Chatham Farmer's Market 10/30/10 Recap

This was our second to last market for the 2010 season.   We won't be back until the last day of the market November 20th.   As told in our last post this past week had been very busy.   We just didn't have time to think about making a side dish.  I hope that people checked out the recipe for Asian Cole Slaw because it is really good.

Yesterday was a really cold day which made for a very quiet market.   For some reason there wasn't much traffic so sales were a bit sluggish...not just for us for everyone.   Even though it was quiet we still enjoyed being there.   We got to visit with some vendors we hadn't seen in awhile, which was nice.

Theresa had to leave the market to run some errands so I manned the booth by myself for a bit.  Usually Theresa handles the grill for samples, I don't I have ever started the flame or even flipped a burger.   While she was gone it was cold and the traffic started to pick up so took it upon myself to grill up some samples.  Needless to say it was easier than I thought and I am a bit proud of myself ~ plus it was kinda fun.   Other than that it was a pretty uneventful market....hopefully the last day will go out with a bang.


Between now and then check back for any updates and information....we might even add a recipe or two.

Asian Veggie Burger with Asian Cole Slaw

It has been a really busy week...it was so busy on the non veggie burger front that we are unable to bring a side dish to the Farmer's Market Today.   Instead we offer  you a simple accompaniment to our Asian veggie burger.   I actually think it would go with all the burgers as it is a great variation on traditional Cole slaw.   Enjoy!

Oh and as a reminder after Today we won't be back to the Chatham Farmers Market until closing day November 20th.....


Asian Cole Slaw

1 large or 2 med heads of Napa Cabbage sliced thin
3 Carrots shredded
1 bunch Scallions sliced
2 T Toasted Sesames

Dressing:

2/3 C Sugar
1/2 C Rice Wine Vinegar
4 T Soy Sauce
1 1/2 C Vegetable Oil

Whisk dressing ingredients together mix with cabbage, carrots, scallions & sesame seeds.

On a round roll top Asian Burger with Cole Slaw and serve.....

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We hope you enjoy this as much as we do.....

Chatham Farmer's Market 10/23/10 Recap

I woke up Saturday to a pitch black cold morning.   I made sure I bundled myself up in layers because of the cold.   As I stepped out of the house I saw a beautiful sight....the full moon.   It was so big and bright that I could almost see the face of the Man-in-the-Moon.   I had just read that this full moon is called the Hunter's Moon....and it was obvious as to why.


By the time I got to the market Theresa and my brother Michael had already set up our tent and tables....I think Theresa can do it in her sleep.   They were both tired because my sister Ann, my brother-in-law Marc and nephew Alex were visiting over night.  Ann had just come back from accepting her Jefferson Cup Award from the Virginia Library Association.   Anyway the airport is closer to Theresa and Michael so they made a quick visit.

Theresa & Ann...notice the sweaters~

I don't know if it was because it was very cold or that there might have been lots of other things to do but the market was very slow.   The traffic just wasn't there.  The fact that my sister came down made the day worthwhile.





Ann was very funny ~ she tried to pretend she didn't know us to drum up business....here she is sampling our veggie burgers.

I didn't get a photo of them but the Market had some young dancers come for a performance...I felt bad for them because it was so cold and they only had on thin leotards.   I was so cold I had forgotten I had my camera with me.  They weren't the only entertainment....there was the Chatham Community Band Flutes who were very good:

Also at the Market this past weekend were some local students involved in the John Taylor Babbit Foundation.   This group highlights sudden cardiac arrest in children.   There was a bit of a coincidence in that the magazine called "you can save a life at school"  that the students were showcasing,  had a student on the cover that my brother-in-law Marc recognized.  She is a former student at the High School where he is Assistant Principle.  It was nice to see students getting involved in an important cause.

          


So even though we didn't have a busy week for our veggie burgers it was fun and informative at the same time.   I was just so glad my sister came to visit!

Oh our side salad went over very well...Black Bean & Corn Salad....

Black Bean & Corn Salad~

As promised here is the special side we will be selling at the Chatham Farmer's Market on Saturday Oct 23....Black Bean & Corn Salad~

Theresa thought long and hard about what side to make and she kept coming back to our Black Bean & Corn Salad....it is one of our most requested sides.  The last time we were at the market, Michelle, a mother she knows couldn't stop raving about it and asked us when we were making it again.   Like I said a popular  item indeed.   I am actually very partial to it myself....so we hope to see you tomorrow ---remember bundle up it will be a bit chilly!

Chatham Farmer's Market this Saturday!

Hi everyone we will be back this Saturday, October 23, at the Chatham Farmer's Market.  It seems like ages since we were there.   It looks like it will be a nice day albeit a bit cool.   I was glad we weren't there for the huge wind storm we had a few weeks ago.   Although it might have made for an exciting day.   We are busy preparing for this week's market.   Theresa hasn't told me what our special side will be ~ so I will get back to you on that.   Here are some photos of the our burger prep in action....

The vegetables for the Asian Veggie  Burger

I love how the Asian burgers look while the vegetables are sauteing....I wish you could them......intoxicating!

Grilling up so Asian burgers

I love how the grill up so perfectly!

Our Barbecue Burger before....

Sometimes I think we should just make a "meatloaf" out of this it looks so good!

The Barbecue burger after the grill!

Don't they look good....I guess we will stick to burgers....

Anyway off to make some Southwestern burgers.....more news tomorrow on what we are bringing Saturday!

The Italian Riviera and Riviera Market part two

The other day I wrote about how the Riviera Market sells our veggie burgers and lots of other delicious and healthy foods.   The Riviera Market is only one part of the equation as it is an extension of the Italian Riviera in Waldwick, NJ.    

The Italian Riviera is a extraordinary Italian Deli.   It has everything you would expect it to have.  It is not vegetarian but a vegetarian can definitely get  something wonderful to eat without feeling guilty.   They have eggplant parmigiana that is out of this world.   The fresh mozzarella, which is made fresh in the kitchen, is the best I have ever had.  A friend asked if they had broccoli rabe and was thrilled that they do....sauteed with garlic and oil (which I cannot duplicate )~ so good. They also have a wide variety of pasta's and sauces plus the most incredible soups you can get.   My favorite's include the mushroom with Gorgonzola and the escarole with beans.    Maryanne who used to own the deli with her husband Paul still comes in to make her famous chicken noodle and Italian Wedding soups.   Oh and Paul comes in to make the fresh mozzarella I mentioned before.  

To go along with healthy eating the Italian Riviera is also a great place to get "Gluten Free" foods.   Just last night they stocked some gluten free frozen muffins and cinnamon rolls.   They carry a line of cookies called My Dad's Cookies which are also gluten free.  There are Gluten Free Pasta's and whole grain breads and even Vegan Ravioli.....

So come by and see all that you can get at the deli to suit your vegetarian or gluten free food needs.  Oh and if ever you want to have a day to splurge on your diet just go ahead and get the best Italian sub you will ever taste!

The Italian Riviera and Riviera Market part one

I thought since we weren't at the Chatham Farmer's Market this past week I thought I would write about where the veggie burgers got started.  Theresa's sister and brother- in-law own The Italian Riviera in Waldwick NJ.   Theresa would sometimes help out in the kitchen. In fact it was because of her that their salad bar now carries the Asian Napa Cabbage Salad and the Beet Salad that we have sold at the Farmers Market.  We in turn got our Corn Salad recipe from Jose who does the cooking on the Riviera Market side of The Italian Riviera.

Fresh Produce

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Let me explain about the Italian Riviera, it is actually two stores.  Besides the Italian Deli  there is  The Riviera Market which was formally known as Fish, Fruits and Fancy Market....when Mike had owned the Italian Riviera for a few years he took over the Market thus changing it's name.  The Market is like a small gourmet food store.   It has an incredible salad bar that wins raves from it's customers.    There is also fresh fish and a butcher.   The fish is awesome....I love when a whole salmon comes in and Jose fillets it himself.   It really is an art.   The Market is known not only for the salad bar but for it's fresh vegetables and  really wonderful shrimp cocktail.....around the holidays the shrimp is pretty much cooked around the clock just to fill orders.   People come from far and wide just for the shrimp.   Another highly requested item is the chocolate covered strawberries (see above)....I met a guy who travelled the length of NJ so that he could get them for his wife's birthday.   He had moved from the area but always made a trip back just for the strawberries.

Shrimp Cocktail~delish!

Here is another hot ticket item....they smell so good when they are cooking~ Clams Casino!

Clams Casino cooking

Finished Clams Casino!

Some other highlights of the Riviera Market:

Fresh Fruit!

Fresh Fish!

What was considered fancy~seasonal candies!

Sauces & Chips!

There is so much more to the Riviera.....lots to find in a deli for Vegetarians, if you just take a look.....come by and see~  

Next up some great items for Vegetarians on the Deli side...stay tuned!

Chatham Farmer's Market 10/2/10 Recap

Today's Specials

We hadn't been to the Farmer's Market in a couple of weeks, but we were all prepared with our signs our food and our samples.   What we didn't count on was how chilly it would be (I thought it was more than chilly but I am not one to like the cold).   Although it was a bit cool it was a beautiful day without a cloud in the sky.

Theresa always likes to bring something different as our "side dish of the day"....she had me looking up events and holidays to see if we could tie our "side dish" into something pertinent. As you know from Friday's post it was World Vegetarian Day and that October is Vegetarian Awareness Month.....so she decided to do a really veggie "side dish".

As I mentioned Friday she made a Roasted Vegetable Lentil Hummus.  Instead of using chick peas she cooked up some lentils as seen in this photo:

Cooked Lentils

Here is a great photo of the roasted veggies.....I of course could have eaten them just like this:

Roasted Veggies

It was a fun day at the Market but since it was cold we kept trying to stay warm.....but again it was beautiful. Here is a Photo I took...notice how chilled Theresa looks:

Theresa shivering!

  We will return to the Chatham Farmer's Market on October 23rd so we hope to see you then. Hopefully the day will be just as beautiful.   Remember if you want anything please let us know....we have veggie burgers available to sell.   Oh and if you are in Waldwick stop by the Riviera Market and say hi!

World Vegetarian Day!

Today is World Vegetarian Day and we were busy getting ready for tomorrow's Chatham Farmer's Market.   We are bringing as our side dish of the a Roasted Vegetable Lentil Hummus.  All I know is that there is nothing like the smell of roasted vegetables. They are all my favorites: eggplant, zucchini, mushrooms, onions and garlic....love roasted garlic.  After they were done roasting I couldn't help but sneak a mushroom or two.

Turns out that World Vegetarian Day is the start of Vegetarian Awareness Month.   This is the perfect time to sample our Veggie burgers.  Stay tuned for our next Farmer's Market Recap!  In the meantime think about bringing more veggies into your life.