Tomato circle

Tomato circle

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Our trip to Barton Creek Farmers Market

If you've been following this blog - you most likely already know that we have dumped the grocery store for the Farmers Market on about 80% of our home food. Its been about 9 months now and even though there are new things at the market each week - I was feeling a lil uninspired by what I knew what would be waiting for me. Had a great idea of driving down south and checking out the Barton Creek Farmers Market for a change. We made great time there and got there by about 9:30 am - only about 15 minutes from home.












The size of the market was similar to what we are used to and we did see many familiar farms that sell at both - Round Rock Honey, Our Mushroom Farm, Kettle Corn, etc. I did immediately get produce vendor envy. I would say about 40% of the whole market was a wide variety of veggies and fruits. The first item that I got super excited about was Medina Apples!! Ive been wanting to make applesauce forever and I got 8 lbs from them! There were also beautiful Persimmons everywhere. I counted 4 vendors that had onions - something our markets hasn't had for months! Also I found Kale at 3 vendors and haven't been able to find that either. There was a Spice booth that had an amazing array of locally harvested spices. We got Cumin and Peppercorns. There also was this amazing bread artisan there - he had an array of fresh baked bread - the kind that goes bad by midnight - not that it would last that long. I wish I got a photo - will defiantly next time. I also really enjoyed the garden nursery that was there - I don't want to take on any new plants as it starts to get cold but I would be totally into buying there once spring comes around!
We enjoyed our time here for some new discoveries but we were missing a few key things. First off - our goats milk - they had no goat milk vendor there. No 6J Ranch were we prefer to get our meat and eggs from. And no prepared foods like Aunt Nita. We couldn't go the whole week without these staples in our life so we swung by our Lakeline Market on the way home and got all our needs met! It was super fun to go to both and although most of my money and support goes to Lakeline, I cant wait to continue checking out other markets. We are so lucky in Austin to have so many at our fingertips!
This week on the plate: Apples!!! 8 lbs of em, Kale, Goats Milk, Homemade Chips, Spini...ch Dip, Kolhrobi, Garlic Bread, Red Onions, Green Onions, Cilantro, Cucumbers for more picklin, Cardimum Seeds and BlackPepperCorns, Homemade Marinara, Home Strawberry Jam, Tomatoes, Shitake Mushrooms, A mix of Hot Peppers, Ground Pork, Beef Stew Meat and Smoked Chipotle Pasta!

Zucchini Bread Bonanza

My husband is a tea bread freak! Seriously - get him around pumpkin, banana or zucchini bread and you lose him for at least an hour. Having a choice of both my Zucchinis from my home garden as well as amazing ones from our local Farmers Market - I have been making lots of Zucchini bread lately - I even made some for my pops for his birthday this year. I have tried a few recipes and the one below is my favorite from EatingWell.com
This is a great way to get your whole grains as well as veggies! I used my homemade apple sauce in it as well and that was a tasty upgrade! Also, did versions with Cranberries and Almonds. So Good!! Hope you enjoy! Id love to hear about any other variations too!

Zucchini-Walnut Loaf
Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 large egg whites, at room temperature (see Tip)
  • 1 cup sugar, or 1/2 cup
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract, (optional)
  • 1 cup grated zucchini, lightly packed (about 8 ounces)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 2 mini 6-by-3-inch loaf pans with cooking spray.
  2. Whisk whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a large bowl.
  3. Whisk egg whites, sugar (or Splenda), applesauce, oil and lemon extract (if using) in a medium bowl. Stir in zucchini.
  4. Make a well in the dry ingredients; slowly, mix in the zucchini mixture with a rubber spatula. Fold in walnuts. Do not overmix. Transfer the batter to the prepared pans.
  5. Bake the loaves until a toothpick comes out almost clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 5 minutes, then turn out onto the rack to cool completely.

Tips & Notes

  • Tip: To bring cold eggs to room temperature quickly: Place in a mixing bowl and set it in a larger bowl of warm water for a few minutes; the eggs will beat to a greater volume.

Nutrition

Per slice: 118 calories; 3 g fat (0 g sat, 1 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 22 g carbohydrates; 2 g protein; 1 g fiber; 88 mg sodium; 37 mg potassium.

My name is Mindy and Im a Kale Addict

Holy Kale Chips Batman! Who would have thought this super food would have such a hold on me but... I must confess, it does! Ive had Kale on the brain for weeks now - my intake is approx 3 large heads of Kale a week but if it was on hand more, I bet I could take in twice as much.
Finding this crack addicting crunch food did have a few bumps in the road. My 1st post about Kale chips, I used Flat Kale - big mistake. One MUST use curly kale. The curlier the better. Also, don't use any other oils but olive oil. I used some vegetable oil on a batch b/c I was out of olive oil and it really lost some taste points. And lastly - salt the living hell out of em. Ive used both Kosher Sea Salt and Himalayan Salt - I prefer the Kosher - the Himalayan was a little gritty.
The great part of all this is I'm now addicted to some of the best food on the planet - albeit I'm taking in too much salt, no doubt. If you'd like to hear all about the anti cancer benefit's as well as eye health - check out this link http://health.learninginfo.org/nutrition-facts/kale.htm
Please let me know if you have some adventures with Kale too! ALL HAIL KALE!!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

8 lbs of Applesauce

I have been on a quest for local apples for weeks. When Bat Creek stopped coming to the market - I tried to call them as well as many other orchards and they all said that I had missed the season. This totally sucked as I had planned on making this super tasty applesauce that has hints of lemon, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Well, fast forward to last Sat when Mike and I decided to check out the South Austin Farmers market at Barton Creek and low and behold - APPLES! I of course swapped up 8 lbs and ran them back to the car.



Although I was super excited to get these apples finally, I had lots to do this week and kept letting the canning action pass to the side. Then all of a sudden, my kitchen started smelling of apples and honey. This puppies were getting ripe and it was now or never.
Had a fun evening of peeling all these apples and getting stickiness all over the place!


At the end, I was able to can 11 jars with the water canner. How fun is it to listen from the other room while you tops pop! Its the best. Cant wait to share these wares with my family over the holidays!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Farmers Market Oct 25th 2010













Howdy all! Its officially fall at our farmers market! The veggies are pretty much down to eggplants, peppers, and squash. I have been lucky enough to get some late cucumbers so that I can make more pickles. The pickles have been turning out so good! I'm now trying to make them spicy. The latest round has lots of jalapenos packed in with them.

This week at the market, we were joined by the Huehlefeld clan! Mike and Paul have worked together at a few different companies and been friends for years. It was fun to show Paul and his wife Shannon around and who we buy from. Miss Lili their lil one, who was sporting some kickin Converse, had her concerns but we are guessing once she goes a few times, it will be a favorite place to tottle around!

Our treasures this week include: Mushrooms, Sweet Potato Pone, Aunt Nita's cookies, Goats Milk, Eggs, Habenero Pasta, Butter, Black Eye Peas, some tiny Pies, Turkey Enchilada Casserole, Homemade Chips, Tomatoes, Amberjack Fish, Jalapeno Spread, Serrano Salsa, and some Cucumbers!

CRAFTY: I love old furniture!



http://www.designspongeonline.com/category/before-and-after

This is a great blog that deals with a lot of re purposing furniture and lots of other cool household items. Ive been holding onto this crazy gold colored circle chair for the past 15 years b/c I want to take an upholstery class and recover it. I know it has promise! This blog inspires me even more to do just that!

Hello Kitty Sushi



This has nothing to do with local or gardening but it does include two of my favorite things in this world - Hello Kitty and Sushi! Once again, futher proof that I was born in the wrong country. Some day, I will make it to Japan and possibly never come back!

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Farmers Market Oct 16th 2010









I had been looking forward to getting to the market this week for days! I had to go to Las Vegas for work the past week and not only missed the Sat market, I was overstimulated with bells, sounds, smoke, air conditioning, lights and drunk people. By the time I got back to Austin, I craved some fresh air and some local food! We had some on reserve in the freezer but SO happy to stock up this morning!

This week we got lots of stuff cause we pretty much had butter left over and that was it! This weeks grocery list include: Eggs, Black Bean Hummus, Indian Summer Casserole, Gingersnaps, Jalapeno Spread, Ground Pork, Shrimp, Scallops, Red Snapper Fillets, Cucumber, Sugar Cookie, Dog Treats, Tomato's, Jalapenos, Sourdough Bread, Bell Peppers, Free Range Chicken, Chips, Cow Milk, Habenero Pasta, Portabella Mushrooms, and some tasty Hill Country Cupcakes!


I was great to stop by the Dog Boutique with it all decked out for Halloween. Once again Sushi made it onto some of the Halloween promo material and that makes up proud parents! We got the girls some pumpkin shaped treats that will last over a few days.

We had little control over ourselves at the Gulf Seafood booth today. After some arm twisting - we ended up with Scallops, Shrimp and Red Snapper fillets. I'm currently obsessed with Scallops and will no doubt make that first. Stocked up at the grocery store on some Old Bay Seasoning and Breadcrumbs so I am ready!!

I'm not sure why it took us 6 months to make our way to the Mushroom booth but we stocked up on Portabellas. They look amazing and cannot wait to see how those will book up with some butter and white wine!

I love the signs of fall all over the market! I couldn't resist getting myself a pumpkin sugar cookie! We saw signs about bringing your dogs in costume on the 30th. Cant wait to show Sushi off as a Banana Split and Saki as a Taco!

Rotisserie Chicken Oh My!

When the Hello Kitty toaster finally gave out - it was decided that an adult toasting machine was in order. With all our tasty chickens from the farmers market - I could not resist something with a rotisserie feature. Seems any chicks under 3 lbs fits great as long as we tie up the legs and arms in. I call this Bondage Chicken. We roast it on 400 degrees and after smothering it with butter - toss with salt and pepper and whatever spices you like. We enjoy Rosemary from the front yard! Another fantastic way to enjoy chicken!

Monday, October 4, 2010

Look - its Mindy!


Ok - Mom, this is for you. As I mentioned my mom always says that Im not in any photos - and not a one of this blog. So here is one of a very fun day when my parents came to Austin for a visit and we spend a great morning at the Farmers Market together. Mind you its very early on a Sat morning so Im not decked out in all my fashion but hey - its me.

Salsa Fiesta!!


With so many great peppers and tomatoes at the Market - I couldn't help myself!
I made 3 kinds of salsa - red jalapeno, green tomatillo, and habanero! I have froze some for a cold day later that needs a little ZIP!!

Kale Chips



We got a large bunch of Kale from Johnson Backyard Farm this week and decided to make kale chips. All the online recipes talk about how great they taste to I was pretty excited to try it out.

Its super easy - just wash your kale, rip of large leaves from stem, toss with olive oil in a bowl. Lay leaves out flat on cookie sheet. Toss salt over kale. Pop in oven for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

When I first ate them, a had a mixed re-action - kinda like seaweed texture without the fishy taste. The salt was yummy. Then, the next day I was feeling snacky and went right to them and enjoyed the flavor. The best way to review the taste is that regular chips taste better but if you want a salt fix - these may do the job and best of all, is a method to eat kale which is SO very good for you!

If you try this - let me know what you think of the flavor and texture! They are so thin!

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Farmers Market October 2, 2010





It was so a nice and cool morning this week at our Farmers Market. We decided to bring the dogs again - eventhough my hubby walked them around the parking lot a few times, they were still a little too wound up. Sushi barked in some lil girls face - sorry green stripey socks adorable girl - and Saki kept jumping up and down in the "pick me up" eye contact manor. Mike and I separated for a lot of the shopping just to keep the pups moving.

The scene at the market is certainly changing - it, just like my garden, is teaching me patients. For example - there are two farmers that I have come to count on each week as the best of the best and for the past two weeks, they haven't been there. Instead of freaking out and being sad, I just need to embrace the new farms that are coming. I need to remind myself that this is not a grocery store and I cant get the same thing week after week like Im used to. The bummer side is things like that amazing cantaloupe cant be found other place and I really want some more! Not to mention I really enjoyed the banter with both farmers - I miss talking to them. I understand that all the apples are sold from Bat Creek - good for them - the more they sell - the more motivated to stay in business - the better off we ALL are. Bad for me as I was planning on making a major batch of homemade applesauce as some gifts. I will be on the lookout for a local orchard if anyone can hook a sister up - lemme know!!

This week we got some real treats - we indulged at Hill Country Cup cake which we haven't gotten in weeks. I think the vanilla vanilla is my favorite. The flavor list is rather intimidating and I would love if they had a sign listed of each product so you didn't have to listen the the workers repeat all the details. They of course are very nice people but it would speed up the process a bit. My two bits. ;)

We purchased Pork Belly for the first time this week - essentially it looks like really thick bacon that has not been flavored or smoked. Ive been online looking at recipes and they are very complicated - some taking up to three days of preparing the meat. I have settled on a 3 hour roasted pork belly from Jamie Oliver - Naked Chef fame. How could I not trust a guy who names his kids - Petal Blossom Rainbow, Buddy Bear, Poppy Honey and Daisy Boo. ( I may steal Daisy Boo - thats a kick ass kid name)

I could not let this post pass without giving some MAJOR props to Aunt Nita and her Pumpkin/Squash Lasagna. Hands down the best lasagna I have ever eaten! And I spent two weeks in Italy, damn it! If you pass her booth and this is an option - buy it - dont think twice. You will be :)

Some other recent highlights have been Scallops from our favorite funny fishbooth. Aren't they a hoot? Some Kale from the Johnson Backyard Farm we turned into Kale chips. Sweet asparagus from McKemie and his very amusing blog/web page. And of course our roasted chickens we cant stop talking about from 6J Ranch.

Next week, the husband will be on his own as I am still in Vegas working that day. I have faith that he will pick up some great things! It should be fun to see what he gets.

Thanks all for your great comments and for saying hi at the Market!
My Mom says there are no photos of me on this blog so will be adding one. Like I have said many times on this blog, Im a photographer first and fall into the stereotype that I really don't like to be the focus of the photo but the artist behind the lens.

Beautiful morning @ the Farmers Market: Peaches, Kale, Habenero Pasta, Bfast Tacos, Red Onions, Lil Tomatoes, Pork Belly, Serrano Salsa, Butter, Ground Pork, Pumpkin Lasagna, Snickerdoodles, Chips, Sunflower Bread, Goats Milk, Hill Country Cupcakes & Green Bean/Blue Cheese/Pecan salad, and La La's Lemonade - consumed before the photo.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Improving your digestive function

This is a great article on 5 things you can do today to improve your digestion.


Poor digestive function can cause nutrient deficiencies and numerous health problems like fatigue, emotional instability, skin disorders and more.


http://www.naturalnews.com/029668_digestion_tips.html

Farmers Market Sept 11 2010








This week we had a solid plan of getting to the market by 9am because I NEEDED onions and have not been able to find any for weeks. We did manage to set the alarm for 8 am but we had played Wii and done shots the night before so - Im just gonna admit it - I was WAY hung over this shopping trip.

We got there by 9:45 at least! We were met by our friends - the Cokal's - Miss B and Erhan and their lil Aydin. It was his first shopping experience at the farmers market and he was a pro with his lil bucket and love for peppers!

This week we stocked up on meat - chicken, pork and tuna steaks! Also - we got pie from Pie Fixes Everything - it was so adorable and so tasty! Im not even a pie person but the cherry was tart and how can I resist the lil cherry's on top of the pie. Hooray for tiny pies!

I stocked up on jalapenos and canned 2 jars today. They are a cheap price and will taste so good once we are out of season. Also made a large amount of salsa today b/c the tomatoes I got this week were much more ripe than I thought. It was enough to enjoy this week and to freeze a small jar too!

This week from the market - we got the elusive white onions, Sun dried tomato pasta, homemade chips, cantaloupe, 2 lbs of ground pork, free range chicken, tuna steaks, zucchini, jalapenos, tomatoes, bell peppers, black bean hummus, peaches, sourdough bread, apples, peach cobbler, mini cherry pie, goats milk, and oatmeal cookies. Today was a good day.

Had such a good time with our friends and so many items were "in stock" by the time we got there. I have read that we should expect asparagus, sweet potatoes, and shallots. Ive very excited to experience fall in a new way!

Thanks for checking into the blog!!