Fortified Collaborations Heart of Summer Farm Dinner || Happy Heart Farm, Colorado

"Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious. "                                        -Ruth Reichl

The middle of summer starts "Farm Dinner Season" here in Fort Collins and the events that Fortified Collaborations are throwing are off the hook. The dinners are all unique, interesting, delicious, attended by a lot of fun people, and just a great time. The Heart of Summer Farm Dinner at Happy Heart Farm featured two of Fort Collins' most celebrated local institutions- food by Fish and beers by Equinox Brewing. It was a little bit sad because it was that last farm dinner for Fish's chef Oscar. He is moving on to the Pacific Northwest to try his hand at bigger markets, but he had one last blow-out before he left. The menu that Fish and Equinox came up with was pretty impressive. See for yourself-

Course 1

Chilled green tomato water and zucchini soup with coriander, garlic shoots, and crème fraîche. Smoked Prince Edward Island mussels on crispy kale and chard with a burnt lime gastrique. Assorted summer pickles. Paired with Lawnboy Cream Ale.

Course 2

Grilled lane snapper, charred early summer vegetables; fresh cucumber, garlic and basil, dark cherry vinaigrette, spice infused olive oil. Paired with Bearcrusher Russian Imperial Stout

Course 3

Clay pot pork with Jodar eggs, fish sauce, collard greens, pickled cabbage and kohlrabi, scallions and Thai chili flakes. Paired with Liberty Bel IPA.

Course 4

Candied beets, rose honey custard, spiced pistachios, basil, malted oat cake soil. Paired with Big Dipper Honey-Nut Cheerio Brown.

The courses were all awesome and with musical entertainment for the evening provided by the talented Elise Wunder, it really was a special night. 

This is only the first farm dinner of the season. There are five more Fortified Collaborations dinners left, starting with the 3 Forks Progressive Farm Dinner on August 21st. The 3 Forks dinner involves riding bikes (or a shuttle if you don't feel like riding) from farm to farm while enjoying local food paired with local beer. It is all very Fort Collins and it is all a ton of fun. Want to earn your dinner? To volunteer to help out sign up HERE. We hope to see you there!  

To check out all of the photos from the event click HERE.