Archive for the 'Vermont Gourmet Goodies' Category

Jane Pomykala has hot house tomatoes ready for us to start serving this weekend!  Pictured above is a simple, but delicious, tray of herb toasted crostini spread with a mixture of minced fresh and our house cured tomatoes garnished with tangy Vt Goat Cheese.

Summer is in full swing with temperatures in the 90’s!  It is this time of year that we think of light, fresh appetizers like our Imperial Rolls!  Pomykala’s now has fresh basil; there is plenty of mint and cilantro in our garden and we can pick up the other ingredients in one of Burlington’s Asian Markets.  Fresh herbs, grated carrots, Native alfalfa sprouts & rice noodles all wrapped in rice paper make up these colorful Vietnamese inspired bites dipped in Hoisin, Peanut or Sweet Chile Sauces.  Light, Summery & Refreshing!

 We always look forward to our annual chive bed  blossoming in beautiful lavender flowers that can be used for both final garnish as well as a wonderful chivey zing!   Bev will also tend and harvest edible flowers from several pansy, violet and nasturium plants we will use to add that special touch to platters and salads.

There are many things we love about fall at the Lake House and we especially look forward to serving Papa Ray’s Apple Pies!  Handmade using only their own apples with the best crust ever!  Allenholm Farm is located in South Hero.  They have a small farm store featuring both their own and other great VT products as well as a small animal petting paddock.  Maple Creamies too!  Stop in and check them out when you are visting the Champlain Islands.

Unless otherwise requested, we always serve Grafton Village Cheese Cheddar & Maple Smoked Cheddar on our VT Cheese Boards.  Their products are made in small batches using fresh from the farm high butterfat & protein laden VT Jersey milk; free of hormones, antibiotics & preservatives.  The way all VT cheddars used to, and should still,  be made! 

Located North of the Lake House in Alburgh, on the shores of Lake Champlain, Lake’s End Dairy makes great goat cheeses using exclusively their own milk….delicious! 

Joanne also makes her own chocolates that could make great wedding favors for the less humid months (May, September & October).

Visit their shop which is open 10 Am – 7 Pm, mid June through Labor Day.

Lake’s End Cheeses

Boucher Family Farm, north of us in Highgate Center, makes several cheeses and their Gorgonzola style Gore-Dawn-Zola is often included on our ever present VT Cheeses & Fresh Fruit Displays during VT Wedding receptions at the Lake House.  Nutty & dry textured; it’s also great with dried cranberries, or pears, and our tarragon vinaigrette in a green salad.

Dawn & Dan are always at the Burlington Farmer’s Market on Saturdays!

http://boucherfamilyfarm.blogspot.com

In addition to the 25 – 30 Vermont Weddings and numerous non-profit retreats here at the Grand Isle Lake House, we always host at least two wine tasting dinners for the public; usually one in May and another in October.  

The kitchen team (Russ, Phil & myself) always enjoys preparing these dinners as we are completely free to develop our own creations outside the bounds of a predetermined menu.  This free reign gives us fabulous opportunities to both call up old favorites and to try new preparations…constantly expanding our reportoire of options for our individually custom designed wedding menus!

Approximately 55 guests from the Champlain Islands community joined us for a 5 course meal paired with wines from Argentina & Chile.   We had lots of familar faces that are loyal wine dinner attendees as well as some new folks that we hope will be returning in the future.   Both the wines and menu (listed below) were met with rave reviews! 

We have not yet planned our next dinner, other than anticipating sometime in October, so we would love to hear any suggestions for themes that potential guests might be interested in!  We would also be happy to add you to our mailing list if you would like to be informed of future public events.  Just send me an email:  Sheryl Eddy

Santa Rita Reserva Sauvignon Blanc

Shrimp with Salsa Chilena

Pannotia Torrontes

Green Apples, Honey Toasted Pepitas & Lakes End Chevre over Baby Greens

Root: 1 Chardonnay

Sea Bass in Parsley Broth with Hazelnuts

Don Miguel Gascon Argentina Malbec

Montgras Carmenere Reserva

Grilled Lamb with Mint Salsa Verde

Sweet Potato Polenta

Santa Rita Medalla Real Cabernet Sauvignon

Fresh Fruit & Gore~Dawn~Zola

Dried Cherry & Chile Brownies

Our neighbors Patty & Gary Sundberg make great homemade ice cream & sorbets right here in the Champlain Islands!   We often serve their award winning products at our weekday retreats as well as rehearsal dinners and Vermont weddings.  Try their unique flavors & style at several local & regional restaurants or pick up a pint (or two) at several area stores!

Island Homemade Ice Cream