How the Wonder Valley Olive Oil Duo Does Breakfast
In the July issue of Bon Appetit, we showed you how Wonder Valley founders and Joshua Tree locals Jay and Alison Carroll like to let loose. But what happens the next morning? That's when things get healthyish. Jay, Alison, and their dog, Lefty Boy, lived in a renovated 34-foot trailer while they were building their future home. Now, they still use the trailer as a guest house and, sometimes, for breakfast. "I have such a soft spot for Big Blue [the trailer] and the year we spent in it," says Jay. "It feels like being inside of a boat."
Photo by Alex Lau1/6Lattes First
Alison starts the day with a turmeric latte made with cashew milk, freshly grated turmeric and ginger, Sun Potion pine pollen, and honey, which she blends in a Vitamix and tops with cracked black pepper.
Photo by Alex Lau2/6One Base, Two Breakfasts
Alison uses the same base for both her and Jay’s breakfast: oats. Then things start to change. Her bowl goes savory while Jay’s goes sweet. "Alison has a penchant for salt in the morning—smoked fish, fermented vegetables, salty miso soups," says Jay. "I'm a Maine boy at heart, a sucker for blueberries and maple syrup."
Photo by Alex Lau3/6The Savory Bowl
Alison's savory bowl includes digitata seaweed and grated cheese and gets topped with fermented red chilies, parsley, cilantro, green onion, smoked trout, a fried egg, and a glug of Wonder Valley olive oil (of course). "Living in the high desert means your kitchen becomes your favorite restaurant, and my pantry has to shine since we do so much cooking at home," says Alison. "The seaweed is from the clean, beautiful waters of coastal Maine—we will head up this summer to help with the harvest. The chipotle powder and chile peppers are the most fragrant, smoky, otherworldly spices that I put in just about everything, I buy them in a small town of Chimayo, New Mexico every time we’re passing through. I keep an arsenal of preserved lemons, fermented hot sauce, yuzu koshu, and of course, wonder valley olive oil. Those are my workhorse ingredients."
4/6The Sweet Bowl
Jay's bowl is topped with walnuts, blackberries, peaches, honey, butter, and cacao from Sun Potion.
5/6A Morning Walk
After breakfast, they usually take Lefty on a hike through the park. "Hiking is my main form of exercise," says Alison. "We have beautiful trails tucked into the boulders behind our house. Nature permeates every experience out here."
6/6Time Out
In the mornings, both Jay and Alison try to find time to meditate. "It helps give a little space before shifting gears into work, since we work out of the house," says Alison. "It’s incredibly private and quiet out here; it's easy to drop right into meditation."
