Chicago’s Downtown Farmstand

MenuPages asked, I answered. My review of Chicago’s Downtown Farmstand is up at The Kitchn.
Not sure if it’s the first actual review, but it is a review nonetheless.

The Week of the Egg

Thanks to a (relatively small) plumbing disaster, I had to cancel a brunch party at my apartment on Saturday. Fortunately, a neighborhood street festival made for a good alternative party location and a good time was still had, but my refrigerator is bursting with as-yet-unused brunch ingredients. Namely, eggs. Nearly three dozen of them. And [...]

Produce Box Week 13

After a couple of hectic weeks, I’m back in a cooking mood. This past weekend, I tried to salvage what I could from last week’s produce box that had been sitting around untouched for most of the week (I tried to cancel it, but it arrived anyway). It included a small watermelon, which I’m still [...]

Market Share

Well, it’s Thursday, but I haven’t come across any products cool enough to be deemed this week’s “cool product.” So, instead, as I eagerly await farmers market season, here’s a picture of a market in Zurich from my trip to Switzerland last year.
Most of the Chicago markets open mid-June, including my personal favorite, the Lincoln [...]

Produce Box Week 10

I was too busy enjoying the wonderful weather this weekend to do much cooking, but I did make a nice avocado and radish salad with lime dressing, which was tasty but, unfortunately, didn’t photograph well.
I’m definitely shifting my focus from braised and baked meals to ones that are quicker and lighter. I don’t have a [...]

Produce Box Week 9

I wasn’t home on Saturday, so I opted to pick up my produce box at the store on Sunday. This caused a little confusion, but it was nice to check out Newleaf’s brick and mortar space, finally. I didn’t have much time to browse, but I did pick up some bulk quinoa, Stonyfield Farms [...]

Produce Box Week 8

This week’s produce box had me thinking this weekend. I got up early on Sunday and started searching for recipes for the week. I beat the crowds to the grocery store, which is always nice, and my shopping list was surprisingly short considering all the new recipes I plan to make. I’m still in a [...]

Produce Box Week 8

This week’s box marked the first of the season’s local produce – Crimini mushrooms from New Lenox, Ill. Yum!
In this week’s box:

Arugula
Spinach
Garlic
Parsley
Crimini mushrooms
Honey tangerines
Fuji apples
Kiwi
Bananas
Pineapple

Produce Box Week 7

My weekend cooking plans were thwarted by a cold, but I think I’ve successfully kicked it and I’m ready to get back in the kitchen. My Newleaf newsletter included a recipe for Swiss Chard Gratin, and that’s definitely on this week’s menu. I’ll be making that as soon as my new food processor arrives (60 [...]

Produce Box Week 6

This weekend, I went to the Family Farmed Expo at the Chicago Cultural Center. Newleaf Natural Grocery, the company that runs my produce delivery service, had a booth there, so it was nice to meet them and tell them how much I enjoy their products. I also got to sample a lot of food – [...]