All summer long I knew this day would come but there is still no way I could be prepared for it. How could I be prepared for my last summer Friday? How could I be ready for the last Friday where I get to wake up and go to yoga, then leisurely stroll over to Starbucks for my coffee and oatmeal (which, BTW, I don't even have to order anymore because my ladies know me so well), and then go hang out at the farmer's market with all my favorite vendors - nay - friends? There's no way to be ready for that. No way.
But alas, ready or not, today was that day. The weather was gorgeous so I really took my time at the market, chatting it up at all my favorite booths - Perkins Pickles, The Granola Tree, and Cellar Door Soap Co. (In fact, I talked for so long that my mom finally left me at the market and went home!)
I was most excited about Perkins Pickles because I used up my chow chow a few weeks ago and have been craving it ever since. Although it was quite tempting to buy more, I limited myself to two jars. Oh, and look! It matches my hair!
At The Granola Tree I bought two more jars of Carrot Cake Jam and one of Cranberry Orange Marmalade. You know how I love to make my Carrot Cake Jam Oatmeal! I also found that the Cranberry Orange Marmalade, with slivered almonds and dried cranberries, makes a fantastic oatmeal, as well.
Believe it or not, I managed to walk away from Cellar Door without buying any soap. It wasn't easy but I managed. It helped that Brandon told me I couldn't buy any. Repeatedly. I'm glad he intervened because I need to save my soap money for next weekend when the Fall and Halloween soaps come out. There are going to be TEN of them!! And you know that I won't be able to pick and choose so I'll be coming home with TEN new soaps next week. Brandon has been previewing one new soap each day on Facebook and will continue to do so up until the September 1st release date. So far we've seen "Witches Brew," "Zombie Repellent," "Chai Latte," and "Apple Wood." I can't wait to see the rest - and buy them all! Muhahahahaha!
There was a new vendor this week at the market - Motor City Munchies. They sell energy bars made with medjool dates, nuts, and hemp or chia seeds. (Similar to Larabars but local, fresher, and more flavorful.) In addition to the base ingredients, some also have vanilla, cinnamon, coconut, or cacao nibs. They are all organic, gluten free, raw, and vegan. There are 3 flavors - Raw Energy, Raw Vitality, and Raw Indulgence. I sampled all three. While all of the bars were delicious, I ended up buying the Raw Indulgence Bar, which has dates, cashews, cacao nibs, coconut, hemp
seeds, vanilla, and cinnamon. (Definitely the most indulgent of the three!) While the bars are not cheap - $3 each - I wanted to support this new local business and figured it would be a nice treat.
I also finally bought some of Matt's Mix all-purpose seasoning. Matt has been at the market for years. I was talking to him last week about different vegetarian/vegan restaurants (his wife is vegan) and it occurred to me that I've never tried his mix! So today I made sure to buy some. It's a blend of Kosher salt, garlic, herbs, and spices that he claims is "great on everything!" And I really don't think he would say it was if it wasn't. I plan on using it on grilled veggies, kale chips, and popcorn with nutritional yeast. There are recipes on his website; he specifically recommended I try the Black Bean Roasted Corn and Avocado Salad with Red Quinoa. Thanks, Matt. I think I will!
Oh, and I bought some produce. I picked up 4 huge red tomatoes and a massive bunch of curly kale. Gotta make my kale chips - with Matt's Mix, of course!
So, that was my last summer Farmer's Market Friday. But even though it was MY last day, the market still goes until the end of October. Although who knows, perhaps I'll manage to sneak off work and get in one more trip before the season is over . . .
Happy weekend everyone!
A couple of weeks ago I told you how I visited the Perkins Pickles booth at the Dearborn Farmer's Market. (If you haven't read that post, be sure to check it out!) While I was there I bought chow chow, which is pickled red cabbage, green tomatoes, pearl onions, carrots, and jalapeños. It's been sitting on the counter ever since and I've been looking at it daily, trying to decide just the right thing to put it on. Finally yesterday I decided to just go for it and try it out on some tempeh burgers.
I followed this recipe from Whole Foods for the tempeh. Instead of cutting it into 4 pieces, however, I just cut it in half so it was in 2 thick squares. (It's a lot easier to grill that way.) Be sure to marinate it well for the best flavor. I let mine sit for about 4 hours, flipping halfway through.
When the tempeh was ready we served it on whole-wheat buns with Trader Joe's Whole-Grain Dijon Mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, and the chow chow. Oh wow! These were the most amazing tempeh burgers I've ever eaten! The tempeh itself was totally flavorful so even without the chow chow they'd be great. But with the chow chow? To die for!
Check out Perkins Pickles on Facebook to find out where you can purchase their chow chow for yourself. And if you're looking for a simple and delicious tempeh burger, definitely give this recipe a try!
For the first time in a month the temperature was not already in the 80's when I left the yoga studio at 8 a.m. I was actually chilly as I sipped my hot coffee and ate my oatmeal outside - but I was certainly not complaining! What a nice change from 100+ degrees just a few days ago!
After breakfast at Starbucks my mom and I walked over to the market. I only bought a few vegetables today - some red skin potatoes for Brian (he loves to grill them with garlic and fresh rosemary), a big basket of green and yellow beans, and 4 bright red tomatoes. We chatted with Brandon from Cellar Door Soap Co. for a bit and I promised to buy soap next week (he said he'll have some new scents - ohhhh boy!). The Granola Tree wasn't there today so I couldn't sample any jams and peanut butters, or buy another jar of Carrot Cake Jam. Sad, right?
But then something even more amazing happened. I met someone famous. A local celebrity.
It all began when I stopped at the Perkins Pickles booth to take a picture of their pickles. (Their pickles are amazing and I needed a picture to share with those who aren't in the loop!) There was a guy standing there and I looked at the label, then at him, then at the label, and back at him. The following conversation ensued:
Me: "Is this YOU?"
Him: "Yes it is."
Me: "So YOU'RE Perkins?"
Him: "I'm Perkins."
Me: "I can't believe I'm meeting Perkins! Of Perkins Pickles!"
And then I went on and on about how exciting it was and my mom said we were meeting a local celebrity and then I got my picture taken with him! I'm pretty sure we made his day. (At least we like to think so.)
I found out his name is Tom. Tom Perkins. Of Perkins Pickles. And his pickles really are delicious. They serve them with the sandwiches and burgers at Woodbridge Pub and Mudgies Deli and you can buy them at a variety of retail locations. Check out their Facebook page for more details or stop by the market - maybe you'll be lucky enough to meet Tom Perkins yourself!
Oh, but I didn't buy any pickles today. Instead I bought their chow chow, which is red cabbage, green tomatoes, pearl onions, carrots, and jalapenos. I'm not sure what I'll try it on yet. I'm thinking a kidney-quinoa burger or a salad. It's delicious enough, however, that I could probably eat it straight from the jar! Mmmmm, chow chow!
Happy Friday!
