Veggie Claus Returns!!!

It has been quite awhile since we have received fresh veggies at our doorstep. We were starting to think Veggie Claus wasn't real. After Ike, the CSA had a hard time getting back on its feat, and to top that off, the CSA's computer crashed, leaving the member lists jumbled and some delivery lists lost. So after Ike, missed deliveries, and rain delays, the prodigal veggies are FINALLY back, and there was much rejoicing!!! :)
What we found on our porch:

• 1 Dozen Eggs
• Pie Pumpkin
• Summer Squash (yellow and green)
• Turnips
• Radishes
• Kale
• Long Beans
• Sweet Potatoes
• Green Onions
• Roma Tomatoes
• Grapes

Veggie Status

It has been a LONG time since I posted about the container garden. Some success, some failure. BIG lesson learned is to properly place seeds and thin out! The radishes and arugula completely failed. The sugar snap peas are still growing but are definitely being challenged. The swiss chard is struggling, but still alive. The good news is that the pepper and tomato plants are doing really well! The Black Pearl budded and has a new crop of little green tomatoes. The pepper plant is going strong as well and has 2 peppers growing...1 in the budding stage and one half grown! How exciting...I can almost make 1 WHOLE salad from this fall's work ;)

Eat Local Challenge - Anniversary Mark's

So Monday the 6th was my husband and I's First Anniversary! I can't believe that a year has already gone by...a new house, a hurricane, a challenge :). I thought my husband had to work that evening so I had already cozied up to my new favorite food...the homemade chocolate pudding I posted about earlier...when the doorbell rang, and there he was! SURPRISE! I put down my pudding, and we were off to dinner at Mark's American Cuisine. We have been celebrating relationship milestones at Mark's for a few years, and we definitely consider it a special place. Over the years we have seen Mark's grow, but the high quality of the service and the food has not changed. I had the Eat Local Challenge in the back of my mind as I perused the menu, but I had already given myself a freebee for the night...it WAS my first anniversary, and we WERE at my favorite restaurant. Alas, Mark's prides itself on its seasonal fresh cuisine and the chefs seek out the freshest produce throughout the country when creating their menu. They typically list the source of all of their menu items; including the state and farm where it came from. The nights specials included Texas Kobe beef served as boneless ribs and sliced flank steak...LOCAL! I was in, if only to stay true to the challenge :) We toyed with ordering an Inwood Estates Tempernillo to keep the local Texas theme going, but at $75 a bottle, we were not feeling that glued to the challenge...I have my limits. We were a bit annoyed at the wine list in general. When we first started going to Mark's we were truly impressed with their wine list. It offered a range of wines from the high 20's up to the reserve/cult wine category, with attention to quality and variety at each level. With their new sommelier, that is no longer the case. I think it is ridiculous that a restaurant would not be able to find a decent red wine that they could offer for under $50. Off the soap box. The dinner was amazing, and we finished if off with some delicious French Press Coffee and a trio of desserts featuring American Whiskeys as a common ingredient...kind of local. The desserts included a chocolate brownie, pecan pie with mint mojito ice cream, and an amazing creme brulee. Yum!! So despite the ever increasing prices at Mark's we will continue coming back for the beautiful food, local flavor, and romantic atmosphere...

Eat Local Challenge: Weekend's Eating

Saturday night was St. Arnold's Pub Crawl...can't get much more local than that! 5 local bars took part in the ramble: McGonigels Mucky Duck, The Hobbit Cafe, Mezzanine Lounge, and finished off at Stag's Head. St. Arnold's Oktoberfest was the featured beer. Great beer and a well run event. St. Arnold's does a great job supporting Houston events, and is dedicated to giving

back to the community.

Inspired I guess, St. Arnold's seemed to be the theme for Sunday's cooking.

Hatterman's eggs for breakfast, then I went to work baking some Beer Bread with St. Arnold's Divine Reserve #7, a Weizenbock beer. I grabbed the recipe from another blogger...quick and easy.

Here is her recipe:

1 Cup All Purpose Flour (I used half Stone Ground Wheat (from Texas!) and half St. Arthur's Organic Unbleached Flour)

1 Tbsp Granulated Sugar

1 Tsp Salt

12oz. Beer

1 Tbsp Baking Powder

Egg Glaze:1 egg & 2 tsp (10 ml) water, beaten

Heat oven to 375F. Combine flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl. Slowly stir in beer and mix just until combined. Batter will be thick. Spread in a greased 8-inch loaf pan, brush with egg glaze if desired, and bake until golden brown and a tooth

pick stuck in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes.Cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool 10 more minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Will keep for 1 to 2 days stored in a plastic bag or airtight container. May be frozen.

A St. Arnold's Inspired Dinner:

Chicken Burger with Sauteed Greens

The Ground Chicken came from Fran's Fryers. My husband mixed

in some local Texas-Texas Salsa and onion to keep the meat moist, since chicken is so lean.

We topped the burgers with our local Cheddar made with....St. Arnold's Divine Reserve 5, a Russian Imperial Stout. The flavors came together well. We topped the burgers with some Texas Mustard and Salsa. The Beer bread made for an excellent bun. The malty meizenbock added a wonderful richness to the bread...I can't wait to try some variations on this recipe.