You Can Feel Spring Coming
From wild watercress to farm visits and a kitchen full of anticipation—how the first signs of the season show up on our plates.
Spring is in the Air!
I know its cold and gloomy today & mother nature will most likely be bi-polar a few more times this year. Possibly giving us some more snowflakes flying through the sky gently coating the blanket of green grass striving to find life again, longing to have us all run through its blades barefoot. This kind of weather reminds us of why we live here in Wisconsin, Seasons!
I have visited many places over the years and one reason I have kept Wisconsin my home is the change of season. The midwest lends itself to such ever changing beauty & weather. I mean we all know sometimes we can have all seasons/weather in a matter of 24 hours when Mother Nature has run amuck. She can really be a pain in the butt. But still the midwest is like no other. I love it.
This last weekend's glimpse of Spring I think brought me a sense of renewal and I think a lot of others as well. We all just needed to get outside and feel the sun and wind on our face. I know that's what I did and most of my staff as well. They came in yesterday with smiles on their faces and a spring in their step. Winter is draining after so many months of doom and gloom. Those first couple snowfalls are magical and cuddling under a cozy blanket in front of a fire just warms your heart, but then mid January hits and most of us are over it. We long for that groundhog to tell us spring will be here soon!
I know spring is coming for real when Chef Angie says I’m going to look for watercress this weekend, Jodi plan a Feature around it, “Heard Angie”!
Man did I get excited! If she is confident she is gonna get Watercress that means spring is coming! She walked in with a big bag yesterday and spent a while taking careful time cleaning & washing it. Watercress holds a special place in Angie’s heart, It brings back memories of her and her dad hunting for it. Let me tell you how glad I am he taught her! She dropped some off for him to! What a good daughter!
Fresh watercress is nothing like store bought or mass farmed. Each bite can be slightly different. Sometimes you have a bite and am like oh that wasn't peppery at all, oh you just wait a minute and it will hit you. Each bite is a interesting happy surprise!
The next thing that made me know spring is on its way was last night my favorite farm family was in for dinner. The Witte’s were in with the kiddos after having a fun day on spring break. But after checking on how they enjoyed dinner, Farm/Restaurant talk began.
The Season has started! Well really for them it started a few weeks back already. Planning for this year started a while ago. But for me chatting with them meant it has begun! You have no clue how happy that made my heart. I found out one of their littles, Adrian, had a stab at growing Radishes the last few weeks! How cool is that! Well those are getting added to this weekend's special board for sure. I’ll be picking them up in the morning on my way into work. This weekend's feature will of course also have Angie's wild forged watercress, Adrian's radishes, Scottish Salmon, and some Wittes Corn I have had stashed away all Winter in the freezer!! Time to stop hoarding last year's crops because this year’s will be here before we know it!
Gus, Tiff, and I talked about Asparagus, talked about what's new happening on the farm and in their own lives, and yes we talked briefly about Dinner on the Farm & Farmers Market Tapas Night! I think Gus is excited for that one. Personally I am super excited for that one as well. I hope they are able to step away from the farm for a bit and join us. It would be my pleasure.
So on that note stay tuned for the release of Dinner on the Farm deposit day to reserve your spot for this year's event (note it will all be first come first serve, all done online). It’s coming soon so watch our facebook page.
The Farmers Market Tapas Night is by regular reservation. You can book that anytime going forward, give us a call.
This weekend's Features will be posted tomorrow morning, but if what I described to you so far seems up your alley, make that reservation for this weekend to get in on it! The Watercress is amazing! Star of the show for sure. I personally can't wait to pick up Adrian’s radishes tomorrow morning.
One last thing I have Pork Shoulder I just got in the oven a few hours ago here, that was marinating overnight and it already smells amazing here. It's sitting on top of some pickled onions and plantains getting a nice caramelization forming on top. 5-6 more hours and I’ll be snitching some of that pork bark. That pork shoulder will be hitting some fresh tortillas this weekend! Lucas is heading over to his favorite little spot to grab them this morning for the weekend.
Sometimes I surprise myself after 30 plus years cooking. I still get excited about what we are making, the smells in here bring so much joy, the relationships that have been built because of this restaurant like with the Wittes are cherished, and the smiles on the faces in the dining room are so appreciated.
Hold tight folks because spring is showing us little signs of light poking through here. It’s on its way. You can taste some of it this weekend here at the Precinct.
For reservations call 262-415-5680
Witte's Vegetable Market, LLC - West Bend
2313 County Hwy NN, West Bend, WI, 53095
