Health, Life, and Balance
Photograph by Alice Alves
Last week was National Grains Week at the Union Square Greenmarket. To celebrate, I collaborated with Susan of Oak Grove Plantation and created a recipe with her Whole Wheat Flour, which she had milled that Tuesday. You are not going to get anything that fresh at the supermarket! Click on the link for the recipe.. Continue reading ‘Greenmarket Chef Demo’
Two weeks ago I worked the Greenmarket in collaboration with D’Attolico’s Organic Farm. Farmers Sue and Vinny D’Attolico grow mustard greens, sweet carrots (ridiculously sweet), Dutch onions and an amazing variety of sprouts, among other things. I created and cooked a Quick Mustard Greens Stir-Fry that was sharp, sweet and just a hint of salty. It was a hit! Be sure to check out Sue & Vinny (that’s him with the red bandana) Saturday’s at the Greenmarket, they’re lovely people.
Last weekend I got to collaborate with Norwich Meadows Farm for my chef demo. Norwich Meadows is a certified organic farm and is at Union Square on Monday, Friday and Saturday. Zaid and Haifa have a very committed environmental and humane approach to their farming and way of life. I featured some of their beautiful fall produce. First I made Spicy, Sauteed Potatoes with red, blue and yellow potatoes, red & green peppers and orange Jamaican hot peppers. (It was early and I think I was in the mood for brunch) Next I made Tri-Color String Beans with Garlic. Yellow & purple string beans and green bush beans. Autumn harvest rainbows!
Last weekend I was at the Union Square Greenmarket for another chef demo. The weather was gorgeous! This time we did things a little differently. I was stationed outside of Stokes Farm and made a wonderful Zucchini & Thai Basil dish with the veggies donated by fifth-generation Farmer Ron Binaghi (that’s him in the back with the blue shirt & hat). He was so cool to work with! He answered customer’s questions and even offered marital advice to anyone who needed it, lol. There were lots of kids who wanted to sample the zucchini– who said kids don’t like vegetables? Special thanks to Tara for putting this together!
Last week I prepared my Stone-Cold Fruit Salad for the wonderful people at the Union Square Greenmarket. This is the time to get your peaches, plums, apricots and nectarines. The market has a wiiiide array of stone fruit- lots of different colors, shapes and tastes. Ask your farmers about the various fruits, they’ll be more than happy to explain to you what’s what. I will be sending out a recipe for a lovely peach dish to all those who get my newsletter. If you are not yet registered, click here to sign up.
Summer squashes are taking over! So are greens like kale and collards. Last week I was at the Union Square Greenmarket making my Kool Kale & Zucchini Sauté. This salad is particulary nice because it’s got a good hot & cold contrast, an ode to summer life in NYC, where you’re hot one minute and freezing in the A/C the next. Zucchini is extremely versatile- you can eat it raw with other chopped veggies & hummus, it makes a great soup, is excellent for stir fries and even adds an extra crunch to your favorite summer bean & salsa dips. Zucchini is super low in calories and is quite filling, so eat up! ‘Tis the season!
June at the Union Square Greenmarket brings an abundance of fresh strawberries. You literally can’t walk past one or two farmer stands without seeing tons of strawberries everywhere. So for this month’s Chef Demo, I made a delicious Summer Strawberry Salad. My recipe calls for chioggia beets, which add a nice crunch and lots of fun color to the salad (think peppermint candy). Strawberries are high in Vitamin C and are especially good for smokers to clear mucus out of your lungs. Strawberries are also great in a smoothie or as an addition to your morning cereal. Eat up and enjoy while they’re in season!
Last week I hosted my second chef demo at the Union Square Greenmarket. Spring produce is beginning to arrive and shoppers are ready to fill their bags. I served a lovely Spinach-Kale salad with a warm, spring garlic vinaigrette. Thanks to all the folks who stopped by for a chat and a sample. Special shout out to the two ladies who helped me preach the good word about kale, we had a great crowd for that one. My next demo is June 7th, see you then!
Photography by Patricia Flowers
Today I had the wonderful opportunity to host a chef demo at the Greenmarket in Union Square. I made my Apple-icious Potato Salad, using fresh and local fruit, herbs and veggies donated from the farmers. Special thanks to Tara and the rest of the Greenmarket staff, the generous farmers and my beautiful peeps for stopping by. I will post the recipe in the morning!