Farm To Fork: Raising Goats And Making Cheese In Topsfield

For our occasional food series, Farm to Fork, we take you out into the farm, fields and markets to search for the best ingredients New England has to offer.

Last month, we went up to Topsfield where Peter and Elizabeth Mulholland have been running Valley View Farmstead Cheeses since 1998 on Elizabeth's family farm.

Spring is a busy time for the Mulhollands — with trees to tap, cheese to make and goats giving birth left and right. It might sound like the idyllic country life, but it's hard work.

Andy Husbands, chef and owner of Tremont 647. He tweets @andyhusbands.

Elizabeth Mulholland, co-owner of Valley View Farmstead Cheeses. She divides her time caring for sons Andrew and Henry and the goats, making and selling cheese and volunteering in her community to preserve and promote history, architecture, farming and life in a small town.

Peter Mulholland, co-owner of Valley View Farmstead Cheeses. He's one part animal husbandmen, one part mechanic, one part carpenter, foodie and on and on. He also works off the farm as a registered investment adviser at Phalanx Asset Management in Topsfield.

Edible Boston: Building A Cave To Capture A New Terroir

Ingredients:
4 large ripe, but not over ripe peaches, peeled*, pitted and cut into 6 wedges each
2 cups brown sugar
2 cups maple syrup
1 cup champagne vinegar
1 cup water
1 tbs cloves
1 tsp coriander seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons chili flakes
4 cardamom pods
2 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoons kosher salt

*There are many ways to peel a peach, from using a peeler to blanching in hot water, research the best method for you.

Instructions:

1. Place the peaches in a large stainless steel bowl.
2. Bring the remaining ingredients to a boil, simmer for 5 minutes. Let the liquor cool for five minutes, then pour over peaches.
3. Place the peaches in a non-corrosive container with a tight cover and refrigerate for two weeks before using. These will last up to 2 months.

Ingredients:
1 pint local strawberries, stem removed and cut in half
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 pinch fennel seed, ground
2 tablespoons your favorite bourbon, like Bulleit

Instructions:
1. Toss all ingredients together in a stainless steel bowl, let sit, covered for 1 hour. Use right away or refrigerate until needed. Will last two days.