The Houndstooth Gourmet

Well, it was another busy weekend at the farmers markets. Saturday was gorgeous out, so Frank and I packed up Tucker and headed into Del Ray. At the farmers market, I saw a few additions including Toigo Farm, Local Honey, and the praline lady (the name escapes me right now).

 When we arrived, the saltena stand was waiting for a fresh delivery from Marcela’s Bakery, a few blocks away on Mount Vernon Avenue. In the meantime, I spoke with Whitney Long at the Local Honey stand. They are a co-op of three bee keepers who make various appellations of honey. I bought a small jar of honey which hails from West Falls Church-that’s in Northern Virginia. I’m thinking it might go nicely over fresh ricotta, which I’m slated to make using my new New England Cheese-making Kit!

When the saltenas arrived, Frank and I each enjoyed the chicken stew filled pockets-with our hand! There were no napkins, or forks for that matter. It was a bit touch and go, but we ate them without making a mess of ourselves too badly.

Sunday was rainy and it was a bit jarring to see lightning and thunder first thing in the morning. Nevertheless, Frank and I donned our rain gear and drove into Washington DC’s Dupont farmers market. I met Country Pleasures Farm, who has been at the market for 15 years or so, but was just returning for the 2008 season yesterday. I was drawn to their stand, where the blue-checked tables held jams, sausage, scones, tulips, apples, apple sauce and a cooler full of Angus Beef products. Processes by an Amish family in PA, the beef products included pulled bbq beef, cured beef, hot and mild beef sausage grillers and beef jerky.

I came away with a pack of spicy sausage sticks (I am getting addicted to these things, with so many stalls carrying them!) and a few black twig apples. The owner informed me that these apples go terrifically with Calvados, so I’m thinking of making a pork dish with them.

Spring Valley Farm was once again carrying morel mushrooms, so I bought another small box along with 2 heads of tat soi.

I also spoke with the folks at Clear Spring Creamery, and they hope to have their Camembert-style cheese next week. Meanwhile, their cheddar curds were so tasty, I bought a container!

Until the next at the market-eat and buy local when you can.

Tags: District of Columbia, Washington, Alexandria, farmers markets by Ramona
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that I write a Weekly Blog Round Up each Friday for DC Foodies? You can catch up on blogs, media, chats, gossip and more right here!

And as always, I will be bringing you news from the farmers markets that I visit this weekend…..

Tags: DC Foodies entry by Ramona
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I have been looking forward the reopening of Doggy Happy Hour at the Hotel Monaco in Old Town, Alexandria for a year and a half. Held in the former Holiday Inn Select, Doggy Happy Hour was suspended for renovation of the 241-room building. Prior to renovation, I was assured that this treasured Old Town pastime was not gone for good, and the courtyard would once again be filled with wagging tails and chowing guests.

I arrived last night at 6:30 to find the mascot, a Bichon Frise named Charlie, presiding over the “leash cutting” ceremony. A red wagon filled with dog biscuits anchored the sleeker, more modern space. Wooden tables and woven chairs have replaced the decrepid green iron patio furniture. Hand sanitizers and menus featuring a small bites menu from the hotel’s restaurant, Jackson 20, topped each table. Servers take orders and bring food tableside now-no more ordering inside and getting a pager.

We ordered pulled pork sliders, shrimp corn dogs, and a plate of cheddar fries with creme fraiche. I got to sample a bit of each and have to say, the shrimp corn dogs were my favorite-a great riff on traditional fair food. The fries were crisp and the pulled pork sliders were good, but needed to improve their pork to coleslaw ratio. I have to be honest however-I longed for the old cheeseburger and buffalo wings we used to snarf down. Sometimes bar food ought to be just that-bar food. And my 2 glasses of pinot noir set me back $20. For white-tablecloth dining? Sure. But,I’m hanging out……with dogs.

Nonetheless, we will be back for the dogs and their people. I’m just switching to beer is all I’m sayin’.

Doggy Happy Hour is held at the Hotel Monaco each Tuesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., April-October.

Tags: doggy happy hour, restaurant, Alexandria by Ramona
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I was excited and a bit nervous when it came to using my $16 box of morel mushrooms, and $6 bunch of ramps on Sunday. At $21 for just the vegetables, I wanted to make those ingredients shine in a dish for dinner. I consulted a few of my cookbooks and riffed on a braised chicken dish from Molly Steven’s “All About Braising”, and while my chicken dish was cooking, I made a batch of ramp crepes to use with the leftover braise.

I found that my small container of 8 or so morels was more than adequate to add an earthy flavor to the braised chicken, while the ramps were mild and somewhat sweet in both the braise and the crepes. I think both dishes would work for entertaining guests, and the chicken filled crepes would make for a terrific brunch item-especially since everything can be made ahead of time.

For the ramp crepe recipe, head over to DC Foodies to check it out!

Braised Chicken Thighs with Morels and Ramps in a White Wine Cream Sauce

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

• 8 chicken thighs with bone and skin
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter
• 8-10 morel mushrooms
• bunch ramps, about a dozen, trimmed at each end and rough chopped
• 1 1/3 cup dry white wine
• 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 cup half and half or light cream
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Flour for dredging

Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Heat a large dutch oven over high heat.

Generously salt and pepper chicken thighs on both sides. Dredge chicken in flour and shake off excess.

Add olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter to heated dutch oven. When the oil begins to shimmer, add chicken to the pan. Do not overcrowd the pan. Allow chicken to brown for 4-5 minutes on each side. Transfer chicken to a platter.

Reduce heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon butter to the dutch oven. Add morels and ramps. Sautee for 4-5 minutes. Add garlic and continue to sautee for an additional minute. Transfer vegetables to the chicken platter.

Increase heat to high and deglaze with white wine. Reduce to a strong simmer and allow wine to reduce by a third. Add chicke stock, thyme and marjoram. Return chicken and vegetables to  braising vessel.

Place dutch oven in lower third of the oven. Braise for 90 minutes.

Remove chicken from the dutch oven, skim fat as needed with a large spoon, and add cream. Serve chicken with sauce over top.

I suggest serving this dish over egg noodles or parsley potatoes.

This recipe is submitted for Weekend Herb Blogging, a weekly blog event started by Kalyn of Kalyn’s Kitchen, and is being hosted this week by Susan from The Well-Seasoned Cook.

Tags: DC Foodies entry, herbs, weekend herb blogging, Recipe, mushrooms, pasta, chicken by Ramona
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What a fantastic weekend, folks! Once again, the weather forcasters told us we would see rain all weekend, yet the sun was shining through high clouds most of the day. OK, one or two showers came, but overall, the days were beautiful. The temperature was in the ’70’s on Saturday!

This weekend, Frank and I got a double-dose of farmers markets. We awoke early on Sunday and since the sun was out, we headed into D.C. for the Dupont Farmers Market. Frank and I arrived before the bell rang (at 9 a.m.) and Frank queued for our favorite eggs while I scoured the stalls for ramps, the harbingers of spring. I found them at Spring Valley Farm, just picked from the hills in West Virginia.

Ramps, or wild leeks, are members of the onion family. Emerging in springtime, ramps have a small white bulb, and green leaves, often tinted with a burgundy outer sheath-all being edible. Ramps are commonly found from the Carolinas to Canada, and are especially beloved in West Virginia, where festivals are held to honor them and herald Spring.

I also purchased morel mushrooms from Spring Valley Farm (you can see a theme dinner coming, can’t you?). Morels are another rite of spring. Consisting of honeycombs and ridges, morels are earthy and well, mushroomy! A little goes a long way, and while not cheap, they are hand picked in the wild and worth the splurge (a recipe is forthcoming, I promise).

And that glorious sour cherry jam smothering Keswick’s quark that you see in the photos? I had to buy it. It’s from Quaker Valley Farm, were they have many varieties of jams and fresh homemade pies. I think I’ll purchase a small one next week for Frank and I. Blueberry, Cherry or Apple? Decisions, decisions.

Until the next At The Market, eat and buy local when you can. Enjoy the photos!

Teaser photo: stay tuned for the recipe

Tags: District of Columbia, Washington, Alexandria, farmers markets by Ramona
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