In the Garden ~ Farm to Table Breakfast

 

               Have you ever wondered about what breakfast is like at the Oaks Bed and Breakfast?  Today is the day that we want to share with you some of our secrets to the amazing meal we provide our guests every time they stay with us.  We truly feel that a great day starts with breakfast, and what is a better way to start than with a farm to table breakfast experience.  Welcome to our bed and breakfast where we’re proud to serve a farm to table breakfast that encompasses the rich agricultural heritage of North East Texas.

              

               Some of you locals may remember my in-laws, Bernie and Susie Thesing, who now live out in the country and take care of a little hobby farm filled with animals and produce.  The animals on the farm provide food for our table and theirs, and the garden provides produce.  Some of the best eggs I have ever eaten have come from the farm and are far superior to the eggs you can purchase at the grocery store.  There is just a better taste from an egg of a chicken that has had the joy of roaming the land and discovering the bugs that hop across their path. 

 

               As a rule, studies have shown that the benefits of pasture raised eggs include:

1/3 less cholesterol, 1/4 less saturated fat, 2/3 more vitamin A, 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids, 3 times more vitamin E, and 7 times more beta carotene.  Who does not want to have more benefits from such a tiny specimen?  You can even see the difference between a store-bought egg and a pasture raised egg.  That is our first step in providing a great farm to table meal for our guests to enjoy.

 

               The second item we pretty much always use for breakfast is fresh herbs from the herb garden.  Summer is the best time to enjoy the fresh cut herbs, sauteed into a delicious meal, and one of my all-time favorites, incorporates fresh tomatoes as well.  Our crustless tomato quiche is a crowd favorite.  The flavors of the fresh herbs mixed with the sauteed onion, baked with shredded mozzarella cheese, is nothing short of mouthwatering.   The summer is the best time for this dish, because we can usually pull tomatoes from the garden to include them as the topper.  Each bite is a little taste of summer.

 

               Now that the seasons are attempting to change, we will start to utilize those amazing fall garden staples.  The remaining hot weather spinach will need to be used or saved, and sweet potatoes that were planted earlier in the year are going to be ready soon. When we prepare breakfast we always take into consideration the dietary needs of our guests.  Most often that means gluten free items, which works out well, in a veggie and fruit heavy meal.  You cannot forget about the fresh sausage or bacon from the farm. 

 

               The fresh meat that we use, tastes and looks so much better than their storefront counterparts.  I will say when we have that fresh bacon and sausage, it goes quickly.  The guests love the flavor and the family does too.  Any meat that we do not grow ourselves we try to locally source from farms we know. Our beef often comes from The Tully Family farm or we shop at Tolleson Family Market for those odds and ends we might not have on hand. 

Around Town ~ Tolleson Family Market

 

               This week for Around Town we stopped by the Tolleson Family Market located at 300 Connally street, on the corner of Daivs and Connally Street.  They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  This family-owned business is a great way to gather all your locally owned and sourced products right in the heart of downtown Sulphur Springs. Tolleson Family Market is the perfect spot for “Farm to table all natural goods.” 

              

               Not only do they have house made soap, but there is also an assortment of canned goods, tea, meat and produce.  Jenna works hard to create and curate items from local growers, farmers and artists to fill her shop with one of a kind goods.  They have created partnerships with various farms to fill their shelves with sustainable products and goods. 

 

               Jenna and Cory work with G5 cattle and process the left-over fat to create culinary tallow that is ready for cooking or baking.  I can hardly wait to try it out in our next batch of pastry for our guests.  She also makes tallow soap that can be used as an overall cleaner, for hair, body and face.  No unhealthy products in this soap, it’s all natural and smells amazing.  If you do not want tallow soap, they also carry goat’s milk soap from Red Gate Farms.  You are bound to find a favorite from either batch.

 

               Let’s talk more about the meat and produce that they offer.  G5 cattle supplies the beef and tallow that they sell.  However, they also have pork products from Pasture 1301 and produce from Paris Natural Farms.  Runamuk Farms provides their pasture raised eggs for sale and they even have a mushroom supplier.  I’m so happy I stopped in and found out about this great source of fungi.  Mushrooms are a favorite and we enjoy farm fresh when we can.  Not only do they offer fresh produce but have a wide variety of canned goods that Jenna makes herself.  There are canned items under Miranda’s Kitchen label as well as, premade meals if you need something you can just pop in the oven on those busy nights but still want a homecooked meal.

 

               Jenna also has a line of loose-leaf tea available, which I can attest is wonderful.  We have tried several of her blends and have not found one we do not like.  Each tea blend is carefully created with local ingredients and packaged into resealable pouches.  You will not go wrong with your tea selection from Tolleson Family Market.  I just need to figure out the best way to share it with guests, and I think we could transition away from bags. 

 

               With the help of Amazon publishing, Jenna has a published book series for children that you can pick up in store.  These books are a great addition to any children’s library.  You can even pick up a copy from the Amazon website, if you do not have time to stop into the store. 

 

               Tolleson Family Market does not want to stop there.  They plan to add some fresh made meals in the form of sandwiches and salads, as well as a micro bakery for visitors to enjoy in store or at home.  Currently, while you browse their selection of products you can order a smoothie or bowl that will make your tummy say thank you.  Everything is made with a fresh, healthy ingredients, no syrupy sugar substitutes here, only items that will help fuel your body.

 

               Be sure to stop in early the next time you are in town to grab your loaf of fresh bread from the market, and pair it with some local honey.  There is something for everyone at Tolleson’s and you can walk away happy knowing that you are shopping local, and supporting the farming community in and around Hopkins County.