Spring Produce Guide

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From Saveur Magazine
April 2015

After a long winter, there’s nothing more welcome than the sight of spring’s first vegetables: Crisp lettuces, earthy morels, slender spears of asparagus, leafy spring onions, fresh peas and green beans, and piles of bright rhubarb join year-round staples like garlic and beets as well as winter favorites nearing the end of their season. In the first of our series of comprehensive seasonal produce guides, we’ve got expert tips for buying, storing, and preparing the best of spring’s bounty, plus recipes for everything from roasted artichokes with a white wine and chile-garlic sauce to a gorgeous rhubarb upside-down cake to vibrant shaved asparagus and carrot salad. Happy cooking!

You can click on the photos to see the information on some of my favorite spring time ingredients.

Or click on the link below for a complete guide for Spring Time produce:
http://www.saveur.com/content/produce-guide-spring?dom=SAV&loc=logo

All photos: Vanessa Rees

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Artichokes

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Aspargus

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Beets

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Carrots

 

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Fava Beans

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Garlic

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Arugula

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Bok Choy

“On the Menu @ Tangie’s Menu: The Summer Cookbook”, is now on sale at Blurb.com

Dear Fellow Home cooks and Foodies…..

The End of Summer is near, and as promised, here is the First of the Seasonal Cookbooks, “On The Menu @ Tangie’s Kitchen: The Summer Cookbook”, that is now available at Blurb.com at the following link:
http://blur.by/1nccdeu

An electronic version (e-book) of the book will be posted soon.

In the meantime, use the “KICKOFF” Discount Code to receive 20% off of your purchase. The Discount Code will EXPIRE August 31, 2014 at 12 Midnight.

 

book cover

Thank you for your interest and support of this endeavor.

Sincerely,
Tangie H.

 

Eating Healthy on a Budget: The Farmer’s Market

This season, enjoy the taste of fresh fruits and vegetables. Take the time to shop at your local farmers market and shop for produce that adds colorful nutrition to your Summer menus.

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Nutrients are at their  peak when produce is just picked , so fruits and vegetables from the farmers market is just bursting with healthy flavors.So here are some tips for shopping at your local farmer’s market:

  •  Go early in the morning, when the selection is best.

 

  •  Bring your own reusable bags and a cooler with ice,if the produce is going to be left in a car for a few hours
    after purchase.

 

  •  Try a new vegetable that you have not tried before, such as Japanese eggplant or gooseberries.

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  •  Select the most brightly colored produce, because it’s often the most healthiest, like yellow tomatoes or orange bell peppers.

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  • When buying greens in bunches, look for leaves that
    are bright and crisp.

 

  • In selecting berries, especially blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries, make sure that they are firm and dry to the touch.

 

  •  Always be flexible when shopping in a farmers market. Seasonal produce selection will change from week to week.

 

  • Make sure you talk with the vendors, because they know a lot about their products and may even offer a recipe or two.

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To find a farmers market near you, use the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s link at:
http://search.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/

Input your ZIP code to find locations, hours, and other details.

 

You can also search for farmers markets at:
http://www.localharvest.org/