I attended Bop & Nana’s Fancy Ramp Sunday Supper today with my friend Elizabeth. Everything was phenomenal. Take a look: Some passed appetizers for the table: Beverages: Complimentary bellini with a strawberry, water, coffee, ginger tea and mint tea Ramp Chimichuri and Oil Cured Olives in Ramp Marinade Mini Ramp Biscuits & Ramp Butter Rosemary & Parmesan Focaccia Bread Pickled Ramps, Carrots, Broccoli and Cauliflower Gift from the Chef:
Mini Ramp Frittata Appetizer:
Kale with Pork Belly & Sautéed Ramps Soup:
Homemade Ramp & Ricotta Ravioli in Chicken Broth Salad:
Spring Greens with Feta, Redbud, Carrots & Candied Black Walnuts with Ramp Dressing Intermezzo:
Fresh Fruits - strawberry, honey dew, cantaloupe, blueberries Entrée:
Carnitas over Polenta with sides of Ramps & Kale & with Brown Beans Dessert
Chocolate babka garnished with Ramp Sesame Brittle & fresh whipped cream

Bop & Nana’s would like to give thanks and appreciation to all of our local West Virginia growers and food producers who inspire the Chef and help make our 2024 Sunday Suppers possible:

Aroma of the Andes Coffee
Berea Gardens
Chestnut Ridge Winery
Circle S Farm
Every Herb Bearing Seed
Family Roots Farm
Garden Treasures
McColley Gardens
Misty Mountain Farm
Mountain State Farm
Spring Creek Farm
Villa DiTrapano
Working Girl Apiary

You can enjoy a specially crafted dinner menu full of classic Charleston dishes that have been elevated with a modern edge for one night only at an area restaurant.

The Third Annual “Modern Mountain Measures” dinner returns on May 5 at 1010 Bridge Restaurant & Catering in Charleston with 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. seatings.

Modern Mountain Measures is a three-course prix fixe dinner with drink that features new twists on classic recipes featured in the Junior League of Charleston’s cookbooks: Mountain Measures and Mountain Measures, A Second Serving.

James Beard Award Finalist Chef Paul Smith has hand-selected classic recipes from the Junior League of Charleston cookbooks to create a refined menu based on local favorites:

SALAD: Arugula, fried feta, mandarin oranges, toasted almonds, honeycomb, and a citrus herb vinaigrette Inspired by: Mandarin and Lettuce Salad, Mountain Measures, page 55, submitted by Mrs. Craig M. Wilson

ENTREE: Appalachian roasted chicken with lemon herb risotto, roasted spring vegetables and a white wine jus Inspired by: Chicken with herbs and wine, A Second Serving, page 131, submitted by Marta D. MacCallum (Mrs. Daniel).

VEGETARIAN ENTREE: Soy-glazed pressed tofu, mushroom dashi, sauteed edamame, snap peas and pickled vegetables Inspired by: Vegetable casserole, A Second Serving, page 197, submitted by Joellen A. Kerr (Mrs. Roger W.)

DESSERT: Chocolate mousse bomb with mixed berries and honeysuckle anglaise Inspired by: Chocolate Mousse, A Second Serving, page 328, submitted by Bavarian Inn and Lodge

The meal will also include passed hors d’oeuvres and a pomegranate sparkling drink.

The Junior League of Charleston, a nonprofit women’s volunteer organization, published two cookbooks in 1974 and 1984, respectively, to raise funds for its charitable efforts. One recipe, Shaker Lemon Pie, from the first cookbook features thinly sliced whole lemons and was featured in Southern Living.

Producing cookbooks featuring regional favorites and family recipes and was a common fundraiser for Junior League chapters across the country starting in the 1950s. As such, these cookbooks have become a cultural treasure that preserve the culinary heritage and community spirit of their respective regions.

Modern Mountain Measures tickets are $100 through April 19, at which point they will increase to $115. Additional drinks and copies of the cookbooks will be available to purchase at the restaurant. The nonprofit will also be accepting donations of menstrual hygiene products at the event to donate to those in need. The dinner will be held at 10101 Bridge Restaurant, located at 1010 Bridge Road, Charleston, WV 25314.

Learn more and purchase tickets here: https://bit.ly/mountainmeasures

Established in 1923, the Junior League of Charleston is a group of professional women dedicated to building a better community. Through volunteer service and project management opportunities, the group develops leadership skills, builds lasting relationships and strengthens the Charleston community. The Junior League of Charleston is a 501©3 organization and is part of one of the oldest, largest women’s volunteer organizations in the world.

For more information, visit http://jlcharlestonwv.org/

The Green Chili Shootout returned to the Capitol Market this weekend after a haitus due to COVID. There were about 40 different chilis to enjoy. I had fun judging the team competition. People's Choice: Muffin's Meat Shack
1st Place (Team): Phill Williams of Johnnie's Fresh Meat Market
Best Booth: Mountaineer Food Bank
3rd Place (ICS): David Mallory
2nd Place (ICS): Jessica Ahlgrim
1st Place (ICS): Lynn Berkebile

Immaculate Conception Román Catholic Church in Montgomery is hosting a Lenten Fish Fry every Friday in March. $10 for baked or fried fish, bread, cole slaw, baked potato with soue cream, baked beans and a piece of chocolate cake. I ordered carryout, which they package for you. So I didn't really see when I got until I was home. The fried fish has a thinner breading than some of the other ones, but nice overall.

The First Baptist Church of Charleston has a commercial kitchen and has been cooking up some delicious dishes on specialty days each week - like Wing Wednesdays and Fish Friday.



To add to their offerings, the church now does hamburgers, hotdogs, nachos, and other sandwiches on Thursdays. I went with a Philly cheesesteak, which came with peppers and onions. It was quite tasty; I would just add some mayo on my next one.

Today, I tried a new fish fry for dinner at the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Friday Lenten Fish Fry - $10 per person
When: 6:00pm - until sold out!
Fridays March 1, 8, 15, 22
Where: Sacred Heart Grade School Cafeteria
Enjoy our Fried or Baked Premium Cod, Baked Potato with Butter or Sour Cream, French Fries, Hush Puppies, Cole Slaw, Green Beans, Roll, Beverage, and Dessert After paying my $10, I followed the flow of traffic into the school cafeteria. I waited in line until it was my turn to fill my to-go box. As I made my way down the line, I chose fried fish, green beans, and hushpuppies. The next section was slaw, which I, of course, added. Then it was a baked potato, french fries, and a roll. Finally dessert was at the last table, and I was excited to pick up a piece of strawberry cake with sprinkles. The fish here was impressive. It was nicely crisp outside with a moist, flaky interior. A great meal while supporting our community members.

The First Baptist Church of Charleston has a commercial kitchen and has been cooking up some delicious dishes on specialty days each week - like Wing Wednesdays. I finally was able to try their Fish Friday, which has been around prior to Lent. And, they are not playing around when it comes to fish. On this particular day, they were offering whiting, red snapper, catfish and perch. Plus shrimp and alligator. You can get an entire dinner with fish, two sides and a drink for $15. I went with whiting, macaroni and cheese, and Creole potato salad. That macaroni and cheese was so cheesy and had just a hint of sweetness – my favorite. The creole potato salad had some nice mustard seed flavor kick. The whiting did not have the thick, golden, deep-fried batter I was hoping for. But, I have learned that fish in the south is more commonly crusted with a sort of cornmeal coating. So, it's a bit more crunchy than it is crisp. It was flaky, white fish with a great flavor. They thought of all the accompaniments as well; I had tartar sauce, hot sauce, and a tangy sort of barbecue sauce. Super tasty.

Last weekend, I excitedly attended the Winter Blues Farmers Market here in Charleston.



This market brings together tons of producers from around the state into one space for the best of local shopping. Here are some of my highlights:

Bakery



BAKED - I had to try a cookies & cream cookie from here, and it did not disappoint.



Goldilocks Grazing





Handmade WV Market - I so want to try these pepperoni rolls and unique jellies
Kristi Ann’s Bakery
Legacy Foods
Lisa’s Jar of Love
Mama Faye's Fudge & Confections
Mrs. Mels
Nanas Kitchen



RF Sweet Shop - I want to get my hands on some of this fudge in the future.
Rise Appalachia Donuts and Sourdough



Small Business and Sundry LLC - A cookie from here went home with me, too.
Sunrise Sweets and Treats LLC





Sycamore Farm and Primatives - I had never had a strawberry cheesecake bread before this place, and wow!
The Wild Ramp
Tibbenham Chocolates
Walnut Hollow Farm



Whimpsey and Willows Market LLC
Wildee Made
Willow Brook Farm



The Sourdough Effect


Coffee
Aroma of the Andes
Coal River Coffee Company
Mountain Table
The Black Dog Coffee Company


Goods, Snacks & More
Dark Hollow Foods
Cerealsly Delicious
Perk Farm Organic Dairy
Putnam Farmers Market
Riverbend Farm and Gardens
Angie’s What’s Poppin Shoppe
Arbaugh Farms
DARN Enterprises



Eldridge Alchemy - Finally had a chance to check this place out; their drinks are interesting
G & G Heritage Farm
Grassy Creek Farm
J.Q. Dickinson Salt
Mama Maes Apple Butter and Freeze Dried Candy
Moonraker Alpaca Farm
Mountain Juice
Mud and Woods
Novak Farms
Sassy Gals
St. Albans Farmer’s Market
Tower Garden





Tracy Sugar Shack - I had to try some freeze-dried Starburst
Twelvepole Trading Post
Villa DiTrapano
We B Fryin Snacks
Blue Acre Aquaponics
High Priestess Goods


Meat
Angelo’s Italian Sausage
Circle S Farmers Market and More
Custard Stand Chili
Lost River Butcher Block Overholt Homestead LLC
Pig Man
Quicken Farms
Red Tool House Farm
Taylor Family Farms and Custom Meat
Twisted Chicken Farm
Wilfong Farms


Mushrooms/Produce







Glascock’s Produce
Green Thumb Botanicals
Hernshaw Farms
Mon Valley Mushrooms
Spring Valley Farm and Orchard
Oh My Greens
Harvest Trails


Plants
Native Florals
Terra Fate Exotics
Ellison Mountain Heritage Nursery
Gritt’s Farm


Pet
Mary’s K9 Bakery


Bath & Body & Candles
Appalachian Botanical
Appalachian Lavender
Blessed Full Farms
Brookestone Soaps
Good Horse Scents
Grassy Meadows Goat Milk Soap
Hill and Holler Herbal Company
Sachet Lavender
Soaps by Sid
T.L. Soaps



Tarts in Heart - A blueberry pancake candle went home with me because it was just absolutely too cute
On the Go Soaps
Rustic Root Soap LLC


Canned Goods, Jams & Jellies
Clara’s Gourmet
Honey Do Produce
Jar Head Farms



LeJa Produce - I know they're closer to the Morgantown area and have been wanting to check them out.
Owl Mountain Farm LLC
Sloping Acres
Williams River Farms



Mals Produce - another Morgantown stop I want to check out when the weather warms up
Smoke Camp Crafts
Sunset Berry Farm
T.L. Fruit and Vegetables
Uncle Frankies
Tarbilly’s BBQ
Tipsy Roos
Uncle Bunks LLC


Hemp
Almost Heaven Hemp
Dovetail Ridge Farm
Genesis Mountain Farm


Maple & Honey
Fruits De La Rose and Oldham Sugarworks
Ronk Family Maple Farm
Treats from Trees
Twelvepole Trading Post
Howe Sweet It Is
Carry Apiaries
R+A Honey Bees LLC
Rimfire Apiary
Schamberger Honey
Sugar Bottom Farm