Saturday, July 18, 2009

Kitchen Witchery

Being a bit of a foodie (or at least as much of a foodie as a vegetarian can be) the kitchen has always been a magical place for me. Like painting, cooking is a creative endeavor; something done with lots of love, and a wish not only to nourish but to nurture family and friends...

We're fortunate to live in a place with some of richest farmland and freshest produce in the country, which makes cooking even more of a pleasure. So every once in a while (like this morning) I take a break from the painting to visit one of the local farm markets and pick up provisions. Here's one of my favorites, just a couple of miles away....


This is the view of the main road from the parking lot. Check out the old water pump in the front yard of the house across the street. It's one of my favorite houses - whitewashed, with a bright red door, and sit sits right on the Conestoga Creek...

Oops - sorry, getting off topic, hehe. Back to the market....

Although they weren't on my list, I just couldn't resist these blueberries - the plan is to freeze them for smoothies, but I may just have to set a few aside for blueberry muffins. ;)


And the green beans - yummmmmm....steamed crisp-tender and served with a splash of lemon juice.


And watermelon - summer's perfect food! I found a recipe for watermelon salad I've been dying to try, with feta cheese, cucumber, cilantro and red onion - almost like a watermelon salsa.


And finally, a post about Lancaster County farm markets and local food just wouldn't be complete without showing you a local delicacy - the whoopee pie.


Two cake-like cookies filled with a shortening and sugar concoction sure to send children bouncing off the walls for hours. Now, what I'm about to say is sacrilege, but I really don't understand the appeal of these things. Unless you're like, five years old or something....Can't say that too loud around here though - disliking whoopee pies is like, well - like disliking scrapple, or red velvet cake (also guilty!)... But to get back to my original point, the produce in this area is truly amazing.

Well okay, and the snickerdoodles. ;)

I also have to share, with the spirit of kitchen magic in mind, I painted another kitchen witch piece this week! I'm loving the plum, turquoise blue and sage green combination....

This one is listed on eBay now, on just a three day auction. Look for more kitchen witchery as autumn approaches - a witch's pantry is waiting in the wings too. :)

That's about it for now.....Back to the kitchen I go (thought I was going to say back to the studio, didn't you?!) Actually, we're hosting a little gathering tomorrow, and I'm baking a batch of chai-latte cupcakes for dessert. Easy to carry around outside, and no need to wash dessert plates, hehe.

However you're spending it, I wish you all a magical and creative weekend!

♥ Carolee

14 comments:

BunnyKissd said...

I love whoopie pies! My grandfather used to buy them from a Mennonite family at the farmer's market every week! Chocolate ones, but I've since seen pumpkin & vanilla in the stores around here. Not as good as those chocolate ones from the Mennonites...

Michelle Eaton said...

Oh boy! All of that fresh produce is making my tummy rumble and my heart sing for life outside of the city. I would love to live in a place like that, it looks so beautiful.

Thanks for following me on my blog. Your artwork is wonderful and magical, I love it!

Elena_Valeriote said...

The produce place looks delightful! There's nothing I love more than fresh produce... And congrats on your vegetarian lifestyle - such a healthy decision!

Christopher A. Klingler said...

Lovely pictures and witch piece Carolee!

Hope you are having a nice weekend.

Chris (-:

Cornerstoregoddess said...

Love the colors!

William Bezek said...

Carolee, I feel like such a dolt! I suggested you prepare chicken with lavender and you are a Vegetarian! Sorry.

William Bezek said...

Oh, and...Hey how about a Kitchen Wizard? He He

Zan Asha said...

Oooh, alright now I'm drooling. Actually, we have a huge farmer's market here in NYC and one of the stalls is a Pennsylvania farmer who sells produce and whoopie pies! Yes, very sugary! Had to try one once as I'd not had one and I thought "gee, I'll never sleep tonight with this much sugar coursing through my veins!" :)

I love farmers markets, too :)

Your sign is also making me drool :) Just fabulous!

Carolee said...

No worries, Will - I'm actually only a half-as**d vegetarian. I eat eggs and fish. And my husband likes chicken, so I still have to prepare it occasionally. I've never tried lavender, but have done herbs de provence with chicken, which I think contains lavender. :)

Susan said...

I agree on the Whoopie Pies...they're much too sweet. I love the PA area. We've been there twice (I love visiting Lancaster and the Amish area) and would love to live there. We visited the Ohio Amish area and got to try Fry Pies. Now THOSE are great!!! I had blackberry which is one of my favorite fruits. Weather permitting, we will be picking blackberries on Tuesday at a local grower. Love my cobblers.
I love the Kitchen Witch sign too. I can't wait to see the Witch's Pantry to come!!!

Kathleen Coy said...

Oh, how can you not like red velvet cake? :-)
I love going to Farmers Market in summer, it's such a delight to cook with the freshest ingredients.

Cathy ~ Tadpoles and Teacups said...

Ahhhh. . .fresh blueberries, watermelon, green beans!! YUM!

Love the precious sign, too.

Iva Wilcox said...

Oh how I love the countryside in your neck of the woods Carolee! Beautiful pics! My oh my...that pie cookie thingy looks delicious! What a perfect painting for a wonderful post! Have a great day...Iva

Gamescapist said...

I would love to have that witch in my kitchen!
Cooking truly is an art, which I've recently put much effort in. Or what about the reindeer steak with fresh potatoes and a mushroom sauce (with just a hint of red wine), that I cooked for my parents last week?
It's the best way of spoiling I say, making people eat things that makes their tounges mad in joy until there bellies ache. But also, I am more of a hobbit than usual for such a long legged girl.