Veggies First, Then Dessert

Which would you rather have?  I bought the little pepper in the middle at the grocery store and the two big guys smothering him at the farmer's market.  I bought three of these big 'uns for $2.00.  And they taste SO much better, too.  Love shopping at the farmer's market!  This week I also bought some cucumbers, more garlic, yummy fingerling potatoes, tomatoes, and corn on the cob.  I don't care if you may pay a little more at the market, to me, it's worth it.  Last week the peppers at the market were only about the size of this one in the middle and I told the lady as I was picking out the ones I wanted and paying for them that the peppers sure grew up this week!  They are huge!

Although I didn't get the chicken at the farmer's market (but you can get just about every other kind of meat, including emu, rabbit, bison, beef, etc.) just about the rest of Sunday night's meal was from fresh produce from the local farmers.  Here's a delicious salad I made using a recipe I got from Judy here at Judy's Kitchen. 

This was SO yummy.  Kevin does not think fruit belongs on salad, but I love it!  A few changes I made to Judy's recipe are just that she said to use Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar and I just used regular Balsamic Vinegar as I didn't have raspberry, I also used a little less oil and instead of mashed fresh raspberries I used frozen as I had just used up the fresh ones I'd had that morning.  The thawed frozen berries worked just fine.  This vinaigrette is very good.  I actually hadn't put any on the salad yet when I'd taken the picture.  But the beets had marinated in it for a time before they went on the salad.  The beets were yummy.  If you think you don't like them, and haven't had them since you were a kid, try them again.  I really like them.  The recipe from Judy says to roast the beets in the oven, but instead of using the oven, I just boiled them, then slice them.  You really can just make any salad you like, it's the dressing that is the star here.  Loved it!  Thanks, Judy.

I sauteed up some yellow squash and zucchini and baked the fingerling potatoes in the oven after tossing them in a plastic bag with some flour, salt and pepper, and parmesan cheese.  I read a recipe that said to do exactly that, but I thought they tasted a little too floury, so next time I would just sprinkle them with the s&p and cheese and some herbs like oregano or something, maybe even just boil them, add a little butter and serve them.  The boys don't like potatoes really in any form, not even french fries (I guess that's a good thing), but I'm sure they'll grow into liking them, since they are a staple.  The chicken was just dredged in the same flour and parmesan mixture and cooked in a non-stick pan.  I also took the picture before putting a half piece of corn on the cob on my plate.  So good--and healthy!

There wasn't really dessert last night.  Someone gave us a chocolate caramel covered apple, so we sliced that up for the boys and they loved it.  I had a bite.  I don't really care for caramel apples.  BUT, of course, I've done some baking today.  Kevin decided to make some iced cocoa.  Not sure it was worth the whole 4 oz. chocolate bar, and would probably just use hot cocoa with ice next time.  I tasted it.  It had extra sugar and all the extra chocolate and I'm sure it would still be just as good saving the chocolate and calories.  He took a phone call and I finished making it for him.  He thought I was calling him a pig by  my cool design on top.  I just thought it would be silly for the face to only have one nostril!  ;)

Did a little baking today.  I've made these goodies mostly to give away.  I started by making some blondies that have chocolate chips and dried cherries.  They aren't bad.  And really good if you like blondies.  I think they are just okay.  I found the recipe here at Baking Bites.  Nicole at Baking Bites made them using dried cranberries and dark chocolate.  The recipe is for a 9x13 pan, but I halved it and baked it in an 8x8 pan.  Easy and quick recipe!

I also made some brownies I'd found the recipe for also at Baking Bites.  You can find the recipe here for Peanut Butter Chocolate Brownies.  If you're a peanut butter/chocolate lover, these are for you.  The only thing I did different from the recipe is after they came out of the oven, I sprinkled about 1/3 cup peanut butter chips and 1/3 cup milk chocolate chips on the top and after they melted (about 3 minutes), I spread it over the top. 

And what you think--is it about time to cut my baby BOYS hair? 

I'm just not ready yet.  It is so funny after he's had a bath and I comb it out.  But I sure love when it dries and curls up in the cutest little curls.  'Sides, I know that once we cut it, it probably won't be curly anymore. 

The other day the boys were going in and out of the house a bunch.  Sam longs to be outside all the time, which doesn't always work out for me.  At one point, he went and got on one of his shoes and went over to the door and just cried the sweetest, saddest cry.  I had to take him outside for a bit after this!

I love-a mah be-be!