Ayocote Bean & Mushroom Salad

Steve Sando of Rancho Gordo writes one of my favorite newsletters. For those of you who don't know Steve, you've likely encountered his beautiful heirloom beans, they're celebrated by some of the country's best chefs, and fanatically embraced by just about every great cook I know. If not, you're in for a treat. Cooking my way through Steve's beans over the years has been a grand culinary adventure - one I hope to continue for many more years - and I like to look to the Rancho Gordo newsletter for ideas. I always find myself wishing other businesses would take inspiration from newsletters like this one. Here's why. It comes from Steve, Steve started the business. He's knowledgable, passionate, enthusiastic, and continually evolving and learning as an individual. All of this comes through in the first-person letters he sends. The mix of content is also part of the magic - a cocktail of good stories, humor, cooking insights, and detailed information about whatever product he is highlighting. You might get a glimpse of some travel, and always a selection of bang-on recipes. Because he interacts regularly with chefs and great cooks who share their insights and ideas, Steve passes on the gems to the reader. Most important, I always get the feeling that I received the email because he had something worth sharing, not because he felt like he had to send out a newsletter.

In addition to the Rancho Gordo newsletter, I'll also mention the Aesop newsletter, which I enjoy for entirely different reasons, here's a link to the archives (although I think I'm now signed up for all their marketing emails which I don't love). And I love the notes from Marta & Robert at cookbook in Echo Park, Los Angeles where each email opens with a piece of poetry, and a glimpse of what they're cooking for the store. With my in-box constantly at capacity, these are always welcome additions. And there is always room for a few others, so let me know if there is a newsletter you love. I'm game.

Back to the heirloom beans - I made this wintery bean salad with gorgeous Rancho Gordo ayocote negro beans, and pan-fried hedgehog mushrooms. You get some crunch from toasted almonds, and sweetness from dried figs which works nicely to offset the acid in the shallot vinaigrette. There's also some shredded kale involved. It's a good lunch salad, and you can make a good portion of it in advance.