Summer Cooking with Farmers Market Finds
This past weekend ushered in one of my favorite times of year… the opening of Milwaukee’s South Shore Farmers Market! While we are fortunate to have several markets to choose from in the Milwaukee area, I particularly enjoy the way South Shore marries fresh, locally grown organic produce with family owned food trucks, artisans, eclectic musicians, and breathtaking views of Lake Michigan.
In past years I did my best to select fruits and vegetables that inspired me to make beautiful creations for lunch and dinner. Ruby red beets, bright green beans and peas, deep blue blueberries… they called to me from their wooden baskets. Yet no matter how hard I tried I had a difficult time coming up with anything creative and would typically prepare them in a fairly boring form - as a side dish to a piece of fish or meat. That was then and this is now; because now I rely on an expert.
www.feastingathome.com
Enter Sylvia Fountaine, a professional chef, former restaurant owner, and caterer, recently turned full-time blogger, based in the Pacific Northwest.
On her blog, Sylvia shares that her inspiration is produce grown in its “true season” as opposed to foods engineered to look good year-round on grocery shelves. She believes that these foods always have the best flavor and most nutrient density. According to Chef, “When you start with ripe seasonal ingredients at their peak of flavor, they can be treated so simply in the kitchen. Not only will the end result taste better, but it’s also a beautiful way to embrace the seasons and cycles of the earth. A very grounding way of cooking and being in the world.”
I’ve turned to her blog, “Feasting at Home” countless times to help me embrace the season and experiment with new flavor profiles. She even has a dedicated section of her site, 50 {Must Try} Farmer’s Market Recipes that takes the guesswork out of enjoying summer’s beautiful harvest. Among my favorite recipes are her Farmers Market Fried Rice, Beet Salad with Pistachio and Feta, Fresh Corn Chowder with Basil and Whitefish, and Moroccan Watermelon Cucumber Salad with Pistachio.
Once you’ve taken a peek at Sylvia’s site, I promise you will be eager to visit your local market as soon as possible and more than willing to test out a few fresh summer recipes. Check out the Wisconsin Farmer’s Market Association website to find a market in your neighborhood or wherever your travels may take you this summer. Happy Eating!