Category: Food

Gumbo Z'Herbes recipe from the Gumbo Shop cookbook, my February, 2021 pick for Cooking Ex-Libris.
Cookbooks, Cooking, Farmers Markets, Local Food

Cooking Ex-Libris: Gumbo Shop

Volume 1, Issue 2“Cooking Ex-Libris” is a CasaFestiva.com series exploring new recipes from my own cookbooks. Enjoy! By Katy Budge It’s hard not to love any book that begins with the Oscar Wilde quote, “I can resist everything but temptation.” So begins the foreword of the eponymously named (and self-published) Gumbo Shop: Traditional and Contemporary Creole Cuisine: A New Orleans Restaurant Cookbook by Richard Stewart. … Continue reading Cooking Ex-Libris: Gumbo Shop

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Food, Holidays, San Luis Obispo County

Appreciating Tamales

I didn’t grow up making tamales. In fact, I’ve made them only once, but that was enough for me to gain an immense appreciation for them. There was no bustling bevy of abuelas, tias, and hermanas. There were just two of us. Just two gringas facing the mountain of masa, the pots of fillings, the packages of corn husks.  I thought my tamale making day … Continue reading Appreciating Tamales

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Food, Local Food, San Luis Obispo County

Buy Local!

As per a friend’s suggestion, I’ve compiled a list of SLO County food producers with links to their websites. I have also indicated other places they might be available, such as farmers markets and retail locations. When – not if – you think of someone I’ve missed, or you have questions, email me at katy@casafestiva.com. Hoping to update the list frequently, especially in these bizarre … Continue reading Buy Local!

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Farmers, Farmers Markets, Food

Market in the Time of Corona

A scene that just a couple weeks ago would have been one of vibrant, bustling community is now one of hushed tones and palpable concern. But it is still a community. It is a farmers market. As of now, the markets in our California county are open, and rightly so. At a time when restaurants – facing their own crisis — are drastically reducing their … Continue reading Market in the Time of Corona

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"Forks in the Road", Food

Forks in the Road: #eatlocalontheroad

Eating local is nothing new. It’s been the thrumming mantra of “foodies” in this century, and – as such — has arguably lost a bit of its luster and cachet. However, despite its simplicity, its passé patina, and its challenges, there are ever increasing reasons why supporting local food has become more important. One is that by supporting local food producers and purveyors directly, you’re … Continue reading Forks in the Road: #eatlocalontheroad

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Food, Food Waste, Sustainability

From the Archives … A Tale of Tiffins: One Person’s Doggie Bag is Another City’s Lunch Box

In light of the new California state law allowing customers to bring their own takeout containers for leftovers, I thought I’d reach into the archives for this post I did about tiffins in 2014. Seems I’ve been a renegade doggy-bag scofflaw for several years! I’d never heard of a “tiffin” until I saw them several years ago at Luna Red restaurant in San Luis Obispo. … Continue reading From the Archives … A Tale of Tiffins: One Person’s Doggie Bag is Another City’s Lunch Box

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Community Supported Agriculture, Farms, Food, Healthy Eating

To CSA or not to CSA?

That was a question I had for several years. I’d written about a lot of CSA programs for my newspaper column, but never took the plunge until recently. Here’s a bit of information about CSAs to help you determine whether they’re right for you. What is a CSA? The acronym stands for Community Supported Agriculture. At its essence, a CSA program is a subscription service … Continue reading To CSA or not to CSA?

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