Updates from Living Well in Soulard

Those on the lookout for locally grown produce at the Soulard Farmers’ Market should check out the Wholesome Gardens Produce booth, located next to the booth of Baetje Farms, in the northeast wing. A spectrum of hydro lettuce and fresh herbs is offered. Fresh cut basil, arugula, and wildfire, butterhead and romaine lettuce are available now. Eggplant, squash and peppers will be offered in the season. All produce is grown by Gardell Strite on the farm, located in Bluford, Il.

For additional information, contact Gardell at the farm at 618-732-8552.

Also, while we are on the subject, Veronica Baetje has introduced a new cheese she is calling "Fleur de la Vallee." It is made using the same techniques as the French use to produce their famous reblochon cheese. She cannot use the reblochon name, which is copyrighted.

If you google the word "reblochon," you can research the history of that product. Of course, the French cheese is made with milk from cows, while Veronica is using goat milk. But the steps and procedures she uses copy of French techniques. It is a very interesting product, and Baetje Farms fans should take note.

Veronica learns about making different cheese products by attending a school in Vermont and from consulting with specialists in her field. She is an artist. She is constantly learning, improving, updating and experimenting, always seeking to achieve perfection and to express herself through her cheese. Madame Chouteau is so proud that Veronica and husband Steve - also an artist - have chosen Soulard Farmers’ Market as one of the outlets for their products. Watching the evolution of the booth is a wonder. Watching them aspire to be the best that they can be is inspirational.

As an aside, it is reported that Globe Drug has restocked Georges Deboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau, vintage 2008, as discussed in a posting on this blog on May 11. This French wine is perfect with Baetje Farms cheeses, as well as with many other foods. The review of the wine was posted, too.