Savory Summer

I am in heaven. The farmers' markets in New York are starting to offer some of the northeast's most amazing harvests. I picked up some local, naturally grown strawberries. I had no idea that 'organic' labeling was so prohibitive and damaging to small farmers (even if their products are considered 'organic'). I spoke with some of the farmers whose produce I purchased and was appalled (but not surprised) to find out why USDA hates small farmers. Click here!

VEGAN CHEESE PLATE

Below, I made lunch for a few friends. The starter was a Cheese Plate featuring Dr. Cows raw, vegan, crystal manna blue cheese, toasted local sourdough bread, local strawberries, walnuts, and a Sweet & Sarah vegan coconut-crusted marshmallow. I drizzled some 'Just Like Honey' which is an indistinguishable alternative to real bee vomit! Cheese plates are finally doable with Dr.Cow - for your own spin on this, try doing cheese & chocolate, cheese & veggies, or cheese & fruit! There usually is no way to go wrong with good cheese.

CHIVE BLOSSOM SALAD

I had no idea that a) chives even blossomed or b) you can eat the flowers that c) taste like spicy chives! Yum! Not only is this salad visually delicious, but the hearty mixed greens, NYS apples, powerful sliced radishes and hearty radish greens made an amazingly filling and tongue-invigorating dish. As for dressing, I made a simply apple-cider vinegar with coconut oil and black sesame dressing.

PICKLED RADISH & STEAMED VITAMIN GREENS

In this dish, I sliced some local radish and put them in my pickle jar along side Rick's Picks 'bee 'n' bees' pickles overnight. I steamed some local 'vitamin greens' and kale, drizzled a touch of sesame oil on top, and was good to go. Lesson here? Never throw out old pickle juice!