Summer Approaches

It has been spectacularly summery here for the past few days. The sun is out, the plants are growing, there is basil and zucchini at the farmers market. Rhubarb is still hanging in there- I hope we get a few more weeks.

There is also meat at the farmers market! We were so excited to see Olympic Provisions at the Hollywood market right near our house. We didn't get any salami this weekend, but you bet that time I go I will get some.

These radishes are just asking for some butter and salt. I didn't buy any of these either, instead buying yet another bunch of sweet carrots and a box of snap peas. I can't help myself.

We saw these bird houses on our walk home. How adorable. I want that. 

Vegetables- Big Wins and Hard Failures

We took all the vegetables we got from the farmers market and had Darling Nic cook them for us. As you can see, most of the evening was pure joy with lard fried spaghetti squash fritters and green leek sauce. It was when the waffle iron came out that things got rough. First the squash adhered to the hot surface, and then it wouldn't cook through. So it just stuck on there, burned and raw all at once. FAIL. Luckily we didn't need squash waffles. We had enough batter for dozens of squash fritters apiece!
We finished the meal with Guiness floats and spice cookies. Yes please.

food and otherwise

Lookey lookey guys, I got a present for sprout sitting! Cloudberry preserves. They are almost gone. Do you see my farmers market booty? Asparagus and eggs to cook at home, and a Tastebud Farms veggie sandwich with wheat berries, rapini and chickpeas all wrapped up in a wood oven pita. The little robins egg was my dog walk find from last week. I think I will paint my new kitchen that color...

Flushity Pushity Marshalades!!!!

I am making marshmallows just for funsies. They are cooling off right now, but I will update as soon as I get to to the fun part- cutting them and dusting them.
This morning was the kick-off for Thanksgiving preparations. Jessika, my dad and I went to the farmers market (Kevin fired my dad, so he was available for shopping) to pick out our veggies. We were on a mission to get chestnuts, but alas, there were none to be had. We did, however, find purple (Purple!) brussels sprouts! We also got green ones, leeks, sunchokes, 2 kinds of apples, 2 kinds of tiny pears, and quince. Yesterday I went to Marshalls, my most favorite store, and I found a Le Creuset casserole dish and also many Portuguese serving platters. Bam! It's going to be an extravaganza. Holiday of the year. For those of you who decided not to come or who are banned from our house (Morty), be prepared to be DEPRESSED when you see photos of the venison terrine. To CRY at a glimpse of the 4 layer chocolate cake. The rustic apple tart. The purple (Purple!) brussels sprouts with bacon and chestnuts (which we found at New Seasons). The turkey! The stuffings! The romanesco and cauliflower gratin! Silas and Leslie's cipollini onion delight! I don't even KNOW what else we are having because it's so overwhelming and I am too busy thinking about my marshmallows. Oh yes- I will also be making pumpkin pies. Kevin has a knack for them, but I'm pretty sure that with my newly acquired secret ingredients (secret only to those who don't read Cooks Illustrated. Ok, they are maple syrup and yams.) I will be the pie princess! If, for whatever reason, his is better, I will give him that very title. Cause I'm fair like that.
I am also busy worrying about staff meal tonight. Will we have one? Will it be delicious, creative and well-themed? I really, really hope so. Yesterday when I got to work there was some sort of Paella with saffron rice, clams and mussels. That was acceptable, but then I ate two of David's chocolates and went into a coma before service. I recovered and had another. (I had permission this time, by the way.)
I must go tend to the mallows. Photos soon!