Opening Ceremonies (pizza)

Though personally I’m not a huge sports fan, opening ceremonies of the Olympics are a must see, so we usually build a party around them. Sochi may have the Olympics, but  we have the pizza!

It’s a build your own pie party as the pictures illustrate…. guests are usually humming the Olympics theme as the procession leads through the kitchen.

First up , I prepare a free form pizza made on the flip side of a sheet pan to be shoveled into oven.

completed…

The rest of the participants follow… The toppings have been prepared and containerized ahead of time…. dough has been panned ….

just to name a few, bacon, cheese both hard and soft, broccoli, olives, spinach, mushro0oms, pepperoni, sausage both hot and mild…..

……garlic, tomato sauce….. etc…

BBQ sauce too….

choose your crust….

decorate…..

Bake….

Share….

Enjoy….

Farmers Market

Entrance to the Pawtucket Winter Farmers market.  February 01, 2014

http://www.farmfresh.org/food/farmersmarkets_details.php?market=29

Large windows let in the sunlight at the entrance , one of the side doors to Hope Artiste Village.

Most of the flooring is wood planked, Metal Plate, high ceilings and industrial lighting, lots of natural sunlight.

At Sassy Mama Cuisine, note: on the right clear plastic containers hold samples of their oils. Bread cubes are provided for tasting.

Stainless steel containers allow you to refill previously purchased bottles. Sample containers below to the left.

Not limited to oils, also mustards, BBQ sauces and other items, too many to list.

View from the Sassy Shop to the main corridor of the mill. Not only are there vendors tables set up in the two main corridors, but many shops are also  housed within the village.

Freedom Food Farm (above)

Large well lit corridor allows you to walk and browse vendors tables. We were there at about 11:00 am , not crowded and still plenty of products available.  Some of the vendors provide samples of their products.

Toward the rear of the mill is the corridor linking the two main corridors.

Industrial construction throughout, bricked walls ectera.

Floor plan directory on the left wall.

The other main corridor, all climate controlled accessible environment  to do your shopping and browsing.

Humble Pie booth setup outside Pilates studio. Most of the vendors utilize locally sourced ingredients.

Strolling around not complete with out a cup of coffee, roasted single origin or blended beans on premises. New Harvest Roasters shop have windowed work area where the roasters are visible.

Roaster directions are posted on the wall.

View from the counter, not only will they supply you with fresh roasted beans but will make any type of coffee.

Baked goods also proliferate the market.

Blue Sky Farms table in the background. Fresh herbs are available.

Directory.

Outside in the courtyard of the U shaped mill, two food trucks serve hungry patrons.

Mijos Tacos Truck

Rocket Street Food

Back indoors now, Cheese and Dairy products from Narragansett Creamery.

Pies and Pastries big sellers !

Langwater Farm

Posters,  signage etc.

one of the shops

wood plank flooring

more signage

High, airy and well lit ceilings with exposed beams make for nice visuals while strolling  the mill.

One of the bake shops, there are many kitchens here at the mill ,that translates into fresh baked products.

Just because it’s February doesn’t mean you have to abandon gardening.

Some of the plants available from Allen Farms.

Drop off your cutlery and have it sharpened at Poor Boy Sharpening.

YEP ! Valentines day approaching !

Just in case you need a violin to play while you stroll the market, or music lesson.

Bulletin board and postings.

Shop directory and postings.

Exiting the market

Packing up the goodies.

My haul, simple and direct sourced and/or organic ingredients. Boar hocks are for Osso Buco. …Recipe will follow.

The best source of food bar none here at the Mill.  Are you a cook whose experiencing recipe block ? A visit to the Wintertime market and your cured !

(most of the vendors will process debit and credit cards, also Fresh Bucks are available as the Farmers Market currency).

The assortment and quality even for winter was beyond my expectations . Too many too list, just go there, no charge for admission either so a good place to browse the morning.

(the two girls that I appear to follow are my daughters, thanks for attending)

Boar Osso Buco

Time for another recipe of Osso Buco, very similar to a previous post, osso-buco-or-baked-marrow-bones/.

Boar shanks from PV Farmstand, purchased at the Wintertime Farmers Market.

Ready, a few simple ingredients that are slow cooked.

Find a covered oven proof pot that will nestle the shanks.

Prepare a mix for breading the shanks, here a combination of flour seasonings and breadcrumbs.

A good sized heavy pan for browning the shanks, a combination of olive oil butter in the pan and plain olive oil ready.

Coat the shanks with olive oil……

Now dredge in the seasoned breadcrumb and flour mixture……….

Coat liberally with the mix…..

Gently fry the shanks till golden brown…..

Turn on the sides to brown and seal exterior surfaces….

when browned, return to the cooking vessel….

add chopped onion to the oil in the browning pan……

Add the sauteed onions to the pot with the shanks…..

Add chopped tomatoes and some tomato juiced (canned is OK) to a sauce pot….

Heat and add wine…..

Add the sauce to the pot…..

Add enough liquid to go about 2/3 of the depth of the cooking pot….

Fresh aromatics dot the surface…..

A layer of parchment paper atop……Cover and Bake low and slow about 325 degrees at least an hour and a half.

Later…… DONE…..

Now the next day, (once cooked, cool and refrigerate at least a day beforehand, it’s worth the scheduling beforehand, once cooked will keep well in fridge), diced veggies and saute….

Bake some small  potatoes, fry or broil them slightly to crisp up the skins…. reheat the shanks with the congealed gravy……

Plate it up ! On shank per serving…..

Serve with a homebrew ! Definitely not a boaring meal !

Later on ,serving variation #2, with rice and broccoli and carrots…

Again, one of my favorite cuts of meat….

My compliments to the chef, your not the only one who sucks the marrow from the bones ……  !!!