Category Archives: Hudson Valley

Hard Cider from the Big Apple

Posted on December 2, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews If New York City had an official apple — and some folks are indeed working on this — it should be the heirloom Newtown Pippin variety. And now, thanks to the award-winning, New York City-based Original Sin Cider, you … Continue reading →

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Beware: Killer Deer! (Especially in November)

Posted on November 20, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews It’s November, and deer season is upon us… And in Dutchess County, NY, where the white-tailed deer population has expanded to ridiculous heights, it’s hard to say who is hunting whom this time of year…

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Apple (Pie) of My Eye

Posted on October 17, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews I take pie seriously.  For the last two years, I baked my best for Montgomery Place Orchard Farm Market’s annual antique apple pie contest held in mid-October.  It’s always great fun …and nearly impossible to predict the … Continue reading →

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Best Hudson Valley Wines (Right Now)

Posted on September 25, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews Here at Upstate-Downtown, we’ve been distracted lately by some unruly house guests, namely Irene and Lee. And while we didn’t fare as badly as our neighbors on the west side of the Hudson River, in the Catskills, … Continue reading →

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Happy Trails!

Posted on August 25, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews My husband Christopher and I love to hike. That’s why we were excited to explore The Hyde Park Trail in Dutchess County, New York. A 16-mile trail system, encompassing local parks and a nature preserve, wends through … Continue reading →

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Awash in Local Suds: Terrapin’s NY Craft BeerFEST

Posted on August 12, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews Despite a rainy Saturday afternoon, spirits were high at the recent New York State Craft BeerFEST, hosted by Terrapin Restaurant in Staatsburg, NY (Dutchess County). It was a sold out crowd…

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St. Andrew’s Café: Green Kitchen Back Story

Posted on August 4, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews St. Andrew’s Café, one of five teaching restaurants at the Culinary Institute of America’s leafy campus in Hyde Park, New York, became Dutchess County’s first two star certified green restaurant in 2009.  My husband and I recently … Continue reading →

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Growing Organic, Against Odds

Posted on July 14, 2011 by upstatedowntown

UpstateDowntown discovers new Breezy Hill Orchard farm market in Rhinebeck. Continue reading →

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Chinon and Ramps? Mais Oui

Posted on May 2, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Christopher Matthews Before the ramp season completely plays out for 2011, here’s one more ramp-related post, this one on a noteworthy food-wine pairing. As a pungent spring green, ramps are often labelled, like asparagus and artichokes, as tricky to pair with wines. The stock solution … Continue reading →

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Spring Tonic: Cooking Up Ramps

Posted on April 26, 2011 by upstatedowntown

By Kathryn Matthews “Do you want to come ramping with me?” Christopher asked.  It was a big deal for him to ask me, I knew, because my husband typically enjoys communing with nature—and this particular stealth pursuit—alone. Still. I found … Continue reading →

Posted in At Our Farmhouse, Food, Health, Home Cooking, Hudson Valley | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments