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!

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!

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.