Fruit Wash-up

Well, I'm back to cooking (clap for Freddie)!  I was given several new recipes from our customers the past couple weeks so I'm excited to try them & then share them here.  Meanwhile, I stumbled on this fruit wash-up on Pinterest.  The idea & picture originally came from www.aprettylifeinthesuburbs.com (a very interesting blog that I am enjoying).

Last week after returning from the grocery, I cleaned my kitchen sink and filled it with water and one cup of white vinegar.  In went all the fruit, which included apples, grapes, grapefruit, oranges & lemons.  After letting them soak a while (she suggests 10 minutes but I think mine were forsaken for a little longer than that), I rinsed and dried each off.  The residue in the water was most alarming!  The best part was that my "fruit" drawer in the refrigerator was full of items that we could take out and immediately sink our teeth into.  Perhaps I need to get as wise with my vegetables now!

A Perfect Gift -- and not just another cookbook!

A special friend of mine gifted me this cookbook when I was about 30 years old.  Up until this time, I had not needed to have any cooking expertise (I escaped it that long :).  I always said I didn't enjoy cooking but I realize in hindsight that it was simply because I didn't know how.  I read this book from front to back.  It is most interesting (even for the experienced cook), starting with giving a list of the essential equipment & tools of any kitchen, a list of the three basic knives, etc.  One particular section that I love is the vegetable pages.  The book takes one vegetable per page teaching you how to buy & prepare it and ways to it cook (with times!).  I'm blushing, but it was with this book that I learned to make mashed potatoes!  I can say now that I've come far beyond that & love to cook!

Here's a very condensed list of recipes from the book that are now my standbys (and pretty much committed to memory):

Potato Soup (yes, you've seen that on this blog)
Broccoli Soup
Orange-Glazed Pork Chops
Fried Rice
Potato Salad
Roasted Garlic
Spanish Rice
Beef Stew

(The only recipe that I did not care for was Turkey Salad with Fruit.)

So, if you need a gift for a new bride or graduate, this is perfect!  And if you want to take a peek for yourself, check it out at the library. (ISBN: 9-780028-624518)

RAM -- October 5th

We will NOT be attending RAM October 5th.  We apologize for any inconvenience.  We will be at the Market in Fernandina on 7th & Centre.

October 5th:

(The sidebar saved function is impaired!)

Butterhead Lettuce
Romaine Lettuce
Red Oakleaf Lettuce (LIMITED)

Kale (Curly & Dinosaur)
Baby Bok Choy 

Mini-Seedless Cucumbers
Watercress
Baby Arugula

Live Herbs:
A Variety