The city of Toronto has many farmer’s markets. You can probably hit a different farmer’s market every day of the week. A new farmer’s market opened this summer in our neighbourhood. The Leslieville Farmers’ Market (that is located at Jonathan Ashbridge Park) is open on Sunday mornings…and this past Sunday we stopped by.
First stop – the coffee guys (for my husband).
The beauty of a farmers’ market is that you actually get to meet the people who grow the food. Our market has everything from veggies, fruit, fish, baked goods, meat, etc. There are activities for children, this past Sunday they were going to get the kids making ice cream. My girls were happy to swing around in the playground.
And of course there is music – Chasing Angus was the band of choice.
The end of the summer is a great time to hit the farmers’ market (well, anytime really is). Our goal was to pick up everything we needed to make Sunday dinner.
We ended up with this selection of food…purple carrots, various tomatoes, round steak and fresh chevre (goat cheese). So, what to make?
Tomato and Chevre salad
variety of heirloom, cherry and plum tomatoes
chevre
basil
red wine vinegar
olive oil
1. slice larger tomatoes into wedges, smaller tomatoes in half – add to bowl
2. sprinkle a few teaspoons of vinegar and oil over tomatoes
3. tear and toss a few leaves of basil on top
4. drop small spoonfuls of chevre on top of tomatoes
5. season with salt and pepper to taste
6. give a quick toss, enjoy
Simple Steak Marinade
(no picture…we ate it too fast)
garlic
balsamic vinegar
dijon mustard
basil
salt and pepper
1. put all ingredients in a large ziploc bag
2. add the meat and leave to marinade – 1 hour – 12 hours
We also roasted the carrots in olive oil, salt, pepper and fresh garden herbs. All in all dinner was, beginning to end, delicious. This is the essence of simple eating.
What a wonderful experience for our girls to meet the farmers, help select the food and then enjoy a fresh meal. Eating from a farmer’s market is a true joy. Looking for a farmers’ market in your neighbourhood? Check out your city’s site or your local paper.
