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Tom Spicer Wants You to Get Sauced

Get down and mushroom-y with Tom Spicer.

Bring your own wine to Spiceman’s Absolutely Unusual Culinary Extravaganza. For those of you still using Morton’s salt, Spiceman is Tom Spicer, forager and procurer of all-things-produce. His wonderfully offbeat shop, Spiceman’s FM 1410, is next to Jimmy’s Food Store and Urbano Café in East Dallas. This Saturday (November 21) Spiceman will teach a few cooking classes. Festivities kick off at 10:30 a.m. with roux making and continue with wild mushroom paella cooked by The Spiceman over a bonfire and duck and Andouille gumbo by David Anthony. Spiceman says,  “Come dine, bring yo wine and loose yo mind at Spiceman’s Gumbo ‘n da Garden!” Wild mushrooms? Oh, yes. 1410-B Fitzhugh. 214-954-7974.
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Something to Do Tonight: Mockingbird Station Farmer’s Market

Top Chef doesn’t start until 9. This leaves you plenty of time to visit the Mockingbird Station Farmer’s Market tonight from 5–9. Mock Station is partnering with the White Rock Local Market (among others) to bring you lots of goodies to eat. The North Texas Food Bank will also be there collecting donations and canned goods, and people who purchase something will get one of those handy reusable shopping bags (the kind that appear to have multiplied overnight in my pantry and trunk).

Speaking of Top Chef, I’ve missed a few episodes lately. Still hoping for Jennifer or Kevin to win…are they both still in? I know Bravo would tell me but I don’t want other spoilers.

Tucker Farms in Ennis Offers a “Vegetable Club”

Farmer Jerry Tucker and his family have been living and raising produce in the Ennis area since 1959.  From 1972 to 1995, they were the proprietors of Tucker’s Grocery in nearby Garrett where they sold produce they raised themselves in a nearby garden. They’re out of the grocery store business but the continue to grow crops.

Today, Eatgreendfw.com. announces a newly formed Community Supported Agriculture program. If you become a $500 shareholder you will receive 32 weeks of home grown vegetables. For around  $16 a week you’ll get a half bushel with about 20 pounds of seasonal vegetables every week for at least 32 weeks. And, depending on the growing season and Tucker Farms planned greenhouses, the season could be longer! Check out the details and other market information at Eatgreendfw.com.

Update on Chapman Chile Kitchen in Dallas

I stopped by Shed 2 at the Dallas Farmers Market on Saturday to catch up with Fran Chapman. She was there with the other specialty food vendors selling 32-ounce containers of Chapman’s bison chili (mild, spicy, and 50/50) and their stuffed jalapenos. Things are picking up for the Chapman—Randal still runs the store on Carroll Ave. near Munger Place and Fran works the DFM on the weekends. They plan to ramp up production for the Farmers Market and hope to sell to other local outlets as well. (Attention Central Market, Whole Foods, and locavore restaurants—local bison chili is now available.) Between running a restaurant and the stand at the DFM, Fran and Randal have four kids. Saturday they all came down to help Fran shut down the stand.

Fall Cooking Classes at the Dallas Farmers Market

The American Institute of Wine & Food and the Dallas Farmers Market Friends have released the schedule for the 16th year of  cooking classes at the Dallas Farmers Market. The classes feature local chefs and begins on Saturday, October 24th.  Classes are held every Saturday from 11:30am until 1:00pm. This season will feature Samir Dhurandhar (Nick & Sam’s), Tiffany Derry (Go Fish Ocean Club), Garreth Dickey (Hibiscus), Tre Wilcox (Loft 610), and Anthony Bombaci (Nana). Jump for details. (more…)

Peppers and Pottery Added to Sunday’s Milestone Farmers Market

Hand-crafted stoneware from Work In Clay and peppers from a Corsicana greenhouse are new additions to the Milestone Farmers Market, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 18 at the Milestone Culinary Arts Center at 4531 McKinney Ave. The market features more than a dozen producers selling cheese, herbs, vegetables, grass-fed meat and poultry and a variety of artisanal foods and other products from producers featured on EatGreenDFW.com.  Products available will include:

A variety of grass-fed meats (including hamburger), free-range chicken and eggs from Dominion Farms and JZJ Natural Beef;

Cheese, caramel and drinkable yogurt from Lucky Layla Farms

Peppers from Corsicana pepper grower Jeff Carter

A variety of artisanal foods including  spice blends from Good Spice Specialty Foods; sweet salsas and chips from Dread Head Chef; home made pasta and Italian sausage from Lucido Pasta and Herbs; preservative-free cookies from Stephanie’s Premium Bakery; French/American pastries from Florine Bowman;  olive oil and vinegars from Texas Olive Oil; and hand-crafted dog treats from Biscuit Head Bakery

Handmade items including candles and soap from Abundantly Aromatic; hand-thrown stoneware from Work In Clay; and eco-friendly hats from Millinerium

And cookbooks from author Ginnie Bivona.

More information.

Neighborhood Farmers Market vs City Health Department Update

Here is a recent memorandum from ssistant city manager, AC Gonzalez, to the Mayor and the City Council on the recent developments concerning local neighborhood markets. SPOILER ALERT: a committee and 90 days. Neighborhood Farmers Market Memo.

50 Incredible Lectures for the Ultimate Foodie

A nice lady named Amber Johnson sends you this link to 50 Incredible Lectures for the Ultimate Foodie. I’ve spent the last 90 minutes dipping into the video library and I could spend the rest of the day curled up on the couch watching them all. So far I’ve scanned “Craig Claiborne and the Invention of Food Journalism,” “Food Writing Forum: Eat, Memory,” and Ferran Adria: A Day at elBulli”. Bookmark the site and save it for a rainy day.

Chapman Chile House in Dallas in Peril, Ctd.

I just spoke with Fran Chapman. She is in her car and headed to the Dallas Farmers Market. “I have movers behind me with a refrigerator,” she said. “I will be open today as soon as I can pay my fee.” She will be in Shed Two selling 32-ounce containers of Chapman’s chili and packages of stuffed jalapenos. Y’all, head down to Shed Two. It’s a perfect fall day to load up on chili.

Chapman Chile House in Peril

Pour yourself a another cup of coffee, this is a sad tale. Remember when I told you about the Dallas Health Department shutting down the Farmers Market at Celebration by requiring vendors to have mechanical refrigeration? I just got off the phone with Randal Chapman of Chapman Chile House in East Dallas. He says the DHD has also shut down Green Spot and Bolsa (unconfirmed). “Losing those Farmers Markets was really huge for us,” said Randall. “We were supplementing our income at them every weekend.”

Oh, it gets worse. Check out the blog post from Chapman’s website yesterday (T/H to CB ):

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2009
The Will To Survive:

We may not be able to overcome the location, size and hours we are open. Our son, Graham, and me have had flu symptoms all week so I have not been in to help Fran. It seems clear that the owner of the building has no interest in renovation and therefore we will not be able to expand. I need to focus all my efforts on finding a job so we can at least keep our house even if we have to close the kitchen.
I apologize if this sounds doom and gloom but it looks like we need some kind of miracle.

Health Department issues aside, Randal and Fran are cursed with a “slumlord” who refuses to “get the construction of our expansion” going. (The tiny spot on Carroll and Worth has plans to add an additional dining room.) “He tells us the building isn’t for sale,” said Randall. “But he doesn’t care about this place. He bought it in the mid-80s and it’s just chump change to him.”

Jump for the rest. (more…)

Is the City of Dallas Health Department Shutting Down Local Farmers Markets?

I’ve been hearing rumors for weeks that city officials were making the rounds and visiting the small farmers markets that have cropped up in spots such as Celebration, Bolsa, and North Haven Gardens. Now comes official word from Ed Lowe of Celebration. They have shut him down and he’s going to the Dallas City Council.

The City of Dallas Health Department has decided that the Celebration Farmers Market is in violation of certain codes. Celebration was told on 2 previous occasions that we could operate a Farmers Market in our parking lot under our existing permits. We strongly believe that all food handling practices and food products at the Farmers Market were perfectly safe. We have complied strictly with all Health Department codes for 38 years and take our responsibility to public health VERY SERIOUSLY.

We appreciate the warm welcome and support that you’ve provided our Saturday Farmers Market. We believe that what we along with our wonderful vendors are offering is a safe, fun and convenient setting for you to purchase healthy, delicious, local produce and other products.

We are going to approach the Dallas City Council to explore how the code can be modified to allow the Celebration Farmers Markets and others like us to provide a valuable service to the citizens of Dallas while protecting the public health.

I have contacted Ed and asked him for instructions on how you can sign the petition he plans to take to the Dallas City Council. Stay tuned. (OMG, I can hear Amy Severson already.)

Dallas Farmers Market: Weekend of August 14

Local Farmers are in Shed One at the Dallas Farmers Market.

Hey, Farmer groupies. Grab you cloth bags and head to the Dallas Farmers Market this weekend. Here is what you can expect to find.

Angela’s Farm – onions – red, yellow and white, yellow squash, zucchini, cucumbers, OKRA! and peas.

Arce Park Farms – Heirloom tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and cowpeas.

-Beef all grass finished; salad-bar beef – strong Red & Black Angus influenced

Berry Best Farm – Organic Blueberries

Birch Creek Farms – cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, acorn, yellow and butternut squash, cucumbers, zucchini.

Comeback Creek – tomatoes, blueberries, peppers, okra, peaches, and plums – are starting a CSA group.

Fred’s Alaska Seafood – salmon and crab legs.

Haney Farm – organic eggs & will be bringing cherry tomatoes also until it gets too hot for them to produce. They feed only organic feed from Coyote Creek mill, the only USDA certified organic feed mill in Texas, and pasture/free-range our hens, no cages, and they have access to fresh grass year ’round.

Harmony Harvest – eggs and veggies- also has CSA group.

Heddin Family Farm – Texas Cream peas, Purple Hulls and Black eye peas, green beans, green tomatos, Cayenne Peppers, Jalapeño Peppers, squash, red new potato’s, zucchini, pickling cucumbers.

J.T. Lemley – yellow squash, 8-ball squash, tomatos, onions, peaches, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, plums, blackberries, cucumbers, new potato’s, sweet yellow onions.

John Lucido –herb plants and of course his herb pasta and canned goodies.

JuHa – pork, lamb, sausage, eggs, beef, and pastured poultry.

Kitchen Pride – Mushrooms – Oyster, Portabella, Baby Bells, and White Button

La Esperanza Farm – squash, onions, okra, eggplant

Lightsey Farm – peaches, onions, figs, plums, blackberries, green beans, zucchini and peas.

Mill Creek Farms is also bringing in squash, potatoes and peas.

Northstar Ranch – Beef and pork –

Orchid Garden with specialty plants and orchids.

P.O.P. Acres will be here on Friday’s and Saturday’s

-steaks, roasts, stew-meats (great for summer grilling). They are also bringing in a few scallop squash that are Organic.

Savoy Sorbet – Saturday afternoons & Sunday’s – herbal infused sorbet from her herb garden; currently offering Chamomile Orange, Rose Geranium Raspberry, Lavender, Rosemary Lime Chablis, Lemon xxx, Apple Mint, and Anise. New Flavor – Mojito

Sonny Ferrell – figs, peppers, and onions

TEXAS MEATS Super Natural will always be 100% grass fed beef and lamb, pastured chicken and pork, eggs from free ranging hens, farmstead cheese.

TxHoneybee Guild – local and zip code honey, comb honey, honey sticks and bee pollen.

TxLonghorn Cooperative – Saturday’s and Sunday’s with certified Longhorn Beef – regular cuts, beef sticks, sausage and smoked bones for dogs!

Wackym’s Kitchen – Newest Cookie Flavor – Salted Caramel.  Brown sugar and sea salt.

Dallas & Fort Worth Food Events

Warwick Melrose’s Library Bar will host a FREE free wine tasting from 7 – 9 p.m tonight. This month will be a Sauvignon Blanc tasting of the following: Chateau de Sancerre, Loire Valley; Casa Lapostolle, Chilean; Cape Mentelle, Australian.

Also, Tuesday night’s happy hour special is Jazz & Classics Tuesdays, now from 5 – 9 p.m. The Library Bar offers some of Dallas’ best live jazz six nights a week, and on Tuesdays it gets even better, when you pair smooth sounds with smooth sips of five classic cocktails or a glass of wine for $6.

Bonnell’s Restaurant in Fort Worth. Chef Bonnell will be on The Early Show on Saturday, August 22nd  from 6:00a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Chef Bonnell is also repeating his popular “Wine 101” on both September 15th and the 17th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Taste twenty-six different types of wine, everything from the inexpensive to the rare “cult” wines, while exploring the basics of wine tasting.  Heavy appetizers will also be provided as Chef Bonnell shares the basics of wine and food pairings. $120 per person. Deets.

Jimmy’s Food Store: The cheese truck has just arrived with Burrata, Strachino, Caprino and Robiola.  They also received smoked Scamorza, Tomini, Mulino Bianco Cookies, Kinder Candies, Nutella, Crodino and Pavesi Crackers. Note: “We will hold cheese pre-orders until Friday.  I ordered a few extra for those who missed the deadline.  The extras will be sold on a first come basis.” They’re also holding a FREE sparkling wine tasting on Thursday the 13th from 5:00 to 7:00.  There will be about 10 wines to try with some meats and cheeses.

State & Allen Lounge: “We’ve recently updated our wine list with vintages that are perfect for summer. Come sit on the patio and enjoy a glass tonight!” (list below.)

Milestone Farmers Market Next Sunday. Hand crafted, eco-friendly hats, headwear and accessories from The Millenarium, one of the newest members of EatGreenDFW.com, will be available at the next Milestone Farmers Market from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 16 at the Milestone Culinary Arts Center, 4531 McKinney Ave. (vendor list below.)

Market Street Plano: Road to Riches Summer Game Road Rally on Saturday, August 22, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (details below)
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Dallas Farmers Market Report: August 8

Local Farmers are in Shed One at the Dallas Farmers Market.

Looks like a bountiful weekend at the Dallas Farmers Market. Here is what you can expect to find.

Jump for the list.

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The Perfect Dallas Summer Drink

Make this drink, it will make you feel better.

Last week I hit the Dallas Farmers Market and picked up so much fruit I almost didn’t know what to do with it. After making blueberry and peach ice cream for the kids, I decided to use some of the leftovers for the adults. First, I squeezed a couple of fresh lemons into a glass, added a teaspoon-ish of sugar, an ounce-ish of Dr. Blueberry juice and a couple of fresh berries, and topped it with Tito’s Vodka and club soda. (I found the Dr. Blueberry Juice next to J.T. Lemley in Shed One.) Worked for me.

Dallas Farmers Market Report: July 10-12

This weekend the Dallas Farmers Market will be waxing vegetables and waning berries.  Get there early if you are looking for fresh meat. The tomatoes and onions are glorious. (Let’s make an onion tart.) If anyone sees Heather Duncan and her lavender lemonade, shoot me her location. I haven’t been able to find her. Grab all of your groovy cloth bags, head down, and report back. Love to hear what you bought.

Local Farmers are in Shed One at the Dallas Farmers Market.

Angela’s Farm – lots of onions – red, yellow and white! Yellow squash, zucchini, cucumbers, okra, peas are starting to come in

Arce Park Farms – tomatoes, onions, elephant garlic, peppers and eggplant. Possibly cowpeas.

Berry Best Farm – Organic Blueberries

Birch Creek Farms – cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, acorn, yellow and butternut squash, cucumbers, zucchini,

Comeback Creek – tomatoes, blueberries, peppers, okra, peaches, plums

Dan Massey – Cream red new potatoes, yellow straight neck squash, green zucchini, Blue Lake green beans, Japanese cantaloupe, Crimson Sweet watermelons, seedless watermelons, Small Jubilee watermelons, Black Diamond watermelons, blackberries and jalapeño peppers, Black-eyes and Purple Hull peas (weather pending), tomato’s

Dis-n-Dat – eggs

Fred’s Alaska Seafood – salmon and crab legs

Fretwell Produce – okra, yellow crook neck squash, patty pan squash, 8-ball squash, gold and green zucchini, cucumbers, eggplant, red new potatoes, Pablano peppers, Jalapeño peppers, sweet banana, Marconi pepper, green bell peppers, white 1015’s and purple sweet onions

Haney Farm – eggs & will be bringing cherry tomatoes also until it gets too hot for them to produce

Harmony Harvest – eggs and veggies- also has CSA group

Heather Duncan – fresh cut flower bouquets out of her garden, herbs and cucumbers. She also has a recipe for Lavender Lemonade made from her own lavender!

Heddin Family Farm – Texas Cream peas, Purple Hulls and Black eye peas, green beans, green tomatoes, Cayenne Peppers, Jalapeño Peppers, squash, red new potatoes, zucchini, pickling cucumbers

J.T. Lemley – yellow squash, 8-ball squash, tomatoes, onions, peaches, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, plums, blackberries, cucumbers, new potatoes, sweet yellow onions

John Lucido –herb plants and of course his herb pasta and canned goodies

JuHa – pork, lamb, sausage, eggs, beef, and pastured poultry.

JZJ Beef – Beefmaster beef, beef jerky, and beef sticks!

Kitchen Pride – Mushrooms – Oyster, Portabella, Baby Bells, and White Button

La Esperanza Farm – variety of spring vegetables – can’t even list them all!

Lightsey Farm – peaches, onions, potato’s, plums, blackberries, green beans, zucchini, apricots

Mill Creek Farms is also bringing in squash, potatoes and peas

Northstar Ranch – Beef and pork –

Orchid Garden with specialty plants and orchids

Savoy Sorbet – Sunday’s – herbal infused sorbet from her herb garden; currently offering Chamomile Orange, Rose Geranium Raspberry, Lavender, Rosemary Lime Chablis, Lemon, Apple Mint, and Anise

TxHoneybee Guild – local honey and zip code honey

TxLonghorn Cooperative – Saturday’s and Sunday’s with certified Longhorn Beef – regular cuts, beef sticks, sausage and smoked bones for dogs!

TEXAS MEATS Super Natural will always be 100% grass fed beef and lamb, pastured chicken and pork, eggs from free ranging hens, farmstead cheese.

Wackym’s Kitchen – Newest Cookie Flavor – Salted Caramel.  Brown sugar
and sea salt

Farmers Market Report: July 4th Weekend

Look for these markers and buy.

Glorious produce this weekend at the market. Below is the official list from the market Last week I couldn’t find Heather Duncan, I really wanted to get the Lavender Lemonade recipe.Also, try the cookies at Wackym’s Kitchen. Go early, the grass-fed beef sells out fast.

Angela’s Farm – lots of onions – red, yellow and white! Yellow squash, zucchini, cucumbers, okra, peas are starting to come in

Berry Best Farm – Organic Blueberries

Birch Creek Farms – acorn and yellow squash, cucumbers, zucchini, new potato’s – Yukon gold and red Pontiac potato’s, purple top turnips, – THEY are selling out fast every weekend so be here early!

Comeback Creek – blueberries, onions, garlic, peppers, cucumbers, and squash

Coopers Organic Farm with certified organic onions

Dan Massey – Cream red new potato’s, yellow straight neck squash, green zucchini, Blue Lake green beans, Japanese cantaloupe, Crimson Sweet watermelons, seedless watermelons, Small Jubilee watermelons, Black Diamond watermelons, blackberries and jalapeño peppers, Black-eyes and Purple Hull peas (weather pending), tomato’s

Dis-n-Dat – eggs

Fred’s Alaska Seafood – salmon and crab legs

Fretwell Produce – okra, yellow crook neck squash, patty pan squash, 8-ball squash, gold and green zucchini, cucumbers, eggplant, red new potato’s, pablano peppers, jalapeño peppers, sweet banana, Marconi pepper, green bell peppers, white 1015’s and purple sweet onions

Haney Farm – eggs

Harmony Harvest – eggs and veggies- also has CSA group

Heather Duncan – cut flower bouquets out of her garden, she also has a recipe for Lavender Lemonade made from her own lavender!

Heddin Family Farm – Texas Cream peas, Purple Hulls and Black eye peas, green beans, green tomato’s, Cayenne Peppers, Jalapeño Peppers, squash, red new potato’s, zucchini, pickling cucumbers

J.T. Lemley – yellow squash, 8-ball squash, tomato’s, onions, peaches, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, plums, blackberries, cucumbers, new potato’s, sweet yellow onions

Joe Smith Farms – hanging baskets of flowers and annuals/perennials to plant – really great deals and good for garden pots

John Lucido – still has some herb plants and of course his herb pasta and canned goodies

JuHa – Pork and Goat meat, eggs

JZJ Beef – Beefmaster beef, beef jerky, and beef sticks!

Kitchen Pride – Mushrooms – Oyster, Portabella, Baby Bells, and White Button

La Esperanza Farm – variety of spring vegetables – can’t even list them all!

Lightsey Farm – peaches, onions, potato’s, plums, blackberries, green beans, zucchini, apricots

Mill Creek Farms is also bringing in squash, potato’s and peas

Northstar Ranch – Beef and pork

Orchid Garden with specialty plants and beautiful orchids

Savoy Sorbet – Sundays – herbal infused sorbet from her herb garden

TxHoneybee Guild – local honey and zip code honey

TxLonghorn Cooperative – Saturday’s and Sunday’s with certified Longhorn Beef

Dallas Farmers Market: The Baker Man, Paul Wackym

Paul Wackym makes wacky-good cookies. I met him (and his cookies) in Shed 1 at the Dallas Farmers Market.  Last night I ate six of his margarita with Key lime and sea salt cookies for dinner. Check him out.

Somebody Help This Poor Girl: Eight Ball Squash

Texas produce is pretty.

Or zucchini. Or both. Aren’t they pretty? Somebody tell me what to do with them.

Mama Ida Ice Cream Social at The Dallas Farmers Market: The Winners

Mama Ida and the winning team of Joshua Webster, Elvin Westbrook, Charles Miller, and Aaron Cessac.

Full disclosure:  I overslept and missed the ice cream tasting, but I did get down to the Dallas Farmers Market in time to meet the winners and take their pictures. The 3rd Annual Mama Ida Ice Cream Social is a fundraiser for the Dallas Farmers Market Friends, founded by Ida Papert.  Local culinary students and kids from the Dallas County Youth Village are given local ingredients and a chance to compete for a cash prize.

Congratulations this year go to “Reckless Abandonment,” a sub team of Le Cordon Bleu Cooking School for their roasted fig and brandy ice cream. And kudos to Parigi chef Chad Hauser for immediately asking the winners to supply his restaurant with their ice cream.

Dallas Farmers Market Report: It’s Pea Time

I bought some Texas cream peas last week in East Texas and they were delicious. I cooked them in chicken stock with big hunks of Noonday onions and thyme from my herb garden. However when I really get ambitious, I make this nifty recipe I clipped from TexMo a couple of years ago. You can buy some this weekend at the Dallas Farmers Market, along with these other local and regional goodies.

Angela’s Farm – lots of onions – red, yellow and white! Yellow squash, zucchini, cucumbers, okra, peas are starting to come in

Berry Best Farm – Organic Blueberries

Birch Creek Farms – acorn and yellow squash, cucumbers, zucchini, new potato’s – Yukon gold and red Pontiac potato’s, purple top turnips, – THEY are selling out fast every weekend so be here early!

Comeback Creek – blueberries, onions, garlic, peppers, cucumbers, and squash

Coopers Organic Farm with certified organic onions

Dan Massey – Cream red new potato’s, yellow straight neck squash, green zucchini, Blue Lake green beans, Japanese cantaloupe, Crimson Sweet watermelons, seedless watermelons, Small Jubilee watermelons, Black Diamond watermelons, blackberries and jalapeño peppers, Black-eyes and Purple Hull peas (weather pending), tomato’s

Dis-n-Dat – eggs

Fred’s Alaska Seafood – salmon and crab legs

Fretwell Produce – okra, yellow crook neck squash, patty pan squash, 8-ball squash, gold and green zucchini, cucumbers, eggplant, red new potato’s, Pablano peppers, Jalapeño peppers, sweet banana, Marconi pepper, green bell peppers, white 1015’s and purple sweet onions

Haney Farm – eggs

Harmony Harvest – eggs and veggies- also has CSA group

Heather Duncan – cut flower bouquets out of her garden, she also has a recipe for Lavender Lemonade made from her own lavender!

Heddin Family Farm – Texas Cream peas, Purple Hulls and Black eye peas, green beans, green tomato’s, Cayenne Peppers, Jalapeño Peppers, squash, red new potato’s, zucchini, pickling cucumbers

J.T. Lemley – yellow squash, 8-ball squash, tomato’s, onions, peaches, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, plums, blackberries, cucumbers, new potato’s, sweet yellow onions

Joe Smith Farms – hanging baskets of flowers and annuals/perennials to plant – really great deals and good for garden pots

John Lucido – still has some herb plants and of course his herb pasta and canned goodies

JuHa – Pork and Goat meat, eggs

JZJ Beef – Beefmaster beef, beef jerky, and beef sticks!

Kitchen Pride – Mushrooms – Oyster, Portabella, Baby Bells, and White Button

La Esperanza Farm – variety of spring vegetables – can’t even list them all!

Lightsey Farm – peaches, onions, potato’s, plums, blackberries, green beans, zucchini, apricots

Mill Creek Farms is also bringing in squash, potato’s and peas

Northstar Ranch – Beef and pork –

Orchid Garden with specialty plants and beautiful orchids

Savoy Sorbet – Sundays – herbal infused sorbet from her herb garden

TxHoneybee Guild – local honey and zip code honey

TxLonghorn Cooperative – Saturday’s and Sunday’s with certified Longhorn Beef

Mama Ida Ice Cream Social at the Dallas Farmers Market

Yippee. This Saturday, June 27, the Dallas Farmers Market Friends will host the 3rd Annual Mama Ida Ice Cream Social at the Dallas Farmers Market Plaza from 10 a.m.-noon. Working with local donations of fresh ingredients like fruit, nuts, and mint, DFW culinary students and the Dallas County Youth Village will create and serve a variety of ice creams and sorbets to be judged by the public for prize winnings. (Free to Dallas Farmers Market Friends members and $5 for nonmembers.)

The event honors Ida Papert, the sassy spirit who not only founded DFMF, she has volunteered years of her life to the Dallas Farmers Market. Full deets below. (more…)

Hanging With a Chef: Michael Owens of Trader Vic’s

Our hard working editorial intern, Kellyn Curtis, spent last Saturday at the Dallas Farmers Market with the new chef of Trader Vic’s, Michael Owens. She files this report with pictures:

Shopping for fresh produce at the Dallas Farmer’s Market is the perfect way to spend a Saturday morning. Last weekend I was lucky enough to tag along with Trader Vic’s new executive chef Michael Owens to shop for fresh ingredients and get the scoop on what he’s been up to since he took over the Polynesian-themed tiki lounge five weeks ago. Items on the grocery list: tomatoes and watermelon for a salad to be served at the restaurant that night.

Chef Owens has trained under some of the nation’s most renowned chefs including Stephan Pyles at the award winning Star Canyon Restaurant. He’s also worked at the Oceanaire Seafood Room and the world-famous steakhouse, Morton’s of Chicago. His impressive background made him the perfect choice to revamp Trader Vic’s menu. “It’s a great opportunity for a chef to entirely rework a menu,” Owens said. “We’ve made leaps and bounds since I first got here.” (more…)

Jacksonville Tomato Festival: Tomato Eating Contest, Kids Division

No words needed.

Report From East Texas: 25th Annual Tomato Festival in Jacksonville, Texas

Your brain after one hour at Tomato Festival.

Saturday, Jennifer Chininis and I headed to Jacksonville for the annual Tomato Festival. We landed at noon. It was 96 degrees and the humidity hovered around 65%. There was not a cloud in the sky. People were melting. All of the food was fried. There was no beer. We stayed long enough to almost faint—one hour and fifteen minutes. Here is a photo essay of the event. (Click on the picture below and then select slideshow.)

Tomato Festival