I tried this recipe from My New Roots, a really fantastic recipe blog, and it is simple, easy to make and so good.  I highly recommend adding the Tahini.  Will add a pic, as soon as I take it and upload it.

Simple Mint Pea Dip
3 cups fresh or frozen green peas
zest of 1 un-waxed, organic lemon
3 Tbsp. lemon juice (approx. ½ lemon)
1 large clove garlic
¼ cup packed mint leaves
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1-2 Tbsp. raw tahini (optional, but makes the dip creamy)
¼ tsp. sea salt

Directions:
1. If using frozen peas, leave out to thaw completely, or cook them in step 2. If using raw peas, skip over to step 3.
2. To blanche the peas (this enhances their sweetness), bring a pot of water to the boil, add peas and cook for 2-3 minutes (no more!). Plunge them into an ice bath or very cold water to halt the cooking process. Set aside.
3. Put whole clove of garlic in a food processor and pulse to mince. Add the remaining ingredients and blend on high to puree.
4. Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days, but try to consume as quickly as possible.

Be sure to click through to her blog and see her other recipes they are amazing.  And focus on healthy, but tasty eating.

This past weekend we had a nice diversion to the Main Street Market in Charlottesville.  This is a nice collection of shops and restaurants that are a lot of fun to wander, especially on a rainy day!

We started with lunch at Orzo Kitchen and Wine Bar.  This is a casual destination with small plates, entrees and a great lunch menu.  It is a little dark inside, but the kitchen and staff definitely make you feel welcome and at home.  (My Mother in Law is such a Saint- every time I come down there my diet seems to be even more restricted as my doctor and dietician try to figure out my tummy problems.  Right now I am eating gluten and lactose free.  But note I can’t garauntee anything is completely gluten free as I am just intolerant and there could be possible cross contamination.)  Looking over the bar menu before we sat down I was really excited, not only did all the food look good, they had a lot of things that I could eat!  We sat down and I had a lovely bowl of tomato soup with lamb stock- it was warm and had an intense but fresh lamb taste and scent with great fresh tomato flavor.  I then had a wonderful salad with grilled vegetables, rotisserie chicken and a wonderful lemon vinaigrette.  I loved the roasted veggies, especially the green beans with the warm, juicy chicken.  Looking around Hubby was devouring his meatballs, and MIL’s chicken sandwich looked amazing on really great looking bread.

After lunch I wandered over to the Organic Butcher of Charlottesville.  This is a brother shop to the Organic Butcher of McLean.  Had we not been a day and a drive away from home, and the McLean location being so close, I would have taken home a lot of great items like: rabbit, country style sausage and some fantastic stocks.  If you haven’t checked these stores out it is worth a peruse.  Some things are a bit on the expensive side, but many are really reasonable.  And I really think if you care about where you meat comes from or how it is raised, what things the animals are given then it is really worth a stop.  And if you are trying to find more interesting items such as oxtail, but want better quality than you can get at the Asian grocery store this would be on the top of my list of places to call.

Hedge is a fantastic little shower shop with lots of different stems to choose from, with clean modern pairings.  I found it really tasteful and a nice place to stop in if you want to mix and match stems.  They have a network of local growers, but also get some exotics.  They also do floral delivery and arrangement design.  Click through to see their really awesome, modern, chic, but beautiful and romantic designs on their web site.  If you need flowers in C-ville, this is your place.

Also I had no idea there was a great little spot for some staple Japanese items, and a few Chinese items too at Seafood at West Main.  They also had some incredibly fresh fish and sushi grade fish, as well.  No fishy smell here, everything is super fresh and great looking.

We then wandered through Feast.  This is a great little gourmet grocery with a fantastic cheese and meat counter, sandwiches and lunch items perfect for a picnic through wine country.  It was so warm and inviting.  Hubby and I picked up some salami and pepperonis, pears and Easter candies!  But there is so much more there, dried fruits, nuts and really everything you could need for a day trip or great meal!

I skipped Ablemarle Bakery- no need to add insult to injury, but we did stop by Calvino Cafe for some coffee and tea on the way out!  Anyway great stop if you are in or around Charlottesville.  I can’t wait to go back!

Once again I find myself heavy on cabinet selections, low on produce and quite oddly low on normal meats.  I have pork shoulder, a brined turkey breast, ham hock, but am missing some definite basics.  But luckily I had dried pasta (gluten free for me and normal for Hubby), frozen peas, apple maple chicken sausage, good bacon and thyme and rosemary.  Note this is not a healthy recipe, but it is a good recipe.  And if you eat what we eat most of the time you can splurge on this now and again.

As a tip Ancient Harvest Quinoa Pasta in the turquoise box is by far my favorite gluten free pasta.  I have also had the Schar fussili which isn’t bad, but Ancient Harvest is my favorite, especially for spaghetti.

So here is how it all went down:

Put pot of water on to boil.  The sauce will take you about 15 minutes so time dropping your pasta accordingly.

Rinse, pat dry and slice two chicken sausage links into rounds.

Cut about 2-3 strips (I think I used three mmm bacon) into about 1/4″ pieces.  Add to a medium to hot skillet/pot (you want the sides to be high enough to be able to make some sauce and toss in your pasta) and let cook.  About halfway through I added just a little bit of spring onion/leek from the garden this is optional.  It was less than 1/4 cup.

While that is working pull and tear some fresh rosemary and thyme from steams (you can also use about 1/2 tsp. dried).

Once the bacon is just crisping lower the heat on your skillet to about medium and add sausage for about 1 minute then add about 1/2 cup frozen peas, you can add more or less depending on the amount of bacon you added and your preference for peas.  Now let those cook till a tiny bit crispy and done, but your bacon shouldn’t get too crispy.  It is important to have good bacon for this as thin bacon is going to not taste as good.

Now that all that is done add about 2 Tbs. EVOO, butter and then about 1/2 cup white wine.  Thyme, rosemary and salt and pepper to taste.  Let the white wine reduce a little and taste, add more herbs, salt and pepper or butter or EVOO to get the sauce where you want it.  Then add your pasta and toss.  (We actually add the sauce to our different pasta pots and toss there so it incorporates into our pastas without contaminating my gf pasta.)  Voila.  Super quick and easy.  Hubby ate it up like I just made a five star dish.

Once again you get no pictures.  I really need to work on that.  But normally while I am cooking I don’t think about documenting my work.  I guess if I put my big camera up there it might promote that…

Consumer Reports had a big write up on the dangers of using some Pyrex, Anchor Hocking  and glass bake-ware products.  Apparently it stems from using cheaper glass in their newer products.  This is pretty scary considering how much we all use these types of products, without a thought, please read it here!  I will definitely use my Le Creusets more in the oven now.  The precautions consumer Reports recommend:

To minimize the chances of glass bakeware shattering, read and save the safety instructions on the product’s packaging. Here are some safety rules to follow:

• Always place hot glassware on a dry, cloth potholder or towel.
• Never put glassware directly on a burner or under a broiler.
• Always allow the oven to fully preheat before placing the glassware in the oven.
• Always cover the bottom of the dish with liquid before cooking meat or vegetables.
• Don’t add liquid to hot glassware.
• If you’re using the dish in a microwave, do not use browning elements, and avoid overheating oil or butter.
• Do not take dishes directly from the freezer to the oven or vice versa.
• Never place hot glassware on top of a stove, on a metal trivet, on a damp towel, in the sink, on a cold or wet surface, or directly on a countertop.
• Inspect your dishes for chips, cracks, and scratches. Discard dishes with such damage.
• To avoid risks associated with glass dishes, consider using metal bakeware for conventional and convection ovens.

Makes those sturdy glass casseroles your Mother has had forever or that you see in the antique stores look pretty good doesn’t it?  Be careful when shopping for new glassware, spend the extra money on the good stuff.

After Thanksgiving I was sent home with all the turkey I pulled after I cut off the breasts for dinner that day.  Again the fridge was pretty barren as I didn’t want to go grocery shopping right before a long weekend away and then oops we got busy doing stuff the next week and weekend.  There are plenty recipes out there for chicken and broccoli casserole, this is similar, but with more veggies and less soup and breadcrumbs and stuff.

Things I had:

Package of Uncle Ben’s 90 Second Instant Wild Rice (any other rice is acceptable it just has to be cooked), leftover Turkey bits, 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup, frozen peas, Carrot Sticks, Broccoli, a little hunk of Sharp Provolone (any cheese you like that isn’t particularly stinky is fine, I would avoid anything wild if you aren’t sure).

Preheated oven to 350 degrees. I  then put a small sauce pan with water on to boil.  While it was heating I diced about 6-8 Carrot sticks, cut up the Broccoli, and hacked the package of solidly Frozen Peas on the counter to be able to get some unstuck from the large frozen mass (about 1/2 cup or more if you like peas go for 2/3 cup).  Once the water boiled I added those three items to the water and let them cook through ( be careful don’t overcook them, keep them crisp, well frozen peas are never really crisp, you know what I mean).  While that is happening pop your rice in the microwave to cook (if using not 90 second rice cook your rice before any other step).  Then open your can of soup and pour in a small square casserole dish 9×9 or something like that.  Add your turkey about 1 cup at least mine was probably in between 1 and 1 1/2 cups (I ate the rest on sandwiches the day before).  Then add your rice and blanched vegetables.  If you have Tabasco or other hot sauce I would add about 10 dots (you know like hits when you skake the Tabasco bottle and a little splot comes out).  Stir to combine.  Shred about 1 cup cheese.  Add half now on top.  Let cook about 15 min take out stir, add other 1/2 cup cheese sprinkled on top bake another 15 minutes.  Cool until it won’t sauder itself to the roof of your mouth instantly.

Dinner done.  And Hubby got a good portion of veggies, leanish protein (I have no idea how it was prepared) and fiber without feeling like he gave up.  And I got a really comforting gluten free dinner, one that tasted like my Mom would make without having to make special gluten concessions.

My husband prides on the fact that I seem to be able to make dinner even when the fridge and cupboards are bare.  I call this a Mother Hubbard Dinner.  Tonight was no exception, the fridge was pretty much cleaned out.  We have so many things to do this week that we must make it food wise till the weekend.

Things I had:

Pasta, 1 small carton of cherry tomatoes that needed used asap, a few Carrots Sticks, Olive Oil, about 4 slices of really good uncured Trader’s Joes Bacon, 1 clove Garlic, White Wine, Butter, Capers.

So I pulled out my deep non-stick skillet and turned the heat to medium.  I added 3 Tbsp Olive Oil.  I then tossed in most of the carton of tomatoes sliced in half length wise (they covered the bottom of the skillet).  While those were cooking I thinly sliced about 5 Carrot Sticks into nice little rounds and minced a clove of garlic and tossed those in the skillet.  I then set my water onto boil for the pasta.

I then diced my bacon and threw it in the skillet.  I added some pepper just whatever you think mine was prob about 1 to 1 1/2 tsp. When the pasta water boils I add the pasta to cook accordingly.  Once the tomato mixture had cooked down and the tomato juice was thickening and getting bubbly on the bottom of the skillet and the bacon was cooked I added about 1/2 Cup White Wine and 1 Tbsp Butter.  I let that melt and cook down a little.  I then added some red pepper flakes (about 1 Tsp), basil (about 1 Tbsp) and some capers probably about 10.  I then let the liquid reduce until it was thick and just about 1/4 inch on the bottom of the pan maybe less.  You can taste when it reaches the good point on reduction of wine.

Tossed in the pasta.  Voila.  Good dinner.  I really need to start taking photos of these things it was a really pretty dish.  (This is why I will never be a cook book writer, even though I invent recipes everyday.  Well this and the fact that I tend not to measure things and add in stuff at will.)

Heads Up!

To all my readers who have diligently followed this post, I wanted to let you know that the 43rd Annual Autumn Glory Festival will be held in Oakland, Maryland from October 6-10, 2010.

I love Autumn in Garrett County, the leaves are beautiful, the air is crisp and people are in such a good mood.  This year I am not so sure how the leaves will fair as it is pretty dry up there, but never the less the festival goes on.

My favorites are listed below, but here is the best listing of events I have seen.  This is a great event to come up for even if just a day or two.

1. The Grand Feature parade on Saturday.  The parade has bands from across the area, commercial floats, Shriners Clubs and so much more, lasting at least an hour and half normally.  Just seeing the kids and adults alike line up to watch the spectical pass feels like a bit of Americana living on.  Not to mention all the good food available in town such as the sausage sandwiches at the fire hall and rotary fries.

2. Oakland Women’s Civic Club Antique Show at the Armory.  This is a huge hall of antique vendors selling all sorts of antiques from furniture, to political memorabilia to jewelery and holiday kitsch.  I always find some great Christmas presents here.

3. No-Hands Ice Cream Eating Contest at Lakeside Creamery.  Although it might be harder to distinguish the culinary great that is homemade ice cream from Lakeside Creamery while scarfing it down in the contest, you no doubt will have a lot of fun helping them finish off the last ice cream for the season.

4. The State Banjo and Mandolin Competition at Southern High School on Friday Night and Fiddle Competition on Saturday Night.  There is some amazing music to be heard here, and you might be surprised how much you will enjoy it even if you aren’t normally a fiddle or banjo type.

5. Western Maryland Tournament of the Bands at Southern High School on Saturday Night.  Bring some blankets to cuddle under while you watch marching bands from across the region battle it out for points and trophies.

This year I am hoping to catch the Antique Car Show which I never get to make.

But if you get a little tired of festival events, I find a diversion out to Swallow Falls to walk and hike the trails is a nice relaxing end to the weekend.  This time of year it is also dog friendly so your Pooch can get some exercise while you enjoy the foliage and views.  I think there are pictures in the archives from last year here.

An off the beaten path jewel in Mexico.

We recently ventured to Guanajuato, Mexico for our dear friend’s, Warren and Estela, wedding.  Traveling there I knew nothing about the area, except what Wikipedia said: UNESCO World Heritage Site, mining history, yadda yadda.  Getting there was pretty easy, fly to Houston, fly to Guanajuato/Leon and then take a short car ride to the city.  Once we got there we quickly realized that this was an extremely beautiful historic area.  Many of the roads are under the city in old aqueducts or pathwayd carved for traffic, so taxi rides are kind of neat darting in and out of ground.  The houses are all beautifully colored due to subsidized paint costs to make the town welcoming and colorful.  The central square with its thick perfectly groomed trees is a wonderful place to hang out and relax while settling in to the rustic beauty of the area.  And they have a Starbucks for you who need your fix.

We stayed at the El Camino Real.  This was a great hotel. The restaurant and bar had wonderful staff.  The rooms were nicely appointed and spacious, the beds were comfortable, the hotel was impeccably clean, the staff were friendly.  I especially enjoyed the pool which had a zero entry platform so you could lay in the water and relax.  We had one of the rooms up on the terrace and ours had a brick dome ceiling that was really neat.  (Check the internet for specials, their website list price is much much more than what we paid.)

We had a lot of planned wedding activities, but luckily we had some time to explore the city, as well.  There are many beautiful historic buildings definitely worth checking out.  I highly suggest going in the ornate Teatro Juarez near the main city square, if there is a show playing it would be worth the price to see the show and the theater.  Lots of marble and ornately carved wood make this a real jewel. Many of the buildings date back to the 1600s when the Spanish still occupied the city.  Just wander through this city and it’s winding corridors around the central square, the university and the market, giving yourself time for stops. Stopping in the churches and neighborhood squares you can admire the beauty of the areas architecture.

The market is a great place to plan a stop.  There are food stalls to eat at, fresh produce, local crafts and all sorts of goods for sale.  I found some really well crafted leather purses, as well as, some neat gifts for family and friends at home.  I picked up a great, colorful woven market basket for me, that even when packed full is easy to carry.  Specialties in the area are candies, silver and gold jewelry, leather goods and pottery.  You can find jewelry ranging from very classic hand crafted to modern and sleek styles.  Wandering around town make sure you stop into one of the local candy stores to pick up some goodies.  I especially liked the caramels and coconut candies.  This was my favorite part of the visit.  Every corner revealed more city with interesting buildings and neat neighborhoods and stores.  Often one store had many functions, the neat traditional jewelry took the counter space in the front of a shop, while barbers groomed clipped and shaved in the back.

Another neat stop is the Capelo Art Gallery, website here.  One of the galleries also featured really neat pottery from the area.

If you want to see where all that silver came from head up to the La Valencia Mine.  This is where the wedding took place and it is a neat old mine, now a garden and quite challenging golf course.  Surrounded by stacked stone walls you can envision what it would be like when those shafts were active.

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We had some great meals downtown.  Casa Valadez was a great breakfast spot, with out of this world bread and salsas. I highly recommend huevos rancheros. But really you can’t go wrong on their breakfast menu. I wish we could have had another meal here, as well. Website here. They also have nutritional information on the website.

We also ate at the Hotel Santa Fe and both had enchiladas mineras a regional specialty. Chicken thigh over cheese enchiladas with a sauce with tomatoes, carrots and potatoes. A tiny bit bland for what many think of as Mexican food, but very good and homey, especially with the chile sauce that was on the table.  This is comfort food for this area.

The rest of our meals were at planned wedding events, save a stop at a local bakery for some freshly made doughnuts.

This town is best for the laid back traveler who wants to be off the beaten path from the touristy beaches, and wants stuff to see and do, but not a jam packed schedule.  It was really fun to wander, shop and interact with the people in the town who were all generally very friendly.  Not much English is spoken though, and we appreciated help from our friends communicating at times as we know no Spanish.  And do be alert to drinking water and eating vegetables washed in water when you aren’t in a big hotel or central restaurant.  El Camino Real has filtered water even in the showers which meant less worry when you were showering and brushing your teeth and you didn’t have to ask if the water for your morning tea was filtered.

This is a place that I loved.  This to me was very quintessential Mexico. It was about people and experiences.

As my obsession with lavender continues I continue to seek out the best lavender products of all types.  While perusing the Palisades Market one day I came upon a booth with a myriad of lavender products.  Lavender for cooking, lavender tea, lavender cookies, lavender skin soother, lavender cleaning and laundry products.

I was delighted to find out the source of all these goodies is the Welsh Garden in Warrenton Virginia.

A sustainable lavender farm.  I am big on supporting local small business and micro-enterprise and I am thrilled to get my lavender fix from Virginia and nearby Virginia too.  They are at the Thursday White House Market, Saturday Silver Spring Market and Sunday Palisades Market.  They have an online Order Form for their products here, but now they have one up-ed themselves by opening a store in the main hall of Union Station, so go check them out and you can sample their products too.

I particularly like the lavender shortbread cookies, which are great tea dunking cookies.

Photos courtesy of their website.

Readers get ready because Clarendon Day is near!  If you have never been to Clarendon Day, it is a lot of fun.  There is live music, food vendors galore from a lot of very good restaurants, arts and craft vendors and lots of wholesome family fun.  September 25, 2010 from 11 am to 5pm.  We will be there with the Puppy (there are always lots of well behaved dogs around)!  For more info click here.