Salsa Verde Eggs

My friend Katie and I are two of the biggest foodies you'll ever meet. Our conversations are usually a giant verbal recipe swap. Discussing new ways to use seasonal ingredients and sharing tips and tricks for revamping classic dishes are common themes.

Basically, we like food, and we're not afraid to say it.

Recently, Katie and I were discussing eggs.

Eggs are one of my favorite things to eat. They're incredibly versatile, filling, go great with coffee, and cheap cheap cheap.

And fortunately, Katie was kind enough to share with me one of her favorite ways to revamp plain breakfast eggs.

Introducing, Salsa Verde Eggs:

Simple, spicy, and easy, this dish is my new go-to breakfast.

To make one serving, you will need:

dab butter

2 eggs

a dash of milk

salt & pepper

3-4 tablespoons salsa verde

one handful shredded queso cheese

Start by heating a pan on medium heat. Place a dab of butter on the pan.

Mix your eggs in a bowl with the milk, salt, and pepper.

Pour your eggs into the pan and let them cook, untouched. Just as the bottom of the eggs begin to set, sporadically pour your salsa verde into the egg mixture (if you have any on-hand, this is also a great time to add some broken up tortilla chips to your eggs). Scramble your eggs until cooked. Top with cheese.

Spicy. Cheesy. Delicious.

Thanks Katie!

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Pita Pies

My favorite part of Christmas is yanking out all the made-from-scratch authentic  recipes from old family binders. Generally, this is when a family's nationality comes through. For my family, this means Norwegian Vafler and chocolates. For mt friend Maria, this means homemade pasta from her mother's Italian side and authentic pita from her father's Macedonian side. 

Now, when I say "pita," I don't mean the mediterranean bread you eat with hummus. I'm talking fluffy pastry pies stuffed with cheese and deliciousness.

Sound good? 

                                    

I thought so.

Well, Maria's family was generous enough to let me stop by for a pita-making session to show me the secrets to making this savory dish. Surprisingly easy, it can be whipped up quickly and packs a ton of flavor.

To make your own pita, grab these ingredients:

1 medium onion, sliced

1 pinch paprika

olive oil

12 oz Greek feta cheese

12 oz farmer's cheese

2 eggs

splash of lemon juice

Fillo dough

melted butter

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

Start by heating your olive oil in a pan. Toss in your onions and a pinch of paprika, enough to cover the whole pan of onions. Sautee until golden brown.

While the onions are cooking, mix your cheese, eggs, and lemon juice in a giant bowl.

Finally, when the onions are done, mix them in with your cheese.

Next, grab your melted butter and your Fillo dough to prepare the pockets.

Start by placing a piece of Fillo on a cutting board or other clean surface. Trifold the dough.

Paint the surface with melted butter using a kitchen brush.

Then, scoop a dollop of the cheese mixture on the end of your dough.

Fold the dough forward once to cover the cheese.

Then, fold the corner over to the opposite side of the dough, forming a triangle. Continue this pattern, switching sides until you're at the end of your dough.

Brush your pita with some more butter and place it on a baking sheet. Repeat until you're out of cheese.

Bake the pitas in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

The final step is to enjoy your deliciously creamy and tart pita. But careful - they're hot!

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Kerrytown Farmer's Market

On Friday night, after Katie, Joanna and I had gorged ourselves on Jerusalem Garden, Katie asked if I'd be interested in joining them at the Kerrytown farmers market the next day.

"Sounds great!" I said, "When are we going?"

"We'd like to get there by 8:30 am."

"........................."

While my desire for sleep is grandiose and unrelenting, Katie implored that the market, which opens at 8 am every Saturday, is always crazy busy so you have to get there early to get a good selection. So, I conceded, set my alarm for 8 am, slipped into some jeans and set off for the market.

Needless to say, Katie's insistance that the market would be packed was right on point.

Now I'm no stranger to farmers markets, but the Kerrytown market certainly had the largest selection I've ever seen. Jars upon jars of eclectic-flavored preserves, jams, salsas and salad dressings; heaping piles of fresh fruit and vegetables; and some vendors were even selling eco-friendly home goods and purses.

These donuts looked especially tempting - only 75 cents per single-serving bag! This table also had an array of pull-apart breads, monkey breads, etc. My nose was temporarily lovestruck by the overwhelming power of cinnamon. 

Katie left the market with three huge bunches of Kale, while Joanna grabbed some smaller fruits and vegetables. I left with a gigantic eggplant and this delicious bag of chocolate raspberry coffee:

I also couldn't bear to leave without grabbing some of the beautiful potted herbs being sold. They were perfect to make my own mini-garden.

If you're cooking on a budget, I sincerely recommend putting together your own mini-garden as well. Fresh herbs add instant flavor and are used in so many recipes, but usually in small quantities like 1 or 2 tablespoons. Since grocery stores only sell herbs in huge bunches, you waste a lot of money buying a new bunch just to use a little bit.
I grabbed parsley, chives, rosemary and basil. What's in your garden?

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