Another Market Report
Today's haul:
One loaf cranberry pecan sourdough bread One baguette One bunch rhubarb One quart strawberries One bag micro-mix (it doesn't last long, unfortunately) One basket of spring mix (all lettuce) One cucumber One medium-small bunch of asparagus One bag of Michele's Granola, original recipe One piece of blueberry struedel One eight ounce container of pecan-date goat cheese One quart of loose "cluster" tomatoes (about 2.5 pounds)
I didn't end up having the energy to make the pie that I wanted to last week, so yesterday morning I took the rhubarb and strawberries, ran to the co-op to buy some lemons, turbinado sugar and arrowroot powder, and made an adapted version of this compote recipe. Mine didn't come out as pretty or as chunky as hers, but still, yum! While it was still hot, I mixed some up with some of the granola linked above and it made the sweetest, tangiest, tastiest hot cereal I've ever eaten.
I took a nice mason jar full of the compote, and the rest of the granola I had in the house, as one of my contributions to a gathering of co-workers hosted by the head of my Org. at his place out on the Shenandoah River. I had agreed to attend in a moment of weakness, and under the misapprehension that the majority of the staff would be there. It turned out to be fewer than 20 staff and family members (out of a potential 60 or so), and the weather was supposed to be decidedly mediocre, so I wasn't really looking forward to attending until I had cooked up the compote to show off-- er, I mean share.
Anyway, served over vanilla ice cream with a liberal sprinkling of the granola (my choice), or drizzled over key lime pie, or slopped onto super-dense chocolate brownie pie, or even scooped straight off the plate with a spoon, it was a big, big hit, and received far more admiration than the outlandishly simple preparation really merited. People are just so impressed when anyone cooks these days, it seems. Also, much entertainment was gleaned from multiple mishearings of "compote" as "compost" . . . there really does need to be a prettier name for that kind of thick, cooked fruit sauce.
The day itself turned out to be clear and sunny and in the 70s, and the president's place is absolutely gorgeous. Two hundred fifty acres literally ON the Shenandoah, with woods that back right up to the National Forest, a couple of pastures full of cows (probably to keep the "working farm" tax status), big open fields, beautiful vistas from the many decks and large windows on the house . . . a damn nice place, over all. Clearly before he joined the non-profit world, the advertising game was very, very good to him. I took a nice hike up into the woods, and just wished I had more time to spend on it before darkness and dinner were upon us.
Nice people and nice conversation, so the day turned out to not really be a drag overall, and the food was delish. I got extra points for bringing along some of Betty's Bread & Butter Pickles (imported from Asheville) as a side dish, and for providing the African soundtrack (although it was way in the background) on my portable iMove thingy. Ended up getting home (and promptly falling into bed) right around 11:00. Not a bad day, overall, and unquestionably more productive (and more social) than the usual Saturday schedule of City of Heroes-Brunch-City of Heroes-Nap-City of Heroes-Restaurant or Delivery Dinner-City of Heroes-Doze Off With The Computer on at 1:30 a.m.
Now to embark on a version of that plan for today!
I didn't end up having the energy to make the pie that I wanted to last week, so yesterday morning I took the rhubarb and strawberries, ran to the co-op to buy some lemons, turbinado sugar and arrowroot powder, and made an adapted version of this compote recipe. Mine didn't come out as pretty or as chunky as hers, but still, yum! While it was still hot, I mixed some up with some of the granola linked above and it made the sweetest, tangiest, tastiest hot cereal I've ever eaten.
I took a nice mason jar full of the compote, and the rest of the granola I had in the house, as one of my contributions to a gathering of co-workers hosted by the head of my Org. at his place out on the Shenandoah River. I had agreed to attend in a moment of weakness, and under the misapprehension that the majority of the staff would be there. It turned out to be fewer than 20 staff and family members (out of a potential 60 or so), and the weather was supposed to be decidedly mediocre, so I wasn't really looking forward to attending until I had cooked up the compote to show off-- er, I mean share.
Anyway, served over vanilla ice cream with a liberal sprinkling of the granola (my choice), or drizzled over key lime pie, or slopped onto super-dense chocolate brownie pie, or even scooped straight off the plate with a spoon, it was a big, big hit, and received far more admiration than the outlandishly simple preparation really merited. People are just so impressed when anyone cooks these days, it seems. Also, much entertainment was gleaned from multiple mishearings of "compote" as "compost" . . . there really does need to be a prettier name for that kind of thick, cooked fruit sauce.
The day itself turned out to be clear and sunny and in the 70s, and the president's place is absolutely gorgeous. Two hundred fifty acres literally ON the Shenandoah, with woods that back right up to the National Forest, a couple of pastures full of cows (probably to keep the "working farm" tax status), big open fields, beautiful vistas from the many decks and large windows on the house . . . a damn nice place, over all. Clearly before he joined the non-profit world, the advertising game was very, very good to him. I took a nice hike up into the woods, and just wished I had more time to spend on it before darkness and dinner were upon us.
Nice people and nice conversation, so the day turned out to not really be a drag overall, and the food was delish. I got extra points for bringing along some of Betty's Bread & Butter Pickles (imported from Asheville) as a side dish, and for providing the African soundtrack (although it was way in the background) on my portable iMove thingy. Ended up getting home (and promptly falling into bed) right around 11:00. Not a bad day, overall, and unquestionably more productive (and more social) than the usual Saturday schedule of City of Heroes-Brunch-City of Heroes-Nap-City of Heroes-Restaurant or Delivery Dinner-City of Heroes-Doze Off With The Computer on at 1:30 a.m.
Now to embark on a version of that plan for today!