greenmarket friday

Its time again for my (hold excitement please!) weekly friday trip to the union square greenmarket! I can't wait. This time I'm going for the sole purpose of refilling my bottles from Milk Thisle, and replentishing my supply of milk and yogurt. They're only there Fridays and Saturdays, and I made due, regretably, without both for the past few days since I ran out mid-week. I'm telling you it's a treat and a half.

Anyway, I'm making split pea soup for dinner so I'll try and pick up some collards and bread to go with it. I also joined a local CSA farm share and we pick up our first box tomorrow - its like Christmas in November!!!!

I'm sure I'll run into plenty of early trick or treaters! Which reminds me of my old foolish pasttime of knocking on people's doors a few days before Halloween and asking (begging) for candy. Who does that!? Shan, Kev, Lauren. You know who you are. Happy Halloween!

Yum. This is a good mash-up.

Yes! I put together 2 things we recently had for dinner to make this delicious mash-up for lunch today: carrot soup + israeli cous-cous with roasted tomatoes, olives, mint and parsley. MMM! I used the carrots I got from the greenmarket to make carrot soup. Just plain carrot soup. No ginger, no cilantro, no cumin. I wanted the true flavor of the carrots to come through. I didn't even peel them, just washed and scrubbed them a little. Sauteed some shallots in a little olive oil and butter, and added the thinly-sliced carrots. Then covered with veggie stock and simmered for about 20-25 minutes. Then I pureed the mixture w/my handy hand blender. No moving the whole thing into a blender-a definite time-saver. Anyway, I thinned it out w/some water and then seasoned it. Served with a swirl of yogurt from Milk Thistle - Oh yum.

Last night I made the cous-cous (thanks Theres!) with lots of parsley, mint, chopped olives, and again veggie broth. I also added slow-roasted cherry tomatoes and 3 garlic cloves (250 f. for 1 hour) that I pureed in the blender with lemon zest, a hit of sherry vinegar, some warm water, and olive oil. Then I tossed it all together and seasoned it. So healthy and fresh.

And today - mash-up of the two heated in a pan! The flavors go so nicely and its great for this gross rainy day. :)

Goodies

Yesterday was an awesome day. The weather couldn't have been nicer, lunch was outstanding, and I spent the next few hours walking around NY: Little Italy, Chinatown, and then to the World Trade Center to come back home. It always amazes me how much great wine there is in Italy and how each bottle looks (and probably tastes) equally as good. I got some wine, grana padano (like a milder parmesan), pancetta, pears, and shallots. YUM!

I made lemon curd a week ago and it's hard to resist, frankly. I have to limit myself to a spoonful or two a day. We had it on scones over the weekend - scrumptious. It's so creamy and just the right mix of tangy, zingy, fresh, and creamy. The perfect pick-me-up any time of day!

Lately, making almond milk has been an almost-weekly pleasure. It is so good homemade (I've never tried the other stuff) and so satisfying to use. I'm going to use the leftover almond pulp as a facial this morning :) It's delicious warmed with a little cinnamon, and sweetened with honey or sugar.
Traditionally I know it's also only made with hot water, but I've made it with half water and half milk - both are rich and delicious. The water-variety is better for you in the long run, and stirred into coffee it almost gives it an almond essence scent. Truly a pleasure.

Oh coffee how i heart thee

Yes indeedy, a warm cup of coffee in the a.m. is just what the doctor ordered and just gets the day off to the nicest start, don't you think? mmm, especially when it's made with fresh milk from ronnybrook dairy. i also just read an article about how you can get milk delivered every 2 weeks from someone who brings milk IN glass bottles IN a carton, right to your door. wow. something tells me i should've lived in the 50's. or was it 40's? either way, a tempting offer.

i am so excited because today i am going into the city to have lunch with my mom, aunt susie, and aunt susie's cousin nancy. we're going to db moderne on 44th street and i'm SO looking forward to it! (our dessert: meyer lemon tart with pomegranate sorbet - yummmm.)


i also realized it's been over a month since i started this blog, but i guess moving to a new city (jersey city) and unpacking and settling in kind of got in the way. oh well. anyway, it's finally not so cold here and i am enjoying the occassional runs along the river (we live by a river again, i love that!) i also am seeking out farmers markets nearby. supposedly there are 3 during the week. we'll see how they are. that's all for now!