Getting Inspired at the Santa Cruz Farmers' Markets Pop-Up Breakfast

Every summer the Santa Cruz Farmers' Markets hosts a series of pop-up brunches. I was lucky enough to go to the very first one in 2012; and every year since I've been invited back for an event or two as a photographer. This morning my Enthusiastic Kitchen Elf was my date. What delicious fun!

Today Chef Katherine Stern of Santa Cruz's La Posta was the headliner. I've never been to her restaurant, but after what we tried today, I definitely want to get up there.

We always shop the market stands before and after the brunch because these events are also about the farmers and the seasonal produce...

...they are about the people. In this case Nicki Zahm and Nesh Dhillon of the Santa Cruz Farmers' Markets wrangled Chef Katherine and her team cooked for all 145 of us. The duo of Stockwell Cellars poured two of their wines - a 2015 Chardonnay Tondre and a yet unlabeled Rosé of Pinot Noir. The youths of FoodWhat?! served. And we heard from Hans of H&H Fresh Fish.

...they are about the community...and connecting people to their food producers.

...they are about the drinks. Those wines were fabulous.

...and, of course, they are also about the food. Here's Chef Katherine's menu...

CHILLED MELON SOUP

with cucumber, preserved lemon, and mint

GRILLED GEMS

marinated tomatoes, peppers, and herbs

STUFFED SUMMER SQUASH

with potato and Garden Variety Cheese

CHARRED GREENS

with sesame dressing

SMOKED FISH ON TOAST

Monterey Bay black cod on sourdough with salsa de uova, shaved radish and fennel

SWEET FINISH

rice pudding with stone fruit compote lavender syrup and cookie crumb

It was a beautiful day on the north side of the Monterey Bay. I can't wait till next season's events. In the meantime, D and I were inspired. So, you'll see several recipes that are our versions.

I was so excited to find fresh squash blossoms. I haven't seen any in weeks. Nesh told us that his wife stuffs them with cheese and sausage or tempuras them. Wow. I will use them tomorrow and keep you posted.

Comments

Connecticut Lobster Rolls, Canned Lobster Bisque, and a 2019 Henry Fessy 'Maître Bonhome' Viré-Clessé #Winophiles

This month the French Winophiles group is looking at affordable wines from Burgundy. Host Cindy of Grape Experiences wrote: "Burgundy, or Bourgogne, is known for its wines of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir... as well as Aligote, Gamay, Sauvignon, César, Pinot Beurot, Sacy, Melon in lesser quantities. Many of the well-known wines are quite expensive, but there are plenty of values to be found." Read her invitation here. And there won't be a Twitter chat for this event, so you will have to dive into the articles themselves to read about our pairings and findings. Here's the line-up... Wendy Klik from A Day in the Life on the Farm enjoys Domaine Chevillon Chezeaux Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Nuits, 2018 Paired with a Maple Pecan Chicken . Camilla Mann from Culinary Adventures with Camilla shares her love of Connecticut Lobster Rolls, Canned Lobster Bisque, and a 2019 Henry Fessy 'Maître Bonhome' Viré-Clessé. Jeff Burrows of FoodWineClick! explains why we should Look t...

Homemade Lorna Doone Cookies #SundayFunday

Today the Sunday Funday group is celebrating childhood favorites. Thanks to Stacy of Food Lust People Love , Sue of Palatable Pastime , Rebekah of Making Miracles , and Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm for coordinating this low-stress group. Today Stacy is hosting and she's given us the following prompt: "Childhood favorites. Did you have a favorite dish growing up? It could be something your family cooked or a restaurant dish, even a Chef Boyardee canned good or packaged ingredients like Rice-a Roni or mac and cheese. Recreate THAT dish from SCRATCH for this event." Here's the #SundayFunday childhood favorites line-up... Chili Mac from A Day in the Life on the Farm Ham and Mushroom Breakfast Burritos from Making Miracles Homemade Lorna Doone Cookies from Culinary Adventures with Camilla Homemade Wonder Bread from Karen's Kitchen Stories K-Mart Sub Sandwiches from Palatable Pastime Kempakki Dosa from Sizzling Tastebuds Meat Chilly Fry...

Quick Pickled Red Onions and Radishes

If you've been reading my blog for even a short amount of time, you probably know how much I love to pickle things. I was just telling a friend you can pickle - with vinegar - or you can ferment - with salt - for similar delicious effect. The latter has digestive benefits and I love to do that, but when I need that pop of sour flavor quickly, I whip up quick pickles that are ready in as little as a day or two. I've Pickled Blueberries , Pickled Asparagus , Pickled Cranberries , Pickled Pumpkin , and even Pickled Chard Stems ! This I did last night for an upcoming recipe challenge that requires I include radishes. Ummmm...of course I'm pickling them! Ingredients makes 1 quart jar radishes, trimmed and sliced organic red onions, peeled and thinly sliced (I used a mandolin slicer) 3/4 C vinegar (I used white distilled vinegar) 3/4 C water 3 T organic granulated sugar 1 T salt (I used some grey sea salt) 6 to 8 grinds of black pepper Proce...

Culinary Adventures with Camilla

Search This Blog