Olive You

I turned 32 last year. At the beginning of 2009, I didn't have a big list of resolutions. The main item on my list was to revisit certain foods from my past that I didn't think I liked. I know your tastes change as an adult so I thought I'd see if I could appreciate them now. The main things on my list of food aversions are broccoli, olives, grapefruit and cauliflower. I actually managed to get over two of them. I think broccoli and cauliflower have a similar issue and that is texture. It makes me gag. I also cannot stand the way they smell when they're cooked. I'm not a picky eater when it comes to veggies but I refuse to eat them.

I absolutely fell in love with olives last year. Head over heels. They're so luscious and salty and meaty. My youth in Alabama only saw the canned black olives that you get on the salad bar and I was repelled while my sister, Allison, ate piles and piles of them.

The first time that olives started to appeal to me had to have been while visiting my inlaws. They splurge on nice edibles from a local Italian market and often purchase a lovely blend of them. I remember thinking they were gorgeous and lamenting over the fact that I "didn't like them". That was what inspired me to try them all again.

I remember the first time I went for an olive. It was at this diner in Princeton that I keep meaning to write about because they have excellent Greek food. Their vegetarian platter is amazing and the hummus is topped with a few kalmata olives with pits. I always offered mine to Chris who gladly accepted them. One day, instead of handing them over, I decided to eat one. I knew to expect a seed so I cautiously sunk my tooth through the skin. The salt exploded in my mouth and I tried not to let it overwhelm me as I analyzed the flavors. These were definitely different than the ones I'd grown up with and I immediately wondered where these had been my whole life.

Needless to say, I am making up for 31 years of lost time now. I put them in a lot of stuff and I also just munch them straight from the jar.

Pictured above is the international blend that is hand selected and mixed by a true master foodie at Bon Appetit in Princeton. I haven't yet written about this place but it's one of my absolute favorites in the entire area. Before I started with resolution to start bringing my own lunch, I spent mucho moolah here.

I could dedicate a whole section of this blog to the specialty items I buy in this place that make eating a true joy. I joke that since I don't spend lots of money on meat that I can afford to splurge on the occasional $15 cheese or $10 container of salt. Their selection of olives in beautiful crocks is very impressive. As you can see by the picture, they come in all colors and sizes. It's amazing how unique they all are. I used to give these guys the cold shoulder but now I can safely say that we are BFFs.

Bon Appetit

301 N Harrison St.

Princeton, NJ 08540

609-942-7755

Any Excuse

Yesterday I decided to throw together a special dinner for St. Patrick's Day. I don't have many decorations for the spring holidays (St. Patty's or Easter) but I do try to make it a point to display what little I have because Molly loves it. I know we're not Irish but we love any excuse to do something fun around here.

Corned beef is one of the main things I miss as a vegetarian. I'd rather have corned beef on St. Patrick's day than turkey on Thanksgiving. I've managed to live without either one for a while now. I know that the above picture doesn't look like a very exciting substitute but I promise you that those humble little potatoes and sprouts turn into something magical when you throw in a little bit of ghee...

I actually used two small pans to roast all of these guys so they could get some good surface area on the hot dish and get all nice and brown. I roast them on the better side of 45 minutes at 400 degrees. I pan cooked some Tofurkey Italian sausage and tossed them in with the veggies. This might've been the best sprouts I've ever made. Molly and Chris devoured them. I used to use olive oil but I'm a firm ghee convert now. There is a local supplier in West Windsor who makes their own organic ghee from grass fed cows. They will most likely be at the WW Farmer's market this coming season and you can also get their awesome product at Whole Foods on Route 1.

This is my tiny set up. I found that knitted clover at a thrift store years ago and I've used it every year since then. The eggs are s+p shakers. I also have a great brooch with a real preserved four leaf clover in it that I found on our last trip to Red Bank.

I realized that I didn't have any Irish soda bread so I remedied the situation today. McCaffrey's doesn't have bad soda bread. My favorite comes from Delicious Orchards in Colts Neck. We had Guinness in the fridge but I went for a Stella Artois. Nobody pinched me so I believe it's safe to assume that I got away with it.

Thanksgiving Takeout

I figured I'd better write about this while it's still somewhat relevant! You get two posts today since the laptop ate my brotchen post yesterday.

For the second year in a row, I've relied on McCaffrey's, a local grocery chain, to supply me with a yummy alternative to turkey for Thanksgiving. So far, I haven't been sorry. They offer what is basically a vegetarian pot pie that is loaded with seitan and dressing. I usually order the smaller version which is $16.99 and I am able to pick it up that morning before they close. It's up to me to bake it and that usually takes about an hour to an hour and a half. I baste it with butter and stick it in a 375 degree oven. It also comes with gravy! Last year it was sort of bland but they improved their game plan this year because it was really awesome!

It's a good size too. I ate my fill of it for Thanksgiving and still had a ton of it leftover to share with some friends last night. It reheats really well in the oven.

I know it's difficult to imagine Thanksgiving without turkey. This is my 3rd turkeyless holiday and it's getting easier. Especially when there's usually so many delicious sides to choose from...

My mother-in-law always makes a dish of stuffing outside of the turkey. She also makes killer stuffed mushrooms that I will try to get the recipe for and post someday. They're seriously good. She actually made her own cranberry sauce too! Needless to say, she was busy! Top that plate off with some mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts and I had it going on! I didn't even have room for sweet potatoes. I had to eat some food off of my plate first! I was just as full and happy as the people who ate turkey.

We also repeated our pumpkin pie order from Cranbury Delights this year as well. I didn't get a picture of it before it got eaten up.

Click here for a listing of McCaffrey's locations. It really is a great place to shop.

Cranbury Delights

64 N Main Street

Cranbury, NJ 08512

609-409-6777

Salty Sweet Bliss

I think we've definitely got a little Trader Joe's Mania here in the Princeton area. I read a really cute article in U.S. 1 this past week that raved about the unique gourmet items and the amazing prices. She listed a few of her favorite items and one of the things she mentioned was sea salt brownies. Sea. Salt. Brownies.

I was absolutely consumed with a feverish desire to get my hands on some of these bad boys as soon as possible!!! I am not joking when I say that I thought about them all week! I had a small list of things I needed to pick up from TJ's and so I was able to justify a visit on Sunday night. My husband and kidlet accompanied me. I was afraid Chris would see right through my plan but the absolute pleasure we had in wandering up and down the aisles overshadowed everything. I picked up the items on my list and even scored one of the reusable shopping bags I'd been eyeing on several people throughout town. We went home and I heated up some hot water for tea. It was time...

The clan was ready to dig into these. Chris seemed much more satisfied with them than I did. I'm not saying they weren't good. They just weren't great. It was a good plan, the texture of the brownie was just not right. A bit too dry (in my humble opinion). It took a little while to recover from the slight let down. I have been so excited about the rise of salted sweets and I really hadn't experienced it to what I thought was the full potential. I had some salted chocolate covered caramels from a candy store in Georgia this summer and they were also a let down. I am still reeling from not being able to experience Henri Le Roux's CBS caramels while I was in Paris! The shopkeeper that carries them was on vacation! I was beginning to truly believe that the caramel curse would continue to haunt me!

Until....

I was cleaning some stuff off of my dining room table. I went to a baby shower yesterday while my husband took Molly to hang out at Silver Forge Farm for brunch. They were kind enough to bring me home some eggs and the reusable grocery bag that they brought it home in was still draped across the table. I picked it up and I noticed there was still something in it. I reached inside and pulled out a gold box.

I gasped! I knew exactly what it was!!! We were out with Shannon and Eliezer earlier this month in Princeton. We ate dessert at Bent Spoon (another story for another time) and afterwards, we were walking back to the cars. We passed by Thomas Sweet which is a few doors down on Palmer Square. This location sells chocolate while the Nassau Street location focuses more on ice cream. I was curious to see if they had any salted caramel offerings but they were closed. We started to walk away and the girl who was working came and unlocked the door and asked if we had any questions. I mentioned my quest and she invited me in to see their case. The did, indeed, offer dark chocolate covered caramels glistening with sea salt. I told her I would come back and purchase some when they were open. Shannon beat me to it. I was so excited! However, I'd already met my chocolate quota for the night so I decided to wait until today.

Once I got settled in from work this afternoon, I walked into the kitchen and picked up the shiny box. I slowly removed the lid and pushed aside the protective layer of tissue paper. The chocolates almost seemed to greet me and I smiled back. I plucked one of those gems right out and took a deep breath. The moment had arrived.

For a second, I thought I actually felt the earth move but it could have just been me swooning ever so slightly as I sunk my teeth through the chocolate shell and into the caramel. To my delight, the buttery sweetness was punctuated by flecks of salt. It was amazing. I don't know how I managed to eat only one. I am also quite proud of myself for sharing some with Chris.

For now, my search is over. Tommy has agreed to an open relationship so that I am able to experience the salty sweet seduction of others but I really cannot imagine it getting much better than this for now. I haven't really had the chance to explore NYC so we shall see. The holiday season is upon us and I've recently learned that Henri La Roux does mail order so I can actually purchase some CBS without airfare to France. I think I know what I am asking Santa to bring me for Christmas this year.

Thomas Sweet Chocolate

29 Palmer Square

Princeton, NJ 08542

Channeling Etta James

You might remember this post from a while back....

Well, Trader Joe's is FINALLY open as of this past Friday!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAT LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAST!!!!!

After our cooking class, Shannon and I decided to head across Route 1 and check it out. I was bursting with excitement!!! I wasn't the only one! The place was absolutely packed! Here is a picture of the check out lines....

We didn't feel like subjecting ourselves to too much madness so we decided not to buy anything. We just wanted to see it for ourselves! It's definitely bigger than the one I usually shop at in Marlton. The shelves were gleaming with many of my favorite products and I can't wait to go back and fill up my cart with Trader Joe's goodness without having to drive almost an hour down to south Jersey! I'll probably wait a few weeks and then it's on!!!

Trader Joe's

3528 US 1 (Brunswick Pike)

Princeton, NJ

9 am - 9 pm

609-897-0581

Art and Science

Today was my highly anticipated French baking class at Whole Foods. I'm lucky enough to live close to a location that offers courses in several types of food prep. I've attended a few so far but this one was definitely the most intense. It was three hours of hands on instruction and I really enjoyed it. My friend Shannon took the class with me and we both managed to walk away with a new bag of tricks....and a bag of dough to bake at home!

Here is the write up of the class so you have an idea....

Home Boulangerie - The Art and Craft of French Baking

9 am - 12 pm $45 This is a 3-hour class; Its size is limited to 10 participants only!

SOLD OUT! Waiitng list

Chef Anne-Renee Rice-Soumeillant

Learn to prepare French baguette, sweet and savory tarts and even puff pastry in this hands-on, in-depth workshop. Chef Anne-Renee shares her extensive French training as she shows you how to apply these time-honored techniques to your busy modern life style.

We really enjoyed the presentation and the variety of methods for making dough and pastry. We learned several different building blocks that we can use to branch out into countless sweet and savory options. The process of making a good crust is as much of a science as it is an art. I've attempted a few of them but I get intimidated by some of the processes. The instructor was really approachable and helped to demystify some of the techniques behind a solid crust.

We learned how to make flour, water, salt and yeast into a baguette. There are many different tricks and elements that shape that small list of ingredients into edible bread. It won't be easy but I'm eager to try it out on my own.

We also did a sweet and a savory pastry crust. All of the doughs require time to either rise or set so it doesn't happen fast. I rolled and shaped that small crust myself and after doing it that one time, I feel like I can duplicate the effort at home! It's quite empowering looking at that gorgeous thing and thinking I made that!!!

We made a quiche inside of the savory filling that was loaded with caramelized onions.

We made a lovely dessert with the sweet crust. A pastry cream filling topped with grapes!

I normally don't think of grapes as a tart filling but this was delicious and refreshing! We were pleasantly surprised to find that the cost of the class not only covered three hours of hands on instruction but also a yummy lunch!

The final phase of our class covered puff pastry. I've honestly never even come close to considering making my own but after today, I feel like I might! The process is definitely drawn out. Making and chilling dough, folding in butter....

..."vibrating" the dough, rolling it out, folding it up, letting it chill for 30 minutes and then repeating the last three steps. Roll, fold, chill. You do this six times. Definitely not as easy as buying it in the frozen foods section but once you taste the difference between fresh and prepackaged puff pastry.... I definitely understand why people go through all of the trouble!

These guys tasted absolutely amazing.

The instructor told us that the dough could also be shaped into a croissant. The effort to make fresh puff pastry would totally be worth it for some homemade pain au chocolat!

If you live in the area, I highly recommend checking out The Whisk & the Spoon inside of Whole Foods in Princeton and seeing if there is a cooking class that interests you! The instructors are friendly and knowledgeable. The prices are also quite reasonable!

Breakfast Date

When you have a kid, it's difficult to step out with your spouse for some couple time without having to make prior arrangements. A simple night out turns into a huge deal once you throw in having to book and pay for a sitter. We try to make a little bit of time for each other every week and we find that the best way to do this is breakfast dates. They are cheaper and more casual plus we both love morning meals! It's a great way to start the day! I'm lucky enough that I don't have to be at work until ten and he can usually get away with taking a little extra time in the morning as well. After Molly gets on the bus, we get cleaned up and we head over to The Blue Rooster.

Cranbury is full of historical buildings and the restaurant is located in a beautiful old home. The outside is cozy and welcoming and that feeling doesn't stop once you step inside. There's a lovely sitting room that is followed by a hostess counter where you can either pick up some coffee and homemade baked goods to go or you can ask to be seated in their charming dining area. Also, they were just recently approved for outside seating. The place is owned by Karen and Bob Finigan. They just returned to their hometown of Cranbury after living in Ireland since 2000. Bob learned old European methods of baking at one of the top culinary schools and worked in two different restaurants in Dublin. His baked goods are a more than solid foundation for this fantastic cafe. It's the only place I know of where you can get a fresh baked pain au chocolat. Two dollars will buy you a little trip to Paris. Get there early because they are sold out about 40% of the time we go.

They have an excellent selection of loose leaf teas which is a huge bonus for me! To top it off, they offer a Chinese flower burst complete with glass pots for your viewing pleasure.

I never get tired of watching it bloom. It's my zen moment. I always order the same thing. The servers all know what I want event though they do ask just to make sure I haven't grown a wild hair.

This is the eggs timbale and they're some of the best scramble I've ever had. They're creamy and delicious. They are served with some of Bob's artisan bread which is the perfect vehicle for....

...sour cherry preserves. My absolute favorite. I don't know of any other place that serves them. I make them every summer and it is a labor of love. I really appreciated discovering that they feature them here. It's the perfect way to top off the eggs and tea.

Sometimes I come here alone if Chris is not available to join me just because it's so enjoyable. I feel very lucky to have it so close by. Walking down the streets of Cranbury before and after such a great meal gives me a sense of peace. The food is great, the people are friendly and the menu is very reasonably priced. My eggs with toast, jam and tea runs a little under $6.00 which is a real bargain considering the quality of the ingredients and the skill with which they are put together.

The Blue Rooster also has afternoon tea and will soon be opening for dinner. I'm sure our family will dine there from time to time. Who knows? We might even be able to have a dinner date!

The Blue Rooster Bakery and Cafe

17 North Main Street
Cranbury, NJ 08512
(609) 235-7539

For Sweet Teeth

It's difficult to time it right since Chris usually doesn't get off of work until late but after dinner at Cranbury Pizza, the perfect way to top off the evening is to cross the street and go to Cranbury Delights.

The shop is owned and operated by a lovely woman named Agnes. She was born and raised in Hungary and when she came over here to the United States, she brought all of her mad skills with her. Every time I go in, it's different. She has a nice selection of European chocolate and candy as well as her case full of homemade chocolate treats. That is not the half of it though. She also offers up to seven different flavors of homemade ice cream. I've tried several amazing varieties. If you are lucky enough to venture in when the amaretto flavor is on tap, I highly recommend asking for a sample. It knocked my socks off the first time I tried it!

Agi also offers other traditional European desserts from tiramisu to dobos cake. The later is a Hungarian specialty that has several layers of soft cake with mocha flavored cream and caramelized sugar wafers on top. Last September I ran inside of the shop looking for a dessert for Chris' birthday gathering. We were meeting some friends and I had just started my current job so I didn't have time to make anything. I walked over to the display case and saw a pie and a dobos cake. This thing was a show stopper. I was sure that it was totally out of my price range but I decided to ask about it anyways. My jaw almost hit the floor when she told me she only wanted $19.95 for it. I pulled myself together enough to say "Sold!" I carted it over to the dinner party and several people stopped me to inquire where I'd bought it.

If that doesn't take the cake, her pies very well might do the trick! For Thanksgiving last year, she turned into a pie making machine. I asked her later on how many she made and she said over 600. She sells many of her desserts by the slice. During a random visit, I had a piece of pumpkin pie and immediately placed an order for the holiday weekend. Let me say that I've had my fair share of pumpkin pie in the almost 32 years I've been alive. Agi's pie was to die for. I plan on making pies from Cranbury Delights part of our holiday tradition. I raved about it to my mother-in-law and when she finally tried it for herself, she agreed with me. Stop on in and I'm sure you'll agree with me too.

Cranbury Delights

64 N Main St
Cranbury, NJ 08512
(609) 409-6777

This Soup is ON.

This week is going to be dedicated to some of my favorite local eateries. There are so many places that I love to go so it was difficult to narrow them down! It really doesn't require much to make me happy. Good food combined with reasonable prices and service will usually get a thumbs up from me. Throw in a little ambiance and I'm over the moon! A key factor is the selection of vegetarian options. Being stuck eating either a crappy side salad or a plate of french fries is safe way to bet that I won't be back....unless you have some really kick ass fries!

1...2...3 of the places this week are located in Cranbury, NJ. The town itself provides a lovely ambiance of it's own and it always relaxes me to make the drive over. I know that people don't usually think of Cranbury when they think of reasonable prices but as long as you aren't shopping for a house, you can find some great deals on some solid meals. It's definitely worth a visit!

The first place on our tour is Cranbury Pizza. This place is bare bones with few frills but they make up for it with their fantastic pies. My absolute favorite would be the margherita brick oven pizza. Margherita pizza is a fairly new concept for me. Basically, it's a pizza with sauce and a few spots of fresh mozzarella cheese. Once they pull it out of the oven, they toss some fresh basil on top. Since there isn't much to it, it's impossible to hide crappy components. Luckily, the crust and the sauce work in harmony to build a solid foundation for the cheese. That extra kiss of basil sends it right over the top.

Another big reason I go to Cranbury Pizza is the soup. As a matter of fact, they should rename it Cranbury Pizza and Soup. It's that good.

This is the lentil soup. I never go without placing an order for the biggest size they have. It will only set you back $3. Every once in a while, I switch it up and go for the pasta fagioli which is also some of the best I've had in the area. If you aren't in the mood for pizza, they do have a menu full of traditional Italian fare. I rarely stray from the pies but I have been known to occasionally order the gnocchi. It comes with red sauce but I always opt for garlic and olive oil.

Despite the lack of trendy atmosphere, I really enjoy eating in as opposed to taking it home. Cranbury Pizza is one of those places where I really feel like I live in New Jersey. Especially if one of the area teams is on T.V. All of the guys who work behind the counter are the real deal. Sometimes I just sit and listen to them talk and smile to myself.

Cranbury Pizza

63 N Main St # 2

Cranbury, NJ 08512
(609) 409-9930

Shortbread with Big Taste!

There was an afternoon tea post about a month ago where I lamented over some lovely shortbread that some neighbors had given me from Scotland and how would I be able to carry on once it was gone(?!).  Yes, I can be a bit dramatic at times.  

I found the answer at the West Windsor Farmer's market last weekend.  This is Naturally Nic's shortbread!  It's made here in Princeton, comes in three creative flavors (lavender, rosemary or ginger cardamon) and it's delicious!  This is the perfect accompaniment to an afternoon cuppa that manages to perfectly balance a salty and sweet taste with a soft yet solid bite.  This is quite an accomplishment!  

She uses local rosemary and even local lavender!  I was amazed to find out that there is a lavender farm in Doylestown, PA!  I cannot wait to go and see it for myself since lavender is one of my favorite things!  Nicole is starting to garner up a bit of press for her product as well as several local distributors including Whole Earth and Cherry Grove Farm.   It runs at $6.25 for six pieces but it's well worth it!  A small piece is all you need to brighten your afternoon tea!

New Kid on the Block

We have a new mushroom guy at the Farmers Market!  This is his first year and it seems that he has been really well received so far!  We're two weeks in now and I've bought several interesting and tasty things from him.  He grows them all himself and I think that's pretty cool.  I've actually assisted at a mushroom farm before.  It's a sensitive and fascinating process that involves diligent sanitation and climate control.  The first picture is the "saute mix" that he sells.  It's a combination of three different types of mushrooms.  I'll admit that I don't remember the names of all three!  I don't usually saute my mushrooms.  A prep cook who made amazing portobellos at this Italian place next to where I work told me he just puts his in the oven at really high temps.  He did 500 but I've had good results with 400 degrees.  

I wasn't sure what to do with the big, flaky hunk of 'shrooms.  I didn't have any prior experience to draw on!  I just drizzled them with oil and seasoned with salt and pepper before sticking them in the oven.  I served the above plate to Chris and he had some issues with it.  

Why did you put the big knot on my plate?

Sorry, I didn't know what to do with it.  

I took it from his plate and bit off a piece.  It was definitely chewy and I guess I would do better to cut the edible parts off before roasting.  The taste, however, was spectacular!   It was a different mushroom flavor than I was used to.  More mild.  I can't wait to experiment with them!  I'll definitely be buying more tomorrow.

He also sells portobellos.  There's another new merchant this year and they sell barbeque sauce.  The math is quite simple: portobellos + bbq sauce = yum!  These mushrooms were roasted in the same manner and the sauce was added for the last five minutes in the oven.  

As you can see, we've been eating a lot of asparagus too!  'Tis the season!

EDIT: The three types of mushrooms in the saute mix are cremini, oyster and shitake.  

Friends with Benefits

Today was the first day of the West Windsor Farmer's Market. It was exciting stuff. The clouds seemed to pose a serious threat but they were kind and allowed us to carry on with our activities. It was nice to see some familiar faces! We have several new vendors this year! There's mushroom guys! I was beyond thrilled! I got some portobellos and some shitake for this week. Another stand was selling BBQ sauce so I got a jar because the people were nice and I figured I could use it on the portobellos. Another thrilling new addition was a girl selling Jamaican food! She had roasted plantains!!!! I was ecstatic. These bad boys will be the perfect Saturday morning breakfast when we hit the market. I was worried that the first week of the market would not be as bustling to start out but it did not let us down.

We got a long list of goodies today. Our good friends at Silver Forge Farm had pea shoots, eggs, scallions and radishes! We have the same variety growing in our garden this year and they were peeking out from the dirt today! I will let them grow for a few more weeks but thanks to Shannon and Eliezer, I didn't have to wait to make one of my favorite tea sandwiches...

...French Breakfast Radishes are one of the few reasons to buy white bread. There is a wonderful baker from Lawrenceville at the market who makes the best ciabatta rolls. They're massive so I just used half of one. I slathered on a touch of butter, piled it high with radishes and sprinkled salt and pepper on top. It has been a long time since I was able to enjoy this. It is simple, seasonal and delicious. Definitely worth the wait.

Going on a Picnic

I always enjoy the picnic postings over at Vegan Lunchbox.  Well, I actually enjoy all of her posts but the picnics are especially fun!  The weather has been gorgeous in the Princeton area as of late.  My husband is going into his third year playing for the Siemens Demons, his company softball team.  They had a game a few days ago and I knew it would make him happy if we came to watch him for a bit.  The grass was really tall and lately, I've been paranoid about ticks.  I checked myself and Molly from head to toe when we got home!  

It didn't put a damper on our fun though!  I had some odd and end leftovers, mostly from the Cinco de Mayo potluck, that I needed to get rid of so this was a perfect excuse to get creative and throw together some portable edibles.  

I told myself later that I should have eaten that one on the top for art's sake.  Ha!  It isn't like I didn't eat a my fair share while I was rolling them up!  These are pretty self explanatory... Soft shells that are slathered with refried beans and sprinkled with cheese.  The kiddo loved them.  I should have added the avocado that I had in the fridge.  Next time.

Leftover salsa.  I had some chips in my bag and it also went well with the rolls.  I still have some left!  I'll probably incorporate it into lunches and breakfasts over the next few days.  

Some corn and black bean salad that took two seconds to make.  Frozen corn, canned beans and leftover salsa.

For dessert, we have strawberries with sugar.  As you can see, these babies were not very ripe.  The extra sprinkling of sweetness was essential!  I need to stop buying them for a few more weeks and see if I can find some locally grown ones!  The West Windsor Farmer's Market will kick off the 2009 season TOMORROW MORNING and we are beyond stoked!  It's finally back! The three of us really enjoy waking up and heading over to see what's going on.  Our friends at Silver Forge Farm will be back this year and we're hoping to see our other favorite vendors tomorrow!   

Molly's Birthday Party

I shamelessly stole the idea for a mashed potato bar from my friend Shannon's birthday a week ago. We were considering having Moe's cater the party like we did last year but we were trying to save a bit of money. Especially since we outsourced the cupcakes this year. A mashed potato bar is a cheap and easy way to bring on mass thrills. I peeled, boiled and mashed ten pounds of potatoes (whew!) and had sour cream, scallions (not as good as Shannon's) and a mixed cheese blend. I was lucky because the sour cream and cheese were leftover from Cinco de Mayo.

I decided to do sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes because I really just couldn't choose between them. The sweet potatoes were made with canned yams. The grocery store I went to did not have Bruce's so I went with a different brand. I strongly prefer Bruce's Yams if you can get them. These were meh. The garnishes for the sweet potatoes were brown sugar, coconut flakes, marshmallows and toasted pecans. It was a bigger hit with the adults than the kids. Especially my pregnant friend, Amy. Even as a kid, I didn't care for sweet potatoes. I love them now but the color put me off when I was younger.

The cupcakes are from Sugar and Sunshine bakery here in Plainsboro. If you have the itch, this is the place to scratch it. They have every kind of cupcake imaginable! Chocolate cake with strawberry icing, cinnamon, key lime, carrot cake and cookies w/cream. They actually make the cookies for the cookie and cream icing! We had "Pick your Nose" cups for lemonade.

The people are really friendly and the prices are quite reasonable. They even gave us coloring sheets for the party which helped to occupy the kids for quite a while!

I also had the girls decorate their own tea cups. We had a slight disaster with the sharpies and now my coffee table is covered in ink. We're going to be test driving the Magic Eraser today!

To top it off, all of the girls got cupcake favors. Michael's had a ton of cupcake themed stuff in their dollar section. I got the napkins, plates, ribbon, stamps and invites. The bigger cupcakes are made of paper and they have stickers inside. The smaller cupcakes have lipgloss. We had one baby attend the party so she got a rubber ducky.

Molly had a great time at her party. I had a lot of fun planning it but I am glad it's over until next year!

Sugar + Sunshine Bakery

6 Market Street

(Plainsboro Village Center)

Plainsboro, NJ 08536

609-936-3777

EDIT: The Magic Eraser worked! We were cautioned not to use it on wood but we tried everything else! The Eraser removed Sharpie from our coffee table. The finish seems a bit irritated but we're going to get some conditioning wipes from Method to soothe it.

Nice Hooter

This weekend is the annual Shad Festival in Lambertville, NJ. I met up with some friends and the Mollster tagged along with me. The festival drew a huge crowd and let me tell you, parking sucked. I finally gave in and parked on the side of Rt 29 along with a bunch of other cars. There was a no parking sign but I figured there was enough of us there that hopefully it would be a while before they got around to ticketing.

Once we trekked into downtown Lambertville, we took a few minutes to find Laura and Harry. It wasn't difficult. We were both able to see the giant, inflatable Geico gecko and we met in front of it. Molly and I were starving so I bought her the very first funnel cake she'd had in her life. I didn't bring my camera with me to the event but I don't think I'll ever forget her sitting on the curb and shoveling the sugar coated fried batter into her mouth like it was going to grow legs and walk away. This is what she was wearing so you can get a better mental image...

My biggest regret is that we saw this huge root beer stand and they were selling frosty beverages in metal mugs....we didn't get any. I thought about it all day yesterday and even part of today. I did find one bit of treasure though! Last year, the same group of friends and I went to the Harvest Festival in Yardley (which was way better than the Shad Fest IMHO). This was the same festival that I had the amazing plantains. Trust me, I looked for that guy yesterday. On that fateful day, I was checking out a swatch that a craft tent had of some vintage brooches. The person who ran the booth was not anywhere to be found. I saw an awesome owl brooch and I really wanted it but I moved on since I didn't see anyone to inquire about it and I figured it was probably overpriced. Well, yesterday I didn't find the plantain guy....but I DID find the same craft tent. They still had him too.

Five bucks for this guy! :-) Almost a year later! I was so happy!

Even though the festival was sort of a dud, I did manage to score that awesome brooch. Molly also got to shake hands with the governor.

Later on, we met up with Chris (he was working) and drove back over towards the same area we'd been to earlier. This time, we crossed the bridge into Pennsylvania and went to Doylestown. I'd heard about it before but never been. It's too bad it was almost 8:30 by the time we got there because a lot of stuff was closed. The downtown was really animated and had a lot of neat looking stores I'd love to check out. We had dinner with Shannon and Eliezer and all of us want to go back when we can spend the whole day exploring. We actually have a bunch of cool things we'd like to do and see in the near future so that should make for some inspired blogging.

BTW: I didn't get a parking ticket yesterday.

Right now, I need to do a little less blogging and a lot more laundry.

CONFIRMED!!!!

WEST WINDSOR: Trader Joe's to open new NJ store

Thursday, April 23, 2009 5:24 PM EDT

By Kristine Snodgrass, Staff Writer

WEST WINDSOR — The prayers of local Trader Joe’s fanatics have been answered. The specialty grocery chain will be opening a new store this summer in the Square at West Windsor shopping center off Route 1, a company spokesman confirmed.

Renovations are already under way in the former Sleepy’s mattress store that will become the new Trader Joe’s, in the Meadow Road complex that also includes a Lowe’s and a Pier 1. Sleepy’s has moved to another storefront in the center.

Recently listed by Consumer Reports as the second best grocery store in the country —behind Wegmans— Trader Joe’s is a privately owned, California-based company. It has more than 300 stores in 25 states and the District of Columbia, including seven locations in New Jersey. The nearest, in Westfield, is about 37 miles away.

West Windsor Township land use manager Sam Surtees said the company applied for permits for exterior and major interior renovations earlier this year. The new store will occupy about 10,000 square feet, which is within the normal range for a Trader Joe’s, company spokesperson Alison Mochizuki said.

About 80 percent of the items sold in the store will be from the Trader Joe’s private label, which sells a wide range of products, she said.

”We sell everyday items, such as cheese, eggs, fresh vegetables and fruit, and we also sell unique one of a kind items that you can only get at Trader Joe’s,” she said.

But that’ doesn’t mean the products will be expensive, she said.

”We consider ourselves a neighborhood grocery store... so we have very high quality food items at a very good value,” she said.

The Princeton-area location was selected because there are “lots of foodies,” she said.

There were at least two campaigns to bring the store to the area. A Facebook group called “Bring Trader Joe’s to Princeton, NJ!!!” has 374 members.

West Windsor resident Ann Summer said she worked with friends to try to encourage the company through its Web site to open a store in the area.

”It’s just a different kind of shopping experience, and I like their whole philosophy,” she said.

She’s shopped at other Trader Joe’s locations for years, even mapping store locations while on vacation to stop by, she said.

”I really like so many of their products, and they’re reasonably priced,” she said.

But customers will have to wait to find out if they’ll be able to get the store’s famous Two Buck Chuck wine at the new location. Ms. Mochizuki said she could not comment on whether the store would apply for a liquor license.

Only one of Trader Joe’s seven locations in the state holds a liquor license, according to the company’s Web site.

News of Trader Joe’s coming to West Windsor comes on the heels of the announcement that another township grocery store, the Princeton Junction Acme Markets, will close next month.

Wild Edibles

My friend Shannon and I went on a Wild Edibles Hike over at the Watershed Nature Reserve in Pennington yesterday morning. The guide's name was Jeff and he is such an experienced and knowledgeable naturist! He told us about so many different things that we encountered on the trail yesterday from plants to insects (along with his experiments in eating them) and the animals we encountered along the way. He has been associated with the Watershed for over 20 years. If I had to be stuck in the wilderness with someone, it'd be this guy for sure!

I'd say there were about ten people in the group. This was organized by the Princeton Adult School program which is also where I attended the Africa lecture series that just ended last week. If any of you are looking for some additional outside educational enrichment, I cannot recommend PAS enough. They don't have anything in the summer but they will be back full throttle in the fall. The lecture series will be touching on modern day events in the various countries that were explored by Marco Polo. I'm so there! The Africa lectures were delivered by Princeton professors on campus and I took so much away from them. They were bargain priced at about $90 for 9 lectures. I'll make a note when registration starts for the fall because I know several people who are interested.

The hike itself was fun and very informative. It lasted about 4 hours with lots of stopping and talking about various species of plants. We had to navigate through some pretty swampy areas and my shoes are coated in mud! After a while, I didn't mind the fact that my socks were soaked and squishy. He identified various seeds, blossoms, roots and leaves that we could pick right up and eat. We did too! A few were bitter but most of them were very good! I've been interested in learning more about wild edibles for about a year and a half now (ever since reading Wild Fermentation) and so I was delighted when I saw this walk in the PAS catalogue. It was really worth the $35. The last thing he helped us to identify was a definite crowning moment. Wild leeks, also known as ramps. I LOVE leeks. I am excited because I could readily identify them if I were to spot a patch now. Shannon and I picked several of these gems and then she cooked them up for us last night for dinner. She used this recipe from Molto Mario. It was awesome.