Today will be a great day at the Market – wonderful breezes, great music, tempting tastes. And I do mean tempting. I was chatting with Buddy (Flippin Amazin Ice Cream) after my granddaughter “forced” me to try his ice cream. It really is flippin’ amazin’. Although …he is famous for his cream cheese ice cream, he has developed a new flavor. This new one is not really contain cream cheese; instead it’s dairy free! It’s made with vegan-friendly ingredients such as raw sugar, coconut milk, avocado and chocolate (yes, chocolate! J J J!) Who in their right mind can pass up a taste like that? You’ll probably need more than a taste!
So now that you’ve indulged in the main course, you’ll need a fantastic “dessert” to finish your meal. Nanette’s veggie wraps and soups are quickly becoming a Market favorite. Or dive into divine shrimp and cream cheese rolls or envelop yourself in the spice of an Indian chicken curry wrap or enjoy BBQ’d pulled pork. Better yet, get one of each. After all, there are 2 more days until Saturday. Ooops! Don’t forget fresh veggies and eggs… No. No. Don’t thank me. That’s what I’m here for.
Bright and early Saturday (cause that’s when the veggie selection is best), grab your coffee and indulge in a velvety cream cheese & guava empanada from Spanish R Us whilst you listen to the melodic tunes of Madeline Hill. We will have a special treat today because Liz Beter from Coffee Rani is preparing something terrific from their menu. We are especially grateful to Coffee Rani who donates the coffee to our market. How many days ‘til Saturday?
I took a little time to move around the market last week to see what’s new. John Bartlett has some incredible herbed oil – extra virgin olive oil with basil or rosemary. Can you imagine the taste of roasted veggies sprinkled with one of those? John and Nick also have lemongrass available and I’ll bet one of John’s (or James’) fat little hens, stuffed with lemongrass (the bottoms) and drizzled with rosemary olive oil (inside and out), would roast up with such tremendous taste – WOW! Go ahead, I’ll give you a moment to let the flavor sink in…..
I spoke for a few minutes with Chef Austin who makes that incredible pasta you sampled last week. He showed me some of the things he’s been working on. In addition to his lovely dried pasta, he has Creole mustard gnocchi (really, no kidding!) and bow tie pasta, not to mention sundried tomato or sunflower pesto flavored dinner rolls. Make the best ever meatballs with Justin’s grass fed beef. I always add a couple or 3 tablespoons of Nur’s sun-dried tomato pesto to the ground meat, along with minced onions and breadcrumbs. Brown them in a 350° oven, place in a saucepan along with a jar of my Simply Pasta Sauce and heat. Serve over any of Pastazz’s (Chef Austin) incredible pastas.
Unfortunately, Betty Rue will be taking a sabbatical from the market as they travel the country for a few months. No worries, though, Lena (7Grain) has added a gluten-free line to her products. Stop by and talk to her about it. You know we sell nothing but goodness at the Covington Farmer’s Market. Freshly roasted coffee beans, orange juice, herb scented soaps, salsas, white bean salad, avocado salsa, overstuffed artichokes…need I say more? I know you can’t wait; neither can I. See ya there!
Lots of love,
Charlene LeJeune
Abundant Life Kitchen
The Covington Farmers’ Market is open each Wednesday, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire and every Saturday from 8a.m. to 12p.m. on the side lawn of the Covington Police Station, 609 N. Columbia St. Call (985) 892-1873 for information or visit www.covingtonfarmersmarket.org
