Oregon's Early Fall Bounty

Within five miles of my home, I am blessed with at least four local produce stands and farms. It is one of my most favorite things in the world to take an hour or so and do my weekly shopping for fruit and veg while supporting my local community.

My first stop today was Oregon Heritage Farms where they have the BEST Honey Crisp apples in the world. And I am NOT exaggerating! I managed to resist their scrumptious homemade apple cider donuts! Oh my heavens, did they smell divine! My haul here included:

• 5 pound bag of Honey Crisp apples
• 2 mini spaghetti squashes
• 2 small green bell peppers
• 2 small cucumbers
• 6 ears of corn on the cob
• 1 huge squash (no clue on the variety but looked like fun)

Stop number two was Smith Berry Barn. Not only does this quaint little market have amazing produce, but they have a huge U-Pick area and an adorable gift shop and ice cream/espresso shop. Lots of goodies here:

• 1 cantaloupe
• 1 Walla Walla onion
• 6 Maryhill peaches
• 1 carton of multi-colored cherry tomatoes
• 1 bag of multi-colored mini potatoes
• 2 leeks
• local honey
• local grainy mustard

I have two other favorite farm stands that I frequent but I already blew my wad for today. Lolich's Family Farm (no website but they are located on Scholls Ferry Road) is definitely one of the best! They are such a friendly family and exceptionally proud of their top-quality produce. Another nearby treasure is Baggenstos Farm, known for their killer potatoes and pumpkins. Good stuff.  I still have some of their amazing Yukon Gold potatoes left over from last week. Lucky me!  

I will hit all of these lovely places frequently while I still can! They will close at the end of October which makes me pout for awhile. A long while, to be honest.

Yes, I could feed a small army with all of this goodness. Jim and I will definitely eat well this week, and some lucky dinner guests will get a feast tomorrow night at our table. Here are a few dishes that I have on deck for this week:

• The beginning stage of German Potato Salad is in the crockpot right now. We will have that tonight with schnitzel sandwiches on homemade pretzel buns and a fresh cucumber tomato salad.
• For our night of entertaining, we will have prosciutto-wrapped cantaloupe for an appetizer, honey mustard salmon, corn on the cob, the above-mentioned mystery squash, and a peach crisp for dessert.
• Potato leek soup with those yummy leeks, multi-colored potatoes and Walla Walla onion.
• Caprese spaghetti squash bowls.
• Egg scramble for breakfast with green bell pepper, Walla Walla onions and ham. Maybe I will add some roasted tomatoes too just because I can!

Happy Friday! I hope you get to spend some time this weekend finding yummy local produce and cooking up a storm! For those of you who are enjoying the labors of your garden...I am so jealous! No green thumbs here!! If you have too many tomatoes and zucchini, send them my way :) You might magically see them turned into a delicious treat on your doorstep :)

Caprese Spaghetti Squash Bowls

One of my earlier boxes during berry season.

Testing the Water

Yes, it has been awhile. Life just keeps rolling along and I haven't been very good about documenting it here on the old blog. We are still out and about, doing our "weekend warrior" thing to the extreme. Long story, short.... I am thinking of a new career idea and would love your input. I thought that working in education would be the right "midlife crisis" job for me, but I have learned that is not the case. Ultimately, food has always been my passion. I am happiest and at my best in the kitchen. While I am not a trained chef by any means, one of my proudest accomplishments is getting a tasty meal on the table each night. Simple, seasonal, usually pretty easy to prepare, using up ingredients in my stash...these are my strengths as a home cook.

So here is my idea, folks! Every Sunday in the local newspaper, one of my favorite grocery stores publishes their sale ad. Yesterday as I was sipping my coffee, I made a list of what I wanted to get for the week based on what was on special. I also made a weekly menu using these ingredients. Is there any interest in me sharing my list and menu with you? Would you consider joining a subscription service at a very minimal cost to receive my weekly shopping lists, menus and recipes? And for you locals, would you be interested in hiring me to do your shopping and cooking for the week? I would customize a plan and fee that would be affordable, and work with your palate and any special considerations. I would shop for your groceries, come in to your kitchen and prepare 4-5 yummy main dishes, prep the accompanying sides, clean up and leave you with simple, delicious food for the week.

Here is my weekly menu for dinners this week:

Grill: Turkey Burgers served with Bacon Asparagus Bundles and blueberries.

Crockpot (make into two meals): Pork Roast (half made into Carnitas Tacos with Peach Salsa and Guacamole; half made into Pulled Pork Sandwiches served with Apple Slaw and Watermelon)

Oven: Spicy Lemon Lime Shrimp served with brown rice and Greek Salad

Stovetop: Mango Chicken Sausages with Caramelized Walla Walla Onions and Bell Peppers served with Fruit Salad

With the subscription, I would provide the grocery list and all recipes (I will also provide a bonus dessert recipe!). With the cooking service, I would work with you to fine-tune the menu and do all the work!

Comments? Suggestions? I would love your input! Thanks so much!!

xoxoxoxo
Paris