thankful: indoor market, paoli local foods and a new cookbook to explore

I am thankful for: morning after Thanksgiving baking -- pumpkin oat muffins. They turned out perfectly.

The indoor farmers' market on Saturday had what you might expect: squash, potatoes, bread and flour. But it also had the unexpected: spinach (lots of it), mushrooms, and tomatoes. There were so many people, which was great to see.

After the market and on the way to Illinois, Troy and I stopped at Paoli Local Foods, which is a nice bike ride away from Madison. Upon entering the small store you are offered tea or coffee and samples of spinach and goat cheese. The shopping experience is pleasant, offering a wide variety of local food items and hand-crafted items such as the soy candle I bought. I left with a cinnamon-scented candle in a mason jar and a bag of whole wheat flour. I hope to return soon though, when I have a way to keep food cold for the car ride (or maybe bike ride).

Thanks to everyone who commented or e-mailed me about what cookbook I should try cooking from locally next. I decided on The Joy of Cooking (thanks, Lexy) and upon first glances, it looks incredible. Tomorrow I'll update my first recipe using local ingredients endeavor.

polling the nations

Dear Reader,

It's time to start anew (after Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday, of course). Any votes for which cookbook I should explore next?

Happy Thanksgiving,

Amanda

oh yeah, and this.

Did you hear that Oxford University Press just declared "locavore" the Word of the Year?

current fave food read

I'm still eating a bizarre concoction of food as I attempt to finish-off old pantry and freezer items. It's strange lumping ingredients together rather than following a recipe that tastes so much better. I got used to planning, prepping etc, that now it feels wrong to be able to throw canned beans over rice, add some vegetables, and call it a meal. I actually can't wait to start fresh with local winter farmers' market ingredients and explore other cookbooks.

When I actually find the time, I sit in my rocking chair and read a good book with some coffee or hot cocoa. Right now I am really enjoying The United States of Arugula which details the culinary history of American food. I highly recommend it.

Just checking-in, waiting for Saturday's indoor farmers' market. Will report back. I love the indoor farmers' market -- less crowded and always full of surprises (like spinach in December).