A Great 2nd Week at the Boise Farmers Market

12 Saturday Apr 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop, Acme Bake Shop Breads, Asparagus, Boise Farmers Market, Buy Idaho, Eggs, Gaston's Bakery, Healthy Eating, Herbs, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Locavore, Meadowlark Farms, Organic Foods, Photos By: Bob Young, Purple Sage Farms, Rice Family Farms, River View Gardens, Sourdough Bread, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?

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Boise Farmers Market, Homestead Farms, Idaho Honey, Meadowlark Farms, Rice Family Farms, River View Gardens, Rollingstone Chevre

The word is … Last week, the Opening Week for the market – was a HUGE success! In the 4 hours that the market is open, there were over 6000 people who visited the market. Most of the vendors were sold out. And if you need a list of the venders, Look Here. You will be surprised as to the number of vendors and the products that are available. I have tried to show some of the vendors in the following photos that I took today. These are the ones that I normally frequent. There are food booths, and some wonderful coffee, too, that will provide some delicious treats. Pasta, waffles, doughnuts and cupcakes, wine and beer, pasta and other goodies, to name a few. Enjoy the photos and tour of the Farmers Market! It was a beautiful, sunny morning so I did not alter the photos. I left the shadows and sunshine in!

Janie Burns, Meadowlark Farms. Eggs, lamb, chicken and a pleasant smile!

Acme Bake Shop. Awesome sourdough and old world style rye. They also have ciabatta, focaccia, potato bread and a large variety of other breads. Fresh baked everyday. Some of the best bread in Boise. Say Hi to Michael and Soraya for us.

Gaston’s Bakery. Wonderful croissants – plain, almond, ham and cheese – and a variety of speciality breads. Say Hi to Mathiew for us. Robin says the best almond croissants on the 3rd Rock from the Sun!

Idaho Honey. Great tasting honey and a wonderful Creamed Honey. They do sell online so check their link out in the sidebar or Right Here!

Rollingstone Chevre. If you like goat cheese, Robin does and I like some of it, then you will need to stop by and talk to Karen Evans about her cheese.

River View Gardens. Great fresh garlic, asparagus, spinach, lettuce and onions. They have awesome garlic selections in the fall. Several varieties – I think they have about 9 varieties last year. They also provide information sheets about the differences in the garlics.

Rice Family Farms. Carrots, parsnips, radishes, lettuces and a variety of fresh produce.

Purple Sage Farms. Great almost year round produce. Lettuces, herbs, fermented products, cabbages in the fall and other wonderful products. They have an extensive greenhouse setup that you can tour if you call ahead.

Purple Sage Farms. Great almost year round produce. Lettuces, herbs, fermented products, cabbages in the fall and other wonderful products. They are also going to have some Fenugreek – an spice used in the cuisine of India. “Fresh fenugreek leaves are an ingredient in some Indian curries. Sprouted seeds and microgreens are used in salads. When harvested as microgreens, fenugreek is known as Samudra Methi in Maharashtra, especially in and around Mumbai, where it is often grown near the sea in the sandy tracts … When sold as a vegetable in India the young plants are harvested with their roots still attached and sold in small bundles in the markets and bazaars.” [Wikipedia] They have an extensive greenhouse setup that you can tour if you call ahead.

Volcanic Farms. Here we have some Chard. They also have other green vegetables.

As an End-Note, the Big Valley Ranch is at the Farmers Market and they are supplying Highland cattle meat. The ranch is located in the Horseshoe Bend area. I will be sure to check them out next Saturday. I/we have never eaten Highland beef. “The meat tends to be leaner than most beef because Highlands get most of their insulation from their thick shaggy hair rather than subcutaneous fat. The coat makes them a good breed for cold northern climates and they are able to thrive in outdoor conditions that would defeat most other breeds of domestic beef cattle.” [Wikipedia] “It is beef that comes from Highland cattle that is superior in flavor, tenderness and cooking. Highland (sometimes called Scottish Highland) is a distinct breed of cattle that are generally smaller than Angus…” [The Reluctant Gourmet] Here are some Cooking Tips for preparing Highland beef. Interesting. Sounds a lot like the preparation for Buffalo.

The Boise Farmers Market Is Open!

05 Saturday Apr 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Acme Bake Shop, Arugula, Boise Adventures, Boise Artisan Bakery's, Boise Farmers Market, Bread, Breakfast, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Celebrations, Eggs, Ham, Ham and Cheese, Healthy Eating, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Photos By: Bob Young, Sourdough Bread, Special Events, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?

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Acme Bake Shop, Boise Farmers Market, Gaston Bakery, Meadowlark Farms, Purple Sage Farms, Think Local - Buy Local

Seems like it has been months since we could shop for local products at the farmers market. It has! It’s been since last December when they closed for the winter. But now it’s Spring and the market is Open! Yea! It was great to see the vendors there from last year and their fantastic Idaho products. Acme Bake Shop (fresh Rye and Sourdough), Gaston Bakery (Croissants), Meadowlark Farms (fresh Eggs), Purple Sage Farms (awesome greens), Idaho Honey, Homestead Farms (bone-in Rib-Eye steaks), Rollingstone Chevre and a host of others that I know I am missing. Here are some photos from this morning. I have been asked by many people when Acme Bake Shop will open a store front. I got the answer this morning, “It’s not in the business plan at this time.” Beside the Boise COOP, I will check next week to see where in Boise you can purchase their bread. Cheers and hope to see YOU there next Saturday! And please, Think Local – Buy Local. Support your local farmer.

Idaho Honey

Write their number down and give them a call. They will ship. Even to Florida. I asked!

Market overview before it opened this morning. It is open every Saturday now from 9:00am – 1:00pm.

Purple Sage Farms. Awesome veggies.

Gaston Bakery

After the market, one must have breakfast. Check this one out that I made for us!

Gaston Bakery Croissant
Purple Sage Farms Fresh Lettuce
Meadowlark Farms Fresh Egg
Boars Head Ham and Swiss Cheese
(Not from the market!)

Fresh Made Chicken Pot Pies

10 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Carrots, Chicken, Classics, Comfort Food, Healthy Eating, Onion, Pastries, Photos By: Bob Young, Things To Do, Vegetables, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food

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Carrots, celery, Chicken Pot Pie, Frank Purdue, potato, tender chicken

Our $7.95 whole chicken, just gave us 7 meals. That’s $1.11 per meal. Or, if you figure per person for the chicken, that’s $0.56 per plate. Guess we can get our meds this month! The chicken was a little over 6 pounds. Not one of Frank Purdue’s chickens (“It takes a tough man to make a tender chicken”) but it was good. The final meal was these Chicken Pot Pies that Robin made. The pies are ready to be placed in the oven in this photo. We use both round and rectangular bowls to make the dinner. Add to this a good Tuscan wine, and we had a good dinner. Here are photos of the final dish. Enjoy!

Robin’s Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken Pot Pie in a rectangular dish. Works any way you want to make them. Delicious!

Valentines Wine Dinner at the Buzz

12 Wednesday Feb 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Chocolate, Chocolate and Food, Dinner With Friends, Healthy Eating, Idaho Chefs, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Special Dinners, Special Events, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners

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petite sirah, The Buzz Coffee and Wine, Two Angels Petite Sirah, Valentines Day, wine dinner

Another superb wine dinner at the Buzz in Boise! So far this year, the dinners have been great. Tommy’s Asian Dinner last month and now this dinner for Valentines Day. And then too, it is Cristi’s birthday at the end of the month. Oh yes. I forgot. She was born on February 29th. But I bet she will have something. As for the dinner tonight, most of the wines were pretty good. Out of 7 wines, 3 were scored [19], 2 were [17], 1 at [16] and one at [15]. Thanks to Michelle and Cristi for this great dinner. Here are some photos from the dinner. The wine above, 2008 Two Angels Petite Sirah, was probably my favorite of the night with a score of [19]. Enjoy and see you at the next dinner! Cheers!

Assorted Chocolates

Caponata Crostini reall a good appetizer. Too bad the wine was not up to the spiciness. 2012 Heritage Cote du Rhone 14% alc. definitely not the best wine of the evening. not enough body and finish to go with the appetizer [15] $14.00

Caponata Crostini
really a good appetizer. Too bad the wine was not up to the spiciness.
2012 Heritage Cote du Rhone
14% alc. definitely not the best wine of the evening. not enough body and finish to go with the appetizer [15] $14.00

Tomato and Chocolate Soup such a good soup! 2012 Heritage Cote du Rhone 14% alc. not my favorite. [15] $14.00

Tomato and Chocolate Soup
such a good soup!
2011 Tomero Cabernet Sauvignon
15% alc. went very well with the soup. good body and finish. [17] $16.00

Pear and Spinach Salad
truly a great salad that went extremely well with the wine.
2011 Jack Cabernet Sauvignon 13.8% alc. This wine went superbly with the salad! great body and finish. [19] $18.00

Pasta Marinara and Beef Kabob
I really enjoyed this entree. Great sauce on the kabobs made with beer.
2008 Two Angels Petite Sirah
14.1% alc a superb wine with this plate. great taste, body and a good finish. [19] $21.00

Brownie Tiramisu Such a delight to end the dinner with this. Great ending! 2011 Renwood Zinfandel 14.5% alc. just OK with the dessert. Almost to big for the chocolate. [17] $15.00

Brownie Tiramisu
Such a delight to end the dinner with this. Great choice!
2011 Renwood Zinfandel
14.5% alc. just OK with the dessert. Almost to big for the chocolate. [17] $15.00

And as a side note and information that Cristi presented last night, the Thursday before Labor Day is known as Cabernet Day and Cristi said she might think of a wine dinner that goes along with this event. And another, Zinfandel is a great partner with curry and hard cheeses. And as for a Petite Sirah, which is not by any means a small grape or wine, “… goes well with any food with which you would normally pair a big red wine: grilled meats, roast duck, lamb, pot roast, rabbit in mustard sauce (ed note: I have a great recipe for this), mushrooms and chocolate. Petite Sirah can age for years. Even decades.” (Cristi Takeda, the Buzz) Hope you make the next wine dinner. They are really fun and informative. Cheers!

February At The Buzz

07 Friday Feb 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Dinner With Friends, Photos By: Bob Young, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?, Wine and Food, Wine Dinners

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Buzz Beans, Buzz Wine, the Buzz, The Buzz Coffee and Wine, Valentines Day

This just in from Cristi at The Buzz in Boise! Don’t forget that it is Valentines Day on February 14 – bring your significant other to the tasting on February 11th or 12th. What a great treat! Also, let’s not forget that the price is now $20.00 per person for a 5 course dinner and about 6 or 7 wines. Call for reservations!! Their web page is at Buzz Beans and their blog page is Buzz Wine where Cristi has posted some recipes and awesome photos. Enjoy and see you this month at The Buzz! Cheers.

Happy February to all. We know that the snow is getting tiresome, but just think of all the grapes in Idaho that are being well taken care of this week.

We have our regular wine tastings and music this month. On the 7th Wayne White will be playing, on the 14th stop by and say Happy Valentines day to Carter Freeman, the 15th Tomorrow Never Knows will be celebrating with us, and on the 21st is Dr Todd Palmer. We will have appetizer, dinner and dessert specials each night to compliment the wines.

Our annual Chocolate and Wine nights will be February 11 and 12 at 6:30. Reservations are required buzzwine@cableone.net or (208) 344-4321. The cost is $20 for 5 course dinner and at least 5 different wines. Hope to see you there.

Stay safe and warm and join us for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.

Cristi and Tom Takeda
Buzz Coffee and Wine
2999 N Lakeharbor Lane
Boise, Idaho 83703

43.624890 -116.214093
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Housemade Eggs Benedict

02 Sunday Feb 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Classic Sauces, Comfort Food, Eggs, Eggs Benedict, Housemade Hollandaise Sauce, Idaho's Bounty, Main Dish, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipe By: Russ Terrell, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?

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blender hollandaise sauce, Boise Foodie Blog Recipes, Eggs Benedict, Meadowlark Farms

OK. It’s been two weeks since I have been in the kitchen. Withdrawl!! Back to the comfort of our awesome kitchen. What to make. It’s Sunday morning – I usually make some special breakfast. OK. Just got fresh eggs from Meadowlark Farms in Nampa, ID. We have some ham and Robin bought some fresh English Muffins. We have lemon and cayenne and unsalted butter. How about Eggs Benedict? Sounds good to me. Make the Hollandaise from scratch with Russ’ recipe for Easy Blender Hollandaise Sauce. And as long as it has taken me to write this, I could have made another batch. It’s that easy and that good! The recipe is also held permanently in the Boise Foodie Blog Recipes above. Here is the result of about 20 minutes in the kitchen. Yum-O!

2014 Florida Trip – One Must Eat!

31 Friday Jan 2014

Posted by Bob and Robin in Appetizers, Beef, Cooking Styles, Food Photos, Friends, German Food, Main Dish, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Pork, Pubs, Sandwiches, Scallops, Seafood, Shell Fish, Slider, Sliders, Things To Do, What's For Dinner?, Whats For Lunch?

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Bern's Steakhouse, Chef Larry's Cafe, Guanabanas, Ravenous Pig, Sliders

Let’s see. We were in Florida for 14 days. With luck, that’s 28 meals plus. Nope, not going to post every meal, just some of the better ones. All of these restaurants rate at least 4-Stars out of 5-Stars. I am not going to list these restaurants in any particular order, i.e., worst to best. They all rate “Best”. And most of these will have links in the sidebar if available.

We were only allowed into one kitchen in all of the restaurant and that was in Bern’s Steakhouse in Tampa. So the photo here is not from any kitchen in Florida … Actually it is our kitchen in Boise. Great way to hold your recipe in a skirt hanger, if you can get away with it. So read on and enjoy these epicurean delights. Cheers! And if you are ever around any of these restaurants, please stop in and say hello. Let them know you saw them here on this blog.

Front entrance to Chef Larry’s Cafe, Titusville, Florida.

My sister Peggy and her husband Jim and Robin and I with Chef Larry of Chef Larry’s Cafe in Titusville, Florida. A small restaurant that is full of local “color”. It looks like it is a hit with the local folks as well as tourists. There is a permanent link to the cafe in the sidebar. Good food. Enjoyable. Loved the Chef Larry’s Fresh Fruit Vinaigrette on the House Mixed Greens salad. All of our plates came with it.

Catch of the Day with the House Mixed Greens and Potatoes

Smoked Chicken with Shitake Mushroom Mayonnaise.

Crabcake and Tomato Soup. All of these dishes are made in house!

Our next restaurant that we enjoyed was in Winter Park, Florida, was The Ravenous Pig.

The Ravenous Pig

Really good salads. This one is called The Gatherer.

Heirloom Tomato Salad

Porterhouse Pork

Scallops

White Fish

And then when we were in West Palm Beach, Lani took us to Guanabanas – Island Restaurant and Bar . Really good food with an island flair, both the design layout of the restaurant and the food.

This is well worth the trip if you are in the area. Good food and an exciting and different venue.

House Salad

Crabcake with Fried Plantains. Most of these dishes came with Cuban Rice.

Crab

Burger

Catch of the Day and Roasted Corn.

Then while we were in Jacksonville Beach, my brother Alex took us to Sliders Seafood Grille and Oyster Bar in Neptune Beach.

In side Sliders

And these were delicious!

Here they are before they get placed on the platter.

Here the oysters are before they get placed on the platter.

Seafood Manicotti. Super good!

Peggy, Jim, Marge, Robin and Alex.

And finally, Robin’s niece Kerstin Karlsson to us to Taste of Berlin German Restaurant in Brandon, FL. Delicious!! (The only link I could find for them is on FaceBook)

The interior. Small and cozy and very clean.

Gotta have a beer! or two.

Northern German Potato Salad. Yum-O!

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Chicken like a Cordon Bleu chicken.

Pork Shank. Most of the main dishes came with sourkraut, red cabbage, bread dumplings and a small carrot/cucumber salad.

Pork Shank. Most of the main dishes came with sauerkraut, red cabbage, bread dumplings and a small carrot/cucumber salad.

Schweinebraten

Sauerbraten

Fruit Dessert

Black Forrest Cake

German Chocolate Cake

So there is a smattering of some of the food we had while there. As I said above, all of them were delicious and worth a return trip. Bern’s Steakhouse in Tampa was good, but so were these. Try them all if you get the chance. You will be happy. Cheers!

Unique – Not New – Recipe Holders

26 Thursday Dec 2013

Posted by Bob and Robin in Captain's Shack, Cooking Safety, Cooking Styles, Food Prep, Help Needed, Interesting Information, Photos By: Bob Young, Prep Work, Recipes, Special Information, Things To Do

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hanger, recipe hanger, recipe holder

Some where on FaceBook a while ago, I saw this unique idea for holding a recipe “out of the way” while you are trying to create a dish. Easy enough to do and as you can see here, we have more than one in our kitchen. Give it a try. You’ll like it. (Mikey did!)

Recipe holder made from “skirt” hangers. Hang them where you are working and they are out of the way.

The Rib-Eye Christmas Dinner

26 Thursday Dec 2013

Posted by Bob and Robin in Beef, Boise Farmers Market, Buy Idaho, Captain's Shack, Cuts of Beef, Dinner With Friends, Dried Corn, Friends, Local Farmers Markets, Local Markets, Locavore, Main Dish, Party Time, Photos By: Bob Young, Recipes, Rib-Eye, Special Dinners, Special Events, Things To Do, Twice Baked Potatoes, What's For Dinner?

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Linder torte, pear and almond tarte, prime rib dinner, raspberry and walnut torte, rib-eye, rib-eye roast, torte

It’s not as if there was not enough for everyone to eat. There was plenty!! In a previous post on this blog, Christmas 2013 Dinner Prep, I posted some photos of the Rib-Eye being prepared and I also posted the recipe for the roast. This was not a standard cooking time. But it turned out terrific! Look at the recipe. And check out this “neat” tree ornament that Sophia made for Marnie and Mac. Great idea, as we are all Ravenswood Winery enthusiasts, as Robin helped to start it back in the mid 1970’s. Here are some photos of the dinner. Enjoy ….. We did!

Rib-Eye Roast. It was awesome. Done to perfection, tender and juicy. Thank you Homestead Farms for such a great roast!!

Ready to be served.

Rib-Eye Roast
Twice Baked Potato (Marnie)
Dried Corn

Dried Corn and Twice Baked Potatoes. Marnie did a great job on the variation to the potatoes.

Marnie and Mac enjoy the dinner.

Sophia and Chris

Margaret and Robin. It looks like everyone liked what they were eating. I did!

Robin’s first time at making marshmallow. These were terrific!!

Marnie made this great Pear and Almond Tarte. Beautiful colors.

Robin made the Linder Walnut Raspberry Torte. Another yummy!

And the candle started to go dim and the tree lights are subdued. The end of the day and a very great Christmas. Thank-You one and all! Cheers!

Boise Farmers Market Last Day

19 Thursday Dec 2013

Posted by Bob and Robin in Boise Farmers Market, Food, Local Farmers Markets, Local Harvests, Local Markets, Organic Foods, Special Events, Things To Do, Thought For The Day, What's For Dinner?

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eat local, indoor venue, local farmers market

I just received this information. And it has been a great saeson. I am so glad that they found an indoor venue for the market these past several weeks. We look forward to their return next Spring and maybe, just maybe, they will be able to continue year around. Hope so! Please do support them this last Saturday. Thanks.