Farmers' Markets

Maybe I haven't mentioned it but I am one of three women who organize and run the Oakland, NJ Farmers' Market - the other two women are Jane Graham and Salma Shamy.  We started three months ago (on a total volunteer basis and oh how I probably would not have volunteered if I knew how much work was involved) and today was our opening day and it was totally awesome!  


So I want to make today's recipe about how you can do something fun with your family on a Saturday (such as go to the Oakland Farmers' Market, oaklandfarmersmarket.com where there is a kids' craft and play section, delicious food, crafts, live music, and even yoga!) and still have time to make a healthy family dinner.

Today I bought fresh homemade spinach fettucini from Maria's Biscotti, www.mariasbiscottionline.com and some super-delicious, homemade olive bread from All in the Icing Bakery, www.allintheicing.com - both selling their awesome products each week at the Oakland Farmers' Market.  Tonight, I made dinner in literally 5 minutes.  The pasta took three minutes to cook and I just melted butter and grated cheese over it and served with the olive bread on the side.


Super delicious and super easy!  Support your local markets, businesses and community :)


If you're in northern NJ visit the Oakland Farmers' Market every Saturday from now until October 27, 2012.  9 am - 1 pm in the municipal lot on 202 (Ramapo Valley Rd) in Oakland NJ. 
contact: oaklandfarmermarket@gmail.com

We are still accepting food, art and craft vendors as well as yoga instructors to teach classes.


FYI - being the Renaissance woman that I am - I am also an artist and will be displaying my work at the market next Saturday July 7, 2012 - The OFM is so awesome we also support the arts!


www.tracyditolla.com

Summer Salad

My Summer Salad is easy and light and delicious.  It is great to serve at BBQs or as a light dinner.  I suggest making it about an hour before eating it because that gives the flavors a chance to really blend together.  Even my kids and my salad-hating husband love it when I make this dish :)

INGREDIENTS

2 Cooked chicken breasts, chopped

Baby kale (can also use arugula, baby romaine or fresh spinach)

1 peach

1 small cucumber, peeled and chopped

1/4 cup goat cheese crumbles

Salted pecans

1 tbsp plus 1 tsp Olive oil

1 tsp Balsamic vinegar

salt and pepper

So, this is super-easy, I like to put the chicken in while it's still warm then just mix all ingredients together and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper.  Make sure it is mixed thoroughly and let it sit a few minutes so the goat cheese melts into the olive oil a little and the kale wilts slightly from the warm chicken.  

It's sooooooo freakin' good and a great dish to throw together to bring to a bbq potluck or serve at any summer party.  Plus it's low calorie and really healthy :)

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!!!!

Sorry, massive computer problems are keeping me from posting :(
I promise I will be back with an excellent new recipe in a week or so :)