Market Delights

Truth be told, although I did go to the farmers market this past Saturday, I was tired and not my usual self... which didn't stop me from shopping... just from taking pictures of my score. I was more into easy cooking and just chillin'. Even some of the meals got missed... photographically speaking that is. But I thought I'd share anyway... just to get you excited about eating local... whatever "local" means in your neck of the woods.

The Steamed Mussels, Scallops & Merguez above was made with a sweet sparkling wine - Nova 7 by Benjamin Bridge, a local Nova Scotian Annapolis Valley winery. The mussels & scallops were from The Fish Shop and the merguez from Sweet Williams Sausages... all found at the market. The baguette, ready to soak up the delicious broth (I had the leftovers for lunch on on Monday - awesome even after all the seafood was gobbled up) was from Julien's Bakery.

Pain chocolat wolfed down the second we made it home, and the delicious Good Hearth bread made for tasty ham & cheese sandwiches for lunch.
Brioche was saved for our usual Sunday ritual ... coffee in bed, reading, followed up by my Honey making French Toast with fresh thyme (from River View Herbs) and maple syrup - always local, I think this batch is still from Sugar Moon Farm.

It's only Tuesday, but I've already forgotten what lunch was. Supper, on the other hand is easy to remember... Sweet Potato Panko Crumb Haddock Fillets (I've made this a million times, and after 30 minutes of searching realized, I never wrote a recipe for it! I could do it in my sleep and so I guess that's the reason. No fears, though... recipe is now up and I'll have to take a picture next time. Served with a salad of spicy organic mixed greens from Free Spirit Farms, fresh herbs from River View Herbs and simple vinaigrette starring Balsamic Apple Cider Vinegar from Boates Farm.

Thought I'd end with last night's dinner - Getaway Farm Grass fed Strip Loin Steak on the BBQ served with sauteed fiddleheads, & mushrooms along with boiled new potatoes flavored with green garlic and very young Spring onions. The steak is so delicious, it needs absolutely no seasoning!!!

Now I'm off to aquafit class to work off some of those calories.

Getting Through November Blahs

I am usually a "glass much more than half full" kind of girl, but November changes that... at least for a while. It starts with turning the clocks back an hour... like I need more darkness in the morning, my favorite time of day! Dreary, damp, dull days don't pick me up either. So I was "over the moon" happy to hear that finally the Halifax Seaport Market was going to be open Fridays, Sundays and Wednesdays in addition to the usual Saturday morning.

Last Friday, I went with my daughter and the boys, expecting a regular farmers market plus International Day... whatever that meant. I discovered that there are almost no farmers present - in fact only Selwood Green was there, but a glorious opportunity to sample the flavours of the world...
...think street food from India (Masai Dosai and so much more. We had some of this because it brought back wonderful memories of Joanna's trip to India and she hasn't had any Masai Dosai since then. It's a South Indian street food favorite),
and there's... sweets & snacks from Indonesia,
Perogi from Poland
Jerk & Curries from Antiqua, as well as Jamaica, and Sri Lanka (curry)... the list goes on and on. There are also wonderful imported goods to buy as well and pretend you're in some exotic marketplace at the other side of the world (preferably one with more sunshine). Naturally, the foodie in me only to photos related to eating, but the jewelry, and other wonderful handmade treasures from far away lands will make some wonderful holiday gifts. Check out the Chronicle Herald's article about the project.

And back to November blahs... see how hard it is to keep the positive in me down for long? ... I went back to the market on Saturday - I've missed a few and it was the shock of normal November that hit me. While my favorite fish, meat, bread & cheese guys were there, I noticed the slimmed down produce vendors and the focus on root veg and hearty greens like kale. Not that this is a bad thing. Don't get me wrong. I love chatting with the vendors, and some like Julien's, Foxhill Cheese, Gourmandises Avenue have permanent shops on the periphery. The Fish Shop should have its own place in another week or two. And come December right through March, I'll be happy for a taste of fresh, local deliciousness to bring home.

In fact, it's the first Wednesday that farmers will be there, so I think I'll head out for a fix.... more about that later. In the meantime, what's your "November Blah" and what cures it?