The Houndstooth Gourmet

On Saturday, I packed up my Bichon Frise, Cole, and headed to Del Ray. Looking at the slide show in this post, you can see dogs are very popular in Del Ray. While not allowed in the market proper, they are welcomed on the grass nearby. Cole got to cavort with a nice black lab while his mama went shopping.

(He was way more excited to go to the market. He gets to lick babies)

Indian Summer came on cue one day before the Autumnal Equinox. Fittingly, nectarines were still available at Toigo’s stand, as were Bartlett pears. I bought a handful of each and wandered over to the “cheese guy” from Apple Tree Goat Dairy. Based on my enjoyment of his mediteranean herb covered chevre, I bought a cheddar-horseradish chevre this time around.

Next, I headed over to the farmers from Reva, Va. (first stall on the left as you enter the parking lot). These folks are so nice and their prices are easy on the wallet. I picked up kale and a butternut squash. Finally, as I could hardly wait a minute longer, I bought a chicken saltena from Marcela’s Bakery stand. These golden and spicy stew filled savory pastries were piping hot out of the oven just up the street. It was still good and warm when I got it home and tucked into it’s goodness.

The goat cheese chevre was fantastic. At $9 for a large log, it’s truly a deal and lasts for at least 2 weeks in the refrigerator, wrapped in a paper towel an sealed in a plastic bag. Here’s my favorite new snack: chevre on toast with a slice of fresh field tomato.

Stay tuned for a recipe using the kale: Caldo Verde. Yum!

Tags: Alexandria, farmers markets, Virginia, Markets, dogs by Ramona
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A painter sees a flower and is inspired to paint. An architect sees a building and envisions how to build it. A poet experiences a powerful life event and takes pen to paper. I see fresh, available ingredients and think about their peak of flavor, how they work with other ingredients and what recipes make them shine.

Working with my farmers market purchases this week, the next recipe up is going to use the kale I got from the Del Ray market.

Caldo Verde, or Portuguese kale soup, is a delicious hearty dish that’s high in nutrients and fiber and big on taste. Served as a first course, or main dish with hearty bread, this verdant symbol of Portuguese cuisine satisfies both cook and consumer due to the ease of preparation and accessibility of ingredients. I first discovered caldo verde when watching an episode of Emeril. The colors looked great and I happened to have a bit of Polish kielbasa on hand and thought “what the heck?”. I tried it. I liked it.

Now, I’ve made caldo verde with chorizo and linguica with tasty results. Being Polish, and having kielbasa on hand much of the time, I’ve taken to making this soup with smoked Polish sausage. I find the kielbasa seasoning goes a long way in flavoring the stock. In this recipe, I use only 8 ounces of turkey kielbasa, in the name of making this soup as healthy as it is robust.

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 1/2 lbs. russet potatoes, diced into half inch squares

8 cups chicken stock

3 cups water

1 lb. kale, sliced thinly into “ribbons” after rib has been removed*

8 ounces kielbasa, chorizo or linguica, casing removed and diced fine

pinch red pepper flakes (optional)

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In a dutch oven or heavy pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and saute for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and continue to cook for an additional 3 minutes. Add chicken stock and water. Place potatoes into pot and cook at a strong simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.

Using a potato masher or large fork, break up about half the potatoes to release starch and thicken soup.

Add thinly sliced kale, red pepper flakes and kielbasa. Salt and pepper to taste.

Simmer partially covered over low heat an additional 20 minutes to soften kale.

Serving suggestions: Drizzle a small amount of good extra virgin olive oil over individual servings at the table.

* Chiffonade is a cutting technique which results in thin strips or ribbons. Take leaves and pile one on top of the other. Roll tightly like a cigar and cut across the roll to make ribbons. This cutting method can be used for leafy greens and herbs such as basil.

Tucker says “Good soup that’s good for you!” In dog speak, of course….

Tags: Kale, soup, Recipe, potatoes, dogs by Ramona
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