Wintery Potage Recipe

As you may know, I am a devout farmer's market goer. Every Saturday morning, I religiously pore of the week's offerings from the fine local farmers at the green market at McCarren Park. This time of year, the vegetable pickings are a bit sparse and I am always craving a piping hot bowl of soup. So, inspired by a recipe in Deborah Madison's cookbook, Local Flavors, I have been making this potage a winter staple.

Here's the recipe:

-3 small potatoes
-6 small turnips with tender skin
-5 1/2 cups vegetable stock (or water)
-3 large leeks
-sprigs of fresh thyme
-a bit of cream
-salt and pepper to taste

Add all the vegetables and a few sprigs of thyme to a large pot. Simmer for 5 minutes in a cup of vegetable stock. Add the remaining stock (or water). Bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer gently for 25-30 minutes. Remove from heat and mix in a few spoonfuls of cream. Garnish with thyme (or parsley). Serve with good warm bread. Enjoy!

P.S. This is one of those soups that tastes even better the day after!

Hello, Summer Salad

I look forward to the farmer's market every Saturday morning. I made this salad for dinner the other night, mainly out of ingredients from the farmer's market at McCarren Park. I like salads that combine fruits and vegetables, as well as salads that combine raw and steamed vegetables. This one does both!

Ingredients:
-snow peas
-lettuce
-fresh cilantro
-fresh dill
-goat cheese
-apple
-toasted chopped almonds
-steamed broccoli
-strawberries
-olives
-cannellini beans

For the dressing, I made a berry vinaigrette.
Recipe for Berry Vinaigrette:
-1 Tbl jam (Choose a good quality jam or preserves)
-1 Tbl balsamic vinegar
-3 Tbl olive oil

Whisk together or shake it up in a jar.