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HFTM | Hollywood 8May11

just a few things that made it home from the market…

Celery | Onions | Cabbage | Chinese Broccoli | Cilantro | Red Leaf Lettuce | Spinach

There were cherries in abundance at the market on Sunday and I passed them by.  I could only see shades of green and those onions.

Okay, so, the market was full of artichokes, too.  The short time I’ve spent on the ‘choke has mostly been at some casual dining establishment drowned in my old friend, cheese.  I vaguely remember sucking on some leaves, but that’s just not an endorsement.  They were so pretty in stall after stall, though.  Watching the FM budget and so unsure of what to do with them, I didn’t get any.

Yeah, that worked.  I’ve been thinking about them for days.  I might’ve come up with a way to handle my “IDK, I’m Scareds” when it comes to produce: budget for a little Wow! and uh, just buy a few.  Then, it’s just about a little research and maybe, a recipe.  (♥: You follow those?) Fine.  Somehow, I need to fix them, then see.

Wonder if I’m worried about wasting money, wasting food or not being able to do something right.  Won’t find out until I jump right in.

N♥

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HFTM | Hollywood 30Jan11

just a few things that made it home from the market… just not today…

Today’s trip to the Hollywood Farmers Market was called for rain.  Well, kinda.

I wasn’t really planning on going this morning.  I left the option out there, but, really, I’ve got plenty and don’t need to shop for another few days.  That and and it was raining.  Heavy.  Okay, heavy enough.

Since I’m into process and practice, here’s a bit of what I did with what I brought home the most this month.  I love some citrus.  Made the spiced citrus pomegranate marmalade I tweeted about trying to figure out.

meyer lemons| tangelos| tangelo peel| navel oranges| ginger| cardamom| pomegranate molasses

Recipe? Ha! Ha! Ha!  You do know me, right?  Let’s just say I’m in “perfecting” mode.  I’ll get back to you with the real when that happens.

I do need a name for this creation.  This joyful melange of flavors that has me giggling at the thought of breakfast tomorrow.  Mmmmm, help.

N♥

Here’s a quick look at what made it home this month…

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HFTM | Hollywood 23Jan11

just a few things that made it home from the market…

Oranges | Cilantro | Dill | New Red Potatoes

Last week, My aunt was telling me how she really wasn’t into grocery shopping at all.  She’s very “one store and done,” but her mother’s sister would hit a couple of different stores in an afternoon to get the things she needed, especially if she could save a dime on something.

With that little revelation, a wave of relief washed over me.  I may be crazy, but I’m not alone!  It’s in the genes.  I went to the market this morning, then Trader Joe’s, then 2 conventional grocery stores.  I still have to go to the South Asian shop in the neighborhood to pick up a few things.  And I’ve got to pop by the Korean grocery, too.

I’m am so excited.  Lists, I must make lists.

N♥

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HFTM | Growing In The Yard

just a few things that were growing in the yard…

Broccoli | Tangerines | Lemons

Spent the weekend pet-sitting.  Didn’t make it to the Hollywood Farmers Market.  Watched things grow in the backyard.  Nibbled on a few tangerines right off the tree.

N♥

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HFTM | Hollywood 9Jan11

just a few things that made it home from the market…

Navel Oranges | Meyer Lemons | Onions | Golden Beets | Herbs: Cilantro, Dill, Mint

I’ve been a bit under the weather, but I woke up this morning feeling like there was a break in the storm.  I wasn’t going to cry if I coughed today.

Every week, I set my intention to make it to the market.  I’ve been doing well with that.  I need to start intending to get there earlier, though.  With 40 minutes left to shop, it was still packed.  Great people watching.  All the strollers reminded me of trying to navigate the sidewalks of the Upper West Side.

I knew I’d have a coughing fit in the middle of the market if I stayed too long, so I kept the list short and manageable: Onions and a big ‘ole bag of ORANGES.  Whatever else made it into the bag, made it into the bag.

I’m off to bed early with citrus oil thick in the air and some ginger/mint tea warming my belly.

N♥

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HFTM | Hollywood 2Jan11

just a few things that made it home from the first trip to the farmers market this year…

Greens | Beets | Parsnips

Happy New Year! … and stuff.

Let’s get the whining out of the way: I’m cold.  Seriously, I would love a fireplace and a view of the Pacific. Thx.

Okay.  So, now that that’s out of the way.  It’s raining, again.  There were fewer stalls out this morning and things were def picked over by the time I got there.  Eh, put a little cramp in the MarketMosey, but it also made the trip quicker and more focused.

It’s only been a few weeks, but feels like forever since anything’s made it home from the farmers market.  Glad to get back into a more health-supportive* routine.

These beets are, so, about to get good and roasted.  The greens’ll get a good steam in the next couple of days.  The parsnips, well, they’re kinda cute.  Haven’t the slightest idea what will become of them, but I’m excited to try something new.

Making the best of whatever the situation is  great way to start the year and a great way to just get started.

Nikki♥

*I’ve pulled out my old Natural Gourmet by Annemarie Colbin.

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HFTM | Pershing SQ 28Oct10

just a few things that made it home from the market… ages ago

So it’s kinda been on and popping at the Farmers’ Markets here in LA.  Between challenges to the size of the Hollywood Farmers’ Market by another local business and vendors at other markets accused of selling not so local or organic as claimed, the value and authenticity of the markets and their produce has come up for debate.

Me, I’m still in.  What started earlier this year as just something to do has become something I, just, do.  Even at the CubeFarm, people would come up to me and talk about market day.  My weekly bounty would be on display in the afternoon as I watched minutes on the clock and strawberries disappear.

But, I haven’t been to Pershing Sq since the end of October.  With the Ice Rink up and my time at the CubeFarm winding down, I’ve been glued to my desk and going to Hollywood on Sundays.

I’m so happy to be able to say that I’m SuperGrateful for the time I’ve spent going to Pershing SQ this year.  It’s been such an important experience in the evolution of my relationship with food.

Nikki♥

*One quick word about the CubeFarm. They really are a great group of people doing good work for the folks of LA Country.  So glad to have got the chance to spend more time with them this year.