Farmers and Their Markets

I usually, make that often, share my Saturday market scores - just to entice you to visit your local farmers markets.  In fact, if you can, drive out to meet a farmer, it will open your eyes to a whole new way of looking at food.  We're lucky here in Nova Scotia, we even have an official Open Farm Day that is province wide.  Not only can you check out the farms, you can share in some fun - great food and activities...  I digress...caught up in the moment.  Check out the photo and see if you can guess what this leafy green is.

Things to Remember in the Dead of Winter

The truth is I started this post at least three weeks ago and I've been adding a bit here and there always too busy enjoying the summer to actually finish the writing.  So now I'll just start at the end and work backwards.... The scene above was at one of my favorite locations in Halifax... The Seaport Farmers Market and the event, this past Sunday, was called the Incredible Picnic organized by many to showcase local chefs, restaurants and...most importantly... local producers.  And before I take you through some of the actual fruits and vegetables I'll be craving in January, I thought I'd share some highlights of the picnic.

What Makes a Green Salad Great?

We all have differing views on what makes a great green salad.  Some, like my Honey favor crunchy lettuce, like romaine hearts, and consider other salad greens ... well...

Too Hot to Boil Water

Perhaps it will cool down later, but the last couple of days have been too hot to cook.   When I say to hot to boil water... I DO mean on the stove!   So last night's dinner, which was supposed to be pasta...after all, I am this week's Presto Pasta Night host... consisted of a simple salad to accompany another great grilled flank steak.   True, I already have lots of my own variations and a bazillion more bookmarked or pinned, but I was in too much of a hurry Monday morning  to actually look them up.

Good thing the awesome ingredients sort of made the meal themselves.  

Food Day Canada

Today... July 30th is officially Food Day Canada with lots of wonderful ways to celebrate. I'm not sure how it all happened, but I do know that Anita Stewart, who is an awesome lady and wrote one of my all time favorite books Anita Stewart's Canada, had a hand in it.

Here in Halifax Nova Scotia. I started the day at the Seaport Farmers Market buying locally grown, bred or baked delights. Frankly, I try to make everyday Food Canada Day.
I heard that my favorite butchers from Getaway Farms were going to roast a whole pig to star in a fantastic supper feast, celebrating their grand opening. They are also serving up their awesome burgers and the fun won't stop there. Free beer from local Garrison Brewery and an oyster bar (I believe provided by The Fish shop) not to mention a fantastic live band to round off the festivities.

Some of my favorite local restaurants were creating special menus to showcase local Canadian foods, but the pouring rain kept the delicate flower (me!) indoors. No complaints though with all those goodies we bought this morning. A salad of baby romaine, young onions, boiled new potatoes, and some Dragon's Breath Cheese from That Dutchman's Farm, served with crusty Good Hearth Bread from Julien's The most gorgeous garlic ever will make any vinaigrette even more spectacular and the first corn of the season would be amazing rubbed with some olive oil and one of my spice blends from Epices de Cru.

Tomorrow morning will continue our Sunday ritual with my Honey serving up his delicious French Toast made with Julien's Brioche. I'm only regretting that I didn't buy some of the strawberries & blueberries.

Even if you don't live in Canada... make it a Local Food Day Celebration. What will you be doing?