A 3.5lb. ball of fur has stolen my heart.  His name is Poppy and he is the new man in my life.  He even sleeps in my bed.  Whew...it must be serious.

It is an amazing experience to observe the complete transformation that happens to a person when one of these little balls of love enters into his or her life.  I have watched a grumpy, ornery, man completely melt into a gentle, kind and caring being.  That man is my father.

Who knew?

Poppy has given me an excuse to drop by Dad's unexpectedly - 2 times a day, or to pick up the phone and give him a play by play of Poppy's potty training progress.  We go visit Grand-Poppy as if it were a play date - with Poppy and toys loaded into the carrier - I get to steal Dad's complete and undivided attention away from whatever important task is on his current radar - even if it is for only a few minutes.  Dad comes with us to the vet.  He goes on Petsmart outings with us.  He's even willing and eager to take Poppy out to "Bo Diddly" - that's our code for go piddle.

Poppy Power - I'm basking in it.

 

Remember the sweet tradition where neighbors would hang bouquets of flowers on your door knob, awaiting you when you came home?  Or when you opened your front door to get the paper or to welcome the first light of the day?

Well, that tradition stills holds true in my apartment complex.  I live in a lovely complex where all of our doors open to a common courtyard.  I can't tell you how many times I have come home to find a cuilnary delight waiting for me at my doorstep.  My neighbors know me and they know how much I love food.

This week I opened the door to find two beautiful butternut squash peeking out of a grocery bag.  Having no idea who the giver was, I let them sit on my kitchen table for several days, only deciding that I would take advantage of this tropical storm moving in and make a delicious soup and return the gift in its complete form.  This would also give me an excuse to visit my neighbors and find out who the secret santa was.

Having welcomed Tropical Storm Lee in with candles, flashlights and all other necessary basics, I decided to hunker down for a few days, and relish the idea of not having to leave the house.  Having the excuse to make soup was only the catalyst to get the aroma to fill the home.  I added a little apple this time, and some garlic, and since the temperatures dropped a bit, I thought I would add some spicy spice to enliven the scent.  Who needs scented candles when you've got the real thing?

2 large butternuts, peeled and coarsely cubed.

1 apple, peeled and coarsely cubed

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 oz. pork sausage, ground

Saute all of the above, stirring occasionally, over medium heat, for about 10 minutes, or until apple, squash and onion start to brown and sizzle. (yum)

Add

4 cups chicken broth

1 small potato, peeled and cubed (optional)

1/2 tsp. cardamon *

1 tsp. fresh grated nutmeg*

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper*

1/4 tsp. white pepper*

1/2 tsp. cumin*

*Note* - all spices are optional.  Don't stress if you don't have these on hand - you can substitute nutmeg and cinnamon.

Turn to low heat and cover.  Let simmer for an hour or two, stirring occasionally, and letting the flavors blend.  Puree with hand blender, while adding 1 cup milk or half and half.

Serve hot with Crusty Bread or Skillet Cornbread

I just posted a quote on my facebook page.

Then, I went into the kitchen and made this for dinner.

O.K. so it's stir fried fresh pumpkin and mung bean sprouts with cilantro.  I'm afraid to post this on my facebook page as I might get booed, but I also feel this obligation to come clean.

What can I say?  I crave this kind of delicious food.

Here is what it looked like right after I added the rice wine and shoyu sauce.

How do you take a picture of steam?? Can you smell the picture?

And here is dinner.  Simple and delish.  You can always throw a thick pork chop on top if you want. 

Nothing like the summer to bring up thoughts of meals laced with refreshing flavors.  I think of sushi, of course, but I'm taking it further.

Lately, I've been exploring with seaweed rolling.  Not just for sushi, but including all kinds of delicious items from the farmer's market.  Seasonal vegetables, crisp and refreshing accents, and brown rice.  Limes, fresh chilis, cilantro, mizuna, carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, and why not eggplant, tomatoes or green beans?

Using these ingredients, and more, I realize that these creations fall under the category of "almost raw".  That's right - while forgiving myself for not even trying, I am eating raw!   

I don't think it's that important that one's meal becomes a tasteless experiment, but more importantly, that it is a nutritious meal, one that will energize and re-vitalize.  Brown rice being the only cooked ingredient, I can make all kinds of tantalizing combinations using raw and lightly steeped healthy nutrients. 

I will be demonstrating this creative meal preparation at various locations and dates throughout the Northshore area.  On August 19th, I will be at Corks and Canvas in Mandeville.  More information and to reserve your spot - www.corksncanvas.com.

I will also be giving a lecture as well as a hands on class at the Springs of Life Health Food Store in Covington.  Dates TBD.  Please email me and I will notify you as soon as dates are set.  I am also bringing out a few rolls to the markets weekly - stop by and see me!

in good taste,

Sandy

It's Hot!

Summer is in full swing and being at the market is a like attending a course in sweating.  Luckily, in Mandeville we have the water fountains to keep us cool.  Kids playing in the water, music at the gazebo, and the refreshing beverages and delicious food available for sale gives us a little relief from the dog days of summer.

I've been working on bringing treats to market that alleviate the symptoms of a heat stroke!

For the next couple of months I encourage you to stop by my booth and sample a LEMON BAR, made with fresh lemon zest and sprinkled generously with powdered sugar.  It's amazing what a little cold lemon in the mouth can do to the senses.  Ahhhhhh......

Come out and enjoy a pleasant morning at market.  I am at the Covington Farmer's Market on Wednesdays and the Mandeville Farmer''s Market on Saturdays.  Slow down, sip a cold drink and come share a story with me.  Hope to see you there!

In good taste,

Sandy

I will be going to market, both on Wednesday, July 6th and Saturday, July 9th.  Wednesday I will be at the Covington market, selling Lemon Bars, Buttermilk Biscuits, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies and my famous Poppyseed Dressing.  Meet me there!

I will also be at the Mandeville market on Saturday, bringing the above mentioned baked goods, as well as chile turkey wraps with fresh cilantro cream cheese and a quiche or two, to take home and pop in the oven for a quick meal.

Its funny how life can take you away sometimes.  Just when I am humming away, going about my daily routine, whistling a tune, BAM! something happens that is so far beyond my scope of understanding, that it  just kind of takes me with it.  I get carried away by the storm, and I have to stop, regroup and re-establish myself in all of it.  I also have to reschedule.  I apologize to anyone who showed up at the market this Saturday.  I wasn't there.  I was riding the waves of uncertainty, taking up my surf board and adjusting to the unexpected.  God willing, I will see you on Wednesday. Hang Ten!

Here we go again.  Due to the eager interest in sushi rolling, I am offering a class on June 25th at Vianne's Tea House in Old Mandeville.  This sweet and intimate house will be the setting for an evening of delicious teas and sushi.  Kerri, the proprietor of Vianne's will be offering up her knowledge on Japanese teas, as well as a sipping experience.  I will be preparing delicious sushi rolls, including smoked salmon pressed sushi, and inari-zushi.  In addition, we will have the table set up for all students to try their hand at sushi rolling.  Dining on all this delicious healthy gastronomy will cap off the evening.  Please join us as we have two available reservations left to fill.  $45 includes a fine dinner, as well as your rolling mat, chopsticks, rice paddle and recipes. And of course, all the information you can glean from Kerri and myself.

Happy Eating!

Come see me at the Mandeville Farmers Market!  Every Saturday 9am-1pm.  This week I will be offering my garden fresh cucumber dill salad.  Crisp and cold and straight from my garden.  Also on the table will be shrimp and asparagus quiche, poppyseed salad dressing (that also makes a great dip for french fries - I call it the "adult ketchup"!) and Pontchatoula strawberry preserves.  No pectin in that, cher, just sweet strawberries and some sugar.  Great on waffles and ice cream.  Mmmm....Mmmm.... Also cooking up some shredded beef wraps with grilled onions and peppers and slathered in cilantro cream cheese.  Only way is made to order on those babies.  Hope to see you there!