Chouqettes, canelés, macarons and Dragon Dumplings!
The love holiday is behind us. Let’s move on to listeria, shall we?
Seriously, there’s a national outbreak of listeria right now caused by cheeses and salads and taco “kits” found in major supermarkets and food purveyors like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. A massive recall effort is underway.
Being able to look your cheesemonger or farmer in the eye makes a difference. A big difference. Things may cost more but the small-batch nature of everything we sell, reduces the risks.
I hope you’ve all had a chance to visit with the lovely couple at Four Wall Farm. They grow mushrooms, yes, but they also make intriguing risotto mixes with dehydrated mushrooms and “umami” mixes which are great for soups or ramens.
They are only with us in the winter months so try their mixes (and Lion’s Mane tea) now, so you can figure out what you like and then stock up in the spring when they move on.
New vendor alert! Gaelle’s French Pastries joins us for the first time this week. Gaelle, who hails from northern France (not far from where I spent a year on a dairy farm in my twenties, actually) had us at Bonjour. Then we tried her canelés.
The name canelé comes from the French word for “fluted, ” and it refers to the small fluted copper molds the pastries are made in. According to historic cookbooks, the cannelé Bordelais, as is its formal name, dates back to anywhere between the 15th and 18th centuries. The pastry originated in various convents around the winemaking regions of Bordeaux in Southern France. Winemakers used egg whites to clarify wine and would give the excess yolks to the nuns to make food for the poor children in the surrounding villages. With the addition of a few other ingredients, the canelé was born. Gaelle also makes colorful macarons (if you prefer to skip the coloring, she will also be offering “natural” macarons. And, chouquettes.
Chouquettes (pronounced shoo-kets) are French pastry sugar puffs that can also be made into profiteroles (French cream puffs) if you're feeling fancy. It's that magic pâte à choux dough recipe again, the very same one used to make savory Gougères. Chouquette is also a term of affection in France as in “ma petite chouquette,” and a popular name for French dogs.
Please give Gaelle a warm Hastings “bienvenue!”
Celebrate Lunar New Year and the Year of the Dragon with some of Grumpy Dumpling’s pork dumplings. I used my non-stick egg pan to heat them up...with no oil. Just shook the pan until they had a nice char to them which only added to the flavor. If the word “grumpy” has kept you away from the stall... know that this couple is one of the sweetest vendors we've ever worked with. A name change might be in order!
Why not take advantage of the gorgeous kale at the Sun Sprout tent to make these charred kale sticky rice dumplings to add to your pork dumplings for a quick and easy dinner.
You know what else makes for a ridiculously easy dinner that balances delicate and decadent? Seared scallops from Pura Vida on a bed of Obercreek Farm greens. Yes, the scallops are expensive...but you only need 6 per person to make a meal. If you want to marinate the scallops before you sear them (three minutes max per side!) try this recipe.
For dessert do yourself a favor and pick up a tahini fudge brownie from Anish Supreme Foods. You will thank me. Or curse me. I can take it. Everyone should know how unusually delicious this pairing is.
AYA Hummus has a market special this week: Fig Balsamic hummus, made with Agape Balsamic Vinegar, natch. The perfect thing to nosh on with carrots from Sun Sprout, while you enjoy a cocktail from Liquid Fables. This Beacon-based company makes “farm to can” cocktails inspired by fables.
Take, for instance, the Billy Goat Gruff a bourbon bevvie which has tasting notes of black tea and lemonade, and comes with this story:
It wasn’t luck that the Billy Goats reached the sprawling meadow on the other side of the bridge. The brothers had a plan. One, two, three, they each went up to the hungry troll and bested him with their smarts, sensibility, strength. The brothers knew teamwork only works if you have trust in each other. Raise your can and toast those who always have your back.
See you at the market, where pretty much every item sold comes with a story all its own.