Mariposa Farms

08/17/2023

2023 Iowa State Fair
Cooking with Fresh Herbs, 1st place winning recipe in the Bread category:

Cheddar Cheese Herb Quick Bread

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon thyme, chopped
1 tablespoon basil, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Directions:

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Coat an 8x4-inch loaf pan with cooking spray to prevent the bread from sticking. Set the pan aside.

Herb Infusion: In a small bowl, mix the chopped parsley, thyme, and basil with the olive oil. This mixture will infuse your bread with delicious herb flavors. Set this herb-infused oil aside.

Dry Ingredient Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix these dry ingredients together until they are well combined.

Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, large eggs, and minced garlic. The eggs add moisture and structure to the bread, while the garlic contributes its savory flavor.

Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Create a well in the center of the dry ingredient mixture. Pour the buttermilk, egg, and garlic mixture into the well, along with the herb-infused oil and the shredded sharp cheddar cheese.

Mix the Batter: Gently mix the wet and dry ingredients together until they are just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing can lead to a tough texture in the finished bread.

Fill the Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.

Baking: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes. To test for doneness, insert a knife or toothpick into the center of the bread. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs clinging to it, the bread is ready.

Cooling: Once the bread is fully baked, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, gently transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely.

Serving: Once the bread has cooled, slice it and serve. The combination of cheddar cheese and fresh herbs will make each bite flavorful and satisfying.

Note: This Cheddar Cheese Herb Quick Bread is a versatile treat that pairs well with soups, stews, salads, or enjoyed on its own as a snack.

08/17/2023

2023 Iowa State Fair
Cooking with Fresh Herbs, 1st place winning recipe in the Dessert category:

Cinnamon Basil Ice Cream

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups whole milk
3/4 cup cream
1 package Fresh Basil
1 cinnamon stick
4 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
1/2 cup sugar

Directions:

Prepare the Basil and Cinnamon: Tear the fresh basil leaves into large pieces to release their oils and enhance the flavor. In a small saucepan, combine the whole milk and cream. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it's steaming, but not boiling.

Infuse with Flavor: Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the torn basil leaves and the cinnamon stick. Cover the saucepan and allow the mixture to steep for about 30 minutes. This allows the basil and cinnamon to infuse their flavors into the milk and cream.

Strain and Combine: After the steeping time is up, strain the mixture to remove the basil leaves and cinnamon stick. You can use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth for this. Press down on the basil leaves to extract as much flavor as possible. Discard the basil and cinnamon.

Dissolve the Sugar: Return the infused milk and cream mixture to the saucepan and place it back on the heat. Stir in the sugar until it's completely dissolved. This sweetens the ice cream base and gives it a delightful flavor.

Temper the Eggs: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg yolks until they're lightly beaten. Take a small amount of the hot milk mixture and slowly whisk it into the egg yolks. This helps temper the eggs, preventing them from scrambling when added to the hot mixture.

Combine and Cook: Gradually add the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the rest of the milk and cream mixture. Whisk everything together constantly to ensure even mixing. Cook this mixture over low heat, stirring continuously, until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. This usually takes around 5-7 minutes.

Chill: Once the mixture has thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat. Transfer the mixture to a covered bowl and refrigerate it overnight. This step allows the flavors to meld and the mixture to chill thoroughly.

Churn and Freeze: Pour the chilled mixture into an ice cream maker and churn it according to the manufacturer's directions. Churning incorporates air into the mixture, giving the ice cream a smooth and creamy texture.

Final Freeze: Transfer the churned ice cream into a freezer-safe container. Smooth the top and cover the surface with plastic wrap or parchment paper to prevent ice crystals from forming. Seal the container with a lid and place it in the freezer.

Enjoy: Allow the ice cream to freeze for 2-4 hours, or until it's firm and scoopable. Serve the Cinnamon Basil Ice Cream in bowls or cones and savor the unique combination of flavors!

Notes: Makes 10 servings. For an extra touch, you can garnish the ice cream with a fresh basil leaf or a sprinkle of ground cinnamon before serving.

Tips: To enhance the basil flavor, you can gently crush the basil leaves before steeping. Additionally, you can adjust the sugar quantity according to your preference for sweetness.

08/16/2023

Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry to our Cooking with Fresh Herbs class at the 2023 Iowa State Fair! You all did an exemplary job of showcasing Fresh Herbs in your recipes. However, we did have to narrow it down to just one first place winner in each category:

Overall contest winner and first place winner in the appetizer category with her Egg Salad Crostini with Mixed Herbs was Pamela Lang! (Please see her delicious recipe below.)

1st place winner in the bread category with her Cheddar Cheese Herb Quick Bread was Barb Miller!

1st place in the dessert category with her Cinnamon Basil Ice Cream was Jenna Brady!

05/02/2023

Cilantro for Cinco!

Mariposa Farms is excited to celebrate Cinco de Mayo this year! What better way to celebrate this festive holiday than with fresh homemade guacamole?🥑

Spice up your festivities with Mariposa Farms fresh herbs. We recommend adding parsley, cilantro, and chives to your guacamole to take it to the next level!

04/04/2023

🌱🍴 Spring is in full swing and our fresh-grown culinary herbs are ready to add some serious flavor to your meals! Our cute baby chives are growing up and are getting ready to be harvested - they're just begging to be included in your favorite recipes! ☀️ With warm weather on the horizon, there's no better time to spice up your cooking routine. Plus, with Easter right around the corner, our herbs make the perfect addition to any holiday feast. 🐰 Come grab some fresh herbs and get ready to taste the sunshine! 🍽️🌿🌞

12/06/2021

Let’s Talk Charcuterie Boards!

Charcuterie boards or “grazing tables” are the perfect addition to any holiday get together. These boards are often a mix of meats, cheeses, spreads and garnishes which are served with bread or crackers. Mariposa Farms Fresh herbs can be a delicious AND beautiful part of your charcuterie board. Below are just a few ideas!
-Fresh Basil Pesto
-Italian Herb Marinated Olives
-Herbed Goat Cheese Spread
-Sprigs of Rosemary/Bay Leaves, etc. tucked in as greenery

Show us how you charcuterie! What is your favorite addition to your boards? Let’s give each other some holiday inspo!

05/06/2021

This Mother’s Day, tell your mom “I’m so proud to be y’orchid.” 😉

05/03/2021

Happiness is the smell of basil. 😍

04/30/2021

We LOVE springtime here at Mariposa Farms. Did you know that our greenhouse is nestled into the middle of a 150 acre property right in the middle of Iowa? This farm is also home to 7 horses and a variety of fruit trees, including this beautiful apple tree. Who else loves springtime in Iowa?

04/29/2021

Let’s talk mint!

Those mint juleps being mixed up this weekend for the Kentucky Derby are not only delicious, but the mint has added wellness benefits for you as well. It contains a high amount of antioxidants and vitamin A (which is good for your eyes).

Who all is tuning into the Kentucky Derby this weekend?

*Photo taken just yesterday in our very own greenhouse.

12/23/2020