and Book Signings Lily-Pool Room Leeann Lavin, Hamptons and Long Island Homegrown Cookbook Bill Logan, Air: The Restless Shaper of the World Susanne Lucas, Bamboo Marta McDowell, Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life, The Plants and Places That Inspired the Classic Children’s Tale Vincent Simeone, Grow More With Less: Sustainable Garden Methods
11 a.m.–3:15 p.m.	Silent Auction Classroom 236 Bid on plants and horticultural items donated by Plant-O-Rama exhibitors and sponsors. Proceeds benefit Metro Hort Group programs.
3:30 p.m.	Closing Reception and Silent Auction Results Palm House
10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.	BBG Garden Shop The Garden Shop at BBG’s Visitor Center carries books, seeds, plants, tools, and gifts for gardeners and the home.
10 a.m.–3 p.m.	Terrace Café The Terrace Café offers a delicious winter menu of soups, sandwiches, desserts, and beverages in the lower level of the Steinhardt Conservatory.

SYMPOSIUM REGISTRATION
   REGISTER ONLINE to reserve seats:
      brownpapertickets.com/event/515529

Ken Druse "Real Dirt" Interview episode with me for Hamptons & Long Island Homegrown Cookbook

It was a double header for me on December 17^th. 

Perhaps a better turn of phrase and a more seasonal reference is to say I got two gifts in one on that Monday before Christmas.

First up was the taped interview with Ken Druse at 9 am.

Ken is a world-class, passionate, garden star.

His bio says it best: He is nationally known as a garden expert, and with the huge success of his six titles -- The Natural Garden, The Natural Shade Garden, The Natural Habitat Garden, The Collector's Garden, and Making More Plants: The Science, Art, and Joy of Propagation, and Natural Companions  -- is America's best-loved gardener.

I am proud to say I own and reference – and revere – all of Ken’s books. They are signed by him too as I have been privileged to learn from his lectures and talks – and those happy educational forays are most often accompanied by a book signing. 

So it was with great anticipation that I looked forward to being a guest on his radio podcast show. 

Well, truth be told, I picked up the phone at our scheduled time but due to multi-tasking, getting ready for that afternoon’s Homegrown book talk and book signing at the United Way of Greater Mercer County at the Nassau Inn in Princeton, I ask “Who is this?” after Ken’s good morning greeting.  Lucky for me, Ken is a bulletproof Jersey & Brooklyn force of nature and didn’t hold it against me. 

We got right to work.

However, it’s not really “work” when we both get to talk about our favorite things: plants and edibles and food and wine. 

So, Ken directed the interview and well, just like that, he said the 20 -- or was it 30? –minutes were up. 

There was the hearty thank you and sign off.  Ken said he’d be editing the interview and let me know when he posted it. 

Ken emailed that he thought I’d like it. I wrote back that I like most everything he does...

But it was with great anticipation amidst all the holiday hullabaloo that I looked forward to hearing the Homegrown interview. 

I posted it straight away to the book’s Facebook page.

This is the first chance I’ve had to post to the Master Chef & Their Gardens blog.

Below is the text from Ken’s Real Dirt page.  

I’ve posted the link to his “Ken Druse Real Dirt” garden podcast http://kendruse.typepad.com/ken_drusereal_dirt/

And to his MP3 File.  You can also subscribe and listen on your iPod via iTunes.


MP3 File

From Real Dirt:     

Long Island has rich sandy soil and gorgeous weather with long languid autumns that often do not end until December. For decades, this was farm country, and the number one crop was potato.

(Biodynamic farmer Kathy Keller with chef Robby Beaver of The Frisky Oyster,

Towns on the south fork of the east end of Long Island, NY, are often collectively referred to as “The Hamptons,” today, and are among the top vacation spots in the Country. And as for farms, many are still there, but the crops have diversified to serve weekenders and the restaurants they frequent -- many of which have become world famous.

Nick and Toni’s, Loaves & Fishes, The Frisky Oyster are but three of 27 establishments profiled in Leeann Lavin’s new book: The Hamptons & Long Island Homegrown Cookbook about locavore chefs and their connection to the land, the sea and the artisanal growers who inspire them. Leeann said, 
     “[It’s about] the respect and reverence the chef & farmer have for each other, their work and passion, and the respect and reverence they have for the land.”

     “Long Island is still recognized as the most productive farming area in New York State,” said Leeann. She profiles the growers on the north and south fork of Long Island and the chefs who are inspired by their produce. The book is filled with signature recipes from the featured restaurants.  The Hamptons & Long Island Homegrown Cookbook is a tribute to the farms, gardens, vineyards and waterways on Long Island. Leeann honors the chefs who are bringing the local homegrown harvest to food-obsessed patrons and in doing so support local farmers and a precious way of life. 
     To learn more, visit Leeann Lavin’s Chefs and Gardens blog.
 


The Frisky Oyster’s Roasted Baby Beet Salad with Humboldt Fog Goat Cheese


makes 4 salads


for the beets…


10 baby red beets


10 baby golden beets


10 baby candy stripe beets


1 bunch fresh thyme


2 cups balsamic vinegar


1 cup extra virgin olive oil


for the plating…
roasted baby beets, baby arugula - best fresh from a local organic farm
½ cup sherry vinaigrette
4 slices of Humboldt Fog goat’s milk cheese or your favorite goat’s milk cheese
1 cup salted pistachios

Place the beets, thyme, oil and vinegar in a baking dish and cover with aluminum foil.


Bake at 375 until a toothpick or knife slides into and out of the beets with little resistance.


Uncover and allow to cool in the cooking liquid, then refrigerate for several hours or until cold.


Remove the beets from the liquid and peel each one, removing any peel around the stem end.

Cut them in half and set them aside.
 


for the pistachios…
1 cup pistachios, raw
1Tbsp butter
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
 


Place the pistachios on a baking sheet and put in the 375 oven to toast for 8-10 minutes.


While they are cooking, place a small sauté pan on a high flame to allow to get hot.


Add the tbsp of butter and swirl, remove from the heat and reserve for the nuts.


When the pistachios are done, place them in a mixing bowl, add the brown butter, salt and sugar and toss to evenly coat.


Set the nuts aside and allow to cool to room temperature.
 


for the sherry vinaigrette…


2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 shallot, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 fl oz dry sherry
5 fl oz sherry vinegar
1 cup canola or neutral salad oil
½ cup pure olive oil
3 Tbsp walnut oil
salt and fresh black pepper to taste
 
Place all ingredients except the oils in a blender and process on high.
slowly stream in the oils, one at a time until the vinaigrette is smooth.
season to taste with salt and pepper to your liking.

Thank you, Ken. 

And of course, thank you to all the Homegrown chefs and their inspired growers and artisanal food makers. 

Please Like the Homegrown book on Facebook.

"Like"but really Love :) the Homegrown book at:The Hamptons & Long Island Homegrown Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Hamptons-Long-Island-Homegrown-Cookbook/243786535729628?ref=hl