The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

I went grocery shopping today. I unloaded the four canvas bags, took off my shoes and sat down to balance my check book. Though I'd heard the cashier say the number, as I wrote the check it really hurt to see $77 missing from my checkbook register for just a couple of chickens, two steaks for Wine Guy, some vegetables, bread, bacon, cheese and eggs.

Sunday morning, CNN news said we'd be seeing a 14 percent hike in food costs this summer. The reason for higher prices could be weather conditions and transportation, but a lot has to do with greed. When it comes to food, what can we do to keep more cash in our pockets? Get your canvas bags ready - the Farmers Market is gearing up in Wally, and we all know the farmers markets in our communities provide us with better foods at lower prices.

In Columbia County, we have Erin the Lady Farmer and creator of the prolific Monteillet CSA, located on Highway 12 in Dayton. Maybe you've seen Erin's flyers this week alerting us to call and put our reservations in for her delectable organic produce and other wonderful weekly specials including milk, cheese, breads and meats.

Touchet Valley gals and guys, Erin's CSA is a convenient way to better our health and to lighten our expenses and save gas, as she delivers your order on a weekly basis. If you'd like more information you might call Erin at 206-419-9640 and tell her I sent you!

This evening I opened a bottle of chilled Bergevin Lane White Calico wine, and my anticipation was fulfilled. This "girlfriends" wine (I call it this because there's not a girl I know that doesn't love this wine) is a complex, blended white soaked in Roussane, Viognier, Chardonnay and Marsanne wines.

It carries the loveliest, fruity nose - semi-dry, crisp and clean. But it's the little ribbon of Meyer lemon that wraps around your tongue with each casual sip that earns Bergevin Lanes winemaker Steffan Jorgensen 98 points from Wine and Country Living. Congratulations Steffan!

White Fish Marmite Serves 2

1 ½-pound white fish

1-carrot

1-rib celery

½-yellow onion

1-whole chopped tomato

1-can cream of chicken soup

½-cup white wine

1-bay leaf

1/6-teaspoon red pepper flakes

1-teaspoon each: minced garlic, cracked black pepper

Method: Place all in a crock pot for 4-hours and simmer to tender. Serve with butter toasted baguette.

Hear Judith Speak @wwwchefjudithhenderson.com