Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Spring Has Sprung!!

Since I am a Spring baby, (April 12th) I have a special place in my heart for the season. New beginnings are happening all around us, with the cherry blossoms blooming and new birds chirping. The cold and dreary winter blues are a thing of the past. I look forward to the chance to surprise my loved ones with new twists on Spring flavors, and my favorite so far to use is lemon. I try to incorporate it into many of my dishes and breakfast is getting the best makeover! Have you ever tried turkey sausage cooked in lemon juice? The flavor is guaranteed to make your tastebuds dance. It was served to me on Mother's Day, with the fluffiest omelet, filled with steamed broccoli,mushrooms, and sauteed onions. The lemon also helped cook the remaining fat out of the sausage and the juice from that dish was drizzled over the plate. I was so spoiled! 

I am sharing a lemon dish with you today, to include asparagus. You can also add prosciutto to the dish for flavor and color. Please enjoy the bounty of Spring, and return to read more as I continue to feed your Appetite For Flavor!
Lemon Asparagus Recipe
  • 1 pound fresh asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 pinch dried tarragon
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Place asparagus and water in a 1-1/2-qt. microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave on high for 7-8 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain. Add butter, lemon juice and tarragon; toss to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Obsessing Over Taste

I happen to be one of those people who dream about food. I dream of recipes, presentation, ingredients, Farmer's Markets, and events. The science of creating mouth-watering meals from raw ingredients is an obsession of mine. There is nothing in the world like the look of surprise on someone's face as they bite into something that tastes better than they ever imagined it could. The sound one makes when comfortably full. You know, that satisfied sigh..."Whew!" This week, I am seeking ways to impress the brave ones who have recently returned from war-torn countries and haven’t had a decent meal in what must feel like forever. So I have been going through my recipe Rolodex to pull up some of my best tastebud stunners. I have developed a kinship with using my crockpot to turn average meals into unforgettable opportunities to connect with my customers. Dishes like Short Ribs and Gravy over Smothered Potatoes, Lasagne with 4 Cheeses, Brisket that melts in your mouth, Chicken Pot Pie with Garlic-Cheddar Biscuit topping, The possibilities are endless.

The next time you are in the mood for some sustenance that is more than just the sum of its parts, but a chance to excite your mouth, just give me a holler! I love to serve these fresh, homemade delicacies. Isn’t it time for you to sample some love on a plate?

Stay tuned as I continue to feed your “Appetite for Flavor”.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Seasonal Produce for March

These are the seasonal produce available in the month of March. Please keep in mind that each year is different and harvest seasons are never exact.  Try to make it a priority  to support your local farmers and enjoy eating with the seasons!
 
Almonds, Apples, Artichokes,  Arugula,  Asian Pears, Avocados, Asian Greens, Asparagus, Beans, Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoons, Carrots, Cauliflower, Chard, Cherimoyas, Collards, Cress, Dandelion/Chickory, Dates, Endive, Fennel, Garlic, Gourds, Grapefruit, Guavas, Herbs, Horseradish, Kale, Kiwi, Kumquats, Leeks, Lemons, Lettuces, Limes, Mandarins, Mushrooms, Nettles, Olives, Onions, Oranges, Parsnips, Pears, Persimmons, Pistachios, Pomelos, Potatoes, Radish, Rapini, Rutabaga, Scallions, Spinach, Squash (winter), Strawberries, Sunchokes, Tangerines
 
Please check in regularly for recipes using some of this produce, and feel free to ask our chef for suggestions on how to prepare it for you and your family! We will also assist those with special diets so that you all can make the most of nature's bounty!
 
I'm off to enjoy some Pork Roast smothered in Apples marinated in cinnamon and nutmeg. So delicious! 
Chow down in good health!