This may seem like a highly improbable combination, but it works. The key to this salad is to keep it simple so that the contrasting flavors of the sweet berries, the earthy spinach, and the dressing interact clearly. Two dressings work here; one is a Balsamic vinaigrette with honey mustard, and the other is the...Read More
With the summer months fast approaching and the abundant seafood available at the farmers market, here’s a quick reference guide for selecting fish and how to cook it perfectly every time. This year, you’ll find fresh and frozen fish at H & H Fresh Fish Company (Aptos Farmers Market), La Marea by the Sea (Monterey...Read More
This is a subtle and velvety elegant soup, which is made without cream. To preserve its pretty green color, do not let this soup come to a boil. INGREDIENTS: 1 pound thick asparagus 1 medium brown onion 1 leek 1 stalk of celery 1 small carrot 1 large Yellow Finn or Yukon Gold potato 1...Read More
As Californians, we have so many things to be thankful for when it comes to fresh food. Avocados are certainly one of those things, and at our farmers market, we have several vendors supplying us with these sublime fruits. Given that California produces 95% of the avocados in the USA, this is not surprising. When...Read More
Artichokes are ubiquitous on the Central California coast. Artichokes love the mild, foggy climate. Fields of artichokes in various stages of maturing flank both sides of Highway One on the way to Monterey. Castroville is the official artichoke capital and hosts the annual Castroville Artichoke Food & Wine Festival. While artichokes are available year-round, the...Read More
INGREDIENTS: 1 pound of cooked pumpkin (or other winter squash) 2 eggs 6 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or similar cheese Freshly grated nutmeg to taste Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 6-8 Amaretti cookies, finely crushed* 1 package wonton wrappers One egg, beaten Butter (approximately 4 tablespoons) 8-10 fresh sage leaves *These are the little...Read More
A sure sign that November is here is the warm orange glow emanating from many stalls at the market. This deep red-orange luminescence comes from what is known throughout much of the world as kaki (a Japanese word, pronounced ‘kah-kee’), a fruit we know as persimmon. ‘Persimmon’ is a variant of an Algonquin name ‘pessamin’...Read More
Just like it says. Easy. Part of the key to “easy” is selecting longer, narrower eggplants such as Japanese, Chinese, or the longer Italian eggplants. These cut into shapes that lend themselves to skewering readily and have tender skins. Using orange juice, lemon juice, or wine to marinate adds big flavor, and if you use...Read More
This salad started as a Southwest succotash side dish I had planned to sauté, but I kept snacking on it raw and finally just added a salad dressing. It has evolved over time based on what is at the farmers’ markets. The New World moniker of the salad refers to the “three sisters” — corn,...Read More
Bursting with fresh and peppery notes, this arugula pesto offers a unique twist on the classic Italian condiment that will add a zesty touch to your dishes. INGREDIENTS: 1 bunch arugula 1/2 bunch of flat-leaf parsley (about 40 stems) 1 large or 2 medium cloves of garlic, germ removed 1 tablespoon lemon juice Salt and...Read More
