DRIPPING SPRINGS BABBLE: DRIPPING FOOD: A SUMMER BREAK AT JUNIPER HILLS FARM

DRIPPING FOOD: A SUMMER BREAK AT JUNIPER HILLS FARM

While the weatherfolk promise a "cold front" this weekend, a hot Texas summer is inevitable and almost upon us. For those very much in need of the promise of a summer break, but who also need to stay close to home this year, we recently learned that Onion Creek Kitchens at Juniper Hills Farm has openings this summer in the famously sold-out cooking classes. Food lovers come from all over, and with all levels of cooking expertise, to escape to Sibby Barrett's food getaways at her Texan/Tuscan-inspired farm located between Dripping and Blanco. For those of you who don't know her, Sibby is a tireless contributor to a variety of local charities, and, moreover, a tasty contributor. At the recent Heritage Gala, our friends in from Houston flipped out over her Bruschetta Bites with Juniper Provence Grilled Chicken and Salsa Verde Italiano!

As we were surprised to learn there are, indeed, class openings — we've always assumed the city folk have beaten us to the punch — we thought we'd share the news with our food-loving friends. So, for the latest class availability, with a description of what you'll be cooking up and eating, visit juniperhillsfarm.com (if the class does not indicate "SOLD OUT", then you've got a shot!). Other than the "Cooking with Herbs and Lavender Demonstration Brunch" which will be held at Heron's Nest Herb Farm in Blanco, as an offshoot of the Blanco Lavender Festival, the remaining classes will all take place at Juniper Hills. The following are just a few examples from the still available classes (at the time of this post) as listed on the website:

Sunday, June 21, 3:00PM - $65.00
Cooking With Lavender
Pizzettes with Olives, Rosemary, Lavender, Garlic and Oven Dried Tomatoes
Honey Glazed Chicken with Lavender Butter Sauce and Smashed Red Potatoes
The Best Pound Cake with Blueberry Lavender Sauce

Monday, July 20, 4PM - $75.00
Cooking Light in the Summertime Series - Lower in fat, not low on flavor!
Sweet and Spicy Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Grilled Apple Arugula Gorgonzola Salad
Mixed Mashers
“Chocolate Lucky” — Cool, creamy and chocolaty, need we say more?

Wednesday, September 9, 4:00PM - $95.00
Random Acts of Cooking
Always a fun and different class with surprise ingredients, purchased with seasonality and local availability in mind. Learn to cook on the spur of the moment, no net, no recipes! Sibby shops nearby farms and farmers markets earlier in the day— students arrive in the kitchen to find a bountiful table of fresh ingredients, awaiting their imagination and creativity. Texas Monthly reportedly loved this class.