Shameless Plugs

Later tonight I'm making some fish, black beans and all sorts of yummy things.

But for now, I want to mention a few of the vendors I got to see yesterday at the market and update you on some related news.

First, the Sunday market at Whole Paycheck - I mean, Whole Foods, is back.  You have to get there before noon, but it's worth the stop -- great bread, eggs, and all kinds of wonderful produce at great prices. 

Second, the Morris Ranch meat folks are leaving the Salinas market.  I'm very sad about that, but you can still visit them at the Alvarado Street market on Tuesday nights in Monterey.  Starting May 25, they will have a full line of beef and pork products ready for you.  And in the meantime, the picnic ham they were selling yesterday looked wonderful! 

Mari Lynn Pemberton, who is visiting with family in Salinas for awhile, has a great booth with homemade jams, jellies, and pickled vegetables, including pickled eggs.  If you've never had a pickled egg, it's high time you try one!  She let me taste her jalapeno jam, and it was out of this world - just a little kick and lots of sweetness and good flavor.  She'll be at the Alvarado Street market on Tuesday, too.

Finally, I want to thank Carolyn's Cookie Company for the sugar boost on Saturday morning.  She says she's been making cookies for 28 years - and though she doesn't look the part, I believe her - the cookies are wonderful.  My friends who know I try to avoid white flour and refined sugar will be shocked - shocked, I tell you - to discover I indulged.  But one of the best things about Carolyn's cookies is that they're normal-sized.  Not some cookiezilla bigger than your face, just a nice few bites of chocolate-chip heaven.

I hope you'll stop by a local farmers' market sometime soon.  Maybe we'll say "hello."  Because I can't wait to see you, you-know-where.

Aha....Ahi

So today at the farmers' market, I got some lemongrass-flavored basil, some radicchio, and some awesome ahi  tuna from the fish guy.   I made  sushi rice according to the package directions, adding some green tea leaves to the water (I had too few tea leaves to make tea, and they added a really nice flavor to the rice).  I put a small ball of rice into each radicchio leaf, and topped with the tuna, which was seared for 2 minutes/side and sliced about 1/2" thick.  I spooned on some sauce made from 1 T. soy, 1 T. honey, and 2/3 T sesame oil, although you could easily use a ready-made teriyaki sauce, as well.  For a little added crunch, I sprinkled on some toasted sesame seeds and added some of the finely-chopped basil.  It was delicious!

I'm full.  I'll see you tomorrow, or until then...see you at the market!!

Beans - not just for breakfast. . . oh, wait. . .

This morning I had a little extra time to make breakfast and decided some huevos-rancheros inspired beans and eggs would be good. "Inspired" is what people say when they know they're not making authentic ethnic food.  This recipe highlights the usefulness of a good pantry when it comes to making a quick, but nutritious and and filling meal.

Anyway, I opened a can of black beans and drained them, and put half of them away in the fridge.  Then I put some onions (about 2 T. after chopping) into some hot canola oil and stirred for 2 minutes.  I added 2 t. turmeric, 1 t. cumin, and a liberal teaspoon of chipotle powder and stirred for another 30 seconds.  I added the beans and some canned chopped tomatoes (drained) and stirred for a minute or so, then I turned the heat down and let them simmer for about 5 minutes.  In another pan, I fried an egg over medium.  To finish, I spooned the beans onto a plate and put some chopped fresh cilantro on top, followed by a squeeze of lime, and then the egg.

Yum!  And it held me for hours until lunchtime called.  I hope next time you have a little extra time in the morning you'll make a breakfast that's something different, too.  Until then, I'll see you at the market!