Yep, Fall has Arrived

And baking season begins!

From Market to Table

I am starting to stock up on some Moss Street Market staples before the market wraps up for the year. Last week, I bought honey, dill pickles and bread and butter pickles in addition to some locally grown spinach, basil and green beans.

I used the spinach and basil to make one of my favourite dishes, Pesto Salmon. I've made this dish so often that I no longer follow a recipe, but it is basically traditional pesto (minus the parmesan) and bulked out with spinach and some vegetable stock. The resulting sauce is poured over some salmon and baked in the oven in a casserole dish. The salmon is more or less poached in the very yummy sauce and is always nice and moist. I serve it over brown rice.

I know, it doesn't look too appealing, but it very tasty and very healthy!

Container Gardening

I wasn't going to do anything with my new-to-me balcony this year. The floor needs to be repainted and I was too overwhelmed with indoor renovations to deal with the outside (although I did plant a tomato plant which is presently holding about 100 green tomatoes that I doubt will ever ripen). Despite my plans, my mom came to visit recently and she insisted on buying me some brackets for the planters I already had. I wasn't going to put them up, but then I did.

And, once the planters were up, I couldn't resist planting them! I decided to plant edible plants and went with strawberries, pansies and two types of lettuce. They should all survive the winter on the west coast.

I am very happy with how they turned out! I think they really give my boring balcony some life!

And, in case of an earthquake, I can make a salad!

From Market to Table

I started off my Saturday with my weekly trip to the farmer's market. I brought home tomatoes, carrots, basil, hazelnut whole wheat bread, zucchini and a chocolate brioche.

Next, I ate the brioche. Mmmmm. Then, I chopped up the zucchini and tomatoes (plus some onion).

I then layered the tomatoes, zucchini and onions along with basil, parmesan, olive oil and salt and pepper in a ceramic pie plate. And I added another layer. And another.

And then I baked it.

That night, I stirred my summer casserole in with some pasta.

The next day, I had it for lunch with froccacia and goat cheese.

Good eats!

It's Muffin Season!

What's that you say? You weren't aware of muffin season? You can recognize muffin season by the cooling temperatures and fridges filling with wilting berries and giant zucchinis. You might feel a strange desire for cinnamon and oats.

I started off my muffin season with Black and Blue Muffins, following a recipe from Kootenay Bliss. I altered this recipe by adding blueberries and replacing the buttermilk with soy milk. Yum!

Pizza Night!

I had another pizza night with the girls a while back. We had a great time planning our toppings and then downed the cheesy goodness. It was cool enough to use the oven for a couple of hours, but still summery enough to justify my favourite summer beverage, the Coco Loco.

Pesto, yellow squash, pine nut and mozzarella

Pesto, pear and brie on the left and a traditional tomato, basil and mozzarella on the right

Tomato, salami, caramelized onion, olive, feta and mozzarella

And, for those so inclined, the recipe for the Coco Loco is as follows:

• 1 oz coconut rum
• juice of half a lime
• splash of grenadine
• lots of ice
• 7-up (as much as you'd like, I use about 1 cup)

Stir together and top with a paper umbrella (optional)

To Market, To Market

All I have to say is, "Qu'ils mangent de la brioche!"

Warm Spinach and Potato Salad with Prawns

I love warm spinach salads. Here is a new one in three easy steps:

(1) Toss par-boiled new potatoes with lemon juice, olive oil and oregano and fry on the stove until golden (add a bit of butter too) and mix with spinach while still hot (use remaining oils as dressing with a bit of added lemon juice).

(2) Fry prawns in olive oil, lemon, oregano and butter (beware of sizzling lemon juice - ouch!).

(3) Load everything onto a plate and enjoy!

A Nip in the Air

I have felt a certain telltale crispness in the air the past few weeks, but I am loath to use the f-word yet. Instead, I will drown my sorrows in maple syrup (along with some cinnamon french toast and very summery peaches).

It's Time for a Dance Party!

All of my closet doors (22 panels) have been painted and hung. Let's dance!