farmers market. the sweet taste of summer

strawberries. synonymous with all things summer. they are finally ready. for the last few weeks we have been waiting and tasting the samples, but they werent ready. didnt have that sweet juicy ripeness that only the proper amount of summer sun can bring. so patient we had to be. yesterday however, all the sun and starts had aligned in the strawberry world and they were ready. 
they were still quite dear though, 3.50$ for a small pint, but the reward was worth it. i managed to get a photo before the were gobbled up - over yogurt with fresh local honey. 
next week i am hoping to make some sort of dessert, im still waiting for them to be at the market in abundance. but im thinking something with strawberries, basil and rich dark balsamic. maybe cheese cake. also isnt the linen i photographed them on divine. a huge thick linen kitchen towel, coming to the shop this week. 

i also found this beautiful food blog. My New Roots over at thecitysage. the recipes look gorgeous. i can not wait to try a few of the grain related ones. we arent vegetarians but eat meat only about once a week, if that so i am always looking for smart healthy new recipes. snow peas and pea tendrils and mint are also raging at the farmers market so i think i might make some of this simple mint pea dip and have it on toasts with a soft boiled egg one night for dinner.  

fruits of labor: first produce box of the new year

i am so excited to start the new year off with such a great produce box - by the end of last year i was not feeling so creative on the culinary front - but this box has be really excited!!

im thinking about a roasted butternut squash and pear soup with some crumbly blue cheese or a filet of salmon with grapefruit and cilantro reduction sauce, maybe some cabbage rolls or perhaps a kale and white bean dish of some sort - cant wait to get cooking!!

trip to the farmers market

there is nothing like a trip to the farmers market on a bright, warm sunny day - all of the produce is swelled with ripeness and color and smell, and those samples are every bit as good as just looking at the fruit. here is a visual journey of just such an experience -

and there are wonderful shops to be seen inside of the san francisco ferry building - below are some pictures from my favoite

i love the baskets in these pictures they remind me of the baskets in this picture from my post about bohemian interiors. see the whole post here
i think they are wonderful! they are from the gardener. an inspired shop here in the bay area.