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Back to the Farmer's Market

7 Recipes to Get You Back to the Farmers' Market

Chow on 04.20.12

Kelly Rossiter Contributor bio | twitter

Photo: General Photographic Agency/Getty Images
I am lucky enough to have two year-round farmers' markets in my neighbourhood, but I admit I don't go that often during the winter. Sometimes I go to buy eggs or meat, but for me the real allure of the market is the array of fresh, seasonal vegetables. Yesterday was the beginning of the season with the very first of the wild leeks, and the first harvest of baby greens.
There is something very heady about the first whiff of wild leeks and the earthy aroma they impart. I couldn't wait to get home and start cooking with them. Last night I made Chinese scallion pancakes, replacing the scallions with wild leeks and they were pretty fantastic. Of course, Toronto is a week or two behind in the harvest because we are that much further north, so many of you will already had the pleasure of the first spring vegetables.
Here are seven recipes to entice you back to the farmers' market where you live.

1. Rainbow Trout with Wild Leeks

Photo: Kelly Rossiter
I am not a fish eater at all, but even I love the fish from our farmers' market. The fisherman goes out for the catch in Georgian Bay and then drives to Toronto that day or the next for the freshest fish you can get in Ontario. This rainbow trout with wild leeks was a happy marriage of two wonderful market products.

2. Grilled Asparagus

Photo: Kelly Rossiter
For people who are used to steamed asparagus, grilled asparagus can be a big eye-opener. I love the crispiness and the intensity of flavour that you get when you grill it. If you don't have a grill, you can also roast it in the oven, at a very high heat to get the same affect. There are a couple of recipes in that post for dipping sauces as well.

3. Fiddlehead. Wild Leek and Asparagus Ragout

Photo: Kelly Rossiter
This fiddlehead, wild leek and asparagus ragout is like springtime in a bowl. This super healthy dish was so delicious I made it again later in the week, and then turned the leftovers into a soup.

4. Arugula, Goat Cheese and Walnut Salad

Photo: Kelly Rossiter
I love adding cheese to salads like I did in this arugula, goat cheese and walnut salad. Arugula can be a bit peppery and your kids might not like it, so you might want to use some other baby greens with this salad. You can always use a sheep's milk cheese, or some feta if you prefer.

5. Wild Leek Pesto

Photo: Kelly Rossiter
I've used wild leek pesto as a base for pizza here in this photo, but it's great on pasta. You can make pesto out of just about anything, like asparagus and kale, and you can freeze it for a taste of spring during the long winter months.

6. Dandelion Quiche

Photo: Kelly Rossiter
It wasn't until I was an adult that I ever heard of people eating dandelions. At my parents house, they were an invasive pest to be rooted out at all costs, an attitude that still prevails today. They are however, delicious in this dandelion quiche. They are also great in this recipe for a salad with spinach and croutons made from haloumi.

7. Asparagus with Leeks

Photo: Emma Alter
This was a wonderful, tangy dish of asparagus and leeks. The recipe says to serve it right away, but it's also really good at room temperature.

LIGHT

Most people are mirrors, reflecting the moods and emotions of the times; few are windows, bringing light to bear on the dark corners where troubles fester. The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows. -Sydney J. Harris, journalist and author (1917-1986)

 

Yes, Polarity

Profess Perfection and  practice Imperfection .
   Desire Solitude but pursue Chaos.
      Explore the Truth and except the Mystery .
        Study Simplicity but often live Duplicity .
          In my Heart  I  know but two Truths ;
           The constancy  of  change and
            The  Wisdom  of  the  Soul's Choices. 
 . 

composed  by me  06/2011          

possessions

“Anything you cannot relinquish when it has outlived its usefulness possesses you, and in this materialistic age a great many of us are possessed by our possessions.” - Peace Pilgrim

simple way to get alot of vitamins and minerals in your yard.

Dandelions are not evil weeds to be conquered. These 
beautiful flowers are edible and have tremendous
healing properties.

Dandelions are rich in vitamins A,B,C,D, iron, calcium, beta
carotene, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. They
are said to aid healing in anemia, arthritis, cysts, cancer,
liver, pancreas, bladder and kidney problems.

This short informative video includes a dandelion pesto
recipe!  Bon Appetit!

http://www.nextworldtv.com/page/1475.html

Join the Simplicity Movement

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Dare To Be Different    Join the Simplicity Movement

Vive La Difference! When others zig it's time to zag.  When the world around you says no, it's time to say YES! You can follow the sheep, or you can get the flock out of the way, go off on your own and find a way to stand out from the crowd.  To get noticed. To be the greatest at whatever you choose to be great at. After all, it is much better to be seen, and not part of the herd...

SLOW DOWN

 

Slow Down

by The Well Daily
April 6, 2012

 

This time of year, things can’t help but move at lightning speed. If your to-do list is getting longer by the second and you can't remember the last time you took a vacation, now is the time to slow down. Not only is it good for the spirit, but your immune system will benefit from it too.
Increasing downtime is one of many keys to a happy and healthy life. If you can't reduce your to-do list, take a few moments out of the day to quiet your mind. Not sure where to start? Try some of our favorites:

• Unwind your mind; take the long way home. And if you can—We know, it's gonna be hard—turn off your cell phone.
• Schedule one evening a week to do something that's just for fun.
• Think thoughts of gratitude before jumping out of bed in the morning. Take it a step further and express those thoughts!
• Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths while waiting for your coffee to brew.
• Loosen up those legs and go for a stroll after lunch or dinner.
• Bring a treat to a friend or neighbor who might be in need of a little boost.

Let's go to Farmers' Market

How to Shop the Farmers Market

 Farmers markets offer one of the best ways to buy seasonal and local produce. Not only does it foster a sense of community non-existent at the supermarket, the prices are a steal! Though navigating a farmers market may appear daunting, we've devised a series of tips to ensure a smooth and stress-free visit. 1. Bring Cash and Your Own Bags: Not all vendors take credit cards so come with cash. Likewise, not all offer bags so remember to bring your own—plus, it’s better for the environment.
2. Go Early: For the best selection and thinner crowds, the earlier the better; markets tend to get more crowded later in the morning.
3. Start With A Walk-Through: Get the lay of the land by strolling through the market first, especially if you're a newbie. Size up what is available, fresh and in season.
4. Ask Questions: Ask the farmers about what looks good this time of year and about their growing practices. You can also get great tips on how to prepare produce that is new to you.
5. Buy in Bulk: Some of the best deals are found when you buy in bulk—you'll avoid all that excess packaging too! 

 

15 Alternative Uses of Vinegar

02 April 2012

15 Alternative Uses of Vinegar

There is a bottle of vinegar in every kitchen. Apart from using it for cooking, you can employ it in your daily cleaning routines and finally get rid of the expensive and toxic cleaning agents that are being sold on the market.

Photo by kh1234567890

The acidity of vinegar makes it the perfect cleaning and cosmetic agent and can even be used for treating hiccups, dandruff and warts. Given its versatility, vinegar can replace a number of household items.

Here is a list of great and unexpected uses of vinegar: 

1. Unclog drains. Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda followed by 2 cups of boiling vinegar. Follow that by hot water from your faucet for about 30 seconds.
2. Remove mold. Spray moldy areas with vinegar, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it off with a rag and rinse.
3. Let your windows shine. Mix one cup of water with 4 soup spoons of vinegar and spray on the window. Wipe with a newspaper - you will get immaculately clean windows!
4. Clean food-stained dishes. Soak them in a mixture of water and vinegar for half an hour. Rinse and wash with hot water and dish soap.
5. Eliminate odors and stains. Leave a bowl of vinegar in the area the smell is coming from, or clean the stained area with white vinegar. In a few hours the smell will be gone.
6. Disinfect your dishwasher. Run the dishwasher empty after pouring 1/2 of a cup of vinegar in the soap dispenser.
7. Remove a sticky label. We've all had trouble with stickers that leave half of their glue and paper on. Soak the sticker in vinegar for half a while and it should come off easily.
8. Clean brass and copper. Make a light paste of vinegar and table salt, which you can use to clean brass and copper with.
9. Clean up candle wax. If there is candle wax onto your wood table, use a blow dryer and vinegar to remove it. Heat up the wax with a blow dryer and use a paper towel to dab up as much of the hot wax as you can. Then, with a cloth soaked in equal parts water and vinegar, wipe up the remaining wax.
10. Remove wrinkles. Spray your wrinkled clothes with 1:3 ratio of vinegar to water and hang them to dry.
11. Clean your eye glasses. Vinegar can easily cut through oil-based stains. Place a drop of vinegar each to the lenses of your glasses. Wipe the stains away with an eyeglass cleaner.
12. Use it as conditioner. Dilute a soup spoon of vinegar in a glass of water and apply to your washed hair. It will make it soft and shiny.
13. Fight acne. Vinegar not only clears up a breakout, it can even reduce acne scarring. And it’s great for lightening age spots or other discoloration.
14. Treat sunburn. Rub a small amount of vinegar on the sunburnt areas. The redness will slightly fade, and so will the itching.
15. Ant repellent. Last spring we were attacked by ants, so we tried everything. A possible solution is putting vinegar on your walls and corridors. Ants, for some reason, do not like the scent of vinegar.

Do you know a particularly good use for vinegar that I haven't mentioned? Do tell us in the comments!

Sources: How to Reuse it Creatively, Lifehackery.