Heirloom Tomatoes for $3.25/lb

This weekly farmers market thing sure is coming in handy. http://www.abfarmersmarket.org/

Can't wait to go back on Sunday and stock up. I'm hoping they still have these super sweet yellow cherry tomatoes.

Rambutan

The husband and I saw the little basket of Rambutan at Idylewilde Farm on Sunday. Inspired by the Mighty Girl, Maggie Mason, and her Mighty Life List, I purchased this piece of exotic fruit just to try it. When I saw that these spiny little fruits were not only $.69, but also has sign with directions on how to eat them, I splurged. I told the husband it would be an adventure and then I wondered if Maggie Mason has eaten one of these yet. Turns out Rambutan was #35 on her quest to eat 1000 fruits.

The Rambutan looks weird with it's red spiny tentacles. It reminds me of a cactus, except the long things are sort soft.

It was easy to break into using my fingernail to break the rind and then it sort of just popped open revealing a strange white orb on one side. That strange white orb is the fruit, which is similar to lyche fruit, or a really big peeled grape. The flesh is firm and juicy and simply tastes fresh. There is no overwhelming sweetness or smell.

Inside the fruit is a seed that looks very much like an almond.

I wonder what number fruit Rambutan is for me. I'll have to count and report back. I think I'd like to eat 1000 fruits, too, as well as so many other things. I should add writing a Life List to my other list of things I should get around to doing.

an act of salsa

Yesterday, despite the impending weather, I convinced the Husband to go to the grocery store with me. I used to really enjoy food shopping, but recently this task has become a bit of drudgery. I'm not sure if it's because all the prices went up significantly in the last 6 months, or just because I am just sick of it, but somehow going with someone else to grocery store with my Starbucks beverage in hand makes the whole thing seem less annoying.

The double doors swung open to a display, complete with a home made sign, that read "Make Some Mango Salsa". The display rack was loaded up with mango, pineapple, limes, tomatoes, onions and most importantly a very simply typed and printed recipe.

I liked the idea that the produce department obviously needed a way to sell of mangos in March and put together a really simple display that might inspire someone to make something they usually buy in a jar. I have to admit, I usually buy my salsa in a jar. Why? Laziness. Of course I know better but I keep picking up those jars of Newman's Own when they are 2 for $5.

Anyway, as the husband read the sign out loud, I picked out a mango and some onions, limes and decided that canned tomatoes were the way to go. And so when I got home I made a really simple and delicious mango salsa that was perfect on our burritos last night. I'm not going to post a recipe. Salsa isn't a recipe thing, anymore than red sauce is. You have to feel (or taste) your way through it in my opinion.

I liked the stores suggestion, the simplicity of the display, and the fact that I have now taken a fresh salsa vow. Sorry Newman estate, I'll only be using you in a pinch from now on.

Several Dinners

Today I made:
A pot of 2 Bean & Sweet Potato Chile
Red Cabbage with Apples
Mushroom, Cabbage, Swiss Chard & Tofurkey Link Saute
1 Cup of Quinoa
2 Cups of Brown Rice

There is broccoli, cauliflower, and tempeh in the fridge. I'm feeling good because we have several days (hopefully like 4) days of healthy lunches and dinners pretty much all set. I feel good about it, and it reaally didn;t tale too long to pull off this afternoon. Maybe about 2 hours. Nice!

avocado cucumber puree

i would eat this- make this- even if the husband's mouth wasn't wired shut.

in the blender:
1 avocado
1/2 cucumber
1/2 yellow bell pepper
1/4 cup plain yogurt (i use soy)
juice of 1/2 a lime
1 TBS olive oil
1 tsp red chili paste
1/2 clove garlic
salt
water/milk(plain soy milk) to thin the mixture in the blender. i started with a 1/4 cup and probably used 1/2 cup total.

i blended this up for the husband who had requested something green in his liquid diet. we were both a little skeptical of how this would come out because it sounds kind of weird but it was good. seriously good. if it was thicker i would dip chips in it. as it was it was good as sauce on a burrito and would be excellent as a dressing on a salad. i could have put in more lime and some cilantro, but i was holding back a bit for the husband's sake. he thinks i put too much lime in stuff anyway.

in the kitchen with MAC

this weekend i was feeling quite productive in the kitchen.

saturday night i was invited to a girls night in - and by girls night in i mean adult novelty party. i knew that the hostess would be pouring cocktails at 6 so that we would be able to peruse the wide array of lotions and creams, software and hardware that the athena company had to offer at 7. i was taxed with the question though... what to bring for an appetizer to a party where the highlight of the evening will be something life-like and large that can suction to a window which was followed up by something larger that not only spun but also had lights? baking a giant penis shaped cake did cross my mind, but i don't have a pan for that and i am no geoff from charm city cakes (even though i wish we were bffs). so instead i broke out the sushi rice and made up some california rolls. light, refreshing, perfect for spring and perfect with a cocktail, oh and my secret...they are also impressive. they are really only impressive because no one believes that they are pretty simple to make as long as you have a bowl of water and a roll of paper towels.

sunday i hit up my favorite market and the traders after i glanced through how to cook everything vegetarian, which is a favorite of mine. i was inspired to make a balsamic syrup to drizzle over my veggies this week. what a good idea. the trader has decent enough balsamic at $1.99 a bottle. all you have to do is simmer a cup of it on medium for 30 mins or so and you are left with a sweet and tangy balsamic reduction perfect for steamed broccoli, pasta sauce or a nice spinach salad.

the draw back... your kitchen will smell like vinegar so turn on your fan and open the window.