Philly Food Swap - April 2013

So I started this blog on a whim back in 2011.  I created a couple of posts and then called it quits.  Well I'm back for another try and this post is from an event back in early April but better late than never.

Back in early April, the bestie, PW and I decided to take part in the Philly Food Swap at Reading Terminal Market. Neither of us had attended an event like this but we loved the concept and decided to give it a whirl.  Excitement intact I decided to make my famous (to me, the partner, and the cat) garlic scape pesto.  Of course I waited until the last minute but off to the Asian market I went to pick up the scapes.  It wasn't garlic scape season but I had seen some scapes at the market a couple of weeks earlier.  MISTAKE....no scapes in site.  They did have chive blossoms which looked a bit like garlic scapes and smelled like a cross between fresh grass and mild garlic so they would have to do.  Then it was back home to try a new recipe.  The first couple of test batches were not good.  Melt down commence! It got hard...it was taking up too much time...I had to go to work the next day...I don't wanna...the only people at this event are going to boring housewives...who else has the time (no offense! I was out of my mind!). I called PW and she said, "get over it...we're going".   

Long story short...I'm so glad we did.  It was a fantastic event and I had a truly great time!  To begin, I was blown away by the diversity of the group.  While certainly heavily female there was a variety of ages, genders, backgrounds, and a sizable smattering LGBT folks which rocked! Everyone brought creative and interesting products that I was so excited to get my hands on.

My garlic scape pesto was a hit as were PW's balsamic onions.  And I walked away with a variety of goodies, including sauerkraut, radish pickles, lemoncello, macaroons, lemon curd, a dozen fresh eggs, cakes, pickled veggies, and more!

A big thanks goes out to the organizers and I will definitely be there next time!

Recipe - Chive Blossom Pesto

3 cups large chive blossoms cut into 1 inch pieces
1 cup toasted walnuts
1 cup shredded parm
1 cup extra virgin olive oil (more or less depending on your desired consistency)
S&P

I don't think this needs a lot of explanation...essentially whir the first 3 ingredients together in a food processor and then slowly add in the olive oil until you reach your desired consistency.  Enjoy on pasta or I really love a dollop added to steamed veggies (especially french green beans).

Blueberry Pickin'

Ahhhhh.....pickin' (of any kind) takes me back to my roots!  I love to be out in the fields early in the morning while the dew is still on the grass.  After meeting at my place (See: Ways I feel fancy)(See: Why we moved to Rittenhouse Square)(See: Stuff White People Like Stuff White People Like: Picking Their Own Fruit)  at 8:00am and taking the GPS recommended but wrong way out the city we arrived at Linvilla Orchards at about 9:00am.  Linvilla Orchards was hosting the Blueberry Festival and we headed out with out empty cartons.

Linvilla Orchards




Before



We arrived at the fields at the perfect time.  It was cool and quiet and we were able to spread out and pick some blueberries while enjoying our own thoughts. 

 As we were wrapping up about a half hour later the atmosphere had completely changed.  Every annoying former sorority sister showed up with her annoying child so we were out.  But...not without our treasures!



July 9th: Beethoven's 5th at the Mann Center

Last night my girlfriend and I and another couple went to the Mann Center to see the Pittsburg Synphony Orchestra perform Beethoven's 5th. 

The Mann Center: Philadelphia

The Mann Center is a fantastic outdoor performing center located in the heart of Fairmount Park.  We packed up a picnic and the lawns chairs and headed out early.  The show didn't start until 8:00pm but we arrived at 6:00pm to enjoy the scenery, some eats, and social time.  Plus at $10 lawn tickets it's a great deal!

If I have to see one more Garlic Scape...

In order to feed my need to feel "fancy" (see also: why we moved to Rittenhouse Square) (see also: I'm such a cool hipster that Whole Foods is beneath me) (see also: my new chair and a half from Crate and Barrel) I joined a CSA. In all honesty I fully support Community-supported Agriculture and love the idea of a group of individuals who pledge to back and share the risks and benefits of local farming.

Our particular CSA consists of a semi-weekly pick-up of veggies and eggs from Wimer's Organics.

The Spectacular Wimer's Organics     

Our first box consisted of bunches of veggies but the star was certainly the Garlic Scapes.  I had never heard of garlic scapes and the fact that I was getting such a unique item in our first box made me feel all kinds of exclusive!

Garlic scapes (if they are new to you too) are the "flower stalks" of hardneck garlic plants.  These stalks start to appear a month or so after the first leaves. They are usually cut off of the plant, since leaving them on only diverts the plants strength away from forming a plump bulb. If left on, they eventually form small bulbs that can be planted to grow more garlic. 

Let me tell you...the Garlic Scapes were good.  They had a very slightly nutty and had a very mild garlic taste, but there's only so much you can do with them.  I made my poor girlfriend eat so many scapes that she eventually said no more!

Our favorite meal using the scapes was a take off of  a pizza that we had at Barbuzzo.

Barbuzzo - Philadelphia

I used pre-made pizza dough and made a quick white sauce.  Then I added the garlic scapes and zucchini that I sauteed in olive oil.  The crowning glory (and the idea that I directly stole from Barbuzzo) is the farm fresh egg cracked on top.  It was TASTY!!!