Feels like fall

Remember these little guys from a few weeks ago?

Well tonight they made their big debut as part of a very fall friendly side dish of sauteed delicata squash, cranberry beans, rosemary and sage.

Delicata Squash and Cranberry Beans with Sage and Rosemary Olive Oil

This was our first experience with both delicata squash and cranberry beans and what a marvelous introduction it was! Too bad I destroyed the tenderloin in the process of babysitting them. Oh well, no one is perfect, especially not yours truly.

The squash was sweet and tender, almost like a combination of sweet potatoes and gnocchi, while the cranberry beans were very starchy and nutty. The sage and rosemary were added to some garlic and sauteed in olive oil for the base of the squash and cranberry beans. The sage compliments squash so beautifully and the rosemary adds great depth.

All and all a great first attempt at both of these fall treats and a promising beginning for our fall cooking.

I couldn't figure out which picture best portrayed this evenings creation, I personally like the one below, but G likes the others. What do you think?

Now off to a puppy playdate before the VMA's. Happy Sunday and may you have a wonderful week!

Creature Comforts

Looks like we weren't the only ones happy to be home this week! Little Lola was perfectly content to take a snooze on the couch once she was sure that we were all finally back in one place.

Herb roasted turkey breast with pink and purple smashed potatoes and sauteed summer squash

I was eager to return to the farmers market and was grateful to be rewarded with this home cooked dinner. This is an old standby that is so pretty to look at and warming to the soul to enjoy. It might not be food porn but when served to guests they feel like family!

I like to buy boneless turkey breast from Dipaola's and sprinkling fresh rosemary, sage, thyme and tons of garlic both under and above the skin with a quick sprinkle of sea salt and pepper and a drizzle of olive oil to guarantee a crispy skin.

Pink and purple (is anyone sensing a theme here?) smashed potatoes are made with sauteed garlic, olive oil, and a generous bit of dill. This meal was rounded off by some quickly roasted zucchini and summer squash in simple olive oil, sea salt and pepper.

Thank goodness for small things!

My London and Paris posts are coming...I promise! Stay tuned :)

the secret to my success: a farmers life for me

Okay, so there is no real secret... at least not one that every home cook hasn't already figured out. The key to incredible meals is fresh ingredients.

you can't tell but these were HUGE squash; currants ; currants, gooseberries and sugarplums

Living in Union Square we are blessed with a phenomenal green market market bursting with an abundance of delicacies from veggies and eggs to flowers and cheese, four days a week. How dare I speak of moving to the burbs when this paradise is but a five minute walk from my front door?

sugarplums; peaches

This morning I thought I would share with you some photos the hubby took while wrangling the dog, holding a dozen bags and keeping track of a wandering wife. Told you he was amazing...

fresh herbs from Keith's; sweet and sour cherries; raspberries

one more saturday night

okay so it wasn't really saturday but sunday night, rather. and it's not nearly as interesting as if i actually owned a victrola, or a simple record player for that matter...

what this is, however, is a retroactive post (and the reason for this whole blog business in the first place) about our funny little life in the center of the universe. otherwise known as new york city.

it might not strike you as odd, but for this little midwestern girl thrown smack dab in the middle of this monstrous city (please don't feel bad for me, i push people out of the way all the time :) and hey, i've been here almost 10 years) to have the wonders of a country life in the midst of the concrete jungle in which we live is quite remarkable. and thus sprung the idea of this here blog.

i digress....

me: going to the farmers market honey, shall i see if there are any more avocado squash to make with the scallops for dinner?
husband: sure, also can you see if the guys at berryknoll have any more of the heirloom tomatoes and purple basil, that shrimp bisque was out of this world!

and it continues....

the moral of this oh so entertaining conversation between the boy and yours truly is that in the midst of this absolutely mad city there is a place like no other, where four days a week we can shop for produce lovingly plucked from the land as recently as that morning. (okay so probably they pick it the day before)

and so in honor of this incredible buzzing metropolis with little treasures lurking around every corner, i post for you my passion (and hubby's!), some photos from our cooking expeditions courtesy of the union square farmers market.

does it get any better than this?

(top: Parmesan-crusted Atlantic sea scallops with roasted summer squash)
(bottom: Rock shrimp and corn bisque with sofrito and purple basil)