Before I became a mom, I used to be into things like food and photography. Remember that? Well, I’m still into them but it can be a lot harder to find the time to talk about it. I am going to change that up this summer and start sharing some of my great food finds. This morning Vivi and I walked to the Falls Church farmer’s market…at City Hall if you’re a local Virginian. It’s about 2 miles from the house, and I’m really thankful we live so close by. We both had such fun eating yummy snacks and listening to the amazing bluegrass/folk/Americana musicians who came. Next to a few weekends ago, this farmer’s market was in another universe. It was probably the best local farmer’s market I’ve ever attended (I’m not counting Eastern Market or Dupont Circle as local, although clearly those are great ones). We got spring onions, leeks, kale, gorgeous and colorful swiss chard, bok choy, arugula, fresh bread, pastries, milk and yogurt, a pork shoulder, bison burgers, and bison sausage sticks. And all of that was only about $60, which to me is a steal. I easily would have paid that or more at Whole Foods. I would have gotten so much more if I could have carried it home! Nate is in Philadelphia for his last regatta today, but next weekend we are able to go together, so I will be in trouble. I can’t resist all of the amazing foods.
Cooking Light has their excellent “summer cookbook” in this month’s issue, so I’m looking forward to using it to figure out how to cook all of the interesting veggies I got. No cranberry beans this time, but I’m on the lookout next week. Plus, I really want an herb garden so will return for basil, mint, cilantro, parsley, and a few others. And if you’re into food like me and haven’t heard it yet, you should really give NPR’s Splendid Table a listen. I’ve been enjoying it for the last hour while I blog. I’m really excited now to go out and find orange blossom water. One of her guests described a bunch of ways to use it in desserts and even with swiss chard! My mom used it when I was growing up, so I have such fond memories of that beautiful small french blue bottle with the cursive writing. Nate’s parents are in town for Memorial Day weekend, so perhaps we’ll take them to the Lebanese butcher up the street to get a goat leg, and I can look for it then. If you haven’t tried curry goat, you’re missing out! It’s fantastic, and I really trust a Halal butcher to care about where his meat came from and how it was treated. You’re not going to find a goat around here that hasn’t been grazing grass, that’s for sure!
My next food mission that I will blog about…make the perfect fizzy mint limeade with my own home-grown mint. I had a version of this at the fantastic DC restaurant Founding Farmers, and ever since I have dreamed of making my own similarly delicious concoction. And now that I’m pregnant and can’t enjoy the bounty of summer cocktails, cold beers, and beloved vinho verde (again, if you haven’t tried it, go out and get some today! It’s a Portuguese white wine that is slightly carbonated, very light, and extraordinary…and they sell it at Trader Joe’s for $5!). I tried out a limeade recipe at the baby shower my friend and I threw for friends last weekend, but it just wasn’t what I was hoping for…slightly brown in color and much too sweet.