Blazes, It's Battle Salad!

I had the best of intentions last weekend, trekking to four farmers markets earlier Saturday morning than I usually get out and about. My grand plan also included attending Taste of Cincinnati. But by 10:15, dripping through my shirt, I realized it was not to be. With temps in the 90s and humidity to match, this Memorial Day weekend felt more like Labor Day often does in the Queen City.

My intended Battle Salad entry was spurred by a recipe I saw a couple years ago for a blackberry and bacon salad along these lines. I picked up some herbed goat cheese from nearby Capriole Farm, thinking to try my hand at breading and frying it. To gild the salad lily a tad more, I contemplated extending my recent obsession with runny eggs, a technique I have yet to perfect at home in a skillet, although fresh thyme and sherry vinegar are plusses. Time spent photographing results, not so much, since runny eggs run only so long.

What to do when summer weather saps your ambitions and, darn it, you just need to eat a simple supper? Forget about that blackberry puree you'd need to strain the seeds out of. Heck, forget about following any ding dang recipe (my frequent approach here in the Intuitive Eggplant Kitchen). Consider what you have on hand, pay attention to anything that actually makes you want to eat, then wing it. These local strawberries from the inaugural weekend of the Mt. Adams Farmers Market were something I wanted to eat right right away.

Bacon always makes me hungry, so I fried up some Hickory Smoked Bacon I'd bought at Eckerlin's at Findlay Market and decided to incorporate strawberries instead of blackberries for this venture. A couple more farmers market purchases that piqued my tastebuds were a caramelized onion and herb foccacia from Savor at Covington Farmers Market and cheese brats made from a Napoleon Ridge goat (appropriately named Gouda) I met on a visit to the farm a couple months ago. Tricia from Napoleon Ridge partners with some of the best small sausage makers/butchers in the region to process her animals. If you're looking for local and sustainably raised proteins, check out her booth at the Saturday morning Covington farmers market, where she Kentucky-proudly offers up great stuff not just from her own farm but her great network of local/regional small farmers and producers. Here's the salad I ended up with.

Culinary Smackdown Reminder and More May Food Events

Spring is in the air, and local farmers markets are bursting with early season goodness! One way to put some of those great spring greens to use is to join in this month’s Culinary Smackdown: Battle Salad. The Smackdown is a friendly little cooking/blogging contest that is open to all. We’ve had some great newcomers – and winners – in the last few months! It's a fun kick-in-the-pants to try something new, and I always come away with great ideas from everyone else's contributions. Get all the details here from last month’s winner, Grumpy Granny, who is this month’s host and judge. You're by no means limited to greens, and I love that she poses the question: "What's a salad? You definite it. This is your playground." So play away, kiddos!

Despite its popularity the past two years, Farmers Fair in Covington will not be held this year. Instead, a series of individual events is planned, starting with a 25-mile Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food bike ride next Saturday beginning with coffee and breakfast burritos at Findlay Market, stops at Enright/Price Hill Eco Village, McGlasson’s Farm, and Boone Farm, and concluding with lunch at Covington Farmer’s Market. The event is free, but registration is encouraged to ensure enough food is on hand. Details here.

Another offshoot of Farmers Fair is Dinner on the Farm June 1 at Napoleon Ridge Farm to benefit the Community Farm Alliance. It will feature food sourced from NRF and other local farms prepared by Chef Steven Geddes of Local 127 plus local wines from Stonebrook Winery and music by The Turkeys. Transportation will be provided departing from Local 127, where you can kick off the evening with cocktails. I’ve been to Napoleon Ridge, off I-71 just past where it splits from I-75 toward Louisville, and am really looking forward to this! Only 50 seats available.

Here are some other fun food events you might want to put on your calendar.

Jean-Robert’s Table is offering a Springtime in Paris special Thursdays after 8 p.m. through the end of the month, a bargain at four courses for $40 plus half-price wines by the glass and music.

You can head to Viet Nam via the Cincinnatian's Third Thursday Tasting this month, where $60 gets you a two-course dinner for two and bottle of wine.

The Go OTR Summer Celebration next Sat. (5/19) will feature crafts by City Flea, food by A Tavola, Abigail Street, Bakersfield, Lavomatic, Senate (which is doing a BBQ pop-up), Taste of Belgium, Venice on Vine, and probably more.

And don’t forget Asian Food Fest next Saturday (11 a.m. to midnight) and Sunday (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.) at The Banks.

FYI, I always have an eye out for special food events in Cincy and environs. Check out my facebook page for news as I spot it. And stay tuned to the blog for much more I have in the hopper :)