This Tough Gal is Cookin’

This all started with a thwarted trip to Triple B Farms. Thwarted may not be the right word. We actually did make it to the farm, it’s just that once we got there a storm was fast approaching so we ran from car to farm market, from market to car and then waited in car while the lightning danced, the thunder roared and the rain pounded down like the mushroom waterfall at Dormont Pool, ruining any chances that we would be spending the rest of the morning frolicking in the barnyard playground and admiring pretty ponies and other miscellaneous farm animals.

Scary rain storm* aside, I got tons of farm fresh produce and I made some pretty awesome food this weekend which I’m going to share with you even though SOME people might say that this kind of post proves that tough gals no longer exist:

1. Homemade Salsa: I LOVE salsa and I’m almost embarrassed to admit that this is the first time I tried my hand at making my own but it is, so whatever. I got this recipe from the Whole Foods web site which is an awesome resource not only for recipes but for their “Learn to Cook” features which give you the low-down on cooking basics from fresh salsa to roasting veggies and preparing corn on the cob. I’m happy to report that my first attempt at salsa was very tasty and I will definitely be making it again.

2. Baked Eggplant Parmesan: This is another recipe from Whole Foods and hands-down one of my favorite recipes of all-time. I generally use recipes as a guideline and play around with it until it suits my tastes, but this is one that requires absolutely no alteration and it’s super easy. The thought of making eggplant parmesan always used to intimidate me, but this recipe makes it simple and delicious. I seriously cannot say enough good things about this recipe.

3. Zucchini Chocolate Bread: I made this as a way to sneak veggies into something sweet for the kids. I cut the recipe in half and didn’t add the orange zest or the walnuts. It was awesome. Unfortunately, neither of the kids would touch it. Eden seems to have hit a plateau when it comes to trying new things and her current diet mostly consists of strawberry yogurt, ham lunchmeat, hummus and green beans. She usually likes sweets too but this weekend anytime something sweet came her way she screamed “NO COOKIE! EWWWWWWW!” and pushed it away in horror. I’m pretty sure that she telepathically knew that I was trying to sneak veggies into her sweets. She’s a smart one.

4. Roasted Red Potato Salad: I like potato salad. I did this one mostly by the book except I added celery and instead of 1 cup mayonnaise, I used sour cream, dijon mustard and just a little bit of mayo. We liked it.

If you try any of these recipes, tell me your experience. And speaking of experiences, who wants to go to the fall festival at Triple B Farms this year? It may not be Bret Michaels at the Rib Fest, but I’m totally in.

Also, if you read that previous link about tough gals and the blogosphere, I’d like to know what you think: Does blogging about kids or cooking make you a wimp?

*On a serious note, I can’t think about Friday’s storms without my heart going out to all the loved ones of those who lost their lives in the flash flooding on Washington Boulevard. For the sake of our city and the thousands who travel this road on a daily basis, I hope that something can be done to prevent future tragedy.