CULINARY COUP . . . 
Participating Chef Brandon Miller Monterey’s Culinary Best Take the StageThis year’s Artichoke Festival, renowned for its celebration of the iconic artichoke and commitment to showcasing Monterey County’s culinary excellence, is thrilled to announce a vibrant schedule of chef demonstrations for the 2024 event. Attendees are invited to enjoy a series of engaging, informative, and free demos and tastings, included with their festival ticket. The Artichoke Festival has always been more than just a celebration of artichokes; it’s a platform for local chefs to share their creativity, passion, and love for local ingredients. This year, we are proud to feature an impressive lineup of Monterey’s finest culinary talents. Event Location:
Monterey County Fair & Event Center
2004 Fairground Rd.
Monterey, CA 93940 Mailing Address
P.O. Box 1041
Castroville, CA 95012 Artichoke Festival Date & Hours: June 8-9, 2024
Saturday: 11 AM – 9 PM
Sunday: 11 AM – 6 PM ___________________________________________________________________________
Santa Barbara Greek Festival Has New Home at Chase Palm Park FielDJune 28 - 29, 2024 .jpg)
After a four-year hiatus, the Hellenic community of Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church is bringing back the Santa Barbara Greek Festival, 2-9 p.m. Friday, June 28 and 11 a.m-9 p.m. Saturday, June 29 at its new home, Chase Palm Park Field. Across the street from the Hilton Hotel.
Celebrating its 51st year, the festival offers a weekend filled with cultural immersion, food and entertainment. Tickets are available at tinyurl.com/SBGFTIX as well as at the door. Presale tickets are $3. Tickets at the door are $5. Kids 12 and under as well as anyone who chooses to wear a toga will be admitted for free. ___________________________________________________________________ Strawberry Kabobs, Strawberry Nachos And Strawberry Tacos--Just Some Of The Tastes At The California Strawberry Festival, May 18 and 19th .jpg) If you love strawberries, the 38th Annual California Strawberry Festival was the place to be. The festival on May 18 and 19 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds (10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001) was spectacular.The Kabob Shack offered a kabob skewer with fresh strawberries.
Many of the food and drink booths were run by volunteers. Buena Music Association is a nonprofit that raises funds to support the Buena High School music program. Its festival specialty was strawberry and whipped cream-topped funnel cakes. “People loved funnel cakes. Even with all the other festival food, last year, we made over 3,000,” says Angie Palacios, the association’s board president. “Parents and students volunteer for our booth. It’s a wonderful experience for everyone and a great way to finish off the school year.” The Oxnard Buddhist Temple has been serving chocolate-dipped strawberries at the festival for about 10 years. The booth sells about 20,000 chocolate-dipped strawberries over the two-day festival. “Most of our strawberries are donated,” says Yoshi Usuki, a longtime volunteer. Shifts of 25 volunteers first melt chocolate in crock pots. The strawberries are dipped, put in cupcake holders and set on racks to cool. The strawberries are then sold individually and in three and six-packs. Festival general admission was $15, active military with ID and family and seniors 62 and over, $10, youth ages 5 to 12, $8, and children 4 and under were free. Festival-goers were encouraged to use the free shuttles, which will ran every 15 minutes to the festival from nearby locations in Oxnard and Ventura. Metrolink offered a $10 day pass, good for unlimited rides on the day of purchase, and up to three kids ages 17 and under ride free with each adult fare. The station is located next to the fairgrounds. Festival hours were 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. The California Strawberry Festival pays tribute to California’s $3 billion strawberry industry. Strawberries are Ventura County's largest crop generating over $662million in value in 2022. _____________________________________________________________ (14).jpg)
Quick recipe from Bonnie Carroll for summer time enjoyment. 
CRUSTLESS QUICHE IS ALWAYS BEST THE NEXT DAY by Bonnie Carroll
Crustless Quiche ready to go in the oven I love to make crustless quiche and this Mother's Day I got up at 6:00 a.m. and took my basic quiche and threw in some new ingredients for a fantastic brunch that I also shared with a neighbor/friend, and in case you don't already know quiche, not unlike any veggie or meat pie, is always fantastic the next day!
The ingredients are the usual of eggs, milk, cream, chopped cheddar cheese, onion, brocolli and simple spices, but this year I included sliced cherry tomatoes, fresh mushrooms and a few chopped artichokes, topped with parmesean cheese and chopped parsley. Served with cucumber salad and cold apple cider.
My neighbor loved it and so did I. Please try it on one of your special Sunday's and savor the leftovers throughout the week. ≈
|
