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Summer in NJ

  • Posted on July 16, 2011 at 3:42 pm

It’s full on summer in New Jersey, there’s no doubt about that! NOAA said it was only supposed to get into the low 80’s today, but it was at least 92 when I was out.

Today’s haul from the farmers market. First of the cherry tomatoes, sugar plums, peaches, blueberries, and eggs. At the Amish I got some cheese and cherries and a peach shake. Not to mention some steaks and all natural ground beef. Oh, and some shrimp! At Griggstown I got some plums, a chicken, a biscotti and one cookie for each of us. Lol.

After all that did a run to the supermarket for some staples, and then the dry cleaners so I can be presentable when I go out in the world. Tomorrow is laundry and maybe the other supermarket. We’ll see what it feels like after brunch.

I know I’m not supposed to have too many of the tomatoes; they’re one of those vegetables that many fibro folks don’t do well with and unfortunately that does hold true for me sometimes. But for the first ones of the season, I really will just suck it up and try not to eat the whole container in the weekend. I’ve been making a concerted effort to up my fruit intake especially over the summer when I’m able to get so much stuff fresh and local. I’ve been trying for three servings a day. I know that doesn’t seem like a lot and is definitely less than is recommended but considering I could go days without any, that’s a big step. And it’s keeping me away from the vending machines if I have something at my desk that I can nosh on at that moment.

I’m not quite sure how it’s gotten to be the middle of July.

Weekend Roundup

  • Posted on June 26, 2011 at 8:38 pm

First, thanks to elements for squeezing us in for a last minute, leisurely, lovely dinner in the cube Saturday night. It was TRULY appreciated and very much needed. Mattias, thank you for the swizzling! Thank you, Justin, for helping me to understand why my greatly appreciated french toast for brunch was tasting like bacon. You have no idea how thoroughly disconcerting it was. The Husband’s cardinal rule is no greens in the eggs, mine is nothing that tastes like bacon. As much as he loves it, I can’t stand it.

Next, the farmers market continues to disappoint. Maybe it’s still too early in the season (I didn’t think so), or maybe it’s that one of the vendors I’ve come to depend on doesn’t seem to be there yet this season, even though all the materials and emails say they should be. I’ll continue to go, of course, but it was a disappointment to walk away this week with just two boxes of blueberries. We’re not big veggie eaters much of the time, especially if I’m not cooking a lot which I haven’t been.  I’ve still managed to pick up some good fruits between the Amish and Griggstown, but it’s just not what I’d been hoping for. I do also have the farmers market near the office on Tuesday, which is always good for strawberries at the very least and hopefully some more shelling peas this week.

We’re starting to plan a real vacation for August. A long weekend at someplace with both a spa and fine dining. It’s hard to find some place to meet all our parameters. Maybe we’re just too picky? No, I think I just need to refine my search a bit to find what we want- and are willing to pay. We looked at the Inn at Little Washington, but to stay on site was just a bit more than we were willing to splurge for.

After that, we’ll be planning a trip to Vermont. The 3 year plan involves a move, and VT is one of the first places to consider. Aside from the ski areas. Need to find places away from all that. Otherwise maybe New Hampshire. Need land, water and solitude. Pretty much the rest is negotiable.

Finally Fall

  • Posted on October 23, 2010 at 2:59 pm

It’s finally Fall here, without a doubt. Today was the last day of the farmer’s market. I got the last tomatoes- probably the last I’ll have until they open again, as even the ones from the Amish last week didn’t do it for me- and some pears.  They were down to just three tables, one of which the Market itself shares with the bread folks, and I didn’t even stop to look at what they had.

I went over to Griggstown Farm and picked up a chicken pot pie to stash in the freezer, plus a soy-ginger duck breast and a boned out chicken. I wish they sold just plain BSCB- boneless, skinless chicken breasts but I guess it’s not feasible for them so the chicken seems to be the closest I’ll come.

I picked up some all natural ground beef from the Amish yesterday. I was going to make a cauliflower soup with it at some point, but I’m liking the roasted cauliflower right now so I’m not quite sure what will happen with it. Maybe tacos on Monday.

still here

  • Posted on June 13, 2010 at 7:59 pm

I’m still here. Hanging in and hanging on. It’s the start of summer already, and I’m not quite sure where the time has gone.

Yesterday was the first day of the Montgomery Farmers Market. It seemed a bit smaller than last year, but no matter. English peas are still in season- I should’ve gotten more than I did (’cause they’re all gone already)! Hopefully next week they’ll still have some and then I’ll get a pound or two. I got some blueberries too. I got an Olive loaf for the Husband and some local honey, and barely resisted the raisin challah. I’m not sure what bakery they’re from this year, I think last year was Witherspoon. The multigrain rolls looked good too. Fresh mozzarella from Griggstown. Next week I think I’ll get some mushrooms too, and some eggs. I’ve been getting the weird craving for eggs again so it’s time for the annual mushrooms and egg. I got some cherries from Tree-licious; turns out the spray them with grape juice to keep the birds away!

Then it was off to the Amish for more breads and snacks (chocolate chip whoopie pies!), some melon, cider and lemonade. Chocolate malt balls and some mints. A few chocolate orange peels to snack on. What can I say, I have a weakness for them! Quick run to the supermarket and then back home to do as little as possible for the remainder of the day.

We had a delightful brunch at Elements today, did a bit of laundry, tried to catch up on a few things and still rest.

How is it the middle of June already?

visiting vegans and elements

  • Posted on July 12, 2009 at 8:54 pm

I love my vegan friends and wish they would visit more often.

Saturday started at the farmer’s market, where I ran into one of the waitresses from the Plucky. Then to the Amish which was remarkably uncrowded. Finally to the supermarket then home. All sorts of good stuff piled in the fridge.

After all I ended up worrying and fussing, we didn’t eat a damn thing in the house! We ended up going to dinner at elements. The kitchen table was available and accommodating the two vegans was not a problem for them. It was a fabulous meal, and we plan on going back the next time they come visit for a five course tasting menu. The Husband and I started with Kindai tuna. They have a kindai tuna tataki (five slices of tuna served warm over soba noodles and kimchi, topped with sesame seeds, as well as a kindai tuna tartare, served with white soy, scallions and ginger. I’m not sure which I liked more, probably the tartare, but only because the tataki had sesame seeds in it. The Husband had the filet and I had the scallop. This was at least as good as any scallops I have had any place else, if not better. They were served with the most remarkable fried broccoli and carrots.

For a change, we had dessert. The Husband had sicilian pistachio ice cream and Bailey’s ice cream. I had the blueberry dessert which was a phenomenal blueberry cobbler, blueberry sorbet and the most remarkable blueberry mousse, made with mascarpone cheese. Just delicious.

Our guests had a wonderful time was well. We also got to see a friend who works in the kitchen who we haven’t seen since she doesn’t do brunch which is usually when we are there. We also had cocktails for a change, too. The Husband tried two of their sake’s. The first one I liked very much. The second packed way too much of a punch for me. I had a “puesta de sol- mount gay eclipse rum, espiritu, blueberry, lime.” That’s how they describe it on the menu, but that doesn’t tell you that it’s really a fresh blueberry foam that they use and when it settles it darkens the color of the drink. It was quite tasty and definitely not overwhelming.

Speaking of brunch, we were back at elements for brunch today. We both had the french toast, and the Husband had poached eggs to go with his. I had a mimosa, too, a nice treat! The french toast was outrageous; that BLiS maple syrup is just incredible.

Tomorrow we get to host some of them here for a BBQ. I’m trying not to be too neurotic about the food. I have fillet mignons, chicken breasts, hamburgers, turkey burgers all from the Amish and hot dogs if we decide to go really low-brow. Macaroni and potato salad from the Amish, and I keep contemplating making a horseradish potato salad as well. I have the marinated mushrooms. Chips and salsas, veggies, humus and pita. Fruit. Lots of sorbets and ice creams. I’ve got a cherry vanilla chilling now to be frozen and then a malted milk that I’m going to make the base for today and freeze tomorrow. That’s in addition to the four (maybe five?) I already have in the freezer.  I think I’m going to make blondies too. I should’ve made the flourless chocolate cake but I didn’t think of it in time. Oh, well.

so far, so fabulous

  • Posted on June 27, 2009 at 5:15 pm

Today has definitely been a better day than recent ones have been. My head still hurts but I can deal with it.

I got out to the Amish this morning, in time to get the Husband the bacon, egg and cheese logs he likes. It wasn’t too crowded for a pork roast Saturday except for the fruit and veggie stand of all places. No fish this week, at the Husband’s request. Chicken breasts and pork tenderloin. Beef and turkey burgers in case we decide to BBQ. (But I think I forgot rolls!) I have some pork marinading for tonight. I’m thinking panko chicken breasts and roast potatoes for tomorrow.

I got to the Montgomery Farmers Market today and was THRILLED. This is more what I’ve been looking for from a farmer’s market! There were still only 6 or 8  stands (one of which was the Griggstown Farm Market) but so much better than the one-stand one in Franklin. I got a huge bag of English peas (of which I’ve eaten about half already) and some huge blueberries, some peach cider (which will make a great cocktail mixer!) from a stand that had some great breads and a peach salsa I will get next week, local farm fresh eggs, and cherries. Not just cherries, sweet AND sour cherries. I have a pound of each. I haven’t quite figured out what I’m going to do with them yet. Next week I’m going to pick up some local honey, too. I can’t wait to see what they’ll have as we get into the summer since it’s still too early for much of the fruits and veggies.

I got some peaches at the supermarket yesterday so I could make some more sorbet. That’s cooling in the fridge now before I can puree it and freeze it. It doesn’t taste as good as the last batch did. I’m wondering if it’s because they are supermarket peaches or if how I cooked it made a difference? Last time I cooked them with the water for 10-15 minutes then added the sugar, cooled it somewhat and then reheated it to reduce slightly. Today I added the sugar gradually as they were cooking in those first 10-15 minutes. I’m also going to make the banana ice cream again probably tomorrow. I was contemplating something frozen with the cherries, maybe a frozen yogurt? Or maybe I’ll just make them into syrup again. I don’t know…haven’t decided yet.

And Yay for having a laptop to work in on the kitchen!! Many thanks to the wonderful Husband for the continued geek-love.