Last August Visit to the Market

This is a bad news/good news post. Fortunately the bad news is short, so I'll just get it out of the way....I woke up later than I intended and so hit the market when it was busy (I do love getting in and out before the crowds)...I brought my camera so I could share the hustle, bustle and, more important... what was on tap for the week.

It's great to follow the produce as it makes its way through the season..., carrots that are getting bigger and bigger, the "firsts" - for me it was leeks and still only limited signs of tomatoes,...but I digress. My other bad news...when about to take a photo so you could live vicariously, the camera kept flashing "no memory card"...Bummer! It was way too crowded and my hands too full of pain chocolat (already eaten, so don't even think about a picture...EVER) to actually see about it. Besides my other memory card was at home - naturally!

That said, on with the good news...the memory card was just jostled loose a bit, so all is fine.

The ground lamb and lamb pepperoni will be photographed when they turn into awesome dishes...I'm thinking lamb burgers (these Lamb Feta & Eggplant Burgers were awesome) and pepperoni & mushroom pizza, but you never know. I saw George Christakos of Brooklyn Warehouse (one of our favorite neighborhood bistros- I reviewed it for foodtv.) buying lamb at Wood & Hart right beside me (I guess I'll have to take a trip over to check out what they're doing with it at the restaurant).
Last week I bumped into Dennis Johnston of fid Resto! - another fave casual fine dining spot. He was buying up a huge batch of fresh local chanterelles.
It is definitely corn season and the sweetest young man...perhaps 8 years old was very helpful with my purchase. Only four ears, but then...it's just for me. Perhaps I'll repeat last night's version. My daughter Joanna came up with this...boil, brush with olive oil and cayenne pepper and grill (minus the BBQ of course). I bet I could get grill marks from my grill pan.
Of course I had to buy some bread from Julien's for our Saturday afternoon tradition...baguettes (this time Asiago) and goat cheeses from Ran-Cher Acres. The other bread...rosemary olive sourdough will make some awesome sandwiches or tomato bread salad during the week...drool, drool.
And I had to buy these gorgeous little tomatoes (so sweet, they're my "pop-in-the-mouth-anytime" candy-like treat... Perhaps they'll even make it into a salad or two. Last night we used up last week's purchase of cute little eggplants, nestled here with the tiny tomatoes) with Ted Hutton's recipe, but ate it all up before I could take a photo. Don't worry, I bought more so I could repeat the meal with less cute distractions (Boaz & his brother Dov are taking their parents to PEI for the weekend).
More firsts...how stunning are these tiny pears from the Annapolis Valley?
or these beautiful local peaches...
not to mention the first of the local apples...these are July Red, tart and crunchy. They will be starring in my first apple crisp of the season. Can't wait for this year's apple picking with the boys. Dov may only be able to eat them, but Bo will definitely be picking this year.
First leeks mean a favorite soup of mine - Mushroom, Leek & Spinach. Only question...do I add these cute new potatoes or save them for lemon roasted potatoes like Jo made last night. Decisions, decisions, decisions.
Last, but definitely not least, the most fantastic garlic - and organic, at that - I ever bought and right from Four Seasons Farm in Maitland, NS- no need to import from China, or anywhere else. If I could only freeze this time of year to get some all year long.

Definitely time to take a break and enjoy some of my bounty. I know I sound like a broken record, but local really does taste better - plus by supporting local farmers you contribute on so many levels...but enough about me... What's your favorite Eat Real Eat Local food available right now?

A Trip to the Annapolis Valley

One of our favorite summer-time drives is to the Annapolis Valley. Actually, I love it in the fall too...all those apples to pick. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Because summer is oh-so-short here in the Maritimes, I choose to just savor the here-and-now. I thought you might enjoy some of our trip...

Although the drive from Halifax to "the valley" really only takes about an hour or so, we decided to spend the night. There are a ton of fantastic B&B's around - some in wonderful old, restored mansions and others in small homes. This time we decided to stay at The Evangeline Inn & Motel just outside of Grand Pre. The inn itself was once the home of Sir Robert Borden, Prime Minister of Canada from 1911-1920.
That's the view of Domaine de Grand Pre just across the road from the Inn- cornfields in front obscure the award winning winery and restaurant.

That's the Evangeline Beach with a view of Blomidon Provincial Park across the ...well...this view at low tide, which makes it look like you could walk all the way across the Minas Basin (inner part of the Bay of Fundy). And you can walk out very far indeed, depending on the time of day....just check out the same view five hours later....
The water rises 8 feet every hour. The cycle repeats itself every 6 hours and is truly a world wonder. In fact, the Bay of Fundy is one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature finalists.

I do love to hang out there for a while. Trivia fact of the day...sandpipers nest here in July and August to have their babies (they apparently mate for life but winter separately in South America) and fatten up before their non-stop flight to South America.

But I digress...this is a food blog, after all and I can't go more than 5 minutes without talking about food. Please note, everything we ate came from Nova Scotian farms and fishermen. So...

Lunch on the terrace of Rosie's in downtown Wolfville. The photo was taken after I wolfed down half the enormous order of mussels. Peaking behind them..the sweet potato fries. Delicious. We already had a pre-lunch dessert of ginger ice cream at Evangeline Beach.

After a walk and a rest we made our way to Acton's Grill & Cafe, also in Wolfville for an unforgettable meal.
Naturally I had to have all things of the sea, so I ordered these gorgeous crab cakes and, true to our very knowledgeable, very friendly server Seth's word...these were all crab meat with not a hint of potato to be found and served with a jalapeno jelly.
Usually my Honey and I just share an appetizer, but we couldn't resist Seth's suggestion of warm mushroom spinach salad with cider vinaigrette. This was so spectacular...creamiest of goat cheese from "down the road" in Aylesford, crunchy maple toasted pecans, sauteed mushrooms and baby spinach all topped with the sweetest apple cider vinaigrette (I'm pretty sure it's from Boates farm - my favorite is their balsamic apple cider vinegar)...candy before the main course!
I had this Nova Scotia Pan Roast with plump, scallops, shrimp, salmon and a lobster tail, dressed up so prettily with asparagus and the basmati rice was perfect to sop up all those juices.

My Honey, being the meat eater that he is, had the special...Pork Tenderloin with Shitake Mushrooms in cabernet jus, garlic mashed potatoes and local veggies.

And although we shouldn't have had dessert (South Beach Dieting...remember?) we couldn't resist either of these

Dark Chocolate Marquis on Creme Anglaise

Pear Pecan Tart with Creme Anglaise drizzle.

And that was just day one. Come back tomorrow for a visit to two wonderful valley markets - my real reason for the trip. That's the Wolfville Saturday Farmers Market at the top of the post.

Please remember to support your local producers and the restaurants that focus on using local produce, fish and meats. And check out the Eat Real Eat Local Campaign and see what you can do in your neck of the woods. Every time you spread the word...through twitter, facebook, email a friend with #realfood in the message, Hellmann's donates 25 cents to the Evergreen Foundation. The goal is $25,ooo by the end of September.

Local Markets=Heaven on a Plate

Truly there is nothing more delicious than fresh produce, and I mean - right from the garden served with local Nova Scotian lamb. And having been to not one, but two markets this past Saturday...I really scored some tasty treats. Just check out last night's dinner - Marinated Grilled Lamb Chops with veggies, steamed and lightly sauteed.

The lamb (my favorite meat, especially when it's from Nova Scotia) chops, marinated and grilled (even if it is on my indoor grill) came from Wood 'n' Hart Farm in Tatamagouche. One of these days, I really must go and visit Bill Wood on his farm to have a more in-depth chat about all things lamb. Bill breeds his own lean sheep, and feeds them grain, hay and grass and is extremely popular with local chefs and Saturday Market goers. I know it's one of my favorite stalls at the Halifax Farmers Market.
I also couldn't resist these gorgeous yellow and purple beans at the Elmridge Farm stall or were they from my other favorite farmers over at the Hutten Family Farm stand. I knew, standing there exactly how I'd prepare them and started drooling (all before 9am!)

But how come the deep purple faded to such a dull colour? They sort of looked like my mother's mushy grey broccoli (sorry mom) from my childhood. Although they were crispy and tasty. If you have any ideas for keeping them purple, let me know.

And one of my new finds over at the Dartmouth Farmers' Market, where I met Anna and Ben Wall (mentioned yesterday) were these precious little tomatoes. I naturally couldn't resist popping one in my mouth when I got home - WOW!!! they are like candy! In fact, if I didn't know better, I'd swear they'd been injected with honey.

So I lightly steamed the beans with a sprig of fresh basil (also from Ben & Anna) while I was sauteing the tiny tomatoes, cut in half to allow their juices out, in a touch of olive oil and Olivina (instead of butter, which the rest of you should enjoy for me) (probably 2 minutes) and then added the steamed beans along with fresh mint, basil and garlic scapes, a little salt and pepper, toss and plate over the lamb chop. Fantastic!

Where do you shop for your favorite local food? If you're not eating local, you can't imagine what you're missing out on. And if you live in Canada, please check out EatRealEatLocal to find out how you can do more in your neck of the woods.

Finally - Garlic Scapes!

Yes - garlic scapes are finally here in Halifax. And that's the lovely person who went "out back" at Pete's Frootique to find them for me (one of my favorite food purveyors in Halifax). Although I was tempted...I did not buy the entire sackful. And, finally, I'll stop leaving whining comments on everyone's garlic scape posts.
Having been on vacation for two weeks, and up at camp, visiting the kids this past Saturday...I am really missing my visits to the Saturday Farmers Markets. But Pete's came through with some very tasty, AND very local foods. There's nothing like Nova Scotia lamb and tonight we're having the stuffed lamb rolls (if you look closely, they're in the center of the glorious meat counter that serves the very best local meats).
Too bad my Honey is not a tomato lover. Don't these local hot house beauties look gorgeous?
I did sneak a couple in last night's dinner....Mediterranean Style Haddock & Broccoli. Shhhhh, don't tell him.
Nor could I resist these giant green onions, pristine yellow beans (side tonight with the lamb roll) and chocolate brown cremini mushrooms - all local! And...how could I forget...the first really big, really green bunch of basil.
Enough to make my first batch of pistou of the summer (pesto without the pine nuts).

And now I'm ready for the week, with lots of local goodies for my table.

Many of you might remember me talking about my trip to Toronto to sit on a food bloggers panel organized by Hellmann's Eat Real Eat Local Campaign. Visit their site to see how you can make a difference and read some interesting articles. I don't have to remind you that supporting local farmers is so important - and so tasty!

Summer's Here & a New Farmer's Market's in Town

Summer is here, although the sunshine is taking its own sweet time in appearing and we're back from vacation, rested, but not tanned....oh well.

Crummy, drizzly, foggy (not the romantic ocean mists I've mentioned before), damp, dreary weather kept us close to home for the last week of our holiday and I have mixed emotions about that. Naturally, I'd have preferred to drive around this absolutely beautiful province and stopping at farmers' markets along the journey. But staying in Halifax led to a wonderful find....the newest farmers market in Halifax- it's only been around for four weeks! - and is a first for Nova Scotia.

Partners for Care is the results of a brilliant partnership between Capital Health and the Farmers Market Association of Nova Scotia. Every Friday from 10-2, on the lawn of QEII Health Science Centre in downtown Halifax, there's a city of tents....okay a small town of tents. But what a fantastic concept.... Hospital staff and neighbourhood residents get the opportunity to buy fresh, local produce, fish and meat at an outdoor market. It's also a perfect way to learn about what we're eating with the opportunity to hear right from the source.
Like fresh pressed apple juice from organic, fungicide resistant apples that require no spraying. Even though I'm not supposed to have juice this week (South Beach Diet, Phase One), I had to have a sip - delicious - just the right amount of crisp tang and sweetness.
Elmridge Farm, an organic farm from Centreville in the Annapolis Valley had the most beautiful strawberries. I do hope there will be some around in another week or two when I'm done with SBD, Phase I!
Everything is pesticide free and gorgeous! Just look at these awesome Spring Onions...
and these peas and beans. The carrots and beets at the top of this page will have to wait as well, and I will definitely be back for them.

But fresh fruit and veggies are not the only stars at the market...
Happy Granola - even sounds wonderful - you know it's going to be fantastic once it hits your mouth. Perfect for breakfast, snacks and...whenever you have a craving for a tasty treat. It's also on my "wait until Phase Two" list. Lots of delicious ingredients, like dried blueberries, dried cranberries, dried cherries, pumpkin seeds, honey, maple syrup, cinnamon, cardamom...the list is endless and I can't wait to give it a try. You can find Patty here on Fridays and at the Halifax Farmers Market on Saturday mornings too.

Pat's Preserves from the Eastern Passage (along the Atlantic coast just the other side of Dartmouth and home to surfing beaches) has a wonderful selection of jams, preserves and pickles that are irresistible...which is why this photo is taken from a distance.
Check out Bohemian Bubbles from Falmouth,NS (on the right) for goat's milk soaps and lotions and Farmasea for organic, handcrafted salves and ointments.

All in all...kudos to the people who thought this venture up. What a wonderful way to educate and feed the neighbourhood!

I'd love to hear about any such markets in your neck of the woods. And if you're interested in eating local - and you should be - everything tastes so much better!...you can find out more here at the EatRealEatLocal website. Throughout the summer, I'll be working with the Eat Real Eat Local Campaign to highlight wonderful local Nova Scotian fare...markets, restaurants and festivals...stay tuned!

Pasta + Farmers' Markets = Heaven on a Plate

You know the song that Julie Andrews sings to the kids in "The Sound of Music" when they're afraid of the storm.....You can find the lyrics here - a refresher When I need a pick me up here are some of the things I think about....right after the grandsons, their parents & Auntie Sharron, and of course, my Honey...

Fresh from the soil produce (this time of year the stars are all bright green...fiddleheads, asparagus, baby beet greens, spring onions, potted herbs);
Grass fed, organic beef, pork, and lamb ( especially the young Spring local Nova Scotian lamb);

Free-range chickens and oh-so-fresh eggs, you can still hear the chickens clucking;

Fish and seafood so fresh you can smell the ocean;

Fresh herbs that really look, smell and taste like they're supposed to (we're especially lucky to have Riverview Herbs with their hothouse herbs - treasured all year round);

Artisan breads and cheeses;

homemade preserves and pies (strawberry rhubarb pie is big right now)

...I could go on, but you get the idea. And where can I find these delights...local farmers' markets, that's where.

There is something wonderful about talking to the farmers, fishermen, cheese makers, bakers, etc... It changes my way of thinking about my food. It's not just food in a grocery cart at a big chain outlet (much of which will last only a few days in my fridge before wilting), it's about the people who grow it, fish for it, produce it with lots of TLC and hard work. You can see the pride and passion and it makes the food that much more special.

But what does that have to do with last nights dinner (pictured at the top) and pasta?

I've already talked about the glorious mussels I picked up this past Saturday and the Steamed Mussels with Chorizo. There actually was some left over...a first for us! So I removed the shells and kept them in the fridge along side of the Chimichurri sauce meant originally for the Argentinean Burgers. I wasn't quite sure about what I would do with them...chimichurri is easy, since we're huge carnivores and a dollop on any grilled meat, chicken or fish would be dynamite.

You can't even begin to imagine how perfectly they go together especially when tossed with some very healthy Dreamfields Penne Rigate - lots of fibre, lower glycemic index than most pasta which works for me since I'm a real fan of the South Beach Diet (although you probably wouldn't know that from what I've been eating lately).

Finally...supper!!!! Worth making the other two dishes just for the "leftovers"!

Penne with Mussels, Chorizo & Chimichurri

And speaking about pasta....I'm hosting this week's Presto Pasta Night, so send your entries to ruth (at) 4everykitchen (dot) com by Thursday, June 4...that's tomorrow...and I'll be posting the roundup on Friday. I can't wait to see what sauce I can use on the delicious Dreamfields pasta.

Some guidelines if you're a first time PPNer and if you're interested in hosting, check it out and drop me a line. Some spots in July & August are still open. Everyone loves the chance to host and meet new food bloggers...join the fun!

Spring at the Market: Real + Fresh= Delicious

It's been more than a month since I last went to the Halifax Farmers Market. Trips to Toronto, a bad cold and...I don't remember, but the last time I was there, I found way more artisans than I did food producers. And since it's been so long, there were three mistakes I made:

One: I went a bit later than I usually go and it was already very busy at 7:30 a.m. (I like to go before there the crowds show up. It seems that everyone in Halifax is way more social than I am in the morning!);

Two: I forgot my camera!!! Insane, I know, but I did manage to take a photo of my bounty when I walked in the door;

Three: I've grown accustomed, over the winter, to find relatively few vendors, so I didn't do my "walk around" to find the "best of" ...which really didn't matter because everything looked great and I still managed to spend $60 for fantastic local goodies, like....

Little Dorset organic ground beef for tonight's barbecue (you'll have to come back tomorrow to hear the whole story);

Indian Point Mussels for last night's fantastic dinner. I've been dreaming about these locally farmed mussels ever since I saw the recipe in Relaxed Cooking with Curtis Stone. And it was just as delicious as I'd hoped it would be.

Steamed Mussels with Chorizo & White Wine

Ran-Cher Acres fantastic goat cheeses and Julien's baguette, croissants & pains chocolat, because...well... my Honey would be very disappointed if I didn't...and after all that foraging for food, I love Saturday afternoons, spent watching a movie, flipping through my latest stash of food magazines and munching on some of my market score;

Riverview Herbs for fresh mint and basil (for the roasted potato salad and chimichurri sauce for the burgers...you WILL have to come back tomorrow);

Last but definitely not least, the veggies...beautiful baby beets & greens, more very local fiddleheads and asparagus and the first rhubarb. Too bad the strawberries aren't out yet. That's my favorite combination this time of year and perhaps I will actually make my own strawberry rhubarb pie....or....you guessed it, pick one up at the market next week!

There is nothing like fresh, locally grown food, I hope you have the opportunity to explore your local markets.