sundays at the farmers' market
Simple, seasonal recipes I’ve improvised from whatever I found at the farmers’ market this week.
the summertime cheese plate
I know I’ve been skimping on the brunches lately. I have no idea where all my summer Sundays have gone. I was so happy that this week I found the time to get into the farmers’ market groove and spend the day playing with peak of the season produce. The menu included Chef Annette... »
quick, crunchy summer salad
July might be the best month of the year for the farmers’ market. Summer spills out of stalls everywhere you turn. And the July produce is so perfect, flavorful, sensual, that it would almost be a crime to do much with it. That’s why this week, my farmers’ market recipe is a simple, peak... »
duck eggs, morels & cherries
I love spring at the farmers’ market!!! I can spend hours just strolling the aisles, dazzled by the wild rainbow of colors, aromas and textures–exciting ingredients I’ve never before experienced. This week I didn’t exactly reinvent the wheel but for my Sunday brunch I picked up morels(!), komatsuna (a Japanese green similar to spinach... »
succulent strawberry season (with recipes)
Although strawberries are available year-round these days (and in our test kitchen garden, homegrown ruby gems can be had from April-December), I think the best berries hit the market in May. So for my first farmers market brunch in many months, I planned the meal around these plump little gifts of the season. Chile-Rubbed,... »
birthday sunday with smoked salmon and scrambled eggs
Its been nearly two months since I’ve done a brunch for friends. But this week, I brought back brunch in honor of my birthday. I decided on traditional fare: organic eggs scrambled with butter with my favorite French fingerling potatoes simply roasted. To lighten the meal, I added a salad of shaved fennel with... »
farmers’ market aloha style
This weekend provided a wonderful farmers market adventure. Instead of shopping my usual stomping grounds, I was treated to the Honolulu farmers market. I was in the city for a book signing at HASR Wine Company and, knowing my love for farmers’ markets, a friend took me for a spin at her local shopping... »
lentils blt
This week was mellow on the brunch front. I was just getting together with an old friend. Let me tell you, shopping for two is so much easier than trying to haul enough ingredients around the market to feed an army. So I took advantage of my lightened load and took the time to... »
a pink and bubbly brunch
This weekend offered the potential for a particularly enticing brunch. You see, I had to review a magnum of Iron Horse Cuvee Joy Rose sparkling wine. (A magnum is the equivalent of 2 bottles of bubbly.) The wine was an assignment for an article I was writing and well, when you have to open... »
the peak of summer
This is my favorite time of year to shop at the farmer’s market. In fact, I’ll even go to markets when I traveling just to look. Feasting eyes upon the mounds of figs, peaches, tomatoes and squashes warmed by the sun is my version of porn. Today our brunch crowd was small, just 5... »
the guest of honor forgot to come
Last week, instead of a Sunday at the Farmers’ Market, I found myself preparing a Hurricane Party. I was on Cape Cod and we appeared to be in Earl’s path. (At the time I bought my ingredients, he was officially a category 2 hurricane.) Prepping for a hurricane really works up an appetite when... »