Farmers Market

Farmer's Market

A summer highlight growing up were the early morning trips to Madison for the farmers market. With a pocket full of change, my sister and I would walk from vendor to vendor, taking full advantage of the free samples. After circling the Capitol Square once, we would make the tough decision on how to spend our money. Usually it came down to honey sticks or maple suckers. Clearly, we were all about the sweets!

Farmer's Market

Attending college at UW-Madison allowed me to continue the weekend farmers market tradition. It was on the Square that I learned of Ian’s sharp cheddar love, bought my first succulent, and satisfied my never-ending craving for Stella’s Hot and Spicy Cheese bread.

Farmer's Market

I have to admit, when Ian accepted the job offer miles away from Madison one of the things that tugged at my heart was the realization that our farmers market tradition may come to an end. Luckily, after a bit of online research I discovered our new town hosted a Wednesday night farmers market! It didn’t take long after we settled in before we were roaming down the main street enjoying samples from new vendors.

Farmer's Market

While I no longer can stock up on spicy cheese bread, I’ve found new favorites to fill my shopping bag. Our guilty pleasures now include macrons, beef jerky, local honey, and fresh berries. It’s one of our favorite summer traditions and has helped us feel apart of our new community over the past few years.

Farmer's Market

What are your favorite summer traditions?

French Toast with Raspberry Whipped Cream

Berry French Toast

During the week my breakfast consists of a bowl of cereal. Not that impressive, but I try to make up for my lack of variety over the weekend when I have more time to spare.

Berry French Toast

Last weekend I was craving french toast so I whipped up a batch. Normally I would just drizzle a bit of maple syrup on top and call it a day, but I felt a bit more adventurous this morning. I had leftover whipped cream in the fridge and I thought it would be a shame for it to go to waste. Right?!

Berry French Toast

A handful of raspberries later, I had a bowl of raspberry whipped cream. Pure heaven! Topped with fresh berries and a sprinkle of powdered sugar, I dug into my breakfast. French toast craving = satisfied!

Raspberry Whipped Cream French Toast

Ingredients:

  • Thick cut bread
  • 1/4 C milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1 C heavy whipping cream
  • 4 Tbs powdered sugar
  • 1/2 C raspberries

Recipe:

  • Whisk the egg and milk in a shallow bowl until well combined
  • Dip the bread into the milk/egg mixture, making sure each side is evenly coated
  • Place on a hot skillet and cook until each side is golden
  • Whip the heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar until stiff peaks form
  • Gently crush the raspberries and fold them into the whipped cream
  • Plate the french toast and top with whipped cream
  • Sprinkle on a handful of fresh berries and powdered sugar if desired

 

Pesto Pasta with Turkey Sausage and Peas

Pesto Pasta Salad. Perfect summer dish!

When Ian and I got married I decided it was time to start filling our recipe box with tried and true favorites. I love scrolling through Pinterst and trying new recipes, but when I’m in a pinch I flip through our recipe box for a dish I know we will love. Sometimes you are just hungry and don’t want to take the risk of a #PinterestFail.

Pesto Pasta Salad. Perfect summer dish!

This pesto pasta dish was the result of a late night in the office and a nearly empty fridge. Ian and I were starving, so I knew I had to make something quick. I looked around the pantry and I noticed we had a package of quinoa noodles. Alright – now were are getting somewhere! Add the leftover pesto, peas, tomatoes, and turkey sausage lying around in the fridge and dinner was served! We were both surprised that it was A) edible and B) one of our new favorite dishes!

Pesto Pasta Salad. Perfect summer dish!

I guess you never know when you are going to stumble across a new recipe. If you try it out and love it as much as we do add it to your recipe collection!

Pesto Pasta with Turkey Sausage and Peas

Ingredients:

  • 8oz of your favorite pasta (I used Trader Joe’s brown rice quinoa fusilli pasta)
  • Turkey sausage, sliced
  • 1 C. pesto
  • 1 C. frozen peas
  • 1/2 C. sliced grape tomatoes
  • Feta cheese

Recipe:

  • Boil pasta and add the frozen peas in during the last five minutes
  • While the pasta boils, pan fry the turkey sausage until golden on each side
  • Drain the pasta and place in a large bowl
  • Add the turkey sausage, tomatoes, and pesto
  • Stir until combined
  • Plate and sprinkle with feta cheese