Acini de Pepe with Spinach, Feta and Garlic

Goats are in milk again, and it's time to start making cheese. Feta is one of the easiest, and a favorite, so here's a great side dish that uses both feta and that early-sprouting spinach for those with a winter garden or greenhouse. Make it as garlicky as you like. Enjoy!

½ lb acini di pepe or orzo pasta (1¼ cups)

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

3 cloves garlic, minced (1 tablespoon) (or to taste)

¼ teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes

3 green onions, chopped

¾ lb fresh spinach, chopped

½ cup crumbled feta cheese

Cook pasta in an uncovered 4- to 6-quart pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Drain well. Transfer to a bowl and keep warm, covered.

While pasta is boiling, heat oil and butter in a heavy skillet over medium high until hot but not smoking. Sauté garlic, red pepper flakes and green onions, stirring occasionally, until garlic is golden, about 2 minutes. Add spinach and cook, stirring until completely wilted.

Toss pasta with spinach mixture and feta until combined. Season with salt and pepper.

Makes 6 servings.

CAEV Test with Milk Sample

A study published in the February 2009 issue of Small Ruminant Research compared the ELISA method of diagnosing caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) using samples of milk whey and the usual blood samples. Samples of each were taken from 66 lactating dairy goats whose infection status for CAEV was already known. All of the goats whose blood samples tested positive for CAEV also had positive tests using the milk samples; the same was true for those with negative tests.

The researchers concluded that using ELISA on milk whey samples is an appropriate method for diagnosing CAEV, and it may be even better because the test is non-invasive (no need to draw blood) and may be less expensive.

Any goat keeper can learn to draw blood from his or her goats (you can find detailed instructions in Goat Health Care), but for those who are milking their goats, wouldn't it be nice to just save a sample and send it in to the lab for annual testing?