Farmstand to Table

One of my favorite things to do on Saturday mornings is head over to the farmers market where all the locals showcase their abundance of fresh produce.

When we're on the road, and trying not to spend a fortune eating out, our most "nutritious" meals include Denny's breakfast, a large greasy Papa Johns pizza, and McDonalds, for the most part. (You know, the only places open when the game is over at 11:00 at night).  So needless to say, when we're at home, I try to cook as healthy and fresh as possible in hopes of "counteracting" the consequences of our food choices on the road.

Here are some of the delicious dishes I have concocted that showcase all the different produce I find at the farmers market. (And I must confess, I don't hardly measure anything so when it comes to these recipe measurements I'll say what my great Grandmomma Merle used to say, "Well I don't know, just use a right smart amount!" A woman after my own heart! :)

Tomatoes

Mmmm... my absolute favorite vegetable. (Or is it a fruit?) Who cares, they're delicious.  My Grandmomma has memories of me, when I was a baby, waddling through her garden (when I could sneak away from the grown ups) and picking the ripe tomatoes off the vine, and eating them like an apple.  Well, not much has changed!

Here is one of my favorite ways to eat fresh summer tomatoes... besides slicing them and adding a dash of salt and pepper (that's the best way :)

Heirloom Tomato Tart

Peel and slice tomatoes.  Place on a paper towel and salt them. This will bring some of the moisture out of the tomato, that way the tart won't be soggy.  Bake puff pastry on 400 degrees until golden brown. Place the tomato slices on the tart and drizzle with a little olive oil and freshly ground cracked pepper.  Bake in the oven on 400 degrees for until the tomatoes are completely dehydrated and the crust is extra crispy.  Throw some julienned fresh basil on the top and the heat of the cooked tomatoes will wilt the basil and cause the oils to be released and the finished product will taste fabulous! (And if you want, you can always slice or shred some mozarella or parmesan or both, on the tart before you pop it in the oven, then it would be pizza!)

Corn

As y'all know, I'm working on a budget here with my grocery purchases, and well, when Walmart (sorry, not a farmstand for this one) is selling corn in the husk for 25 cents an ear, how could I resist?

Here are some simple, crowd (guy) pleasing, fresh corn dishes.

Simple Sauteed Corn

Peel the husks off the corn and cut the kernels off the cob(s). Heat a couple tablespoons of butter in a pan. Throw in the corn and season with salt and pepper.  Cook on medium-low heat for a few minutes.  When the corn is cooked through, add a dash of heavy cream and a generous sprinkling of parmesan cheese. It's easy as that!

Corn Succotash- this is Simple Sauteed Corn kicked up a notch!

Cut corn kernels off the cob.  Chop zucchini and cherry tomatoes the same size as the corn kernels.  Fry one piece of bacon, in the pan, until crispy. Remove bacon and throw in the corn, zucchini, and tomatoes and add a dash of salt and pepper. Saute on medium heat until vegetables are cooked through and then add a dash of heavy cream and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.  Enjoy!

Eggplant

One of Aaron's favorite Italian dishes is Eggplant Parmesan. So, when I came across these purple babies, I decided it would be a perfect opportunity to earn some brownie points!

Eggplant Parmesan

Heat up some olive oil (should cover the bottom of the pan) and slice the eggplant.  Throw the eggplant slices in the oil and let them brown for a couple minutes on each side. When they have browned, let them drain on a couple paper towels.  When all the eggplant is browned and drained, start layering your dish.  Layer marinara sauce, eggplant, and parmesan cheese in that order, for as large a dish as you're serving in.  Bake on 400 degrees until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese is melted.

Berries

My favorite kind of desserts are baked with fruit... blackberry cobbler, apple crisp, peach pie... and these rasberry turnovers were scrumptious.  I've always loved apple turnovers,  and I had some leftover puff pastry from the tomato tart so I decided to use my rasberries for this light and delicious dessert.

Rasberry Turnovers

Take a small handful of fresh rasberries (or any fruit just chop it up small) and smash them gently in a bowl.  Add the zest of half a lemon and a teaspoon of sugar. Next, throw in a heaping teaspoon of cornstarch and mix everything together.  Cut the cold puff pastry into squares and then into triangles and spoon the rasberry mixture on one triangle and cover it with the other triangle.  Mash the seams together with your fingers and then press the seams with a fork to make it look pretty.  Brush a little eggwash on the tops and place turnovers in a 400 degree oven and bake until golden brown.

Meanwhile, make the glaze.  Mix together powdered sugar with milk until you get the right consistency. Add a dash of vanilla and when the turnovers are done and slightly cooled, drizzle on top.  Yum!

And just to keep it real...

Not everything I've been making, or should I say baking, has been healthy.  This delicious dish is the Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Baked French Toast.  It was divine... but I've gotta say, a good 'ole piece or two, or three of cinnamon toast does the trick every time!

Not to mention, all of my healthy vegetables were accompanied by country fried steak and rice and gravy last night so there you have it... It's all about balance! (or that's just my excuse)

I encourage you to try these recipes... they really are so simple to make and taste sooo good!