It’s cold in Indianapolis in February, so that means chili weather! I figured if you are a New England Patriot fan than you’re used to “chowda” and other seafood dishes. How about a seafood chili that is sure to warm up any chilly fan!

SEAFOOD CHILI

2 LBS. DRY GREAT NORTHERN BEANS

2 TSP. SALT

2 1/2 QTS. WATER

1 MEDIUM ONION, DICED

1 MEDIUM BELL PEPPER, DICED

1 CAN OF BEER

1 28 OZ. CAN DICE TOMATOES, DRAINED

16 OZ. CLAM JUICE

4 TBSP. CHILI SEASON’N

2 LBS. ASSORTED WHITE FISH, CUT 1/2”

1 LB. CLEANED SHRIMP

2 6 OZ. CANS CRABMEAT, DRAINED

2 6 OZ. CANS CLAMS, DRAINED

SOAK BEANS OVERNIGHT, RINSE AND DRAIN. ADD BEANS TO A 6 QT. ( OR LARGER ) POT; ADD WATER AND SALT. BRING TO A BOIL; REDUCE HEAT AND SIMMER ONE HOUR, STIRRING OCCASIONALLY. SATUE’ PEPPERS AND ONIONS FOR 5 MINUTES OVER MEDIUM HEAT. ADD TO BEANS ALONG WITH TOMATOES, BEER, CLAM JUICE AND CHILI SEASON’N. BRING TO A BOIL; REDUCE HEAT AND SIMMER FOR 1 1/2 HOURS, STIRRING OCASIONALLY. ADD FISH; COOK 8 MINUTES. ADD REMAINING INGREDIENTS AND COOK FOR 5 – 10 MINUTES OR UNTIL SHRIMP IS PINK. SERVE WITH OYSTER CRACKERS AND ENJOY!

Now for those New York Giants fans, I decided on one of my favorites…White Turkey Chili! Okay, I know that you are wondering why the heck I would choose this one. No, New York ( or New Jersey where the Giants play) is not known for its turkey population…although the wild turkey has really made a comeback over the years! It’s because of the New York Giants white uniform. They wore the white uniform in Super Bowl XLII against the New England Patriots and they won! They’ll be wearing them again this February 5^th!

WHITE TURKEY CHILI

1 LB DRIED NAVY BEANS

1 LB DRIED GREAT NORTHERN BEANS

2 CUPS TURKEY BROTH

3 QTS. WATER

1 CUP CELERY, DICED

2 CUPS ONION, DICED

1 GREEN PEPPER, DICED

2 (4OZ.) CANS DICED GREEN CHILES

2-3 LBS. COOKED TURKEY, CUBED

3-4 TBSP. CHILI SEASON’N

2 TSP. SALT

3 TBSP. CORN MEAL

IN A 6-8 QUART POT SOAK BEANS OVERNIGHT, DRAIN AND RINSE; ADD CHICKEN BROTH, WATER AND SALT. BRING TO A BOIL; REDUCE HEAT, COVER AND SIMMER FOR 2 HOURS…STIR OCCASIONALLY. SAUTE’ CELERY & PEPPERS FOR 5 MINUTES. ADD TO BEANS, ALONG WITH CHILES, TURKEY AND CHILI SEASON’N. SIMMMER FOR 1 HOUR, UNCOVERED..STIR OCCASIONALLY. TO THICKEN, SLOWLY ADD CORN MEAL, STIRRING CONSTANTLY. ENJOY!

I was raised on Long Island in New York so I guess I’ll root for the Giants, but honestly I have always been a Redskins fan at heart. Maybe I’ll just sit back and enjoy the food and the game and say who cares who wins! Hope one of them is you team.

As an older adult, I wake up and have to roll into position to see out of my window…cautiously I might add so as to not move a joint quickly which would mean much pain. It does not matter if there is snow or not, because I am not leaving the semi warmth of my home and I now know how to make my own flavorful soups with ease!

Getting old does have its advantages…we do not have to go sleigh riding, we do not have to really enjoy the snow and if we don’t want to leave our homes we do not have to…the grandkids can find their own way to our doors! Lol The good part is they can be met with the scent of wonderful homemade soups cooking on our stoves.

Herb’n Renewal really does take the guesswork out of seasoning! Here’s a great starter soup for a cold winter day.

Chicken Veggie’n Rice Stew

1-2 lb. chicken, cooked & diced
1 cup celery, chopped
1 cup onion, chopped
2 tbsp. olive oil
4 qt. chicken stock
1 lb. frozen mixed vegetables
1 1/2 cup white rice
2 tbsp. RUB’N SEASON POULTRY
Roux for thickening (optional)

In a large pot, saute’ celery and onions in olive oil for 5-10 minutes. Add chicken stock and bring to a boil. Add everything else, except the roux! Bring back to a boil, reduce heat and simmer till the veggies and rice are tender…about 1 hour. Thicken with roux (equal parts melted butter and flour mixed together) if desired.

Enjoy the snow from the inside of your warm home!!!!

They were voted #1 in Kentucky in the “America’s Favorite Farmers Market” contest run by the American Farmland Trust!

I know you can’t see the smiles on our faces, but take my word for it…we are grinning from ear to ear!

WTG, Bluegrass Farmers’ Market!

Just in case you missed the salsa sampling at the Tomato Festival last Sunday, Drew is making another big batch for tomorrow at the Bluegrass Farmers’ Market! It was a big hit so don’t miss out on a another chance to sample a simple, easy to make…yet fresh and delicious salsa!

Our Salsa Season’n really does take the guesswork out of making salsa! Nothing more than chopped tomatoes, green peppers and onions…with some Salsa Seasoning. It just doesn’t get any easier than that. Folks were asking if it was hot and spicy. Well, I am a wimp when it comes to spicy foods and I love it. But, for those of you who prefer killer hot salsa, you can always add a hot pepper to really spice it up. We describe our Salsa Season’n as spicy enough to be great and yet not hot enough to make ya sweat!

We’ll be at the Bluegrass Farmers’ Market from 9 until 2…stop by and have a sample with us. While you’re there you can shop for nothing but the finest and freshest homegrown fruits and veggies. It’s Lexington’s only 100% homegrown/produced farmers market!

BTW…the “Zuckie” cookies will be back and so will the Herb’n Buns!

Hope to see you at the market!

Pork seems to be a favorite because we have customers each week asking which herb blend to use on it. Well, Drew is going to be oven roasting some half loins this week and we’ll be handing out samples at the Bluegrass Farmers’ Market on Saturday! We’ll also have sandwiches available for you to enjoy at home!

When folks ask us which seasoning to use we kinda scratch our heads cause we have more than one that works wonders on pork! Do you like a bit of southwest flavor? Or are you leaning more towards a Caribbean jerk taste? Maybe you just like “herby!” We’re going the “herby” route this Saturday with our Rub’n Season Pork. Just great flavor that enhances any cut of pork…loins, chops, steaks, roasts, butts, ground pork burgers. Shoulders and even ribs! Can you tell that I had to ask Drew what cuts of pork existed? Lol I never would have thought about a “butt” although I do love them!

Anyway, stop the Bluegrass Farmers’ Market this Saturday…we’ll be there from 9 until 2. here’s a link tot he market blog so you can see what other goodies will be available. http://www.localharvest.org/blog/29529/

And, if you have some spare time on Sunday, we’ll be at the Tomato Fest at the Arboretum from 2 until 5! We’ll come loaded down with plenty of salsa samples made with our Salsa Season’n! It really does take the guesswork out of making your own homemade salsa! And, you don’t have to wait to enjoy it…just chop your tomatoes, peppers and onions…throw in the Salsa Season’n and enjoy!

Hope to see ya this weekend!

Well, as Cajun as a hot “dawg” can get! Lol

Drew will be sampling his Cajun BBQ Sauce’n Dawgs at the Bluegrass Farmers’ Market tomorrow! It’s made with our Cajun Wing’n Season and it is a bit on the spicy side but not killer hot. Heck, by the time you add the “Holy Trinity” and cheese topping…it’s just a good old Dawg!!! Stop by and have a sample or take one home with ya!

The Bluegrass Farmers’ Market is loaded with summer goodness…corn, tomatoes, peppers, squash, zucchini, onions, potatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, okra and of course herb seasoning to make them all taste even better!

You won’t need any seasoning for the melons and berries available but I highly recommend them! The cantaloupe I purchased last week was wonderful! The blackberries, raspberries and blueberries are to die for! I couldn’t believe how big the blackberries were…YIKES!

Hey, next Saturday the market is going to be celebrating National Farmers Market Week with a freebie! I’m talking a big farmers market tote bag to haul your bounty home in! Of course the fact that it is “wildcat blue” and white makes it all the more special.

See ya at the Bluegrass Farmers’ Market tomorrow, Saturday from 9 until 2. We’re located at 3450 Richmond Rd. next to the Glenn Auto Mall.

Tomorrow is going to be a great day at the Bluegrass Farmers’ Market! First off, it’s Customer Appreciation Day! Our farmers will be giving away all sorts of goodies! You can sign up to win “Market Bucks!” And, the kids get to create their very own market veggie visor. Have to admit that I made one for myself just to see how it would look. I’m not a big fan of eggplant but I just couldn’t resist putting one big purple one in the middle! Lol Stop by and see my creation..I’ll be wearing mine tomorrow!

Drew started the day out early by grilling chicken so that he can let it cool in order to prepare his wonderful Great’n Grilled Chicken Salad for sampling tomorrow. It’s one of my favorites and I can’t wait to sneak a sample for myself. The Rub’n Season for Poultry is a great herb blend and it really makes this a great chicken salad recipe…stop by and have a sample! You can even take a sandwich home with you!

Karin has been busy in the soap shop and those crazy little “Fish’n A Bag” soaps are back! So are the crowd favorites…Shea, Goat’n Honey soaps!

So, take some time to come and visit us at Lexington’s only 100% homegrown/produced farmers market tomorrow. We’ll be there from 9 until 2. It’s just a hop skip and a jump from Man O’War, right next to the Glenn Auto Mall…ya can’t miss us! July 10^th would be a great time to make your first trip to the Bluegrass Farmers’ Market. Heck, you could leave with some free fruits, veggies, soaps, jams, plants, flowers or even some market $$$ to spend shopping! We love our customers and we are gonna show you just how much tomorrow at our Customer Appreciation Day celebration! Here’s a link to the blog letting you know all about us an what’s gonna be available. http://www.localharvest.org/blog/29529/

The herb folks at Herb’n Renewal, Karin and Drew, would love see ya!

Drew is setting up the grill and we’ll be offering samples of various herb blends on farm fresh market squash and zucchini!  So, if you have wanted to try Herb’n Cowboy, Herb’n All, Smoke’n Season, Good’n Garlicky or even a sprinkle of some “hot” stuff, stop by and have a taste!

The Bluegrass Farmers’ Market is Lexington’s only 100% homegrown/produced market and we are very proud to be members.  It’s just really nice to belong to a group that has rules and regulations that apply to everyone and, by George, you better stick to them!  HaHa!  It’s also a pleasure to be amongst real farmers again and most importantly, to have customers who really appreciate the fact that we all grow, raise, bake or make what we sell.

We’d love to see you on Saturday.  We’ll be at the market from 9 until 2.  The Bluegrass Farmers’ Market is located at 3450 Richmond Rd. in the parking lot of Pedal the Plant and Fast Signs…right next to the Glenn Auto Mall.  Now, before you say to yourself…heck, that’s far away…we’re only a hop, skip and a jump from Man O’War and the great part is…free and plentiful parking!

Check out the market blog to see what’s available this week.   http://www.localharvest.org/blog/29529/

I know that sounds easy but I’m beginning to think that my brilliant idea is gonna kill me!  I have been digging through boxes loaded with dust, pet hair, etc. for the past week.  Who knew I had collected so many cookbooks! 

 I spent years traveling for business and the easiest book to read while on a plane, was a cookbook.  I would find a recipe that I wanted to try and circle the page in the index with a pencil.  Well, I still have many of those books…20 years later!  And, I’ll bet I haven’t tried half of the circled recipe.  Shame on me.

Of course Drew came with a bunch of cookbooks too so that meant we have many double copies.  Guess where they are going where they are going on Saturday!  And, for some darn reason I have a bunch of “cooking with kids” books.  Why?  I have no children, never have and seen as how I just filed for my Social Security, I doubt I ever will.  Must have been a good deal somewhere way back when.  They will be included in my stash going to the market.

The next big thump on my head should be because it never entered my mind to think about how the heck we are going to get them to the market.  Poor old “Chuck” our van is loaded to the hilt each Saturday morning and now we have to squish in boxes loaded with cookbooks!

Remind me not to have anymore “brain farts!” lol  But, it should be a fun day and I can almost guarantee that I will be bringing boxes full of “new to me” books home…much to Drew’s dismay!  Poor baby has to put up with my collecting passions.  Hmmmmm, wonder if we can do a piggie collection exchange!  He’d love that that one, we’d clear out half of our home!

Hope you’all come and join in on the fun this Saturday, June 26th, at the Bluegrass Farmers’ Market.  It’s located at 3450 Richmond Rd. next to the Glenn Auto Mall…ya can’t miss it!  We’re there from 9 until 2 and the big news…fresh, locally corn is in!!!  So are the sun ripened tomatoes!  You can shop and get a book all in the same location!

Looks like it is going to be a hot one at the Bluegrass Farmers’ Market tomorrow. Its a good thing Drew took that into consideration when he was trying to decide what to sample at the market. Look for some “Not Your Average” egg salad! He’ll also be making sandwiches with crisp fresh lettuce from our garden…it’s the last of it for the season.

Karin has been busy in the soap shop, so look for a new soap this week…Little Bit O’Loofah! It smells wonderful and the loofah slice in the center adds a bit of whimsy and great exfoliating too!

The fresh tomatoes are in at the market so make sure you grab some of our Salsa Season’n. It really is sooooo simple to make and quick too! Simply dice tomatoes, onions, green peppers and add the seasoning. You’re done and ready to enjoy!

Don’t forget that special dad in your life! Have to admit that I was semi thinking of my dad when I created a great gift basket to take to the market tomorrow. It’s got Craftsman BBQ tools in it! It’s loaded with some of Herb’n Renewal’s favorite grilling herb blends. I had to laugh and shed a tear at the same time. My dad was an avid woodworker but he couldn’t boil water! HaHa I kept seeing the word “Craftsman” and thinking about him and his tools. Then I looked at the seasoning and thought how he would have passed it over to my mom so that she could cook him something. I miss my dad.

Heading to the kitchen to pack while Drew boils and peels the eggs. I gave him that job because I have a tendency to peel off half of the egg every time…he’s much better at it. Guess all of those years spent in a kitchen paid off!

Hope to see you all at the Bluegrass Farmers’ Market tomorrow…Herb’n Renewal will be there from 9 until 2!