Cranberry-Orange Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies can be a pretty controversial thing for something so simple. Is the perfect cookie crispy, chewy, or cakey? Or is it chewy and crispy? Is the center doughy or is it dry? Should the chocolate be in chips, chunks, or wafers? Brown sugar, white sugar, or a mix of both? Hours-long debates could be held among cookie lovers about what qualifies a chocolate chip cookie as perfect.

This may or may not be the perfect chocolate chip cookie to you. I can’t make any guarantees other than it’s delicious and that’s all that might really matters; after all, you’re still eating a cookie packed with chocolate. What’s to hate? This cookie base starts with browned butter, a mix of brown and white sugars, gets a good dose of orange zest and vanilla, and then, for a touch of festive flavor, a big handful of fresh cranberries - and yes, of course, lots and lots of good dark chocolate…..chunks. I prefer buying a good bar and chopping it myself and throwing it in the dough - irregular sized chunks and tiny shavings alike. You can choose whatever form of chocolate you like, though. And, if cranberries aren’t your thing, leave them out or try a different fruit. Blueberries - yum! Dried chopped apricots - send me some!! Black raisins - okay, maybe we should talk…

An important note about this dough: It’s easy to make but it’s important to be patient. The dough requires a rest time of at least 30 minutes before shaping and baking. I know, it’s hard to wait for fresh baked cookies, but trust me, let the dough take a cat nap. This rest time allows the flavor to develop and it hydrates the flour, creating a better textured cookie.

Oh, did I mention this recipe makes huge cookies that are chewy on the inside (but not doughy) and crispy/caramelizes on the edges? You could call it perfect, but we won’t start that debate right now….you’ve got cookies to bake! The dough also freezes great and can be baked straight from the freezer. So, make a big batch, scoop it, and freeze the dough balls. Want to make smaller cookies to stuff holiday goodie boxes? Those instructions are included, too. Happy baking!

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CRANBERRY-ORANGE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES

Makes: 15 (5-inch) cookies // 40 (2.5-inch) cookies

• 1 cup unsalted butter

• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 3/4 cup brown sugar

• 3/4 cup white sugar

• 2 teaspoons orange zest

• 1 large egg

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 3/4 cup fresh cranberries

• 1 cup chopped crystallized ginger (optional)

• 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chunks

Add butter to a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the milk solids separate and brown (about 10 minutes starting with cold butter). Transfer to a bowl and let cool while you prep the remaining ingredients, or 10 minutes.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and ground ginger. In another large mixing bowl, beat browned butter, sugars, and orange zest at medium speed for 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla, beating for another minute. With mixer on low, gradually add flour until fully combined. Stop to scrape sides and bottom of bowl.

Fold in chocolate, cranberries, and crystallized ginger. Let dough rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350º. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, shiny side up, and lightly spray with cooking spray.

For large cookies: Using a 1/4 cup ice cream scoop, scoop cookie dough into balls. Arrange dough balls on lined baking sheet 4 inches apart. (Bake in batches.)

Bake for 14 to 15 minutes. Let cool on pan for 5 minutes. Remove and finish cooling on a wire rack.

For small cookies: Using a 1.5 tablespoon spring loaded scoop, scoop cookie dough into balls. Arrange dough balls on lined baking sheet 2 inches apart. (Bake in batches.)

Bake for 9 to 10 minutes. Let cool on pan for 5 minutes. Remove and finish cooling on a wire rack.

Freeze the dough

Freezing cookie dough is a great way to prep for busy baking seasons or to always have cookies on hand - because that’s obviously the best reason.

Scoop dough onto a wax paper lined pan. Freeze overnight. Frozen dough can then be transferred to freezer bags. (This works for both cookie sizes.)

When ready to bake, Preheat oven. Arrange fully frozen dough balls on prepped baking sheet 2 to 4 inches apart.

Bake as directed, adding 2 to 3 minutes to the baking time. Let cool on pan for 5 minutes. Remove and finish cooling on a wire rack.

Golden Milk Pound Cake

There’s a not-so-secret rule in our family that you don’t mention the word “turmeric” around my dad unless you want to start a somewhat lengthy, although educational, conversation about the many benefits of the super-powered root. For this reason, I found it only fitting to bake a turmeric-ladened cake in a pan he gave me for my birthday as its inaugural bake.

This not-too-sweet pound cake contains a increasingly popular turmeric-based beverage mix called Golden Milk. Typically whisked into steamed animal or alternative milks, it has a number of valuable health properties as well as delicious flavor and beautiful color. I decided to use it here for flavor more than its health benefits (this is cake after-all…). The turmeric shines brighter in color than taste, however its low-profile earthy notes mixed with vanilla give your taste buds a magical reminder of coconut. The additional mix of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and black pepper give warmth to the overall flavor, rounding out the sweetness.

Included is a recipe for homemade Golden Milk Powder and a quick how-to for making yourself a beverage if you feel so inclined! You can also substitute your favorite store-bought powder in the cake recipe if you’d prefer.

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GOLDEN MILK POUND CAKE

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

• 2 tablespoons Golden Milk Powder (recipe below)

• 3/4 cups unsalted butter, softened

• 2 cups granulated sugar

• 5 large eggs at room temperature

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup full-fat yogurt or sour cream

• 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar

• 2 tablespoons milk or cream

• Ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 325º. Spray a 15-cup Bundt pan with baking spray. (I personally love to use the Sprouts Grapeseed Oil spray.)

Whisk together flour, salt, baking soda, and Golden Milk Powder.

Beat butter on medium speed until smooth. Add sugar and continue beating until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Beat in vanilla.

Turn mixer speed to low. Add one third flour mixture, mixing just until incorporated. Add half of yogurt until just incorporated. Repeat with remaining flour and yogurt, ending with flour. (Be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl as needed.) Transfer the batter to your greased pan.

Bake on the middle oven rack for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. (The top will crack and the crack should look mostly dry.) Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Carefully flip the cake pan upside down on the rack to remove cake. Let cool completely.

Whisk together powdered sugar and milk. (Add more milk for a thinner glaze.) Drizzle cooled cake with glaze before serving and sprinkle with cinnamon for a bit of extra spice.

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Golden Milk Powder

Makes about 1/3 cup

• 2 tablespoons turmeric powder

• 2 tablespoons ground Vietnamese cinnamon

• 1 1/2 tablespoons ground ginger

• 1 tablespoon ground cardamom

• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Mix all spices together and store in an airtight jar in the pantry.

To make a golden milk latte: Heat 8-ounces desired milk until steaming. Whisk in 1 teaspoon Golden Milk Powder (or more to taste) until spices are fully incorporated. Sweeten to taste. Enjoy immediately.

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Peach Grilled Cheese

I have to admit, I'm much more of a fall and winter person. I don't particularly love hot weather or being eaten by bugs when stepping foot outside. I do, however, have a great appreciation for Summer's necessity in our food system, and peaches are what make the heat and humidity worth it. For the past seven summers, I've roamed San Diego's market in search of sweet and juicy peaches. My wanderings have led me to some good finds - floral white peaches from Sweet Tree Farms, sweet donut (or Saturn) peaches from Jacey's Farm, and a young crop of little ones from Good Taste Farm. Each delicious and flavorful in their own way. However, I still found myself longing for the peaches that grow about an hour south of my hometown - big, juicy, rosy-cheeked Chilton County yellow peaches. I love these peaches so much that when we'd take a trip back to Alabama in the summer, I'd designate my carryon bag to be filled solely with these (carefully packed) peaches.

This summer, I find myself back to living about an hour north of these orchards. And while I also find myself deeply missing my San Diego market wanderings, I am loving the ability to drive to the nearest farm stand or Pepperplace Farmer's Market to buy a few pounds. What I love most  about peaches is their ability to go between sweet and savory applications seamlessly, more so that any other summer produce (in my opinion). From pizza topping to ice cream, caprese salads to skillet cakes, peaches can (and should) be enjoyed in as many forms as possible while in peak season. 

One of my favorite ways to enjoy them is in a grilled cheese. Paired with a fresh herb, some soft cheeses, a salty cured meat or pickle, and a zip from spice or vinegar, it's an unbeatable quick lunch especially post farmer's market shopping when you're looking for the fastest way to get from produce basket to tastebuds. I've written up what's essentially a non-recipe and more of a guide for using what you have on hand to make one delicious sweet and savory sandwich. 

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Peach Grilled Cheese

• Thick sliced sourdough or your favorite bread
• Soft cheese (cream cheese, labneh, goat)
• Sliced or grated melting cheese (mozzarella, brie, gruyere)
• Sliced cured meat, pickles, or other fresh produce
• Fresh peach, thinly sliced
• Fresh herbs
• Condiments: Preserves, vinegar glaze, hot sauce
• Ghee, butter, or oil

Start by spreading your bread slices with the soft cheese. Then, start stacking your ingredients on one bread slice. (I like to alternate ingredients, dispersing the melting cheese amongst the rest so that everything melds together when being grilled.) Drizzle over your condiment(s), and top with the remaining bread slice.

Heat a teaspoon of ghee in a pan over medium-low heat until melted. Swirl to coat. Add your sandwich and cover; cook for 3 minute undisturbed. Lift slightly with a spatula to see if bread is browned. Continue cooking, covered until it's toasted to your preference. Flip, and cover, and repeat. When toasted to your preference, remove the sandwich and let it stands for a few minutes before slicing. This will help it set slightly so it doesn't fall apart when eating. 

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Some of my preferred flavor combinations are below!

PEACH-BASIL (pictured)

Brie & labneh
Basil
Salami
Pepper jelly

Peach Caprese

Goat cheese & gruyere
Tarragon or chives
Thinly sliced heirloom tomato
Balsamic glaze
 

Peach-Chipotle

Cream cheese & mozzarella
Cilantro
Red onion
Chipotle hot sauce

Savory Tomato Cobbler

I used to work for a non-profit that sent me on wild and sometimes odd adventures around the country. One of those times I was flying back to San Diego from a wedding and was asked to get off the plane and meet up with one our traveling teams in the southeast. I ended up in downtown Atlanta, in an industrial loft of friends of a friend, singing "Wagon Wheel," making food, and dreaming about tomato cobbler. I can't remember the conversation trail to how this idea came about, but it's been in the back of my mind since. While there are many things that I love about living in California, my southern roots miss the warm, carb-topped comfort foods that epitomize the South. Tomatoes, chicken, and biscuits are pretty humble staples of southern cuisine, but plenty of magic can be made from them. This warm and savory cobbler, with a hint of spicy harissa, is the perfect transitional dish from late summer into those early fall, cool nights.

I've included a few variations to this dish, as the both the filling and biscuits recipes can work on their own. The cobbler can easily be made vegetarian by skipping the chicken and going straight tomato or subbing for vegetables like roasted zucchini and cauliflower. You can also short-cut this recipe by using store-bought biscuit dough (but trust me, if you have the extra time, it's worth using scratch-made biscuits). 

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Savory Tomato Cobbler

COBBLER FILLING

• Olive oil
• 1 lb boneless chicken (optional)
• 2 Tbsp sherry or wine vinegar
• 1 small white onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground fennel seeds
• 4-6 tsp harissa paste
• 2 lbs of heirloom cherry tomatoes
• 3 Tbsp cane sugar
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1/2-1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp cornstarch
• Biscuit Topping (recipe follows)
• Heavy cream or ricotta for serving (optional)

Heat a wide pot or large and deep skillet over a medium flame and add two tablespoons of oil. Brown the chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side. Set aside. 

Reduce heat to medium-low and deglaze the pan with 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Add another tablespoon or two of oil to the pan and stir in the onions. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions soften and start to turn translucent. While the onions are cooking, mince the garlic and cut about three-quarters of the tomatoes in half, leaving a handful or two whole. 

When the onions have softened, add the minced garlic, cumin, fennel, and harissa. Stir and toast the spices until fragrant (about a minute). Add in the tomatoes and sugar, stirring until combined. Heat until the juices come to a soft simmer. Continue simmering for 20 minutes to reduce the tomatoes and lower the heat if the juices begin to boil or come to a hard simmer. Gently stir on occasion to keep them from burning, taking care to not break down the tomato piece too much. After 20 minutes, mix in the remaining tablespoon of vinegar, lemon zest and half a teaspoon of salt. Taste and add additional salt, if necessary.

Shred the chicken and fold into the tomatoes. Mix cornstarch with a tablespoon of water and add to the tomato mixture. Simmer for a few minutes, until the mixture starts to thicken. Remove from the heat. Fill a 10” deep dish pie pan, cast iron skillet, or other oven-proof dish of similar size with the mixture. Set aside.

Preheat your oven to 400℉. Make the biscuit topping (instructions below) and place biscuits over the tomato filling, leaving a few small gaps for the cobbler to release moisture as it bakes. Brush the tops with the remaining tablespoon of milk. Place in the middle rack of your oven with a baking sheet or piece of foil underneath to catch any bubbling. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the tops of the biscuits are a nice golden brown and the cobbler is bubbling on the edges. 

Remove and serve warm in a bowl with a small pour of heavy cream or scoop of ricotta. 

BISCUIT TOPPING

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour + some for dusting
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cane sugar
• 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
• 6 Tbsp cold butter, cut into small cubes
• 1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese or sour cream 
• 1/2 cup whole or buttermilk + 1 Tbsp set aside

In the bowl of a food processor, combine all dry ingredients, minus the butter, and pulse to thoroughly combine. Add the butter and pulse a few times until the largest pieces are the size of English peas. The texture should be crumbly with only a small number of big butter pieces. You can also use work the butter in with a pastry cutter or by hand (like you would for a pie crust) if preferred.

Pour dry mix into a large mixing bowl. Whisk the ricotta and milk together until the texture is mostly smooth. Pour a third over the flour mixture and begin gently folding everything together with a fork, just until the wet and dry ingredients are beginning to come together. Continue in thirds until the milk is fully incorporated. At this point, you will finish the process mostly by hands (things will get a bit messy, but that's part of the fun). Knead a few times by hand until the shaggy dough starts to form a single mass. The dough will look a bit dry and crumbly. 

Lightly flour a smooth surface and turn out the dough. Gently fold the mixture together a few times to incorporate most of the dry goods. Press into a 1.5-2” thick rectangle, working any bits of dry goods left into the sticky areas of dough. Cut the dough in half, crosswise, using a bench scraper or knife. Stack one half on top of the other and press down to flatten a bit. Sprinkle the dough and work surface with additional flour, if needed, to help keep the dough from sticking to your hands or the work surface. Roll the dough to 1” thick rectangle. Cut the biscuits into squares with a knife or circles with a round biscuit or cookie cutter. The dough should yield 8 pieces. Use any scraps to fill major gaps in the cobbler top, or reform into a small biscuit and bake separately for a cook’s treat. 

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VARIATIONS

Chutney: Skip using the chicken and begin the recipe until you start simmering the tomatoes. Extend the simmer time to 40-50 minutes, stirring frequently, until they become thick like preserves. The tomatoes are done when you can pull a spoon across the bottom of the pan and it creates a clear trail with the tomatoes flowing back in to fill the space in a second or two. Add the remaining vinegar and half a teaspoon of salt. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired. Remove from heat and transfer to sterilized jars for water bath preserving, or an airtight container and refrigerate for up two weeks.  

Biscuits: Make dough as directed until forming the initial rectangle. Cut into quarters and stack each on top of each other. Press down to flatten a bit. Sprinkle the dough and work surface with additional flour, if needed, to help keep the dough from sticking to your hands or the work surface. Roll the dough to 1.5” thick rectangle. Cut the biscuits into squares with a knife or circles with a round biscuit or cookie cutter. 

Place on a lined baking sheet 1-2” apart and brush the tops with remaining tablespoon of milk or melted butter. Bake on the middle oven rack for 20-25 minutes or until a deep golden brown on top. Remove from the oven and carefully move the biscuits to a cooling rack. Enjoy, hot, with soft butter and drizzled honey or a generous slather of tomato chutney.

Farmer's Market Methodology

How to Balance Flavor & Finances While Being Farmer-Friendly  

If you’ve been following my blog for any length of time now, you’ve probably realized that I love farmers markets. I don’t mean like “OMG, this is so cute, I love it!”, more like “what fresh heaven on earth is this and can I live here?” Admittedly, this is partly because they appeal to my fascination with simpler ways of life, centuries past - when people strolled casually through cobblestone streets to get the early pick of a merchant’s newest offerings of baked goods and produce, planning their meals for the days ahead as a little bird lights gently on their shoulder to serenade them (and then made cakes with lots of brandy in them). Ok, maybe I’m over-romanticizing. I mean, those cobblestone streets were filled with who-knows-what; and when was the last time a little bird flew up to you with any other intention than to leave you with...Anyways, it’s safe to say that I’m pretty happy with modern comforts and conveniences, but I also love my weekly strolls down the closed city blocks, market bag in tow, to pick out my food for the week. However, it’s less about my romanticizing of simpler times and more about my love for really good tasting food.

The way I see it, there are three main perks of shopping at a farmer’s market; you get to support your local economy, the food tastes better, and it’s fun!

A recent study by UC Davis found that every dollar spent at a local farmer’s market, or at market-direct farms, is twice as effective at influencing the strength of a local economy over buying from a supermarket. Something I find odd about our current culture is how we seek out our favorite local coffee shop, dine at that new farm-to-table restaurant and shop makers fairs for local artisan goods but still purchase our groceries from a standard grocery store. I'm not here to browbeat anyone about how  ‘shopping ‘big-box’ style stores is evil’ (more on that later), but it’s a habit worth examining, and our food growers are a facet of our small business community we shouldn’t forget about. So, if you’re interested in keeping your community economically sound, buying direct from the farms is a great choice.

Then, as if all the socially responsible perks weren’t enough, the food you’ll find at a market is likely to taste better than what you can find in your average grocery store. Over the last several decades, shoppers have pushed the agricultural industry into favoring shelf life, ship-ability, and appearance (of all things..) over flavor. However, your local market-direct farmers don’t have to worry much about long shelf life or major transportation issues. This means you can often find the more unique or heirloom (unmodified) varieties of fruits and vegetables, often produced with more organic and sustainable growing methods.

Starting with already-delicious produce is the biggest head-start you can give yourself to making recipes and final dishes taste incredible. Plus, the more we support our local farms, the more we help to shift the food system back in a healthy direction.

Ok, I’ll be stepping off my soap box now..mostly..

Aside from the "do good" stuff, like I said, most farmer’s markets are fun! In addition to lots of really beautiful produce, they often have live music, ready-made food vendors, cut flowers, and (probably lots of) cute dogs(!). When people come to visit us in San Diego, I try to take them to a market just for the fact that it gives them a taste of our city’s culture and offerings. If you’ve recently moved to a new city or you’re just looking for something different to do on a weekend, definitely go to a market and get to know your town or neighborhood better and discover new facets of the community.

I know, I know; I can already hear your interjections that it's no secret farmer's markets have a reputation for being wallet drainers. They don’t get that reputation for nothing, but it’s not what your experience has to be every time, or ever, really.

It's not hard for the bargain hunters looking for sale items to find the best deals at the market, but I've learned a few little tricks for how to make my market dollars more effective, balancing flavor, intended use and price, when there are specific items on my shopping list. By learning what and how to buy at a market and what items can be picked up elsewhere, you can enjoy good food and support local farms even when you don't have Lady Grantham’s household budget.

Know what you want and set a budget: Start by deciding what’s most valuable to you that week and then leave yourself some room to try something new. I prioritize the items that are best when they’re fresh from my local farms. I look for seasonal fruit, tomatoes, fresh cut herbs, pastured eggs, and leafy greens by the pound (<— this one is so much cheaper from the market than the grocery store!). If it’s helpful, make a list of what you’d ideally like to buy before you go and reference back to it as you shop (I know, duh.). For example, I’ve learned the strawberries from the farm in Carlsbad would totally smash the taste of the strawberry-esque fruits from the grocery store in a Tuesday Night Smackdown, so those little berries will definitely end up as a market purchase.

There can be a lot of different farms selling the same produce at one market. You can make the shopping process easier by weighing your intended use into your decisions. When I’m looking for strawberries to make preserves, I know that I’ll be cooking them down and adding some sugar. In this case, I usually ask a farmer if they have any smashed fruit to buy at a discount or find the less expensive (and potentially less Smackdown-worthy) berries. If I’m looking for strawberries to eat fresh, I usually buy the best tasting ones. The same goes for buying produce at the market versus the grocery store. When I’m wanting tomatoes to slice for a sandwich, I’m definitely buying them from a local farmer (because flavor wins here, again). If I’m cooking some romas into a pasta sauce, you may let your budget decide if market or grocer is best. The more often you shop at a market, the more you’ll get to know the farms and their seasonal offerings. You’ll find that JR Organics has great strawberries, Good Taste grows the best citrus ever, and Luchia produces some of the finest greens around. It won’t be long before you’ll be thinking of a certain farm or booth as you make your list and you’ll know what you want and right where to get it without much thought - you might even make some new farmer friends!

Once I know what I’m looking to buy, I decide how much I can spend and run by an ATM on my way to the market. As a freelancer, my budget constantly varies and some weeks it’s virtually non-existent, so even though several farms take cards these days, by using cash, I know I’ll stay on budget - when it’s gone, I’m done. Another great (mostly unknown) feature is that lots of markets accept EBT cards and some give extra rewards for buying produce at a farmer's market. California has a great market finder for EBT, WIC, etc. accepting markets. If you are a part of one of these programs, be sure to check if your state has a directory.

Walk the market: I like to start at one end and walk the entire length of the market, “window shopping” each booth, tasting and smelling my way through (most farms have samples or will provide one if you ask). This way I get a good overall idea of what’s being offered this week and I can compare that to my priority list. Sometimes I’ll take photos on my phone to remember the farm and the price because my memory is terrible and after 4 tables of tomatoes, it can easily run together. If you aren’t sure what’s best that week or if you see something you’re unfamiliar with, ask! Remember, most of the people working are out there because they love what they’re doing and if they’re not helping five people at once, they’re often all too happy to tell you about their produce and why it’s special. They might even be able to suggest different ways prepare it or what else might go with it. It’s a great way to introduce yourself to something new and interact with the people who grew your food.

When you’ve made it to the other end, circle back around and break out that cash.

Supplement from a store as needed: I shop at a farmers market almost every week, and I still swing by Sprout’s to pick up additional items. I know that when you’re on a budget, you can’t necessarily afford all of your weekly groceries at market prices. So, buy what you can from a farmer, then get the rest at your usual places. (See, I told you grocery stores aren’t evil!)

Kris - Farmer at Good Taste Farm (photo by Van Chaplin)

Bulk Purchases and Fair Pricing: When you’re looking to make a large batch of peach preserves, canning tomatoes, or you just realllly love blueberries, don’t be afraid to ask a farm if they’ll do a bulk discount. Most farmers will gladly sell you large amounts at a discount. Just be fair in your pricing. I strongly believe people deserve to be paid for the value of what they produce. Our farmers are some the hardest working professionals in our country and what they produce is our life-blood. Many of the farmers selling at your local markets aren’t harvesting with large machines; they’re literally on hands and knees, digging your carrots out of the ground, and in some cases the day or morning before selling it to you. Some of these farmers are continuing family businesses, some are immigrants and refugees, and some are new farmers simply because they love providing people with food. I say this to illustrate the work that goes into those tables full of zucchini and watermelons, and the prices should reflect that. So, when you’re looking for a deal or to buy something at a bulk discount, be respectful in your expectations.  

One final thought; show your appreciation for the farmer's’ labor of love by wasting as little as possible and sharing it with others. And when you like something, let the farmer know! It may encourage them to continue growing that crop next season or expand their current plantings, but it’s also a really nice way to interact and build relationships with them. Personally, I think farmers deserve a thousand times more praise than they get. Here’s a little advice from one of my favorite local farmers, Sarah, of Good Taste Farm:

“The main reason to go to a farmers market is because it is FUN. You get to see beautiful produce displays, smell delicious foods, and then YOU GET TO EAT THINGS! The farmers market puts a face to the abstract concept of “food."

My market tips: Chill out and enjoy the sights! There isn't a right or wrong way to do things. It's okay to peruse without buying, but when something catches your eye, don't be afraid to buy it and try it.

Support farmers by buying from the farm stalls, not just prepared foods. We farmers work very hard to bring our farm products every week. Ask prepared food vendors if they buy from any of the farms and give your business to the ones that do.

The best compliment you can give a farmer is to tell people you know about the farm and share the food you make with others!”

I hope this helps demystify the farmer’s market shopping experience and provides you with ways to support your local farmers without breaking your bank. Just remember, you don’t need to be Lady Grantham to eat good food from talented farmers, though I know we all wish we had her style...

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I’d love to see your market adventures and what you’re filling your market baskets with, so take share your photos on Instagram! (Tag #ofthedirt and #whatsinyourbasket)