Foodie Weekend.

Yesterday we gave the Walnut Creek Farmer's Market another try, and I must say, my opinion has changed a bit since last week.  This time around we made sure to get there during peak hours- what a difference!  The market was packed, the sun was out and the vendors had plenty of goods to choose from.  Again, this market is open every Sunday from 9-2pm and takes up the majority of the Northern part of Locust Street in downtown.  We also visited the Diablo Valley Farmer's Market on Saturday, which is located on North Wiget Lane in the Shadelands business park- it was huge (probably 50+ vendors) and very crowded.  That market runs on Saturdays from 9-1pm and was voted the number one market by Walnut Creek Magazine in 2010 (also the #3 farmer's market in the state). Parking is ample at both locations, but please remember to leave your dogs at home as they are not allowed to wander through the market with you.  Here's what you have to look forward to...

- Talk with Farmers' and learn how they grow your food. - Visit with neighbors and friends and meet new people within your community. - Enjoy live music while shopping outside. - Buy Locally grown produce from California Farmers. - Stock up on local honey, olive oil, vinegars, preserves and delicious ethnic food. - Buy local organic beef and fresh, wild seafood. - Select lovely fresh flower bouquets. - Visit the information booth to learn more about our Farmers and vendors, pick up new recipes and nutrition information. - Go Green by purchasing green bags, reusable cloth bags (instead of plastic bags for produce) and baskets. I was thrilled that there were fish and meat vendors this time at both markets.  We ended up buying some fresh halibut and grass fed beef .  I wasn't able to catch the name of the fish vendor, but the meat came from Holding Ranch.  Holding Ranch offers beef and lamb that is wholly raised on grass, never receiving any supplements, antibiotics, corn or other feeds that are unnatural to ruminant animals. For 12 years, Holding Ranch cattle were raised in the LaMorinda Hills as well as in Danville using rotational grazing practices designed to optimize the health of the native grasslands. They handle their animals humanely, using techniques developed by leading animal behavior experts.  We will be using this beef tonight in our homemade tacos.  Again, we picked up cheese from Achadinha Cheese Company.  This time we chose the fresh goat cheese curds (Poutine!) and the Broncha, a salty rich blend of goat & cow's milk.  The hubby chose a few things from Bolani East & West Gourmet Afghan Food.  He liked the Kadoo sauce, a butternut, garlic and olive oil mixture that spreads easily on the Potato Bolani he also chose.  Initially found in only a few of the Bay Area’s farmers’ markets, this unique fusion of East and West flavors rapidly gained popularity strictly through word of mouth and the power of a sample. Billal Sidiq is an "Ambassador of Love" in most of the San Francisco Bay Area's Farmers' Markets and even beyond. He represents his company with an inviting face, running mouth, and hands full of samples. Today East and West participates in up to 100 farmers’ markets every week. The product is now also found in Whole Foods markets and Andronico’s. We loved the pasta from Il Pastaio so much, we just had to go back for more.  The Gnocchi is spectacular so I grabbed a 1 pound bag of the original.  The previous Crab ravioli we tried was delicious, but this time we chose the large Cheese & Spinach stuffed squares, along with a container of their handmade Pesto sauce. Metropolis Baking Company caught my eye once again with their giant, crusty domes of fresh sourdough.  I sliced a few chunks off last night and served with our halibut, along with roasted brussel sprouts and squash blossoms. I can't say enough about Oaktown Jerk beefy jerky.  Oaktown Jerk is proudly located in Oakland, CA. Their beef jerky is made with certified Piedmontese beef (grass fed, hormone free beef) and all of their ingredients are fresh and purchased locally. The final product is both chewy and flavorful.  We bought the Thai Basil this trip, the hubby can't get enough.  Plus, owner & chef Randall Hughes is just a super cool guy.  Amongst our other gatherings: edible flower salad, apricots, nectarines, baby squash, cherries, onions, basil and peppers.  The fridge is fully stocked and ready to go!  Time to get cookin'. Happy Monday, B

 

I Heart Half Moon Bay.

This past Friday I was able to escape to the seashore for a much needed visit... With the wind tousling my hair and a huge smile plastered across my face, I headed down highway 92 in search of coastal pleasures, to that laid back little slice of heaven, Half Moon Bay.  I was lucky that day, the sun was on my side, the fog had burnt off early in the morning and the wind was resting for a few hours.  Needless to say, it was gorgeous.  Originally I went in search of new foods, flower shops and some general sight-seeing, but my day turned out to be one of the best I've had in a very long time, outside of needing writing material.  Thanks to the kindness and warm hearted individuals I encountered along the way, my love of Half Moon Bay was solidified, through and through.

For those of you who don't know me very well, I possess what I like to refer to as a "borderline obsession with surf culture."  I do not claim to be a surfer, although I have feebly attempted the sport, but I have the utmost respect and appreciation for the people that are involved in these communities.  Often times I will drive miles upon miles to observe and enjoy, in awe, these maniacal watermen and their love of the sea.  I am envious of their abilities, bravery and determination, their passion and devotion to riding waves and enjoying the sea itself.  I have always felt a strong connection to the ocean, having grown up in Northern Sonoma County, 20 minutes away from the hundreds of beaches that line the California coastline.  Daytrips to the beach have been a part of my life since I was a small child, feeling as normal and comfortable as any backyard BBQ would.  When I was young, we would camp on the cliffs, play on the sand and spend a good amount of time out at towns like Jenner, Bodega Bay and Point Reyes.  These are the places I escape to when in need of respite in my adult years.  They are home. 

Admittedly, it was my first trip to Hawaii that got me hooked, about 9 years ago.  Lucky enough, having friends who live on the islands, I was able to immerse myself in the everyday culture-  the people I have met and spent time with on the Hawaiian Islands have forever changed me, in the very best ways.  It's these feelings and experiences that have only furthered my love of sleepy little beach towns and the people that reside in them.  The characters, laughter, sportmanship and camaraderie that most surf towns encapsulate will continuously be a source of happiness for me.

That being said, check out some of my local Half Moon Bay discoveries...

At the Garden Deli Cafe, located in old downtown HMB, I couldn't resist the sandwiches.  Made to order using their own handmade bread, these monstrous fresh sandwiches are sure to fill your belly.  I went for the salami on wheat, stacked high and loaded with tomatoes, pickles, sprouts and jack cheese.  I could've easily been full off of a half portion, but I managed to finish the whole thing, leaving no need to eat much of anything the rest of the afternoon.  They have a wonderful outdoor seating area that is absolutely bursting with flowers this time of year- the day I visited, a local musician was playing some sweet jams on his guitar, quite well actually.  My only advice: get there well before noon or a good hour after or you'll be standing in a 10 person line waiting to order.  This place is popular.

Next, I stopped by the Half Moon Bay Wine & Cheese Company.  This wine bar carries over 800 boutique and specialty wines from all over the world, including a massive selection of cheeses.  A perfect pit stop before your picnic on the beach.  I sampled the NV Ambroise Crement, a light creamy glass of sparkling brut rose.  Along with an impressive selection of wines, they also carry a great assortment of wine and cheese oriented gift items.  Tastings are available in 2, 3 & 6 ounce pours, or if you are feeling particularly festive, take home an entire bottle.

I wandered down Main Street a little further and stumbled across Barterra Winery.  Started by the grandson of an Italian winemaker who immigrated to America in 1901, Barterra Winery takes great pride in the quality and unique character of their wines. Offerings include a large selection drawn from vineyards throughout Northern California, including the Napa, Sonoma, Amador Valley and Santa Cruz areas.  Several of their wines have been awarded medals in international wine competitions, one of which is the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve- I tasted and loved it.  In addition to their wines, they also produce and sell an extensive collection of olive oil, with flavors such as basil, jalapeno, orange and garlic.

As I was driving deeper into town, a certain building captured my attention with it's exquisite architecture and massive, modern presence.  At first I thought it was a hotel of some sort, but it turns out it is a restaurant.  Cetrella.  I wasn't able to actually try this place out, but I will definitely be back for a visit soon.  They are known for turning out memorable Mediterranean-themed food based on top-notch, often local ingredients and the seasonal menu balances fresh seafood, satisfying steaks, chops and flavorful local produce.  Unfortunately they are only open for dinner starting at 5:30pm and Sunday brunch, beginning at 10:30am.  Like I said, I will be back to check this one out in the future.

Initially, I got the idea to take a trip to Half Moon Bay to pick the hubby up a t-shirt from the Maverick's Surf Shop.  We've stayed in Princeton-by-the-Sea previously and had a great time wandering the small fishing town, sipping beers at the Half Moon Bay Brewery and stopping by the surf shop to catch a glimpse of the local boys in their element.  At that time I enthusiastically, but stupidly, purchased a black Mav's hoodie (I own a pug, big mistake, should have grabbed the heather grey) and chatted comfortably with a young fellow that happened to be working that day by himself.  He was more than friendly, offering tips and info for good people watching, wave ogling, etc.  We left feeling pretty darn cool, having visited the board shop and acquiring a little piece of awesome, i.e. my beloved hoodie, which is now so well-loved it's next to threadbare.  In my mind, I HAD to go back and get a new one or at least a shirt for the dude in my life.

*A little History...  Mavericks Surf Shop is owned and operated by Mavericks Pioneer Jeff Clark.  Jeff is one of the most noteworthy and respected big-wave surfers, famous for surfing Mavericks alone for 15 years before it was widely discovered by the big-wave surfing community. He is also recognized as one of the premier big wave surfboard shapers in the country and shapes a full line of custom boards.  He was also featured in one of my favorite surf documentaries, Riding Giants. The surf shop was founded in 1995 in downtown Half Moon Bay but is now located at 25 Johnson Pier, with sweeping views of Pillar Point Harbor and Mavericks.* 

This past Friday, as I wandered into the surf shop, I immediately recognized that Jeff was there, sitting at his computer, quietly involved.  I pretended to play it cool, browsing the piles of t-shirts and rashguards, ducking behind the various fixtures, acting as if I hardly noticed *the* Jeff Clark five feet away from my silly, star struck self.  I bought my shirt, chatted a bit with the warm spirit behind the counter, pet Pico the dog and walked slowly back up to my car.  Then it hit me.  If I did not march my booty right back down to that store and introduce myself, pay my respects and get a smile out of him, I'd regret it forever.  So that's what I did.  I mustered up the courage, walked in and said hello, I think I told him I loved him or something crazy and smiled like a kid in a candy store.  Jeff was as gracious, humble and friendly as could be ( I think he was laughing internally, but I didn't mind), a totally laid back dude who was more than happy to be photographed and given a girly handshake from one of his biggest admirers... Me.  I was over the moon.

It's safe to say, the simple and small pleasures are what make life so special.  This was one of those days.  Thanks Jeff, for making me grin like a goofball.

         

Enjoy the last few hours of the weekend,
B
                      
       

              

Healthy.

What a great article- the hubby forwarded it to me this morning, having read it on www.thepostgame.com.  I've started really pushing myself to workout these past couple weeks (mostly running and bicycling), so I've been keeping my eyes out for articles such as this one...  The fact that it has to do with food is a superbonus!

Top 6 Workout Recovery Foods | ThePostGame
By DualFit

Lifting is great and some people enjoy the soreness they feel the next day after an intense workout while others really can't stand it -- especially if they did a crazy leg workout. But you know the phrase: You can feel sore or you can feel sorry. Feeling sore can offer a sense of achievement. Still, it's important to recover from many long training sessions, so try incorporating the foods below to recuperate more quickly.

Why Do I Feel Sore? Many people feel the soreness but aren't sure where the pain comes from. The question that I get most often is, "How come I feel sore the day after, but not that same day?" The answer is Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). So what causes this? When you work out, you are creating tiny tears in your muscles. This is normally a result of high intensity exercises such as heavy lifting or sprinting. Your muscles then want to recover, so they begin to heal themselves. Consuming an adequate amount of protein and nutrients, while giving your body enough time to rest helps accomplish this; and your muscles are built during this phase. That's why recovery days are very important.

1) Whole Grain Cereal: You may have heard that you should eat carbs before a workout, which is true, but you should also consume them after as well. Carbohydrates can help your body fight the fatigue that it feels after a workout by restoring your glycogen stores. When you exercise, you are using up all of your glycogen stores (or energy stores.) It's really important to replenish them after a workout so that you do not experience that sleepy feeling. Any carbohydrate snack will do but whole grains are always the best choice.

2) Cherries: Cherries are kind of like a magical fruit. They have many anti-inflammatory properties, which are really important for relieving muscle soreness. The antioxidant that gives cherries this healing ability is called anthocyanins. Many athletes consume tart cherry juice prior to workouts for this reason. Instead of popping that ibuprofen or Advil, reach for some nice, fresh cherries or cherry juice instead.

3) Nuts: Walnuts, almonds, brazil nuts -- whatever kind of nuts you want. All kinds of nuts are very high in Vitamin E. This vitamin has muscle strengthening powers which will ultimately help to fight muscle soreness. Once you begin to get stronger, you will notice that you are not as sore as you were when you first began training. When you have been training for a while, your muscles are stronger and you don’t tear the muscle as much as you did in the beginning. Less tears equals less soreness. Vitamin E also helps repair the damage that was done to the muscle tissue. Eat foods high in Vitamin E, like nuts, to help build that muscle strength…and keep training.

4) Berries: Berries such as strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries all contain antioxidants called polyphenols. These antioxidants are what protect your cells against damage. Aside from their ability to reduce muscle pain, they also help protect against all the other damages that can be done to our cells that can cause cancer. Generally, the darker the berry, the more antioxidants it contains so try to eat dark berries such as blackberries and blueberries. They are a healthy and delicious snack. You can even throw them into your protein shake for an added bonus.

5) Salmon: Fish in general is loaded with protein and a ton of essential fatty acids. Fatty acids help to reduce inflammation which in turn fights muscle soreness. Not a fan of fish? Take a fish oil supplement.

6) Eggs: Particularly egg yolks. Ignore the cholesterol factor. Eggs are high in protein and Vitamin D. Both of these two things help fight muscle soreness and aid in muscle growth. Vitamin D has become one of the biggest deficiencies in the American diet. It is really important to consume foods high in this vitamin, especially to help reduce muscle pain. Many people tend to get rid of the yolk of the egg because of the added cholesterol and calories but those calories in the yolk are all really good calories. They provide vitamin D and protein. Eat the whole egg. If you do have high cholesterol, try to limit yourself to a couple whole eggs a week and consume Vitamin D fortified low fat milk.

Overview: All of these foods are high in many nutrients and vitamins that your body needs on a daily basis in order to sustain life. They all have the ability to reduce muscle soreness and inflammation so it's important to include them in your diet. Now, they aren't really "super" foods. If you have sore muscles and eat some eggs, you aren't going to automatically feel better but they will aid in the healing process. Aside from getting the right nutrients, it's important to allow yourself some rest. Taking one to two days a week off heavy training will be very beneficial for body. If you are an exercise freak and need to get to the gym, take it easy. Do some light cardio or lift lighter. You really only experience soreness when you push yourself to your limits.

Happy reading,
B

Shopsin's Party of Five

I have become obsessed with Shopsin's.  Right now I'm reading  "Eat Me: The Food and Philosophy of Kenny Shopsin"...

There are way too many things to say about this cookbook, the restaurant and the Shopsin family.  I adore Kenny's philosophy, his sense of humor and his well-loved recipes.  Look into it yourself, you'll be happily surprised.  Or watch the documentary "I Like Killing Flies" to get a better insight on the bizarre and strangely fabulous Shopsin clan. 

Giggle of the day:

A PARTY OF FIVE...  by Robert Hershon
*No Groups Over Four - One of Shopsin’s many rules*

You could put a chair at the end or push the tables together...
but don't bother...
This banged-up little restaurant where you would expect
no rules at all has a firm policy against seating parties of five…
And you know you are… A PARTY OF FIVE.

It doesn’t matter if one of you offers to leave,
or if you say you could split into a party of three and a party of two,
or if the five of you come back tomorrow in Richard Nixon masks
and try to pretend that you don’t know each other.
IT WON’T WORK… You are… A PARTY OF FIVE.

Even if you’re a beloved regular.
Even if the place is empty.
Even if you bring logic to bear.
Even if you’re a tackle for the Chicago Bears.
IT WON’T WORK… You are… A PARTY OF FIVE.

You will always be A PARTY OF FIVE.
A hundred blocks from here…
A hundred years from now…
You will still be… A PARTY OF FIVE.

You will never savor the soup… or compare the coffee…
or hear the wisdom of the cook and the wit of the waitress…
or get to hum the old-time tunes…
among which you will find no quintets.


This truly makes me laugh everytime I read it, check out the links and enjoy!  The documentary is available on Netflix and AppleTV. 

:) B

 

Tuesday's Treasures.

Today has been a good day so far.  The weather is gorgeous, perfect for a stroll in the park or a bicycle ride down one of the many trails in the area.  Or, of course, the farmer's market!  Going about my regular Tuesday business, I landed at the market around 11am to find it swarming with people.  I suppose the sunshine helps draw out the crowds, but it was still lovely and as pleasant as always.  Patrons walking around in shorts and flip flops, mom's pushing strollers, a groovy guitar player singing to the masses... I love my town.  I was able to get in and out pretty quickly today, although I half contemplated lying down in the grass and taking a nap at one point.  But alas, I had a checklist of stuff to get done this morning, so I shopped around and moved on...

I made a point of catching the farm and vendor names today, to familiarize myself with the folks that I see every week on my adventures  One thing I did notice was that not all sellers had business cards, or even signs for that matter, which wasn't very helpful.  Signs people, signs!  Get your name out there!  I had to ask a few folks for more information and they were more than willing to share, so that was nice.  Most were very happy to hear that I've been writing about the market, which made me smile because I have so much fun doing it and they deserve the attention.

Today's picks:

First and foremost, a round of hearty and delicious Popeye bread from Great Harvest Bread Company (www.greatharvest.com).  This $6 loaf is a mixture of freshly milled whole wheat, garlic, onions, spinach, parmesan cheese, red bell peppers and sea salt.  Practically a meal in itself, although I will be serving it with chicken tonight.  The fellow behind the table was so kind to offer me FREE day old varieties to take home as well, so he recommended the Dakota rolls (whole wheat with poppy, sunflower, sesame seed) and the classic Whole Wheat dinner rolls.  Score!  How awesome is that?  Apparently it's a regular thing for them to give day old freebies with purchase, which I think is a great idea.  I'm sure I'll be visiting again next time thanks to their warm generosity.

Next, I picked up some plump vine ripe tomatoes and shiny yellow onions from Swank Farms (www.swankfarms.com).  I buy these items from this family farm every week- they are located in Hollister, California but make the trek up to Concord to participate in the Todos Santos market, along with other local markets as well.  If you are down in the Hollister area during the fall season, make sure to visit their famous corn maze and pumpkin patch- great for kids!

The hubby and I have recently become addicted to apricots, so I grabbed a bag of them from CMC Farms (www.cmc-farms.com).  Located in Lodi, CMC Farms continue to provide the highest quality California grown fruits, including Apricots, Peaches, and Grapes, along with specialty items such as Jenerik, Grape Leaves, and Raisins.

Cherries!! I can't get enough of cherries this time of year!  I can eat a bushel of them easily in one sitting and not even blink an eye.  Joe Gotelli and Sons cherries caught my eye this week, with their ruby red skins and sweet, juicy flavor.  I had to restrain myself from bringing home an entire box.  These babies don't come cheap, $4 a pound, but are well worth the splurge.  I wasn't able to find any sort of website for JG & Sons, although I know they are based out of Aptos- but I also know that they frequent almost all Contra Costa markets on a regular basis.

The Nunez Organic Farm (www.nunezorganicfarm.com)  is one of my favorite tents in the square.  Family owned and operated since 2003, Nunez farms offers you the the freshest produce of the
highest quality. From their 100% organic fields to your dinner table, they are sure that you and your family will enjoy their top quality selection of premium produce goods.  Based out of Watsonville, the bosom of fabulous produce farms, this is where, I promise, you will find the biggest head of cauliflower on the planet- and the flavor is incredible, hands down.  Since I usually buy the cauliflower here, I opted for their broccoli today.  It's a healthy, full tree of green goodness.  Can't wait to try it tonight.

CV Poultry is the only vendor that sells farm fresh eggs at the market.  Cheap ($3 a dozen), organic and delicious, their large brown eggs come from hormone free grass fed chickens.  Again, I wasn't able to locate a website or other vendor info, but they're always around on Tuesday's.  They'll even cut the dozen in half, for those who don't consume as many eggs, costing only a buck fifty.  These eggs taste nothing like store bought, definitely worth a try.

Achindinha Goat Cheese Company (www.achadinha.com) hails from my old stomping grounds near Petaluma. In 1997, Jim and Donna Pacheco sold their cows and bought dairy goats. They now have close to 1600 goats. The girls are able to eat pasture all year long on 290 acres and eat all of the brewer’s grain from the local breweries they want.  I chose their Capricious (Ca-pree-shus) cheese ~ it won "Best in Show" at the American Cheese Society event in 2002 and named one of Saveurs "50 favorite cheeses in the United States" in 2005. Capricious is an aged cheese hand rolled in an old european style. A truly unique artisan cheese made with attention to detail and naturally aged in the fresh Pacific Ocean air.

Last but not least, Cecchini & Cecchini Asparagus (www.cecchiniandcecchini.com).  I'm pretty sure these guys are already well known in the farmer's market industry- their asparagus is incredible.  Cecchini & Cecchini is the only surviving asparagus grower in Contra Costa County.  We're talking melt-in-your-mouth good.  Can't get much fresher than this, local, right out of Brentwood.  Along with great asparagus, they also grow 5 varieties of grapes on their 40 acre plot in Knightsen, if you are interested.


Later this week I'll be hitting up the Thursday Night Todos Santos market to check out what's new and different in the evening hours, so I'm looking forward to that.  I will keep you all posted!


Happy Eating,
B 



  

   


          

Jucy or Juicy (?) Lucy.

Now I know this next concoction might not sound as healthy as it should, but after running six miles today and bicycling three, I'm in need of some serious protein. I also woke up with the unbearable craving for a cheeseburger. I got out of bed, went to the gym, ran some errands, took our little blind pug for a walk, etc.  The whole time I couldn't help but think to myself, "Mmmm cheeseburger." I could've easily made the 25 minute trek to the closest In-N-Out burger but I decided that I must stick to my guns and prepare my own version according to my May standards. I didn't say anything about this being overly healthy May, I said it had to be fresh food. I managed to find some 100% grass fed organic extra lean beef, some local organic cheese and a bunch of fresh produce from the market to help me out with this one... 

We originally got the idea to make "Jucy Lucy's" by watching Anthony Bourdain's 'No Reservations' while on a snowboarding trip in Tahoe.  He was visiting Minneapolis and stopped by the well known roadside diner, "Matt's Bar", where they were happy to serve him a giant cheese filled burger that made all of us drool just staring at the TV.  There is an entire side story to the Jucy Lucy, a rivalry between two neighboring diner/bars that you can read about online.  Who invented it?  That's still up for discussion- all I can tell you is that it's spelled Jucy Lucy at one joint and Juicy Lucy at the other.  It's an interesting read, check it on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jucy_Lucy).  Seeing as I was surrounded by hungry dudes that weekend, we immediately rushed to the grocery store to try and duplicate the squishy, molten filled dream of a cheeseburger.  We were successful, and covered in grease, but happy as pigs in mud.  I've been hooked ever since.

The concept is really simple.

*Wannabe Jucy Lucy's* (big 1/2 pounders!)
1 lb. 100% grass fed extra lean beef
1 brick cheese of choice
1 vine ripe tomato, sliced
1/2 yellow onion, sliced & grilled golden brown
Sliced pickles
1/2 cup of mustard
Several leaves of red leaf lettuce
Salt/pepper to taste
Sliced artisanal bread or store bought buns

Making a burger is pretty darn easy, so I won't get into too many details.  Basically, break the pound of beef into four pieces, blend mustard into meat and shape into 1/2 inch thick patties.  Slice cheese, place 3 to 4 pieces on top of one patty, then take a second patty and stack on top.  Pinch edges of patties together forming a sort of cheese pouch.  Place in broiler for 5 minutes each side, flipping only once.  Throw on a bun and top with your favorite classic condiments.  **Caution: the cheese inside of the burger will be VERY hot, so it's advised that you let it sit a few minutes before chomping into it.  I know, it's hard to resist.**

The end result of this recipe is an ooey, gooey, greasy mouthful of good ol' Americana tastiness.  If you are really looking to gorge yourself on awesome, mix it up and throw a slice of a completely different cheese on top just for good measure.  Hey, why not?  Indulge a little!

Hmm.  Maybe I should've bought more beef?

Love,
B



   
 

Sunday Market Funday.

Considering the fact that we didn't get home from celebrating Cinco De Mayo at Spoontonic Lounge last night until 3am, we woke up pretty bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning.  Thanks to a shot of espresso and a whiff of fresh air, I was able to convince the hubby to tag along to the Walnut Creek Farmer's Market for the remaining hour or so it was still open.  I've been meaning to check it out for the past few weeks but haven't been able to muster the motivation to get up early on a Sunday morning.  Can you blame me?  Who doesn't like sleeping in?  But today was different.  We had a great day yesterday and we were still riding the goodtimes wave of happy-go-lucky "let's do something new and fun" energy.  That, and, we also needed something for dinner...

The market spans a good chunk of Locust Street in Walnut Creek, packed with a load of vendors from all over the bay area.  It runs from 9-2pm on Sundays, with a recent extent of hours (it used to end at 1pm).  Today we learned that arriving at 1:15 is probably not the best plan of attack- many of the vendors had sold through their stock and were packing up for the afternoon.  The benefit of arriving late is that last minute items are usually cut in half, price wise.  The farmers and craftspeople are attempting to empty their tables and get the heck out of dodge while making a last minute buck or two, so that's a nice perk. 

I must admit that overall, the WC market felt a little... odd.  Without being overly negative, both the hubbs and I felt that it was a very "fancy" farmer's market.  Honestly I'm a little biased, living in Concord and having my own beloved local market.  But to me, what makes a market great is the feeling it evokes.  This one felt a bit forced, almost trying too hard to resemble what a Farmer's Market *should* look like.  Now don't get me wrong, the vendor's were as friendly as could be, there was a great selection of goods and some very interesting variety, but the event as a whole didn't seem as homespun as other markets do.  Perhaps if I were to arrive earlier in the day, not at closing time,  I'd feel differently.  I couldn't help but feel rushed with only 45 minutes left to shop, a fault of my own.  I will certainly return, but next time I will make the effort to show up with enough time to thoroughly browse and chat with the vendors.

I'm not gonna lie, I can do a lot of damage in 45 minutes.  Of course I didn't leave empty handed!!

The hubby loves Oaktown Jerk (www.oaktownjerk.com) beefy jerky.  We brought home the Star Anise & Habanero flavored jerky, which I swear will disappear within the next day or two.  This spicy hot beef will melt your tongue right off but you won't be able to stop eating it.  Owner and Head Chef Randall Hughes is a down to earth, super friendly dude... "I love to cook and the kitchen is where the culinary artist in me takes over. I was introduced to cooking in 1985 by two friends, renowned chefs Michael Isles and Jim Moffat. It's very satisfying for me to see my customers enjoying my culinary creations."

For dinner we bought crab stuffed ravioli from Il Pastaio (www.ilpastaiofoods.com).  Handmade pasta filled with fresh crab meat?  Yes please.  Their products "are produced in small batches, are made from scratch and are formulated to bring repeat business from recipe inception to tasting of the finished product."  Owner Francesco Avella hails from Naples and takes pride in the fact that Il Pastaio is "known for its distinctive quality pasta products, gnocchi and sauces..."  We also grabbed a pound of their spinach gnocchi to have later in the week.  As for sauce, we're topping our pasta with their Mediterranean blend- a mix of pear tomatoes, peppers, kalamata olives, capers, garlic and herbs.

What would dinner be without bread?  Potato Rosemary bread to be exact, fresh out of the oven from Metropolis Baking Company (www.metropolisbaking.com).  I plan on slicing off a few hunks to serve toasted aside our fancy pasta.  Metropolis Baking Company is a small bakery in Berkeley, CA, which specializes in traditional, regional Italian breads.  The bakery prides itself on its commitment to maintaining traditional artisan methods using the finest ingredients available.

Lastly, (I regret not catching the name of the family farm) we purchased some of the sweetest, juiciest, most fragrant apricots in existence.  I'm not normally a fruit gal, but these were too good to pass up.  $3 for a whole pound of fleshy, fuzzy goodness.  Yum.

Ahhhhhh, Sundays...  (breathing a sigh of relaxation).  I suppose this the end, my friend.  I'm off to enjoy today's purchases, sit in the sunshine and lazily waste away the rest of daylight.  My porch calls me.

Cheers!
B