Keeping a secret for more than a year is hard, you know. And I can’t say that I didn’t hint here and there—I couldn’t help myself. But now, with only about 5 months to go until pub date, it’s the right time to let the cat out of the bag. Otherwise I might bust. So…here goes: I have written my third book! Okay, so maybe that doesn’t sound so monumental or exciting when you see it written down on paper (or read it on a screen). But I have to tell you, this book rocks. It’s totally awesome.
Here’s why: It’s called Fresh from the Farm: A Year of Recipes and Stories, and yes, you guessed it, the “farm” is our farm, Green Island Farm. And not only is this book a cookbook (125 recipes), but it’s a story too—the story of how the little farm came to be. (So, yeah, I got to write the story, so I’m pretty psyched about that.) Now add more than 100 photos of the farm and absolutely gorgeous finished-food photos to go with the recipes (Thank you, Alexandra Grablewski). Just for good measure, add an appendix of farm design ideas (by none other than RR). And put all that in a 256-page hard cover book. And then thank The Taunton Press (and especially my editor Carolyn Mandarano) for deciding to publish this book—and executing this cool concept so assuredly. (Breathe, Susie. Really, this is all so fabulous, as my friend Katie would say, so I get a little worked up.) There are even a bunch of my own photos in the book—woo-hoo!
Fans of Fast, Fresh & Green and The Fresh & Green Table will be happy to know that the seasonal recipes in Fresh from the Farm are just as carefully crafted and cross-tested as in my first books. (Thank you Jessica Bard and Eliza Peter.) And while each one makes happy use of a veggie or fruit we grow on the farm (or eggs, of course), this time I got to do everything from breakfast to dessert—and even meatloaf! Here are a few teaser recipe titles:
Roast Parmesan Crusted Cod with Baby Potatoes, Bell Peppers, Onions & Thyme; Chinese Grilled Chicken and Bibb Lettuce “Wraps;” Spicy Thai Shrimp and Baby Bok Choy Stir-Fry; Grill-Roasted Fingerlings with Rosemary, Lemon, Sea Salt and Fresh Corn Vinaigrette; Farmhouse French Toast with Backyard Berry Syrup; Libby’s Lemon Blueberry Buckle; Lobster Salad Rolls with Fresh Peas; Curry-Coconut Butternut Squash Soup; Baby Kale and Blood Orange Salad with Feta and Toasted Almonds; Autumn Pot Roast with Roasted Root Veggie Garnish; Honey-Vanilla Roasted Pears.
So you can see that Fresh from the Farm is firmly in the cookbook camp. But as you make your way from early spring to late fall, from Bibb lettuce and fresh peas to blueberries and butternut squash, you’ll also be traveling through the first couple years of our garden-to-farm journey. (The text runs around the recipes on every page.) How we landed our little farmstead, how we started with 8 chickens and wound up with 550 laying hens, how Farmer came to be the Farm Dog, and how a hoop house, a free tractor, and four acres sealed our fate.
I won’t tell you any more now. Don’t want to spoil the fun you’re going to have when you get this gorgeous book in your hands! But I will try to give you a few more details in the upcoming months. But for right now, believe it or not, you can already pre-order Fresh from the Farm on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. It’s also listed with the Indie booksellers, and since we love to patronize independent bookstores, I’d encourage you to go ask your bookstore to pre-order it for you if you like. Or you can just be patient and wait until February 11, 2014. But I wouldn’t know anything about patience!
Oh I cannot WAIT to read this book, congratulations.
Thanks Chris! Did you see that I referenced Katie here (fabulous!!!) anyway, hope you guys are well…still hoping to escape the farm some time and to come see your place!!
Hey susie
Can’t wait for this nxt book love the first two and just hooked into the blog
Congratulations, Susie!
It looks like a beautiful book–and one that I will cook from often. Just last night I made a rendition of my all-time favorite recipe you created for Fine Cooking. I will ask my local bookstore to order it. Let me know if you do a book tour and I’ll host a party for you!
All the best,
Lori
Congratulations Susie! Looking forward to reading the book and trying more of your delicious recipes!
Verity (mama!) lovely to hear from you and so glad you’re hooked into the blog. I hear you’re a great mama–no surprise! Love to you all!!
Thanks Lori–you’re very kind. Will keep you posted! Most of my travel will probably be virtual (!) due to the farm though may do a little in spring!
Thanks Marie–Hope you guys get a chance to get out here in the lovely fall weather–all best, Susie
I am so excited for your new book! Fast, Fresh & Green changed the way I looked at vegetables, and taught me how to enjoy them (I love roasting veggies now). Congrats on everything you’ve accomplished 🙂
Thanks so much Shareba! Glad you’re enjoying your veggies!
If you do actual travel on the list, PLEASE, do the Bay Area. A) we want to see you. B) we would definitely host a party! C) its good business. this concept will sell particularly well here.
I love that everything is fresh from the garden… working on trying to grow my own. You should look into coming to Atlanta to teach a class at Cooks Warehouse!
Thanks Alexa–I will think about that! Good luck with your garden!
Hey Kathy, Will of course keep you posted!!
Susie – I cannot wait! I’ll be traveling in February so will be sure to get it shipped to wherever we are! All the best!
I am so happy for you Susie! Congratulations! I love reading your blog, so I know I will love reading this book…and enjoying your delicious and beautifully presented recipes. Well done!
Congratulations on your new book!! I have been following your blog this summer and using many recipes from your books. My husband and I absolutely loved the roasted plum tomatoes!! Too many good things to count. We definitely found new ways to use our garden produce this year.
Thank you Melinda–I know you will enjoy this book–it’s right up your alley!! (or Island!)
Don–I will have to challenge you to “cook the book!!”
Thank you Karen, and so glad you are enjoying the recipes. I am a total roasted tomato fanatic, so I am still messing with variations on them. In the new book I puree them with roasted red peppers for a most awesome little sauce!! Glad you’re gardening, too, and thanks again.