This summer has been flying by with trips, weddings, showers, friends, all the wonderful things to fill summer with. But this weekend I purposefully made absolutely no plans and vowed to let the weekend run its own natural course. After staying in with CC on Friday night I was well rested for Saturday and looking back, I can't think of a more complete or perfect summer day.
I went to an early yoga class at Cleveland Yoga and then headed to Shaker Square to pick up our CSA share at the North Union Farmers Market. On my way I did a quick drive by of the new house and it is less than 15 minutes from my yoga studio, yay. CSA Week #4 brought broccoli, sugar snap peas, radishes, summer squash, a big white turnip, and some spinach. While at the market I also picked up a 4 lb. whole Tea Hills chicken, a pint of local blueberries, a dozen eggs, and some garlic.
Next stop, Gallucci's Italian grocery store. I am a serious sucker for cheese samples and couldn't leave without the peppery pecorino they had on special. I also picked up fresh mozzarella, cerignola olives, and a big bottle of citrus sangria. While I was in the store, a monsoon hit Cleveland. With all this food and rainy skies, all I wanted to do for the rest of the day was cook. So I invited Rae Rae and Monster and her bf over for a feast. Now if you are reading this and I didn't invite you over, I'm sorry but my current apartment has a max 4 guest limit. I can't wait until I am in the new house and can invite many more.
While prepping, CC mentioned that he would like to go to Lily's Handmade Chocolates in Tremont to pick up some beer for dinner. In addition to the best and prettiest chocolates, Lily's also sells unique beers which you can mix to make your own six pack. I picked up my own version of a 'make your own six pack' and bought a six piece of her handmade chocolates (After I wrote that sentence I had to get up and eat one. Went with Pistachio - bittersweet sea salt ganache and milk chocolate with chopped pistachios on top). I also have some BIG NEWS - see bottom.
Next stop, Westside Market. I guess I felt the need to somehow hit all my favorite Cleveland food sources in one day. I picked up more lemons and limes and some poppyseed from the Mediterranean Store. I spent the rest of the day in the kitchen cooking up the menu shown in pictures below. Dinner was lovely and followed by dancing and a lot of 'cheers' at Dive Bar. Overall the perfect day!
Citrus sangria: wine, lemons, limes and peaches soaked in sugar and brandy, and tonic
Tea Hills whole roast chicken with fresh rosemary, garlic, and lemon
Pan-Roasted Turnips with Poppy and Paprika from Mario Batali's Molto Italiano
Cherries, olives, and pecorno cheese
CC's homemade pizza with fresh mozz, tomatoes, basil, sea salt and olive oil
Rae Rae's summer berry salad (greens, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, grapes, brie, and raspberry vinaigrette)
BIG NEWS: The culmination of my life's work will take place this Sunday, July 19 at 6:00 pm at the Taste of Tremont. I am in a chocolate eating contest sponsored by Lily's Handmade Chocolates!!!! I'm competing against 4 others to eat as much chocolate as I can in 1 minute with no hands to win a six piece box of Lily's amazing chocolates, a t-shirt and serious bragging rights. Come watch!!
1 comment:
I WANT TO COME!!!!!!!! I think you are very well trained to dominate the show. Think back to days of endless Nutella eating and that can be your inspiration. I know you can do it! Snickerdoodle and I will be together and we will call you to see the results. DO NOT DISAPPOINT US.
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